Coffeehouses in Victoria

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-cuckoo-ness that's engulfed Vancouver and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. Some to savor:

• On a sunny day, head for Willie'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. Take bus no. 2 Oak Bay to Oak Bay Avenue and Monterey Street.

• Some of the best all-round coffees in Victoria are served at the Caffè Artigiano (1140 Government St.; tel. 250/388-4147), beside the lobby of the Bedford Regency Hotel in Victoria's oldest (1867) building. It's open Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 6pm.

• It's not a glamorous place, but Habit (552 Pandora Ave.; tel. 250/294-1127; www.habitcoffee.com) is for coffee purists looking for hand-crafted java from seed to cup. Coffee here is custom-roasted using a 1918 vintage, cast-iron Royal #7 roaster! There's a newer, less bohemian, location in The Atrium (808 Yates St., tel.250/590-5953).