Top 5: Best Restaurants in Downtown Victoria, BC
Victoria has a huge and diverse culinary scene, so we've narrowed down the top 5 restaurants worth a visit!
John’s Place
John’s Place has been a staple in downtown Victoria since 1969! Everything is made in-house from scratch – including their mouth-wateringly good breads and dressings. They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch, with options for every diet and taste. We recommend the huevos rancheros and the Valentino Eggs Benny with wild smoked salmon lox and fresh avocado, as well as the make-your-own-omelette options!
They were also featured on Food Network Canada’s “You Gotta Eat Here” series, where they showcased their “Bat Outta Hell Meatloaf ‘n’ Eggs” as well as their classic Eggs Benedict. The decor is vintage and unique and the atmosphere is upbeat and joyful.
Located at 723 Pandora Avenue, it’s a bit of a walk from the Oswego Hotel, but we promise it’s worth it. Arrive early for breakfast and brunch service, as this place is adored by locals and often there’s a wait to be seated.
Aegir Room
Located conveniently inside the Oswego Hotel, the Aegir Room features seasonally-inspired menu items, with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options as well! We have a variety of craft cocktails, many of which are created with locally-made spirits.
The Aegir Room serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails, and often features live music performed by local and visiting artists. Some of our favourite dishes include the Chocolate Caramel Torte, the Oswego Salad, the Jerk Chicken Lollipops, and of course the Mussel Frites!
Currently, the Aegir does not accept reservations so be sure to arrive early!
Floyd’s Diner
There’s a reason the Food Network considers Victoria to be the brunch capital of Canada, and Floyd’s Diner is one of the best spots in town. First opened in 2004, this local restaurant has now opened 3 other locations on Vancouver Island due to its success.
They’re famous for their house-made hashes, eggs bennies, burgers, and cocktails! We also recommend trying your luck with the Mahoney – you will get a unique and delicious mystery dish, and at the end of your dining experience you flip a coin. If you win, you pay nothing, but if you lose, you pay double!
Floyd’s Diner (the original location in James Bay) is a 6-minute walk from the Oswego Hotel.
Il Terrazzo
For more than 30 years, Il Terrazzo has been one of Victoria’s favourite dinner spots. Open 7 nights a week from 4 pm – 9:15 pm, enjoy a luxurious Italian meal with a Pacific Northwest twist. The ambience is incredible – you’ll dine in an old-town courtyard, romantically illuminated with candlelight and cozy fireplaces.
Photo credit: @g_concierge on Instagram
Their menu features a lot of fresh local seafood, as well as some rarer imported items like Hokkaido deep-water scallops. We highly recommend the Spaghetti al Fuoco, with fresh tomatoes, almonds, chipotle peppers, arugula, and parmesan cheese. Their experienced sommeliers will help you select the perfect pairing for your dish!
Photo credit: @g_concierge on Instagram
Il Terrazzo is a 20-minute walk from the Oswego Hotel along Wharf Street, where you’ll get to experience the marina and all of the sights and shops along the way.
Fishhook
Fishhook specializes in Indian-French fusion, using primarily local and sustainably sourced seafood. Serving lunch and dinner, they also have some delicious shareable plates, including their signature Fishhook Poutine, with masala spiced fries, cheese curds, pakora cod, sweet tomato curry sauce, chilli honey drizzle, crispy fried onions and green onions. Their tartines are also to die for, with fresh, local ingredients like seared tuna, salmon belly, Humboldt squid, and cured sockeye.
Photo credit: @fishhookvic on Instagram
We also recommend their ‘Daily Khatch’, featuring your choice of salmon, tuna, rock cod or Humboldt squid, served over a deliciously spiced masala curry with basmati rice. All of their sauces are house-made, and they have options for gluten and dairy-free as well.
Photo credit: @fishhookvic on Instagram
The Food Network’s ‘Big Food Bucket List’ describes Fishhook’s offerings as “leading the way with the most bucket-list level seafood!” and they’re a quick 5-minute drive or cab ride away from the Oswego Hotel.