Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
The owners are truly welcoming, and it is a relaxed, fun place to hang out. On four nights per week there is live music there in the evenings until roughly 9:30pm
32 residents recomanen
Spiral Cafe
418 Craigflower RdThe owners are truly welcoming, and it is a relaxed, fun place to hang out. On four nights per week there is live music there in the evenings until roughly 9:30pm
Their sourdough bread and pastries are unique and tasty. The wood-fired oven makes the place smell wonderful. And on Sundays from 11:30am until around 3pm they also do a great wood-fired pizza, with inventive toppings.
45 residents recomanen
Fry's Red Wheat Bread Bakery
416 Craigflower RdTheir sourdough bread and pastries are unique and tasty. The wood-fired oven makes the place smell wonderful. And on Sundays from 11:30am until around 3pm they also do a great wood-fired pizza, with inventive toppings.
If you want a more standard cafe, this is still only a 10 minute walk or a 2 minute drive from our house
19 residents recomanen
Starbucks
2182 Oak Bay AveIf you want a more standard cafe, this is still only a 10 minute walk or a 2 minute drive from our house
Another place with great craft beer, on those days when you've had a long day downtown and don't feel like fighting the crowds. More of a middle-aged crowd, and a pub feel.
22 residents recomanen
Four Mile House Restaurant
199 Island HwyAnother place with great craft beer, on those days when you've had a long day downtown and don't feel like fighting the crowds. More of a middle-aged crowd, and a pub feel.
Driving distance, or great take-out and delivery pizza (we can give you menus). Great prices, pleasant spot, nothing fancy- again, a nice alternative for when you've had enough of downtown, or if you want to order in.
16 residents recomanen
Il Greco Restaurant
300 Tillicum RdDriving distance, or great take-out and delivery pizza (we can give you menus). Great prices, pleasant spot, nothing fancy- again, a nice alternative for when you've had enough of downtown, or if you want to order in.
Beautiful, upscale vegan restaurant. The food is inventive, the decor quite lovely, and even carnivores will find something to love. This will feel like a treat without leaving you over-full.
73 residents recomanen
Be Love
1019 Blanshard StBeautiful, upscale vegan restaurant. The food is inventive, the decor quite lovely, and even carnivores will find something to love. This will feel like a treat without leaving you over-full.
This is a splurge, and will get you out to a really lovely part of town. The food is wonderful, including the brunch. It can be a good idea to reserve, unless you are going early. They also have a wonderful spa!
33 residents recomanen
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach DrThis is a splurge, and will get you out to a really lovely part of town. The food is wonderful, including the brunch. It can be a good idea to reserve, unless you are going early. They also have a wonderful spa!
Really wonderful food, and great views of the Inner Harbour. Consider taking one of the water taxis from our side of the harbour over- and with notice, we can pick you up at the end of the evening.
8 residents recomanen
Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio
680 Montreal StreetReally wonderful food, and great views of the Inner Harbour. Consider taking one of the water taxis from our side of the harbour over- and with notice, we can pick you up at the end of the evening.
Tasty, authentic Mexican Street Food. There are a few tables, but it gets crowded, so consider walking across the street to the park, or coming back to our place with your food.
26 residents recomanen
La Taquisa
176 Wilson StTasty, authentic Mexican Street Food. There are a few tables, but it gets crowded, so consider walking across the street to the park, or coming back to our place with your food.
The Pink Bicycle
1008 Blanshard StFabulous, inventive burgers.
It's close to a great walking spot, with wonderful views. I'll be frank - the food is run of the mill. But the location is a great start or finish to a long waterfront walk.
62 residents recomanen
Breakwater Cafe . Bistro . Bar
199 Dallas RdIt's close to a great walking spot, with wonderful views. I'll be frank - the food is run of the mill. But the location is a great start or finish to a long waterfront walk.
Cornerstone Cafe
1301 Gladstone AveJust a fun hangout if you're in the neighbourhood.
Cafe Brio
944 Fort StWonderful Italian food, great for a splurge.
Drinks & Nightlife
They have some great craft beer here. They are a ten minute walk from where you'll be staying, and so you don't need to worry about driving home. If you're lucky you'll get a seat with views of the stunning harbour
148 residents recomanen
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StThey have some great craft beer here. They are a ten minute walk from where you'll be staying, and so you don't need to worry about driving home. If you're lucky you'll get a seat with views of the stunning harbour
Great place for pre- or post theatre drinks and tapas-type meals/ snacks. It is pricey, but something about the venue is quite fun- people are laid back, and everything is really tasty. Lots of great wine choices, nice staff.
96 residents recomanen
stage.
1307 Gladstone AveGreat place for pre- or post theatre drinks and tapas-type meals/ snacks. It is pricey, but something about the venue is quite fun- people are laid back, and everything is really tasty. Lots of great wine choices, nice staff.
Essentials
It's a short walk, and is undergoing a change in ownership and character. From April 1st they'll also be selling organic produce, and are rumoured to be adding a gourmet coffee bar.
14 residents recomanen
The Market Garden
810 Catherine StIt's a short walk, and is undergoing a change in ownership and character. From April 1st they'll also be selling organic produce, and are rumoured to be adding a gourmet coffee bar.
Shopping
A Victoria tradition, established by the late ex-husband of famous Canadian literary icon, Alice Munro. Great selection, including a discount area. Lots of local authors as well.
31 residents recomanen
Munro's Books
1108 Government StA Victoria tradition, established by the late ex-husband of famous Canadian literary icon, Alice Munro. Great selection, including a discount area. Lots of local authors as well.
Arts & Culture
Great, high quality independent theatre productions, in a quirky building.
61 residents recomanen
Belfry Theatre
1291 Gladstone AveGreat, high quality independent theatre productions, in a quirky building.
Entertainment & Activities
All the first-run movies, but without the hassle of parking downtown. (But for more art films/ foreigh films, best to either go downtown, or to the theatre at the university (CInecenta).
58 residents recomanen
SilverCity Victoria
3130 Tillicum RdAll the first-run movies, but without the hassle of parking downtown. (But for more art films/ foreigh films, best to either go downtown, or to the theatre at the university (CInecenta).
Sightseeing
Historic building built by the Dunsmuir family -a family that played a pivotal role in the economic and urban development of much of Vancouver Island. I like to think of it as Victoria's version of "Downton Abbey". Beautifully restored, interesting to a range of age groups and genders. (I also volunteer there as a docent, and really enjoy my time there!)
234 residents recomanen
Castell Craigdarroch
1050 Joan CrescentHistoric building built by the Dunsmuir family -a family that played a pivotal role in the economic and urban development of much of Vancouver Island. I like to think of it as Victoria's version of "Downton Abbey". Beautifully restored, interesting to a range of age groups and genders. (I also volunteer there as a docent, and really enjoy my time there!)