I’m planning to spend a couple of days in Victoria BC, mainly to go to the Royal BC Museum. However, it’s been ages since I’ve been to Victoria–can any of you make recommendations for things to see or places to eat? (Aside from the standard stuff like Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, the Crystal Palace, or the wax museum.)
I probably won’t have a car, but haven’t made a final decision yet.
I lived in Victoria for five years, but I haven’t been there really in about a year and a half. I don’t have any tourist attraction type recommendations but can give you some restaurant ideas:
The Blue Fox restaurant (Fort St near Quadra). They do breakfast and lunch only - their lunches are pretty good and their breakfasts are DIVINE. Be prepared to wait in line to get in as it’s a small place and they don’t make reservations. I assure you, it is well worth the wait.
Christie’s Carriage House Pub (Fort St near Leighton [in Oak Bay]). Excellent pub and english comfort food. My personal not-feeling-fat-enough meal there was the bangers and mash.
KAZ Sushi (Store St near Fisgard). Best damn sushi I’ve ever eaten, I suggest sitting at the counter and watching the master work.
Nautical Nellie’s (Wharf St near Broughton). I can’t really explain their menu, but you can look for yourself here.
Siam (Fort St near Wharf). The best Thai food in Victoria.
Check out Bastion Square downtown. There’s heritage buildings, a great coffee shop and huge outdoor patio, and the Maritime Museum as well.
Rent a scooter ! They should have a map of the Scenic Drive: Dallas Road - Beach Drive - Oak Bay Ave - back to Wharf Street. You’ll see beautiful houses and gardens, windboarders and stunt kites at Clover Point Park (on Dallas Road tour).
The best Asian food is now found at the Noodle Box. Medium spicy is enough to tingle your nose and start the beginnings of a sniffle. Hot is not unlike self-flagellation. Be warned!
Take a Harbour Tour. I highly recommend both the Harbour Tour and the Gorge Tour. You won’t be disappointed.
Chinatown is cool too. One shop turns into another shop, then you pop out into a skinny alley, enter a shop in another building, and continue shopping through the maze. Much fun!
I hope you enjoy your visit, in any event.
My grandmother lived in Victoria, so I used to spend quite a bit of time up there. There are two restaurants that I would highly recommend:
Pagliacci’s-on Broad street. Not only is the food wonderful, but the service is excellent. The owner, Howie Siegal flits from table to table chatting to everone. In short, a sterotypical italian restaurant, complete with the celebrity portraits on the wall.
Barb’s -on the waterfront. I love their fish and chips.
For some places to see, you may want to visit Beacon Hill Park and the antique shops along Fort. There is a nice used book store there, the name of which escapes me.
Have tea at the Empress Hotel.