16 Best Restaurants in Victoria

In search of a restaurant in Victoria? Now that you’ve found the list of the top 16 best restaurants in Victoria, your quest is over.

Canada’s Victoria is a well-known tourist destination. The city is home to a diverse population of racial and ethnic origins. Aside from the English-speaking community, other significant communities include the Chinese, French, Japanese, and Indian.

This port city is bordered by abundant mountain fauna, fertile farming land, and coastal waterways. Locally grown wine grapes, barley, sockeye salmon, oysters, crab, and other seafood are available.

The rich cuisine of the island city of Victoria is elevated by its numerous and diversified communities. In each best restaurants in Victoria, you can savor cuisines like French seafood, Indian butter chicken, and Canadian chicken fried rice with a local beer.

Several restaurants are vying to be named the best restaurants in Victoria, whether you are searching for formal fine dining or a friendly local café. Whatever your mood may be, this list offers something for you. Here are our selections for Victoria’s top restaurants, including a mix of time-honored classics, cutting-edge eateries, and must-visit locations.

Best Restaurants in Victoria

1. Ferris’ Oyster Bar

To start with the best restaurants in Victoria, this resto-bar hits number one. A well-known restaurant in Victoria is Ferris’ Oyster Bar, a well-known seafood eatery. It gives you access to the knowledge and skills of three different culinary arts in one location. The patio, an oyster bar, a tapas and wine bar, and an oyster bar are all accessible. In 1991, Tom Ferris established the Ferris Oyster Bar and Grill.

The Ferris Oyster Bar is the casual oyster bar place to go if you’re looking for somewhere to go on a date with your significant other. A goal is to have a candlelight meal with the best food in the dark of the night. The option to dine at three separate establishments in one: a seafood restaurant that offers elegant dining in a historic structure, a relaxed oyster bar with a perfect summer patio.

You can consume foods that will give you a Mediterranean-style dining experience. Spanish food strongly influences the restaurant’s chef, which affects his culinary skills. One of Victoria’s top restaurants, Ferris Oyster Bar, is known for serving food with the flavor and aroma of real Spanish cuisine.

2. The Tapa Bar

   

The Tapa Bar is situated in downtown Victoria, just like the majority of eateries there. The cuisine offered would embody the best of Spanish culture. This is the perfect chic restaurant for food and local and Spanish wines. They have awesome hospitality folks, so do visit here.

With your true love, a date night at this restaurant is ideal. The restaurant’s décor and environment make it the ideal setting for a romantic evening. You can choose to have afternoon tea and small plates. It is delightful to eat little nibbles while sipping tea.

The restaurant serves meals for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night consumption. You can choose from a wide variety of foods on its menu. The restaurant’s menu offers a variety of vegan options.

You can choose among dishes that are gluten-free if you are health-conscious. In addition, the restaurant serves shrimp, pork tapas, and pizza with cream cheese. Due to its support of vegetarianism and a gluten-free diet, The Tapa Bar is one of the best restaurants in Victoria.

Visit their neighboring sister spot, tapa bar Bodega, for similar fare in the same kitchen.

Address: 620 Trounce Alley, Victoria BC V8W 1K3

3. Red Fish, Blue Fish

Fresh seafood is served at this outdoor, unpretentious seafood restaurant on the pier. The season for this restaurant is from February through October. Legally, restaurants are obligated to close to protect fish.

Go to Red Fish Blue Fish, a restaurant situated directly on the waterfront, if you want to enjoy fresh, responsibly sourced fresh fish while taking in a breathtaking panoramic view. This is one of the best restaurants in Victoria for its seafood, so visit and have some delicious food.

The dinner menu includes the fish and chips, which are hand-cut Kennebec chips, cod, halibut, or salmon deep-fried in a crispy tempura batter and served with traditional tartar sauce, coleslaw, and chips along with so many sea serpents; alternatively, go for the fish taco, a novel dish, a piece of freshly grilled seafood, or one of the restaurant’s homemade soups. Red Fish Blue Fish is tucked away in a shipping container in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, directly on the bay, and a great place to watch the sunset over the water.

You can eat breakfast by the ocean or bring it home to eat later. On the list of foods are fish, cod, and chips. Additionally, you can choose between salads and sandwiches and local craft beer. One of Victoria’s most well-known eateries, The Red Fish Blue Fish, offers a wide variety of fried seafood. The eatery is one of Victoria’s top dining establishments.

Address:1006 Wharf St, Victoria BC V8W 1T4

4. Green Cuisine Restaurant

According to its name, Green Cuisine is a restaurant that supports vegetarianism. The eatery prepares and serves vegan food. It seeks to advance the cause of peaceful food. Avoiding meals that have been produced after injuring animals is the primary tenet.

Market Street in Victoria is where you can find The Green Cuisine Restaurant. It is a reputable eatery that was created in 1990.

The Green Cuisine emphasizes the significance of consuming nutritious vegan cuisine. It aims to inspire others to do the same. The staple meals served every day are rice and salad. On the other hand, the restaurant serves special dishes every day. You will always be compelled to retreat to the restaurant by these daily specials. These are the best restaurants in Victoria that serve yummy desserts.

The ability to pay according to weight is the key benefit of dining at Green Cuisine. Because of the flexible pricing policy, you can eat as much as you want. Additionally, following the main course, don’t forget to enjoy the restaurant’s most delectable desserts. They serve great food.

The restaurant holds a unique stance in its support of veganism. One of Victoria’s top dining establishments is the restaurant.

Address: 5-560 Johnson St, Victoria BC V8W 3C6

5. Sizzling Tandoor Restaurant

This restaurant, which opened in 2010, promises to give you a mouthwatering experience with Indian food. The restaurant is a hidden gem in Victoria, and you need to know it.

A family runs the eatery called Sizzling Tandoor. Gurinder and Narpinder Bawa run it. From 2012 through 2019, the establishment was the greatest Indian eatery for eight years in a row.

The restaurant offers foods with a hybrid nature on its menu. You might be able to order items like fettuccine alfredo and calamari pakoras at the eatery. These cuisines are products of Indo-Canadian culture and hold a special place in the hearts of the patrons. Locals laud the restaurant’s service as being excellent. It is where they prefer to eat breakfast. This is one of the best restaurants in Victoria.

The restaurant is ideal for a family-style lunch. Families and business associates can have lunch together thanks to the generous serving sizes. The food is prepared at the restaurant using only genuine, locally sourced artisanal ingredients from nearby farms. You may expect a variety of appetizers and desserts as well. The Sizzling Tandoor Restaurant is one of Victoria’s greatest restaurants because of its individuality.

Address: 637 Johnson St, Victoria BC V8W 1M7

6. Zambri’s

I hope you all like the best restaurants in Victoria up till now; keep reading ahead for more best restaurants in Victoria. The family-run Zambri company was founded in 1999. Peter and Jo Zambri, two brothers, started the eatery.

The restaurant, situated in Victoria’s downtown, wants to give its patrons a greater understanding and taste of Italian cuisine. The restaurant immediately established a reputation for itself thanks to the delicious food.

What may be a unique draw at an Italian-inspired eatery? Nothing else besides the pasta. The restaurant’s signature pasta dishes, fresh oysters served by the side of candlelight with the best wine in the upstairs dining room. You will also be delighted with the restaurant’s pork and noodles. It makes use of the highest-quality, locally obtainable ingredients.

Zambri’s is renowned for its drinks as well. You may enjoy house gin and several other wholesome beverages along with their food. Make sure you go to the restaurant on a day other than a holiday if you plan to. On weekends, the crowd thickens quickly, and you could have trouble finding a seat. So if you’re looking for classic Italian cuisine, look no more; this is the best restaurants in Victoria, BC.

Address: 820 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1L8

7. Little Jumbo Restaurant And Bar

The best restaurants in Victoria also include the Little Jumbo Restaurant And Bar, one of Victoria’s most well-known eateries owned by Bruce Gillespie. Customers of the restaurant can order modern cuisine with French influences.

Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar is a recently established eatery that opened its doors only eight years ago. However, this did not stop the restaurant from portraying itself as Victoria’s finest dining establishment. The restaurant’s menu includes wine, spaghetti, Truffle Fries, Salt Spring Island Mussels, and steak. Additionally, it offers chips, beverages, and several other nutritious vegan dishes and an upstairs oyster bar.

The restaurant is known for its drink selection. It creates a unique, customized cocktail to serve you as best it can. The restaurant adheres to the mixology principle to create the finest drinks and great wines. All the food here is great with the creative fare.

This restaurant provides the ideal setting for special family celebrations. The restaurant is roomy and kept in good cleanliness. Their personnel provides excellent customer service, and the cuisine is delicious and nutritious. Enjoying quality time with your family is something you can enjoy. One of the top restaurants in Victoria is this one because it puts your health first by offering you only the freshest food.

Address: 506 Fort St, Victoria BC V8W 1E6

8. Pagliacci’s

The Pagliacci’s, which opened in 1979, positions itself as Victoria’s premier Italian restaurant. This quaint foodie hub was recently renovated. It is the ideal location in the city to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine; it’s the perfect spot to enjoy traditional dishes at a more than fair price.

Pagliacci’s offers you its delectable menus that have been carefully crafted just for you. The restaurant serves lunch, happy hour fare, and dinner at specific times. The best meal options are available, including pizzas, burgers, and soups. Additionally, dishes with an Italian influence are offered to you, including salad, sandwiches, and gluten-free rice.

There is a lot of wine while representing Italian cuisine. The best beverages, including wine and cocktails made with regional ingredients, are offered to the consumer.

Additionally, the restaurant offers live music acts that play for its patrons as they eat. The band plays jazz, Gypsy Swing, and Klezmer music to make your eating experience more enjoyable. Unlike many of its current competitors, it has offered live music to its patrons since it opened.

Pagliacci is one of Victoria’s top restaurants because its traditional Italian cuisine is infused with contemporary flavors.

Address: 1011 Broad St, Victoria BC V8W 2A1

9. Nubo Japanese Tapas

   

To continue with the best restaurants in Victoria, Nubo is the next one that serves fresh food; Victoria is home to the well-known Japanese eatery Nubo Tapas. The restaurant serves you authentic Japanese food, as the name might imply. A fantastic location to learn about the cuisine is here. The restaurant is relatively new to the area, having opened in 2016. But because it was the only well-known Japanese restaurant in the vicinity, it swiftly gained notoriety.

The establishment is styled after a Japanese izakaya restaurant. The restaurant’s primary cuisine is Japanese, although it also uses cooking methods from other countries. The establishment serves as Victoria’s representation of Japanese cuisine. You’ll glow with health because of its west coast goodness and locally farmed ingredients.

On a lunch plate, Nubo Japanese Tapas provides a setting suitable for business meetings. Customers have the chance to enjoy the Japanese Sushi bars thanks it. It provides guests with a delicious brunch and breakfast. Additionally, you can sample beverages like beer, cider, and house sake. At Nubo, you may get energizing fresh fruit drinks.

You have the option to eat at Nubo Tapas or have the cuisine delivered to your home. To get meals delivered to your door, utilize Door Dash, Skip the Dishes, or Uber Eats. On the other hand, you can accomplish the same thing by calling the restaurant directly.

Nubo is one of the top restaurants in Victoria because of its distinctive Japanese cuisine.

Address: 739 Pandora Ave, Victoria BC V8W 1N9

10. Restaurant At Point No Point Resort

One of the city’s first restaurants is at the Point No Point Resort. The resort was founded in 1952, making it one of Victoria’s most illustrious eateries. The restaurant uses a tiny eating area to serve its patrons. Trekking can take an hour, but reaching the resort would be a wonderful experience.

First-come, first-served is the restaurant’s policy for serving patrons. Make sure to arrive at the restaurant early. You might have to wait if not. The restaurant’s signature meals include a charcuterie plate and seafood pasta.

The resort provides a captivating view of the nearby seaside. A set of binoculars is also given so you can observe the peaceful surroundings as you dine. Your pleasure would undoubtedly be improved with salmon, roast beef, and various other desserts and appetizers.

The restaurant at Point No Point Resort is a fine dining establishment, given its distinctive position. It takes great pride in ranking among Victoria’s top eateries.

Address: 10829 W Coast Rd, Shirley BC V9Z 1G9

11. Il Terrazzo

Dine in the beautiful Italian restaurant Il Terrazzo by candlelight. The cuisine features wood-oven roasted meats and pizza, fresh seafood, and house-made pasta, all with northern Italian influences. There are numerous options for local fish, including open-flame-roasted salmon, steamed mussels, and seared scallops.

The veal tenderloin is recommended for meat enthusiasts. The desserts at Il Terrazzo are not to be missed; think homemade tiramisu, cookies, and ice cream.

Address: 555 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 1M2

12. Aura Waterfront Restaurant and Patio

    

Aura, located right by the water, is the place to go if you’re craving foods with a Pacific Rim influence. Only the finest organic and locally sourced foods are used in its seasonal menu. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, choose the grilled asparagus and goat cheese omelet, the pan-fried Dungeness crab cakes, or the charbroiled beef tenderloin with roast garlic which features wine pairings lacking in appetite?

This location is ideal for enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the evening while watching the boats navigate the port. Free valet parking is available, and there is a superb assortment of wines, island microbrews, and cocktails.

Address: 680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC V8V 1Z8

13. Restaurant Matisse

Restaurant Matisse, renowned for serving the best in simple French-inspired contemporary cuisine, serves delectable meals like beef carpaccio, roasted breast of pheasant, king prawn, scallop fricassee, and lemon syllabub. Diners can order a la carte or opt for the tasting menu, which puts their experience in the chef’s hands (offered in three courses, with or without wine pairings).

Smaller groups and couples looking for a special dining experience will find it the ideal restaurant because of the cozy and personal atmosphere, which transports visitors to a tiny café in the French countryside. Ask for recommendations from the waitstaff; they are knowledgeable about wine pairing.

Address: 512 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1K8

14. Brasserie L’ecole

Up next to the best restaurants in Victoria is Brasserie L’ecole, a fine dining restaurant owned by sommelier Marc Morrison. It is well-known for its eclectic range of Belgian and French cuisine, beer, and wine, which go excellently with the French meals on the menu. It is a fancy but casual atmosphere which makes you feel at home.

Only seasonal and local ingredients are used in the selections, which are made every evening. Some available samples include oysters, jerk fish poutine, inland mussels, gougères, skate wing, French onion soup, beef paleron with cauliflower puree, and duck confit with fresh veggies. They also provide gluten-free options. Although the furniture and dark wood flooring provides a romantic atmosphere, customers are only seated on a first-come, first-served basis, so expect to wait.

There is usually a line, and reservations are not available. Standing in line at 5:00 pm is preferable if you want a table at the first sitting (5:30 pm).

Address: 1715 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z4

15. Cafe Brio

A restaurant with an Italian theme where the decor is like a cozy Tuscan countryside inn. Consider accent pieces made of wood, ambient fairy lights, and artwork with deep blue, yellow, and red colors. They have decorative wooden furniture.

Seasonally, the small, tastefully designed menu changes to reflect the various fruits and vegetables that come into season locally. The à la carte selections are constantly fresh and regional because the farmed and fished commodities also change. If you’re unsure, choose half-sized servings, or attempt a family-style meal if your hunger knows no bounds. The finest thing, though? Nearly 300 wines are available at Café Brio, and the sommeliers are happy to explain and make recommendations.

Along with the usual suspects like pasta, steak, and salads, they feature specialties like locally caught rockfish or halibut. Sharing is encouraged, and most dishes come in half or full quantity alternatives for those who can’t decide. They serve good food and late-night craft cocktail. Cafe brio is considered one of the best restaurants in Victoria for its delicious and locally produced food.

Address: 944 Fort St, Victoria BC V8V 3K2

16. Glo

To conclude with the best restaurants in Victoria Glo is a place which serves delicious food. This waterfront hot spot is where the happy hour and golden hour collide. This location, which has roomy seating inside and outside, has a nightclub vibe even during the day. This is a go-to spot for rowdy friends getting together because of the fresh seafood, flatbread pizzas, and large assortment of burgers, sliders, and sandwiches.

The waterfront patio enjoys the warmth of the setting sun and offers a view of both beautiful and busy harbors to spice up happy hour. Patio heaters and comfortable furniture make sure the celebration lasts well past dusk.

Address: 104-2940 Jutland Rd, Victoria BC V8T 5K6

This was our ranking of most of the best restaurants in Victoria. We await your response and any relevant experience. If you enjoyed reading this, here is something more.

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Himani Rawat