Everything I Love About Victoria: My Personal Guide

I LOVE Victoria – one of my favourite places on earth. I recently spent 48 hours with my husband in the city and fell back in love with it. I’m sharing everything that I love about Victoria: my personal guide to where to eat, stay, and shop in beautiful Victoria, BC!

Victoria, truly has it all. Honestly, stepping off the ferry alone brings down your cortisol 10 notches. Victoria operates on a different frequency.

With a nod to its English heritage, its streets are filled with charming buildings, luscious gardens, and therapeutic oceanfront views…not to mention the vibrant food and drink scene! It’s no surprise it’s such a popular destination, offering everything from whale watching to high tea.

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During the two years I lived in Victoria while attending the University of Victoria from 1995 to 1998 (wow, instantly feel old) I explored the city inside and out. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. I recently Charles and I snuck away for 2 nights and it actually felt like we were dating again. It’s such a fun, quaint city full of charm, and I fell in love with the city all over again.

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Victoria’s History

Strolling the streets of Victoria feels like stepping back in time. It’s the capital city of the province of British Columbia, and named after (you guessed it) Queen Victoria.

The city is one of the oldest in the Pacific Northwest (British settlements began back in 1843), which is clear when you visit with all the charming historic buildings, especially its two most famous landmarks: the Parliament Buildings (finished in 1897 and home of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia) and the Empress Hotel which opened in 1908.

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Where to Stay in Victoria

• Magnolia Hotel & Spa: This is where I stayed on a previous solo trip and it’s a 10/10 for me. It is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the city, only steps from the harbour, shopping, and the best restaurants. I didn’t rent a car and didn’t need one. The beds were so comfortable, the service was incredible, and I even snuck in a massage in their lovely spa. The Magnolia has thought of everything, and even has little cards that offer curated tours for its guests based on interest (ie: shopping, pubs, bicycle routes…).
• Fairmont Empress: The Fairmont Empress in Victoria is an award-wining hotel and National Historic Site dating back to 1908. With unparalleled views over the Inner Harbour, this historic hotel (a.k.a a castle) is iconic, luxurious and as classy at they come. Even if you do not end up staying here, make some time to walk through it!
• Oak Bay Beach Hotel: I haven’t stayed here, but it comes highly recommended. Same with the Delta which is right on the water.
• Victoria Regent: Same with this hotel.
• Hotel Grand Pacific: Great location, right in the Inner Harbour and just steps to downtown and the BC Legislature and Parliament Buildings. I stayed here a long time ago and enjoyed it.

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Where to Eat in Victoria

The food scene in Victoria has exploded since I lived here in my early 20’s. This is a list of some of the top recommended places to eat:

Best Brunch in Victoria:

• Blue Foxx Cafe (breakfast)
• Jam Cafe (brunch – we LOVED this – 10/10)
• Ruby (breakfast & lunch)
• John’s Place (more casual)
• Floyd’s Diner (a fun diner with something special on the menu, “The Mahoney”. Simply tell your waiter/waitress “Bring me The Mahoney” and you’ll soon be facing something unique from their cooks who whip up whatever they feel like making)

Best Bakeries and Coffee Shops in Victoria:

• Murchie’s Tea & Coffee (next door to Munro’s books, so grab a new book and head in for hot cup!)
• Hey Happy
• The Fairmont Empress for Afternoon Tea: the royal treatment!
• Bon Macaron (French owned bakery dedicated to the mighty macaron! They even offer baking workshops)
• Crust Bakery
• Working Culture (bakery)

Best Pubs & Tapas in Victoria:

• The Tapa Bar
• Perro Negro (tapas & wine)
• Bard & Banker (a pub right on Government Street in the heart of the action. They also offer live music!)
• Irish Times (down the street from Bard & Banker – live Irish music and a cold pint and very friendly service)
• Citrus & Cane (a tropical cocktail bar)

Best Restaurants in Victoria:

• Pagliacci’s (for pasta and seafood)
• Boom + Batten (apparently they make a great martini and have ocean views!)
• Wind Cries Mary (VERY highly recommended!)
• Finest at the Sea (local’s go-to for the best fish & chips)
• Il Terazzo (apparently this is a MUST and you have to book ahead!!)
• Brasserie L’Ecole (French food made with local ingredients – book ahead and order the mussels)
• Marilena (another super highly recommended spot)
• Red Fish, Blue Fish (Amazing seafood truck down in the harbor- if you know me, you know I love a good fish taco and these were incredible, same with the fish and chips. Worth the lineup.)
• Tombo
• 5th Street Bar and Grill (family-friendly)
• Nourish (a great veggie-forward spot, located in an adorable heritage home: I enjoyed a meal here and the food was incredible – it’s a humble-looking restaurant, but don’t let that fool you)
• The Block (great Happy Hour!)
• The Courtney Room (Victoria’s Best New Restaurant! I ate there twice, once for breakfast, once for dinner and loved them both)
• Shuck Taylor’s (oysters and lobster rolls? Yes please!)
• Virtuous Pie (vegan pizza and ice cream)
• Rebar (this place has been around for decades: known for their plant-based food)
• Tacofino (a casual yet famous West Coast taco bar)
• Finn’s (seafood and steak house)
• 10 Acres Bistro (farm to table – I LOVED my meal here. I ordered the mussels and clams – delish. Such an adorable restaurant, I will be back)
• Deep Cove Chalet

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Where to Shop in Victoria

• Chintz & Company (I filled my suitcase with silk flowers, scroll to the end, and brought home a stunning vase. I could have filled the whole plane, it’s so lovely)
• Merchant Quarters
• Johnston Street (a one-block concentrated shopping district)
• Mayfair Mall
• Garden Market (grocery boutique)
• Russell’s Books
• Roger’s Chocolates (local chocolatier, such a beautiful store)
• Munro’s Books (a Victoria icon! This independent bookstore is a must-visit. I signed a bunch of copies of my new cookbook Fraîche and Simple if you’re on the hunt for one!)
• Nest & Nook (home decor store in Sidney, just outside of Victoria. I have purchased many items from this lovely shop!)
• Pigeonhole Home Store
• Charelli’s Cheese Shop
• Paboom (home decor)
• Nest & Nook Housewares (out in Sydney such a cute home store on the way to the ferries)
• The Market Garden (Luxury grocery store – swoon)

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Things to Do in Victoria

• Ogden Point Breakwater (a popular walk near downtown Victoria that follows the cement structure from Dallas Road out towards on the Juan de Fuca Strait to a lighthouse on its furthest end)
• Royal BC Museum
• Tour the Parliament Buildings (lights illuminate them each night, making it a great must-see on a nighttime stroll)
• Relax at a Spa:
  • Magnolia Spa (I got the massage but they are known for their facials and specializing in treatments for women of my age in their menopause era)
  • The Boathouse Spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel
  • Havn Noridc Spa: floating spa in the harbor? So unique!
• Trip to Oak Bay
• Take a stroll through Beacon Hill Park
• Get on the water: Find a local rental or tour company and kayak, paddle board or canoe in the Inner Harbour
• Take a water taxi
• Hike up Mount Douglas: The largest park in the Saanich area, Mount Douglas offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the area.
• Walk Government Street
• Butchart Gardens: This is a 120 year old famous 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay. It is a National Historic Site of Canada, with over 900 varieties! Complete with places to eat and drink inside to allow you to spend some serious time amongst the flowers.
• Miniature World
• Explore China Town. Fun fact: it is the first China Town in all of Canada!
• Craigdarroch Castle
• Victoria Bug Zoo

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