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Assorted dishes from Lot 1 Pasta Bar

Dine Around and Stay in Town 2023

Home > Tourism Victoria Blog > Dine Around and Stay in Town 2023

Dine Around and Stay in Town 2023

Posted on December 14, 2022

8 minute read | Categories: Dine Around and Stay in Town, Events, Culinary, Pubs, Deals and Promotions

Cocktails and appy's at Fathom in Victoria, BC

A beautiful spread at the newly opening restaurant, FATHOM

 

Get those stretchy pants ready. Victoria’s largest foodie event is back from January 20th – February 5th – this time with a kick-off Gala on the 19th!  

Dine Around and Stay in Town is our region’s most highly anticipated culinary festival, where over 50+ restaurants, pubs, and bars put their best dishes forward in designing prix-fixe, multiple course menus. These delicious meals range from $25 to $65, and are a fantastic way to sample that new restaurant you’ve been meaning to try.

Greater Victoria’s hotels participate by offering discounted deals on rooms, making it easy for non-locals to join in on the festivities! Staycations and date-nights have also been sweetened through the Stay in Town portion of Dine Around– have a few drinks at dinner, without the worries of a long commute back. 

We’ve tried to make your menu-research easier for you with this cheat-sheet. Read on to discover Dine Around’s 2023 participants!

Harbour Room at the Pendray Inn and Tea House

Harbour Room at the Pendray Inn and Teahouse

 

New to Dine Around

These highly acclaimed restaurants are new participants to Dine Around. Let’s give them a warm welcome! 

  • FathomHotel Grand Pacific’s newly re-imagined restaurant, Fathom shows off their seafood prowess through a $55 menu including entrees Spaghetti Vongole (which uses squid ink pasta!) and West Coast Surf & Turf.
  • House of Boateng – multiple-award winning Chef Castro combines flavours of Africa, the Caribbean, and the west coast in this delightful restaurant in Langford. 
  • Craft Beer Market – the place to be if you like to enjoy food with a side of fun! Waterfront views, an all-season patio, an indoor-outdoor fireplace and bar, and a games area accompany your meal at Victoria’s newest hotspot. 

The Dine Around menu spread at CRAFT

The Dine Around menu spread at CRAFT Beer Market

 

Downtown Victoria Restaurants

These fantastic options are conveniently located in Victoria’s downtown core.  Many of our Stay in Town hotels are also downtown, making the pre-and-post meal waddle a breeze!

  • Zambri’s – located on Yates and Blanshard, Zambri’s boasts classic Italian cuisine and a fine selection of Italian wines.
  • J.R. Slims – this restaurant has a great spot on Wharf Street, and prioritizes authenticity and genuine service. In short, they create experiences that feel like home!
  • Ferris’ Downstairs – near J.R. Slims, Ferris’ is a well-known Victorian classic frequented by locals.
  • The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – a juicy steak and tender seafood awaits you at the Keg, located on Fort and Wharf. If you find yourself to the north of Victoria, there is another participating location (located in the original Waterworks building) at 3940 Quadra St.! 
  • 10 Acres Commons – a welcoming place at Government and Humboldt, The Commons is a vibrant spot for cocktails, oysters, and shareable plates. 
  • Earl’s Kitchen and Bar – this spot on Government Street has a little of something for everyone to enjoy, and is a great spot to unwind after a day of work or shopping.

JR Slims' Red Wine Braised Lamb Shank

Red wine braised lamb shank at J.R. Slims

Ambience

Are you looking for a meal with a vibe? These selections offer a creative dining atmosphere, and can whip up a feast as delicious as it is photogenic.

  • Fiamo – think exposed brick walls, glowing lanterns, and an overall rustic-yet-sophisticated vibe served along with flavourful Italian dishes.
  • Q at the Empress – freshly modernized in 2016, the Fairmont Empress’ storied restaurant has a one-of-a-kind chic atmosphere involving pop-art portraits of British Royalty.
  • 10 Acres Bistro – dine inside or outside (it’s heated!) at Bistro, which brings a lush plant-filled space, candle-light, and delicious farm-to-fork dining to the table.
  • Bard & Banker – as one of Victoria’s most beautiful pubs, the Bard & Banker has a timelessly classic atmosphere, set in a building that was once the Bank of British Columbia in 1885.

Interior of Fairmont Empress' Q at the Empress

Interior of Fairmont Empress' Q at the Empress

 

With a View

We can't get enough of Victoria's views either. These restaurants all offer peak views of either the waterside or the city.

  • 10 Acres at the Pier – as the original 10 Acres restaurant, enjoy the epitome of farm-to-table dining in the picturesque seaside town of Sidney
  • LURE Restaurant + Bar – located inside the Delta Hotel, LURE offers one of Victoria’s Hottest Patios gazing out over the Inner Harbour.
  • Aura Waterfront Restaurant – the Inn at Laurel Point’s trendy restaurant offers globally-inspired small plates set against the backdrop of Victoria’s renowned Inner Harbour.Vista 18  - see it all with Vista 18, set on the 18th floor of the Chateau Victoria! As one of Victoria’s only rooftop restaurants, you can guarantee a birds’ eye view of the city. 
  • Marina Restaurant - With sweeping views of Mt. Baker and the Straits of Juan de Fuca, the Marina Restaurant at the Oak Bay Marina offers a feast for all your senses! Join them during Dine Around to sample their delicious seafood options

Location of Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, which houses LURE Restaurant + Patio

Location of Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, which houses LURE Restaurant + Patio

Lunch/Breakfast Options

While Dine Around is mostly dinner-oriented, a few of our participants are offering a lunch or breakfast menu as well! Check them out, and Dine Around all day.

  • Spinnakers - because hey, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! Spinnakers offers a $25 breakfast menu, a $35 lunch menu, and a $45 dinner menu this year, each great dish with its own suggested craft beer and wine pairing.
  • The Courtney Room - this elevated, elegant restaurant tucked inside Magnolia Hotel + Spa is offering a $35 lunch menu, or a $65 dinner menu if you just can't get enough!
  • Niche Grocerant – grocerant = grocery restaurant, and that’s exactly what Niche is! Offering carefully curated local ingredients and a feels-like-home atmosphere, you’re in for a treat.  

Interior of Niche Grocerant
Interior of Niche Grocerant

 

 

Unique Experiences

While no two Dine Around experiences are the same, these restaurants are offering a one-of-a-kind foodie experience that you may not have had the pleasure of trying yet. These are for the adventurous foodies!

  • Perro Negro – an intimate space offering Spanish tapas, Perro Negro is offering 8 shareable tapas for two for a modest price of $35.
  • L’Apero Wine & Cheese Bistro – this French restaurant specializes in all things wine and cheese! They offer a very creative Dine Around menu featuring three options: a cheese board, Swiss fondue, or a raclette as your main course!
  • Wind Cries Mary – this restaurant describes their menu as “elevated cabin food” and offers a unique perception of service with menu-items that are constantly changing.  Their four-course menu is meant to be shared and served “family-style”.

Perro Negro - Smoked Tuna with Piquillo Vinaigrette

Perro Negro - Smoked Tuna with Piquillo Vinaigrette

Dine Around Pubs

Victoria’s pub scene has a strong presence each Dine Around season. Will this be the first year you go on a Dine Around pub crawl? Go hungry!

•    Spinnaker’s – as Canada's first brewpub, Spinnaker's paves the way in our pub scene with innovative brews, recipes, and sustainability initiatives. They were named Victoria's Best Pub in 2019 by YAM Magazine!
•    Six Mile Pub – as British Columbia’s oldest pub, this beautiful space features an almost 100% gluten-free menu – and you’d never know the difference! 
•    Penny Farthing – tucked in the heart of Oak Bay Village, Penny Farthing capitalizes on coziness with four crackling fireplaces, great drinks, and a true English pub experience.
•    Sticky Wicket – a Victorian era pub and family restaurant located at the Strathcona Hotel, they offer Dine Around menu items such as French Onion Soup and a Steak & Lobster dish.
•    Irish Times Pub – as the winner of Best Irish Pub in North America, the Irish Times embraces Irish culture with food for the body, drink for the spirit, and music for the soul.
•    Steamship Grill & Bar – set in a building that welcomed steamship passengers from all over the world, Steamship aims to satisfy every palate and view-seeker, with stunning vistas of our harbour.

Dinner at the Bard and Banker

Dinner at the Bard and Banker

Family-Friendly Restaurants

Calling all families! Leave nobody behind with these family-friendly Dine Around restaurants.

  • Lot 1 – by the same owners as Bin 4 Burger lounge, Lot 1 Pasta Bar fuses traditional pastas with an international style at a great deal and generous portions. They also offer a kids menu!
  • Spinnaker’s – possibly Victoria’s most family-friendly pub, Spinnakers offers a vast kids’ menu that makes even us adults jealous.
  • Pagliacci’s – this well-adored downtown restaurant packs a lot of personality (and pasta!). Offering menus ranging from $25 - $55, they also have a two page Kids’ menu – for lunch, dinner, and brunch alike.

A delicious meal at Lot 1 Pasta Bar

A delicious meal at Lot 1 Pasta Bar

Date Night 

A beautiful setting, combined with expertly curated dishes and impeccable service make these options a delicious treat for your special someone. Make Dine Around a date-night tradition!
 

  • The Arbutus Room – this is a restaurant that emphasizes connection – to our food, to our sense of place, and to each other. Their $65 menu accommodates dietary restrictions and will leave you with a new favourite date spot. 
  • Ferris’ Oyster Bar and Grill (Upstairs) – the second floor of Ferris’ offers an upscale menu featuring fresh oysters, shellfish, local seafood & steaks, served in a beautiful room featuring brick walls, rustic wood floors & comfortable banquette seating.
  • Vis-à-vis – “face to face” in French, Vis-à-vis offers intimate seating that emphasizes personality and engagement. Enjoy traditional French cuisine paired with a perfect glass of wine.
  • Fire + Water – located inside Marriott Victoria Inner Harbour, this cozy restaurant boasts a palette-tempting $55 menu and a relaxing atmosphere. It’s a fantastic date-night option if you two are taking advantage of Marriott Victoria’s Stay In Town deal!

Diners enjoying the ambiance of Ferris Upstairs

Diners enjoying the ambiance of Ferris Upstairs

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