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Restaurants

Victoria has jumped on the foodie bandwagon and offers a cornucopia of culinary styles from around the world. With more than 700 restaurants in the area, something is available for every taste and wallet.

The touristy restaurants along Wharf Street serve mediocre food for folks they know they'll never have to see again. The canny visitor knows to head inland (even a block is enough), where the proportion of tourists to locals drops sharply and the quality jumps by leaps and bounds.

The one time-honored aspect of English cuisine Victoria is still known for is the custom of afternoon tea. American visitors in particular should give it a try.

Victoria is not the kind of late-night, show-off, see-and-be-seen dining city that Vancouver is. Most restaurants in Victoria close at 10pm. Reservations are strongly recommended for prime sunset seating during summer, especially on Friday and Saturday. No provincial tax is added to restaurant meals in British Columbia, just the 6% goods and services tax (GST).

Note: Because Victoria is so compact, most of the restaurants listed are in Old Town and no more than a 10-minute walk from most hotels. Thus, in this guide, I've listed public transit information only for those spots that are a bit farther out.

Finding High-Octane Coffee -- Good coffee is one of the great joys of life. Fortunately, Victoria's tea-party Englishness hasn't stopped it from buzzing into the same coffee-cuckooness that's engulfed Vancouver and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. Some to savor:

  • On a sunny day, head for Willy's, 537 Johnson St. (tel. 250/381-8414). Order your brew from the counter, and take a seat on the patio. This bakery serves up excellent sweets and great hot breakfasts. It's open Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm, and Sunday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
  • Out in Oak Bay, Ottavio, 2272 Oak Bay Ave. (tel. 250/592-4080; www.ottaviovictoria.com), is a charming cafe, bakery, and deli with great Italian pastries, snacks, and coffee. It's open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Take bus no. 2 Oak Bay to Oak Bay Avenue and Monterey Street.


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Best Dining Bets     List All Restaurants

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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