Season's Eatings

Victoria is a city where you can eat what you want to eat (and then some!). Home to the highest number of restaurants per capita in the country, you’re never more than a snowball’s throw away from our delightful culinary scene. Whether you’re seeking formal farm-to-table fare or shamelessly devouring a chocolate covered Beavertail before dinner at the in-laws, Victoria’s local restauranteurs are waiting to serve you up the best food the West Coast has to offer (no offense to Grandma’s stuffing).

Image: Muckle Tea for Two at White Heather Tearoom – @anne_niko (Instagram)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Breakfast

It’s breakfast time in the city, and you’ll find we do breakfast a little bit differently around here. Bigger and better! We take everything you love about breakfast, then locally-source it, Mahoney size it, and smother it in hollandaise. And you know what? It’s just glorious.

Floyd’s Diner has been serving up breakfast in Victoria for almost 20 years. Keep your eyes peeled for their signature pink buildings, they’re hard to miss. And so is the Mahoney! This massive dining challenge puts you head to head against their kitchen, as the in-house cooks are put to work to create you a unique one-of-a-kind dish. The catch, it’s up to them what they make for you! Feeling lucky? Put your money where your mouth is and flip for it, double or nothing. Win and it’s on the house, lose and you pay double.

Image: A Massive Mahoney at Floyd’s Diner – @antiprime (Instagram)

Here in Victoria, breakfast is more of an all-day kind of thing. Serving up fresh, locally sourced ingredients, The Village offers you the gift of choice this holiday season, BYOB – Build Your Own Breakfast . With 15 different breakfast items to choose from, create exactly what you’re craving, whether that’s powering yourself through the afternoon, or helping you shake off your New Year’s party. With several Greater Victoria locations to choose from, and open from 8am – 3pm daily, you can enjoy a quality breakfast whenever it suits you.

Image: Eggs Benedict and a Custom Built Breakfast at The Village – @lyndsey_eden (Instagram)

For a full list of breakfast options check out our Must-Try Brunch Spots Blog.

Frosty the Pint Glass

Calling all you happy, jolly souls. Warm up to some good company at one of our region’s historic pubs. These charming buildings are full of holiday cheer this time of year, and there’s no shortage of spirit to go around. Whether you’re in need of a cold beer, a festive tune, or the best traditional pub fare, look no further than Victoria’s distinctive pubs.

Soaked in history, The Bard & Banker comes to life during the holidays. The dining nooks of this beautiful room are adorned with decorations tying the Christmas season to their historical ambiance. A full-service menu that is locally sourced and made from scratch provides the perfect pairing for any one of their beers or wines. Live music takes to the stage every night in December (excluding December 25th), giving even more atmosphere to this happening pub.

Insider Tip: Getting the gang together? Try one of the Bard’s cocktail, mimosa, or beer towers.

Image: Holiday Decor Inside the Bard & Banker – @lyncanale (Instagram)

Founded in 1855, The Six Mile Pub & Eatery is the oldest pub in British Columbia, and it is steeped in tradition. In the pioneer spirit of the Island, The Six Mile farms a Riverside Organic Culinary Garden that provides most of the fresh herbs and some of the vegetables used to create their mouth-watering food. All hand-crafted menu items are made in-house, and ingredients are sourced from as close to home as possible. The remarkable charm of this stately building is not lost when they deck the halls with beautiful festive displays.

Image: Selection of Dishes from The Six Mile Pub & Eatery – @sixmilepub (Instagram)

Dining in a Westcoast Wonderland

With Victoria’s sub-Mediterranean climate, winter is milder around here. This special climate provides us more access to locally grown and harvested food year-round. Our unique connection with the Salish Sea provides us a natural bounty like no other. Forget coal in your stocking, if you find yourself dining in Victoria this holiday season, you’re on the nice list.

Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio overlooks the dazzling Victoria Inner Harbour. Enjoy a playful take on West Coast cuisine while you admire the views of Victoria’s landmarks enchantingly adorned in a festive light display. Christmas is a special time of year at Aura’s beautiful venue, where they ring in the Holidays with a charming Festive Small Plates Brunch. This set small plates menu features locally sourced produce, seafood, and more. Running from 11am until 3pm, December 4^th, 5^th, 11^th, 12^th, 18^th, and 19^th,  reservations are recommended, you don’t want to miss this charming holiday tradition.

For reservations to Aura’s Festive Small Plates Brunch reserve online, email, or call 250-414-6739.

Image: Festive Small Plates Brunch – Aura Restaurant + Patio

If you’re in the holiday spirit, then Fireside Grill is the place for you. Situated in a heritage building on an urban acreage, Fireside pulls out all the stops for the festive season. As you pull up their driveway, enjoy the immaculately landscaped grounds breathtakingly dressed in sparkling lights. When you step through the doors of this famously welcoming restaurant prepare to be swept off your feet. The main dining hall truly showcases the magic of the holidays as it comes to life with ornamental displays. Now that the ambiance is set, we can tell you about their extensive menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, craft beers, and fabulous wine selection. Surround yourself with family, at Fireside Grill.

Image: The Main Dining Room at Fireside Grill – @fireside_grill_victoria (Instagram)

All I Want for Christmas is Two Large Pizzas

Let’s be honest, as much as we all love it, the holiday season is a busy time of year. Sometimes you need to be fast and flexible during the season of go-go-go. Between company gift exchanges, drinks with the parents, and checking out local holiday events, we don’t always have time to sit down for a three-course dinner. Thankfully, Greater Victoria is home to some spectacular pizzeria’s that provide fresh, hot pizza that the whole family will love.

Image: Getting the Gang Together at FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room – @faropizza (Instagram)

Located on the corner of Market Square and Lower Johnson Street, you’re bound to have come across Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria during your holiday shopping spree. Think of Famoso as your neighborhood pizza joint. A fun and lively atmosphere welcomes all, and stone-fired pizzas keep people coming back. Give the gift of pizza this holiday season, whether that’s dining in, taking out, or everyone’s favourite stocking stuffer, a Famoso gift card.

A beacon for the holiday season, FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room is festooned with gorgeous Christmas elements. Offering a seasonally changing menu, FARO is the place to go to enjoy your winter favourites, slice by slice. Their Wood Stone pizza oven cooks up some of Victoria’s favourite pizzas. These scrumptious pizzas can be complimented with salads, small bites, and an amazing array of wines. You’ve just dropped the kids off at Grandma’s and finally have a second to relax, FARO’s takeaway Date Night for Two is a delicious and convenient option to keep you well fed when it’s finally time to unwind. Enjoy an appetizer, two pizzas, dessert, and a bottle of red or white wine for just $89 excluding taxes and gratuity with this fantastic Date Night package.

Image: Dining on the Patio at FARO Hancrafted Pizza and Tasting Room – FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room

The 12 Plates of Tapas

When you think of the holiday season, maybe Tapas isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But with an emphasis on sharing, family style dining, and a lively, fun environment, what could be more festive than tapas? Explore Spain’s eclectic cuisine complimented by fresh B.C. ingredients in our city’s fine Tapas lounges.

Meat and cheese, tapas calientes, sherry and vermouth, these are just a few of the flavours you can enjoy at Bodega. Bring the family together and explore a world of flavour at this one-of-a-kind Tapas Bar. Located in the iconic Trounce Alley, this beautiful dining experience feeds off the energy of the downtown core. Make sure you order one plate too many, you won’t regret it!

Insider Tip: It’s easy at a Tapas bar to overwhelmed with choice. But don’t miss out on Papas Supremas, this mix or roasted potatoes, spicy tomato sauce, garlic aioli, serrano ham, soft boiled egg, and Manchego cheese, is sure to be a table pleaser.

Special food calls for a special venue, and Perro Negro brings together magnificently presented food and a truly unique setting to bring you some of the best Tapas in the city. Local chef, Dave Craggs combines the freshest B.C. ingredients with Spanish flare to create an unforgettable culinary journey. Best enjoyed with friends, but no one will blame you if you want to go in solo on these delightful dishes.

Image: The Lively Dining Room at Perro Negro – @perronegrotapas (Instagram)

The Most Hungerful Time of the Year

Tis the season for dining. The season for discovering new flavours and reconnecting with holiday classics. Sometimes the holidays are about snacking as much as they are about family dinners. Bust out your mittens and hit the town to discover some of Victoria’s favourite local holiday sweet spots.

A Canadian holiday tradition, Beavertails Victoria serves up a real holiday treat inspired by our national animal. They take whole-wheat pastries, stretch them out to look like a Beaver’s tail, then float fry them on canola oil, and serve them piping hot topped with butter and delectable toppings. Your personal trainer can yell at you in January, don’t miss out on Beavertails’ mouthwatering deliciousness.

Image: The Bananarama Beavertail and Poutine at Beavertails Victoria – @alisisters_eatery (Instagram)

The elegant White Heather Tearoom has been baking for Victorians for over 20 years. Their elegant selection of teas, sweets, and pastries are sure to impress during the holiday season or any time of year. Blending regional and seasonal ingredients with stylish food art, this team of local ladies serves up one of Victoria’s most memorable culinary experiences then presents it on tasteful white linens and china. Transport yourself away from your holiday stressors and find a moment to be the princess you know you are at the White Heather Tearoom.

Image: Cheese Scones at the White Heather Tearoom – @whiteheathertearoom (Instagram)