Drinks & Nightlife
Our "local" pub with a great range of local beers on tap and a nice south facing patio. Can be busy but not as touristy a spot as the Irish pubs downtown.
36 locals recommend
Beagle Pub The
301 Cook StOur "local" pub with a great range of local beers on tap and a nice south facing patio. Can be busy but not as touristy a spot as the Irish pubs downtown.
Food Scene
Habit Coffee
808 Yates StExcellent alternative to coffee chains!
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdExcellent French bakery with a nice outdoor seating area right on Yates.
A chill, understated and independent coffee shop just one block down Johnson St.
56 locals recommend
Hey Happy
560 Johnson StA chill, understated and independent coffee shop just one block down Johnson St.
A bit of a trek...but really. really good ice cream!
51 locals recommend
Can Canteen (Cold Comfort Ice Cream)
1115 N Park StA bit of a trek...but really. really good ice cream!
Casual place, can be busy, one of our date nite favorites! The tartines are excellent and cheap. The Biryani of the Day is always fantastic too. Same owner as Red Fish Blue Fish down on the wharf. Try the chowder!
51 locals recommend
Fishhook
805 Fort StCasual place, can be busy, one of our date nite favorites! The tartines are excellent and cheap. The Biryani of the Day is always fantastic too. Same owner as Red Fish Blue Fish down on the wharf. Try the chowder!
Awesome fish tacos etc. served out of a converted shipping container right on the water!
163 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StAwesome fish tacos etc. served out of a converted shipping container right on the water!
Awesome breakfasts...worth the wait! Personal favorite is the chicken and waffles...and their bacon is excellent if you're a carnivore.
201 locals recommend
Jam Cafe
542 Herald StAwesome breakfasts...worth the wait! Personal favorite is the chicken and waffles...and their bacon is excellent if you're a carnivore.
A wonderful vegetarian option...too busy on theatre nights but a perfect place any other time! Nice vibe and everything is really really good. The Green Bowl and Mac & Cheese are both personal favorites!
73 locals recommend
Be Love
1019 Blanshard StA wonderful vegetarian option...too busy on theatre nights but a perfect place any other time! Nice vibe and everything is really really good. The Green Bowl and Mac & Cheese are both personal favorites!
Simple, local, healthy food beautifully cooked and presented. Usually lots of vegetarian options. A great location and a nice walk from the loft around the harbour past the Gov't buildings. Brunch is excellent!
56 locals recommend
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
225 Quebec StreetSimple, local, healthy food beautifully cooked and presented. Usually lots of vegetarian options. A great location and a nice walk from the loft around the harbour past the Gov't buildings. Brunch is excellent!
Fantastic Neapolitan style pizza cooked in the wood fired oven. This Cook St location is the original spot but there are a couple of other locations now too. Legit pie...we treat ourselves to a Quattro Formaggio whenever we don't feel like cooking!
145 locals recommend
Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook StFantastic Neapolitan style pizza cooked in the wood fired oven. This Cook St location is the original spot but there are a couple of other locations now too. Legit pie...we treat ourselves to a Quattro Formaggio whenever we don't feel like cooking!
We almost hate to recommend this one in case it gets too busy...but so far it remains a local favorite and is not overrun...best Italian food in town, pretty affordable, nice location.
29 locals recommend
IL Covo Trattoria
106 Superior StWe almost hate to recommend this one in case it gets too busy...but so far it remains a local favorite and is not overrun...best Italian food in town, pretty affordable, nice location.
This is our backup when our favorite spots (Fishhook and belove) are packed! Our Thai friend says this is the best Thai in Victoria...so who's to argue!
26 locals recommend
Baan Thai Wok & Bar
1117 Blanshard StThis is our backup when our favorite spots (Fishhook and belove) are packed! Our Thai friend says this is the best Thai in Victoria...so who's to argue!
Casual counter spot for inexpensive asian-inspired dishes....great curries, good (but sometimes spicy!) pad thai. The seating area is a bit noisy from traffic, but grab a takeout container and head to the water.
45 locals recommend
Foo Asian Street Food
769 Yates StCasual counter spot for inexpensive asian-inspired dishes....great curries, good (but sometimes spicy!) pad thai. The seating area is a bit noisy from traffic, but grab a takeout container and head to the water.
Sushi can be pretty hit or miss in Victoria for some reason...and some of the big joints right downtown I've heard bad reports on. But this little place in a strip mall in James Bay is the best we've found. Relaxed, friendly, good prices and "real crab" options on the California Rolls.
8 locals recommend
Sushi Matsuri
239 Menzies StSushi can be pretty hit or miss in Victoria for some reason...and some of the big joints right downtown I've heard bad reports on. But this little place in a strip mall in James Bay is the best we've found. Relaxed, friendly, good prices and "real crab" options on the California Rolls.
Just across the street...great lunch buffet for $13.95 with several vegetarian options and great naan bread. Our favorite dishes (vegetarian) are the Navratan Korma, Palak Paneer and especially the homemade veggie samosas!
16 locals recommend
Sizzling Tandoor Downtown
637 Johnson StJust across the street...great lunch buffet for $13.95 with several vegetarian options and great naan bread. Our favorite dishes (vegetarian) are the Navratan Korma, Palak Paneer and especially the homemade veggie samosas!
Saint Cecilia
535 Yates StA place for coffee connoisseurs with a stylish, laid back, Scandinavian vibe.
An island classic. If you can't make it to the original taco bus in Tofino stop in here for excellent West coast Mexican. We're partial to Superveg burritos.
78 locals recommend
Tacofino
760 Pandora AveAn island classic. If you can't make it to the original taco bus in Tofino stop in here for excellent West coast Mexican. We're partial to Superveg burritos.
Parks & Nature
A beautiful walk through the landscaped ground of the Queen's Representative in BC. Rose gardens, herb gardens, duck pond with turtles, a beautiful ever changing rotation of flower beds. Don't miss the stroll through the trails in the preserved garry oak forest on the south side of the grounds!
103 locals recommend
Government House
1401 Rockland AveA beautiful walk through the landscaped ground of the Queen's Representative in BC. Rose gardens, herb gardens, duck pond with turtles, a beautiful ever changing rotation of flower beds. Don't miss the stroll through the trails in the preserved garry oak forest on the south side of the grounds!
For dog owners (or lovers) the area just west of Clover Point is an off leash dog area. You can follow steps down to the beach at several places all along Dallas Road as well...
45 locals recommend
Clover Point Park
1250 Dallas RdFor dog owners (or lovers) the area just west of Clover Point is an off leash dog area. You can follow steps down to the beach at several places all along Dallas Road as well...
Our own little Central Park. Duck ponds, planted areas, private picnic spots, a petting zoo!
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StOur own little Central Park. Duck ponds, planted areas, private picnic spots, a petting zoo!
Sightseeing
See the houseboats, feed the fat seals, get some takeout fish & chips and eat at the picnic tables or just across the street in the park.
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StSee the houseboats, feed the fat seals, get some takeout fish & chips and eat at the picnic tables or just across the street in the park.
Shopping
Swans Wine & Beer Shop
514 Pandora AveEssentials
THE market on the Island. Saturdays from 10am til 2 starting in May. Food vendors, bakeries, live music, produce and crafts...a Victoria institution. Come to the area and walk to nearby Moss Rock Park for a beautiful view out over the water to the Olympic mountains.
68 locals recommend
Moss Street Market
1330 Fairfield RdTHE market on the Island. Saturdays from 10am til 2 starting in May. Food vendors, bakeries, live music, produce and crafts...a Victoria institution. Come to the area and walk to nearby Moss Rock Park for a beautiful view out over the water to the Olympic mountains.
Excellent all around market, plus nice deli and bakery sections. The closest good spot to shop for groceries.
185 locals recommend
Market On Yates
903 Yates StExcellent all around market, plus nice deli and bakery sections. The closest good spot to shop for groceries.
The closest liquor store, a short block away. Good wine selection and lots of local craft beers.
Vintage Spirits Liquor Store
653 Pandora AveThe closest liquor store, a short block away. Good wine selection and lots of local craft beers.
Getting Around
National Car Rental
727 Courtney StThe closest car rental.