Victoria & Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Canada #4 in Best Places to Visit in Canada

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Courtesy of JoeRos/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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

#1
IL Terrazzo
#1 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (3763)
$ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean
555 Johnson St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1M2 Canada
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#2
Ithaka Greek Restaurant
#2 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (1215)
$ - $$ | Mediterranean, Greek, Grill
1102 Yates St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3M8 Canada
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#3
Blighty's Bistro
#3 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (271)
$ - $$ | Canadian, Fusion
2006 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1E4 Canada
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#4
Blue Fox Cafe
#4 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (1659)
$ - $$ | American, Cafe, Canadian
919 Fort Street Suite 101, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3K3 Canada
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#5
White Heather Tea Room
#5 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (415)
$ - $$ | British, Canadian
1885 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1C6 Canada
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#6
Legislative Dining Room
#6 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (235)
$ - $$ | Canadian
614 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 2L8 Canada
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#7
Fishhook
#7 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (780)
$ - $$ | French, Indian, Seafood, Soups
805 Fort St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1H6 Canada
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#8
Jam Cafe
#8 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (891)
$ - $$ | American, Cafe, Canadian
542 Herald St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1S6 Canada
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#9
Saveur Restaurant
#9 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (400)
$$ | French, Contemporary, Canadian, Asian
658 Herald St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1S7 Canada
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#10
La Roux Patisserie
#10 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (89)
$ - $$ | French, Cafe, Canadian
519 Fisgard St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1R3 Canada
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#11
Nubo Japanese Tapas
#11 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (433)
$ - $$ | Japanese, Sushi, Asian
739 Pandora Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N9 Canada
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#12
The Fish Store at Fisherman's Wharf
#12 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (656)
$ - $$ | Seafood, Canadian
12 Erie St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 4X5 Canada
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#13
John's Place Restaurant
#13 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (1376)
$ - $$ | American, Diner, Canadian
723 Pandora Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1N9 Canada
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#14
The Village Restaurant
#14 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (152)
$ - $$ | Cafe, Canadian, International
2518 Estevan Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 2S7 Canada
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#15
Patisserie Daniel
#15 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (120)
$ - $$ | Canadian
1729 Cook St, Victoria, British Columbia V8T 3P4 Canada
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#16
Stage
#16 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (241)
$ - $$ | Wine Bar, Canadian
1307 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 1R9 Canada
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#17
Cafe Brio
#17 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (956)
$$ | Italian, Mediterranean, Canadian, International
944 Fort St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 3K2 Canada
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#18
Red Fish Blue Fish
#18 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (2684)
$ - $$ | Seafood, Fast Food, Soups
1006 Wharf St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1T4 Canada
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#19
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
#19 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (296)
$ - $$ | French, American, Contemporary, Canadian, International
102-506 Fort St 'Down the Hall', Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1E6 Canada
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#20
Brasserie L'ecole
#20 of 1,334 Places to Eat in Victoria
TripAdvisor (405)
$$ | French, European
1715 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1Z4 Canada
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