Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
This tiny takeout window is easy to miss!
Chef Bana, who has cooked for the Dalai Lama, whips up amazing takeout dishes.
There's only one table here, but grab a seat anywhere in Market Square on a sunny day, or take it back to the suite which is just next-door!
Note: The map is misleading, it's inside Market Square, on the south-west corner, on the second-level walkway.
Ayo Eat
560 Johnson StThis tiny takeout window is easy to miss!
Chef Bana, who has cooked for the Dalai Lama, whips up amazing takeout dishes.
There's only one table here, but grab a seat anywhere in Market Square on a sunny day, or take it back to the suite which is just next-door!
Note: The map is misleading, it's inside Market Square, on the south-west corner, on the second-level walkway.
Great for, but not restricted to, vegan-friendly creative and organic dishes! All day breakfast and lunch. One of my favourites is their Mo:Lé macaroni and cheese.
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Mo:Lé Restaurant
554 Pandora AveGreat for, but not restricted to, vegan-friendly creative and organic dishes! All day breakfast and lunch. One of my favourites is their Mo:Lé macaroni and cheese.
The best coffee in town if you ask me! They have these great little tables right out front that are perfect for people watching !
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Habit Coffee
808 Yates StThe best coffee in town if you ask me! They have these great little tables right out front that are perfect for people watching !
I hate waiting in long lines for brunch! They're always busy, but there's always juuuust one or two tables ready. Maybe I'm just lucky. Cool Latin-inspired breakfast. My favourite is the Veggie Benny and Fuego Pancakes (warning: there's meat in the pancakes!)
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Fuego Old Town Eatery
1435 Store StI hate waiting in long lines for brunch! They're always busy, but there's always juuuust one or two tables ready. Maybe I'm just lucky. Cool Latin-inspired breakfast. My favourite is the Veggie Benny and Fuego Pancakes (warning: there's meat in the pancakes!)
Indo Canadian family-owned restaurant serving a unique fusion of Western and Indian cuisine. I love their pakoras and Tandoori burgers. Or try the Butter Chicken Poutine for something uniquely Indo-Canadian!
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Varsha Indian Kitchen
1600 Government StIndo Canadian family-owned restaurant serving a unique fusion of Western and Indian cuisine. I love their pakoras and Tandoori burgers. Or try the Butter Chicken Poutine for something uniquely Indo-Canadian!
Intimate, candlelit Italian nook with brick fireplaces, patio seating & a notable wine list. Looking for a romantic dinner? Definitely my top pick. Reservations highly recommended. It's tucked away in the alley between Johnson St. and Yates St.
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II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StIntimate, candlelit Italian nook with brick fireplaces, patio seating & a notable wine list. Looking for a romantic dinner? Definitely my top pick. Reservations highly recommended. It's tucked away in the alley between Johnson St. and Yates St.
Fun fact: the name "l'école is a nod to the history of the building, which once was a Chinese Schoolhouse. French fare & wine served in bustling, unpretentious quarters with impeccable service!
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Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StFun fact: the name "l'école is a nod to the history of the building, which once was a Chinese Schoolhouse. French fare & wine served in bustling, unpretentious quarters with impeccable service!
Casual outdoor waterfront seafood eatery in an up-cycled cargo container on a wooden pier in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. A unique, fresh and sustainable approach to the old fish ‘n’ chip shop! Great for lunch on a sunny day!
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Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StCasual outdoor waterfront seafood eatery in an up-cycled cargo container on a wooden pier in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. A unique, fresh and sustainable approach to the old fish ‘n’ chip shop! Great for lunch on a sunny day!
Excellent place for afternoon tea and coffee, British style! They have pastries and desserts too. The store side also has a wide-selection of high-quality tea, and tea accessories. A great place for to pick up souvenir and gifts for tea-lovers!
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Murchie's Tea & Coffee
1110 Government StExcellent place for afternoon tea and coffee, British style! They have pastries and desserts too. The store side also has a wide-selection of high-quality tea, and tea accessories. A great place for to pick up souvenir and gifts for tea-lovers!
My favourite place in town for a casual hearty authentic italian meal. Great for lunch and dinner. Live music on most nights (check their website for schedule). Highly recommended! Random Fact: My husband used to play for their little league baseball team in the 90's.
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Pagliacci's
1011 Broad StMy favourite place in town for a casual hearty authentic italian meal. Great for lunch and dinner. Live music on most nights (check their website for schedule). Highly recommended! Random Fact: My husband used to play for their little league baseball team in the 90's.
Contemporary vegetarian eatery with a low-key vibe, plus a selection of juices, wine & beer. Recommended for lunch. Their cookbook is almost as iconic as the restaurant - I have a copy myself!
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Rebar
50 Bastion SquareContemporary vegetarian eatery with a low-key vibe, plus a selection of juices, wine & beer. Recommended for lunch. Their cookbook is almost as iconic as the restaurant - I have a copy myself!
Another one of my favourite breakfast places. Family owned all day breakfast & lunch. They also have vegan-friendly items, but I go for the bacon - Cali Eggs Benedict actually!
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Shine Cafe
1324 Blanshard StAnother one of my favourite breakfast places. Family owned all day breakfast & lunch. They also have vegan-friendly items, but I go for the bacon - Cali Eggs Benedict actually!
Easygoing place serving varied Asian street food, beer & cider in a contemporary space with a patio. Great for take-out too! My husband scoffed when someone told him that this place had the best pork belly, but now he's a convert (Warning: it's the extra fatty type, which some people don't like).
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Foo Asian Street Food
769 Yates StEasygoing place serving varied Asian street food, beer & cider in a contemporary space with a patio. Great for take-out too! My husband scoffed when someone told him that this place had the best pork belly, but now he's a convert (Warning: it's the extra fatty type, which some people don't like).
The absolute best bakery in town, hands down! They even wrote about it in Vogue magazine! Sweet and savoury!
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Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdThe absolute best bakery in town, hands down! They even wrote about it in Vogue magazine! Sweet and savoury!
Fol Epi's original location. The baking here is incredible. Or sandwiches or pizzas (pizzas available 12pm - 2pm everyday except Saturday). On weekends, you will see packs of cyclists stopping here for food and coffee as the Galloping Goose Trail starts right across the street.
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Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdFol Epi's original location. The baking here is incredible. Or sandwiches or pizzas (pizzas available 12pm - 2pm everyday except Saturday). On weekends, you will see packs of cyclists stopping here for food and coffee as the Galloping Goose Trail starts right across the street.
I go here for two reasons. Whenever I want a simple, no-bells-and-whistles-needed delicious, well-priced Chinese meal. Or whenever I crave a honey-bun or egg tart! If you are visiting Chinatown and need a snack or a straight-forward meal, go here!
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Wah Lai Yuen Restaurant
560 Fisgard StI go here for two reasons. Whenever I want a simple, no-bells-and-whistles-needed delicious, well-priced Chinese meal. Or whenever I crave a honey-bun or egg tart! If you are visiting Chinatown and need a snack or a straight-forward meal, go here!
Local, made-from-scratch ice cream! Try ordering a flight (4-flavours)! Located in Fan-Tan Alley.
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Kid Sister Ice Cream
230 Cook StreetLocal, made-from-scratch ice cream! Try ordering a flight (4-flavours)! Located in Fan-Tan Alley.
Victoria's farm-to-table restaurant! Everything is locally grown, ethically-raised and sustainable. Consider their tasting menu (vegetarian and vegan available) for a dinner. Brunch is great too!
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OLO Restaurant
509 Fisgard StVictoria's farm-to-table restaurant! Everything is locally grown, ethically-raised and sustainable. Consider their tasting menu (vegetarian and vegan available) for a dinner. Brunch is great too!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the city’s hippest, yet unpretentious, pub with a focus on local and Pacific North-West craft beer. British pub-style counter service (order at the bar!). Try a flight (or two or three!). They also have an outdoor patio seating area now!
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The Drake Eatery
517 Pandora AveThis is the city’s hippest, yet unpretentious, pub with a focus on local and Pacific North-West craft beer. British pub-style counter service (order at the bar!). Try a flight (or two or three!). They also have an outdoor patio seating area now!
Busy, modern brewpub offering housemade seasonal brews & bar eats, with a waterview patio. Live music on some days (check out their website). Kid friendly until 9pm.
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Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StBusy, modern brewpub offering housemade seasonal brews & bar eats, with a waterview patio. Live music on some days (check out their website). Kid friendly until 9pm.
Darcy's Pub Downtown
1127 Wharf StNow this is a bustling pub! Live music every night!
A Victoria landmark, and one of Canada's best known Jazz venues. Food, wine and jazz in an intimate low-key atmosphere. The founder, Hermann Nieweler, passed away recently, and the fate of the club is up-in-the-air. So make sure you check their website before you go!
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Hermann's Jazz Club
753 View StA Victoria landmark, and one of Canada's best known Jazz venues. Food, wine and jazz in an intimate low-key atmosphere. The founder, Hermann Nieweler, passed away recently, and the fate of the club is up-in-the-air. So make sure you check their website before you go!
Essentials
The city's gourmet groceries store. Not the cheapest place in town for basic groceries, but a great selection of high-quality items. The deli has a wide selection of single-serving pre-made cooked meals made fresh each day starting at $7.50. You can eat them at the counter at the front of the store, or take them back to the suite!
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Market On Yates
903 Yates StThe city's gourmet groceries store. Not the cheapest place in town for basic groceries, but a great selection of high-quality items. The deli has a wide selection of single-serving pre-made cooked meals made fresh each day starting at $7.50. You can eat them at the counter at the front of the store, or take them back to the suite!
Big grocery store! This is where I buy groceries. They have a deli as well as a pharmacy.
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Save-On-Foods
172 Wilson StBig grocery store! This is where I buy groceries. They have a deli as well as a pharmacy.
24 hour grocery/convenience store. In case you need something in the middle of the night.
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Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals Rd24 hour grocery/convenience store. In case you need something in the middle of the night.
Shoppers Drug Mart
1212 Douglas StRetail drug store and pharmacy.
A 24hr convenience store that sells drinks, snacks, common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, etc.
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Circle K
1515 Cook StA 24hr convenience store that sells drinks, snacks, common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, etc.
Shopping
Locally handcrafted men's and women's clothing, bags and accessories. They do super cool prints of t-shirts, blouses, bags etc. An institution of Victoria fashion!
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Smoking Lily Victoria Boutique
1713 Government StLocally handcrafted men's and women's clothing, bags and accessories. They do super cool prints of t-shirts, blouses, bags etc. An institution of Victoria fashion!
An eclectic variety of products such as home decor, art prints, jewellery, textiles, kitchenware, stationary, cards, and more. Modern and clean aesthetics. I always come here when I need a funky card. But it's always fun to look in. Tip: just through the back door is Ayo Eat (see the Food Scene section).
Paboom Home Imports
1437 Store StAn eclectic variety of products such as home decor, art prints, jewellery, textiles, kitchenware, stationary, cards, and more. Modern and clean aesthetics. I always come here when I need a funky card. But it's always fun to look in. Tip: just through the back door is Ayo Eat (see the Food Scene section).
If you like shopping malls, then here you go! Victoria's only downtown shopping mall has 90 stores and food court.
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The Bay Centre
1150 Douglas StIf you like shopping malls, then here you go! Victoria's only downtown shopping mall has 90 stores and food court.
Numerous (35ish) local and unique boutique shops and restaurants in an open-air market. Check out their website for events in the summer!
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Market Square
560 Johnson StNumerous (35ish) local and unique boutique shops and restaurants in an open-air market. Check out their website for events in the summer!
The go-to place for outdoor gear! Biking, cycling, running, climbing, you name it! This is a Canadian company (Vancouver) that has expanded quite a bit over the years. Note that you will need to purchase a $5 life-time membership to make purchases here.
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MEC Victoria
1450 Government StThe go-to place for outdoor gear! Biking, cycling, running, climbing, you name it! This is a Canadian company (Vancouver) that has expanded quite a bit over the years. Note that you will need to purchase a $5 life-time membership to make purchases here.
Entertainment & Activities
Victoria's local movie theatre! Recently renovated and reopened. Seats are big comfy leather recliners! You can pick and reserve your seats online too!
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Capital 6 Theatres
805 Yates StVictoria's local movie theatre! Recently renovated and reopened. Seats are big comfy leather recliners! You can pick and reserve your seats online too!
Parks & Nature
A beautiful 200 acre park that's popular with both tourists and locals. Great for families and kids as there are playgrounds, water park and a petting zoo! You'll often see peacocks just roaming the grounds as well. Great place for a picnic!
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Πάρκο Beacon Hill
100 Cook StA beautiful 200 acre park that's popular with both tourists and locals. Great for families and kids as there are playgrounds, water park and a petting zoo! You'll often see peacocks just roaming the grounds as well. Great place for a picnic!
Arts & Culture
Ranked by National Geographic as the third best bookstore in the WORLD! Whether you're a book-lover or just want to visit a piece of Canadian/Victoria heritage, you must stop by! Cofounded by Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Alice Munro, and her then husband Jim Munro, the building itself, and the book collection, curated by the passionate and knowledgable staff, are a must see. My first job as a teenager was also at here :)
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Munro's Books
1108 Government StRanked by National Geographic as the third best bookstore in the WORLD! Whether you're a book-lover or just want to visit a piece of Canadian/Victoria heritage, you must stop by! Cofounded by Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Alice Munro, and her then husband Jim Munro, the building itself, and the book collection, curated by the passionate and knowledgable staff, are a must see. My first job as a teenager was also at here :)
There are three permanent galleries in natural history, modern history, and local First Nations’ history, and hosts touring exhibitions. IMAX theatre that shows educational and commercial films. Lots of kid-friendly displays as well. It may seem touristy, but as a local, I loved this museum as a kid, and it's still fascinating to visit as an adult. Fun Fact: The "Royal" title was approved by Queen Elizabeth II herself, and bestowed by His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
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Βασιλικό Μουσείο της Βρετανικής Κολομβίας
675 Belleville StThere are three permanent galleries in natural history, modern history, and local First Nations’ history, and hosts touring exhibitions. IMAX theatre that shows educational and commercial films. Lots of kid-friendly displays as well. It may seem touristy, but as a local, I loved this museum as a kid, and it's still fascinating to visit as an adult. Fun Fact: The "Royal" title was approved by Queen Elizabeth II herself, and bestowed by His Royal Highness Prince Philip.