This is our most favourite Italian restaurant and is a fantastic choice for lunch and dinner. Il Terrazo is a cornerstone in Victoria and has been serving Local cuisine, Italian, Mediterranean, Neapolitan, Campania, and authentic Tuscan dishes for over 20 years. The atmosphere is beautiful, rustic, rich with colour, warm and inviting. Make sure to reserve in advance as they fully book up!
Fiamo
This is one of our favourite late-night spots downtown on lower Yates. The warm elegance of the décor makes it feel like a European bistro instead of a local restaurant. The menu is prepared in a traditional Italian style, with a hint of French and Spanish influences. It’s a cozy spot to sip wine or bubbles with a friend, order pizza after midnight or dance at the bar when the dj spins on Wednesdays and Sundays until 2 AM! It’s a great place to unwind after a busy week.
Tapa Bar
An easygoing bistro situated in the historic Trounce Alley, Tapa bar offers a diverse menu of flavorful Spanish inspired tapas with vegan and gluten-free options as well as a full bar. Tapa Bar is known for its bright dining room showcasing neo-expressionist art and its lively and heated patio - one of the best in town! Visit Bodega next door for some pinchos and a glass of Spanish wine before your meal! It’s best to make reservations since Tapa is quite a popular spot. This is a wonderful restaurant for a date, a business meeting or to host a family dinner.
Perro Negro
Located on Yates street on the second level above Ferris’s Oyster Bar. This is a hidden gem and you’ll need to call ahead as it’s busy and alive here! Perro Negro specializes in Spanish food and features an extensive list of tapas, sherry, and wine from Spain, BC, and beyond, served in an atmosphere that is dynamic, casual and fun. We love to come here with a group of friends and order many plates.
The Courtney Room
Modern Pacific Northwest cuisine. Just two blocks from the inner harbour, The Courtney Room is a very elegant brasserie offering dry-aged steak and seafood, a raw bar, innovative cocktails, a beautifully curated wine list and impeccable service. The menu highlights the local bounty from Vancouver Island. This is a wonderful restaurant in which to host a special occasion, a business meeting or a date night. We love to unwind at the bar and order the infamously decadent mac and cheese! The Courtney Room was recognized by EnRoute Magazine as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada in 2019. Savour a special dinner in their elevated and intimate dining room.
Café Mexico
Cafe Mexico offers the best tacos in town! And houses over 100 bottles of Mezcal and Tequila, making it one of the largest Mezcal bars in Canada. A relaxed Mexican eatery mixing traditional & modern fare with an extensive list of tequila & mezcal, we love to come here on a warm summer night and order a margarita and the tacos rajas. Cafe Mexico offers dishes for carnivores and vegetarians alike. This is a wonderful place to come with a group of friends. Warm service, authentic Mexican cuisine.
Zambri’s
Italian Soul Food since 1999. A stylish environment, this trattoria serves classics like pasta, pizza & wine in the beautiful, eco-conscious Atrium building. We love to sit at the bar and order a cold glass of prosecco, people watch and order some shareable plates. The Urban Peasant James Barber called it the “Nicest little Italian restaurant in BC. Probably in Canada. Terrific food.” If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is!
Boom and Batten
This is the most incredible place to dine by the inner harbour. Boom and Baton is a ‘big city’ style restaurant and is the latest addition in Victoria! We love the diversity of this restaurant; views are incredible, cocktails are award-winning, food is delicious and well presented. The service is incredibly professional. This is a super trendy spot for happy hour and you’ll find yourself mingling with local professionals. The lounge is stellar and features local Dj’s spinning cool ambient beats that light up the atmosphere late night. Boom and Baton is fantastic for networking. Socializing, Date nights and Brunch-it really has it all! If you are visiting Victoria on business and want to impress your clients, Boom and Baton is the place! It’s located in the harbour and faces the Super Yachts-very cool scene!
Wind Cries Mary
One of Victoria’s newest and a definite favorite of ours! We like it so much that we celebrated our engagement party here-it was amazing! The menu is designed for sharing and features the best of local bounty. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual with a very creative cocktail menu. This is a wonderful place for a date, group or family dinner since the restaurant has a cozy private room and beautiful courtyard patio. We love the chicken liver mousse (made in house) and the dry aged beef tartare. You’ll probably love the tasteful design and wallpaper!
Little Jumbo
We love coming here for late night cocktails! The ambiance is sleek and the food is incredible. Little Jumbo is known for fresh fine food (international), a deep wine and spirits list, and exceptional cocktails. Knowledgeable service staff will impress and guide your experience. Often described as a 'hidden gem', look for the neon purple elephant on lower Fort St. near Wharf St. in Victoria's 'Old Town'.
Café Brio
Café Brio: brio (bree-oh) n. liveliness, spirit, vivacity. [Ital.]
An institution in Victoria for over 20 years! Cafe Brio is an Italian and Mediterranean inspired restaurant. This unique menu showcases the best of the best regional produce. Cafe Brio is known for its innovative yet timeless menu and wine pairings. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and the wine list is thoughtfully curated. The setting is intimate, warm and sophisticated and the service is impeccable. We love dining inside or sitting outside on the beautiful patio - the nicest in town!
Saveur
Intimate and romantic with a chic setting. This is a great spot for getting dressed up for date night! French-inspired contemporary cuisine specialized in seasonal tasting menus. Well-appointed, artistic dishes ae served in a rustic-meets-contemporary setting in the heart of Victoria's famous China Town District. We love the service here as it’s incredibly professional and attention to detail is top notch. Everything on the menu is spectacular!
Olo
If you are looking for a unique tasting menu and authentic dining experience, Olo is your place! Executive Chef & Owner Brad Holmes curates farm-fresh and local ingredient. Olo is known for delicious food, laughter and good conversation! Serving up fresh local produce, Chef Brad is part of the Slow Food Chefs Alliance and switches up the sustainable menus depending on what's coming through the kitchen doors every day. Each dish celebrates life in B.C., using only the best ingredients available and working with amazing farmers, fishermen and foragers to provide an experience that captures the essence of Vancouver Island. Handcrafted seasonal cocktails showcase the best of Vancouver Island products and the bar program highlights the region's bounties with an impressive selection of B.C. distilleries, breweries and rare Canadian whiskeys. The thoughtfully curated wine list focuses on small-batch producers that showcase the Okanagan and Vancouver Island's best wineries. 'Olo' means 'hungry' in Chinook Jargon, a derivative language of English, French, Chinese and Chinook, and just like the Pacific Northwest was once a gathering place for traders.
Agrius
Agrius is an organic restaurant, committed to sourcing the best seasonal products. Affiliated with Fol Epi Bakery, Agrius showcases a vast array of breads produced on a daily basis. Agrius works closely with farmers on Vancouver Island as well as Farm and Field butchers. The servers are knowledgeable and the food is beautifully presented. The elegant interior features local contemporary art and cutting edge design. We love to come here for brunch and watching the open kitchen in action.
