Victoria has the second-highest number of restaurants per capita of all North American cities! The waterfront tourist area is home to a wide variety of restaurants and eateries, including several English-style pubs. Try the fish and chips or shepherds pie for a taste of England in Canada. For a more eclectic Victoria experience, check out the classy restaurants that surround Chinatown, offering interesting west-coast fusion and asian dishes.
Ocean Island Cafe Lounge
Located inside Ocean Island Inn|Backpackers|Suites, it is priced for backpackers and probably the cheapest place in town to eat and one of the cheapest for drinks. The clientele is a mix of travelers, local downtown dwellers in the know, and bohemian/student types. They have live music several nights a week and their Wednesday Open Mic is a Victoria institution.
West coast fusion
The Noodle Box
626 fisgard st., +1 250 360-1312, and 818 douglas st., +1 250 384-1314, (http://www.thenoodlebox.net/). hours m-sa 11am-9pm, su noon-8pm. another very popular spot for locals. serves southeast asian food fresh and in a takeaway box. wait times vary depending on the time of day for example, 20-25 minutes during lunch hour rush, but the meal is worth it. minimize the wait by phoning in your order in advance. the boxes look deceptively small, but they make a very filling meal.
Rebar Modern Food
50 bastion square, +1 250 361-9223. m-w 8:30am-9pm, th-sa 8:30am-10pm, su 8:30am-3:30pm brunch. a partially vegetarian restaurant with a diverse modern menu, and a nice location. limited vegan options, and many menu items contain fish. lunch for under $10 per person, dinner for under $15.
The Mint
1414 douglas street, between pandora and johnson, 386-6468 & 361-9223. nepalese and tibetan cuisine in a swanky atmosphere, djs included. a popular spot for students.
Mo:lé
554 pandora, between government and wharf, +1 250 385-6653. a trendy restaurant serving fusion breakfast, lunches and dinners.
Pubs
Spinnakers Brewpub
308 catherine st, +1 250 386-2739, (http://www.spinnakers.com) within walking distance of downtown. a great place to go for a drink or a meal. pub: 7 days a week, 11am-11pm. restaurant: 7am-10:30pm. there is a restaurant on the main floor, and a brewpub upstairs. great atmosphere and a nice view of the inner harbour, especially in the evening. a variety of in-house brews, as well as whatever else you want to drink.
Irish Times
1200 government st, +1 250 383-7775, (http://www.irishtimespub.ca). wonderful pub meals, good beer and lots of seating.
Bent Mast Pub and Restaurant
512 simcoe st. in james bay, +1 250 383-6000. a great place to drink, eat, make friends, and have fun. talk to the staff for a bit of the history of this old victorian house and invite your friends!
Swanâs Restaurant and Hotel
+1 250 361-3310, (http://www.swanshotel.com...) swanâs brews their own beer and feature live music every night of the week.
European cuisine
Brasserie L'ecole
1715 government st, +1 250 475-6260. open tu-sa 5:30pm-11pm. a highly-acclaimed fine dining destination with the atmosphere of a classy but comfy parisian restaurant. probably the best food in victoria.
Oh Gelato!
Italian ice cream, 1013 government street. 66 flavours of beautifully-presented gelatos, garnished with bits of fruit or chocolate to illustrate their flavour, at $6.95 for a two-scoop cup. also snacks and canadian food souvenirs. worth a stop to photograph the gelato.
Cafe Brio Restaurant
944 fort st, victoria - cafe brio is open seven nights a week for dinner from 5:30pm - advance reservations are highly recommended; phone +1 250 383-0009 or toll-free at 1-866-270-5461 (http://www.cafe-brio.com) "cafe brio, the hottest restaurant in victoria, is a destination for serious diners from all over the u.s. and canada." writes northwest palate magazine.
Pagliaccis
1011 broad st, +1 250 386-1662. one of the most popular italian restaurants in town. intimate settings and addictively scrumptious endless free bread. always a good experience.
Rathskeller Schnitzel House
A taste of bavaria, best german food and beer in town; authentic interior and atmosphere! live accordion music most nights. (http://www.rathskeller.ca...)
Il Terrazzo Ristorante
555 johnson st, off waddington alley. (http://www.ilterrazzo.com/) great italian in a charming patio atmosphere.
North american cuisine
Fairfield Fish and Chips
1277 fairfield road, +1 250 380-6880, (http://members.shaw.ca/fa...). they are closed sunday and monday and most holidays. get your chips to go and take them 4 blocks down to the waterfront and enjoy the view of juan de fuca strait. they do an especially light and fluffy batter.
John's Place
723 pandora ave, 1-250-389-0711, (http://www.johnsplace.ca). a local favourite with some of the best staff in town and excellent food at decent prices. brunch for two is about $27.50 including tax and tip. the eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce is to die for 10 varieties, $8.95-10.95! great place for saturday or sunday brunch. comfortable, casual family & friends atmosphere. open 364 days/year, m-th 7am-9pm, f 7am-10pm, sa 8am-10pm, su 8am-9pm.
Ferris' Oyster Bar & Grill
536 yates st, +1 250 360-1824. (http://www.ferrisoysterbar.com). a large menu and classy atmosphere, perfect for first dates or nights out with friends. even the burgers are good.
Shine Cafe
1458 fort st. a very popular brunch spot located at oak bay corners fort and pandora, outside of downtown. a particularly interesting dish they make is scottish breakfast with black pudding and potato scones. expect a long wait after 11am on weekends.
Chandlers Seafood House
1250 wharf st., +1 250 385-3474. a lovely seafood restaurant located in downtown victoria. voted best local seafood restaurant many times. intimate food at reasonable prices. great selection for all courses. reservations recommended.
Blue Crab Bar & Grill
146 kingston st, in the coast harbourside hotel & marina, 480-1999 (http://www.bluecrab.ca) beautiful harbor-view dining with elegant atmosphere.
Other cuisine
Green Cuisine
#5-560 johnson st., in the market square centre, tel +1 250 385-1809, (http://www.greencuisine.com). vegetarian restaurant offers a buffet of 100% vegan dishes. $1.75 per 100g, with fruit drinks and soy milk shakes about $4 on top of that. a generous meal for two was under $30. open 10-20h daily in the summer, m-sa 10-20h and sun 10-17h in the winter.
Afternoon Tea
At the empress hotel see under "lodging". this is quintessentially victoria or unbearably kitsch, depending on your taste. afternoon tea, served from 12 noon on, includes fine teas, fruit with cream, and elegant petite sandwiches. altogether it is a full meal. price changes with the season, from $48 per person in summer to $38 in the winter. west coast tea, served th-sa from 7pm on during the summer only, builds on the concept but is designed for cruise ship visitors. $42 per person. reservations required, and should be made 1-2 weeks in advance at 250 389-2727. dress-code is "smart casual": dresses and ties not required, but avoid tank tops and flip-flops. see also (http://www.fairmont.com/f...).