Guidebook for Victoria

Billiam
Guidebook for Victoria

Food Scene

A somewhat hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a modern spin on mid-tier fish dishes. There's an open court yard in the back, great on a sunny day! About $10-20 per person.
51 locals recommend
Fishhook
805 Fort St
51 locals recommend
A somewhat hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a modern spin on mid-tier fish dishes. There's an open court yard in the back, great on a sunny day! About $10-20 per person.
A best-kept-secret of Victoria! This gem is located behind the Bug Zoo, and Mr. Uchida serves some of the best Japanese home-made foods. Not sushi, but more like donburi, vegetables, and a very, very delicious grilled mackerel. Only downside is that they open weekdays 11-2pm, and run out of the daily special very quickly. $10-20
19 locals recommend
Uchida Eatery
633 Courtney St
19 locals recommend
A best-kept-secret of Victoria! This gem is located behind the Bug Zoo, and Mr. Uchida serves some of the best Japanese home-made foods. Not sushi, but more like donburi, vegetables, and a very, very delicious grilled mackerel. Only downside is that they open weekdays 11-2pm, and run out of the daily special very quickly. $10-20
This is even more hidden than Uchida (makes for a good lunch & tea). This tea bar is run by my good friends Jared & Miyuki, they are absolutely obsessed with quality in the best way possible. Their specialty is maccha (micro milled green tea), definitely worth a try! Hours is very limited, Tue - Fri 12pm-4pm.
JagaSilk
633 Courtney St
This is even more hidden than Uchida (makes for a good lunch & tea). This tea bar is run by my good friends Jared & Miyuki, they are absolutely obsessed with quality in the best way possible. Their specialty is maccha (micro milled green tea), definitely worth a try! Hours is very limited, Tue - Fri 12pm-4pm.
A local favourite for coffee. Hip decor, clean, and a sunny patio. Good coffee, free wifi, and a good cold-brew to go.
104 locals recommend
Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies St
104 locals recommend
A local favourite for coffee. Hip decor, clean, and a sunny patio. Good coffee, free wifi, and a good cold-brew to go.
A hipster dig on a hipster street. The best nitro cold brew I've ever had! Hey Happy is very careful about their pour overs, and they carry a unique selection of artisanal beans.
56 locals recommend
Hey Happy
560 Johnson St
56 locals recommend
A hipster dig on a hipster street. The best nitro cold brew I've ever had! Hey Happy is very careful about their pour overs, and they carry a unique selection of artisanal beans.
As health-conscious as it gets! I'd say THE best upscale vegetarian and vegan option in town.
73 locals recommend
Be Love
1019 Blanshard St
73 locals recommend
As health-conscious as it gets! I'd say THE best upscale vegetarian and vegan option in town.
Tucked away in Market Square, this cafeteria-style vegetarian pay by weight restaurant is a staple.
34 locals recommend
Green Cuisine Vegetarian Restaurant
34 locals recommend
Tucked away in Market Square, this cafeteria-style vegetarian pay by weight restaurant is a staple.
Victoria is full of breakfast restaurants, and this is definitely the busiest one. The food is worth the wait. Medium-large portion, high quality. Many locals, and many tourists too, so get there early! If the line is too long, try Floyd's Diner.
106 locals recommend
Blue Fox Cafe
919 Fort St
106 locals recommend
Victoria is full of breakfast restaurants, and this is definitely the busiest one. The food is worth the wait. Medium-large portion, high quality. Many locals, and many tourists too, so get there early! If the line is too long, try Floyd's Diner.
Huge portions! Great brunch, good quality, and they have the famous double or nothing for chef's special. This place gets very busy on a weekend, full of locals and tourists alike.
33 locals recommend
Floyd's Diner
866 Yates St
33 locals recommend
Huge portions! Great brunch, good quality, and they have the famous double or nothing for chef's special. This place gets very busy on a weekend, full of locals and tourists alike.
A local favourite, great food, decent prices. Upstairs (street-level) is lunch, and downstairs open till late. Sometimes there's a live DJ there. Great vibe!
47 locals recommend
The Mint Restaurant
1414 Douglas St
47 locals recommend
A local favourite, great food, decent prices. Upstairs (street-level) is lunch, and downstairs open till late. Sometimes there's a live DJ there. Great vibe!
One of the two best pizzarias in town. Their French-inspired potato pizza with raclette is very, very delicious!
19 locals recommend
Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria
560 Johnson St
19 locals recommend
One of the two best pizzarias in town. Their French-inspired potato pizza with raclette is very, very delicious!
The best pizzeria in Victoria, period.
145 locals recommend
Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook St
145 locals recommend
The best pizzeria in Victoria, period.
A low-key vegetarian dig, casual, good food.
55 locals recommend
Rebar
50 Bastion Square
55 locals recommend
A low-key vegetarian dig, casual, good food.
The best cocktails I've ever had, the bartenders will be able to mix up very delicious drinks on the spot! Worth the price!
95 locals recommend
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort St
95 locals recommend
The best cocktails I've ever had, the bartenders will be able to mix up very delicious drinks on the spot! Worth the price!
A great pub/restaurant with a very nice patio, great for a relaxing afternoon!
51 locals recommend
THE LOCAL
1205 Wharf St
51 locals recommend
A great pub/restaurant with a very nice patio, great for a relaxing afternoon!
The best Macaron outside of Paris, ran by two friendly Frenchmen, very fun flavours. If you have to have only one dessert, make it this one!
Bon Macaron Patisserie
1012 Broad St
The best Macaron outside of Paris, ran by two friendly Frenchmen, very fun flavours. If you have to have only one dessert, make it this one!
Vegan friendly, tasty dishes, casual... what else can one ask for?
71 locals recommend
Mo:Lé Restaurant
554 Pandora Ave
71 locals recommend
Vegan friendly, tasty dishes, casual... what else can one ask for?
One of the top French restaurants in Canada! No reservations, so get there early. They had the top 10 wine selections at one point. Worth a visit!
119 locals recommend
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government St
119 locals recommend
One of the top French restaurants in Canada! No reservations, so get there early. They had the top 10 wine selections at one point. Worth a visit!
A hidden gem, low key, good quality Tibetan restaurant.
Tibetan Kitchen Cafe
680 Broughton St
A hidden gem, low key, good quality Tibetan restaurant.
A cafe bistro tucked away just off of the busy areas. Great food, great coffee.
33 locals recommend
Tre Fantastico
810 Humboldt St
33 locals recommend
A cafe bistro tucked away just off of the busy areas. Great food, great coffee.
A pretty good coffee shop; they carry Club Mate for those in the know ;)
99 locals recommend
Habit Coffee
808 Yates St
99 locals recommend
A pretty good coffee shop; they carry Club Mate for those in the know ;)
One of the best bakeries in down, and right downstairs with cold brew coffee. It doesn't get any better than this!
154 locals recommend
Fol Epi
398 Harbour Rd
154 locals recommend
One of the best bakeries in down, and right downstairs with cold brew coffee. It doesn't get any better than this!
Another good quality breakfast and brunch joint, literally around the block!
78 locals recommend
Shine Cafe
1324 Blanshard St
78 locals recommend
Another good quality breakfast and brunch joint, literally around the block!
My go-to spot for a big bowl of noodle soup.
Pho Boi
765 Fort St
My go-to spot for a big bowl of noodle soup.
The iconic Murchies for fine teas, coffees, and desserts
39 locals recommend
Murchie's Tea & Coffee
1110 Government St
39 locals recommend
The iconic Murchies for fine teas, coffees, and desserts
A low-key, high quality breakfast cafe
8 locals recommend
Picnic
506 Fort St
8 locals recommend
A low-key, high quality breakfast cafe
Brewery tours, beer tastings at the most famous local brewery. Their "Dark Matter" is quite tasty. They also have sugary drinks for non-alcoholics
63 locals recommend
Phillips Brewing & Malting
2000 Government St
63 locals recommend
Brewery tours, beer tastings at the most famous local brewery. Their "Dark Matter" is quite tasty. They also have sugary drinks for non-alcoholics
Lots of little shops congregated in here, generally very good. The olive oil place is definitely worth checking out!
71 locals recommend
Victoria Public Market at the Hudson
1701 Douglas St
71 locals recommend
Lots of little shops congregated in here, generally very good. The olive oil place is definitely worth checking out!
Many shops and little restaurants in this area. Big court yard, a good place to take a break.
45 locals recommend
Market Square
560 Johnson St
45 locals recommend
Many shops and little restaurants in this area. Big court yard, a good place to take a break.
Another square in Victoria, many street vendors during the summer, quite lively
21 locals recommend
Bastion Square
60 Bastion Square
21 locals recommend
Another square in Victoria, many street vendors during the summer, quite lively
Casual, busy, good, inexpensive... everything a neighbourhood cafe bakery can ask for.
12 locals recommend
The Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop
718 Fort St
12 locals recommend
Casual, busy, good, inexpensive... everything a neighbourhood cafe bakery can ask for.
A hidden gem, great wine, very romantic
244 locals recommend
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson St
244 locals recommend
A hidden gem, great wine, very romantic
Great concept ran by great people. Simple, delicious
West Coast Waffles
1235 Broad St
Great concept ran by great people. Simple, delicious
As close to a Quebecois poutine and smoked meat sandwich as you can get.
11 locals recommend
La Belle Patate
1215 Esquimalt Rd
11 locals recommend
As close to a Quebecois poutine and smoked meat sandwich as you can get.
A buffet for high-quality East African foods. Low-key, tasty.
Blue Nile African Restaurant
612 Head St
A buffet for high-quality East African foods. Low-key, tasty.
Gorgeous views, great food, the perfect place for date night!
61 locals recommend
The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay Rd
61 locals recommend
Gorgeous views, great food, the perfect place for date night!
The best deal on take-out sushi, and a Japanese grocery store. Great for picnics.
28 locals recommend
Fujiya Foods - Victoria
3624 Shelbourne St
28 locals recommend
The best deal on take-out sushi, and a Japanese grocery store. Great for picnics.
One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in town. A tad expensive, but worth it!
6 locals recommend
Heart of Asia
1640 Cedar Hill Cross Road
6 locals recommend
One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in town. A tad expensive, but worth it!
A busy local's restaurant for authentic Japanese ramen. The only authentic Japanese ramen in town. The place can get busy sometimes with students. Casual, inexpensive
7 locals recommend
Kuma Noodle Japan
1551 Cedar Hill Cross Rd
7 locals recommend
A busy local's restaurant for authentic Japanese ramen. The only authentic Japanese ramen in town. The place can get busy sometimes with students. Casual, inexpensive

Entertainment & Activities

Right across the street, a great hangout, opens late (ish).
33 locals recommend
Interactivity Board Game Cafe
723 Yates St
33 locals recommend
Right across the street, a great hangout, opens late (ish).
Almost next door, with huge recliners and assigned seating. Definitely a good way for a night-in kind of feel since it's so close to home!
76 locals recommend
Cineplex Odeon Victoria Cinemas
780 Yates St
76 locals recommend
Almost next door, with huge recliners and assigned seating. Definitely a good way for a night-in kind of feel since it's so close to home!
A busy fisherman's warf with floating houses, seals that you can feed. Family friendly, a nice walk along the seawall from downtown
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie St
255 locals recommend
A busy fisherman's warf with floating houses, seals that you can feed. Family friendly, a nice walk along the seawall from downtown
Shoot some pool, play a game of ping pong. A local hangout.
6 locals recommend
Peacock Billiards
1175 Douglas St
6 locals recommend
Shoot some pool, play a game of ping pong. A local hangout.
A petting zoo for kids and adults alike
47 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Children's Farm
815 Circle Dr
47 locals recommend
A petting zoo for kids and adults alike
A farm town with weekend farmers' market and potentially other things to do. A nice stopover on your way to Sooke Provincial Park. Motorcyclists should take Kangaroo Road.
15 locals recommend
Metchosin
15 locals recommend
A farm town with weekend farmers' market and potentially other things to do. A nice stopover on your way to Sooke Provincial Park. Motorcyclists should take Kangaroo Road.

Drinks & Nightlife

The best location for a brewpub, beautiful patio, good food, good drinks!
157 locals recommend
Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift St
157 locals recommend
The best location for a brewpub, beautiful patio, good food, good drinks!

Parks & Nature

From here you can get an unobstructed view of all of Victoria. Can walk up or drive up, good for a romanic takeout.
65 locals recommend
Mount Tolmie
65 locals recommend
From here you can get an unobstructed view of all of Victoria. Can walk up or drive up, good for a romanic takeout.
Gorgeous nature, big trees, a good hike, but can also drive up with a car. Great for trail running with a few different grades of hikes.
180 locals recommend
Mount Douglas Park
4500 Cedar Hill Road
180 locals recommend
Gorgeous nature, big trees, a good hike, but can also drive up with a car. Great for trail running with a few different grades of hikes.
A short and moderate grade hiking trail to the abandoned railway bridge, and a waterfall at the bottom of the trail too. Either park at Goldstream provincial park and take the water tunnel to cross under the highway, or drive a few km pass Goldstream park, do a U-turn, then park on the gravel lot.
11 locals recommend
Niagara Trestle
11 locals recommend
A short and moderate grade hiking trail to the abandoned railway bridge, and a waterfall at the bottom of the trail too. Either park at Goldstream provincial park and take the water tunnel to cross under the highway, or drive a few km pass Goldstream park, do a U-turn, then park on the gravel lot.
Gorgeous park, it's like Victoria's own Central Park. Peacocks usually roam freely.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook St
503 locals recommend
Gorgeous park, it's like Victoria's own Central Park. Peacocks usually roam freely.
A long, gentle stroll with a beautiful view of Victoria's waterfront. On most days you can see the Olympic Mountains in the USA
46 locals recommend
The Breakwater
The Breakwater
46 locals recommend
A long, gentle stroll with a beautiful view of Victoria's waterfront. On most days you can see the Olympic Mountains in the USA
It's a beautiful drive through Jordan River to Port Renfrew. New roads, too! Great for motorcyclists. For those inclined, it's also a nice drive with slightly rougher roads from here to Cowichan Lake, Duncan, Malahat. No cell reception past Jordan River.
52 locals recommend
Port Renfrew
6638 Deering Rd
52 locals recommend
It's a beautiful drive through Jordan River to Port Renfrew. New roads, too! Great for motorcyclists. For those inclined, it's also a nice drive with slightly rougher roads from here to Cowichan Lake, Duncan, Malahat. No cell reception past Jordan River.
A gorgeous 40min hike to a gorgeous beach. There's a tiny waterfall there and a rope swing too!
97 locals recommend
Mystic Beach
97 locals recommend
A gorgeous 40min hike to a gorgeous beach. There's a tiny waterfall there and a rope swing too!
A gorgeous park with a river and creeks you can swim in! Great way to spend a sunny day!
222 locals recommend
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River Road
222 locals recommend
A gorgeous park with a river and creeks you can swim in! Great way to spend a sunny day!
Local's favourite hangout spot, with a beach and many secluded waterfront spots. Good swimming there
109 locals recommend
Thetis Lake
109 locals recommend
Local's favourite hangout spot, with a beach and many secluded waterfront spots. Good swimming there

Shopping

A hidden gem for those into camera and film. They also rent lots of equipment.
Camera Traders
560 Johnson St
A hidden gem for those into camera and film. They also rent lots of equipment.
An old, iconic general store with many interesting things
19 locals recommend
Capital Iron
1900 Store St
19 locals recommend
An old, iconic general store with many interesting things
112 locals recommend
The Bay Centre
1150 Douglas St
112 locals recommend
A local favourite surf shop
15 locals recommend
ecologyst - Victoria
552 Government St
15 locals recommend
A local favourite surf shop
Big outdoor shopping mall with big box stores and some small boutiques.
88 locals recommend
Uptown
3440 Saanich Rd
88 locals recommend
Big outdoor shopping mall with big box stores and some small boutiques.

Arts & Culture

I think they claim this to be the oldest Chinatown in North America. The area is quite interesting, and this alley way is full of little surprises.
101 locals recommend
Fan Tan Alley
549 Fisgard St
101 locals recommend
I think they claim this to be the oldest Chinatown in North America. The area is quite interesting, and this alley way is full of little surprises.

Essentials

A high-end grocery store, similar to Whole Foods, but smaller, better.
185 locals recommend
Market On Yates
903 Yates St
185 locals recommend
A high-end grocery store, similar to Whole Foods, but smaller, better.
A well-stocked essentials store. Less on the grocery, more on the gadgets.
69 locals recommend
London Drugs
911 Yates St
69 locals recommend
A well-stocked essentials store. Less on the grocery, more on the gadgets.