The Aerie (600 Ebedora Lane, Malahat; tel. 800/518-1933 or 250/743-7115): Even if you're not staying at the Aerie, you might want to consider eating there, because chef Christophe Letard's cooking is as unmistakably French as his accent, and très fantastique.
SeaGrille (Brentwood Bay Lodge, 849 Verdier Ave.; tel. 888/544-2079 or 250/544-5100): The beautiful dining room of Brentwood Bay Lodge, about 20 minutes north of Victoria, serves a regionally inspired menu that changes daily according to what is fresh and in season. The wine list is exemplary.
Camille's (45 Bastion Sq.; tel. 250/381-3433): Enjoy a glass of fine wine as you savor the fresh, comforting Pacific Northwest cuisine at this quiet, cozy, candlelit restaurant in downtown Victoria.
The Fairmont Empress (721 Government St.; tel. 250/384-8111): If you're doing the high tea thing only once, you may as well do it right, and there's no better place than Victoria's hotel crown jewel, where the tea is delicious and the service impeccable.
Sooke Harbour House (1528 Whiffen Spit Rd., Sooke; tel. 800/889-9688 or 250/642-3421): Quality, inventiveness, and incredible attention to detail make this fabled inn the most memorable dining experience in (well, near) Victoria. It serves the best gifts from the sea and its own garden, and eating here is always a culinary adventure, well worth the money and the trip.
Best Spot for a Romantic Dinner: Camille's, 45 Bastion Sq. (tel. 250/381-3433), offers a quiet, intimate, candlelit room and a wine list with a bottle or glass for every occasion.
Best Pacific Northwest: Much of the menu at Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whiffen Spit Rd., Sooke (tel. 800/889-9688 or 250/642-3421), is picked fresh from the adjacent garden, a treasure-trove of edible beauty. You'll find unique seasonal flavors, inventive cooking, and a superlative wine cellar.
Best Local Crowd: Café Brio, 944 Fort St. (tel. 250/383-0009), one of Victoria's top dining spots, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007 and remains a local fave.
Best for Kids: rebar, 50 Bastion Sq. (tel. 250/361-9223), offers large portions, terrific quality, and a funky laid-back atmosphere.
Best Burgers & Beer: Six Mile Pub, 494 Island Hwy., View Royal (tel. 250/478-3121), offers 10 house brews, juicy burgers (even veggie burgers), and loads of British pub-style atmosphere.
Best Afternoon or High Tea: How can you brag about your trip to Victoria if you don't include tea at the Fairmont Empress, 721 Government St. (tel. 250/384-8111)? It's more than a tradition -- it's a legendary experience, and the closest you'll come to reliving a bygone era.
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.
