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VICTORIA, BC
All the hot spots to check out in BC's capital
- 3958
- 922
55 Places
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Issabelle’s 5-star review: Best. Nail. Salon. In. Victoria. Cody (the owner) and Nathan are WONDERFUL. Every visit I've had, they do their best to make you feel welcome and relaxed. They genuinely care about their clients and are hilarious to talk to, which is something I really enjoy when I'm getting my nails done. I have never ever been disappointed by the service here, and they do such a great job with your nails. My friend came in once and got her nails done by a trainee and didn't like her nails, so Cody had her come in and re-did her nails for free, which I thought was awesome of him! They are always getting new colours in to add to their impressive selection, which is exciting because every time I visit there are always new colours to pick from. Also, let me rave about their massage chairs for a second because boy, are they comfy! I've almost fallen asleep in them a couple times while getting pedicures. Since it is located in a small plaza there is a lot of parking around. I'm sad I don't live on the island anymore because it's been hard to find a nail salon that I enjoy as much as C&H! You can expect I'll always give them a visit when I'm in town visiting. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Upgrading McRae's to 5 stars because after 9+ years of coming here consistently, I still love it just as much (maybe more). When I was in college this was mine and my friend group's go to weekend brunch spot. We knew all the servers by name, they knew our orders, we were the weekend brunch regulars. Fast forward to 2020, everytime I visit Victoria, I still come here. To me, it's not a trip to Victoria without having at least one McRae's caesar. In the past, I usually stuck to the traditional breakfast, breakfast burrito, or the pulled pork burrito. However, I'm not eating meat these days, so I strayed from my usual and got the curry falafel wrap. It was delicious and jam packed with flavour in every bite. Pair this with a poutine, some $5 caesars and a round of shafts and I'm a happy camper with a very satisfied belly. Like I mentioned, in my previous review, you really can't go wrong with their menu. The only things I'd avoid are the burger and nachos as I feel like you can get a better bang for your buck with other dishes from their menu. Service has always consistently been fantastic. The staff that work here are gems and very down to earth. Kudos for always hiring great staff, McRae's! For Covid, they've extended their patio more out into the parking lot to accommodate more people outdoors and are only allowing 6 to a table (as per BC regulations). Thanks for always making me feel at home over the last 9+ years, McRae's. Love you long time.
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Issabelle’s 5-star review: If you love delicious breakfast (and lunch) choices and don't mind waiting in a 45+ minute line, then Jam is the spot for you! Once you are seated, you are greeted with friendly servers and a mouth-watering menu to decide from. Lots of different savory and sweet choices. All the portions are generous and make for great leftovers. I really love the Charlie bowl (because leftovers) and have only really gotten that and the pulled pork sandwich. If you enjoy caesars, Jam has the best caesars in town. If you like bacon, you'll love their sugar coated bacon garnish! -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: Don't come here and expect a quiet dinner - it's a pub, the music will be loud and the customers will be loud. It's a great place to grab dinner and drinks with your friends on the weekend, or drinks after work I've come here a couple times, this time for a "Burger and Beers" event that my friends were putting on. For how many people were in our group (30+) they were very accommodating. Service was great and attentive for how many busy it was. We got special gift cards that limited us to just burgers, so I chose the beef patty, added bacon and cheddar, wrapped in lettuce, with a side of the Caesar salad. I really enjoyed the burger because of how simple it was - everything you could want for a bacon cheeseburger. There is also a good selection of drinks and pub style food on their menu. -
Issabelle’s 3-star review: My girlfriends and I decided to come here for drinks and dinner before we went out for the night. After going to the downtown location for the last couple years, I was excited to check out this new location. Being a Saturday night and we were a group of 7, I was expecting to wait for a while, but we snagged a table on their covered patio right away. I was excited to eat their pesto shrimp pizza, since it's my go-to. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I have always been a fan of Brown's pizza because it was in the form of a flatbread and had more toppings on it. The pizza I got during my last visit just wasn't what I was expecting. The shrimp was tiny, there was barely any pesto, the pizza was really cold, and it seemed like they just threw the arugula on after the pizza was baked. I do want to give them the benefit of the doubt and think it was just this time around because I have had such great experiences in the past. But it was just a bummer to come in with high expectations. Next time I'll branch out and try something else. Pro tip: their bellinis are amazing and come with sour peaches -- amazing! -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. I love this place so much. When I lived in Victoria, I would come here all the time, but since I've moved to Vancouver, I've only been here once in the last 5-6 months. Buuuut, I finally got to come back here this past weekend and it was like coming home. It had the same comfort-style breakfast foods and the quality was exactly the same, maybe even better (although I could have been biased since I missed this place so much). I usually stick to my usual traditional breakfasts (sausage, egg, bacon, check!), however, whenever I came to Urban Cup, I was trying something different. Whether it's their breakfast or lunch menu, you can't really go wrong. They have a soup + sandwich special that changes daily, and every time it's looked delicious! It's hard to pinpoint what my favourite dish is here. It might be a tie between their hashbrowns (home-style pan fried) or clam chowder. But like I said before, everything on this menu is delicious. What's really nice about UC is that you order and pay right when you walk in, seat yourselves, and the food gets brought out to you. So when you're finished you can take your time and leave whenever, without trying to get your server's attention to pay your bill. It's a bit of a hidden gem really, overshined by the more popular brunch spots like Jam and Blue Fox, but if you're looking to avoid the long lines, pay for a (cheap) amazing breakfast, and don't want to go downtown, then come here. You won't regret it. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: Yum, yum, yum! I always love a good burger joint that serves up outrageous creations, and serving outrageous burger creations is what The Pink Bicycle is known for. If you've had more than enough Bin 4 (although how can you have enough Bin 4) and are looking for something similar, yet different, then come here. PB is known for their gourmet style burgers and friendly staff. You can't really miss this place if you're walking by, seeing as how they have a massive pink bicycle in their window. The tables are all really close together, so if you like to be a bit more spaced out, I don't think you'd be a big fan of their set-up. I'm not kidding when I say you can hear all your neighbour's conversations. The numerous times I did visit here I ordered the Pink Bicycle Burger and added smoked bacon. All I gotta say is that I would order a plate of their bacon alone. SO. GOOD. They also have delicious caesars, if that's your kind of drink (garnished w/ bacon...). I have also tried their regular poutine, mac & cheese sticks, and their Moroccan Veggie burger, which all were ah-mazing. Feelin' burgers while your downtown? Come here. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: I wish they had The Warehouse when I lived in Victoria! Given how many students live in this city, The Warehouse is a great (and much needed) addition to the downtown scene. I came here with a group of 8 over the weekend and no surprise, it was packed. Luckily for us, we got there right when a large party was leaving and we took their table. If you're familiar with The Warehouses in Vancouver, then nothing should surprise you about the Victoria location. They have the same $5 food menu and fun, energetic ambiance, and similar drink specials, which makes it a guaranteed hot spot for the many broke students. If you aren't into waiting in line, then come here for lunch or right before 6! All in all, good large portions for $5, and a very fun place to grab drinks on the weekend. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Yet another brunch review by yours truly. I love The Village and personally think they should open up a location in Vancouver because they would do so well. Let's get one thing out of the way - all their locations (including this one) are small, so if you aren't a fan of waiting in line for delicious brunch, then this is no exception. My recommendation? Come after 1:30 and on a weekday. This has never failed me. Now on to the good stuff: everything else! Their food menu is delicious and all their ingredients are locally sourced (bonus points!). Their ambiance is vibrant and happy. Their service has always been wonderful. Honestly, nothing to complain about. All their bennys are ah-mazing. You have the option to have them served on english muffins or potato latkes, and the latkes are the way to go! It sounds interesting, but trust me, it's delicious. They also serve red barn bacon, which is some of the best bacon I've ever tasted. You can't really go wrong with anything on their menu. Oh, and they serve up some mean brunch drinks if that's your thing. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: Out of all the sushi spots in Victoria, this has got to be one of my favourite ones. It's in a convenient location surrounded by fast food chains like Dairy Queen, McDonalds, and Little Caesars, so if sushi isn't your thing and fast food is, you've got some options. Aside from their convenient location, they do serve up a mean plate of sushi. Their food quality is fresh and delicious, and they have a wide selection of "classic" and "special" roll options. All their rolls are on the larger end, compared to other sushi restaurants in the city. My personal favourites are the crispy roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, and sweet chili sauce) and dragon roll (bbq eel, avocado, unagi sauce), which I'd 110% recommend. Very casual dining atmosphere, quick service, good sushi, cheap prices, need I say more? -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: I felt really sad when I visited Tacofino in Vancouver the other day and I couldn't review it because I'd already written a review for it. Then I remembered, I'd been to the Victoria Tacofino numerous times and I hadn't written anything for them yet... So, here I am. This location is way smaller and has more of a condensed menu than it's Vancity counter-part, but the food is still just as good. Their menu is most similar to their burrito bar in Gastown, with a few added tacos in the mix. A favourite of mine at this location is their tortilla soup. It has the perfect amount of flavour and just enough tortillas to add some crispiness. Their burritos? Still just as good. Tacos? Yup, you bet they're good too. But hey, who I am to judge? I love all things burrito and taco related. This location is located in an up and coming area on Fort Street, right next to Antique Row. So, after your meal, there are plenty of interesting things to see around the area. 100% would recommend.
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Issabelle’s 5-star review: Victoria has plenty of brunch spots to offer (being the brunch capital of Canada and all), and Shine definitely earns a place in my top 5. Over the years of living in this city, I have visited Shine at least over 20 times, no exaggeration. During those 20+ or so visits, I've tried a majority of their menu. Some personal favourites? Robin's Hash, Urbanite Omelette (SO. GOOD.), Coastal Omelette, and the Polish Benny (served on top a bed of perogies). They have a good selection of savoury and sweet breakfast as well as lunch options. Service has always been stellar. The ambiance is your typical Vic brunch joint -- upbeat, fun, and charismatic. Beware though: if your someone who doesn't like waiting 30+ minutes in line, don't come here on the weekends before 1:30. During the week: come after 1. Pro tip: get the Polish Benny. You won't regret it. Oh, and they also serve the best dang hashbrowns I've ever tasted by far. Shine is always worth the wait in my opinion. -
Issabelle’s 2-star review: It really makes me sad when I write 2-star reviews, but after numerous visits to Azuma, I just can't give it more than 2 stars. I really wanted to like Azuma because: 1) I love sushi 2) They are conveniently located right in the middle of downtown right next to the mall. 3) Their interior decor is beautiful But, that's as far as it goes. Every time I've been the service has been awful, and I don't say that about many places. I kept going back to give it another chance, but each time it was still the same. On most of my visits, service was extremely slow (when not busy), servers forgot our food/drinks and staff was rude and looked like we were bothering them. On one particular trip, I came here for a birthday dinner. The dinner was mediocre, service was still not the greatest. It was at the end of the dinner where things went downhill. Most of us were paying separately, which is common for large groups. When we were finished paying, our server got angry at us for not tipping more than 20%. All of us were shocked because even after the horrible service and bland food, all of us still tipped. He continued to get more and more upset with us, even after we had explained to him the circumstances. We asked to speak with the manager, and the manager was not apologetic whatsoever. He pretty much told us to leave and scurried us out the door. That was the last time I have visited Azuma. Now, if you're in the area and really want to try their food, go ahead, but be prepared for mediocre quality and slow service. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: It's impossible to miss the bright pink building in the heart of downtown. Like any other brunch spot in Victoria, the lines are usually through the door, but if you have the patience to wait it out, I'd highly recommend it. Floyd's is a staple in the Victoria brunch scene. Why? Gigantic portions and their Mahoney. Their Mahoney is basically the chef's creation. You have two choices to make: #1) lunch or breakfast and 2) savoury or sweet. That is all the say you have in the equation. Every time I've experienced the Mahoney I have 4 leftover meals for later. I've seen sandwich towers, hashbrowns galore, french toast scrambles, and so much more. The catch to The Mahoney is you have the choice to flip a coin to either get your meal for free OR double the price. You can also just pay the $16 flat rate, but it's always fun to live a little ;) Their menu has a wide variety of brunch and lunch items, all with creative names like "The Wedding Crasher Meatloaf", "Listen To Me While I'm Talking Son", and "Double The Pleasure". Coffee is always served right away, service is great, and everything I've tasted on their menu is delicious, some of my favourites including the BC Hash and 420 Benny. If you're looking to stuff your face over an amazing breakfast, Floyds is your go-to! -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: I used to live down the street from Fairfield Fish & Chips, and I have to say, I think I gained at least 5-10 pounds just from the halibut, fries and popcorn shrimp I consumed from this place. No, it wasn't from the copious amount of drinking and binge eating, it was definitely just from Fairfield's food. With that being said, their fish and chips are so yummy. They coat their fish with a beer batter and deep fry them to perfection. The fries are large, none of that small weenie fry stuff, and perfectly salty. Their popcorn shrimp has got to be one of my favourites from their menu because 1) how many they give you -- bang for your buck, dude. $11 for all that popcorn shrimp? I'll take it. 2) It just tastes so freakin' good. Pair it with their tartar sauce and some ketchup? Now we're talking. The shop itself is small and family-run by this cute older couple, who try to remember their customers by name. There are no tables inside, so I'd recommend taking this to go (not like you have a choice), or if you're really lucky, grab a seat at one of their 3 tables right outside the shop. Either way, no matter where you eat your fish and chips/popcorn shrimp, you won't be disappointed. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Ohhhhhhh this has got to be one of my top 5 favourite brunch spots ever. In typical Victoria brunch scene fashion, there is usually always a line out the door. However, I've been very lucky every time I've come to visit that I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a table (weekdays, people! It's the best time to go!). Let's talk about their menu... Options, on options, on options! Savoury pancakes? You got it. Eggs Benedict? Yup! Omelets with a twist? Hell yes! They basically have everything on their menu, is what I'm saying. Plus, they have a delicious lunch menu as well. If you want to eat light? Don't worry, they got you covered for that too. Everything I've tried has been fantastic. To list a few faves: Moroccan Chicken Benny, Eggs el Jimador, Eggs Pacifico (oh my god), Breakfast Quesadilla, and their Veggie Burger. I just got so hungry writing all that out. My favourite part of their menu are their breakfast cocktails (of course). Yes, they have a whole part of their menu dedicated to just breakfast cocktails. Some personal favourites? Bloody Caesar, Guavarita, and Iced Chocolate Chai. All so different, but all heaven in a glass. One thing you have to be patient with is drinks -- all the servers have to make their own drinks, so it does take a bit of time. But hey, enjoy the art on the walls, watch the people devour their yummy breakfast next to you, talk to the person you're with, and be patient! Because it's not the end of the world if your drinks are taking a bit longer to come out. Come to Blue Fox. Enjoy the ambiance. Eat their delicious food. You won't regret it. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: Thanks to my best friends living down the street from this place, I was able to discover Superior Pizza. This pizza spot is James Bay gold. Located in the James Bay Square Plaza, directly next to Thriftys, this pizza hot spot has big waves of business. So, good for them. We came in on a Sunday afternoon wanting slices of pizza and ended up leaving with 2 whole pizzas. We got the All-Canadian and Pesto Chicken. For 2 medium pizzas we paid $28. Not a bad deal at all. The pizza itself was so delicious. The toppings were fresh, the dough was perfectly crispy, and the flavour was on point. I was in pizza heaven. This spot is a grab and go kind of place. While there are a few small tables around to dine, I'd recommend taking it to go and enjoying it at home. I'm sure I'll see you again in the future, Superior! -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: I love me some Barb's. Situated in the beautiful Fisherman's Wharf, Barb's is the best place to grab a bite before or after wandering around the dock. Beware: long lines are bound to happen. But, that just shows how great their food is. Once you finally make it to the front, you can order anything from fish and chips, fried prawns, chowders, and sandwiches. After you've ordered, they'll give you a buzzer. Once that buzzes you can pick up your food on the side. Extra dips, cutlery, napkins, and drinks are all off to the side as well. Everytime I've been to visit I've ordered the halibut fish and chips. Add some vinegar and dip it in the tartar sauce, and now we're talking! I've also tried their seafood chowder and deep fried prawns, which are both delicious. The portions are fairly large, so I'd recommend splitting the fish and chips if you aren't feeling too hungry. The only reason I give them 4 stars instead of 5 is because of how steep their prices are. Yes, it's in a tourist area, but when I was a student I would've loved to come visit more, but it was just too pricey. My advice? Grab some halibut fish and chips from Barb's, walk around the dock a bit, look at the pretty floating houses, feed the seals, and then stop by Jackson's ice cream for dessert. Great afternoon well spent. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Every board game you can think of... in one place. What more could you want? Oh wait... add tasty snacks and soon-to-be liqour to that? Hell to the yes! The Board Game Cafe is a huge hit in Victoria. Being the only one of it's kind in the city, they are constantly busy on weekends. Not a bad thing for them. It's located in a convenient location Downtown. The only thing is you'll have to find street parking or park in a garage if you decide to drive. When you walk in you pay a $5 all-you-can-play fee, which is a fantastic deal. They also sell plenty of the board games at the front if you're really invested in a particular one. This spot is great for a date night, friends night, or family night out. Guaranteed to be a fun night out! A great atmosphere and overall fun, badass business! -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: There is one reason you come to Red Barn. And that's for their amazing deli. Specifically their sandwiches and wraps. My mouth is drooling just thinking about them right now. Everyone in Victoria knows (or at least they should know) about the infamous Red Barn wraps. They're delicious. I don't know what it is that makes the majority of Victoria population so in love with Red Barn. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. Maybe it's their fresh, delicious ingredients. Maybe, it's just so damn good. I'm still speaking about the deli of course. How it works: you order the bread/wrap, you order the protein/veggies, you top it off with sauce, then you have the option to grill it if you want. Always go for the grill. You get it, it's a build your own sandwich/wrap bar. But it's not just a sandwich/wrap bar. It's probably the BEST sandwich/wrap bar. Plus their portions are huge! Oh, and I can't write a review without talking about their bacon. Even though I'm not eating meat anymore, I'd still sneak in a piece of their bacon. All you need to know is that it's candied, delicious, and you will never eat another piece of bacon the same way again. They also have a market that sells plenty of local and healthy products. I used to always pick up something else like a bag of chips or some fruit when I came in for my wrap, because, I have no self control and like to impulse buy. Point is, you're sure to find something you need here. AND it's all local - bonus points! Anyways, when I was living in Vic, I would get their wraps very regularly. Yes, they were that good. Hey Red Barn, how about you open up a location in Vancouver soon? Thanks! -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: If you're coming to Lucky it's for one of two reasons: 90's night or a concert. I've never really been here for any other occasion really. 90's night. One of Victoria's favourite nights out dancing the night away to Spice Girls, TLC and Backstreet Boys. Beware the long lines though. Make sure to get you and your pals on guest list to avoid the lines. The staff at Lucky are awesome and I've seen them put up with a lot. As most bar staff usually do when dealing with hundreds of intoxicated guests. The bartenders are all super friendly and efficient. Make sure to ask them to do a shot out of the shot-ski. The bar itself is fairly small. There's one large bar and the dance floor fills up fairly quickly. Hence why there are such long lines. I found that whenever I went to Lucky's I ran into tons of people I knew. Maybe that's just the university scene though. I haven't been to a 90's night in forever and I kind of miss it. Maybe on my next trip to Victoria? -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Review #350 is dedicated to a place near and dear to my heart. 4 main reasons why I love the City of Victoria: 1. There is something about the island and the west coast that just screams nature and beauty. Victoria is no different. There is just something about having the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Even if you don't like nature, you'd be crazy not to appreciate the beauty of this city. 2. Fun fact: Victoria is the brunch capital of Canada. Meaning, there are endless brunch spots around the city. And yes, they are all delicious. Even if some of your faves are busy and lines are out the door, just hop on the Yelp app and find another one close by. There is no shortage of brunch in this city. 3. Echoing what Simon L. said, the old England feel is everywhere in the city. Whether you're in James Bay, downtown, or even out in Sidney by the ferries, the English appeal is mixed in with the modern buildings of the city. 4. Fisherman's Wharf and the Inner Harbour during the summer. Yeah, it's probably two of the top tourist things to do in the city. But as a former local, I still love it. There's something about seeing the vendors lined up at the harbour and walking around with an ice cream cone around all the floating homes in Fisherman's Wharf that made me feel right at home. Vic, you'll always have a special place in my heart. I'm very lucky to have been able to call this city home for 5 years of my life. TL;DR - British Columbia's capital, that is famous for it's beauty and mild climate. A must add to your bucket list if you plan on visiting the West Coast. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: 3 reasons why I love Sticky: 1. It has been my friend's and I go to bar for the past 5+ years. Even though I don't live in Vic anymore, whenever I do come back to visit, we still go to Sticky. Every single time it's been a good time. Thank you Sticky for all the shafts, tequila, vodka crans, and gin & tonics you've given me over the last 5+ years. 2. The layout. For a lot of people, their layout can get really confusing. But I love it. The main entrance into Sticky leads into a restaurant with a really large wrap around bar. Behind that is the Clubs Room, which is kind of a wannabe nightclub. Next to Sticky, is The Games Room, which has another bar, pool tables and darts. That is mine and my friend's go-to spot. There is also an area upstairs where you can get more drinks. It's usually blocked off though for private events most nights. 3. Fun and cheap. If you're a local (especially if you're in school), be prepared to run into at least 10-15 people you know. This is a popular spot for students on most nights, which makes for an entertaining evening. Make sure to get the bartender's attention early and tip well! Pro-tip: Lines get long on the weekends, so make sure your name is on the guest list or befriend the bouncers. TL;DR - A fun, cheap, bar where you can meet new people, play pool + darts, and enjoy a tequila shot or three. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: I looooove me some West Coast Waffles. Why? 3 reasons. 1. They're just so damn good. Now, I'm usually not a waffle person. I'm team pancake all the way. But I can never say no to West Coast Waffles. They have both sweet and savoury options, which makes it that much harder to choose. I usually go sweet and get the Banana and Nutella. But in the past I've tried their Mexican Sunrise from their breakfast menu, Wake n' Bacon, Pizza, Veggie, and Canadian. I have never once been disappointed. You can also get a fro-yo waffle sandwich. Yes, that's a thing. Yes, it's freakin' delicious. 2. The staff working are so much fun! They're open late on weekends, so they tend to get hit with the drunk, after-bar/club crowd, and the staff have always been SO patient and kind. This isn't your typical waffle bar, this is a cool waffle bar. 3. They serve beer! Beer, waffles, and good times? Okay, sign me up. TL;DR - A delicious waffle bar that serves up all kinds of sweet and savoury waffle goodness. Open past 1am on weekends. -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: 4 stars for a filling burger and poutine that was my go to for a year. I used to live in Cook St. Village, and if I was ever craving a burger and fries, Big Wheel was my main spot. They have a few different burger options on the menu, a vegetarian patty, hot dogs, and milkshakes. Their burgers were always some of my fave because of their soft melt-in-your-mouth buns. The poutine for $8 was a huge steal because the portions were large. No complaints here! The place is set up fast food style - order at the counters and pick up when ready. You can dine in the restaurant or take it to go. If it's a nice day, I recommend taking it go and eating it picnic style down by Dallas Road to soak in the views. They've opened up a new location as well, but I have yet to check that one out. I need to pay Big Wheel another visit soon and get my BWB poutine fix! -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Hello to the new cafe of my dreams! Delicious coffee: check. Vibrant, trendy, and aesthetically pleasing decor and furniture: check. Cute, funny, and friendly staff: check. Really though. If I could build a cafe from the ground up, it would look like Bear & Joey. Everything from the food, to the wall art, to the wallpaper, to the light fixtures is aesthetically pleasing. I wanted to take pictures of everything. Dine in wasn't an option yet when I popped in, but we were able to take our food outside and sit on the benches directly outside. Right now they're running with a limited food menu, but the owner mentioned that they will be releasing a full brunch menu soon. There was a staff member to greet us right at the door and direct us on where to order and sit. The baristas were so friendly and gave me great recommendations on what to order. I ordered an oat milk latte, beet and squash salad, and Tait's Scroll (savoury vegan pastry). I loved everything I ate. The salad had a generous amount of crispy greens, beets, squash, dressing, and toppings. I was in salad heaven. My friend got their breakfast sandwich which came with a pink beetroot brioche bun. Talk about a photo worthy dish! Thank you for the delicious coffee and food experience, Bear & Joey! I can't wait to come back to try their full brunch menu soon! -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: Y'all. This place is great. Three main reasons why I love them: 1) They have one of the best happy hour menus in Victoria. This isn't some stingy happy hour menu with 5-6 dishes and 3 drinks. Their happy hour menu consists of 10-15 different dishes and a great cheap drink list. Plus, this special is offered daily versus other places that only offer happy hour on weekdays. 2) Their food is delicious! A few of my favourites are the calamari (doused in curry powder, which is surprisingly impeccable), ceviche (fresh, fresh, fresh!), crispy chicken tacos (their happy hour menu comes with three), clam chowder, and popcorn oysters (deep fried oysters, essentially). I'm not going to lie, I could come here only for their calamari and be a happy camper, they're that good. 3) If you snag a seat on the patio, the views overlook the Inner Harbour and the Parliament building. Which, during the summers are absolutely gorgeous. I've only ever come for happy hour, but their a la carte lunch and dinner menu looks just as great. Service has always been quick and efficient. No complaints from this gal! Thanks for the delicious happy hour drinks and calamari, Commons! -
Issabelle’s 4-star review: In my opinion, LURE has one of the best patios and ocean front views in Victoria. I came here a few times a few years ago when I lived in Victoria and have had a couple things from their menu. But upon looking at their menu on my most recent trip they've changed up their menu and a few of the things I've tried are no longer on the menu. On this particular trip, our large group of 10 came in on a Friday night and expected to wait a long time for a patio table, but surprisingly were able to snag a sweet, cozy spot right by the firepit. We all ordered two rounds of drinks, a few gin and tonics, vodka sodas, old fashioneds, and shafts (a local Victoria coffee cocktail) to go around. We also split a few olive tapenade flatbreads. I wasn't a big fan of the flatbreads, so I was here mostly to drink, to be fully honest. Our server was awesome, bubbly, and got our drinks and appies to us very quickly. I wish I remembered her name because she was lovely! This spot is great for a girl's night, date night, or anytime you want to enjoy a cocktail (or non-alchy bevvy) with a view. -
Issabelle’s 5-star review: FORK'N PORK HAS MY DRUNKEN HEART! Actually, drunk or sober, Fork'n Pork is the bomb.com. They specialize in the ultimate comfort food: mac and cheese. Since they're so close to so many downtown bars and nightclubs, this spot is a late night snack staple and you can find plenty of party people waiting here to get their late night munchies fix. Their menu is an assortment of mac and cheeses that you can add any type of protein to - pulled pork, bacon, chicken, kimchi, you name it! After a long night of drinking, my pal and I shared two baked mac and cheese poutines and were in carby, cheesy heaven. Would 100000% return to Fork'n Pork drunk or sober. Lactose intolerants, celiacs, and vegans stay far, far, far away! -
Issabelle’s 2-star review: I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty bummed about mine and my friend's experience at Cenote this weekend. It started out great when our group of 10 was able to snag a table right away during a busy Saturday night. The hostess who sat us was lovely and accomodating. But unfortunately service-wise, that's where it goes south. Our server seemed to hate us the entire time. I'm not even kidding. We felt so uncomfortable. I want to preface this by saying that our group of ladies were very polite and respectful the entire time. There were a few times where we were probably a bit louder because we were laughing at a joke, but other than that, we didn't think we did anything wrong. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt and say maybe we caught her on a bad day. Anyway, we were mostly here for cocktails but some of us ordered a few appetizers from their dinner menu and fresh sheet. The pesto pasta, buffalo cauliflower, watermelon and goat cheese salad, and for me, the truffle popcorn. To drink, all my pals got the feature cocktail and I got a whiskey sour. We all loved our drinks. All my friend's food came out first, except my popcorn. I waved over our server after not receiving the popcorn and she said it would be out shortly. It didn't come out till 30 minutes later, when all my friends were already done with their food. Which to me is surprising because the popcorn should have been the easiet dish to prepare. If our server had apologized or communicated a bit better, I may have not been as annoyed, but since there was a lack of apology and/or communication, I wasn't the happiest camper. Thankful for good friends and good conversation so that I could be distracted. At the end, my friend got a take out box to put her pasta in and when our server came back with the box she dropped it in front of her and said "here" in a very rude, aggressive way. While she was taking our payments, she avoided all eye contact with us and again, just looked like she hated us. Or maybe she didn't want to be there and was taking it out on us. But it was just weird seeing her be more friendly to some of her other tables and then whenver she'd come over to us, be the complete opposite. It's a bummer because we would've loved to stay around here longer for another drink, because the cocktails were delicious, but we just felt so rushed and uncomfortable that we just decided to leave.
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