A new restaurant in downtown Victoria has been crowned as a top 10 new spot to try!
Every year, Air Canada compiles a list of top best new restaurants across the country for their enRoute magazine, beginning with top 30—which was released in early September—which represent the most noteworthy openings in our country’s dining scene!
At the time, two of Victoria’s newest and brightest made this longlist, the Marilena Café & Raw Bar and Ugly Duckling.
On Monday, the top 10 best new restaurants were unveiled, with Toronto’s Kappo Sato restaurant securing the coveted top position, while Victoria’s Marilena Café and Raw Bar claimed the third spot!
Related: Toptable opens first-ever restaurant in Victoria and it’s absolutely stunning (PHOTOS)
Marilena opened in downtown Victoria in June and Victoria Buzz had the pleasure of getting a sneak peak at what Marilena is offering—not only the unbelievable food but the atmosphere they’ve created as well.
Situated in LEED Building at 1525 Douglas, this new restaurant places emphasis on seafood and features a magnificent cocktail and 42-page wine program — key ingredients and spirits either hand-selected internationally or locally sourced.
In sampling courses from the menu, Executive Chef Kristian Eligh’s passion for the curation of good food is clearly evident.
“The focus is local and imported sustainable seafood…it’s a fun experience for the diners because there’s so much to explore and so much to see,” Eligh said in an interview.
The deep cocktail menu was created by the Bar Manager, Jayce Kadyschuk, and contains an adventure for any palette. It’s filled with drinks made from premium whiskey, vodka, gin, mezcal, rum, and more!
Their Executive Chef, Kristian Eligh, has returned home to Vancouver Island in the midst of this new role after exploring all aspects of the culinary industry for the last two decades.
In an interview with Victoria Buzz, he stated that he’s very excited to present a carefully crafted and passionately created menu for visitors to enjoy.
“We’re trying to put Victoria on the map and grow the culinary scene here, so it’s important for us to be reaching out to local farms and local fishermen,” Eligh said.
Here is the complete list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2023:
- Kappo Sato (Toronto, ON)
- Wild Blue (Whistler, BC)
- Marilena Café and Raw Bar (Victoria, BC)
- Rizzo’s House of Parm (Fort Erie, ON)
- Petit Socco (Winnipeg, MB)
- Bonheur D’Occasion (Montreal, QC)
- Folke (Vancouver, BC)
- Le Molière par Mousso (Montreal, QC)
- Espace Old Mill (Stanbridge East, QC)
- Darlings (Bloomfield, ON)
Marilena Café & Raw Bar
- Where: 1525 Douglas Street
- When: Open 7 days a week from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
