Our Favorite Restaurants in Victoria: From Breakfast to Dessert

The British Columbia capital is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and British influence. But you’ll also find a long list of outstanding restaurants in Victoria. Whether you’re looking for a bite to go, craft beer and pub grub, or an upscale celebratory meal, you’ll have a wide range of options. From casual cafes and gastropubs to fine dining eateries, here at Clipper Vacations, we’ve been lucky enough to sample many of them.

Our team members’ expert recommendations have been broken down into multiple categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner, Dessert, and Happy Hour. No matter what you’re looking for, this guide can point you to the best place. For a more comprehensive taste of Victoria, consider adding a food tour to your itinerary. It’s the perfect way to discover your own favorites, with a course enjoyed at the “secret” hot spots.

Breakfast & Brunch

The Ruby Victoria

Offering two locations, one right downtown on Johnson Street located within the Best Western Plus Carlton Plaza Hotel and the other on Douglas at the Hotel Zed, The Ruby Victoria is highly rated for its breakfasts. The Ruby posts an array of bennies and breakfast tacos, but ultimately it’s about offering a wide range of sweet and savory options, including many top-notch gluten-free dishes. Even if you’re vegan and gluten-free you’ll find something tasty like the Vegan Hash. It features gluten-free shredded hash, kale sautéed in tahini, housemade falafels, mushrooms, onions, and roasted yams.

Of all the restaurants in Victoria, this may be the best for Fried Chicken and Waffles for something extra decadent. But chocolate lovers can’t miss the Chocolate Waffles with dark chocolate creameux, sponge toffee and coffee crumbs.

Fathom

One of our favorite places in Victoria for brunch and dinner is Fathom, located inside the Hotel Grand Pacific. Brunch offerings include a wide variety of treats spanning the breakfast to lunch spectrum. We’re in love with their multi-topping avocado toasts, but also adore the bennies and the variety of sweet options including (at the time of this writing) tiramisu pancakes!

Blue Fox Café

The Blue Fox Café is so good that we’ve included it in our lists of the top things to do in Victoria. It’s received many accolades, including the “Best of the City for Breakfast” by Victoria News. Breakfast is served all day and includes a dozen different types of eggs Benedict. One of the seasonal favorites is the Eggs Pacific. Wild smoked salmon, red onion, fresh avocado, and chipotle aïoli, yum!

If you’re in the mood for something sweeter, try one of the multiple varieties of French toast and Griddle cakes. We love the Oranges del Sol. It includes fresh Navel orange segments, vanilla bean cream, toasted pecans, orange blossom syrup, Saigon cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg.

Spinnakers

Spinnakers is one of the city’s original brewpubs. A top stop for handcrafted brews alongside locally-sourced bites, it’s one of our favorite restaurants in Victoria for brunch with a view! And, it’s just a five-minute drive from downtown. Or, you can hop aboard a Victoria Harbour Ferry for the short ride across the Inner Harbour. Indulge in everything from the House Made Caramel Toast with whole wheat sourdough, vanilla whip, brewers sweet wort caramel to savory Brewhouse Hash options. There’s a gluten-free, vegan hash but if you aren’t following a specific diet, the BBQ Pulled Pork is to-die-for!

Lunch

Red Fish Blue Fish

The quintessential seafood joint, Red Fish Blue Fish is perfect for those on a day trip from Seattle to Victoria. A modern take on old fish ‘n chip shops, it was created out of a recycled cargo container. A walk-up eatery on the Inner Harbour, there’s almost always a line. But that’s your clue as to just how good this place is! Whether you get the fish ‘n chips, a tempura fish sandwich, the seafood chowder, or anything else, it’s sure to be worth the wait. Plus, there’s outdoor seating right on the pier.

Pizzeria Prima Strada

Like a thin, crispy crust pizza? You’ll love the Neapolitan-style pies at Pizzeria Prima Strada. So delicious, topped with house-made sauce and fresh ingredients, it’s been voted the best place for pizza in Victoria. If you’re traveling with others who aren’t in the mood for a slice, the menu has other items too, including spare ribs and risotto. While it may not be easy, try to save room for the house-made, hand-crafted gelato. It comes in unique flavors like stracciatella and Drumroaster espresso along with classics like salted caramel.

Tacofino

A legendary food truck serving West Coast-inspired tacos and burritos, Tacofino started out in the back of a Tofino surf shop parking lot. The perfect place to pick up lunch, today there are locations across Victoria too. Want a snack? The chips and guac or nachos are sure to satisfy. But for something heartier, you’ll find everything from the Pacific Cod and Cauliflower tacos to Prawn Tempura and Lemongrass Chicken burritos.

Dumpling Drop

Tucked away in historic Chinatown, the Dumpling Drop is our go-to when craving Chinese. The authentic dumplings are freshly fried and hot, with two options: the Pork Belly or Classic Vegan. Both are topped with housemade chili oil, cilantro, and crispy onions.

Tractor Foods

Located at Victoria Harbour, Tractor Foods is ideal for a quick and tasty healthy lunch. It’s known for its vegan and vegetarian options, including housemade soups and stews, veggie-packed bowls, and salads. Grilled proteins are available too, including Smoked Salmon and Rosemary Chicken Breast. But you can also get a grilled half avocado with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon, salt and pepper. It’s all about “real” ingredients sourced directly from local farms and producers.

Happy Hour

Clive’s Classic Lounge

Located at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, Clive’s is a trendy spot for cocktails with masterful mixology featuring local ingredients. It has one of the most impressive whiskey collections in Victoria and an outstanding happy hour. Hosted during the first ( 5 to 6 p.m.) hour and last hour (varies) of the day, in addition to cocktails, small plages like the Classic Fries, Fried Spanish Croquettes, and Tuna Tacos are all available.

Block Kitchen and Bar Victoria

Block Kitchen + Bar Victoria expanded from its location in Banff, allowing locals and visitors alike to enjoy its highly acclaimed offerings right in the heart of the B.C. capital. That’s includes its renowned happy hour that was named the best for 2024 by YAM magazine. From 3 to 5 p.m. daily, a discounted menu of its greatest hits like the karaage chicken skewere and lettuce wraps is available. Plus, you can get signature cocktails such as the Block Negroni and pints of local craft beer at a more budget-friendly price too.

Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar

For affordable decadence, head to Ferris’ Oyster Bar. It’s the ideal spot to spoil yourself fresh shucked oysters. At happy hour, all day on Wednesdays, and 2 to 5 p.m. the rest of the week, they’re discounted. There are other options too, like the Mini Fish ‘n Chips and Konkani Crispy Mushrooms. Wash them down with one of the Drink Specials like Draught Ferris’ Lager, Ferris’ Sangria, house red or white wine.

Dinner

Fathom

Set in a recently remodeled space in the Hotel Grand Pacific, Fathom’s restaurant and bar spaces draw you in with a mix of opulence and comfort. From there on, its all about food and flavor. Fathom expertly prepares a variety of proteins from Wagyu beef to bison, but it’s the seafood that really shines. We highly recommend it for a celebratory dinner and schmancy cocktail night out with friends.

Hanks’s Untraditional BBQ

One of the best restaurants in Victoria for BBQ, if not the best, Hank’s Untraditional BBQ is unlike any other you’ve probably tried. This restaurant cures its own meat using its own recipe with a unique flavor combination on varied cuts of meat. Everything from the buns to sauces, rubs and even the sausages are made from scratch. It makes for especially mouthwatering smoked meat sandwiches, ribs, briskets and more.

Aura

With unparalleled views and an on-sight chef’s garden, we expect a restaurant like Aura to be magical, and it delivers. Start with a craft cocktail and move on to a dinner menu that combines bold tastes and stunning presentations with beloved central ingredients that are sure to please everyone at the table. A particularly strong option for gluten-free diners!

Brasserie L’ecole

For a French bistro-style dinner, don’t miss Brasserie L’ecole. It takes its inspiration from classic French country-style fare while using seasonal, local ingredients. It’s especially renowned for its mussels and frites. Just to mention, it’s best to stop by early and get on the waiting list, avoiding the long line.

Blue Crab Seafood House

One of the best for seafoood with a view is the Blue Crab Seafood House at Coast Victoria Harborside Hotel and Marina. Here you can enjoy delectable dishes with views of the Inner Harbour. The favorite here is the famous crab cakes but there are multiple specials every day worth considering too. By the way, whatever you choose, it was probably caught that very day, supplied by the local fishmongers.

The Courtney Room

The Courtney Room is one of Victoria’s best restaurants for a celebratory occasion. That includes a curated Chef’s Tasting Menu on New Year’s Eve, but anytime is a great time to enjoy fine dining on Pacific Northwest cuisine. Additionally, you’ll find a bar for upscale craft cocktails and fresh oysters.

End Dive

Referred to as Victoria’s “weirdo pescatarian food & cocktail restaurant,” End Dive offers a cool hangout known for its backlit bar and exposed brick. One of the most original places to wine and dine in the city, the menu is ever-changing but coursed on fresh seafood and vegetables. Furthermore, sourcing ingredients as locally as possible is prioritized. 

Dessert

Q at the Fairmount Empress

Is the Empress’s Q restaurant and bar really fit for a queen? We think so… we can imagine Victoria herself tucking into updated classics like venison and braised cabbage that might have come straight from the royal grounds, while some more modern royals enjoy iconic luxury treats in the vein of oysters and caviar. Dessert is standout at Q with pastries so beautiful we hate to disturb them… but we will!

Bon Macaron

To top off a delicious meal or anytime you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, look no further than the Bon Macaron patisserie. It offers dozens of different flavors, all melt in your mouth delectable. Plus, there’s a brand new flavor released every week so if you visit frequently you can always find something you haven’t tried before.

After Hours

Sticky Wicket Pub

A cricket-themed pub, The Sticky Wicket not only has a fun name, but it’s the place to go for catching a local sports game while sipping a tasty brew. Located at the Strathcona Hotel, it has a vast selection of craft, domestic and international beers on tap. And, once the game is over you can continue the celebration, or soothe your sorrows with a late-night menu of items like wings, nachos and pizza. Darts, pool, chess and backgammon can be played in the game rooms and on Tuesdays, it’s open mic comedy night.