14 Outstanding Restaurants in Victoria: From Breakfast to Dessert

One of the wonderful things about Victoria is that the town is full of fantastic restaurants. From quaint cafes, to grab ‘n’ go lunch spots, to gastropubs full of craft beers and bar fare, to fancy restaurants for special occasions, there really is an option for whatever suits your fancy. To help determine which places are on the required eating list, we asked our team members what places they head to when in Victoria and then broke them down by occasion. Thus, when you are in Victoria, make sure to try a meal or two at the places listed below. Or, if you want to get a more comprehensive taste of the city, hop on the Victoria Food Tour to try one course at each of Victoria’s secret hot spots.

Breakfast & Brunch

• Blue Fox Café: Start your day off right with a hearty breakfast or brunch at the Blue Fox Café, which has received numerous accolades has been voted “Best of the City for Breakfast” by the Victoria News. The café serves up ten different types of mouthwatering eggs Benedict or if you are looking for something on the sweeter side, they have several varieties of French toast and Griddle cakes. However, the best thing is the café serves breakfast until they close at 4 p.m. (3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday) so you can enjoy breakfast all day.

• Clay Pigeon: Another great option for breakfast is Clay Pigeon, which serves brunch well into the afternoon (3 p.m.). You can choose from tasty breakfast sandwiches, omelets, pancakes, eggs Benedict as well as homemade apple fritters that are made fresh every morning – yum!

Lunch

• Red Fish Blue Fish: This unique fish ‘n’ chip shop created out of a recycled cargo container in Victoria’s Inner Harbour should be a required stop for anyone spending time in Victoria who enjoys seafood. Red Fish Blue Fish is notorious for long lines, but people are rarely seen leaving them without ordering, providing further proof that shop’s fish and chips, tacones and fried oysters are worth the wait. After you receive your order, get the Victoria experience by dining outside on the pier.

• Noodle Box: This southeast Asian fusion noodle bar is perfect for lovers of spicy food and noodles alike. At Noodle Box you fill find large portions (you likely will have enough food leftover for lunch the next day) and dishes such as spicy peanut noodles, kung pao and black bean and garlic noodles. Meals are also quickly prepared, making the restaurant a great option if you want to grab something to go.

• Pizzeria Prima Strada:Fans of crispy, thin crust pizza will delight in the Neapolitan-style pies topped with house-made sauce and fresh ingredients. If you bring your appetite, Pizzeria Prima Strada also offers plates such as risotto, spare ribs and you can top off your excellent meal with house-made, hand-crafted gelato in flavors like strawberry, hazelnut, stracciatella, Drumroaster espresso and salted caramel. No wonder this restaurant has been voted as the best place for pizza in the city!

Happy Hour

• Spinnakers: With a daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and a new seasonal beer every month (they have over 30 beers), there is no better place to sample craft beers than at Spinnakers. In addition to beers, the gastro pub features beer cocktails, traditional cocktails, shrubs and wine by the bottle or glass. Of course, the menu would not be complete without traditional pub fare such as wings, pulled pork nachos, poutine, bangers and smashed potatoes and daily made pub pie.

• Canoe Brewpub: Located at the end of Victoria’s Chinatown, Canoe Brewpub offers the best of culinary and beverage worlds as well a giant outdoor patio featuring tremendous views. Canoe produces four core beers, five seasonal beers and two signature beers. According to a Clipper team member, all the beers they have tried at Canoe are delicious, so you really cannot go wrong no matter what you choose. During happy hour on Mondays through Fridays you also have a chance to get cheap snacks and discounted pints, pitchers, wines by the glass, sparkling cocktails or double Caesars depending on the day.

• Ferris’ Oyster Bar: Spoil yourself to a luxurious happy hour filled with fabulous fresh shucked oysters or if you prefer the baked variety those are available too, in six different preparations. Wash these snacks down with a creatively made cocktail, champagne, wine, beer or cider.

Dinner

• Hank’s Untraditional BBQ: This restaurant may be on the small side, but they offer some of the most amazing barbecue around. What makes Hank’s Untraditional BBQ unlike any other barbecue joint you may have visited in that they cure their own meat using their own unique flavor combination on varied cuts of meat. Likewise, they make everything from their buns to sauces and rubs to even their sausages from scratch for mouth-watering smoked meat sandwiches, ribs, briskets and more.

• Brasserie L’ecole: If you love French bistros, make sure dine at the the Brasserie L’ecole, which takes its inspiration from classic French country-style fare and uses seasonal, local ingredients in the meals. The restaurant is famed for their mussels and frites, so if you like shellfish make sure to give them a try. The eatery has become a popular place to eat so make sure to stop by early and get on the wait-list to avoid waiting in line.

• Camille’s: Often called “the place to go for special occasions,” Camille’s is definitely unlike most other restaurants in town. What makes the restaurant special is that they cook an entirely new menu every day, taking advantage of the seasonal ingredients that are available. If you want to go all out, try the five-course chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings.

• Blue Crab Seafood House: For wonderful views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour and great seafood, the Blue Crab Seafood House at Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel and Marina is hard to beat. They are famous for their crab cakes and also have four to five new specials each day, which often feature special or limited-time ingredients, making them a real treat.

Dessert

• Bon Macaron: If you are looking for a tasty bite to top off a delicious meal, look no further than Bon Macaron. The patisserie offers over 44 flavors, some which are sweet, savory or both, of these delicate melt in your mouth delectable.

After Hours

• Sticky Wicket Pub: This cricket themed pub is the perfect place to watch local sports games while sipping on a beer from the pub’s huge selection of craft, domestic and international beers on tap. Once the game is over you can celebrate late into the evening and enjoy snacks like wings, nachos and pizza from their late night menu. The Sticky Wicket Pub has a number of levels and rooms, so if you are feeling sporting yourself make sure to check out the games room for a round of pool, darts, chess or backgammon. There are also open mic comedy nights on Tuesdays if you are in need of a laugh.