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The 10 Best Restaurants in Victoria, BC, Where the Food Will Delight Your Senses!
When searching for the best eats, Victoria is hands down one of the best places to go in BC. It’s brimming with fresh seafood dishes, creative plates, and sustainably sourced meals that will make you want a second helping!
But with all the choices, how do you find the place that’s worth all the calories? Don’t worry, because, after full bellies, we’ve narrowed down the best restaurants in Victoria!
Here’s our curated list for every budget, from casual to luxury spots, where the meals are flavourful and unforgettable! Read on and get ready for a gastronomic adventure!
Il Terrazzo
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Address: Waddington Alley, 555 Johnson St
Contact: 250-361-0028, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 4 pm – 9:15 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Couples who are looking for a romantic spot
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Menu
There’s nothing more romantic than dining in a restaurant with a candlelit ambience and a fireplace running in the background. Il Terrazzo brings that to the table, but elevated since the atmosphere feels like you’re in Italy!
The food here doesn’t disappoint! Every bite is flavourful without being too overwhelming, like our favourite, the Canneloni di Maiale, a baked pasta filled with pulled pork and mozzarella, and finished with apple compote.
Of course, Italian dining isn’t complete without wine pairing! The sommeliers are available any day of the week to give you advice on the best wine, and there are over a thousand bottles to choose from!
Pro Tip:
To avoid disappointment, book a reservation, especially on weekends or during holiday seasons.
Ugly Duckling Dining & Provisions
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Address: 543 Fisgard St
Contact: 250-978-0915, [email protected]
Hours:
- Wednesday – Sunday: 5 pm – 9:30 pm
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Pricing: $$$
Best For: Couples who are seeking a romantic date night
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Menu
Ugly Duckling Dining & Provisions had made a name for itself as one of the best restaurants in BC’s capital city. It has earned recognition for its delectable dishes and sophisticated atmosphere, providing just the right vibe for date nights.
The menu changes with the seasons, with inspirations from Chinese cuisine. The tasting menu is set to delight your senses every time, with unique and classic offerings using locally sourced ingredients.
The ambience is equally delightful, with tall ceilings, exposed pipework, and brick walls. It’s ideal for couples who want a romantic night, as the place is small and cosy, the kind of intimate atmosphere to woo your date!
Pro Tip:
Make sure you’re certain about your reservation dates because no-shows will get charged the price of a full menu, which is $118!
Nubo Japanese Tapas
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Address: 739 Pandora Ave
Contact: 778-265-9909, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5 pm – 9:45 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Couples, solo diners, and small groups who like izakaya-style dining
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Menu
Japanese food is always a good idea. When in Victoria, head over to Nubo Japanese Tapas, where you can experience a new take on izakaya-style dining in a casual yet relaxed atmosphere.
Taste Japanese fusion dishes, including tapas, sashimi, rolls, and nigiri. There are many options to choose from, including the Teishoku for lunch, which is basically a set meal composed of soup, a side dish, salad, tempura, and your choice of a main.
For an a la carte dish, we recommend the Volcano Roll, which is sushi made with imitation crab meat, spicy tuna, avocado, mayo, and unagi sauce. But for sushi lovers, the Aburi Tray is worth a try, composed of three rolls, four aburi nigiri, and six oshi!
Pro Tip:
We suggest you check out the menu before arriving, just so you have an idea of what to get. There’s a 2-hour time limit per dine-in seating, so don’t waste time!
Eva Schnitzelhaus
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Address: 509 Fisgard St
Contact: 250-590-4590
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Friday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 10 am – 2 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Couples, families, and small groups who crave German meals
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Menu
Two words to describe Eva Schnitzelhaus: casual brunch. The laid-back vibe of the place adds something special to relaxed brunches with friends, but it feels elevated due to the walls covered with wooden planks, bricks, and artwork.
With a traditional German menu, your dining time will transport you on a European journey! The old-fashioned dishes are cooked with a fresh spin to cater to today’s audience.
When in the Schnitzelhaus, one must order a schnitzel (it should be a rule, honestly). The Jaegerschnitzel is always our first order, as its pork schnitzel has the right kind of chewiness and is deliciously topped with mushroom gravy and your choice of sides.
Pro Tip:
When booking a table for a small group, avoid arriving late because every reservation has a specific allocated time.
Red Fish Blue Fish
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Address: 1006 Wharf St
Contact: 250-298-6877, [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
Pricing: $
Best For: Families, small groups, solo diners, and couples who are itching for seaside casual meals
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When in Victoria, one must experience seaside dining—there’s no reason why anyone shouldn’t see the breathtaking sea views. With the wind in your hair, the sounds of the sea, and fish and chips in your hand, it’s a guarantee you’ll be in tasting paradise!
Speaking of fish and chips, this seaside spot makes a mean one! The tempura batter is crispy while the fish remains moist and flaky. You can choose from the three fish options: cod, salmon, and halibut (the cod is a classic choice!).
Ordering a “tacone” is a must! It’s basically a rolled tortilla with coleslaw, lemon-pickled onions, your choice of meat, and sauce. Our meat reco? The wild salmon—it complements the other ingredients perfectly!
Pro Tip:
Seating on the harbourfront is limited, but we recommend keeping an eye out. It’s not the kind of place you dine and stay for a long while, so it’s likely you’ll find a table.
Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe
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Address: 2 Paul Kane Pl
Contact: 250-940-5850, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9 am – 9:30 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 9 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $
Best For: Families, groups, and couples who like an inventive Pacific coast-inspired menu
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Menu
Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, the stylish Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe will always have something interesting on the menu—even if you’ve been here lots of times! The dishes are rooted in the Pacific Northwest dining with a touch of Canadian creativity.
Every single item on the menu deserves the spotlight, particularly the Classic Eggs Benedict for lunch, composed of croissant, salmon or back bacon (we love bacon, to be honest), hash browns, and a delicious hollandaise sauce.
The B+B Burger is another winner, as the smashed patty is juicy, the fillings complement each other, and the brioche bun is soft and fluffy. It’s never a bad idea to go during happy hour for their creative cocktails!
Pro Tip:
Arrive early for patio dining for harbourfront views. Reservations are for indoor dining only, so hurry up if you want to take advantage of cool, sunny days!
10 Acres Bistro
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Address: 611 Courtney St
Contact: 250-893-5816, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Friday: 11 am – 12 am
- Saturday: 10 am – 12 am
- Sunday: 10 am – 11 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Groups, couples, and solo diners searching for a farm-to-table experience
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Menu
Looking for a restaurant in Victoria that only uses fresh ingredients? 10 Acres is the place to visit, especially the bistro. Here, you’ll receive a farm-to-table dining experience, where the products used in each meal are locally and sustainably sourced.
The vibe is absolutely stunning, as the place is beautifully designed, with plenty of greenery. It provides a laid-back atmosphere, which makes it a cosy place for dining with friends.
Our recommendation is to start with the French Onion Soup for something warm and savoury. A light and delectable main is the Duck Confit Salad, a mix of roasted yams, beets, lentils, and zucchini, topped with a sweet and tangy grainy maple vinaigrette.
Pro Tip:
If you want to save money, check out their Commons and Pier locations and take advantage of their daily specials!
Il Covo Trattoria
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Address: 106 Superior St
Contact: 250-380-0088
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Sunday: 5 pm – 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Couples, families, and groups who are craving homemade Italian dishes
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Menu
Il Covo Trattoria is all about classic Italian dining, where the meals are authentic, the pasta is made in-house, the plates are garnished with edible herbs from the garden, and every bite tastes home-cooked by nonna.
Upon entering, you’ll be greeted with a pleasant atmosphere, where it feels like you’re visiting family in Italy! Don’t skip out on patio dining if there’s a table, so you’re surrounded by greenery.
With locally sourced ingredients, you’re tasting high-quality meals! That rings true for our favourite, Insalata Toscana, a salad where mixed greens are tossed with grape tomatoes, black olives, walnuts, and feta cheese, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
Italian dining should always come with pasta served on the table. Try the Gnocchi with pesto sauce for a simple and fresh main.
Pro Tip:
For reservations, call any day from Thursday to Sunday for a higher chance of getting in. It’s because they only take reservations by phone, and Wednesdays are particularly busy.
Pagliacci’s
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Address: 1011 Broad St
Contact: 250-386-1662, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 11 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Families, couples, and groups who are looking for Italian dishes with a Canadian twist
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There’s a delicious reason why Pagliacci’s has been around since 1979. Every bite at this Victoria restaurant will take your tastebuds on a delectable journey.
The food is magnificently diverse, even with mainly Italian classics. Their famous focaccia deserves to be at the centre of the table, as it’s light and fluffy, and delicious!
Another meal that’s worth every loonie is Mr. Robert’s Seafood Lasagna, a yummy combination of shrimp, Canadian Dungeness crab, ricotta, and mozzarella, tossed in marinara sauce.
If you’re bringing the kiddos, the kids’ menu has options to cater to picky eaters. The fun names, like Short Pants Story for tortellini, also add a playful touch to allow the bambini to pick the food they actually like!
Pro Tip:
Avoid queuing by booking a reservation. The lines move fast, though.
Fishhook
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Address: 805 Fort St
Contact: 250-477-0470, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 8 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Groups and families who are seeking bold flavours
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Menu
Indian and French-inspired food in one place, where seafood is the highlight? And in an unpretentious spot that’s perfect for casual lunches and dinners? Fishhook is where you’ll find all that!
Another reason this is worth checking out? The ingredients are sourced sustainably and locally, ensuring freshness in every spoonful. One more is the diverse menu, giving you loads of options.
Although not Indian or French, you must try their Fish and Chips, which are seasoned just right! For something bold in flavours, the Vindaloo Seafood Hotpot will serve you with mussels drowned in rich broth.
Pro Tip:
Seating is limited, so avoid rush hours if you want a more relaxing dining experience.
