Giant waffles, served with bacon, berries and lashings of maple syrup. Just the thought of it now has me nearly dribbling over my laptop (sorry). Sadly I had food envy as my eggs faded in comparison to the delight on a plate that my fellow blogger was devouring. A week of eating like this though would really flummox my fight against the pounds. The food in Canada, however, was so very good throughout that the battle was lost before it had begun. And I indulged… a lot.
My Favourite Places to Eat In Downtown Victoria
Everywhere we ate throughout the trip was excellent. I had no idea that Canada was such a fabulous place to visit for food lovers. I’m sure there are plenty more excellent restaurants so please do leave a comment at the end of the post if you’d like to add any recommendations.
Here’s my round-up of my favourite foodie finds.
Willies Cafe and Bakery, 537 Johnson Street
The oldest bakery in British Columbia, Willies opened on the very same spot it occupies today back in 1887 in Old Town Victoria. They only use local and organic ingredients, portions are plentiful and I saw more than a few dishes I yearned to know more intimately than a passing glance. All day breakfasts, succulent salads, gourmet burgers and so much more is on the menu it’s hard to know what to pick but it was the waffle with strawberries and blackberries, bacon and maple syrup (pictured above) that stole the show and cost $10.50.Â
Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift Street
Don’t forget your travel adaptor
Worldwide travel adaptors are perfect no matter where you are travelling from or to. Buy this one from the US or this one from the UK
. It’s pretty much the only one you’ll ever need.
. It’s pretty much the only one you’ll ever need.North 48, 1005 Langley Street
Using ingredients that are as local, seasonal and as sustainable as possible, North 48 have selected a wonderful range of North American and international classics and elevated them to a whole new level. My two favourite dishes I ate whilst in Canada I had here.
After a cracking selection of starters and cocktails to get us in the mood, out came my chicken with green onion waffles and maple honey costing $18 with one piece of chicken, which I found plenty. It was absolutely superb. I couldn’t quite believe just how good it tasted. They can also serve it with tofu instead of chicken.
This was followed by S’mores, a new experience for me. I have to admit I did get a little carried away and probably added too much chocolate so it all got a bit messy but boy were they good. First I stabbed a marshmallow, then showing no mercy singed it to within an inch of its life. Meanwhile I smothered a biscuit with gooey dark chocolate and topped it off with the toasted marshmallow, then devoured it whole. Actually it was a little too big to devour whole which is where it got messy but it was a heavenly mess at that. The S’mores cost $12 for 2 people. Without doubt this was the best meal of the trip for me and that really is saying something as we ate so well throughout. Website: North 48 Restaurant
Victoria Public Market at the Hudson
I love exploring food markets and although rather small there are some great stalls here and it’s the perfect place to pick up some treats for a picnic or a light bite on the go. Be sure to check out the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company who specialise in handmade goat and sheep cheeses. Try a homemade pie from the Victoria Pie Company or some spicy Mexican flavours at La Cocina de Mama Oli. Website: Victoria Public Market
Street Food by the Inner Harbour
Wherever you eat, if you’re in downtown Victoria be sure to have a stroll around the Inner Harbour which is lovely whatever time of day you are here. Plus there’s a couple of great street food stalls where you can pick an inexpensive Greek gyro or souvlaki for just a few dollars or a 6oz beef burger with fries for $11.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Another lovely waterside location is Fisherman’s Wharf. Although I didn’t eat here there are a number of cafes that look very inviting but this area is just as much about the charming, if rather touristy, location as it is the food. Fisherman’s Wharf.
This article, along with thousands other travel articles, city maps, and self-guided walking tours can be found on the GPSmyCity app and are available with GPS directions that can be used without the need of an internet connection. Download my GPS guided food highlights of Victoria article today.
To find out more about this spectacular area of Canada visit
KeepExploring.Canada.travel
I visited Victoria as a guest of Destination Canada as part of a Travelator Media campaign.
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I’m here in Victoria now and so far, the absolute best place we’ve eaten is right across the street from where we are staying. It’s right near Fishermans Wharf but more of a neighborhood type place. It’s called IL COVO. Hands down the most flavorful, handmade food I’ve had in a long time. Enjoying exploring this city and all of its beauty & charm!
Sounds wonderful! Do let us know if you find any other particularly good spots. Such a lovely city. Have a fabulous time.
Don’t forget John’s Place & the Black Olive! Great fare, not too expensive.
Don’t know either of them Murray but hopefully I’ll be bacj there one day and will check them out.
I must admit those waffles have me drooling, sounds like there are plenty of places around Victoria to find an excellent meal to set you up for the wildlife watching
Total agreement on The Canoe Club and Willy’s but one can not miss a trip to Barb’s Fish and Chips at Fisherman’s wharf. Amazing!
I only had time for a quick look around Fisherman’s Wharf. While very touristy I still loved it there. It would have been good to have had time to sit down and relax over a coffee or meal. Next time!
The fish and chips at Barb’s are really good, actually, a definite try for anyone at Fishermens Wharf. Also the Island Farms icecream! Yum!
The berry waffles look amazing – I always try to go healthy at breakfast but next time I see those on the menu….! I’ve not every considered Victoria to be a foodie destination but you’ve changed my mind 🙂
I always intend to have a healthy breakfast but it rarley actually happens 😉
Victoria is just a hop, skip and a jump from us (actually a ferry ride from Vancouver). So it makes for a lovely getaway. We’ll have to try out these eating places next time we visit :-). Glad you’ve enjoyed your Canadian visit!
Oh I loved it! What a thoroughly wonderful place to live. You’re very lucky.
Stunning photos – when food tastes like that it is hard not to devour it! Bacon and waffles fascinates me – we had it loads in Maine, it shouldn’t work but it totally does!
Those waffles Kat!! I’d have totally lost the fight against the pounds too! I must admit, despite my sweet tooth, I too have never tried S’mores – they sound lovely and it seems Victoria has a great foodie scene ☺
Indeed it does! I’m sure you’d love the S’mores as much as I did (though you might be a little less messy about it!)
I’d heard of s’mores but had no idea what they were until I read your article, Kat!
I’ll certainly be keeping my eye out form on the menu from now on. There must be somewhere in London you can get them! I might have to Google that!
It’s always great to taste something new when visiting an unfamiliar place. Everything looks so delicious. Yummy!
Couldn’t agree with you more 🙂
Heading to BC in September! Thanks for the tips. Yum Yum Yum.
Looking forward to reading your posts from there. Such a lovely part of the world. I’m longing to go back.
Photographing food remains the bane of our existence. Sometimes we pull it off, at other times the light just does not help us.We don’t want to disturb other diners wile setting up the scene, so this is a round about way of saying – great food shots.
Thanks Paula but I know just what you mean. Eating outside in the daylight is best or by a window but dimly lit restaurants in the evening can be a challenge. I hate using flash and know it annoys people but sometimes you have to. And then there are the times when the food tastes great but looks awful! That happened to me the other day in Brighton. I simply couldn’t share a photo of brown gooh in a lovely Mexican restaurant even though it was very delicious brown gooh.
Kat, this brings back memories of my trip a few years ago.
I was only there for two nights and I had a conference so I’ll have to go back. Thanks for the suggestions.
Kerwin.
Oh my gosh,, the burger at Canoe Brewpub has me totally dissatisfied with the sandwich I’m eating right now. These look like great recommendations. Very cool that Willies is in the same spot as in 1887. The breakfast looks great.
Damn, all those pictures made me drool…brings back memories of some yummy meals! Agree with you that there are some great places to eat in Victoria!
I’d love to go back and eat it all over again!!