An insider's guide to Victoria since 1997.

Easily spotted by its retro, neon sign, everyone I know refers to this place as "Don Mee's" and it's easily my favourite place for dim sum (served every day over the lunch hour). A favourite haunt for visiting celebs, the waiting area walls are lined with signed photos. One word of warning: the restaurant is up a long flight of stairs; those with mobility issues will want to steer clear.

If you only have time for one great meal in the city and don't have minors along with you, I'd suggest checking out the Bard and Banker Pub. The "Bard" in the pub's name is poet Robert Service who worked at the bank that once operated in the building. The pub is part of the Victoria Pub Company group; all their pubs feel authentic but the over-the-top opulence of the Bard and Banker is worth the visit alone.

These horse-drawn carriages with the red and white awnings are a fixture of Victoria. Unfortunately, their historical tour scripts contain errors which, when I attempted to correct them were met with a shrug. Better bet is to take a private carriage tour or one of the many pedi-cabs -- but be warned even in the summer these can be chilly tours! [tour information]

I couldn't quite put Miniature World in the misses category because it is interesting, especially to kids. You can see miniature dioramas of space, historical dioramas, railroads, and fantasy, along with scale replicas of stately homes. The scale of the attractions varies, as does the attention to detail. Some of the older displays, especially those in the Fantasy Land area are showing their age but there are still scenes that will delight and amuse most visitors -- I'm particularly fond of the circus display at the end.

The only selling point of this once decent restaurant is its view of the harbour. The last time I attempted to eat here, we were seated then ignored for 20 minutes. We walked out, but even worse, no one noticed that we were leaving before even being served drinks. Management also gouges tourists -- they have a separate menu for "locals." Ignore the out-dated "best seafood" posters and eat elsewhere. 1208 Wharf St.

Nepalese and Tibetan dishes plus seafood and pasta. There are always vegan options available. If you like your food spicy, try the Thunder Spaghetti. Great food; great service; great bar; live music or DJs most nights; can get pretty crowded. Downstairs at B-1414 Douglas St.