Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
There's nothing better than this 15 minute down walk through the neighbourhood and ravine to this newly renovated pub and restaurant right on the ocean!
61 locals recommend
The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay RdThere's nothing better than this 15 minute down walk through the neighbourhood and ravine to this newly renovated pub and restaurant right on the ocean!
You sit right above the ocean and can see boats in the harbour as you look across to the bay where Butcharts Garden is. Rent kayaks here before you head up for a drink and good pub food.
43 locals recommend
Brentwood Bay Resort
849 Verdier AveYou sit right above the ocean and can see boats in the harbour as you look across to the bay where Butcharts Garden is. Rent kayaks here before you head up for a drink and good pub food.
Only a 5 minute drive from my house, the Med Grill is consistently easy and good food. Call first for a reservation on weekends or holidays.
30 locals recommend
Med Grill Royal Oak
4512 W Saanich RdOnly a 5 minute drive from my house, the Med Grill is consistently easy and good food. Call first for a reservation on weekends or holidays.
This is a fabulous place to go for breakfast or brunch. Locally sourced food whenever possible, large servings and a very fun vibe.
62 locals recommend
The Village Restaurant
2518 Estevan AveThis is a fabulous place to go for breakfast or brunch. Locally sourced food whenever possible, large servings and a very fun vibe.
At the end of the breakwater, which I highly recommend you walk out and back on, they serve basic food overlooking the ocean. It's wonderful here on a sunny day or to storm watch.
62 locals recommend
Breakwater Cafe . Bistro . Bar
199 Dallas RdAt the end of the breakwater, which I highly recommend you walk out and back on, they serve basic food overlooking the ocean. It's wonderful here on a sunny day or to storm watch.
This is where we go for a special dinner. Try to sit outside if you can, although tables there are hard to get and can't be reserved. Try the Salada Funghi and the halibut with blackberries.
Mmmmm.
244 locals recommend
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StThis is where we go for a special dinner. Try to sit outside if you can, although tables there are hard to get and can't be reserved. Try the Salada Funghi and the halibut with blackberries.
Mmmmm.
Consistently very good, authentic Thai food with generous portions. You'll probably bring leftovers home. This location isn't as busy as the others and only 5 minutes drive from my place. Excellent.
13 locals recommend
Baan Thai Wok & Bar (Broadmead)
777 Royal Oak DrConsistently very good, authentic Thai food with generous portions. You'll probably bring leftovers home. This location isn't as busy as the others and only 5 minutes drive from my place. Excellent.
Excellent location. Call and reserve on weekends or in the summer. Good food, great atmosphere. Kid friendly. Walk along the causeway before or after to see buskers and interesting boats, etc.
53 locals recommend
Milestones
2401 Millstream RdExcellent location. Call and reserve on weekends or in the summer. Good food, great atmosphere. Kid friendly. Walk along the causeway before or after to see buskers and interesting boats, etc.
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StReally good food!
A Victoria staple for years- excellent French food. Small and they don't take reservations so you usually have to get there at opening or be prepared to wait.
119 locals recommend
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StA Victoria staple for years- excellent French food. Small and they don't take reservations so you usually have to get there at opening or be prepared to wait.
Shopping
Locally owned grocery store, restaurant and deli, gift shops, art gallery, nursery, spa, VQA wine shop... it's all here!
40 locals recommend
Mattick's Farm
5325 Cordova Bay RdLocally owned grocery store, restaurant and deli, gift shops, art gallery, nursery, spa, VQA wine shop... it's all here!
About a 7 minute drive the Broadmead Shopping Centre has everything you need; Thrifty's grocery store, Starbucks, liquor store, Romeo's pizza, Baan Thai restaurant, CIBC, Canadian Tire, Pharmasave....
29 locals recommend
Broadmead Village Shopping Centre
777 Royal Oak DrAbout a 7 minute drive the Broadmead Shopping Centre has everything you need; Thrifty's grocery store, Starbucks, liquor store, Romeo's pizza, Baan Thai restaurant, CIBC, Canadian Tire, Pharmasave....
Everything Else
Word has it this is the best whale watching company in Victoria. Keep you eye out for coupons, discounts.
57 locals recommend
PRINCE OF WHALES Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures
812 Wharf StWord has it this is the best whale watching company in Victoria. Keep you eye out for coupons, discounts.
Drinks & Nightlife
Symphony Vineyards is owned and operated by my friend's nephew who is knowledgeable and unpretentious and makes lovely wine.
15 locals recommend
Symphony Vineyard
6409 Oldfield RdSymphony Vineyards is owned and operated by my friend's nephew who is knowledgeable and unpretentious and makes lovely wine.
There's a restaurant downstairs and pub upstairs. Food is good and locally sourced. View from upstairs is fantastic and you can walk all along the ocean here. Highly recommend a drink upstairs at happy hour!
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StThere's a restaurant downstairs and pub upstairs. Food is good and locally sourced. View from upstairs is fantastic and you can walk all along the ocean here. Highly recommend a drink upstairs at happy hour!
Fun, good food and drinks. In good weather it's a great place to go for a drink on the outdoor patio!
157 locals recommend
Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StFun, good food and drinks. In good weather it's a great place to go for a drink on the outdoor patio!
Go for a drink on the patio overlooking the outdoor pool and enjoy the fabulous ocean in front of you. It's always windy and in the shade so bring warm clothes even on a hot day.
33 locals recommend
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach DrGo for a drink on the patio overlooking the outdoor pool and enjoy the fabulous ocean in front of you. It's always windy and in the shade so bring warm clothes even on a hot day.
Entertainment & Activities
The Commonwealth Place houses a huge pool with diving towers and springboards, fun water slide, wave pool with a ship for younger kids, hot tub, workout room, drop in fitness classes and a library.
38 locals recommend
Saanich Commonwealth Place
4636 Elk Lake DrThe Commonwealth Place houses a huge pool with diving towers and springboards, fun water slide, wave pool with a ship for younger kids, hot tub, workout room, drop in fitness classes and a library.
Right across the highway from my place! 11 km running/ walking trail that's mostly shaded, swimming at Beaver or Hamsterly Beach, great play place for children at Beaver Lake.
38 locals recommend
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
5267 Patricia Bay HighwayRight across the highway from my place! 11 km running/ walking trail that's mostly shaded, swimming at Beaver or Hamsterly Beach, great play place for children at Beaver Lake.
Cordova Bay Golf Course
5333 Cordova Bay RdFabulous ocean view 18 hole golf course
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StFirst class museum, great First Nations displays.
Essentials
Another locally owned and operated fun market that has great produce etc. Lots of great prices and locally sourced products whenever possible. I love the Root Cellar and get most of my fruits and vegetables here.
74 locals recommend
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
1286 McKenzie AveAnother locally owned and operated fun market that has great produce etc. Lots of great prices and locally sourced products whenever possible. I love the Root Cellar and get most of my fruits and vegetables here.
Located at Mattick's Farm, this is where I go all the time for local produce and locally sourced food. It's small with great service and a market rather than big grocery store atmosphere.
79 locals recommend
Red Barn Market
611 Brookside RdLocated at Mattick's Farm, this is where I go all the time for local produce and locally sourced food. It's small with great service and a market rather than big grocery store atmosphere.
Sightseeing
World famous extensive gardens that are beautiful in every season. Try to go very early or later in the day to avoid the tour buses and crowds. Dining room is lovely for a special dinner but reservations are required quite a bit ahead of time.
254 locals recommend
Butchart Gardens
World famous extensive gardens that are beautiful in every season. Try to go very early or later in the day to avoid the tour buses and crowds. Dining room is lovely for a special dinner but reservations are required quite a bit ahead of time.