Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
Probably the best bakery in Victoria. The restaurant attached to it is amazing as well and was mentioned in "Vogue" as a must visit.
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Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdProbably the best bakery in Victoria. The restaurant attached to it is amazing as well and was mentioned in "Vogue" as a must visit.
This food stand can have quite the line up. But it's worth it!
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Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StThis food stand can have quite the line up. But it's worth it!
This place has become extremely popular in Victoria for seafood! It's a small walk in storefront but with amazing food.
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Fishhook
805 Fort StThis place has become extremely popular in Victoria for seafood! It's a small walk in storefront but with amazing food.
Small sharing plates, everything here is AMAZING. You can't go wrong, a long time Victoria favourite. If you've never had a "shaft" shot before (it's a Victoria thing) I recommend getting one here.
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Tapa Bar
620 Trounce AlleySmall sharing plates, everything here is AMAZING. You can't go wrong, a long time Victoria favourite. If you've never had a "shaft" shot before (it's a Victoria thing) I recommend getting one here.
Fresh ingredients on traditional wood-fired, thin crust pizza. I would say it's the best pizza in Victoria. Cook st. village, where it is located is nice as well, close to the water and bacon hill park.
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Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook StFresh ingredients on traditional wood-fired, thin crust pizza. I would say it's the best pizza in Victoria. Cook st. village, where it is located is nice as well, close to the water and bacon hill park.
They have a gluten free chocolate cupcake (muffin?) that is unreal.
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Bubby's Kitchen
355 Cook StThey have a gluten free chocolate cupcake (muffin?) that is unreal.
A local pub that I think is really great. They sometimes have live music but I really love their skillet with polenta, goat cheese, chorizo and prawns! So good.
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The Fernwood Inn
1302 Gladstone AveA local pub that I think is really great. They sometimes have live music but I really love their skillet with polenta, goat cheese, chorizo and prawns! So good.
Small batch (mostly organic) hand crafted ice cream! Flavours change seasonally but always amazing! I love their vegan ice cream sandwiches! So also friendly for people who can't do dairy... if you can do dairy however and they do have it, I HIGHLY recommend getting "Jacob's Shaft" ice cream. You can follow them on instagram under "misscoldcomfort
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Can Canteen (Cold Comfort Ice Cream)
1115 N Park StSmall batch (mostly organic) hand crafted ice cream! Flavours change seasonally but always amazing! I love their vegan ice cream sandwiches! So also friendly for people who can't do dairy... if you can do dairy however and they do have it, I HIGHLY recommend getting "Jacob's Shaft" ice cream. You can follow them on instagram under "misscoldcomfort
This place has an amazing ambience and they put a lot of effort into everything they do. I really love their fried brussel sprouts and their Gnocchi is amazing!
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stage.
1307 Gladstone AveThis place has an amazing ambience and they put a lot of effort into everything they do. I really love their fried brussel sprouts and their Gnocchi is amazing!
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
The most amazing burgers! ...And so many options!
The best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. Very popular locally!
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Big Wheel Burger
341 Cook StThe best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. Very popular locally!
There are a quite a few Discovery coffee's in Victoria as it has blown up here. A little "hipster" but SO good. If you go you should DEFINITELY try their donut, I'm generally not a sweet tooth but this is amazing.
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Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StThere are a quite a few Discovery coffee's in Victoria as it has blown up here. A little "hipster" but SO good. If you go you should DEFINITELY try their donut, I'm generally not a sweet tooth but this is amazing.
A high quality Italian restaurant. Even seemingly simple dishes are mind-blowing. Wonderful atmosphere, great for a date.
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Zambri's
820 Yates StA high quality Italian restaurant. Even seemingly simple dishes are mind-blowing. Wonderful atmosphere, great for a date.
This place has been one of the highest rated places in Victoria for a long time. I'd say they are most probably best known for their steak. You can't make reservations, but if you don't mind possibly waiting, it's worth the visit.
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Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StThis place has been one of the highest rated places in Victoria for a long time. I'd say they are most probably best known for their steak. You can't make reservations, but if you don't mind possibly waiting, it's worth the visit.
This is one of my favourite restaurants! If you love vegan, organic, raw food or even if you don't, this place is amazing! Everything is delicious! I highly recommend their cheese cake! It's dairy free made with cashews and in my opinion better than any "cheese" cake I've ever had. A labour of love.
They also own "Bliss cafe" on Pandora st., which is, not surprisingly, also great.
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Be Love
1019 Blanshard StThis is one of my favourite restaurants! If you love vegan, organic, raw food or even if you don't, this place is amazing! Everything is delicious! I highly recommend their cheese cake! It's dairy free made with cashews and in my opinion better than any "cheese" cake I've ever had. A labour of love.
They also own "Bliss cafe" on Pandora st., which is, not surprisingly, also great.
I would say this is the easiest place for me to recommend as everyone ALWAYS loves it. It's an exceptional Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere that is always busy. I recommend making reservations. Great for special nights, dates, whenever really. This place caters to everyone.
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II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StI would say this is the easiest place for me to recommend as everyone ALWAYS loves it. It's an exceptional Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere that is always busy. I recommend making reservations. Great for special nights, dates, whenever really. This place caters to everyone.
Relish is across the street from a shelter and not the prettiest of locations, but the food/coffee is amazing and definitely a lot of love/thought goes into it. It's quite a popular place, despite it's location, which I think says a lot. The only thing I would mention is that I do think they shut early around 3-4pm.
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Relish Food & Coffee
920 Pandora AvenueRelish is across the street from a shelter and not the prettiest of locations, but the food/coffee is amazing and definitely a lot of love/thought goes into it. It's quite a popular place, despite it's location, which I think says a lot. The only thing I would mention is that I do think they shut early around 3-4pm.
My personal favourite bakery. It's covered in beautiful graffiti murals that change often and specializes in artisan baking. They grind their own flours and produce their own sifted spelt flour. All of their ingredients are Canadian grown, either locally – using sustainable farming methods or certified organic.
I LOVE their vegan chocolate cake. It is probably the best cake I have ever had.
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Wildfire Bakery
1517 Quadra StMy personal favourite bakery. It's covered in beautiful graffiti murals that change often and specializes in artisan baking. They grind their own flours and produce their own sifted spelt flour. All of their ingredients are Canadian grown, either locally – using sustainable farming methods or certified organic.
I LOVE their vegan chocolate cake. It is probably the best cake I have ever had.
In my opinion this it the best Chinese food in Victoria. Doesn't look like much but the food is amazing!
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J & J Wonton Noodle House
1012 Fort StIn my opinion this it the best Chinese food in Victoria. Doesn't look like much but the food is amazing!
The best Indian food in Victoria! They also do a lunch buffet that is excellent and really reasonable. A great choice for vegetarian/vegan options as well!
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Masala Bites
The best Indian food in Victoria! They also do a lunch buffet that is excellent and really reasonable. A great choice for vegetarian/vegan options as well!
A very popular Victoria Thai restaurant! They have a few locations which are all good!
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Baan Thai Wok & Bar
1117 Blanshard StA very popular Victoria Thai restaurant! They have a few locations which are all good!
I've never had a bad meal here! Really great Thai food and the location is wonderful as well! Love the seafood salad!
Siam Thai Restaurant
512 Fort StreetI've never had a bad meal here! Really great Thai food and the location is wonderful as well! Love the seafood salad!
Started as a food cart in Victoria and now there are several locations! Great comfort food and reasonably priced.
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Noodlebox
3749 Shelbourne StStarted as a food cart in Victoria and now there are several locations! Great comfort food and reasonably priced.
The top rated restaurant on TripAdvisor for quite awhile, this little greek restaurant is a family run buisness that uses their mom's recipes (you can actually buy their hummus and tzatsiki at the "Market on Yates" or "Thrifty's" and I'm obsessed!).
They'll even let you smash plates :)
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Ithaka Greek Restaurant
716 Burdett AveThe top rated restaurant on TripAdvisor for quite awhile, this little greek restaurant is a family run buisness that uses their mom's recipes (you can actually buy their hummus and tzatsiki at the "Market on Yates" or "Thrifty's" and I'm obsessed!).
They'll even let you smash plates :)
If you're looking for a very decadent breakfast this is a great spot! Lots of positive feedback locally, the bacon Caesars are a favourite! My only warning is expect a bit of a wait!
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Jam Cafe
542 Herald StIf you're looking for a very decadent breakfast this is a great spot! Lots of positive feedback locally, the bacon Caesars are a favourite! My only warning is expect a bit of a wait!
John's place has been a Victoria favourite for years! Great spot for a classic benny and hash, you'll find celebrity photos on the wall and it's had the same staff for decades!
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J.J. Morgan Restaurant
1520 McKenzie AveJohn's place has been a Victoria favourite for years! Great spot for a classic benny and hash, you'll find celebrity photos on the wall and it's had the same staff for decades!
One of the best breakfast spots! The only problem is that it can sometimes be lined out the door! The Moroccan benny was one of my favourites!
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Blue Fox Cafe
919 Fort StOne of the best breakfast spots! The only problem is that it can sometimes be lined out the door! The Moroccan benny was one of my favourites!
My personal favourite breakfast spot! Everything tastes super fresh, I love their hash and the accompaniments, mole, hot sauce etc. They also have really amazing, unique Mimosas. Great atmosphere!
...Also, much like the other Victoria favourite breakfast places, this can be lined out the door.
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Mo:Lé Restaurant
554 Pandora AveMy personal favourite breakfast spot! Everything tastes super fresh, I love their hash and the accompaniments, mole, hot sauce etc. They also have really amazing, unique Mimosas. Great atmosphere!
...Also, much like the other Victoria favourite breakfast places, this can be lined out the door.
This is a great breakfast spot with two locations near by! I would say this one has the better atmosphere of the two. Full breakfast, Scottish breakfast, pancakes, fantastic benny's... there is something for everyone.
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Shine Cafe
1324 Blanshard StThis is a great breakfast spot with two locations near by! I would say this one has the better atmosphere of the two. Full breakfast, Scottish breakfast, pancakes, fantastic benny's... there is something for everyone.
It is amazing! I personally highly recommend the breakfast bagel or their Lox on Bagel, they use bagels freshly made that day from Mount Royal Bagels.
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Parsonage Cafe
1105 Caledonia AveIt is amazing! I personally highly recommend the breakfast bagel or their Lox on Bagel, they use bagels freshly made that day from Mount Royal Bagels.
Drinks & Nightlife
They have amazing food (especially the pizza!) but they are also open really late (2am usually) and serve food really late. Definitely a great place to go check out for wonderful food, drinks and atmosphere.
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Fiamo Pizza & Wine Bar
515 Yates StThey have amazing food (especially the pizza!) but they are also open really late (2am usually) and serve food really late. Definitely a great place to go check out for wonderful food, drinks and atmosphere.
They make amazing hand crafted labour intensive cocktails that sometimes have ingredients that don't seem like they should work, but amazingly do!
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Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StThey make amazing hand crafted labour intensive cocktails that sometimes have ingredients that don't seem like they should work, but amazingly do!
If you enjoy a well crafted cocktail Clive's is on the list of places to visit! A well established, Victoria and world famous bar.
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Clive's Classic Lounge
740 Burdett AveIf you enjoy a well crafted cocktail Clive's is on the list of places to visit! A well established, Victoria and world famous bar.
Amazing atmosphere and drinks! The bartenders put on a show.
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Veneto Bar Ristorante
1450 Douglas StAmazing atmosphere and drinks! The bartenders put on a show.
There are bra's hanging off of the ceiling and peanuts all over the floor... you get the idea, messy fun!
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Big Bad Johns
919 Douglas StThere are bra's hanging off of the ceiling and peanuts all over the floor... you get the idea, messy fun!
A long time Victoria favourite! It can get quite busy at night and there can sometimes be a line up, but it's so much fun! They often have live music.
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Darcy's Pub Downtown
1127 Wharf StA long time Victoria favourite! It can get quite busy at night and there can sometimes be a line up, but it's so much fun! They often have live music.
50 different Beers on tap, this long bar also makes some excellent cocktails! Their beer battered fries are pretty damn good as well!
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The Churchill
1140 Government St50 different Beers on tap, this long bar also makes some excellent cocktails! Their beer battered fries are pretty damn good as well!
Entertainment & Activities
If you go to their website you can see if any plays are going on while you're visiting! Great local Theatre!
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Belfry Theatre
1291 Gladstone AveIf you go to their website you can see if any plays are going on while you're visiting! Great local Theatre!
Love board games? This is your place! So many games to choose from! Snacks and drinks too!! Really fun time!
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Interactivity Board Game Cafe
723 Yates StLove board games? This is your place! So many games to choose from! Snacks and drinks too!! Really fun time!
Newly built climbing gym! Something for the beginner or more advanced.
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Crag X Indoor Climbing Centre
769 Pandora AveNewly built climbing gym! Something for the beginner or more advanced.
I highly recommend visiting the tourist information centre as they can answer all your questions personally and they have a TON of brochures and advice on things to do! Visitor Centre 812 Wharf Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 1T3 Canada Open Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm Extended hours Fridays & Saturdays 8:30am - 8:30pm until September 24 Visitor Call Centre Phone: 250-953-2033 Toll Free: 1-800-663-3883 Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm http://www.tourismvictoria.com
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Destination Greater Victoria Visitor Centre
812 Wharf StI highly recommend visiting the tourist information centre as they can answer all your questions personally and they have a TON of brochures and advice on things to do! Visitor Centre 812 Wharf Street Victoria, B.C. V8W 1T3 Canada Open Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm Extended hours Fridays & Saturdays 8:30am - 8:30pm until September 24 Visitor Call Centre Phone: 250-953-2033 Toll Free: 1-800-663-3883 Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm http://www.tourismvictoria.com
Horror Escape
523 Broughton StIt's actually not THAT scary, but it is lots of fun!!
The museum is a Victoria must! You could spend all day in there! There is so much to see, whether you love history, native art, the west coast, the ocean, science, etc... the IMAX is always great as well!
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I-Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StThe museum is a Victoria must! You could spend all day in there! There is so much to see, whether you love history, native art, the west coast, the ocean, science, etc... the IMAX is always great as well!
Essentials
Really great basic grocery store. It has pretty much everything you need and the prices are good.
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Wellburn's Market
1058 Pandora AveReally great basic grocery store. It has pretty much everything you need and the prices are good.
Market On Yates
903 Yates StReally nice grocery store with a lot of specialty items!
Logan's Liquor Store
1821 Cook StreetPrivately owned liquor store very close to the house.
A really nice privately owned liquor store, with a good selection of wines.
Vintage Spirits Liquor Store
653 Pandora AveA really nice privately owned liquor store, with a good selection of wines.
One of the best government owned liquor stores. It has everything you could possibly need! :)
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BC Liquor Stores
1960 Foul Bay RdOne of the best government owned liquor stores. It has everything you could possibly need! :)
I highly recommend visiting the Oak Bay Beach hotel spa, not because it is the cheapest, but because with the treatment comes access to their outdoor heated mineral pool overlooking the ocean. It's truly spectacular! http://oakbaybeachhotel.com/spa/
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Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach DrI highly recommend visiting the Oak Bay Beach hotel spa, not because it is the cheapest, but because with the treatment comes access to their outdoor heated mineral pool overlooking the ocean. It's truly spectacular! http://oakbaybeachhotel.com/spa/
WetCleaner
1019 Cook StVictoria's only non-toxic dry cleaning pick up and delivery service.
Little organic grocery store in Cook st. Village, they have a larger location on Douglas, but this one is closer.
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Lifestyle Markets
343 Cook StLittle organic grocery store in Cook st. Village, they have a larger location on Douglas, but this one is closer.
A little out of the way, but not too bad by car. Really fantastic grocery store that sells a lot of local produce. They also make this "green sauce" in house that I'm obsessed with!
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The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
1286 McKenzie AveA little out of the way, but not too bad by car. Really fantastic grocery store that sells a lot of local produce. They also make this "green sauce" in house that I'm obsessed with!
Getting Around
Bluebird Cabs Ltd.
2612 Quadra StReally great local cab company 250-382-2222
This is the BC transit headquarters, not that you need to know this but the phone number and website are helpful for making travel plans, through the public bus system.
Transit Service info # 250-382-6161
https://bctransit.com/victoria/home
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BC Transit
520 Gorge Rd EThis is the BC transit headquarters, not that you need to know this but the phone number and website are helpful for making travel plans, through the public bus system.
Transit Service info # 250-382-6161
https://bctransit.com/victoria/home
Sightseeing
Stunning views, on a beautiful or even dreary day. Grab a coffee/tea in Cook st. Village (Mokka house) and then stroll down Dallas and get lost in the views, walk down to the beach.
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Dallas Road
Dallas RoadStunning views, on a beautiful or even dreary day. Grab a coffee/tea in Cook st. Village (Mokka house) and then stroll down Dallas and get lost in the views, walk down to the beach.
Victoria B.C is the capitol of British Columbia and our legislature is quite impressive. Covered with lights, it faces the inner harbour. Free guided tours are offered weekdays throughout the year and seven days a week from mid-May to Labour day. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content-peo/Pages/Tour-Information.aspx
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Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
501 Belleville StVictoria B.C is the capitol of British Columbia and our legislature is quite impressive. Covered with lights, it faces the inner harbour. Free guided tours are offered weekdays throughout the year and seven days a week from mid-May to Labour day. https://www.leg.bc.ca/content-peo/Pages/Tour-Information.aspx
Behind Victoria’s old-world charm lie tales of eccentric characters, heroic deeds, intrigue, love, humour, hangings, murder… and GHOSTS!" https://discoverthepast.com/ghostly-walks/ Whether or not you believe in spirits or not, this is an entertaining tour that takes you to historic Victoria buildings and streets and tells you about Victorias interesting past!
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Ghostly Walks
Behind Victoria’s old-world charm lie tales of eccentric characters, heroic deeds, intrigue, love, humour, hangings, murder… and GHOSTS!" https://discoverthepast.com/ghostly-walks/ Whether or not you believe in spirits or not, this is an entertaining tour that takes you to historic Victoria buildings and streets and tells you about Victorias interesting past!
Parks & Nature
The Prince and Duchess stayed here during their recent visit. The gardens are gorgeous and beautiful to stroll through.
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Government House
1401 Rockland AveThe Prince and Duchess stayed here during their recent visit. The gardens are gorgeous and beautiful to stroll through.