38 Best Restaurants in Victoria, British Columbia

Ever wondered what a Nepalese nightclub might look like? Well, this subterranean space is as close as it gets, with good, affordable Nepalese and Tibetan dishes, from the traditional—butter chicken curry, spicy lamb curry, and Tibetan dumplings—to the less strictly Himalayan, such as naan pizzas and cheese plates, as well as various appetizer platters to share. With DJs playing up-tempo lounge music most nights and food served until 2 am, the Mint appeals to off-duty restaurant workers, students, and anyone looking for an after-hours meal in Victoria, where restaurants tend to close early. 

For a Pacific Rim twist on the tea tradition, try this window-lined restaurant in the Hotel Grand Pacific (C$58). You can choose from an assortment of Asian-style teas, like the cherry haiku or dragon tears (green tea with jasmine), while you nibble on Dungeness crab cakes, tuna tataki, scones with clotted cream, and lemon meringue tarts. Tea is served from 2 to 4:30 daily. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.

Chef-owner Danno Lee has re-created the fun and flavors of a Spanish tapas bar in this little pedestrian-only lane off Government Street. Small, flavorful dishes run from simple-but-tasty grilled vegetables to prawns in white wine, spicy mussels, thin-crust pizzas, pastas and a multitude of vegetarian options. One specialty is the Pollo Armanda: charbroiled boneless chicken with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, lemon, and white wine. Almond-stuffed dates are a particular hit. Rich colors and lively artwork create a casual interior; the patio is a choice spot. Just need a snack? Tapas are served all afternoon and late into the evening. A wine bar next door is run by the same owners.

Afternoon teas (C$54), with fresh-baked scones and cream, mini-quiches, cucumber sandwiches, and seasonal treats featuring produce from the garden, are served in the living room of the Abkhazi Garden. Late-morning snacks (called "elevenses") and light lunches are also available at this romantic garden setting.

If you think that Oak Bay is all British tweeds and shepherd's pies, pull up a stool at the long, polished-wood bar in this thoroughly modern storefront bistro. The imaginative small-plates menu emphasizes fresh, local ingredients and regional purveyors in a long menu of charcuterie selections as well as updated comfort foods like braised short rib and onion tortiere, Parmesan frites, mouthwatering soups such as Dungeness crab bisque, and salads. The beers are mostly locally crafted and the wines—from BC and farther afield—come in 1-, 5-, or 8-ounce pours, making it easy to pair different wines with the various tapas. You might top off your meal with a small something-sweet: macarons or a selection of bite-size chocolate treats.

Everything, including the jam, is homemade with exceptional creativity for the Scottish-style teas served in the White Heather Tea Room, a lovely place with big windows. Go for the gusto with its Signature Muckle (C$60). Teas are served from 10 am to 3 pm, Thursday through Sunday. Gluten-free selections are available as are take-out boxed teas.

The chef is a baker-turned-butcher, so the resulting menu is laden with freshly baked breads like caraway sourdough, house-cranked sausages, and deliciously seasoned tender cuts that all exude the island's "eat local" lore. Selections change weekly. Most dishes are smaller, tapas-style options like oysters, beef tartare, pork belly, and octopus stew, alongside a duo of lamb and sesame-crusted albacore tuna, as well as the "Can't Decide" multi-plate chef's adventure for your taste buds (C$79). Simple veggies take on new grace, as in roasted carrots with ginger yogurt, walnuts, and raisins. The setting is a cozy, laid-back oasis in the heart of tourist-central. Choose to sit at the bar, an intimate corner table, or in the summer, a table in the inner outdoor-courtyard. A gourmet munchies menu runs 11 pm to 1 am making it an ideal post-concert hangout.