Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
The Next Modern Japanese Cuisine
240 Cook StFresh take on sushi and great ramen bowls!
The real deal. Take it to go, wrapped in newspaper, and eat it at the beach or a nearby park.
Fairfield Fish & Chips
1275 Fairfield RdThe real deal. Take it to go, wrapped in newspaper, and eat it at the beach or a nearby park.
Quality basics: burger, fries and shakes. Family friendly, laid back with a diner vibe we remember from childhood. Free range, hormone and antiobiotic free meats.
http://bigwheelburger.com/
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Big Wheel Burger
341 Cook StQuality basics: burger, fries and shakes. Family friendly, laid back with a diner vibe we remember from childhood. Free range, hormone and antiobiotic free meats.
http://bigwheelburger.com/
We haven't tried the entrees, but this place is consistently voted the best soft-serve ice cream in Victoria. We agree.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Beacon Drive In Ltd
126 Douglas StWe haven't tried the entrees, but this place is consistently voted the best soft-serve ice cream in Victoria. We agree.
Bubby's Kitchen
355 Cook StQuality local ingredients. Their breakfasts are awesome.
Hands down the best thin crust pizza in the city, within walking distance. Eat in - arrive early, as seating is limited and lineups develop fast - or phone ahead and take it to go. The pizza reheats well.
145 abantu bendawo batusa
Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook StHands down the best thin crust pizza in the city, within walking distance. Eat in - arrive early, as seating is limited and lineups develop fast - or phone ahead and take it to go. The pizza reheats well.
Funky vegetarian restaurant with a cult-like following. We recommend making reservations.
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Rebar
50 Bastion SquareFunky vegetarian restaurant with a cult-like following. We recommend making reservations.
Fairfield Market
1275 Oscar StLocally roasted coffee, friendly staff. A neighbourhood favourite.
Well regarded for its meals. We've heard epic things about their Sunday Brunches! Great views.
55 abantu bendawo batusa
Oak Bay Marina
1327 Beach DrWell regarded for its meals. We've heard epic things about their Sunday Brunches! Great views.
The coffee here is some of the best in the city. Try the breakfast bagel if you want something to keep you going until well after lunch!
61 abantu bendawo batusa
Little June
1301 Gladstone AveThe coffee here is some of the best in the city. Try the breakfast bagel if you want something to keep you going until well after lunch!
Patisserie Daniel
1729 Cook StWe love this place for its unabashed use of butter.
If you're after steak and frites and a sommelier who knows his French wines, this is your place. It does not accept reservations, so show up early or be prepared to put your name on the list and head out for a pre-dinner drink.
119 abantu bendawo batusa
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StIf you're after steak and frites and a sommelier who knows his French wines, this is your place. It does not accept reservations, so show up early or be prepared to put your name on the list and head out for a pre-dinner drink.
Friendly, fantastic hole in the wall microwbrewery. Award-winning.
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Hoyne Brewing Company
2740 Bridge StreetFriendly, fantastic hole in the wall microwbrewery. Award-winning.
Oldest brewpub in the region. Great beer and stunning water views.
148 abantu bendawo batusa
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StOldest brewpub in the region. Great beer and stunning water views.
Pastries and gelato. Fabulous brunch on the weekends.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Mosi Bakery Cafe & Gelateria
5303 W Saanich RdPastries and gelato. Fabulous brunch on the weekends.
Another award winning microbrewery. Tasting room on site...try their Critical Point Pale Ale.
En route to Butchart Gardens and local farm stands.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Category 12 Brewing
2200 Keating Cross RdAnother award winning microbrewery. Tasting room on site...try their Critical Point Pale Ale.
En route to Butchart Gardens and local farm stands.
Amongst the most established of local breweries. If you like hops, you'll love it here. One of the bigger tasting rooms; ask about their tours. For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, their handcrafted soda is earning a name for itself, too.
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Phillips Brewing & Malting
2000 Government StAmongst the most established of local breweries. If you like hops, you'll love it here. One of the bigger tasting rooms; ask about their tours. For those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages, their handcrafted soda is earning a name for itself, too.
Small wine bar with an extensive wine selection and tasty tapas-style menu.
96 abantu bendawo batusa
stage.
1307 Gladstone AveSmall wine bar with an extensive wine selection and tasty tapas-style menu.
Good quality barbecue basics: pulled pork, ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, and slaw. Eat in or request it to go.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Pig BBQ Joint
1325 Blanshard StGood quality barbecue basics: pulled pork, ribs, fried chicken, cornbread, and slaw. Eat in or request it to go.
Essentials
For those seeking something stronger than coffee. A good selection of BC wines and brews.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Cook St Liquor
304 Cook StFor those seeking something stronger than coffee. A good selection of BC wines and brews.
Open 24 hours, solid selection. Pharmacy on site (open 9 am to 8pm most days)
194 abantu bendawo batusa
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals RdOpen 24 hours, solid selection. Pharmacy on site (open 9 am to 8pm most days)
A solid selection of organic foods within walking distance. If you're looking for items to fill your picnic hamper head to the back for deli items.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
Mother Nature's Market & Deli
240 Cook StA solid selection of organic foods within walking distance. If you're looking for items to fill your picnic hamper head to the back for deli items.
Good if you need a pint of milk or other basics. Be warned they don't take credit cards and they close early.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Oxford Foods
271 Cook StGood if you need a pint of milk or other basics. Be warned they don't take credit cards and they close early.
Rexall
230 Cook StPharmacy and post office within walking distance.
Cook Street Nails & Spa
230 Cook StThe closest walk-in medical clinic.
Shampoo Hair Bar
1272 May StA great hair salon minutes away.
Local butcher specializing in locally sourced, ethically raised meats.
8 abantu bendawo batusa
McLennan's Island Meat & Seafood
307 307 Cook StLocal butcher specializing in locally sourced, ethically raised meats.
Good selection of local meats and produce. An excellent deli...Their sandwiches are a mile high!
42 abantu bendawo batusa
Red Barn Market
1933 Oak Bay AveGood selection of local meats and produce. An excellent deli...Their sandwiches are a mile high!
BC Liquor Stores
1960 Foul Bay RdGovernment liquor store with a good selection.
Drinks & Nightlife
Innovative cocktails, wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StInnovative cocktails, wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff.
This place is in competition with Little Jumbo for best cocktails in town...Try them both!
Cafe Veneto
1450 Douglas StreetThis place is in competition with Little Jumbo for best cocktails in town...Try them both!
Our local pub. The place to go if you're looking for a pint and a platter of nachos within walking distance.
36 abantu bendawo batusa
Beagle Pub The
301 Cook StOur local pub. The place to go if you're looking for a pint and a platter of nachos within walking distance.
Great beer, good food for lunch and dinner. Extensive waterfront outdoor patio. Live music Thursday through Saturday.
157 abantu bendawo batusa
Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StGreat beer, good food for lunch and dinner. Extensive waterfront outdoor patio. Live music Thursday through Saturday.
Parks & Nature
Beautiful views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Make a cuppa coffee - or get one from nearby Cook St Village - and take a wander...
21 abantu bendawo batusa
Clover Point
Clover PointBeautiful views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Make a cuppa coffee - or get one from nearby Cook St Village - and take a wander...
Lots to see and do - gardens, ponds, two playgrounds, even a petting zoo. Walk up Beacon Hill for a beautiful view of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains.
503 abantu bendawo batusa
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StLots to see and do - gardens, ponds, two playgrounds, even a petting zoo. Walk up Beacon Hill for a beautiful view of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains.
The grounds of Government House are open free to the public sunrise to sunset. A perfect place for a picnic, offering secluded spots for reflection and lovely water views. Walk up for live music on the lawns Thursday evenings during the summer.
(http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/news-events/news/default.html#../../news-events/news/special-events/2016/july/concerts.html)
103 abantu bendawo batusa
Government House
1401 Rockland AveThe grounds of Government House are open free to the public sunrise to sunset. A perfect place for a picnic, offering secluded spots for reflection and lovely water views. Walk up for live music on the lawns Thursday evenings during the summer.
(http://www.ltgov.bc.ca/news-events/news/default.html#../../news-events/news/special-events/2016/july/concerts.html)
Offers panoramic views of the Saanich Penninsula. Drive up, or enjoy a rainforest hike on the myriad of trails. Road is closed to cars till noon for those who wish to bike, walk or run up on the pavement.
180 abantu bendawo batusa
Ipharki yaseMount Douglas
4500 Cedar Hill RoadOffers panoramic views of the Saanich Penninsula. Drive up, or enjoy a rainforest hike on the myriad of trails. Road is closed to cars till noon for those who wish to bike, walk or run up on the pavement.
Iphaki yaseMount Tolmie
3492 Mayfair DrGreat views of the city.
Elk Lake
10km chip trail through forests.
Lovely beach with nice evening light. You can see Mt. Baker on clear days.
170 abantu bendawo batusa
Willows Beach
EsplanadeLovely beach with nice evening light. You can see Mt. Baker on clear days.
Neat gardens that are close by. Run by the not-for-profit Land Conservancy. Entry by donation.
56 abantu bendawo batusa
The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
1964 Fairfield RdNeat gardens that are close by. Run by the not-for-profit Land Conservancy. Entry by donation.
Shopping
Fresh local produce and baked goods, coffee, live music, arts and crafts. Saturdays 10 am - 2pm, May through October.
68 abantu bendawo batusa
Moss Street Market
1330 Fairfield RdFresh local produce and baked goods, coffee, live music, arts and crafts. Saturdays 10 am - 2pm, May through October.
A fabulous selection of fresh organic teas - our favourite tea place in town. Ask about their tea tasting bar and upcoming workshops. (http://silkroadteastore.com/)
Also features a spa on site.
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Silk Road Tea
1624 Government StA fabulous selection of fresh organic teas - our favourite tea place in town. Ask about their tea tasting bar and upcoming workshops. (http://silkroadteastore.com/)
Also features a spa on site.
Beehive Wool Shop
1700 Douglas StAll things wooly and wonderful. If you're a knitter, you'll like this shop.
Established by one-time spouse of Canadian author Alice Munro. An excellent bookstore in an exceptional building. Look up at the ceiling!
31 abantu bendawo batusa
Munro's Books
1108 Government StEstablished by one-time spouse of Canadian author Alice Munro. An excellent bookstore in an exceptional building. Look up at the ceiling!
Large, family-owned used book store with an extensive selection. A great place to stock up on your vacation reads.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Russell Books
747 Fort StLarge, family-owned used book store with an extensive selection. A great place to stock up on your vacation reads.
A quaint seaside town with an abundance of bookstores, bakeries and boutiques.
86 abantu bendawo batusa
Sidney
A quaint seaside town with an abundance of bookstores, bakeries and boutiques.
Sun Wing Greenhouses Ltd
6070 Oldfield RdFarm fresh produce! Some of the very best around.
Everything Else
If you're looking for a run from the suite that incorporates hills, run along Dallas Road to Beach Drive and up and over King George Terrace. You'll be rewarded with some pretty special views.
King George Terrace
King George TerraceIf you're looking for a run from the suite that incorporates hills, run along Dallas Road to Beach Drive and up and over King George Terrace. You'll be rewarded with some pretty special views.
Arts & Culture
Extensive collection of works by Emily Carr.
111 abantu bendawo batusa
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss StExtensive collection of works by Emily Carr.
IMAX Theatre, permanent exhibits that provide a comprehensive overview of BC history, interesting visiting exhibits and a life size replica of a wooly mammoth ; )
A really good coffee shop, as well as food trucks in the museum courtyard during summer months.
534 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StIMAX Theatre, permanent exhibits that provide a comprehensive overview of BC history, interesting visiting exhibits and a life size replica of a wooly mammoth ; )
A really good coffee shop, as well as food trucks in the museum courtyard during summer months.
Emily Carr House
207 Government StThe birthplace of Emily Carr.