Season's Eatings: A guide to holiday dining in Victoria, BC
Victoria is a city known for it’s dining, so it’s no wonder when the holiday season rolls around, our local chefs pull out all the stops for a holiday spread that’s perfect for sharing. From fine dining in farm-to-table restaurants, to drinks in cozy pubs, and handheld treats that are perfect for on-the-go shopping, explore the flavours of the season with our guide to holiday dining in Victoria, BC.
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).
Seasonal drinks and delights
The Fairmont Empress, Canada's Castle on the Coast, rings in the festive season with a few fun ways to celebrate the season. Join the Empress in their grand tearoom for a Festive Afternoon Tea experience, as you sip teas, indulge in fine sweets, and soak in gorgeous harbour views. Not in the mood for tea? No problem. The crafty cocktail team at Q at the Empress is serving up Festive Cocktails, that put a contemporary twist on classic seasonal cocktails. Or make the most of Victoria's mild climate and enjoy Christmas on the Veranda, as you gather round the fire drinking hot chocolate and roasting s'mores.
Gourmet Gatherings
The Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort offers one of the most iconic views of the iconic Inner Harbour. During the holiday season, the resorts house restaurant, LURE Restaurant & Bar, transforms as their expansive patio becomes polka dotted with private dining domes. This holiday dining experience pairs breathtaking views with an immersive six-course dining experience where each course tells a story.
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.
Local tip: You can't miss Floyd's! With their vibrant pink exterior, spotting this local restaurant is as easy as picking out your breakfast from their menu.
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)
Cheer & beer
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.
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 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, and 19th, 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: Aura Restaurant + Patio
Festivities and flavour, fireside
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.
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.
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.
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)
Tea is tradition
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.
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