Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Canada and is only three to six feet wide and 240…read morefeet long, that runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street). It came into being between 1885 and 1920 as Chinese and Western landowners initially constructed buildings fronting on Fisgard and Cormorant, then over time filled in the spaces behind with new building. "Fan Tan" is named after a game played in gambling dens above the alley. The lower storefronts housed opium dens, restaurants, and shops. Opium was legal in Canada until 1908, but gambling was not. Trap doors to second floors and locked gates at each end of the alley helped slow down police during raids on the illegal gambling dens. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a neat shopping street with several locally owned stores. The shops are small in size, but each offers something different. Products available in Fan Tan Alley range from ice cream and other treats to vintage records and trendy clothing. Another key feature of Fan Tan Alley is its architecture. A significant amount of the exterior has a brick finish. The old buildings appear extra tall thanks to the street's narrow width.

fan tan alley feels like a secret the city almost doesn't want you to find…read more you can wander through victoria's chinatown without noticing it, then suddenly there it is: an impossibly narrow passage wedged between old brick buildings. stepping in feels less like entering an alley and more like slipping behind the curtain of the city. its name comes from fan tan, a gambling game once played in hidden rooms nearby. a century ago, this alley was alive with apartments, businesses, clan halls, gambling dens, and opium rooms, all connected by stairways, courtyards, and passageways mostly invisible from the street. while some activity was secretive, the bigger story is the community that thrived here despite discrimination and exclusion. for generations of chinese immigrants, fan tan alley offered work, friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. the buildings and hidden courtyards weren't just functional, they were the backbone of a community carving out its own space in a world that often shut them out. the narrow alley, tiny doorways, upper windows, and unusual fractional addresses like "1/2" all hint at the dense, layered way life was lived here. today, fan tan alley hums with a quieter energy. independent shops, galleries, studios, and cafés occupy spaces that once hid games, meetings, and everyday life. the history isn't confined to plaques or museum displays, it lingers in the narrow passage, the hidden courtyards, and the oddly numbered doorways. for all the stories of gambling dens and opium rooms, what remains most striking is the sense that this was, above all, a place where people built lives. walking through it feels less like seeing a landmark and more like stumbling across a piece of history that never quite disappeared.

When I left Victoria in '11, this building had just started to renovate. Now that is is finished I…read morespent a sunny Victoria lunch hour wandering the harbour and decided to peek in. The building holds a Starbuck, restaurant with bar and Robert Bateman Center Shop and Gallery upstairs. I loved that they stayed true to the original design of the building it is so beautiful.

Looks long and it is a long walk. Just a little over a mile in length but feels longer when the…read morewind is swirling. Hoodie good, hat not good. Did not make it to the lighthouse in fear of missing the ferry. Beautiful views.

This is a great place to visit if you are at the Victoria, British Columbia, Canada cruise port…read more It's walking distance from the ships to see the water and lighthouse. This is a great walking activity. Approximately 1 mile walk round-trip from the cruise terminal.

After 9 days on a ship with piss poor food we were so happy to get real food that had thought put…read morebehind it...The service was fantastic and the server was Jasmine and she didn't miss a beat! The parmesan chicken was so tender and so flavorful. Also, my butternut squash ravioli with the brown butter sauce was phenomenal.!

Great wine! We stopped in before dinner! The service was spot on- quick to accommodate us, we sat…read moreat the bar and were served quickly. Very romantic atmosphere with darker/red lights - the food menu looked yummy so would be open to going back for food!

Just another excellent evening with the restaurant folks! This time, finding the place was easier…read more(it's off a back alley). Got there just when they opened and got a prime seating near (but not to near) one of the fireplaces (they have several italian brick style). The restaurant has many twists and turns creating many wonderful dining alcoves. Very inviting to sit and talk. So on a cold December evening we both had the Polo Appollonia; a wonderful mixture of garlic, bacon, and cheesey pasta. But the real star of the meal were the appetizers! Amazing tasting tomato soup, and the insalata caprese. The salad had a large portion of crisp tomatoes served with like a half pound of real homemade buffalo mozzarella, and lots of fresh basil. Almost a meal. The waiter was very helpful in selections of the food and some wine. We will definitely be back on our next visit to Vancouver Island.

What a wonderful little gem! Food and service were excellent. I loved the decor of this…read morerestaurant. I was a tourist visiting, yet if I'm in town again, this is a must visit. This is what other restaurants should strive to be like.

It's the tall sculpture centered in a triangular shaped median space called Triangle Green. It's a…read morestrange place for a park with benches, but it's the perfect place for this sculpture. I thought it looked particularly nice all lit up at night. I'm not sure that many tourists know the subject matter. All art is subjective. At first glance, it looks like flowering tulips. Once you see the canoe, then it all makes sense. The canoe is passing through reeds in a marsh. You'll understand it a little better after searching for the artist's name. The artist (Illarion Gallant) created it as a way to connect people with the First Nations of Fort Victoria. The canoe represents the areas history of trading. I did read that the sculpture was once in the center of Bastion Square. It was moved to Triangle Green which appears to be a more appropriate space for it. I can't even imagine what it looked like in a concrete plaza as opposed to being surrounded by greenery. It really caught my eye as we were walking down Johnson Street near the bridge during a walking tour of the city. It's a pretty sight to see.

In 1963, the 100th birthday of Victoria was marked by the creation of Centennial Square. It's right…read morenext to heritage City Hall and was on the way during one of the walks that Gayle and I took through Victoria. The square features 60s modern design with fountain, benches and curved steps, surrounded with trees and planters. Then there's the McPherson Playhouse, the police station, a parkade and specialty shops, a senior citizen's centre and a sunken 'Knot Garden' , all arranged around this public Centennial Square. It is also home to Summer in the Square, and Ice Skating rink in the Winter, and occasional Occupy-like protests.

Andy does a great job on this local food tour. He chooses a mix of local vendors that are places…read moreyou might not necessarily walk into on your own - but you'd be missing out if you didn't! He also balances the tour (about six stops) with anecdotes about the history of Victoria and how immigration built a food culture - adding immensely to the experience. Me and my vegetarian spouse both loved the tour. Highlights included an awesome and hearty meat ball and an Anjali Spring Roll with an amazing peanut sauce. You'll definitely feel full after the tour so plan on a lighter lunch and dinner!

A Taste of Victoria was a terrific tour for us, and Andy really made it so! He tells so much…read moreinteresting history and background not only of Victoria, but the various districts and even streets and alleys along the way. And he works hard to have six of the tastiest treats you'd want to try, ready at just the right time as you walk through Victoria. He even helped one shop prepare their Matcha lemonade for us when they were overrun with customers! Besides the lemonade, we had a fantastic meatball, terrific spring roll, Filipino pastry, delicious Korean fried chicken, and a top quality chocolate. We did NOT need to buy dinner that night, either. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Easily 5+ stars. We'd repeat this tour next time we come. Thanks Andy!!

On our first day the fresh pastry was fantastic, croissants were especially delicious, soft and…read moreexcellent in size to start your day. The sausage and fennel was just right in terms of flavor, texture-soft like the croissants. The second day, things were a little overcooked which brought the rating a but down given the high prices in the area. Overall an excellent small business to support and get your breakfast on!

From the owner: Local Community Ambassador Simon L. here!…read more Mondays are tough but breakfast doesn't have to be! Whether you're on your way to work or just looking for a downtown stroll and a treat, come by Crust Bakery on the morning of May 7th for a delicious baked good and a cheery hello!