Victoria, British Columbia has more restaurants per-capita than any other Canadian city and it’s no wonder why – we have access to some of the best ingredients in the world! Whether you’re staying in a Victoria vacation rental or if you’re enjoying a rental property in Sidney and North Saanich, you’ll want to spend some of your stay exploring the incredible cuisine on South Vancouver Island! From French fine dining and casual Italian bistros to Japanese tapas and cool West Coast eateries, Victoria restaurants have it all and more! It’s often said that one of the best ways to learn about a new city is through the food and visiting restaurants that locals love. So come and learn about this beautiful capital city in Canada’s Pacific Northwest the best way possible – through our food!
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-298-6877
When it comes to fun, flavourful dishes and fresh Ocean wise seafood, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than the menu at Red Fish Blue Fish! This long-time local favourite food stand, tucked away in the Inner Harbour is one of the best places to find a huge variety of casual classic and Mexican-inspired seafood dishes from fish and chip combos like fresh halibut and wild salmon to comforting chowder and deliciously messy fish tacos, tostadas and sandwiches. It’s really the perfect place to grab a bite while you’re exploring Victoria!
Brasserie L’ecole
1715 Government St, Victoria, BC
If you’re looking for the perfect place for French fine dining in the heart of Victoria, you can’t go wrong booking a table at Brasserie L’ecole, located on Government St right near Victoria’s Chinatown. With decadent French-country inspired dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal, local ingredients the menu at Brasserie is both elevated and approachable. From menu items like pâté and salmon rillettes to decadently juicy steak frites, burgers and ratatouille, the Brasserie takes French comfort food flavours to a whole new level.
Pagliacci’s
1011 Broad St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-386-1662
If you love Italian food as much as we do, you’ll want to make sure that you make sure to visit one of Victoria’s favourite restaurants: Pagliacci’s. Set in one of Victoria’s many heritage buildings, this lovely bistro offers guests a dinner menu filled with flavourful handmade meat and veggie pasta dishes, perfectly prepared steaks, surf and turf with jumbo prawns and crispy salads. Here, you can also find one of the best brunch spots and if you’re looking for a great happy hour, Pag’s has it! Plus, Pagliacci’s also offers easy takeout options with individual sized cocktails, wine and beer options as well as their full menu! Buon appetito!
Il Terrazzo
555 Johnson St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-361-0028
Right in the heart of Old Town, tucked away down a little alley is one of the loveliest, fine-dining, Italian restaurants in downtown Victoria. For nearly 30 years, this restaurant has been known for its incredible ambience, service and menus. If you’re looking for the best restaurant for an intimate dining experience that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of the Mediterranean, this is it!
Ferris’
536 Yates St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-360-1824
Once upon a time, there was a funky little restaurant named Ferris’ that opened right near the water in heritage downtown Victoria. It quickly became a popular restaurant for local foodies and its popularity has never wavered. Now Ferris’ is so much more – there’s Ferris’ Grill & Garden Patio when you’re in the mood for casual dining or a fun happy hour spot, Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar where diners can come for something more upscale and intimate and Perro Negro for absurdly delightful cocktails and Spanish tapas and other small plates.
Little Jumbo
Down the Hall, 506 Fort St #102, Victoria, BC | 1-778-433-5535
Looking for a funky speakeasy vibe with incredible craft cocktails and a delicious menu? Little Jumbo has you covered! For nearly a decade now, this incredibly cool spot located in heritage downtown Victoria has been drawing crowds with imaginative craft cocktails and delicious, fresh, ever-changing dishes. With edgy decor like the bare Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, never-ending great music, knowledgeable service this permanently busy restaurant is a must when you’re dining in Victoria!
The Empress
721 Government St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-384-8111
Standing pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour stands The Empress Hotel. As a well-known heritage site, this hotel is not just a place where visitors book their stay in Victoria, it also has a world-class spa, beautiful gardens, small shopping area and some of the best restaurants in the city.
Lobby Lounge: Since 1908, The Empress has been offering a formal, British afternoon tea service complete with classic tea blends, tiered trays laden with finger sandwiches, fresh scones, cream and preserves. Today you can still experience one of the most cherished Victorian traditions in this sophisticated room!
Q Bar: If you’re looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, this is one of the top places in the city to go for exceptional hand-crafted cocktails, local beer on tap and an impressive wine selection.
Q at the Empress: For years, Q has been rated as one of the best places to find Pacific Northwest Coast inspired cuisine in an elegantly modern dining room.
The Verandah: For one of the best patios in the city, this is where you can find comfortable fireside seating, warm drinks, festive treats and watch the world go by.
Café Brio
944 Fort St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-383-0009
With an unassuming facade, this lovely restaurant on Fort St. in Victoria has long been serving Italian-inspired, rustic, West Coast cuisine to the discerning foodie crowd in Victoria. With a focus on sourcing the highest quality, local ingredients, and offering incredible in-house made pasta, impeccable service and gorgeous wine bar, Café Brio is sure to impress!
AURA Waterfront Restaurant
680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC | 1-250-414-6739
AURA Waterfront Restaurant, on the edge of James Bay is by far one of the best restaurants to find incredible food, an extensive wine list and waterfront views. Best known for their brunches and fun happy hour offerings, AURA focuses on sourcing fresh, local ingredients for their global-inspired dishes. For larger parties, you can book a table and have access to the Chef’s Group tasting menu – a set menu featuring all the very best AURA has to offer!
Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe
2 Paul Kane Pl, Victoria, BC | 1-250-940-5850
Nestled in the Victoria International Marina, this upscale restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with stunning waterfront views! Boom+Batten combines modern, elegant decor with a vibrant atmosphere and offers a menu featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that showcase creative West Coast cuisine and highlights fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat! Whether for a leisurely brunch, an intimate dinner, or cocktails at sunset, Boom+Batten promises an incredible experience by the water!
Nubo Japanese Tapas & Nubo Kitchen + Bar
739 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC | 490 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC
1-778-265-9909 | 1-778-440-0490
When it comes to Japanese food, Nubo has taken Victoria by storm, opening two very different but equally delicious Japanese restaurants in downtown Victoria. Nubo Japanese Tapas is a small, modern restaurant perfect for grabbing a casual bite and one of the best takeout sushi restaurants in the city. While Nubo Tapas is perfect for a casual bite, Nubo Kitchen and Grill is a high-end dining experience right in historic Victoria. Both locations are inspired by the casual Japanese tapas style dining called Izakaya, at both locations, you’ll find carefully created dishes like crispy tempura, silky ramen and cool maki, perfect for sharing. Using both traditional Japanese flavours as well as globally inspired flavour combinations, the food at Nubo is sure to impress!
The Bottom Line
No matter what kind of dining experience you’re looking for, from upscale Pacific Northwest dining to casual fare you eat on the dock in the Inner Harbour, Victoria has a plethora of restaurant options that are absolutely delicious! Bon appetit!
