Sean & Nadine’s guidebook to Victoria
Higher-End Dining
Two kids and covid has meant we haven't tried Saveur yet, but all the reviews are great and it's just up the street from our condo :)
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Saveur Restaurant
658 Herald StTwo kids and covid has meant we haven't tried Saveur yet, but all the reviews are great and it's just up the street from our condo :)
Gozen Sushi Bar Izakaya
1005 Langley StOur favourite sushi spot. Period.
A very small restaurant serving a daily set menu. You might need to be a little adventurous for this one as you eat what they serve. Nadine and I have been once and loved the experience.
Nowhere *A Restaurant
Douglas StreetA very small restaurant serving a daily set menu. You might need to be a little adventurous for this one as you eat what they serve. Nadine and I have been once and loved the experience.
A beautiful waterfront dining experience. It's a 20 minute walk from our condo across the Johnson St. Bridge. Take the pedestrian bridge to cross the road and then follow the Songhees pedestrian walkway along the water. You can't miss it.
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Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe
2 Paul Kane PlA beautiful waterfront dining experience. It's a 20 minute walk from our condo across the Johnson St. Bridge. Take the pedestrian bridge to cross the road and then follow the Songhees pedestrian walkway along the water. You can't miss it.
"Pag's" -- as it is lovingly referred to by locals, has been serving delicious pasta since 1979. Pro-tip: consider getting the half-order and doubling up on the bread.
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Pagliacci's
1011 Broad St"Pag's" -- as it is lovingly referred to by locals, has been serving delicious pasta since 1979. Pro-tip: consider getting the half-order and doubling up on the bread.
Serving excellent Italian fare, Il Terrazzo is located in the historic Waddington Alley and housed in a beautiful brick building that is over 100 years old. This is a favorite spot of ours for special occasions. Be sure to wander through the alley and take note of wood blocks that "pave" the alleyway. These are the last of their kind in Victoria.
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II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StServing excellent Italian fare, Il Terrazzo is located in the historic Waddington Alley and housed in a beautiful brick building that is over 100 years old. This is a favorite spot of ours for special occasions. Be sure to wander through the alley and take note of wood blocks that "pave" the alleyway. These are the last of their kind in Victoria.
Best of Brunch
Jam is only steps from our condo and the "Charlie Bowl" is a local favourite. Be prepared to wait in line -- it's part of the brunch experience in Victoria.
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Jam Cafe
542 Herald StJam is only steps from our condo and the "Charlie Bowl" is a local favourite. Be prepared to wait in line -- it's part of the brunch experience in Victoria.
The "original" brunch spot in Victoria. In our opinion, still the best classic egg-benny in town and often easier to get a seat.
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J.J. Morgan Restaurant
1520 McKenzie AveThe "original" brunch spot in Victoria. In our opinion, still the best classic egg-benny in town and often easier to get a seat.
Our favourite options are the "Eggs in Hell Benny" or for something sweeter try the "Apples Charlotte Toast". Be prepared to wait in line here as well.
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Blue Fox Cafe
919 Fort StOur favourite options are the "Eggs in Hell Benny" or for something sweeter try the "Apples Charlotte Toast". Be prepared to wait in line here as well.
Shine Cafe
1324 Blanshard StA big menu and often a shorter wait :)
Don Mee's has anchored Chinatown's culinary scene for over 80 years and is the best place for Dim Sum.
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Don Mee
538 Fisgard StDon Mee's has anchored Chinatown's culinary scene for over 80 years and is the best place for Dim Sum.
Casual/Family Dining
A great spot for pho or other Vietnamese cuisine and it's just up the street from our condo.
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Green Leaf Vietnamese Bistro
1684 Douglas StA great spot for pho or other Vietnamese cuisine and it's just up the street from our condo.
Our favourite pho in the city and the "garlic pork salad rolls" are a must try.
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Pho Vy Restaurant
772 Fort StOur favourite pho in the city and the "garlic pork salad rolls" are a must try.
An old faithful in Victoria (and elsewhere). Typically easy to get a table and very family friendly.
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The Old Spaghetti Factory
703 Douglas StAn old faithful in Victoria (and elsewhere). Typically easy to get a table and very family friendly.
Delicious Asian-style tacos and other good eats. Check out the historical Chinese Public School to the east of the restaurant.
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Bao
626 Fisgard StDelicious Asian-style tacos and other good eats. Check out the historical Chinese Public School to the east of the restaurant.
Located in the heart of Chinatown, this is our go-to-spot for honey buns, bbq pork buns, and the BEST bbq pork! We've never eaten in the restaurant, but we've heard good reviews.
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Wah Lai Yuen Restaurant
560 Fisgard StLocated in the heart of Chinatown, this is our go-to-spot for honey buns, bbq pork buns, and the BEST bbq pork! We've never eaten in the restaurant, but we've heard good reviews.
Venture down towards Beacon Hill Park and Mile Zero and make sure to stop at the Beacon for a burger, fries or onion rings, and most importantly, soft-serve ice cream.
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Beacon Drive In Ltd
126 Douglas StVenture down towards Beacon Hill Park and Mile Zero and make sure to stop at the Beacon for a burger, fries or onion rings, and most importantly, soft-serve ice cream.
Head down to Fisherman’s Wharf where Barb’s has been serving up their “world famous” fish and chips since 1984.
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Barb's Fish and Chips
1 Dallas RdHead down to Fisherman’s Wharf where Barb’s has been serving up their “world famous” fish and chips since 1984.
Coffee
Great coffee and snacks just down the street.
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Union Pacific Coffee Shop
537 Herald StGreat coffee and snacks just down the street.
This is Habit's second location. Sit in the coffee shop or enjoy the connected public atrium. We like to bring our kids here when we want a coffee.
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Habit Coffee
808 Yates StThis is Habit's second location. Sit in the coffee shop or enjoy the connected public atrium. We like to bring our kids here when we want a coffee.
A local roaster and Nadine's favourite place for an Africano. From our condo, it’s a 15 minute walk across the Johnson St. Bridge and then north along Harbour Rd. On your way you will catch a glimpse of the Point Hope Shipyard and the industrial upper harbour. See map below.
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Fantastico bar-deli
398 Harbour RdA local roaster and Nadine's favourite place for an Africano. From our condo, it’s a 15 minute walk across the Johnson St. Bridge and then north along Harbour Rd. On your way you will catch a glimpse of the Point Hope Shipyard and the industrial upper harbour. See map below.
Another local roaster with multiple locations in Greater Victoria.
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Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StAnother local roaster with multiple locations in Greater Victoria.
If you want to venture out to the "suburbs", the Parsonage Cafe, near our family home, is our favourite place for an Americano and the best breakfast-bagel in town. If you are looking for lunch, their reuben sandwich is delicious. It's about a 20 minute walk north from our condo.
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Parsonage Cafe
1105 Caledonia AveIf you want to venture out to the "suburbs", the Parsonage Cafe, near our family home, is our favourite place for an Americano and the best breakfast-bagel in town. If you are looking for lunch, their reuben sandwich is delicious. It's about a 20 minute walk north from our condo.
Habit Coffee
808 Yates StOne of the original great coffee spots in Victoria.
Located just one block over in the heart of Chinatown, this coffee shop offers the opportunity to not only enjoy a hot drink, but also to catch a glimpse into original the architecture of the neighbourhood.
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Bean Around The World
533 Fisgard StLocated just one block over in the heart of Chinatown, this coffee shop offers the opportunity to not only enjoy a hot drink, but also to catch a glimpse into original the architecture of the neighbourhood.
Drinking Establishments
Our favourite local brewery with something for everyone. Checkout the new tap room or fill one of growlers and enjoy it in the condo. Blue Buck is a Victoria Staple. If you like fruity hops like I do, then you want to check out Tiger Shark, Glitter Bomb, or Short Wave. They also have delicious in-house soda for the non-drinkers.
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Phillips Tasting Room
2000 Government StOur favourite local brewery with something for everyone. Checkout the new tap room or fill one of growlers and enjoy it in the condo. Blue Buck is a Victoria Staple. If you like fruity hops like I do, then you want to check out Tiger Shark, Glitter Bomb, or Short Wave. They also have delicious in-house soda for the non-drinkers.
One of the newest breweries in town and located just down the street from our condo.
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Herald Street Brew Works
506 Herald StOne of the newest breweries in town and located just down the street from our condo.
65 beers on tap!!! Pro-tip: the original Garrick's Head is located at the back of the pub. During the winter, head back there and look for a seat near the wood-burning fireplace. There isn't a better place in Victoria to have a beer.
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Garricks Head Pub
69 Bastion Square65 beers on tap!!! Pro-tip: the original Garrick's Head is located at the back of the pub. During the winter, head back there and look for a seat near the wood-burning fireplace. There isn't a better place in Victoria to have a beer.
One of Victoria's original brewpubs. On a nice day, it is a beautiful 25 minute walk from our condo along the Songhees Walkway.
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Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StOne of Victoria's original brewpubs. On a nice day, it is a beautiful 25 minute walk from our condo along the Songhees Walkway.
The Sticky Wicket is the commonly used name for what is a longstanding entertainment centre in Victoria. "The Wicket" is the pub. "Big Bad Johns" is a smaller watering hole where you can throw your peanut shells on the floor and hang your bra from the ceiling. The "Rooftop Patio" offers drinks in the sun and two beach volleyball courts. "The Games Room" offers pool, darts, and sporting events on the big screen. Definitely worth a look.
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Sticky Wicket Pub
919 Douglas StreetThe Sticky Wicket is the commonly used name for what is a longstanding entertainment centre in Victoria. "The Wicket" is the pub. "Big Bad Johns" is a smaller watering hole where you can throw your peanut shells on the floor and hang your bra from the ceiling. The "Rooftop Patio" offers drinks in the sun and two beach volleyball courts. "The Games Room" offers pool, darts, and sporting events on the big screen. Definitely worth a look.
Great Patios
Grab a seat at a picnic table in the heart of Market Square.
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Whistle Buoy Brewing Company
560 Johnson StGrab a seat at a picnic table in the heart of Market Square.
Although this is not one of our favourite restaurants, you can't get any closer to the action of the inner harbour than on this patio.
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Milestones
2401 Millstream RdAlthough this is not one of our favourite restaurants, you can't get any closer to the action of the inner harbour than on this patio.
Darcy's is a mainstay of Victoria's pub life. The patio sits on the corner of Warf St. and Bastion Square. There is always lots going on.
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Darcy's Pub Downtown
1127 Wharf StDarcy's is a mainstay of Victoria's pub life. The patio sits on the corner of Warf St. and Bastion Square. There is always lots going on.
The Local sits across the square from Darcy's and offers plenty of patio seating.
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THE LOCAL
1205 Wharf StThe Local sits across the square from Darcy's and offers plenty of patio seating.
You will find plenty of seating at this bar on the roof of the Stickey Wicket. Checkout the beach volleyball courts while you are up there.
Rooftop Patio
919 Douglas StreetYou will find plenty of seating at this bar on the roof of the Stickey Wicket. Checkout the beach volleyball courts while you are up there.
Sightseeing
If you are travelling with kids, you will definitely want to head down to the Children’s Farm at Beacon Hill. The kids will love petting the goats and seeing the other animals.
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Fattoria didattica di Beacon Hill
815 Circle DrIf you are travelling with kids, you will definitely want to head down to the Children’s Farm at Beacon Hill. The kids will love petting the goats and seeing the other animals.
Our older son loves taking the harbour ferry. Although pricey, it’s great entertainment to enjoy a short boat ride and either grab some ice cream or mini donuts (or other yummy treat) along the way. We recommend either starting or ending at the causeway or Fisherman’s Wharf.
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Victoria Harbor
Wharf StreetOur older son loves taking the harbour ferry. Although pricey, it’s great entertainment to enjoy a short boat ride and either grab some ice cream or mini donuts (or other yummy treat) along the way. We recommend either starting or ending at the causeway or Fisherman’s Wharf.