Restaurants

Though early Victoria settlers were intent on re-creating a little patch of the Old Country on their wild western island, the one thing they were never tempted to import was British cooking. Instead, following the Canadian norm, each immigrant group imported its own cuisine, so that now Victoria is 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.

Note that 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 dining scene in Victoria isn't nearly as sophisticated as Vancouver's, but more and more attention is being paid to the glories of fresh local produce. Good wines are now produced in the Cowichan Valley, and cheesemakers on Salt Spring Island are producing some delicious cheeses.

The one aspect of English cuisine Victoria did import was the delicious custom of afternoon tea. American visitors in particular should give it a try.

Most restaurants 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 in this section are in Old Town and no more than a 10-minute walk from most hotels. Thus, 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:

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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Maps

• Where to Dine in Victoria

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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				Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria 2008 Author: Donald Olson Pub Date: December 26, 2007 Price: $17.99				Related Titles: Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies For Dummies, 2nd Edition Frommer's Algonquin Provincial Park, 2nd Edition Frommer's Banff & Jasper National Parks, 3rd Edition