Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
Bocata breakfast sandwich. Tapas in the evening. Order the off menu meat cone for a walk around treat. The back garden is open June through September.
20 locals recommend
Chorizo & Co.
807 Fort StreetBocata breakfast sandwich. Tapas in the evening. Order the off menu meat cone for a walk around treat. The back garden is open June through September.
Excellent coffee and great food. Small place, so if going on weekends get there early as it fills up.
61 locals recommend
Little June
1301 Gladstone AveExcellent coffee and great food. Small place, so if going on weekends get there early as it fills up.
The Cracked Mug Coffee Shop
1090 Johnson StUnder new management, but good coffee in a very nice setting.
Great, fast BBQ. Get the brisket or a 3 meat plate if you think you have the room. Fries are great.
13 locals recommend
Jones Bar-B-Que
1725 Cook StGreat, fast BBQ. Get the brisket or a 3 meat plate if you think you have the room. Fries are great.
Homey spot, great for hunkering down and studying or reading. Staff are super friendly and not at all pretentious.
Arriba Coffee House
1610 Cook StHomey spot, great for hunkering down and studying or reading. Staff are super friendly and not at all pretentious.
The Livet
804 Broughton StNew bar / restaurant with patio, upscale and gaining popularity.
It's a converted service station. Fun, casual spot with decent fare. Milkshakes are a favorite here. Cheap happy hour drinks as well.
Pluto's
1150 Cook StIt's a converted service station. Fun, casual spot with decent fare. Milkshakes are a favorite here. Cheap happy hour drinks as well.
Avalon Restaurant
1075 Fort StBest affordable breakfast / brunch spot near downtown. Great homemade bread.
Maybe the best semi secret brunch spot in town. Everything made from scratch.
21 locals recommend
Relish Food & Coffee
920 Pandora AvenueMaybe the best semi secret brunch spot in town. Everything made from scratch.
Wildfire Bakery
1517 Quadra StProbably the best bakery in town.
Standard Pizza
1515 Cook StGreat Neopolitan style pizza.
Sun Wah Chinese Restaurant
1515 Cook StJust coffee. Serious coffee. Try a Zorro. Fun little scene for people who like their coffee on the light roast side. Hours a bit short though, so go during the day.
Street Level Espresso and Teas
714 Fort StJust coffee. Serious coffee. Try a Zorro. Fun little scene for people who like their coffee on the light roast side. Hours a bit short though, so go during the day.
New Persian spot specializing in lunches with great Iranian style paninis and daily rice dishes.
Tulip Cafe & Rice Bar
New Persian spot specializing in lunches with great Iranian style paninis and daily rice dishes.
Part study lounge, part cafe, part bar, all good chill vibes. The mid afternoon happy hour is a real treat, especially for fans of local cider.
56 locals recommend
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
225 Quebec StreetPart study lounge, part cafe, part bar, all good chill vibes. The mid afternoon happy hour is a real treat, especially for fans of local cider.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classic Fernwood pub with lively music scene. Full menu and good beer selection.
27 locals recommend
Logan's Public House
1821 Cook StClassic Fernwood pub with lively music scene. Full menu and good beer selection.
Local scene, and always busy. Right in the middle of Cook St Village it can be a challenge to get a seat on weekend evenings.
37 locals recommend
Beagle Pub The
301 Cook StLocal scene, and always busy. Right in the middle of Cook St Village it can be a challenge to get a seat on weekend evenings.
My personal favorite of the local breweries. Facilities are minimal, but you can get a round to taste and don't forget to fill you're growler (you'll find empties in the suite)
31 locals recommend
Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield RoadMy personal favorite of the local breweries. Facilities are minimal, but you can get a round to taste and don't forget to fill you're growler (you'll find empties in the suite)
Close second to Driftwood for quality brews. Also minimal on site services, but growlers available to take away.
40 locals recommend
Hoyne Brewing Company
2740 Bridge StreetClose second to Driftwood for quality brews. Also minimal on site services, but growlers available to take away.
Brew pub with growing reputation, quite decent food and quality list of rotating guest taps. Like most of Victoria's brew scene, it's not exactly in a fun neighbourhood.
44 locals recommend
Moon Under Water Brewpub
350 Bay StBrew pub with growing reputation, quite decent food and quality list of rotating guest taps. Like most of Victoria's brew scene, it's not exactly in a fun neighbourhood.
The classic Victoria brewpub. Still going strong and a great place to enjoy a pint and meal, especially if you can get a seat on the patio
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StThe classic Victoria brewpub. Still going strong and a great place to enjoy a pint and meal, especially if you can get a seat on the patio
Massive outdoor patio in the summer and good live music all year round. I place their beers a bit lower on the local pecking order, but always a good time.
157 locals recommend
Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StMassive outdoor patio in the summer and good live music all year round. I place their beers a bit lower on the local pecking order, but always a good time.
Parks & Nature
Peacocks, gardens, petting zoo, water features. Beacon Hill has something for everyone.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StPeacocks, gardens, petting zoo, water features. Beacon Hill has something for everyone.
Great as a local dog park. Always a crowd at 7am and again 4:30 - 6. Great option for people who can't get down to Dallas Road.
Victoria High School
923 Topaz AvenueGreat as a local dog park. Always a crowd at 7am and again 4:30 - 6. Great option for people who can't get down to Dallas Road.
Shopping
On the "Lo-Jo" strip. I'm no expert, but the cool kids says this is the best area for street level shopping.
14 locals recommend
Still Life For Him
560 Johnson StOn the "Lo-Jo" strip. I'm no expert, but the cool kids says this is the best area for street level shopping.
MEC Victoria
1450 Government StOutdoor adventure gear.
Essentials
Upscale (and overpriced) but easy walk and good quality greens and meats.
185 locals recommend
Market On Yates
903 Yates StUpscale (and overpriced) but easy walk and good quality greens and meats.
Wellburn's Market
1058 Pandora AveGood grocery store for basics. 5 minute walk from my place.
Organic and wellness related groceries. High quality goods, but you'll pay for it.
29 locals recommend
Mother Nature's Market & Deli
240 Cook StOrganic and wellness related groceries. High quality goods, but you'll pay for it.
Everyday trip essentials. Soap, razors, basic food, electronics, batteries, prescriptions. You can find almost everything at London Drugs and prices are reasonable.
69 locals recommend
London Drugs
911 Yates StEveryday trip essentials. Soap, razors, basic food, electronics, batteries, prescriptions. You can find almost everything at London Drugs and prices are reasonable.
Sightseeing
Floatplane tours. Great experience, especially on clear summer days. Also a great option to get to Vancouver for those travelling without a car.
30 locals recommend
Harbour Air Seaplanes
950 Wharf StFloatplane tours. Great experience, especially on clear summer days. Also a great option to get to Vancouver for those travelling without a car.
Entertainment & Activities
Yoga Lab Victoria
1088 Fort St