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What to Eat in Victoria & Vancouver Island
Thanks to Victoria's coastal location and access to the farming regions of the Saanich Peninsula and Cowichan Valley, Victoria and Vancouver Island are a foodie's paradise. Let's start with afternoon tea, which is a must-do, according to visitors and locals. This tradition, which the city inherited from the region's European settlers, can be as grand or as simple as you want. It all depends on the teahouse you choose. On the extravagant end of the spectrum, there's the Fairmont Empress. It'll cost a pretty penny, but the formal, elegant atmosphere of this turn-of-the-century hotel will transport you back to a time when afternoon tea was a daily event for those in Victoria high society. Other favorites include the Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden, Adrienne's Tea Garden and White Heather Tea Room.
When you've had your fill of tea and finger sandwiches, expand your gastronomic tour of Victoria by sampling the city's fresh seafood. Red Fish Blue Fish, which sits on the waterfront on the Inner Harbour in an upcycled cargo container, is a favorite among visitors for its variety of fish and chips (choose from salmon, cod, halibut and oysters). Other seafood favorites include Fishhook, Blue Crab Seafood House and Ferris' Upstairs Oyster Bar.
Along with its fresh seafood, Victoria excels at offering a bevy of international cuisine. For Italian, locals and travelers recommend Il Terrazzo, which is beloved for its classic Italian menu and cozy interior (it boasts six brick fireplaces). Recent visitors highly recommend Saveur for its French-inspired contemporary cuisine using local ingredients. And if you're after Mediterranean flavors, head to the family-owned Ithaka Greek Restaurant (diners especially loved the lamb).
Find the Best Restaurants in Victoria & Vancouver Island
- #1Saveur Restaurant#1 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (460)$$ | French, Contemporary, European, Canadian658 Herald St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1S7 CanadaRead More » - #2La Roux Patisserie#2 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (123)$ - $$ | French, Cafe519 Fisgard St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1R3 CanadaRead More » - #3Ithaka Greek Restaurant#3 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (1326)$ - $$ | Mediterranean, Greek, Healthy, Grill716 Burdett Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3G2 CanadaRead More » - #4IL Terrazzo#4 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (4167)$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, Neapolitan, Campania, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Southern-Italian555 Johnson St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1M2 CanadaRead More » - #5White Heather Tea Room#5 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (453)$ - $$ | British, Canadian1885 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1C6 CanadaRead More » - #6Legislative Dining Room#6 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (292)$ - $$ | Canadian614 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 2L8 CanadaRead More » - #7Fishhook#7 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (875)$ - $$ | French, Indian, Seafood, Healthy805 Fort St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1H6 CanadaRead More » - #8John's Place Restaurant#8 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (1472)$ - $$ | American, Diner, Canadian723 Pandora Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N9 CanadaRead More » - #9Jam Cafe#9 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (965)$ - $$ | American, Cafe, Canadian542 Herald St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1S6 CanadaRead More » - #10Blue Fox Cafe#10 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (1763)$ - $$ | American, Cafe, Canadian919 Fort Street Suite 101, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3K3 CanadaRead More » - #11Nubo Japanese Tapas#11 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (475)$ - $$ | Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, Asian739 Pandora Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N9 CanadaRead More » - #12The Fish Store at Fisherman's Wharf#12 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (712)$ - $$ | Seafood, Canadian12 Erie St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 4X5 CanadaRead More » - #13Finn's#13 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (558)$ - $$ | Bar, Seafood, Grill1208 Wharf St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3B9 CanadaRead More » - #14Red Fish Blue Fish#14 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (2895)$ - $$ | Seafood, Fast Food, Soups1006 Wharf St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1T4 CanadaRead More » - #15Cafe Brio#15 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (990)$$ | Italian, European, Canadian, International944 Fort St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3K2 CanadaRead More » - #16Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar#16 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (340)$ - $$ | French, American, Contemporary, Canadian, International102-506 Fort St 'Down the Hall', Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1E6 CanadaRead More » - #17Brasserie L'ecole#17 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (425)$$ | French, European1715 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1Z4 CanadaRead More » - #18Blighty's Bistro#18 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (290)$ - $$ | Canadian, Fusion2006 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1E4 CanadaRead More » - #19Nourish Kitchen & Cafe#19 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (508)$ - $$ | Healthy, Cafe, Canadian, International225 Quebec St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 1W2 CanadaRead More » - #20Clive's Classic Lounge#20 of 1,088 Places to Eat in Victoria
Tripadvisor (224)$ - $$ | Bar, Canadian, International740 Burdett Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1B2 CanadaRead More »
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