Cheryl's Reviews of Victoria Restaurants

The restaurants below are listed alphabetically; the year at the end indicates the last time I visited the restaurant (no year indicates pre-2004). I have rated restaurants as follows:

	great food -- no disappointments		expensive enough to impress a business associate or blind date
	good food -- better than average (many chains fall into this category)		a $20-bill should cover an alcohol-free meal
	average/OK food -- fine for backpackers, families and students		a $10-bill should cover an alcohol-free meal
	below average but still edible -- you've probably eaten worse food		a $5-bill plus change can at least fill you
	below average and not recommended -- excessively greasy/bland or just nasty		at least one vegetarian entree -- veggie burgers count here; most salads don't.
	picked as one of my fave spots to dine		diverse vegetarian or vegan menu

a b c Country Style Restaurant This really is a family restaurant -- while waiting for a meal to arrive, the kids are provided with toys and colouring books. Great value on breakfasts too. 2900 Douglas at Burnside. [2005] Ali Baba Pizza Great pizza-by-the-slice or take-away 2-for-1 pizzas; choose from standard selections or gourmet creations (my personal fave is the Texan with BBQ chicken, mushrooms and onions). Soy cheese available on request! 775 Fort St.[2005] BEST PIZZA Alzu's Open 24 hours, this is a truck-stop wannabe with average food that can border on greasy-spoon. Big portions and ample coffee refills are an added bonus. 811 Bay near Blanshard. [2005] Apple Tree Family Restaurant Caters to tired shoppers, seniors and families. Located in Hillside Mall and open 7 days a week. Food is acceptable, but not noteworthy; service fluxuates. [2005] Azuma Sushi Great for their Bento Box lunch specials and fresh sushi; service is prompt and friendly. Large, airy seating area. Downtown at 615 Yates [2005] Barb's Place Fish and Ships Choose from traditional fish and chips, burgers (seafood, beef or garden) or a variety of side orders; they even have "Rise and Shine" breakfast specials! Located at Fisherman's Wharf. Beacon Drive-In I am listing this for one reason only: the best damn soft ice-cream in town. Otherwise it is an average burger-bar. Dine-in or take-away, near Mile "0" and Beacon Hill Park at 126 Douglas street. [2007] BEST ICE CREAM Blethering Place If you can get to Oak Bay (the #2 bus or the Oak Bay Explorer will get you there), this is a good place to go for afternoon tea. Decent food, mostly "British"; decent value. Froufy "tea room" interior, usually an older crowd. They also have live entertainment most evenings. 206 - 2250 Oak Bay Avenue.[2004] Blue Fox Cafe Great for breakfasts (try weekdays to avoid the lineups); generous portions. Service is usually quick and friendly. A little way out of the downtown core, but worth the walk (expect to wait for brunch!) at #101 - 919 Fort Street. Boston Pizza The food here is fine -- pizza and pasta, with a good kids' menu and nightly specials. It's a large chain with several locations in Victoria but we've found the best service at the Blanshard Street restaurant. [2007] Brannigan's Restaurant standard issue family fare; kids menu is $6.99 and there is a separate selection for seniors too. Out in the burbs at 1551 Cedar Hill X Rd and adjascent to the Accent Inn on Blanshard street. [2006] Brass Duck Restaurant This is one of those restaurants which attracts "regulars" and the food and service are above average -- probably why it has been in business so long in the face of stiff competition nearby. Upper level of Tillicum Mall, 3170 Tillicum at Burnside. Cafe Brio Offers a menu that changes day-to-day based on fresh, local ingredients complimented by an extensive wine list. Reservations recommended. 944 Fort St. Cafe Mexico Good size portions of well prepared mexican food. Cozy atmosphere, but not cramped (you don't have to see the nose hairs on the guy at the next table). A good mid-range restaurant. Oh, and I highly reccommend their deep-fried ice cream for dessert!! (Yummy!) 1425 Store Street (also accessible from Market Square). [2004] BEST MEXICAN FOOD Cafe Teatro Light lunches are the core offering; tasty sandwiches and salads plus hot dishes such as pasta or soup.990 Blanshard St (at Broughton). Canoe Brewpub, Marina & Restaurant Yet another waterfront brewpub in Victoria; Canoe features seasonal organic foods in their menus which vary by time of day and time of year. Food is tasty; service is good, but what sets Canoe apart is it's wonderfully large, airy restaurant space and dockside patio. 450 Swift St., off Wharf St.(just past Chinatown).[2006] Captain Cook's Bakery This bakery also has a deli, so it's popular for breakfast and lunch. I highly recommend the spinach and feta stuffed croissants! Deep in the Antique district. 1019 Fort Street, near Cook St. [2005] Carribean Village Best samosas and Jamaican patties in town and amazing veggie "sausage" rolls.They also supply some of their snacks to the food services in the Student Union Building at UVic. 2646-C Quadra St. (near Hillside). Cascadia Bakery More wholefood goodness from the people who brought you Re-Bar (see below). Affordable lunches like grilled panini (mmmMMMM!) and fantastic focaccia bread to go! 1812 Governemnt St. [2005] Chikara Sushi A bit out of the way but worth tracking down, this small Japanese restaurant offers great tempura & teriyaki in addition to a variety of sushi and sashimi. Check out their mid-week sushi specials for dine-in customers. 280-2950 Douglas (upper level; use Burnside entrance).[2005] Christie's Carriage House Pub Typical pub menu; tends to get crowded; valet parking available! The best feature is the heated patio for year-round outdoor eating/drinking. Has a variety of beers on tap. Haven't been for years though, since service started to go downhill -- I had a string of bad experiences over the span of a few months. 1739 Fort Street, near the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Crown Palace/Chicken-On-The-Run As greasy foods go, this stuff isn't bad! Pretty much anything you can throw in a deep fryer is on the menu, plus a host of Chinese standards (Cantonese and Szechuan), and a large selection of vegetarian dishes. 405 Craigflower; will deliver. I highly recommend their ginger fried beef. [2007] De Dutch "Pannekoek House" Famous for its Dutch-style pancakes (known as pannekoeks), but also offers a range of breakfast and lunch menu items (neither Victoria franchise offers dinner). Nice spot for brunch any day of the week; family friendly. Downtown at 642 Johnson St. (in the Best Western Hotel) or at 4011 Quadra Street near McKenzie ave. [2005] Denny's Restaurant Familiar to interstate travellers, Denny's is "always open" with their Grand Slam breakfast served 5 am to 10 pm (2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 sausage links and 2 slices of bacon). The service often is below par, and the prices have gone waaay up in the past two years, but it's still a comfy place for families -- especially since they brought back their free birthday meal offer. 3100 Douglas Street, across from Mayfair Mall. [2006] Don Mee Seafood Restaurant Traditional Dim Sum lunch daily; Cantonese and Szechuan style menu, in the heart of Chinatown. Almost always expect to wait on Sundays for up to 45 minutes. (With a group of 4 or more, Dim Sum will cost about $12-$15 per person plus drinks). Upstairs, 538 Fisgard Street. [2006] BEST CHINESE FOOD Esquimalt Deli Casual atmosphere and affordable food make this a favourite lunch and coffee stop for locals. Great place to overhear local gossip too! At the Esquimalt Plaza, 1153 Esquimalt Rd. [2004] Eugene's Some of the best Greek food you'll eat. (In a hurry? get it to go!) Great value for your dollar! Highly recommended. Closed Sundays. 1280 Broad Street. (Also a second location at the corner of Fort and Foul Bay!) [2007] BEST GREEK FOOD

Ferris' Oyster Bar and Grill Possibly my favourite restaurant in Victoria. If you like oysters this is the place to be; however, their best dish may well be their cajun shrimp served on a bed of sweet-potato fries. Seating is limited, but they do add a patio in the summer. 536 Yates street. PERSONAL FAVOURITE

Fifth Street Bar and Grill This establishment is literally divided into a Bar and a Grill. You can also smell their wood-fired oven from blocks away. One nice touch is that any of their burgers can be ordered as beef, chicken breast or Garden Patty. They also offer brunch on Sundays until 2:00. Located at 1028 Hillside Ave., near Quadra St. [2005]

Fujiya Don't be misled by the fact that Fujiya looks like a Japanese grocery store -- it is, but at the back is an amazing array of self-serve sushi and other food (the Chicken Karaage is fantastic as is the Gyoza) -- and if they are out of your favourite sushi in the cooler, you can special order whatever you want for just a fraction more. Most people grab the sushi to take away but there are a few tables available if you want to eat on the spot. Out in the burbs at 3624 Shelbourne Street, near Cedar Hill Cross Road. [2007] BEST JAPANESE FOOD

Green Cuisine This restaurant offers a 100% vegan buffet (pay-by-weight). The food is incredibly yummy and good for you! Kudos for using organic ingredients where available. Lots of seating room. I find a plate of food for me (including bread which is by piece not by weight) generally costs about $11 to $12. #5-560 Johnson Street (in Market Square)

Hunan Villiage They specialize in Szechuan dishes but they also have a full array of Cantonese dishes. The service here is great and the food is tasty! Be warned that some of the Szechuan dishes are multi-alarm hot! The prices are not out of line with what you are getting, but they may be higher than a student/backpacker budget would allow. You'll find them in the heart of Chinatown at 546 Fisgard.

Il Terrazzo This is a great place to go for dates or business dinners -- but you get what you pay for! Really amazing food (try it as a romantic late night dessert spot for two!). Routinely voted "Best Italian food". 555 Johnson Street.

Japanese Village Frequently listed as a favourite by visitors and locals alike. I have only been once though, and I was underwhelmed. In addition to sushi and typical Japanese food, there are several teppanyaki tables where chefs cook your food at an iron table directly in front of you -- this is where we dined. The food was OK, but even with extra ventillation the place was hot and the service was only average; the price did not reflect the averageness of the experience. Downstairs at 734 Broughton St. [2005]

John's Place Good food -- great breakfasts. Along with Sunday brunch (which draws long lineups) breakfast is served every day at John's Place starting at 7 am. They also have a wide variety of lunch and dinner entrees and incredibly yummy desserts. 723 Pandora Avenue. [2007] BEST CHEESECAKE

Kaz Japanese Restaurant One of my favourite Japanese restaurants in town. Great sushi and a full range of other Japanese dishes. They open for lunch 11:30 - 2:30 and for dinner 5-9. Closed Sundays. #100 - 1619 Store Street. [2004]

Keg Steakhouse Steak and seafood chain. Pretty typical steakhouse fare with big portions and singing waiters. Two locations. 500 Fort Street and 3940 Quadra.

Kelsey's Restaurant Chain restaurant with "pop culture" decor. Good service and good size portions add to the value here plus they have a decent kid's menu. On Burnside Rd. at Tillicum Mall.[2005]

La Fiesta Cafe Giant burritos are the trademark of this small but popular Mexican cafe; tasty food with authentic flare. 1001 Douglas St. (near the corner of Douglas and Broughton).[2004]

Little Tokyo this small Japanese restaurant used to be a Little Caesar's Pizza joint; I think they just opted to keep the "little." Dine in or take out, prices are reasonable on average (there are some odd high/low prices though) and the food is pretty good. #111-1505 Admirals Road

Milestone's The food is "modern" and quite good. Their location right on the Inner Harbour means they tend toward the really crowded. Service is consistently friendly if not always fast. Beside the Visitor Information Centre. 812 Wharf Street

Millos Greek food. Well prepared, great atmosphere and good service. Look for the (broken) windmill. 716 Burdett near Blanshard

Mint, The 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. [2005]

Moka House Though basically a coffee house, you can also grab a panini, bagel, bowl of soup, or sweet pastry to accompany your organic espresso drink or Numi (organic and Kosher) tea. Most popular location is in Cook St. Village, but the Shoal Point location has a great view of Fisherman's Wharf and plenty of seating. [2006]

Montana's Cookhouse Chain restaurant with "rancher/old west" decor. Ribs, steak and chicken are the favourites. Vegetarians should probably choose another venue. On Burnside Rd. at Tillicum Mall. [2006]

Moxie's This chain offers mostly standard burger fare -- family/teen oriented. Service is OK; portions of food are large. Lots of parking at Town & Country Shopping Centre, #34 - 3442 Saanich Road. [2005]

Moxie's Classic Grill This is what happens when a strong chain takes over a high-end eatery -- only it actually works. The decor really wasn't changed from its Med Grill origins, and the food is still on the classy side of pizza-pasta-salad Italian/Mediterranean fare the old customers were used to. Higher price than Moxie's and not so great for large groups (really lousy acoustics). 1010 Yates St.

Noodle Box, The Tasty made-to-order Asian-fusion noodle creations; packed in distinctive white take-out boxes (even for dine-in) that make this food great for summer picnics. Flavours range from tame to oh-so-spicy! Sit at the bar to watch the chef's prepare your meal -- it usually involves a lot of flames.Two locations: the "cozy" setting at 626 Fisgard or the roomier restaurant at 818 Douglas St. [2007]

Ogden Pointe Cafe Located right at the breakwater, this small cafe has some of the finest waterfront views in the city. Luckily, it also has some great food and decadent desserts. Lineups at the cafeteria-style counter can get long though, especially on a nice day. Lots of seating, much of it outdoors. 199 Dallas Rd. BEST VIEW

Old Spaghetti Factory Tucked into the side of the former Crystal Gardens, the Victoria location of this chain restaurant is always busy. It offers great value for families with large portions and kid-friendly meals. 703 Douglas St. at Bellville. [2006]

Pacific Rim Pizza The pizza here ranges from very good down to acceptable; be mindful of pizza having sat a little too long under the heat lamps. Two convenient locations: 523 Pandora, in Market Square and 704 Broughton, near Douglas St. [2004]

Pagliacci's The food here is excellent, that cannot be argued, but it gives new meaning to crowded (you can easily reach the creamer on your neighbour's table) and the service is hit and miss. Also, for some reason this is the place to go if you are a celebrity in Victoria and subsequently has become home to the trendy. It is recommended in many guidebooks, which also adds to the crowding. If you want to take in Pagliacci's (pronounced Pa-lee-AH-chees - or shortened to "Pag's" by many locals), I suggest going for lunch -- you might even catch a celebrity avoiding the crowds! 1101 Broad Street, near the Bay Centre.[2006]

Pantry, The another basic family restaurant chain that offers a good breakfast spread (I recommend their eggs bennedict) and home-style dinners. Located on Douglas near Mayfair Mall. [2007]

Paul's Restaurant (in Paul's Motor Inn) Open 24 hours, this place can be busy at all hours of the day. Serving "homestyle meals" you'll find standard family fare on the menu, along with a typical variety of desserts. I have found, unfortunately, that the overall quality of the food has declined in recent years, but for a quick meal or a slice of pie with coffee, it's still an OK place to dine. 1900 Douglas St. at Chatham. [2004]

Pluto's Diner Named for the planet, not the Disney dog; they specialize in mesquite grilled burgers (beef, chicken, fish or meatless); they also have a great variety of Mexican entrees and a yummy breakfast/brunch lineup. Often has live entertainment. 1150 Cook St. at View St. [2005]

QV Bakery and Cafe This building was once a gas station and it shows -- they tend to leave the door open far too late on cool summer evenings. This coffee bar also offers light meals and amazing desserts. It's open 24-hours, with a large patio and a view of the Chinatown Gate of Harmonius Interest. 1701 Government at Fisgard. [2006]

Queen Mother Waterside Tucked away at the foot of Swift st. in the Mermaid Wharf complex (which also includes luxury rental accommodations), this Victoria branch of the long-established Queen Mother Cafe in Toronto is clean, cozy, and contemporary. The food is south-east asian with some traditional dishes and some western dishes with south-east asian touches. The service is good; the food, tasty; and the view of the upper harbour is pleasant -- what more could you ask for? How about a full bar and a heated patio? 407 Swift St. [2005]

Re-Bar Their menu states they serve "modern food"; many would refer to it as "California Cuisine". They feature a juice bar with everything from the basics to concoctions including wheatgrass or exotic enzymes. I like the way it is decorated and the service is always great. Oh, and the food's really good too -- they have even released a cookbook -- my favourite meal there though is breakfast. Be prepared for lineups. 50 Bastion Square. [2006]

Red Robin Restaurant One restaurant in a chain with not bad food. Their taco salad was my favourite entree, but they took it off the menu. Now I tend toward the burgers. Great place to take kids, but the lineups on weekends can get quite long. 800 Tolmie (across from Mayfair Mall) [2006]

Romano's Macaroni Grill If the idea of someone wandering by your table singing opera sounds as annoying to you as it is to me, then you should steer clear of this overpriced pretentious hangout. The theme is Italian, the food is good but the Chad-factor gets under my skin (try Pagliacci's, San Remo's or Il Terrazzo for better). 3195 Douglas (at Mayfair Mall) [2005]

Romeo's Place Pizza and Italian food which is consistently voted "Victoria's best" in a vaguely upscale yet family-friendly setting. The downtown location recently relocated and is now primarily delivery and take-away; if you are in the 'burbs, try the location at 1581 Hillside Avenue. [2007]

Rosie's Diner Located in the Cook St. Village. A diner decor (heavy on the chrome) is a popular choice for all-day breakfasts and burgers. 253 Cook St. [2004]

San Remo Greek and Italian food, including some of the finest pizza in the city. Cozy restaurant at 2709 Quadra Street, close to Hillside and the Roxy Theatre. If you're in a hurry, they now have a deli on the corner where you can grab a quick slice of pizza or a panini to go. Note: parking here can be tricky! [2005]

Santiagos Cafe "South American Tapas" Wow! Tasty food, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Reservations are recommended as there is limited seating. Two blocks from the Legistature. 660 Oswego.

Seven Valleys Fine Food & Deli This establishment has been hiding in plain sight since 1995. The deli includes hot and cold dishes; eat in at the tables provided or take-away (if you get take away, be sure to grab some of the delicious flatbread, too). If you are looking for Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Kosher foods, be sure to check out the large variety of imports. 2506 Douglas St. at Bay. [2007]

Shag's Place Fish and Chips and similar fare; greasy but tasty. Quiet, small restaurant, across from the Roxy Cinegog at 2656 Quadra Street [2005]

Solstice Cafe Along with fine organic and fair trade coffees prepared in an old-world espresso machine, the Solstice Cafe offers light meals (soups and sandwiches) and other snacks, many of which are vegetarian and/or vegan. 529 Pandora. [2007].

Spinnaker's Brew Pub Amazing food that focuses on local ingredients, great views, and a microbrewery on-site make this a fine choice for visitors and locals alike. Kids are welcome in the lower-level restaurant; upstairs operates as a pub. Reservations recommended. BEST PUB

Spiral Cafe tucked into a small strip of retail frontage at 418 Craigflower road is this very popular, kid-friendly coffee shop. Spiral Cafe serves light fare --soup and baked goods -- in addition to organic coffee. Sunday mornings feature storytime and almost every night there is some sort of entertainment.

Sushi Rock Cafe We went in for the novelty of the train that carries sushi around to diners at the centre of the restaurant, but we've been back for the good food and good service. The decor features 3D charicatures of celebrities around the walls and if you prefer to have your sushi delivered to your table, there is seating around the perimeter. Located on Government at Johnson, close to Chinatown and across from the McPherson Theatre.

Swiftsure Restaurant and Lounge Features a large menu with average to above-average food. Located at 427 Bellville St., in the Day's Inn, across from the Coho ferry terminal.[2004]

Szechuan City Buffet great value for your money -- if you're hungry. There's over 20 items plus dessert every day for lunch and dinner (hint: lunch is cheaper!) Just across the Johnson Street Bridge at Westside Village Shopping Centre. [2007]

Tim Horton's This Canadian coffee-and-doughnut institution is rapidly spreading through the Victoria area. In addition to doughnuts, cookies, and other desserts, their menu includes some very hearty soup and sandwich fare, and many locations are open 24 hours a day. My only warning: steer clear of the two franchises in the Esquimalt area (not listed here), at least at night where one keeps its washroom consistently "out of order" and the other ought to. 456a Gorge Rd. East (near Dunedin), 3250 Douglas St. (near Cloverdale), 3501 Ravine Way, 3990 Shelbourne St., 1120 McKenzie Ave. [2005]

Viet Nam Garden Restaurant Great value for your dollar. All their food is authentic and tasty; their salad rolls (and peanut sauce) are the best in town! 1515 Cook St at Pandora. BEST VIETNAMESE

Wharfside Eatery The only selling point of this once decent restaurant is a good 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. 1208 Wharf St. [2006]

White Spot A "family" restaurant chain with honest "home-style" meals. Good service; kids 12 and under can order "Pirate Paks®" -- kid-size portions of time-tested kids' favourites in a pirate ship with a drink, fries, carrot sticks and dessert -- for $5.99. Several locations in the Greater Victoria area. The downtown location at 710 Caledonia (at Douglas st.) was fully renovated in 2006 [2007] BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT

Willows Galley This tiny, little fish-and-chip shop is only a couple of blocks from popular Willow's Beach in "Estevan Village" (a block of commercial/retail activity on Estevan Ave.). It is legendary for its traditional recipes -- right down to newspaper wrappers -- so expect to wait a bit for your order. There's barely any seating, just a half a dozen seats at a bar and a single picnic table so expect to eat your food on the go or back at the beach. 2559 Estevan Ave. [2006]

Zambri's Taking its name from the head chef, this unassuming location has a split personality. By day, it is a cafeteria-style eatery serving fresh, rustic Italian food; by night it is a high-end fine dining experience-- Saturdays even feature 5-course meals that are reserved weeks in advance. Unfortunately, my only experience was for a very crowded lunch -- though the food was good, the atmosphere annoyed me enough that I haven't wanted to go back. I am assured though that by night this place is a great location, and I will eventually give it a second chance. Located in the strip mall at 911 Yates between London Drugs and the Market on Yates. [2006]

Zellers' Family Diner If you happen to be in a mall (Hillside or Tillicum) and want to sit down for a meal, the Zellers' Family Diner is an option. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, and diner stand-bys like fish & chips, lasagna, and all-day breakfast. They offer smaller meals for kids and seniors and provide distractions for children under 12. The food is average (edible, and competently prepared) the service acceptable and the prices low, plus you can earn HBC points on that burger. [2005]

Last updated April 2007

For more information check out these sites:

• Most recent food premise inspection information Vancouver Island Health Authority
• eMenus (Victoria & Vancouver Island)
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• Viva! Vegetarian Restaurant Guide
• Vancouver Island Pink Pages restaurant guide
• The Cafe Scene in Victoria brought to you by CoffeeCrew, Canada's original online coffee resource!
• Want to order take out from your favourite restaurant? Check out Dine-In Victoria

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