Discover the best places to eat in Victoria BC, Canada

The fantastic variety of the Victoria food scene surprised me, with its devotion to farm to table local produce and the sheer range of multicultural flavours. Canadian food these days seems to soak up world influences. I found everything from French patisseries to Korean bao buns, Indian street-food and fine dining in Victoria. Discover the best places to eat in Victoria BC and in the surrounding area of Vancouver Island in Canada.

Multicultural influences in Victoria BC

This port city of Vancouver Island has over the centuries opened its arms to sailors. The Chinese came to work on the railways and in recent years to immigrants have arrived from all over the world.

The downtown neighbourhoods around Chinatown and Lower Johnson Street (known as LoJo) are buzzing with independent cafés and craft breweries. And you only need to travel a little way out of the city to find vineyards and cider orchards.

Planning a visit and wondering what food is Victoria BC known for? Read on for my foodie guide to Victoria and where to find great food on Vancouver Island.

Read More: How to spend a perfect weekend in Victoria, Canada

This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Victoria Public Market – For a quick bite to eat in Victoria

One of my favourite ways to quickly connect with the local food scene is by taking a food tour. It’s a convivial way to eat, drink and make new friends. You’ll generally also come away with plenty of recommendations on where and what to eat during your stay.

For my food tour in Victoria I joined a small group with our knowledgeable guide Mary Jo, from Off The Eaten Track. We started at the bustling Victoria Public Market, in the Hudson Building. It was built in 1913 as the leading department store, the Harrods of Victoria.

Now the building has been converted into a mixture of luxury apartments, business offices. On the ground floor is an indoor food court and market. It’s perfect if you want a choice of different places to eat under one roof.

Discover where the locals eat on a downtown Victoria city and food tour

2% Jazz – Fresh brewed coffee in Victoria Public Market

On the edge of Victoria Public Market our food tour started at 2% Jazz (1701 Douglas Street) for one of their famous single origin Americanos.

This popular local coffee shop started as a kiosk nearby. They moved to the current location and started roasting their own beans in 1996. It’s an unassuming looking place, but the smell of freshly roasted coffee drifts up from the open plan lower ground floor. Local office workers queue here for their favourite take away coffee.

Coffee has become a bit like wine. For the cognoscenti it’s all about the terroir and knowing the exact plot of land those beans came from. 2% Jazz works with all its growers on a Direct Trade basis to ensure quality and fair prices for their suppliers.

You may also enjoy: Delicious PEI food – what and where to eat in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Victoria Pie Co – handmade pies in Victoria Public Market

Inside Victoria Public Market, we could see the pies being prepared in the open kitchen of the Victoria Pie Co. They looked a bit like a Cornish pasty, laid out in rows of different flavours, a little rough and ragged. With filling seeping out of the flaky pastry there was no mistaking they were handmade.

We tried the daily special of spinach, feta and tomato with deliciously crumbly pastry. In addition to savoury pies there are also sweet pies on offer – key lime, apple-blueberry, chocolate cream to name a few. Many of the pies are available with a gluten free pastry.

Vij’s Sutra – Indian street food in Victoria Public Market

Anyone who has been to Canada will likely have heard of Poutine, the rib-sticking street-food dish of French fries, swimming in gravy and topped with cheese curds. I can’t say it was my favourite Canadian dish, but of course every local chef has their own version.

At Sutra we got to try the much more refined Indian equivalent, with crispy cassava topped with butter chicken sauce and paneer. This food stall in Victoria Market is part of the group of restaurants built up by local chef Vikram Vij.

You’ll find a choice of curries and daily specials that are based on his home cooked family favourites. You can also take out or buy the dishes in pouches to warm through at home, should you be staying locally in an apartment.

Update: The Sutra restaurant in Victoria has now closed but you can find Vij’s other restaurants in Vancouver and Surrey.

Enjoy a 2-hour guided Victoria food and history tour with tastings

Chocolate Project – for the chocolate connoisseur in Victoria Market

Our final stop in Victoria Market was at Chocolate Project who have a stall selling artisan chocolates from all over the world. We found a connoisseur’s library of chocolate bars where David, the expert owner will tell you the story behind each single origin chocolate.

His other business is Circle Canning and you’ll see jars of canned vegetables and preserves sourced from local farmers, lined up at one end of the stall.

Where to eat around Lo Jo and Chinatown in Victoria

From Victoria Public Market take a walk to nearby Chinatown. The neighbourhood is marked by lions on guard at the Gate of Harmonious Interest on Fisgard Street. Close to the port area of Victoria, this was once a rough and tough neighbourhood, full of gambling houses and brothels.

It also formed the hub for schools and businesses that served the Chinese immigrants who first arrived to build the Canadian railways. Now of course the area has been cleaned up, with gift shops and cafés. You can get a flavour of the old Chinatown in Fan Tan Alley. This narrow passageway could easily be closed off at each end if trouble came calling.

You may also enjoy: Taste the food of Alabama USA – 20 dishes you’ll want to try!

Bao – Casual Asian dining in Chinatown

For a taste of Asian street food in the Chinatown neighbourhood, we stopped at Bao (626 Fisgard Street) for some spicy pork bao buns. Run by a husband and wife team, the restaurant serves dishes with flavours of Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam.

It’s right next to the old Chinese public school that was founded to ensure an education for the children of Chinese residents, as they were often excluded from other schools. Bao are a favourite snack, with their soft steamed bun filled with meat and pickles. Also on the menu are dishes such as Ramen and Bibimbap.

Bao is open 12-8pm, so a it’s a great lunchtime or early evening stop when you are in this part of Victoria.

Explore the oldest Chinatown in Canada on this guided food and history walking tour

La Roux – Pretty pastries in Victoria

The prize for the prettiest pastries in town has to go to French patisserie La Roux (519 Fisgard Street). Mouthwatering macarons were on display in fruity flavours, mine was the watermelon.

With elegant white wood furnishings and tiled floors there was a touch of the Parisian in La Roux. I thought it would make it a fun place to gossip with girlfriends over a coffee and cake.

Craft beer in LoJo, Victoria

Moving onto the trendy LoJo neighbourhood around Lower Johnson Street, we stopped to sample some local craft beer. There are plenty of craft breweries around Victoria like the Phillips Brewery beers. We tried the Blue Buck Ale but if you want something softer there’s also an interesting range of Phillips sodas like Dare Devil Orange cream soda or Cucumber mint tonic.

Join a local beer guide in Victoria for a beer tour with samplings

Rebar – a veggie and vegan haven in Victoria

We dipped into Rebar (50 Bastion Square) for a sweet ending to our food tour and tried some of their cakes and energy balls. This funky little restaurant with retro styling is set down some steps in an airy basement and is the go-to eatery for veggies and vegans in Victoria, Canada.

They started as a juice bar and with tubs of wheatgrass fringing the bar area, it’s all about super fresh salads, noodle bowls and Worldly flavours. Fish tacos and burgers are also on the menu, for anyone who want a little extra something with their greens.

Read more: Food adventures on our Canadian Road Trip – Ontario to Toronto

Food Tours in Victoria

I can highly recommend Off the Eaten Track who run a number of different food tours in Victoria.

Discover where the locals eat on a downtown Victoria city and food tour

Where to eat in Victoria with a view of the harbour

One of the delights of being in Victoria is the action that happens around the harbour. Colourful water taxis buzz around like insects on the water. Float planes regularly take off and land. Here are a couple of places where I enjoyed lunch or dinner with a view of the harbour.

Aura Restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point – elegant dining with a harbour view in Victoria

Aura Restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point (680 Montreal Street) where I stayed has a beautiful setting overlooking the inner harbour. If the weather allows then be sure to get a table on their patio, to watch the walkers and joggers passing by from nearby Fisherman’s Wharf.

The restaurant specialises in small plates, with beautifully presented dishes that marry local flavours with an oriental twist. For a summer lunch I started with a watermelon and sprout salad.

The Aura cheese plate was a triumph, with 3 local cheeses, tomato fennel jam, lavender honey and seasonal fruit. I also sampled the Seacuterie plate, a selection of salmon pâté, spot prawns, octopus and other seafood delicacies.

Steamship Grill and Bar – casual dining with a harbour view in Victoria

The Steamship Grill & Bar (470 Belleville Street) has one of the best spots on Victoria’s harbour-side. It’s set in the historic Steamship terminal building that was built in 1924 to welcome passengers arriving into Victoria.

If the weather is fine be sure to book a waterfront table on their heated patio. You’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of all the boats coming and going in the harbour.

The menu is mainly seafood with oysters, sharing plates, salads and some classic steaks and burgers. I ordered Seafood chopped salad washed down with a local Phillips craft beer.

Fisherman’s Wharf – a colourful spot for lunch in Victoria

Another great place to eat around the harbour is Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s mostly a place for outdoor eating in summer or during the nice weather days. The marina is full of colourful houseboats, painted in rainbow shades and is quite the tourist attraction.

You can easily get a water taxi here from the inner harbour. There’s also a pleasant walk on the David Foster Way that winds around Laurel Point. You’ll find quite a few places to eat, so look out for Barb’s Fish and Chips, oysters and crab at The Fish Store and ice cream at Jackson’s Ice Cream Float.

Enjoy a 2-hour guided Victoria food and history tour with tastings

Fun places to eat in the evening in Victoria

You won’t be short on great places to eat in the downtown area of Victoria. With so many food producers on Vancouver Island, there’s a huge Farm to Table movement to support the local economy with the freshest of produce. Here are a couple of fun places I tried that would be a good choice to eat in the evening;

Nourish – Feed body and soul in Victoria

Set in a turn of the century house in James Bay, this informal café and dining room must be one of the prettiest in Victoria. As the name suggests Nourish Kitchen and Cafe is the place to feed body and soul, with veggie, vegan and gluten free options, steaming mugs of broth and everything free range and wholesome.

If you are a steak and chips kind of eater this many not be for you, instead it’s more of a go-to for a date night or night out with the girls. I ordered Tomato broth, Island Organic Greens and Smashed nugget potatoes.

10 Acres Bistro – Farm to Table dining in Victoria

One place that upholds the Farm to Table concept is 10 Acres Bistro (611 Courtney Street) They serve food that is grown on their organic farm just north of the city or sourced from other nearby farms and local fishermen.

I ate at the Bistro, which is one of 3 different locations of the restaurant. Warm orange walls and a vintage theme are perfect for a relaxed night out with friends. I ordered Fisherman’s Cioppino with mussels, salmon, fennel and potatoes in a thick tomato broth.

Read more: How to spend a great day in Victoria, BC

Wineries to visit around Victoria

The Saanich Peninsula to the north of Vancouver Island is a big farming area and home to many small wineries set in the gently rolling landscape with water on all sides. I spent a fun day cycling around the area on a guided tour with Seawall Adventure.

You could just as easily hire a car and drive around the area, stopping for a bite to eat and a cider or wine tasting (be sure to have a designated driver). Of course the benefit of cycling is that you don’t have to worry about what you drink. Apart from the fact that you’ll probably want to sleep the afternoon away rather than cycle back to Victoria!

De Vine Vineyards in the Saanich Peninsula, Victoria

Our first stop was the De Vine Distillery, set on the high ground with wonderful views across the south-facing vineyards towards the ocean. It’s a family run winery and distillery, with a wood lined bottle shop.

They also distill gin, vodka and whiskey using local ingredients and flavourings. De Vine Distillery is open daily for bottle pickup and orders, although it no longer runs tastings.

Read More: How to spend a perfect weekend in Victoria, Canada

Church and State Winery in the Saanich Peninsula, Victoria

Not much further we stopped for lunch at the Church and State winery. There’s a large restaurant and events area and they also have vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. We sat in the bar area, tasting our way through the Lost Inhibitions range.

Their tongue in cheek labels raise a smile, with “I love it when you shut up” and “Too glam to give a damn” . A lunch of gourmet pizza from the wood fired pizza oven made a great accompaniment for our tasting.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse in the Saanich Peninsula near Victoria

The final stop was Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, with a beautiful café area where we sat at wooden tables overlooking the organic apple orchards. Our lunch plate included local cheese, dips and sausage with a tasting of the different cider styles.

Try the fruity Pippins or the refined and delicate Kings and Spies. For autumn celebrations you may like to try their Bramble Bubbly, flavoured with some of the blackberries that over-run the orchards for a blushing sparkling cider.

Gourmet cycling tours of the Saanich Peninsula from Victoria

You can hire bikes from Seawall Adventure Centre to make your own self-guided wine tour of the Saanich Peninsula. The Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour provided an excellent day out and I was thankful that the company van was available to give me a lift back to Victoria after all the wine tastings, rather than face the long cycle back!

Read more: Food adventures on our Canadian Road Trip – Ontario to Toronto

Explore the Saanich peninsula on this half-day private wine tour

Wine tasting in the Cowichan Valley near Victoria

Another mecca for food and wine lovers is the beautiful Cowichan Valley which is just 45 minute drive from Victoria. It can easily be visited in a day trip if you have a hire car, or as a stop if you are driving west on Vancouver Island. This fertile farming area has also become well known for wine making since the first commercial vineyards were planted in the 1970s.

There are plenty of cider makers, distilleries and craft breweries just off Highway 1, so perfect for a stop-off when you’re travelling between Nanaimo and Victoria. If you prefer not to worry about who’s driving, check out the tours that are available from Nanaimo, Victoria and Cowichan on the Cowichan Tourism Website.

Check out this 6-hour Victoria to Cowichan guided wine tour

The Unsworth Vineyards in the Cowichan Valley

This family owned winery has a light and airy tasting room overlooking the lake and a restaurant set in the 100 years old farmhouse. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the many red, white and rose wines available.

Why not stop by in the winery and then retire for a lazy lunch in the restaurant overlooking the vineyards. The old farmhouse at Unsworth Vineyard makes a delightful setting. Restaurant tables are set up in different rooms of the house, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

We ordered from the small plates menu, with dishes that were incredibly pretty as well as delicious. I especially enjoyed the seasonal Spot Prawns on a gazpacho sauce with watercress pesto. They were accompanied by a salad of yellow and red roasted beets with goats cheese and orange vinaigrette.

This is a relaxed but gourmet experience and the friendly and professional staff can advise you on the best wine pairings to try with each dish.

Read more in my article: Nanaimo – fun food and adventure in Vancouver Island

A special mention for the Nanaimo Bar

As I also visited the harbour city of Nanaimo, which is a couple of hour’s drive from Victoria I can’t end without mentioning the Nanaimo Bar that is so popular on the island. Although it originated in Nanaimo, you’ll find this sweet treat in cafés around Vancouver Island, including Victoria.

The cake has a biscuit base with layers of sweet vanilla custard and a chocolate ganache topping. It originated in the 1950s when the cake was a popular choice for charity teas and fund-raisers.

If you visit Nanaimo, find out about the Nanaimo Bar Trail, to guide you on where to find the many variations of the Nanaimo Bar, including Nanaimo Bar ice cream, fudge, cocktails and even a pedicure with Nanaimo bar scents of chocolate and vanilla.

Read more in my article: Nanaimo – fun food and adventure in Vancouver Island

Where to stay in Victoria, Canada

The Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria

For most of my visit to Victoria, I stayed at The Inn at Laurel Point. The hotel is beautifully located overlooking the harbour at Laurel Point, a short walk from all the main sights of the inner harbour and downtown area.

From my balcony I was able to look across the landscaped gardens, to watch the float planes coming into land and the ferries crossing the harbour. The privately owned hotel maintains the community spirit and artistic interests of Paul and Artie Arsens, the couple who built up the hotel in the 1970s. You’ll see their portrait hanging in the reception area.

The hotel was BC’s first carbon neutral hotel and offers guests the “Key to the City“. Under the scheme your hotel keycard can be used to obtain discounts from some favourite local attractions and businesses. You may also see some of the artwork hanging around the hotel from one of the “artists in residence” who change each month or even see them at work in the lobby area.

Rooms at The Inn at Laurel Point

My room was in the Erickson wing of The Inn at Laurel Point, which was built in the 1980s, designed by well known Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. All the rooms overlook the gardens and harbour. My large bedroom and extremely spacious bathroom were elegantly modern in coffee shades, with a touch of Asian inspiration in the decor and artwork.

My room was so spacious that I assumed I had been upgraded to one of the larger rooms, but later learned that all the rooms in this wing are this size. I would certainly recommend that you try to book a room in the Erickson wing.

As is typical with Canadian and US hotels, breakfast is not included in your room rate. However, you can order breakfast separately in the Aura Restaurant where I had a delicious lunch, or take a short walk to one of the numerous downtown eateries.

More information and book here: Inn at Laurel Point Website | 680 Montreal Street
Victoria, BC, V8V 1Z8. There is free parking in the hotel’s underground car park.

Magnolia Hotel & Spa in Victoria

For my final night in Victoria, I stayed at the lovely Magnolia Hotel & Spa, close to the Inner Harbour. This luxurious boutique hotel made a delightful end to my stay in Victoria. I felt very pampered in my bedroom with silky fabrics, neutral tones of cream and pearl and elegant dark wood furniture.

The hotel is just a few minutes walk to the Inner Harbour and from my corner room I could watch the 3000 bulbs of the BC Parliament Building light up as dusk fell, creating a magical spectacle. My room included many luxurious touches; a marble bathroom, comfortable sofa with plenty of magazines to leaf through and a delicious treat of fruit and chocolates.

Extra services at Magnolia Hotel

As someone who loves to get out and explore the city, I especially appreciated the information cards in my room. They gave suggestions for curated trails around the city, covering everything from the best boutiques and craft breweries, to tea rooms and tapas stops.

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa has bikes for guests to get around the city and experience some of the lesser known neighbourhoods and viewpoints. There’s also a spa and adjoining Courtney Room Restaurant serving dishes that draw on the farm to table inspiration of local suppliers.

If you have a hire car, as I did, there is a valet parking service, or you can ask the helpful staff to advise you on nearby car parks or on street parking.

More information and book here: Magnolia Hotel & Spa website 625 Courtney Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1V8

Budget hotels in Victoria

Helm’s Inn

If you are travelling on a budget, we recommend Helm’s Inn, which is comfortable, well located and has kitchenettes in many suites.

Oswego Hotel

If you are looking for boutique style at an affordable price, we recommend Oswego Hotel, which is contemporary in style, close to the harbour and offers suites with a kitchenette.

Visitor Information for Victoria, Canada

You can find more information about holidays in Victoria and Canada on the Tourism Victoria Website, the Hello BC Website and the Canada Keep Exploring Website.

How to get to Victoria BC

Heather flew from London Gatwick to Vancouver with Air Transat and onwards to Victoria. Air Transat flies daily from Gatwick to Vancouver.

If you’re flying on Air Transat Economy Class, look out for the Option Plus Service which gives you additional benefits such as seat selection, priority check-in, a dedicated check-in counter, extra baggage allowance, priority boarding and a comfort kit for optimal comfort on board.

If you want an extra treat on board, you can order one of the special meals created in partnership with Quebec chef Daniel Vézina which are served free in Club Class and may be purchased in Economy. Select from one of the six special dishes plus a cheese plate, dessert and glass of wine.

If you’re considering a holiday that combines the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, check out the 7 night/8 day Vancouver and Victoria hopper package offered by Canadian Affair that includes 4 nights in Vancouver and 3 nights in Victoria with hotels, flights and transfers.

Arriving in Victoria BC

From Vancouver there are several connecting flights each day to Victoria with West Jet.

On arrival at Victoria Airport, look out for the YYJ Airport Shuttle. They run a regular bus transfer to downtown Victoria, dropping off at your hotel or other convenient points in town. There is a check-in desk for the YYJ shuttle in the arrival hall of Victoria Airport. Transfer time is around 30 minutes.

If you need to rent a car in the downtown area of Victoria, there is a convenient rental location with Avis at 1001 Douglas Street and also a desk at Victoria Airport. You won’t need a car to explore the downtown area of Victoria, as most of the sights are easy to reach on foot. However, it’s useful to have a car for exploring attractions outside the city and around Vancouver Island.

Visa requirements for UK visitors

Remember that in addition to a valid passport, UK Citizens need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in advance. This can be obtained online but ensure that you do not leave it to the last moment in case of any problems.

Pin It

I was hosted* on this trip to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary by Destination Canada and Canadian Affair.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

Never miss an update! – Subscribe to receive our latest articles and newsletter