Victoria & Neighbourhood Favourites Guidebook
Food scene
Village Butcher
2032 Oak Bay AveGreat local butcher
*definitely try their smoked olives too
Best fresh fish (salmon, halibut. cod, tuna, crab, prawns) They also make great fish tacos at their food truck
Buy the:
*smoked tuna
*smoked salmon
*black cod
19 locals raden deze aan
Finest At Sea
27 Erie StBest fresh fish (salmon, halibut. cod, tuna, crab, prawns) They also make great fish tacos at their food truck
Buy the:
*smoked tuna
*smoked salmon
*black cod
BEST Grocer
End of October 2021 there will be a location near by on Cook Street but for now... you'll have to drive to Mckenzie.
Lots of vegan and gluten free items
Try their:
Secret Green Sauce
Butter Chicken Sausages
fresh pizza dough (reg and GF)
Very Good butcher vegan "meats"
74 locals raden deze aan
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
1286 McKenzie AveBEST Grocer
End of October 2021 there will be a location near by on Cook Street but for now... you'll have to drive to Mckenzie.
Lots of vegan and gluten free items
Try their:
Secret Green Sauce
Butter Chicken Sausages
fresh pizza dough (reg and GF)
Very Good butcher vegan "meats"
Vegan Butcher butchering beans for vegan meats carefully crafted with real, whole-food ingredients. Grill it, fry it, roast it. Easy to prep plant-based meat boxes packed with flavor. Plant-Based. Made in Canada.
The Very Good Butchers
515 Chatham StVegan Butcher butchering beans for vegan meats carefully crafted with real, whole-food ingredients. Grill it, fry it, roast it. Easy to prep plant-based meat boxes packed with flavor. Plant-Based. Made in Canada.
Crust Bakery is a fabulous boutique artisan bakery in Victoria. Serving amazing baked goods and many delicious lunch items.
42 locals raden deze aan
Crust Bakery
730 Fort StCrust Bakery is a fabulous boutique artisan bakery in Victoria. Serving amazing baked goods and many delicious lunch items.
Eat in, take out or delivery: Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. Great vegan options too!
Located close by in Cook Street Village.
45 locals raden deze aan
Big Wheel Burger
341 Cook StEat in, take out or delivery: Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. Great vegan options too!
Located close by in Cook Street Village.
Year round produce and makers market Saturdays 10-2 (summer-fall) and 10-1pm during the off season.
Great breads, produce, jams, food trucks, makers of all kinds.
*10 minute walk from 426 Arnold Avenue
68 locals raden deze aan
Moss Street Market
1330 Fairfield RdYear round produce and makers market Saturdays 10-2 (summer-fall) and 10-1pm during the off season.
Great breads, produce, jams, food trucks, makers of all kinds.
*10 minute walk from 426 Arnold Avenue
Great cheese selection, fresh baguette, Italian meats and gelato *nice place to sit outside for a light lunch or coffee and then stroll along Oak Bay Avenue
39 locals raden deze aan
Ottavio Italian Bakery, Delicatessen & Cafe
2272 Oak Bay AveGreat cheese selection, fresh baguette, Italian meats and gelato *nice place to sit outside for a light lunch or coffee and then stroll along Oak Bay Avenue
Great Bunch and lunch
*cute location in Estevan Village
Also try eateries: Ruth + Dean, Norah Thai, and the Willows Galley... all in Estevan Village.
62 locals raden deze aan
The Village Restaurant
2518 Estevan AveGreat Bunch and lunch
*cute location in Estevan Village
Also try eateries: Ruth + Dean, Norah Thai, and the Willows Galley... all in Estevan Village.
Best sushi!!!! Also great general menu!
*take out sushi and sit on the beach nearby or eat in at the sushi bar or the larger restaurant that serves more continental food...
36 locals raden deze aan
Marina Restaurant
1327 Beach DrBest sushi!!!! Also great general menu!
*take out sushi and sit on the beach nearby or eat in at the sushi bar or the larger restaurant that serves more continental food...
La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop
766 Fort StBest authentic Tacos
Great food at the pub and the restaurant (get a table facing the ocean outside if you can)!!! Plus pizza and salads at Faro (street side). *Books a spa treatment and the pools for the day!
33 locals raden deze aan
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach DrGreat food at the pub and the restaurant (get a table facing the ocean outside if you can)!!! Plus pizza and salads at Faro (street side). *Books a spa treatment and the pools for the day!
Best fresh made Tortillas and Mexican provisions shop
-Hot food (tacos) available Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm
MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortillería
540 Fisgard StBest fresh made Tortillas and Mexican provisions shop
-Hot food (tacos) available Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StGreat French Bistro
Oak Bay Bon Sushi
1467 Hampshire RdGreat fresh Sushi (eat in or take out)
Best food for special occasion.
Atmosphere is ok but the food one of the very best in the city!
12 locals raden deze aan
Saveur Restaurant
658 Herald StBest food for special occasion.
Atmosphere is ok but the food one of the very best in the city!
Nowhere *A Restaurant
Douglas StreetGreat food!
set tasting menu only
Lovely Sandy local beach (10 minute drive) (great kids playground overlooking the water) *Get the best Fish n chips to go at the Willows Galley and eat it at the beach
170 locals raden deze aan
Willows Beach
EsplanadeLovely Sandy local beach (10 minute drive) (great kids playground overlooking the water) *Get the best Fish n chips to go at the Willows Galley and eat it at the beach
Willows Galley
2559 Estevan AveBest Fish n chips
Eat at willows beach near by or take home.
Great bakery and luncheonette in Estevan Village (walk to Willows beach from here)
7 locals raden deze aan
Ruth & Dean - Luncheonette & Bakery
2509 Estevan AvenueGreat bakery and luncheonette in Estevan Village (walk to Willows beach from here)
stage.
1307 Gladstone AveOn of our Favourite Restaurants Close by in Fernwood Village
Fernwood and Fernwood Square
-Stage Restaurant
-Fernwood Pizza
-Mesa Familiar (great Mexican)
-Little June (Excellent Coffee and Sandwiches)
-Lots of little shops and the Belfry Theatre
32 locals raden deze aan
Fernwood
Fernwood and Fernwood Square
-Stage Restaurant
-Fernwood Pizza
-Mesa Familiar (great Mexican)
-Little June (Excellent Coffee and Sandwiches)
-Lots of little shops and the Belfry Theatre
Delicious Indo-French influenced sustainable local seafood
Serving both sit down and take away customers, offering a variety of sustainable, locally-sourced and farm-fresh ingredients. With a rotating menu includes a wide selection of mainstay dishes, tartines, salads, house-pickled organic veggies, a daily fish curry and a duet of soups - one chowder and one gazpacho.
*the coconut milk based fish chowder is delicious!
Maintaining Ocean Wise, local and organic standards, we also offer dairy-free, wheat-free and mayo-free alternatives, giving our customers numerous healthy food options for lunch and dinner.
51 locals raden deze aan
Fishhook
805 Fort StDelicious Indo-French influenced sustainable local seafood
Serving both sit down and take away customers, offering a variety of sustainable, locally-sourced and farm-fresh ingredients. With a rotating menu includes a wide selection of mainstay dishes, tartines, salads, house-pickled organic veggies, a daily fish curry and a duet of soups - one chowder and one gazpacho.
*the coconut milk based fish chowder is delicious!
Maintaining Ocean Wise, local and organic standards, we also offer dairy-free, wheat-free and mayo-free alternatives, giving our customers numerous healthy food options for lunch and dinner.
Bao
626 Fisgard Stexcellent Southeast Asian fusion restaurant
Bear & Joey Cafe
1025 Cook StMorning coffee, brunch or drinks, lunch... cute space
Jam Cafe
542 Herald Stexcellent breakfast/brunch
great restaurant Located in a beautiful botanical garden
19 locals raden deze aan
Charlotte & the Quail
505 Quayle Rdgreat restaurant Located in a beautiful botanical garden
Brunch and lunch only. wonderful vegetarian restaurant located in a charming character house... beautiful patio as well.
56 locals raden deze aan
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
225 Quebec StreetBrunch and lunch only. wonderful vegetarian restaurant located in a charming character house... beautiful patio as well.
Groceries and Provisions
Local Grocer:
Get all your basics. Just a 10 minute walk from 426 Arnold ave.
138 locals raden deze aan
Thrifty Foods
1580 Hillside AveLocal Grocer:
Get all your basics. Just a 10 minute walk from 426 Arnold ave.
Closest Liquor Store (in Fairfield Plaza)
*10 minute walk from 426 Arnold avenue
41 locals raden deze aan
BC Liquor Stores
1960 Foul Bay RdClosest Liquor Store (in Fairfield Plaza)
*10 minute walk from 426 Arnold avenue
Heart Pharmacy IDA - Fairfield
1594 Fairfield RdCloset Pharmacy
Cook St Liquor
304 Cook StBets local wine, beer and spirits shop.
Vessel Liquor
1609 Fort StBest place to buy organic wine, beer and spirits
Local natural food and vitamin shop
*closest location for organic foods, vegan options and vitamins/supplements.
29 locals raden deze aan
Mother Nature's Market & Deli
240 Cook StLocal natural food and vitamin shop
*closest location for organic foods, vegan options and vitamins/supplements.
McLennan's Island Meat & Seafood
307 307 Cook StClosest butcher
Spa
Book an incredible spa treatment and make sure to book time in the pools overlooking the ocean. Great Lunch and dinner by the pool or at one of their restaurants here as well.
Boathouse Spa & Baths
1175 Beach DrBook an incredible spa treatment and make sure to book time in the pools overlooking the ocean. Great Lunch and dinner by the pool or at one of their restaurants here as well.
Sightseeing
Stroll Canada's oldest China Town
-walk thru Fan Tan alley and visit hidden shops and boutiques:
-Fan Tan Gallery (boutique)
-Maize (tortilleria)
124 locals raden deze aan
Chinatown van Victoria
500 Fisgard StStroll Canada's oldest China Town
-walk thru Fan Tan alley and visit hidden shops and boutiques:
-Fan Tan Gallery (boutique)
-Maize (tortilleria)
Beautiful park for strolling, picnicking, playgrounds and petting zoo. Feed the ducks and peacocks and pet the baby sheep.
503 locals raden deze aan
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeautiful park for strolling, picnicking, playgrounds and petting zoo. Feed the ducks and peacocks and pet the baby sheep.
Beautiful gardens for sightseeing, strolling, picnicking
*Don't miss the Summer fireworks and show or the Christmas lights and ice skating in December/January.
254 locals raden deze aan
Butchart Gardens
Beautiful gardens for sightseeing, strolling, picnicking
*Don't miss the Summer fireworks and show or the Christmas lights and ice skating in December/January.
Garden and Tea House Open Sept-March (walking Distance from 426 Arnold Avenue)
https://www.abkhaziteahouse.com
Great for strolling thru west coast Gardens and high tea
56 locals raden deze aan
The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
1964 Fairfield RdGarden and Tea House Open Sept-March (walking Distance from 426 Arnold Avenue)
https://www.abkhaziteahouse.com
Great for strolling thru west coast Gardens and high tea
Lovely hike/walk to the top of the Observatory. Looks out onto Gonzales bay... stunning views
https://www.victoriabc.ca/historical-buildings/gonzales-hill-observatory/
Gonzales Observatory
302 Denison RoadLovely hike/walk to the top of the Observatory. Looks out onto Gonzales bay... stunning views
https://www.victoriabc.ca/historical-buildings/gonzales-hill-observatory/
great area for a walk, and grab some food, has a great playground for kids and pretty houseboats to see.
255 locals raden deze aan
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie Stgreat area for a walk, and grab some food, has a great playground for kids and pretty houseboats to see.
Favourite Beaches/Parks
Gonzales Beach
Beautiful beach and bay in walking distance
best for:
walking, sunning, paddling, picnicking, kids playground,
get the best Fish n' Chips at the nearby Willow Galley and eat at the beach.
*Rent Paddle Boards and Kayaks at the nearby Oak Bay Marina https://oceanriver.com/oak-bay-kayak-shack-booking-page/
170 locals raden deze aan
Willows Beach
Esplanadebest for:
walking, sunning, paddling, picnicking, kids playground,
get the best Fish n' Chips at the nearby Willow Galley and eat at the beach.
*Rent Paddle Boards and Kayaks at the nearby Oak Bay Marina https://oceanriver.com/oak-bay-kayak-shack-booking-page/
Favourite beach and park/playground for kids
-Rent paddle boards at nearby Gyro Beach Board Shop
-Peppers Crocer
-Jusu Juice bar
-Machi Sushi
-Mocha house
-Smuggler's Cove Pub
89 locals raden deze aan
Cadboro-Gyro Park
Sinclair RoadFavourite beach and park/playground for kids
-Rent paddle boards at nearby Gyro Beach Board Shop
-Peppers Crocer
-Jusu Juice bar
-Machi Sushi
-Mocha house
-Smuggler's Cove Pub
walk up to government house from 426 Arnold avenue and visit the expansive gardens/park... you may see deer and Peacocks. Plan a picnic on a lovely day or walk in the rain.
103 locals raden deze aan
Government House
1401 Rockland Avewalk up to government house from 426 Arnold avenue and visit the expansive gardens/park... you may see deer and Peacocks. Plan a picnic on a lovely day or walk in the rain.
Dallas road waterfront trail and beach. Walk down from 426 Arnold Avenue straight thru the graveyard to the water and tur right to walk along the beach and keep going to access the water front trail. walk all the way to Ogden Point if you want a good long walk and grab a coffee or bite at The Breakwater cafe.
23 locals raden deze aan
Dallas Road
Dallas RoadDallas road waterfront trail and beach. Walk down from 426 Arnold Avenue straight thru the graveyard to the water and tur right to walk along the beach and keep going to access the water front trail. walk all the way to Ogden Point if you want a good long walk and grab a coffee or bite at The Breakwater cafe.
Neighbourhoods/Places of Interest
Stroll along the avenue and sit the many shops and restaurants
-Ottavio deli
-Bon Sushi
-Penny Farthing Pub and Vis a Vis restaurant
-Oak and Barrel wine/liquor shop
13 locals raden deze aan
Oak Bay Avenue
Oak Bay AvenueStroll along the avenue and sit the many shops and restaurants
-Ottavio deli
-Bon Sushi
-Penny Farthing Pub and Vis a Vis restaurant
-Oak and Barrel wine/liquor shop
Estevan Village by the ocean
Eat at:
The Willows Galley
Villages
Ruth + Dean
*dine in or take out and walk to Willows Beach
Estevan Pharmacy
2517 Estevan AveEstevan Village by the ocean
Eat at:
The Willows Galley
Villages
Ruth + Dean
*dine in or take out and walk to Willows Beach
Chinatown van Victoria
500 Fisgard StCanada's oldest China town
Great shopping along Johnson street. Also, check out Market Square.
12 locals raden deze aan
Johnson Street
Johnson StreetGreat shopping along Johnson street. Also, check out Market Square.
Neighbourhoods
Cook Street Village (just a 20 minute walk from Arnold Avenue)
Stroll from Fairfield Road and Cook Street all the way down to Dallas road (ocean) and Beacon Hill Park and petting Zoo.
-the Root Cellar Grocer (opening end of October 2021)
-Pizzeria Prima Strata
-Surroundings Home shop
-The Reflexology Experience
-Mclennan's Butcher
-Cook Street Liquor
-Mother Nature's Market
-Big Wheel Burger
-Hot and Cold cafe
-Thunderbird Chicken
-Empire Doughnuts
-The Beagle Pub
-Food Trucks
-Florists
17 locals raden deze aan
Cook Street
Cook StreetCook Street Village (just a 20 minute walk from Arnold Avenue)
Stroll from Fairfield Road and Cook Street all the way down to Dallas road (ocean) and Beacon Hill Park and petting Zoo.
-the Root Cellar Grocer (opening end of October 2021)
-Pizzeria Prima Strata
-Surroundings Home shop
-The Reflexology Experience
-Mclennan's Butcher
-Cook Street Liquor
-Mother Nature's Market
-Big Wheel Burger
-Hot and Cold cafe
-Thunderbird Chicken
-Empire Doughnuts
-The Beagle Pub
-Food Trucks
-Florists