Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
Great for grabbing a coffee on the go while wandering downtown, try some of their amazing donuts!
104 locals recommend
Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StGreat for grabbing a coffee on the go while wandering downtown, try some of their amazing donuts!
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Tasty burgers in walking distance
Great local coffee in the heart of one of our favourite neighbourhoods.
61 locals recommend
Little June
1301 Gladstone AveGreat local coffee in the heart of one of our favourite neighbourhoods.
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdAmazing food for any meal, but we especially love brunch here. Slightly more expensive than other places but so worth it! Listed as one of Canada's top 100 restaurants.
24 locals recommend
Agrius
732 Yates StAmazing food for any meal, but we especially love brunch here. Slightly more expensive than other places but so worth it! Listed as one of Canada's top 100 restaurants.
Caffe Fantastico
965 Kings RdDelicious coffee and food, this location is perfect for a stop off while biking or walking downtown from Swan Lake, it's right off the Galloping Goose
35 locals recommend
Fantastico bar-deli
398 Harbour RdDelicious coffee and food, this location is perfect for a stop off while biking or walking downtown from Swan Lake, it's right off the Galloping Goose
Hey Happy
560 Johnson StAmazing brunch food, plus a games area downstairs for some ping-pong while you wait, what more could you want :)
18 locals recommend
The Ruby on Douglas
3110 Douglas StAmazing brunch food, plus a games area downstairs for some ping-pong while you wait, what more could you want :)
Mo:Lé Restaurant
554 Pandora AveReliably delicious brunch!
One of Victorias busiest brunch spots. The lines start early and go long, so this is a good place to visit during the week and earlier in the morning to avoid the rush.
201 locals recommend
Jam Cafe
542 Herald StOne of Victorias busiest brunch spots. The lines start early and go long, so this is a good place to visit during the week and earlier in the morning to avoid the rush.
Very popular take out seafood spot, the wait times can be lengthy so best to come during non-peak hours (right at opening, late afternoon, or post-dinner rush).
163 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StVery popular take out seafood spot, the wait times can be lengthy so best to come during non-peak hours (right at opening, late afternoon, or post-dinner rush).
Great spot for dinner and drinks, locally sourced and seasonal menus $$
58 locals recommend
OLO Restaurant
509 Fisgard StGreat spot for dinner and drinks, locally sourced and seasonal menus $$
Lovely atmosphere and great Italian food, one of our favourite spots! $$
244 locals recommend
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StLovely atmosphere and great Italian food, one of our favourite spots! $$
Beautifully restored home converted to restaurant with fresh seasonal and inventive food. $$
56 locals recommend
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
225 Quebec StreetBeautifully restored home converted to restaurant with fresh seasonal and inventive food. $$
Beloved restaurant in Quadra Village, great spot if you're wanting to stay out of the downtown and enjoy some unique and well crafted dishes.
45 locals recommend
Part and Parcel
2656 Quadra StBeloved restaurant in Quadra Village, great spot if you're wanting to stay out of the downtown and enjoy some unique and well crafted dishes.
Must-eat spot in Victoria. Great for takeout or eating at the shared tables—amazing burritos and tacos!
78 locals recommend
Tacofino
760 Pandora AveMust-eat spot in Victoria. Great for takeout or eating at the shared tables—amazing burritos and tacos!
Perfect for a quick bite to eat downtown, fantastic middle eastern inspired food.
12 locals recommend
Superbaba (Victoria)
1325 Blanshard StPerfect for a quick bite to eat downtown, fantastic middle eastern inspired food.
Cannot get enough of this pizza, we strongly recommend the mushroom pizza, but everything we've had from there has been incredible. Check out their instagram for daily specials.
15 locals recommend
Standard Pizza
1515 Cook StCannot get enough of this pizza, we strongly recommend the mushroom pizza, but everything we've had from there has been incredible. Check out their instagram for daily specials.
This is our top pick for ice cream in the city, and that's with some tough competition! Around the corner from Driftwood and Hoyne breweries which are well worth visits also.
9 locals recommend
Parachute Ice Cream
105-2626 Bridge StThis is our top pick for ice cream in the city, and that's with some tough competition! Around the corner from Driftwood and Hoyne breweries which are well worth visits also.
Great ice cream and treats, right in Fan Tan Alley (which is a must see in Victoria), perfect for a treat while wandering the shops of Chinatown.
20 locals recommend
Kid Sister Ice Cream
230 Cook StreetGreat ice cream and treats, right in Fan Tan Alley (which is a must see in Victoria), perfect for a treat while wandering the shops of Chinatown.
The Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone AvePub and restaurant in the heart of Fernwood
Essentials
Great for grabbing some groceries, or a bite to eat from the hot bar. There is also a Discovery coffee and a Bliss smoothie bar inside for coffee or a snack in walking distance.
27 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
3587 Blanshard StGreat for grabbing some groceries, or a bite to eat from the hot bar. There is also a Discovery coffee and a Bliss smoothie bar inside for coffee or a snack in walking distance.
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
1286 McKenzie AveBest place for local and fresh produce!
Save-On-Foods
3170 Tillicum RdEverything Else
Great spot for lunch with several local food vendors plus other shopping set up on a rotating basis.
71 locals recommend
Victoria Public Market at the Hudson
1701 Douglas StGreat spot for lunch with several local food vendors plus other shopping set up on a rotating basis.
Drinks & Nightlife
Good selection of beers in a comfortable atmosphere. In the summer the back patio onto market square is lovely for evening drinks.
119 locals recommend
The Drake Eatery
517 Pandora AveGood selection of beers in a comfortable atmosphere. In the summer the back patio onto market square is lovely for evening drinks.
Great food and drinks but we especially love it for Wednesday night pub quiz. It's always a fun time, and fills up fast so we recommend calling ahead for a reservation or going early to grab a bite beforehand and secure a table! Starts at 8:30.
20 locals recommend
Northern Quarter
1724 Douglas StGreat food and drinks but we especially love it for Wednesday night pub quiz. It's always a fun time, and fills up fast so we recommend calling ahead for a reservation or going early to grab a bite beforehand and secure a table! Starts at 8:30.
Lovely spot near Sidney, recommend going for a cider tasting flight and some snacks while enjoying the setting.
51 locals recommend
Sea Cider
2487 Mt St Michael RdLovely spot near Sidney, recommend going for a cider tasting flight and some snacks while enjoying the setting.
Parks & Nature
Beacon Hill is lovely for walking around, or taking a picnic. They have a petting zoo on the grounds if you're looking for kid friendly activities. The park leads straight up to Dallas Road and the Ocean for even more beautiful walks and views.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeacon Hill is lovely for walking around, or taking a picnic. They have a petting zoo on the grounds if you're looking for kid friendly activities. The park leads straight up to Dallas Road and the Ocean for even more beautiful walks and views.
Mt. Doug is perfect for easy trails, or a slightly steeper hike up to the summit. Alternatively, you can drive up and park near the summit. Highly recommend heading up just before sunset on a clear day and enjoying the view.
24 locals recommend
Mt Doug Lookout Point
Mt. Doug is perfect for easy trails, or a slightly steeper hike up to the summit. Alternatively, you can drive up and park near the summit. Highly recommend heading up just before sunset on a clear day and enjoying the view.
Amazing swimming holes in a beautiful setting. Well worth visiting on a summer day.
222 locals recommend
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadAmazing swimming holes in a beautiful setting. Well worth visiting on a summer day.
A lovely nature sanctuary just at the end of the street, quiet trails lead around the lake.
23 locals recommend
Swan Lake
A lovely nature sanctuary just at the end of the street, quiet trails lead around the lake.
Entertainment & Activities
Best location for playing and purchasing tabletop board games. They offer a game library of over 500 games you can use while there, plus food and drinks.
33 locals recommend
Interactivity Board Game Cafe
723 Yates StBest location for playing and purchasing tabletop board games. They offer a game library of over 500 games you can use while there, plus food and drinks.
Sightseeing
Nice activity for families, we like taking the water taxi from downtown to the wharf and then walking back along the water on a sunny day.
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StNice activity for families, we like taking the water taxi from downtown to the wharf and then walking back along the water on a sunny day.