Food was good. Sushi at another table looked fantastic. Service was very good. The ambience? Well, the point of meeting friends for dinner is to enjoy good food and conversation. Because of the music, conversation was nigh on to impossible. No restuarant needs loud music such as was being played at Marilena. Some VERY gentle background music might be OK, but remember why people dine out: to enjoy each other's company, not your choice of music. read more

An incredible experience that leaves you smiling when you walk out the door. Marilena is an establishment that had already been recognized for several awards, so I went in with high expectations that were met. Our bartender Cole was fantastic, so incredibly friendly and always checking in on us even with the busy load at the bar. Our waitress on a separate occasion, I believe her name was Frances, also incredibly kind and amiable. The rainbow roll, marilena roll, and dynamite roll were delicious, the quality of the fish was incredible. The prawns to split amongst the table were my favorite part of the night, accompanied by a savory beige white sauce (can't remember if it was tahini or hummus) that complimented the marinated prawns wonderfully. The spring salmon was super buttery and flavorful in its respective soy emulsion. The chocolate molten lava cake with the cherry ice cream however was insane!!! Both desserts managed to be airy in nature, the cherry packing a wonderfully tart flavor without tasting artificial. If you're a fan of dark chocolate, you will most definitely enjoy this cake. A must visit for a special occasion in the Victoria area. read more

Enjoyed every detail from start to finish. We had sushi, shrimp a la plancha, lobster spaghetti and finished with the chocolate bar. The chef even made a special mornay spaghetti for my toddler - thank you! 10/10 experience, tastes, and service! read more

See all

We were excited to try this place based on prior reviews and it was very average. We ordered the 3 tier seafood tower and it fell a bit flat- the tartare was 'unique' but forgetful, the mussels in a chili sauce just didn't work, the shrimp cocktail tasted slightly as if they were previously frozen and the lobster was served bland and average at best. The oysters were the definite highlight. We did enjoy the ambience and vibe. read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

We say there are makers and fakers. This spot is full of fakers. It's super trendy and spendy. The restaurant is beautiful inside, but I cannot eat a beautiful interior. Our server, who seemed nice enough, just had no idea what she was selling. When I asked about a dish she corrected my pronunciation three times. I am not trying to sound like I am better than anyone, but I have actually learned how to make this specific dish in culinary school so I think my professor knew how to pronounce this dish. Their concept is Asian and Italian fusion and frankly I guess I just did not get it..the sushi chef's were Korean so no real Japanese influence. The fish was precut which surprised me. The portions are small but they are beautiful and they did have nice flavors. When I asked chef to fry the heads on my sweet shrimp he peeled off half of the head and said it's not flavorful and fried this tiny piece. Unfortunately the pieces he removed were my favorite part of the heads...oh well to each his own. Also their wine list is out of control expensive. We had a few items so we could try a portion of the menu then went to a local sushi bar and for another $100 ate a full meal for 4...I am not adverse to spending money at dinner but frankly this was not worth the cost of admission in my opinion. It just seemed really pretentious for no reason, read more

See all

Visited this spot while in Victoria as it was rated one of the top 50 restaurants in Canada. Food - 4/5 - There were some dishes that I loved and some that I thought were OK. I think the ones I didn't like, I was just not a fan of the flavours as opposed the dish not actually being good, if that makes sense. The bread was really good and buttery! Lobster Tacos - 3.8/5 They were pretty good and very fresh, but I just feel like I've had better at some other places Salmon Aburi - 4.5/5 This was fantastic; it was my friend and I's favourite dish on the menu. It was so flavourful, really fresh, and perfectly torched.. would definitely recommend this and get it again. English Pea Agnolotti - 4.5/5 Again, I really enjoyed this and thought it was very unique and tasty. I'd also recommend this dish for anyone who likes truffle flavoured pasta. Miso Glazed Sablefish - 3.5/5 I thought this was ok, but more-so because I think I'm not a sablefish person. I knew before I ordered it that I probably wouldn't love it, but it was their specialty, so I had to try it. If you're not someone who likes too many different fish, I'm not sure if you'll love these flavours Service - 5/5 - Everyone was super friendly, professional, and we were well taken care of Ambiance - 5/5 - A very classy place, perfect for an anniversary or some sort of milestone. Overall, I'd come here again, specifically for the aburi and for the agnolotti. Thanks for a great experience! read more

See all

On a visit to Victoria BC Canada, we made a reservation at Marilena in the downtown area. What a WONDERFUL choice. We were seated in an absolutely beautiful and comfortable room. Our waitress Kelsey was totally courteous, friendly and informative. She presented us with a rather extensive menu and took the time to explain the options and offered suggestions based on our feedback. Our cocktails ( a vodka based Kokomo and a Canadian Old Fashioned) were high quality spirits and beautifully presented. A dozen of an assortment of oysters was full of flavor with the necessary accompaniments. Next, an incredible serving (large!!) of pork belly. YUMMY !!! . We followed that with a Salmon hand roll and a "Tsunami" ... incredible flavors... and a totally fantastically prepared and presented Sablefish. The Vegan Molten Cake was good, but the Crème Brûlée was outstanding. We live in New York so it would be tough to return but we plan to visit Marlena's sister restaurant in Manhattan. By the way, total credit to Kelsey why made our visit extra special. read more

Oysters, sushi, lobster tacos, everything was awesome! Very much recomend this place.

Wow! We dine out at many nice establishments. I have to put this in my top 3 all time! Phenomenal staff. Service is incredible, the food from start to finish was next level. Would highly recommend that anyone visiting Victoria should dine here. Absolutely an amazing experience. read more

Sommelier Mara added immeasurably to our evening. We've been drinking wine in restaurants for a looong time, and she is in the pantheon of best sommeliers who have served us. We appreciate the time she took to explain her matches with the food. read more

Had an amazing dinner last night, from the moment we arrived service was bang on, the sushi was amazing and the rest of the meal was delicious, great spot in DT read more

Amazing food. The room is beautiful but a bit loud. The server was one of the best we had and that goes for front of the house as well. He knew food and the menu. Well done. I've eaten at many restaurants owned by the group and this is one of their best. Cin Cin could use a refresh. I've been dining there for over 30 years. Dined there after Mrs. said "yes" and again on our 30th. Jim read more

Excellent food and service! Thank you! The Spanish family at the next table sang me Happy Birthday! read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Molten cake and vanilla ice cream and Happy Birthday writing - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

The seafood here is super fresh and I love getting the two tier raw seafood platter to split with someone. I loved being able to sample and try different little plates, but my favorite bite must have been the cocktail shrimp. It was bouncy, it was cold and fresh and just texturally snappy. The free warm bread they give is really delicious and fluffy and the olive oil and butter pairing was also really good. We also tried the octopus and I wish it was grilled a bit more and the flavors were ok. read more

See all

This was our second visit to Marilena and it was phenomenal. It truly exceeded our expectations. Love the seafood. They do a great job! Their house-made milk roll buns were also really delicious! The desserts were amazing! Excellent service! The soft lighting created the perfect atmosphere for an intimate, upscale dining experience. I loved the open view of the kitchen. If you're in Victoria and seeking an unforgettable fine dining experience, it's highly recommend it! Please make a reservation in advance. read more

See all

Party of 6, we went there for a birthday celebration. We had,as a group, sushi-rib eye steak, albacore tuna and spaghetti w/lobster. Also wine and speciality cocktails. From the time we walked in till when we left We felt welcome. All the staff were excellent. We were not rushed at all in a 21/2-3 hr dinner. The food was simply excellent. It is hard to say this was the best meal i have ever had at a restaurant, but it is certainly in the top 2-3. The sushi however was the best i have ever had...EVER! Now for the price..... you will pay dearly for this experience, but it is WELL worth the cost. I would go again read more

Food, service, ambience all very good! Five stars. Sommelier is excellent and seafood is so fresh and well done. Also, pork belly is a favourite. read more

Let's start off by saying WOW, this is simply the best food, service and atmosphere. You feel like you are on a vacation and walked into an exclusive restaurant, from the minute you walk in and they offer to take your coat until you walk out it's a great experience. Sitting at the Sushi Bar you see the care and presentation they put into every single item they prepare. The staff are welcoming and friendly and very attentive. read more

On our day trip to Victoria Island, we were pleased to grab a happy hour bite at this upscale cafe and raw bar! I would definitely return to sit at the raw bar counter or restaurant proper as we were slightly busy and had our 3 yo toting along. We were appropriately seated in a small, covered outdoor area where we still received excellent and prompt service. We started with cocktails of course and also ordered a seafood tower and a couple pieces of sashimi and nigiri. This was vacay after all and a great start to the afternoon happy hour scene on Victoria. Surprisingly, the manager recognized us as outsiders yet still came to check up on us and chat! Benjamin was super friendly and gave good venue advice which turned out helpful for the remainder of our Vancouver visit. When in Victoria, you can not go wrong with a visit to Marilena! read more

See all

Spectacular Valentine's Day dinner experience- we had such a delicious meal and lovely time at Marilena last night. 5/5! Great service from everyone, especially our waiter, and great ambiance. We went quite early (4:45 reservation was the only available for the dining room - but glad we did that vs the heated patio - people looked cold and bundled in coats!) Here's what we had: - complimentary fresh bread 5/5 - warm, delicious even without the butter - lobster tacos 6/5 - this was the highlight! Amazing and glad we ordered one extra so we had 4 to split - we were able to order without cilantro - salmon and prawn sushi - 5/5 - beautiful bites of food - scallops - 4.5/5 - loved the scallops, the apple pieces were a bit of an odd pairing texturally but still delicious - prawns a la plancha - 5/5 - yum! Buttery, great aioli - miso glazed sablefish - 4.5/5 - fish was perfect and delicious- we felt there was too much of the dashi broth - key lime brûlée cheesecake- 6/5 - perfect ending to an amazing meal Would do it all again, maybe try something else instead of the scallops, but wow. What a meal!!! read more

See all

Top notch Service. Incredibly beautiful inside. Very elegant yet simple. Service is impeccable. The variety on the menu is irresistible and hard to decide what to order. Such a treat to get a reservation so please plan ahead. Our server one was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and friendly. He made our dinner very memorable and special. Be sure to check out the restrooms. So much fun to go into the space age and have a seat warmer. The details big and small were not missed when they built this place. read more

See all

10/10. Food, service and ambiance. Our server was amazing-made great recommendations. We had a seafood tower and everything else she recommended and loved it all. It would be fun to sit where you can see the kitchen. A place to dress up and have a special dinner. Don't miss this one! read more

We had assorted sashimi and sable fish. Everything was amazing. The ambience is amazing, the staff are cordial. They offered us complementary champagne as New customers. read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Assorted sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

See all

The food is perfectly prepared and executed. Beautifully presented. The service is excellent. Present but not obtrusive. Staff is very nice and courteous. This restaurant deserves the rave reviews it receives. We really appreciated the delicious fresh rolls brought to our table to start off our meal and we loved the mushroom soup with the wild mushrooms in it as an appetizer. The gem caesar salad was excellent. For the main course, we very much enjoyed the sablefish. We would love to return to enjoy other dishes as well that are offered on the menu. Some day we might even try the sushi as it, too, all looks really good! The only reason we didn't order dessert was that our bill was already well over $100 before tip, and, as a retired couple on a strict budget, we couldn't really afford dessert, too. The only downside, and the reason we gave the restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 stars, is we sat in the "heated patio area." That was a big mistake on our part! It is still winter in Victoria! Although heat was kindly provided by the restaurant, the cold air outside does seep through the divider/curtain from the outside. We even heard people asking to be seated inside as it was definitely chilly sitting in the "heated" patio area. The chilly air made us uncomfortable sitting there. We tried to stay warm. Avoid the "heated" patio area on cold days as it is chilly there! We strongly recommend booking well in advance the dining room area, the sushi bar, or atrium area during the winter months as they are all comfortably located inside the restaurant. read more

The food was fantastic and our server Marlee was awesome. The new Marilena sushi roll was the highlight. Highly recommended!

The food was so lovely at Marilena! The seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked. The La Tour seafood tower is totally worth it if you enjoy fresh seafood. The grilled octopus was tender and grilled nicely. The steelhead trout was also nice although I'd prefer it a little less well done. The restaurant was busy and lively although the service could be more friendly. read more

See all

The service is awful. We waited a very long time for our cocktails. The waiter said that a bottle of sparking white wine was the same price as charged/per glass... which is not true. We were told that the wine we did want to have with dinner was in the cellar, and we waited at least 20 minutes before "the" person appeared, and then we waited again and finally he returned and said the wine was not available. We were ignored through most of the meal, the service was very bad. The Food was excellent when it finally arrived at our table. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. It was very expensive and service was dismal. read more

This is currently my favourite place to get wagyu steak. My partner took me here for my birthday since we were in town! We got the Aburi Sablefish, Albacore Tuna Crudo, Jumbo Shrimp, Grilled Octopus, 4oz Wagyu Steak, and a Selection of Ice Cream & Sorbet. The Aburi Sablefish was absolutely delicious! Perfect ratio of rice and topping. I don't know what sauce they laid on top of the oshi about it was so good.. The flavours danced in my soft mouth. The Albacore Tuna Crudo was okay. The horseradish buttermilk wasn't what I thought it was going to be. The wasabi flavour was still quite strong -- I thought it was going to be muted because of the buttermilk. The charred potato wasn't very potatoey.. and there wasn't a lot of pickled walnut on our dish in particular. The tuna was fresh and amazing though. The Jumbo Shrimp was my second favourite dish of the night! Shrimp were perfectly tender, not an ounce overcooked. The dipping sauce it came with was really flavourful and the lemon sauce drizzle underneath was the perfect complement. Watch out for the shishito peppers! Take out the seeds if you can't eat too much spice. The Grilled Octopus was also really delicious. I love the tomato sauce and the beans it came with. Perfectly grilled. The star of the show, the Wagyu Steak, was divine.. The most melt-in-my-mouth wagyu I've had to date. The red wine jus that comes with it is perfect. My only complaint is that they were stingy on the finishing salt and I wish the slices were cut thinner. The Ice Cream & Sorbet was nothing special. You get a selection of three flavours--I got vanilla, yuzu, and peach hibiscus. I would not get the ice cream next time but splurged since it was my birthday! Service was impeccable and the ambiance inside was fine dining yet casual. Very dark in there. read more

See all

Our waitress was phenomenal. She was very polite, attentive, and gave excellent recommendations. She asked about food allergies - which my two sons have. Everything we ordered tasted great - the cocktails, appetizers, main course, and dessert. Our plates were scraped clean. There was one minor glitch, and it wasn't her fault - the bar had run out of one of the ingredients in the cocktail my son ordered, so he ordered a different one. After my son finished his drink, the maître d' came by with a complementary cocktail to make up for the one they could not make. This is our fourth visit, and we will surely keep coming back to Marilena. We highly recommended this establishment. read more

Wow! So glad i found this place! I called to make a reservation and Kathy called me right back to accommodate all 8 of us and everyone was in awe at how delicious this restaurant was! They did not miss a beat! Super vibey inside and with lots of people and super cool you can see all the things happening in the kitchen. Fancy yet casual you feel comfortable in there not to stuffy. And the food HOLI SMOKE! Did not lack in flavor at all, everything was delicious! The oysters were the freshest ever, my fish was cooked perfectly, the sushi rolls were amazing and the carrots are a must! The onion rings thinness was perfection. The Som was super helpful in picking out a great wine and our server was so attentive and helpful with recommendations and all the courses. Definitely a spot you need to visit while in Victoria you will not be disappointed!! read more

See all

In addition to having the most mouth watering locally sourced seafood....Josh provided AMAZING service! His knowledge of the menu and its flexibility was extensive. Coupled with his charismatic personality my family and I had an unforgettable delicious dining experience that we are still talking about today. read more

Excellent service and delicious food. Ambiance was wonderful. Very much enjoyed the evening. We will be back soon

I'm not usually a sushi fan but Marilena and their Oshi is a regular craving of mine! They also have lots of fantastic non-sushi options, along with a well curated cocktail menu. Great date night location. Only the most insufferable snobs would have much negative to say about this establishment. read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Dessert - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

See all

Now I wish we had made this our first gastronomical stop in Victoria. We only ate at the bar but the service was very friendly, bartending was excellent, raw bar was delicious along with the Caesar salad. The people watching was great fun. read more

We had an excellent evening at Marilena with Brian at the bar serving. Brian paced our meal gave great advice and contributed to an outstanding evening out. Of course he suggested great wines and yummy cocktails. We shared plates. We started with the yellow fin tuna which was amazing followed by scallops, octopus and finishing with the gnocchi. nothing disappointed. I cannot think of a better place to start your culinary journey in Victoria. don't miss this one. read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

We had dinner here on our last night in Victoria. The service and attention to detail were awesome! One of the servers, not our server , noticed that we were having a hard time reading the menu in the low light so she brought over a little lamp! That attention to detail set up for the rest of the night. Upon seating, they bring you Parker house rolls but since I'm gluten free, they brought me house made gluten free rolls!! It was delicious which is hard to say about gf bread. I felt so seen! If you have ever been on a special diet, you know how you can feel a little left out. It was nice to feel included. We ordered some sushi items (their in house soy sauce is naturally gf) and they were fresh and delicious. Our daughter had Parmesan chicken which she thoroughly enjoyed. For dessert there are several desserts on the menu that's either gf or can be made gf. Since the family ordered a dessert that's not gf, our server brought some gf dessert bites for me to eat. I don't expect people to go out of their way to accommodate my gf diet but it was nice to have that option and inclusion. It was a great way to spend our last night in Victoria. read more

James, our server, was spectacular. A blend of professionalism and humour that made the evening so fun. Our sommelier took the time to find us the perfect wine for our amazing food. A must order is the sablefish. So tender and full of flavour. We can't wait to come back and try the sushi! read more

We had a great dining experience here! We ordered the large seafood tower, pork belly and chocolate cake. We paired it with a glass of local white wine and a non alcoholic rose (which was fantastic). They serve you these incredible sweet/soft yeast rolls with your meal and complimentary yuzu cakes at the end. Everything was fresh elegant and flavorful. The oysters were some of the best I've ever had- as someone born and raised in Seattle near abundant seafood. Likewise for the spicy tuna and scallop rolls included in our tower. The pork belly was crispy and juicy with a fantastic sweet tasting glaze. Our waitress was extremely attentive and kind, she stopped by to check on us and refill our water often. We also got to watch the sushi chef's prepare our rolls as we were seated at the counter. They were friendly fast and professional. The restaurant itself is stunning with marble countertops, moody lighting and modern decor. It felt very swanky and romantic, but not stuffy or overdone. I saw a few people wearing jeans and casual attire here and there. We are sure to be back on our next trip to Victoria! It's our new favorite place. read more

See all

The food and drinks were spot on. We had the tsunami, I would highly recommend. The sauce was delightful! The service was awesome! Please go visit if you have a chance. read more

Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar - Drinks - Sushi Bars Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

See all

We had an awesome dinner at Marilena tonight! Husband got the tenderloin with broccolini, I got the chestnut agnolotti with brussel sprouts. We split the carpaccio as an appetizer, and got a couple cocktails and a bottle of wine. All in all, we had a fantastic evening. The carpaccio was so rich in flavor yet delicate in texture. The fried onions on top added a peppery whimsy to the dish we both appreciated. My chestnut agnolotti was OMG creamy in the middle with a perfectly tender pasta pouch surrounding it. The brown butter sauce was heavenly and rounded it out. Husband's tenderloin was a perfect medium rare throughout, and sported a simple-yet-delicious flavor of tender beef. We ordered the Butter Box beforehand because it was my birthday and we were feeling it, yo. The Somm was so incredibly helpful in selecting a peppery Oregon Pinot noir to really accentuate each of our dishes. Folks - their wine list was put together with intent, and you can tell. Take advantage. Really, their entire collection of wine and fine liquor was superb. We did not have the Beckstoffer To Kalon on their cab list, but wow I was so tempted. I did indulge in a small dram of Glenrothes 18 to shut it down while my husband closed with a creamy chocolate sorbet. Our waitress was so friendly and lovely. Very fun to talk to and very knowledgeable about the dishes and wine. She really made our evening that much better. The dining room is lively, well lit, comfortable seats, a vibrant clientele who know how to dress. We were a bit more casual but didn't phase one bit. Everyone was friendly. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

See all