Monday, March 18, 2024

71 of the best dishes in and around Victoria and where to find them

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We all know Victoria has some amazing restaurants and delicious food, but when it comes to specific dishes, everyone has their favourites. 

Throughout the past year, many have been dreaming of their favourite restaurant dish they were missing and eagerly anticipating when they can get back to enjoying it – and we all know take-out just isn’t the same!

After over a year of changing restrictions and lockdowns, getting out there and back into restaurants for dine-in may be overwhelming. 

Where do we eat first? What’s the best dish on the menu? 

On a local subreddit, r/VictoriaBC, user fyrite asked the public to share their favourite local dishes, the go-tos, the ones people can’t live without. 

Victoria delivered, and over 300 recommendations were posted to the thread.

Fyrite took the recommendations and created a mass spreadsheet and map to allow the suggestions to be easily accessible and enjoyed by everyone!

Here are 71 of the best dishes in and around Victoria and where to find them:

Grandpa Jones Sandwich

  • The dish: Chopped brisket, pork butt, sausage, slaw, pickles and bbq sauce.
  • Where to find it: Jones BBQ, 1725 Cook Street

The Green Bastard Taco

  • The dish: Taco with deep fried avocado wedges, crispy cheddar, oh-snap and chipotle sauce, charred tomato salsa, pineapple, cilantro and snappy watercress slaw. 
  • Where you can find it: Taco Justice, 1580 Cook Street

Cannelloni di Maiale

  • The dish: Cannelloni filled with pulled pork and mozzarella, baked with savoy cabbage and smoked bacon, cream and topped with balsamic granny smith apple compote
  • Where you can find it: Il Terrazzo, 555 Johnson Street

Brisket Pizza

  • The dish: Brisket, dandelion, red onion, tomato sauce, and mozzarella pizza available on the restaurant’s takeout menu
  • Where you can find it: Agrius, 732 Yates Street

Almond Stuffed Dates

  • The dish: Six bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and an almond, drizzled with balsamic reduction
  • Where you can find it: Tapa Bar, 620 Trounce Alley

French Onion Soup

  • The dish: French onion soup with bacon and swiss croutons
  • Where you can find it: Brasserie L’Ecole, 1715 Government Street

Ricotta Gnudi

  • The dish: Hand rolled pasta with mushrooms and brussel sprouts
  • Where you can find it: Wind Cries Mary, 45 Bastion Square

Chicken Shawarma

  • The dish: Chicken marinated in 15 Herbs and Spices and slow cooked on a Vertical Rotisserie. You can get Bold Butchery’s chicken shawarma as a wrap, salad, poutine or bowl.
  • Where you can find it: Bold Butchery & Grill, 1420 Quadra Street

Truffle Chashu Ramen

  • The dish: Ramen noodles in pork and chicken broth, topped with Japanese braised pork belly, pickled shiitakes, scallions, white truffle oil, a fish cake, a soy marinated egg and togarashi
  • Where you can find it: Bao, 626 Fisgard Street

Moroccan Chicken Benny

  • The dish: Moroccan spiced chicken breast, sauteed brown button mushrooms & onions, palm date apple chutney, moroccan spiced holly. 
  • Where you can find it: Blue Fox Cafe, 919 Fort Street

Hawaiian Shoyu Fried Chicken

  • The dish: Fried local boneless chicken thighs, garlic pineapple glaze & furikake, grilled pineapple, avocado, pickled onion and Hawaiian Mac salad
  • Where you can find it: Smiths Bar & Restaurant, 777 Courtney Street

Spaghetti Aglio Olio Peperoncino

  • The dish: Spaghetti with garlic, oil and chillis
  • Where you can find it: Zambri’s, 820 Yates Street

Loaded Fries

  • The dish: Fries tossed in garlic oil, parmesan, bacon bits, sour cream and green onion.
  • Where you can find it: The Tartan Toque, 1507 Pandora Avenue

Baja Shrimp Tacos

  • The dish: Hand breaded and deep fried grey cod topped with chipotle mayo and your choice of spice.
  • Where you can find it: La Taquisa, 1017 Blanshard Street

Drunken Noodles

  • The dish: Flash fried rice noodles with chicken, chilies, onions, garlic, egg, fresh sweet basil leaves and bell peppers in a Thai seasoning sauce.
  • Where you can find it: Sabhai Thai, 2493 Beacon Avenue

Dempsey’s Lasagna

  • The dish: Beef lasagna with mushrooms, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. 
  • Where you can find it: Pagliacci’s, 1011 Broad Street

5th’s Famous Chicken Tenders

  • The dish: House made buttermilk-battered chicken breast tenders served with honey mustard sauce. 
  • Where you can find it: 5th St. Bar & Grill, 1028 Hillside Avenue

Truffle Mushroom Burger

  • The dish: Beef burger topped with garlic mushrooms, emmental cheese and truffle mayo.
  • Where you can find it: Pink Bicycle, 1008 Blanshard Street

Charred Broccoli Sandwich

  • The dish: Charred broccoli with date, mint, feta, sesame and mayo.
  • Where you can find it: Part and Parcel, 2656 Quadra Street

Crispy Calamari

  • The dish: Fried crisp and served with lemon, red onions, jalapenos, and Frankie’s house-made tzatziki.
  • Where you can find it: Frankie’s Modern Diner, Unit 38 910 Government Street

Albacore Tuna Tacone

  • The dish: Grilled medium-rare albacore tuna with spicy spot prawn mayo
  • Where you can find it: Red Fish Blue Fish, 1006 Wharf Street

Polish Benny

  • The dish: Perogies topped with bacon, caramelized onions and roasted garlic hollandaise
  • Where you can find it: Shine Cafe, 1324 Blanshard Street and 1548 Fort Street

The Forager Pizza

  • The dish: Walnut and arugula pesto, wild mushrooms, caramelized onions, italian sausage crumble topped with cashew mozzarella. 
  • Where you can find it: Virtuous Pie, 530 Pandora Avenue

Burrata and Tomato Salad

  • The dish: This vegetarian salad has fresh burrata cheese, brioche croutons, pesto, parmesan, balsamic and black pepper.
  • Where you can find it: Boom & Batten, 2 Paul Kane Place

Breakfast Bagel

  • The dish: Perfect way to start the day with many customizable options, served on a Mount Royal Bagel.
  • Where you can find it: Fernwood Coffee Company/Parsonage Cafe, 1105 Caledonia Avenue

Montreal Smoked Meat Poutine

Vindaloo mussels

  • The dish: One pound of mussels served in a white wine vindaloo broth with a lemony baguette.
  • Where you can find it: Fishhook, 805 Fort Street

Sweet & Sour Pork Belly

  • The dish: Crisp pork belly, chilli fried green beans, sweet soy and tamarind glaze served with steamed rice.
  • Where you can find it: Foo Asian Street Food, 769 Yates Street

Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chicken Wings

  • The dish: A classic. Honey garlic, Carolina BBQ sauce, Louisiana hot, Christie’s blue boys, Sea salt & cracked pepper, House Habanero hot also available.
  • Where you can find it: Christie’s Carriage House Pub, 1739 Fort Street

Beef Wellington

  • The dish: A meal if you’re ready to splurge! Served with mushroom duxelle, foie gras and puff pastry.
  • Where you can find it: Deep Cove Chalet, 11190 Chalet Road

Chicken and Vegetable Potstickers

  • The dish: Pan fried dumplings served with ponzu, sriracha mayo, pickled ginger, sesame and green onions.
  • Where you can find it: Darcy’s Pub, 1127 Wharf Street and 737 Goldstream Avenue

Garlic Soy Fried Chicken

  • The dish: Original, bone-in chicken with homemade Korean Style garlic soy sauce.
  • Where you can find it: Chimac, 512 Yates Street

Prawn Biryani

  • The dish: Basmati rice stir-fried with prawns, Indian spices and herbs topped with cashews.
  • Where you can find it: Turmeric Indian Cuisine, #103 777 Goldstream Avenue

Mixed Seafood Platter

  • The dish: Lightly breaded prawns, squid and scallops fried with garlic-pepper salt. 
  • Where you can find it: Tropical Island Restaurant, #1 3690 Shelbourne Street

Egg Mollete

  • The dish: Two fried eggs, refried beans, melted cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo on house baked cornbread. 
  • Where you can find it: Fuego Old Town Eatery, 1435 Store Street

Beetrice Burger

  • The dish: Beef burger with Vancouver Island sauce, lettuce, cheddar and house made pickled beets.
  • Where you can find it: Deadbeetz Burgers, 1950D Oak Bay Avenue

BLAT sandwich

  • The dish: Local bacon, roasted tomato, avocado, baby greens, aioli and grainy mustard on a ciabatta bun. 
  • Where you can find it: MARTA, 1600 Bay Street

Bambino Board

  • The dish: Local and International cheeses and cured meats with poached pear, toasted nuts, onion confit and house mustard.
  • Where you can find it: Fiamo Pizza & Wine Bar, 515 Yates Street

Greek Platter

  • The dish: Greek ribs, lamb chops, calamari, spanakopita, hummus, tzatziki, served on a bed of rice with Greek style roast potatoes, Greek salad, and pita bread.
  • Where you can find it: Il Greco Restaurant, 2900 Tillicum Road

Crispy Chicken Burrito

  • The dish: The crispy chicken burrito includes cabbage, pickled vegetables, chimichurri and buttermilk chili crema.
  • Where you can find it: Tacofino, 760 Pandora Avenue

Rucola E Crudo

  • The dish: Tomato, parmigiano, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto di parma and arugula.
  • Where you can find it: Pizzeria Prima Strada, 1990 Fort Street and 230 Cook Street

Chicken Udon

  • The dish: Chicken and grated daikon radish served on top of Sanuki Udon with soya flavoured sauce.
  • Where you can find it: Sen Zushi, 940 Fort Street

Spicy Chicken Donburi

  • The dish: Fresh and convenient to-go sushi, bowls and more!
  • Where you can find it: Fujiya, 3624 Shelbourne Street

Seafood Laksa

  • The dish: Prawns, wild salmon, pacific cod, saltspring island mussels, malaysian coconut curry, rice noodles and cilantro. 
  • Where you can find it: Ferris’ Grill & Garden Patio, 36 Yates Street

Breakfast Sandwich

  • The dish: Breakfast sandwich served on a house biscuit with chimichurri, egg, cheddar, tomato & avocado
  • Where you can find it: Ruth & Dean, 2509 Estevan Avenue

The Sausage Eggs Benedict

  • The dish: Eggs Benedict with your choice of grilled chorizo sausage or Italian
  • turkey sausage. The user recommends getting the eggs benedict on savoury cornbread!
  • Where you can find it: Johns Place, 723 Pandora Avenue

Big Crunch Chicken Burger

  • The dish: Crispy chicken burger with locally sourced chicken & buttermilk ranch.
  • Where you can find it: Big Wheel Burger, #703 771 Vernon Ave, 341 Cook Street, #210 172 Wilson Street and 2155 Sooke Road

Cinnamon Buns

  • The dish: Delicious and fresh cinnamon buns. The business recommends dropping by early or calling ahead as they sell out fast!
  • Where you can find it: Patisserie Daniel, 1729 Cook Street

Chana Masala Curry

  • The dish: Spicy chickpea and tomato coriander curry served with rice, achar, dahi, sambar and mango chutney. User recommends ordering the dish with tofu.
  • Where you can find it: The Mint Restaurant, 1414 Douglas Street

Braised Duck Legs

  • The dish: Duck legs served with roast turnips, cabbage and radish slaw, sherry-lime dressing and orange braising jus.
  • Where you can find it: Cafe Brio, 944 Fort Street

Imperial Prawns

Ultimate Meatball Panini

  • The dish: Meatball panini with tomato sauce, provolone cheese on a white or whole what panino
  • Where you can find it: Italian Food Imports, 1114 Blanshard Street

Salad Rolls

Roti

  • The dish: A West Indian/Caribbean flat bread served with your choice of curried chicken, shrimp, goat, vegetables, stewed pork, pulled pork, or fried fish.
  • Where you can find it: Trini To D Bone, 650 Burnside Road West

Breakfast Sandwich

  • The dish: Picnic Too’s breakfast sandwich comes with a fried egg with smoked bacon and havarti. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. 
  • Where you can find it: Picnic Too, 1019 Fort Street

Duck Wings

  • The dish: Wings served with orange coriander vinaigrette and house made ‘bread and butter’ pickles.
  • Where you can find it: Heron Rock Bistro, 435 Simcoe Street

Chicken Butter Masala 

  • The dish: Barbequed chicken cooked in rich butter masala gravy.
  • Where you can find it: Spice Valley, #910 1/2 Esquimalt Road

Chicken Katsu

  • The dish: A crispy fried chicken cutlet made with flaky Japanese panko breadcrumbs.
  • Where you can find it: Sushi Matsuri, 239 Menzies Street

Deep fried pickles

  • The dish: Breaded deep-fried dill pickle spears with roasted garlic & dill aioli.
  • Where you can find it: Garrick’s Head Pub, 1140 Government Street

Blueberry Muffin

  • The dish: The user recommends the blueberry muffin at Murchies, so it must be something special!
  • Where you can find it: Murchie’s Tea and Coffee, 102 – 1644 Hillside Avenue and 1110 Government Street

Spicy Salmon Bowl

  • The dish: The spicy salmon bowl comes with marinated salmon, sweet onions, green onions, cucumber, jalapenos, carrots, crab meat, seaweed salad, masago, pineapple, ginger, shoyu, spicy aioli, onion flakes and sesame seeds.
  • Where you can find it: Island Poké, 1674 Douglas Street and 111-829 Goldstream Avenue

Spicy Salmon Bowl

  • The dish: The spicy salmon bowl comes with marinated salmon, sweet onions, green onions, cucumber, jalapenos, carrots, crab meat, seaweed salad, masago, pineapple, ginger, shoyu, spicy aioli, onion flakes and sesame seeds.
  • Where you can find it: Island Poké, 1674 Douglas Street and 111-829 Goldstream Avenue

Scotch Egg

  • The dish: Boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried.
  • Where you can find it: Irish Times Pub, 1200 Government Street

Barbacoa Empanada

Mushroom Pizza

  • The dish: Pizza with mushrooms, cream, cheese, parmesan and herbs.
  • Where you can find it: Standard Pizza, 1515 Cook Street

Nanaimo Bars

  • The dish: Delicious, traditional nanaimo bars from one of the city’s oldest bakeries.
  • Where you can find it: Sidney Bakery, 2507 Beacon Avenue

The Mahoney

  • The dish: A Victoria brunch favourite! Chef’s choice of creation. Flip a coin at the end of your meal to pay double or nothing!
  • Where you can find it: Floyds Diner, 332 Menzies Street, 4496 W Saanich Road and 721 Station Avenue

Salmon Wellington

  • The dish: Salmon wrapped in puff pastry and baked.
  • Where you can find it: Flying Otter Grill, 950 Wharf Street

Dragon Bowl

  • The dish: Teriyaki tofu, ginger rice, wok fried vegetables, crispy onion, spicy yogurt and bean sprouts. 
  • Where you can find it: Browns Crafthouse Vic West, #100 184 Wilson Street

Grilled Cheese

  • The dish: Grilled cheese made with aged white cheddar, havarti, house pickles and local berry barbecue sauce. Can be served on a gluten free bun!
  • Where you can find it: Wheelies Motorcycles & Cafe, 2620 Rock Bay Avenue

Halibut Fish & Chips

  • The dish: Traditional fish and chips made from fresh halibut!
  • Where you can find it: Finest at Sea, 27 Erie Street

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