Best Restaurants in Victoria, British Columbia

I was just in Victoria, British Columbia, as a guest of the tourism board. They picked some of the best restaurants in town for me to try. Here is what I recommend.

If you are looking for things to do while there, check out Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC: A Personal and Practical Guide. 

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Dinner

The Drake Eatery and Craft Beer Parlour

Address: 517 Pandora Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Website: thedrakeeatery.com

The Drake Eatery is a favorite for craft beer lovers. With 29 rotating taps, the bar focuses on serving the best West Coast brews in a warm, social setting. There are no TVs or blaring music—just conversation, beer, and thoughtfully made food. It’s a chill, community-centered venue. The Drake Eatery also has about seven wines by the glass, cocktails, and spirits. 

The Drake Eatery’s menu highlights West Coast ingredients through a lineup of elevated pub fare. Their handhelds include unique takes like tuna tacos, a Bosna-style sausage sandwich, and a pork shoulder sandwich with ‘duck sauce’. Shareable dishes range from Japanese potato curry to pork and braising green salad, with options to add cheese, foraged mushrooms, or roast pork.

I met up with somebody from the tourism board at the Drake Eatery, where I ended up getting a brat. It’s a brat, beer, and pretzel place.

House of Boateng

Address: 2854 Peatt Rd #105, Langford, BC
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Website: houseofboateng.ca

Chef Castro Boateng’s namesake café in Langford is award-winning and unmissable. It is best known best for brunch, but I have only experienced their dinner.

Berbere-spiced sweet plantains

The dinner menu at House of Boateng showcases a vibrant fusion of West African flavors and West Coast ingredients, blending traditional dishes with modern techniques. Shared starters include standout plates like jerk chicken tacos, Berbere-spiced sweet plantains, beef suya skewers, and herb-poached prawn salad—all layered with bold sauces, pickled vegetables, and aromatic spices.

The main courses continue the theme with dishes like jerk chicken over jollof rice, Ghanaian-style braised short ribs, and Sooke trout or king oyster mushrooms served with egusi stew and fried plantains. Vegetarians will find flavorful options like a vegan curry bowl or mushroom risotto with truffle oil and nettle pesto. With inventive combinations like Shito aioli, charred lemon vinaigrette, and harissa hummus.

It has a somewhat adventurous palette. For instance, I ordered the Sunrise in Accra mocktail made with caramelized mustard, citrus, and passion fruit. It had a sweet/salty flavor. I enjoyed it, but it was an unusual pairing of flavors.

I ordered an appetizer of Berbere-spiced sweet plantain with jerk chicken as my main course. It was a beautiful meal and quite tasty, but it often had different ingredients that I wouldn’t expect in a dish like that. So I thought they were creative, but still approachable. I definitely recommend House of Boateng if you consider yourself a foodie.

Finn’s Seafood Chops Cocktails

Address: 1208 Wharf Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: finnsvictoria.com

Set in a historic 1882 building, Finn’s offers waterfront dining at its finest. The menu revolves around sustainable seafood, AAA steaks, and fresh daily catches. Their tableside-shaken martinis are legendary. With its lively patio overlooking the harbor, Finn’s blends old-world charm with modern execution. Whether it’s surf, turf, or cocktails, the quality and views are guaranteed.

I came here on a beautiful May evening and sat out on the patio with views of the harbor—highly recommended. I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken breast sandwich with truffle and Parmesan fries. It was indulgent and well executed.

While it may not have been seafood, it still showcased the kitchen’s ability to elevate comfort food. Even on a cool May evening, the patio was full of diners wrapped in light jackets, soaking up the atmosphere.

10 Acres Bistro

Address: 611 Courtney Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: 10acres.ca

Steps from the Inner Harbour, 10 Acres sources ingredients from its own farm. Seasonal vegetables, free-range meats, and island seafood define the menu. The restaurant has a heated courtyard for cozy evening meals. It’s ideal for those seeking a sustainable and truly local dining experience.

When I call this restaurant a farm-to-table experience, I don’t just mean they know the farmers. I mean, they are the farmers. Many of the ingredients come from their farm near Victoria. That may or may not be important to you, but I think you will enjoy the results.

I ordered the bolognese—just a half-size, though I was tempted by more—and paired it with a local BC Merlot. The pasta was rustic, flavorful, and rich without being too heavy. 

I could have easily eaten a full portion of pasta, but because I had a half order, I still had room for a slab of pecan pie for dessert, and I would definitely recommend that as well.

Rabbit Rabbit Wine Bar

Address: 658 Herald St, Victoria, BC
Hours: 5:00 PM – Late
Website: rabbitrabbit.ca

Located near Chinatown, Rabbit Rabbit is a creative wine bar offering a rotating menu of share plates and wines. Chef Billy Nguyen crafts seasonal dishes that surprise and delight, pairing perfectly with their ever-evolving wine list. The ambiance is playful and immersive, filled with quirky art and great music. It’s ideal for adventurous diners looking to discover new tastes in a vibrant and intimate setting.

Again, this is a place that I would recommend for foodies. The name Rabbit Rabbit is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, although I wouldn’t say you walk in and see that the restaurant is particularly Alice in Wonderland-themed.

I was there on a Tuesday. On a Monday night, most restaurants are closed in the area, so they try to do something special at Rabbit Rabbit. They will play some vinyl albums and pair them with a dinner special. For instance, the day before I was there, they were playing albums by Queen and had an extra menu item for Coronation Chicken.

Recently, they had a Beatles versus Rolling Stones evening. They switched off different vinyl from those two bands, and they had fish and chips on the menu

scallops and proper chips

Mushroom Lo Bok Go paired with a Greek Malagousia Wine

Some of their items are very simple, like proper English chips, and some are a little different, like their lasagna, which is homemade pasta but then has a gochujang, which is a Korean sauce, bolognese, miso brown butter, tomato sauce, pan-seared, and finished with Parmesan. That is not your mother’s lasagna. It was good, but there were some flavors in there that I did not expect.

Of course, it is a wine bar, so lots of wines are available there. And save room for the bread pudding, too. That one includes rabbit candies that have been melted inside the bread pudding. Rabbit is one of the only things you will not find on the menu at Rabbit Rabbit, because it just seems wrong to the owner.

Fathom

Address: 463 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Website: hotelgrandpacific.com

Fathom is a sleek restaurant in the Hotel Grand Pacific. With Chef Peter Kim at the helm, the focus is on locally sourced West Coast cuisine served with a contemporary twist. The restaurant also has a lovely patio for dining with a view out the front of the hotel to the harbor.

Fathom’s dinner menu showcases a sophisticated take on West Coast cuisine, with artful plating, seasonal ingredients, and bold, modern flavors. Starters range from creative bites like pecorino romano buns with truffle butter and duck liver pâté with rhubarb coulis to elegant seafood chowder and beef tartar smoke bowls layered with gochujang and hoisin goma dressing.

The main courses emphasize fresh, local proteins—think sablefish with kabayaki butter, seared scallops in pepper espuma, and a seafood tagliatelle bursting with shellfish and citrus. Meat lovers will gravitate toward the duck breast with citrus hoisin glaze, the bison bavette with roasted potatoes and fermented radish, or the 8-oz Black Angus steak with sunchoke chips and red wine jus.

Desserts are just as inventive, with offerings like cold brew Basque cheesecake, pistachio lemon delice, and the whimsically plated “Pebbles in Moss,” which balances sweet and earthy notes with green tea moss, chocolate soil, and mushroom meringue. Every dish feels curated, refined, and distinctly regional.

I ordered what I was told was the best burger in Western Canada, and it is probably the best burger I’ve had in Western Canada, so I certainly can’t prove that wrong. It was a wagyu beef burger while my tablemate ordered the seafood tagliatelle.

I rather enjoyed the cold brew Basque cheesecake with a Baileys Chantilly cream and graham streusel. It had a little bit of a coffee flavor, but even a non-coffee-drinker like me could enjoy the taste.

Brewery

Phillips Brewing and Malting Co.

Address: 2010 Government Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Website: phillipsbeer.com

Phillips Brewing and Malting Co. is one of Victoria’s best-known breweries, offering craft beer in a playful, colorful space. While not a full restaurant, they are opening space to a popular lunch restaurant. It’s a must-visit for beer enthusiasts looking to try a flight or take some cans home.

I had the impression I was visiting a small local craft brewery, but Phillips distributes across Canada and produces a surprising volume. They started in 2001 with just credit cards and determination, and now they run a full-scale operation with 400 cans a minute, 12 hours a day, 5 days a week.

I tried the Blue Buck and Tilt, the Clitter Bomb sour, as well as a couple of their Dino Sours. The Blue Buck and Tilt are two of their most popular beers and were approachable for someone like me who does not like hoppy beers. They would be a great beer on a warm summer day. If hops are your thing, don’t worry; they also have a selection of IPAs.

Whether or not you like sour beers, I suggest you try at least one of theirs. They may surprise you. They were not as sour as the sour beers I have tried previously. There is a reason they are popular.

Lunch

Hide N Seek Food Truck

Address: 5611 East Sooke Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 0Z5
Hours: Summer hours 11AM – 6:00 PM
Website: hnsfoodtruck.ca

Hide N Seek Food Truck is a destination in itself. It is located in East Sooke and offers picnic tables and outdoor seating. 

The menu is divided into “Small Bites” and “Big Bites,” offering everything from chicken katsu skewers and sushi sandos to hearty rice bowls like the Moo Moo Bowl, topped with beef, a soft-poached egg, and pickled ginger. 

Vegetarians and vegans will appreciate thoughtful options like tofu salad rolls, the colorful Buddha Bowl, and the Yellow Submarine sando with pickled carrot, cilantro, and cucumber. Proteins are customizable across several dishes, with marinated tofu, teriyaki chicken, or even spicy tuna available to mix and match. Sweets include matcha tea affogato, yuzu banana bread, and a decadent chocolate haystack. 

I had the Wiggly Jiggly, which is a rice bowl with pork belly, salad greens, pineapple salsa, and a soft fried egg. It is a fan favorite for good reason. 

Red Fish Blue Fish

Address: 1006 Wharf Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (seasonal, weather dependent)
Website: redfish-bluefish.com

Housed in a repurposed shipping container on the pier, Red Fish Blue Fish serves 100% Ocean Wise sustainable seafood. Popular dishes include grilled fish tacones (tacos), wild Pacific salmon sandwiches, and chowder. The restaurant champions upcycling and sustainability and is widely loved by both locals and tourists. Expect a line, but also expect it to be worth the wait for one of the best casual seafood experiences in the city.

I had the fish and chips with Pacific Cod. Wild salmon and BC halibut were also available. I should warn you not to take a friend who doesn’t eat seafood, as all the mains and all the sandwiches are fish.

Wah Lai Yuen

Address: 566 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1R4
Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Phone: (250) 383-9011

Wah Lai Yuen is a humble but historically rich Chinese restaurant tucked into the heart of Victoria’s Chinatown. You won’t find it with flashy signs or modern décor. Located near Fan Tan Alley, this small eatery has served generations of locals with a menu rooted in Cantonese tradition.

During my Chinatown walking tour, our guide Chris Adams pointed out Wah Lai Yuen as a longtime community favorite—one of those restaurants that doesn’t need to advertise because its reputation is passed down by word of mouth. He brought out some of their delicious sweet buns to introduce us to the restaurant. Inside, the setting is sparse and functional, but what matters is the food.

MāiiZ Nixtamal

Address: 540 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1R4
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Sunday–Monday, closed
Website: maiiznixtamal.com

MāiiZ Nixtamal is not your average taco joint—it’s a cultural project disguised as a casual eatery, tucked into Victoria’s Chinatown. You’ll find it just steps from the Gate of Harmonious Interest, where the scent of toasted corn and slow-cooked meats pulls you in before you even spot the modest storefront. The team hand-prepares their organic BC-grown corn daily, grinding it on-site for fresh tortillas.

This was another lunch recommendation from Chris Adams from the Chinatown Walk.

Don Mee Seafood Restaurant

Address: 538 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1R4
Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Website: donmee.com

Don Mee is a Chinatown institution—one of those restaurants that seems to be part of the city’s cultural fabric. Located on Fisgard Street in the heart of Victoria’s historic Chinatown, it has been serving Cantonese cuisine and classic dim sum for over 80 years. 

I didn’t have time for a full sit-down meal on this trip, but our guide Chris Admas mentioned it as the go-to spot for dim sum in the neighborhood. It’s old-school in the best possible way. If you’re looking for that classic dim sum experience with all the bustle and energy that comes with it, Don Mee delivers. Inside, it’s exactly what you’d expect: bustling, a bit noisy, with carts weaving between tables and servers offering steaming baskets of har gow, siu mai, and BBQ pork buns. 

Breakfast / Brunch

LURE Restaurant

Address: 100 Harbour Road, Victoria, BC
Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: LURE Restaurant & Bar

Located inside the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, LURE Restaurant delivers one of the best waterfront breakfast views in the city—sweeping across the Inner Harbour to the Parliament buildings and downtown skyline. On a sunny morning, I sat by the window and watched the water taxis putter by while sipping my English Breakfast tea. 

I ordered the Cinnamon Bun French Toast. Rich, custard-soaked cinnamon roll slices came topped with whipped cream, toasted pecans, and seasonal fruit. It was dessert for breakfast, and I had zero regrets.

If you’re leaning more savory, the menu includes things like Dungeness Crab Benny, smoked salmon rosti, or the LURE Breakfast with house sausage and crispy potatoes. Whether you’re a sweet or savory breakfast person, you’ll find something here that hits the spot.

LURE feels like a polished but approachable space—the kind of place where you could just as easily bring your laptop and linger or gather with friends before heading out to explore. The service was warm, the pace unhurried, and the quality top-notch.

I only had a chance to visit for breakfast, but with dishes like West Coast Cioppino, braised short rib pappardelle, and Oceanwise seafood tacos on the lunch and dinner menus, I’d happily return for another meal. Add in the waterfront setting, and this is a place that’s hard to beat.

Murchie’s Tea & Coffee

Address: 1110 Government Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Website: murchies.com

One of Canada’s oldest tea purveyors, Murchie’s is an iconic stop in Victoria. With over 130 tea varieties and freshly roasted coffee, the café offers a classic yet approachable menu that includes breakfast pastries, light quiches, and artisan sandwiches. The cafe is both a place for a quick morning bite and a quiet space to linger over a pot of tea and a good book.  The company began in 1894 and continues to roast and blend all its products in British Columbia. 

I did try the Earl Grey with vanilla, but it was a little too sweet for me. I would do it without the vanilla next time, but it was a good breakfast there. There are wonderful bakery items there.

Caffe Fantastico

Address: 965 Kings Road, Victoria, BC
Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Website: caffefantastico.com

Caffe Fantastico is a popular, locally owned coffee roastery with a community-first mindset. The Kings Road location is airy and welcoming, serving up breakfast toast, pastries, and gourmet coffee drinks made with house-roasted beans. Their offerings include pour-over, espresso-based drinks, and seasonal brews. With minimalist decor and large windows, the café has a comfortable, modern vibe that invites both locals and visitors to settle in and savor. 

I hung out with my laptop for an hour and finished some work. The wi-fi will time out after an hour. I had breakfast sandwiches and tea, with a cheese scone for later in the day. I love a place serving a breakfast sandwich with Tapatio Hot Sauce. It’s like they knew I was coming.

Aegir Room (Oswego Hotel)

Address: 500 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC
Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Website: theoswegohotel.com

Located in the boutique Oswego Hotel (see my review), the Aegir Room offers a contemporary, welcoming setting for breakfast. With Scandinavian influences and a modern coastal aesthetic, this restaurant presents a menu full of local flavors—from house-made pastries to smoked salmon toast and seasonal fruits. Though open throughout the day, Aegir’s breakfast experience stands out for its calm and curated feel. 

I ordered the waffles with a side of bacon for a classically great breakfast.

One note is that while it is located in the Oswego Hotel, it is not affiliated with the hotel. So don’t expect to charge your breakfast to your room.

Boom + Batten

Address: 2 Paul Kane Place, Victoria, BC
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Website: boomandbatten.com

Boom + Batten is a beautifully situated restaurant right on the marina in Victoria. It offers expansive views and an elevated brunch menu. The space blends casual sophistication with a nautical edge, making it a popular pick for locals and visitors alike. The scenery alone is worth the stop.

I had brunch here after a long walk on the Songhees Walkway and couldn’t pass up the shakshuka—a North African dish with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. It’s not something I see on menus often, and Boom + Batten’s version hit all the right notes.

They also had more traditional breakfast items if you are looking for eggs and bacon. Between the food and the waterfront setting, this was one of my favorite breakfasts of the trip.

Map

What did I miss? What is your favorite restaurant in Victoria?

Also check out the podcast Travel to Victoria, British Columbia – Amateur Traveler Episode 945

Disclosure: Destination Greater Victoria sponsored this trip, but all opinions are my own.