Been meaning to try this place forever and I'm mad I waited so long as this is the best pasta I've ever had, seriously good! The spaghetti allo scoglio was amazing from the presentation to the flavour, everything was top notch. Service was also great the staff are really friendly! Restaurant is very nice inside but the garden patio looks like the place to be! I'd suggest you reserve ahead, it was busy even on a weekday after 8. Definitely give this place a try it is great! read more

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Service was good. Food was good. View was gorgeous of the garden outside. Weren't a fan of the cannoli but did like the rest. read more

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This is a wonderful place to eat a special dinner. Do get reservations. The food is wonderful as are the cocktails. We tried seafood pasta, salad, steak and lasagna - everything was perfect. And the dessert for two is amazing! (Creme brulee, chocolate mousse and canoli). It's beautiful inside and in the garden - but it is pretty loud, so if you have hearing issues ask to sit in the garden. read more

Clear your schedule and come prepared. The food truly tastes amazing and was the saving grace for our visit. Clear your schedule because you'll spend the entire day waiting to get your food and the check. read more

Il Covo offers a cozy, romantic Italian dining experience. The restaurant feels like a warm escape, with rustic décor and homemade pasta dishes that bring comfort and authenticity. It's a wonderful choice for date nights or special occasions, and the wine selection pairs beautifully with the menu. The dining room can feel a bit tight when it's full, and reservations are almost always necessary because it fills up quickly. read more

Il Covo Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Amazing service from Davide, pleasing ambience and food that compared to some of the best Italian in Italy. Freshest Musssels, Divine truffle soup, a seafood spaghetti with all the best and stuffed crab cannellini. Make ressies to get a table. Best meal of our trip! read more

A place with an amazing atmosphere, excellent service and fantastic food There were six of us and every dish we ordered was both visually and tastefully excellent. read more

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Without a doubt one of my favourite places I have ever gone, the service - top notch; the food-out of this world delish, wine pairings that were recommended, were spot on. The Burrata, which is served with seasonal pairings - this time with orange, croutons, cherry tomatoes and it was so delicious we wanted seconds. Beef carpaccio was divine, Tagliata con Gnocchi and Stinco d'Agnello were amazing dishes. I can't say enough about how wonderful our evening was last Saturday, highly recommend, 11000000% read more

I can't say enough amazing things about this establishment. We were told to get reservations and gambled trying for same day (they don't open till 5pm but answer phones startling at 230pm). We gambled with the weather and chose a table on the patio. We brought blankets just in case but didn't need them. There are multiple heaters and umbrellas. It wouldn't work in an actual rain but it was low 60s and still had an amazing meal. The patio is like a secret fairly garden! Beautiful and sets the stage for the most incredible meal. Service was wonderful and attentive. We went hungry on purpose and the portions for this type of place tend to be small. Not here! We actually had leftovers! You will not regret this stop! read more

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Great food and service. The restaurant is like being in Italy. We visit it as often as possible. I usually order the Lamb Shank dinner. It's so good!! read more

Everything we ordered was great. The service was polite and friendly. The prices are reasonable for what you get and the place was clean.

September 11, they kindly worked us in for reservations when I called late the day before. Our food was delicious! The focaccia with olive tapanade was a salty umami! My sister had the lasagna Boulonnaise...we could not stop dipping the focaccia in the sauce! I got the spaghetti with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp and white fish. It was scrumptious! Our server, Reynaldo, was knowledgeable, pleasant and professional. (Ask to be seated in his area!) We've been here a week and have eaten in several good restaurants, but this was the best so far! Thank you for giving me a quality evening! read more

The food was amazing especially the rigatoni or the lasagne , the servers were super kind and they listen very closely. So I would totally recommend this to any Italian food lovers or people who don't it is still good read more

9/10 I RANK this based in atmosphere, quality of food of course, but also on responsiveness from wat staff. Willis was our waiter, excellent..I reserve the final point for fresh flo read more

This place smells amazing from the outside! Service is impeccable and food is amazing in presentation and taste! We will be back! For the Love of Food read more

We've been to ilcovo a few times now and it's always excellent. Our family of four all had perfect mains, including the lamb, the steak, the salmon, and a seafood pasta. The restaurant decor is a little bit dated but the food makes up for that. Service has always been very good read more

Il Covo Trattoria - Charcuterie for two - Italian Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Food is always amazing. Easily the best pasta dishes in victoria. Outdoor patio is beautiful.

This is truly a Yelp five star restaurant. They should be Michelin recommended, if not starred. The food was stellar, the service impeccable, the setting romantic and charming. This is certainly top of our list for all many restaurants we experienced in Victoria over a week-long visit. read more

This place came highly recommended and is clearly popular as they were reservation only on a Sunday night. The ambiance is romantic with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Overall, food was just okay. This definitely wasn't the best Italian meal I've ever had but it wasn't terrible either. I loved the caper berries on the Caesar and the seafood pasta was fresh! Service was slow and we were probably in there for two and a half hours. Ended up getting dessert to go because we were tired from the length of the meal. read more

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In my mind three stars are average and five means I can't think of any way it could be better. That's how I rate Il Covo. It's a very attractive place with a noise level low enough for conversations. There is an outdoor eating area with lots of greenery and space heaters if needed. Our server, Willis, was very professional but fun too. Our food was outstanding. We had a half carafe of Cabernet, shared a spinach and gorgonzola salad, then a Genovese pasta snd paparadelle al fungi. The total was C$141.20 including tax and tip. We will definitely return. read more

Excellent Italian food. Everything was good from the focaccia and olive tapenade to the mushroom pasta. Call ahead to ensure they have a table available. Wonderful ambience. read more

Il Covo Trattoria - Passion fruit sorbetto - Italian Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Unfortunately didn't keep my word from my previous review of not coming back -- because a friend coming to visit made a reso. We were going to be a party of 8, including 1 toddler and 1 infant. My friend the mom of the 2 kids was flat-out REFUSED at the door by a shockingly rude greeter who basically said the restaurant cannot accommodate young children. Um...what?!?! Do you have a sign on your storefront displaying that you're an 18+ (or more like 50+ based on my survey of the clientele) restaurant? Later on a manager called my friend to apologize, offering to have us back at our reserved table. But NO WAY we were going back to this horrible place -- we had a found much better alternative. The manager also offered a giftcard as compensation for the rude treatment, but to my knowledge this promise has still not been fulfilled. Either way, no matter -- neither we nor my friend's family will ever return nor ever recommend this place. read more

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Food was definitely a little bit over-hyped... The ambiance and service, however, was perfectly on point. The wine selection was lovely. I would definitely recommend this place if you've never been; I'd be very intrigued by their pasta for the next time we're in town. read more

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I truly believe this is the best Italian in the greater Victoria area. Atmosphere and service are excellent, as well as the wine variety and quality. Food is truly exceptional. read more

My partner & I considering this one of our great discovery's. We were over for New Years, all the restaurants had fixed menus. Some were empty with a per person price of anywhere from $125ca to $225ca shocking given the lack of menu choices. My partner cannot eat crustaceans. I have to this was an incredible find. Not only did we get a table, same day on New Year's Eve. The food was marvelous and the service was impeccable. I have to say it was still a fixed option menu, but plenty of choices and all dishes we ate we above any expectation. They are old school you have to call them and they have a fixed time frame for reservations. We try and get in every time we are here. You will not be disappointed. read more

Amazing service, beautiful ambiance and delicious food! The fresh squeezed lemonade was so refreshing!

Service was terrible. We ordered our drinks, 20 minutes later our meals came out. No drinks, no bread! Our drinks came shortly after our meals were brought out. We had to ask for our bread. Will never go back. read more

Food was great and service was good with friendly staff. Nice inside, if I have a chance, I would definitely go back!

My husband tried to book a party of 12 outside for my birthday . He was told we don't do that here because the tables are anchored to the ground . When he tried to ask them if we could just have seoerate tables the person on the phone was rude and dismissive . This is not the first time we have felt an overwhelming patronizing and condescending tone from them . It seems to be who they are as a business . We will no longer eat at this restaurant . Shame because the outdoor patio is lovely but it's not worth feeling like your business is not only unappreciated but somehow annoying to them . I have never been treated so poorly by any other establishment in Victoria as I have in this one . read more

First of all, the three key things in a select restaurant are the quality/quantity of food, service, and ambiance. Let's start with the food - arrived at the table hot, something that doesn't happen often. Beautifully arranged, perfectly cooked, and the flavors of the sauce were complex and perfectly matched to the dish (Osso buco). The service was as you would expect in an upscale Italian bistro, timely, courteous but not overbearing. The server was very knowledgable with the drinks, appetizers and each main course we selected. Lastly, the ambiance was perfect for dinner. Not quiet, but you could carry a 4 person conversation without excessive kitchen noise very comfortably. The walls and ceiling were actually covered so that noise was absorbed instead of the new open-ceiling concepts which creates excessive and noisy dining. In Summary, run, don't walk, to Il Covo for a wonderful culinary dining experience. read more

We went here because it is across the street from where we are staying. We didn't think we'd need a reservation, but if you plan to go make sure you make one. We lucked out that a reservation at the bar had just canceled so we got in. Our server was really nice, gave us time to settle and look over the menu. He also described the specials in a very foodie way which made them all sound amazing. The interior is low light, intimate. No thumping music. A place you can sit and actually talk with your fellow diners. I had the veal Marsala and my wife had the risotto with shrimp. I had mushroom soup to start. Soup was delicious, shared it with my wife, my wife's risotto was perfectly cooked with the rice cooked andante. My only let down was the veal. It was tough to the chew, and not the best in flavor. It came with a pasta that to my taste was sauced with an Alfredo that was way too strong to pair with the veal. I would recommend going. I'll go again and try something else. They deserve another try. read more

We were clueless. It was our first time in Victoria. We walked over to this restaurant. We didn't know it's normally booked weeks out. We say at the bar due to a 'no show'. We proceeded to have the finest Italian food either of us have had outside of Italy, New York or Chicago. Outstanding service that was especially memorable and personal. read more

the first bites of the pastas were amazing, but after a while, we found them a bit too overpowering. however, the bread and dip that it comes with is to DIE FOR! so so yummy and allows refills. took some of the bread home and it was even good the day after. came for the pasta, stayed for the bread. read more

Il Covo Trattoria - Italian Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

This place was located right across the street from our hotel and smelled so good when checked in that we called and made a reservation for the following night. The food and service were outstanding! These are both hard things to find now days in the USA. We will definitely be back on next trip to Victoria. read more

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The food is delicious, I especially enjoy the Panna Cotta. That's the reason behind dining there. The service was great. The ambiance is quaint and family friendly atmosphere. Everyone is so quick to clean up the table for the next guests. We didn't stay very long there, so other guests got to enjoy it too. read more

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the food was excellent right down to the tapenade. Ambiance warm, traditional and great spacing between tables. Patio wasn't open for the season as yet but I would guess, it is popular. Service was extraordinary. read more

We had another amazing evening at our favorite restaurant. We go here for all of our special occasions. We are always treated like royalty when we dine there. Raymondo was our server. Top notch service as always . We will always be back! read more

What a great find! When we come to Victoria we always try to eat one night at Il Terrazzo, but this trip we couldn't get in so tried Il Covo instead. We really enjoyed this restaurant and it's now become our favourite in Victoria. We'll be coming here instead from now on! There were 6 of us and everyone had something different to eat, and each dish was excellent. The service was top notch from start to finish. The garden outside has a nice setting for dining and inside is very nice as well. Not located in the downtown area, more on the outskirts, but definitely worth the visit. read more

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Excellent food, amazing atmosphere, and exceptional customer service. Make sure you get your reservation in because this place is hot and walk ups could be a problem. Price for antipasto, meatball appetizer, main courses, and a carafe of wine was $170. read more

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Super cozy and cute garden seating. The service as excellent. Meatball appetizer was good but nothing special. Cold soup was interesting, I think it was fennel with blue cheese on top. We had cioppino (a little too sweet & salty with plenty of seafood), risotto special with crab & asparagus, rich & decadent. Portions are generous. read more