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    Breakwater

    3.5 (90 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Breakwater Photos

    BREAKWATER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Reviews With Photos

    a plate of fried chicken with a side of sour cream
    Adam M.

    Nice little place overlooking the ocean, you could see the mountains of Washingron State in the background. I had there wings, while a little small, they were tasty. They came with a parmesan dill sauce for dipping, would have preferred ranch but it was still good. Wife had the clam chowder but it was different than she is used to back home.

    a corner booth in a restaurant
    Christa M.

    The food was great but the service was lacking. We barely saw our server and she seemed unclear of certain ingredients and sauces that came with items. I ran out of water and ended up drinking my husband's water. The chowder was really good. The recipe was none like I ever had and had a great sweet creamy fresh flavor. It comes with a piece of bread that tastes like corn stuffing. It was good on it's own, just didn't match well with the chowder. My husband really liked the chicken wings. Said he wished they had those in Texas. Said it'd been better with ranch dressing instead of the cilantro parm sauce. Said it was good, but after a few wings, the sauce got boring and one note. The restaurant sits next to the water for scenic views. Large outdoor seating area.

    Nicole M.

    Cute little place! We stopped after getting off the cruise ship. Glad we found a spot to hang out and have a beer before our excursion. Would have loved to try the restaurant, but didn't have time this time around. Customer service was great as well!

    The view
    Sarah P.

    What an AMAZING FIND! This beautiful café/restaurant in the heart of downtown Victoria has - quite simply - the best, most reasonably priced, delicious breakfast I have had to date. We went for three days straight and every day was better and better. - The smoked salmon was fresh and the bagel perfectly done; the crispy capers were unreal. - the breakfast sandwich was to die for! Crispy bacon, spicy mayo, fresh onion. And it's only 6.75 without a salad. Such a steal! - Chai latte is very nice - the view is unbeatable!! Wish we could give this place 1000 stars !

    Latte
    Linda J.

    Breakwater has a small but incredibly tasty menu, along with a full cafe with lovely drinks and enormous cinnamon rolls. We ordered the local sausage breakfast sandwich, the classic Canadian bacon eggs benny, a latte, and a mocha. All were excellent, but that first bite of the eggs benny was the single best bite of food I had on our entire 7 day vacation. While I had just finished walking Victoria and Beacon Hill park for 3 hours in the rain, my fatigue and hunger only emphasized an already incredible dish.

    Happy hour tacos
    Kelly G.

    Happenstance brought us to this location. Fate made it worth e stop. What an incredibly awesome way to start our weekend. We stopped at the taproom rather than the bistro - wicked good choice of I say so myself. The staff was wicked awesome mostly because of their attitude and knowledge. I have secretly restricted dietary constraints while the hubby can eat pretty much anything. The staff talked with the chef and was able to provide options from their menu that I couple work with for food. Our waitstaff provides an initial option without chief consult and her knowledge was spot on as it was helpful to provide me with base nutrition I could use for decisions. Needless to say not only was the meal during happy hour wickedly delicious, it was phenomenally good and magically delicious! I have waited almost two years for a pint of my favorite pint @hoynebrewing Dark Matter! The tacos we especially well done with Mexican corn - two types (blue and white) and house made salad with a scratch squash and kale lightly grilled. You can't miss with this stop - who knows you might become a fan of Hoyne too

    Glen M.

    It's been a while since we had fish and chips. This fish and chips was delicious. The chips just the way I love them - freshly cut shoestring with malt vinegar. Mmm! The fish too was delicious. We were filled up when we left. The location and views were also so great. Service. Great! Great!

    Wild Lobster mushroom appetizer

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    6 days ago

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    1 year ago

    Good atmosphere and music, delicious food(great presentation), and quick food with very polite staff.

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    4 years ago

    I've eaten here twice and both times the service was slow and inattentive and the food was not very good.

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    Imagine Studio Café

    Imagine Studio Café

    3.9
    (34 reviews)
    0.7 km
    $$$

    I'm giving it 5 stars after realizing that this is not just an organic café in James Bay. It's an…read moreunconventional enrichment space and business model for troubled young adults that is making a difference in the community. There was no way that I could review it solely on the pastry received during our BC Bites & Sights tour. We met Dorothy who gave us a warm welcome. She provides a creative space, as well as an opportunity to those who need that inspiration. It's a unique work program! So, please have a heart when you experience slower than usual service. It may be a newcomer in training. We have all been there at some point in our lives. I love the creativity here! It's not just about coffee. They serve fresh out of the oven pizzas. We didn't get to see the bread and bannock. I really would have loved to try bannock which is sort of the Scottish precursor to the Native American fry bread (but, not really). You'll just have to read about it. What we did try was a pastry with custard, strawberries, and rhubarb. It was very good. I especially loved the rhubarb. I was also in love with the plants in the garden. It overlooks a park, and it's very close to Fisherman's Wharf. A great location! It's true that we only got a small taste of Victoria, but it did leave a lasting impression. There's so much more to this capital city that needs to be explored in more detail. Hopefully, we'll get that chance one day in the future.

    Fun space with a good selection of pastries. Came here in the morning and got a cheese danish,…read morecinnamon roll, and biscuit which were all great. Also got coffee which was a bit disappointing. I got an oat milk latte ($1.25 extra) and it was pretty bitter I could not drink it. Maybe it was an off day for them. If I lived closer I would return and try some of their other offerings like the pizza!

    Photos
    Imagine Studio Café
    Custard filled pastry. Yummy
    Custard filled pastry. Yummy
    Imagine Studio Café

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    Piggy & Paisley

    Piggy & Paisley

    4.1
    (7 reviews)
    0.8 km

    I brought my husband here for his first time ever having a traditional tea experience…read more Unfortunately, at the time we had a bit of a crisis that was happening at home and it was hard for us to sit and just enjoy our meal because we were dealing with a crisis, however, the server was so sweet and genuine and understanding about us being somewhat distracted. Despite our side quest, my husband still told me he enjoyed every second of that tea lunch and had a great time. They do a really good job about decorating it making it feel very authentic, and the tea was delicious and they really went above and beyond to explain everything that we were receiving. I would definitely go back!

    piggy and paisley is a small, charming local café in james bay that fits really naturally into the…read moreneighbourhood. it's located just across from thrifty foods and a short walk from victoria's inner harbour. james bay itself feels quite different from downtown. while the core of victoria is busy with tourists, government buildings, and constant movement around the harbour, james bay feels more residential and relaxed, with tree lined streets, older homes, independent shops, and a steady local rhythm. i stopped in for a matcha latte with oat milk and sat by the bay window. it's an easy place to slow down for a bit and watch the neighbourhood go by. natural light fills the space, softening the pink tones and cozy interior, and there's a quiet, comfortable hum of conversation in the background. during my visit, a few people were catching up over tea, others were working on laptops, and some were simply enjoying coffee and pastries. it has a very unhurried feel to it, like people naturally settle in. afternoon tea is available but needs to be booked in advance. there are also small curated displays throughout the café with teas, gifts, and artisan items available for purchase. it feels thoughtfully selected and woven into the space rather than presented as a separate shop, which adds to the overall charm without distracting from the café experience. what stands out most is the atmosphere. it feels genuinely local. regulars come in and out, conversations happen easily, and even as a visitor you feel comfortable settling into the space. it feels more like a neighbourhood café that naturally belongs where it is. if you're in victoria, it's worth stepping away from the inner harbour and downtown for a bit. wandering into james bay and spending time at piggy and paisley gives you a quieter, more local side of the city that many visitors miss, and it's a nice place to slow down for a while.

    Photos
    Piggy & Paisley
    3 tier plate
    3 tier plate
    Piggy & Paisley

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    Heron Rock Bistro

    Heron Rock Bistro

    4.3
    (140 reviews)
    0.7 km
    $$

    I've been to Heron Rock a handful of times now over several years and it's always been such a…read morestaple brunch spot! The bennys are my fave. Today we had the smoked salmon benny half order with a fresh salad and my hubby on the Dungeness crab and prawn benny with the roasted potato's and onions. We were very pleased with both. What I love most about the Benny is their hollandaise sauce - so lemony and light and they put the perfect amount on each - ie not drenched but nicely poured. The staff is super nice and overall the place feels homey. You also aren't waiting in lines to get good brunch which is always a bonus especially coming from Vancouver where everyone and their dog is going for brunch and lining up. This spot is very unassuming and kind of hidden behind the building. Highly recommend! They also have a cute patio if you're feeling some sunshine!

    We're kicking ourselves for not taking photos of the beautiful food! While visiting Victoria for a…read morelong weekend to celebrate my husband's birthday, this restaurant turned out to be the highlight of our entire culinary trip--and we've eaten very well while visiting from our home, just a ferry ride away. The service was impeccable from start to finish. The staff and management were warm, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. Every dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. We had reserved in advance and asked for a booth and the manager gave these 2 old guys a fantastic booth by the window, which made the evening even more special. A memorable dining experience with outstanding food and service. Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Heron Rock bar and bistro.
    Heron Rock bar and bistro.
    Steak
    Steak
    Outside dining area

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    Outside dining area

    Breakwater - cafes - Updated July 2026

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