Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
A somewhat hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a modern spin on mid-tier fish dishes. There's an open court yard in the back, great on a sunny day! About $10-20 per person.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fishhook
805 Fort StA somewhat hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a modern spin on mid-tier fish dishes. There's an open court yard in the back, great on a sunny day! About $10-20 per person.
A best-kept-secret of Victoria! This gem is located behind the Bug Zoo, and Mr. Uchida serves some of the best Japanese home-made foods. Not sushi, but more like donburi, vegetables, and a very, very delicious grilled mackerel.
Only downside is that they open weekdays 11-2pm, and run out of the daily special very quickly. $10-20
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Uchida Eatery
633 Courtney StA best-kept-secret of Victoria! This gem is located behind the Bug Zoo, and Mr. Uchida serves some of the best Japanese home-made foods. Not sushi, but more like donburi, vegetables, and a very, very delicious grilled mackerel.
Only downside is that they open weekdays 11-2pm, and run out of the daily special very quickly. $10-20
This is even more hidden than Uchida (makes for a good lunch & tea). This tea bar is run by my good friends Jared & Miyuki, they are absolutely obsessed with quality in the best way possible. Their specialty is maccha (micro milled green tea), definitely worth a try! Hours is very limited, Tue - Fri 12pm-4pm.
JagaSilk
633 Courtney StThis is even more hidden than Uchida (makes for a good lunch & tea). This tea bar is run by my good friends Jared & Miyuki, they are absolutely obsessed with quality in the best way possible. Their specialty is maccha (micro milled green tea), definitely worth a try! Hours is very limited, Tue - Fri 12pm-4pm.
A local favourite for coffee. Hip decor, clean, and a sunny patio. Good coffee, free wifi, and a good cold-brew to go.
104 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StA local favourite for coffee. Hip decor, clean, and a sunny patio. Good coffee, free wifi, and a good cold-brew to go.
A hipster dig on a hipster street. The best nitro cold brew I've ever had! Hey Happy is very careful about their pour overs, and they carry a unique selection of artisanal beans.
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hey Happy
560 Johnson StA hipster dig on a hipster street. The best nitro cold brew I've ever had! Hey Happy is very careful about their pour overs, and they carry a unique selection of artisanal beans.
As health-conscious as it gets! I'd say THE best upscale vegetarian and vegan option in town.
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Be Love
1019 Blanshard StAs health-conscious as it gets! I'd say THE best upscale vegetarian and vegan option in town.
Tucked away in Market Square, this cafeteria-style vegetarian pay by weight restaurant is a staple.
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Green Cuisine Vegetarian Restaurant
Tucked away in Market Square, this cafeteria-style vegetarian pay by weight restaurant is a staple.
Victoria is full of breakfast restaurants, and this is definitely the busiest one. The food is worth the wait. Medium-large portion, high quality. Many locals, and many tourists too, so get there early! If the line is too long, try Floyd's Diner.
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Blue Fox Cafe
919 Fort StVictoria is full of breakfast restaurants, and this is definitely the busiest one. The food is worth the wait. Medium-large portion, high quality. Many locals, and many tourists too, so get there early! If the line is too long, try Floyd's Diner.
Huge portions! Great brunch, good quality, and they have the famous double or nothing for chef's special. This place gets very busy on a weekend, full of locals and tourists alike.
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Floyd's Diner
866 Yates StHuge portions! Great brunch, good quality, and they have the famous double or nothing for chef's special. This place gets very busy on a weekend, full of locals and tourists alike.
A local favourite, great food, decent prices. Upstairs (street-level) is lunch, and downstairs open till late. Sometimes there's a live DJ there. Great vibe!
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The Mint Restaurant
1414 Douglas StA local favourite, great food, decent prices. Upstairs (street-level) is lunch, and downstairs open till late. Sometimes there's a live DJ there. Great vibe!
One of the two best pizzarias in town. Their French-inspired potato pizza with raclette is very, very delicious!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria
560 Johnson StOne of the two best pizzarias in town. Their French-inspired potato pizza with raclette is very, very delicious!
Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook StThe best pizzeria in Victoria, period.
Rebar
50 Bastion SquareA low-key vegetarian dig, casual, good food.
The best cocktails I've ever had, the bartenders will be able to mix up very delicious drinks on the spot! Worth the price!
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StThe best cocktails I've ever had, the bartenders will be able to mix up very delicious drinks on the spot! Worth the price!
A great pub/restaurant with a very nice patio, great for a relaxing afternoon!
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THE LOCAL
1205 Wharf StA great pub/restaurant with a very nice patio, great for a relaxing afternoon!
The best Macaron outside of Paris, ran by two friendly Frenchmen, very fun flavours. If you have to have only one dessert, make it this one!
Bon Macaron Patisserie
1012 Broad StThe best Macaron outside of Paris, ran by two friendly Frenchmen, very fun flavours. If you have to have only one dessert, make it this one!
Vegan friendly, tasty dishes, casual... what else can one ask for?
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mo:Lé Restaurant
554 Pandora AveVegan friendly, tasty dishes, casual... what else can one ask for?
One of the top French restaurants in Canada! No reservations, so get there early. They had the top 10 wine selections at one point. Worth a visit!
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Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StOne of the top French restaurants in Canada! No reservations, so get there early. They had the top 10 wine selections at one point. Worth a visit!
Tibetan Kitchen Cafe
680 Broughton StA hidden gem, low key, good quality Tibetan restaurant.
A cafe bistro tucked away just off of the busy areas. Great food, great coffee.
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Tre Fantastico
810 Humboldt StA cafe bistro tucked away just off of the busy areas. Great food, great coffee.
A pretty good coffee shop; they carry Club Mate for those in the know ;)
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Habit Coffee
808 Yates StA pretty good coffee shop; they carry Club Mate for those in the know ;)
One of the best bakeries in down, and right downstairs with cold brew coffee. It doesn't get any better than this!
154 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdOne of the best bakeries in down, and right downstairs with cold brew coffee. It doesn't get any better than this!
Another good quality breakfast and brunch joint, literally around the block!
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Shine Cafe
1324 Blanshard StAnother good quality breakfast and brunch joint, literally around the block!
Pho Boi
765 Fort StMy go-to spot for a big bowl of noodle soup.
The iconic Murchies for fine teas, coffees, and desserts
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Murchie's Tea & Coffee
1110 Government StThe iconic Murchies for fine teas, coffees, and desserts
Picnic
506 Fort StA low-key, high quality breakfast cafe
Brewery tours, beer tastings at the most famous local brewery. Their "Dark Matter" is quite tasty. They also have sugary drinks for non-alcoholics
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Phillips Brewing & Malting
2000 Government StBrewery tours, beer tastings at the most famous local brewery. Their "Dark Matter" is quite tasty. They also have sugary drinks for non-alcoholics
Lots of little shops congregated in here, generally very good. The olive oil place is definitely worth checking out!
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I-Victoria Public Market kwi-Hudson
1701 Douglas StLots of little shops congregated in here, generally very good. The olive oil place is definitely worth checking out!
Many shops and little restaurants in this area. Big court yard, a good place to take a break.
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Market Square
560 Johnson StMany shops and little restaurants in this area. Big court yard, a good place to take a break.
Another square in Victoria, many street vendors during the summer, quite lively
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Bastion Square
60 Bastion SquareAnother square in Victoria, many street vendors during the summer, quite lively
Casual, busy, good, inexpensive... everything a neighbourhood cafe bakery can ask for.
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The Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop
718 Fort StCasual, busy, good, inexpensive... everything a neighbourhood cafe bakery can ask for.
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StA hidden gem, great wine, very romantic
West Coast Waffles
1235 Broad StGreat concept ran by great people. Simple, delicious
As close to a Quebecois poutine and smoked meat sandwich as you can get.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Belle Patate
1215 Esquimalt RdAs close to a Quebecois poutine and smoked meat sandwich as you can get.
Blue Nile African Restaurant
612 Head StA buffet for high-quality East African foods. Low-key, tasty.
Gorgeous views, great food, the perfect place for date night!
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The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay RdGorgeous views, great food, the perfect place for date night!
The best deal on take-out sushi, and a Japanese grocery store. Great for picnics.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fujiya Foods - Victoria
3624 Shelbourne StThe best deal on take-out sushi, and a Japanese grocery store. Great for picnics.
One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in town. A tad expensive, but worth it!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Heart of Asia
1640 Cedar Hill Cross RoadOne of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in town. A tad expensive, but worth it!
A busy local's restaurant for authentic Japanese ramen. The only authentic Japanese ramen in town. The place can get busy sometimes with students. Casual, inexpensive
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kuma Noodle Japan
1551 Cedar Hill Cross RdA busy local's restaurant for authentic Japanese ramen. The only authentic Japanese ramen in town. The place can get busy sometimes with students. Casual, inexpensive
Entertainment & Activities
Right across the street, a great hangout, opens late (ish).
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Interactivity Board Game Cafe
723 Yates StRight across the street, a great hangout, opens late (ish).
Almost next door, with huge recliners and assigned seating. Definitely a good way for a night-in kind of feel since it's so close to home!
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Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas
780 Yates StAlmost next door, with huge recliners and assigned seating. Definitely a good way for a night-in kind of feel since it's so close to home!
A busy fisherman's warf with floating houses, seals that you can feed. Family friendly, a nice walk along the seawall from downtown
255 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iphakamisa Fisherman's Wharf
12 Erie StA busy fisherman's warf with floating houses, seals that you can feed. Family friendly, a nice walk along the seawall from downtown
Shoot some pool, play a game of ping pong. A local hangout.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peacock Billiards
1175 Douglas StShoot some pool, play a game of ping pong. A local hangout.
A petting zoo for kids and adults alike
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Beacon Hill Children's Farm
815 Circle DrA petting zoo for kids and adults alike
A farm town with weekend farmers' market and potentially other things to do. A nice stopover on your way to Sooke Provincial Park. Motorcyclists should take Kangaroo Road.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Metchosin
A farm town with weekend farmers' market and potentially other things to do. A nice stopover on your way to Sooke Provincial Park. Motorcyclists should take Kangaroo Road.
Drinks & Nightlife
The best location for a brewpub, beautiful patio, good food, good drinks!
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Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StThe best location for a brewpub, beautiful patio, good food, good drinks!
Parks & Nature
From here you can get an unobstructed view of all of Victoria. Can walk up or drive up, good for a romanic takeout.
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Mount Tolmie
From here you can get an unobstructed view of all of Victoria. Can walk up or drive up, good for a romanic takeout.
Gorgeous nature, big trees, a good hike, but can also drive up with a car. Great for trail running with a few different grades of hikes.
180 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ipharki yaseMount Douglas
4500 Cedar Hill RoadGorgeous nature, big trees, a good hike, but can also drive up with a car. Great for trail running with a few different grades of hikes.
A short and moderate grade hiking trail to the abandoned railway bridge, and a waterfall at the bottom of the trail too. Either park at Goldstream provincial park and take the water tunnel to cross under the highway, or drive a few km pass Goldstream park, do a U-turn, then park on the gravel lot.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Niagara Trestle
A short and moderate grade hiking trail to the abandoned railway bridge, and a waterfall at the bottom of the trail too. Either park at Goldstream provincial park and take the water tunnel to cross under the highway, or drive a few km pass Goldstream park, do a U-turn, then park on the gravel lot.
Gorgeous park, it's like Victoria's own Central Park. Peacocks usually roam freely.
503 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StGorgeous park, it's like Victoria's own Central Park. Peacocks usually roam freely.
A long, gentle stroll with a beautiful view of Victoria's waterfront. On most days you can see the Olympic Mountains in the USA
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The Breakwater
The BreakwaterA long, gentle stroll with a beautiful view of Victoria's waterfront. On most days you can see the Olympic Mountains in the USA
It's a beautiful drive through Jordan River to Port Renfrew. New roads, too! Great for motorcyclists. For those inclined, it's also a nice drive with slightly rougher roads from here to Cowichan Lake, Duncan, Malahat. No cell reception past Jordan River.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Port Renfrew
6638 Deering RdIt's a beautiful drive through Jordan River to Port Renfrew. New roads, too! Great for motorcyclists. For those inclined, it's also a nice drive with slightly rougher roads from here to Cowichan Lake, Duncan, Malahat. No cell reception past Jordan River.
A gorgeous 40min hike to a gorgeous beach. There's a tiny waterfall there and a rope swing too!
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Mystic Beach
A gorgeous 40min hike to a gorgeous beach. There's a tiny waterfall there and a rope swing too!
A gorgeous park with a river and creeks you can swim in! Great way to spend a sunny day!
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Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadA gorgeous park with a river and creeks you can swim in! Great way to spend a sunny day!
Local's favourite hangout spot, with a beach and many secluded waterfront spots. Good swimming there
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Thetis Lake
Local's favourite hangout spot, with a beach and many secluded waterfront spots. Good swimming there
Shopping
Camera Traders
560 Johnson StA hidden gem for those into camera and film. They also rent lots of equipment.
An old, iconic general store with many interesting things
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Capital Iron
1900 Store StAn old, iconic general store with many interesting things
The Bay Centre
1150 Douglas Stecologyst - Victoria
552 Government StA local favourite surf shop
Big outdoor shopping mall with big box stores and some small boutiques.
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Uptown
3440 Saanich RdBig outdoor shopping mall with big box stores and some small boutiques.
Arts & Culture
I think they claim this to be the oldest Chinatown in North America. The area is quite interesting, and this alley way is full of little surprises.
101 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fan Tan Alley
549 Fisgard StI think they claim this to be the oldest Chinatown in North America. The area is quite interesting, and this alley way is full of little surprises.
Essentials
A high-end grocery store, similar to Whole Foods, but smaller, better.
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Market On Yates
903 Yates StA high-end grocery store, similar to Whole Foods, but smaller, better.
A well-stocked essentials store. Less on the grocery, more on the gadgets.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
London Drugs
911 Yates StA well-stocked essentials store. Less on the grocery, more on the gadgets.