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$$ | Downtown |
If you like your fish both yummy and ecologically friendly, look no further than this former shipping container on the pier at the foot of Broughton Street. From the soil-topped roof and biodegradable packaging to the sustainably harvested local seafood, this waterfront takeout shop minimizes its ecological footprint. The chef offers a choice of local wild salmon, tuna, and oysters from the barbecue. Portuguese buns are baked daily for the seafood sandwiches, fish tacos come in grilled tortilla cones, and even plain old fish-and-chips are taken up a notch with a choice of wild salmon, halibut, or cod in tempura batter with hand-cut fries. And don't knock the "frikle" (battered pickle) 'til you've tried it. Be prepared for long lineups on sunny days and for variable closures during wet and cooler months.
1006 Wharf St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1T4, Canada
Known For
- Jerk fish poutine
- Barbecued oysters
- Top-notch fish-and-chips
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner. Closed Nov.–mid-Feb., Reservations not accepted
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$$ | Downtown |
Half the space is a cozy café with soup, sandwiches, and amazing pastries from Fol Epi, one of the city's best bakeries; the other half is a tiny restaurant and bar. Either way, food is focused on organic locavorism and both are great to satiate hunger pangs.
732 Yates St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1L4, Canada
Known For
- Delicious pastries
- Food is organic-focused
- Cozy space
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Wed.
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$$ | James Bay |
Funky Barb's, a tin-roofed takeout shack, floats on the quay at Fisherman's Wharf, west of the Inner Harbour off St. Lawrence Street. Halibut, salmon, oysters, mussels, crab, burgers, and chowder are all prepared fresh. The picnic tables on the wharf provide a front-row view of the brightly colored houseboats moored here, or you can carry your food to the grassy park nearby. Ferries sail to Fisherman's Wharf from the Inner Harbour, or you can work up an appetite with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront.
St. Lawrence St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 1T1, Canada
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Harborside picnic tables
- Part of Victoria lore
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–early Mar.
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$$ | Downtown |
This slightly out-of-the-way, hip little burger joint elevates the humble patty with local ingredients and naturally raised meats, serving intriguing burger (and sandwich) combos like beef with chipotle-bourbon barbecue sauce, BC–raised bison with aged cheddar and fried onions, or chicken with bacon, Brie, and balsamic red onion jam. Vegetarians can substitute crispy tofu on any sandwich or opt for the chickpea, black bean, and goat cheese burger. Be sure to sample one of the house-made dips, perhaps curry aioli or lime-and-tomatillo hot sauce with the house-made fries. There's a kid's menu as well as drink choices that include creative cocktails, beer from island microbreweries, and house-made berry iced tea. Other lounges are in Langford and Nanaimo.
911 Yates St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 4X3, Canada
Known For
- Inventive burgers
- House-made dips
- Lounge-y atmosphere
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$$ | Downtown |
Offering a unique take on Japanese specialty dishes, the cuisine here can be paired with the largest sake selection in Canada—so diverse it is curated by two sake sommeliers. In addition to classic temaki, bowls, and charcoal aburi oshi, the big faves are small-portion plates paired with sake sangria, and the much grander Omakase Shokado, a showcase of nine different dishes (C$59/person). Try the sake tasting flights or for nondrinkers, the philosopher's tea, a blend of lemongrass, citrus peel, rose hips, and lavender blossoms. Nubo, the sister restaurant next door, is more casual and equally admired (but for its sushi tacos), as is the third location in this family of restaurants: Nubo near Johnson Bridge.
737 Pandora St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1N9, Canada
Known For
- Raw bar
- Sake selection
- Creativity in taste and presentation
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Downtown |
Fresh house-made noodles and wontons draw local office workers to this long-standing Chinese spot. Szechuan and Cantonese specialties, from shrimp noodle soup to beef with hot-chili bean sauce, dominate the long menu, but Singapore-style noodles and Indonesian chow mein appear, too. The diner-style eatery is low on character, but the crowds of locals and an open kitchen keep things buzzing. Reservations are accepted only for groups of four or more.
1012 Fort St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8V 3K4, Canada
Known For
- House-made noodles
- Open kitchen
- Local crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$ | Downtown |
This wine and cheese bistro feels as if it should be in the French countryside, not only for its casual ambience but for its offerings: small plates of cheese and cured meats, simple salads, and imaginative "morsels" that are so good, they often become a meal. Try the flight of three wines paired with three cheeses (C$35).
1028 Blanshard St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 2H5, Canada
Known For
- Wine selection
- Creative bites
- Warm atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Tues. and Wed.
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$$ | Downtown |
Bright and casual, with lime-green walls, hippie nuances, and a splashy Bollywood poster, this kid-friendly café in Bastion Square has long been the place for vegetarians in Victoria. But don't worry, the almond burgers, decadent baked goodies, and wild salmon tacos keep omnivores happy, too. Try the yam and pumpkin-seed quesadillas or the vegan Monk's Curry, or join locals for the popular weekend-only brunches. An extensive selection of teas, fresh juices, spirulina tonics, smoothies, and wheat-grass concoctions shares space on the drinks list with espresso, microbrews, and BC wines.
50 Bastion Sq., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1J2, Canada
Known For
- Vegetarian dining
- Gluten-free options
- Weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No breakfast weekdays
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$$ | Downtown |
Like many European coffee shops, this place starts as a grab 'n go coffee bar before transitioning to breakfast, to lunch, and finally dinner. Most of the suppliers are locally sourced and menu items range from generous sandwiches to pasta, burgers, and roast chicken. Caesars and other cocktails are served from 10 am and in the evening, the wine list is a showcase of local labels.
710 Pandora Ave., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 0E4, Canada
Known For
- Something for everyone
- Local flavors
- Fast service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$$ | Vic West |
Victoria's longest list of handcrafted beers is just one reason to trek over the Johnson Street Bridge or hop a Harbour Ferry to this Vic West waterfront pub. Canada's oldest licensed brewpub, and a popular hangout, Spinnakers relies almost exclusively on locally sourced ingredients for its top-notch casual fare. Opt for the pubby adults-only taproom, with its covered waterfront deck, double-sided fireplace, and wood-beamed ceilings, or dine in the all-ages waterfront restaurant. Either way you can enjoy a great selection of sharing plates alongside high-end pub grub such as mussels steamed in ale, or brick-oven pizzas (try the house-smoked wild salmon or the mushroom and beer). You can also stop by for breakfast, served from 8 am to 2 pm daily, or grab some house-made picnic fixings and malt vinegars at the take-away deli and bakery.
308 Catherine St., Victoria, British Columbia, V9A 3S8, Canada
Known For
- High-end pub fare
- Brick-oven pizza
- Takeaway deli
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