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.

A true little gem, this coffeehouse. Owner-operators Colin and Paul provide customers with a great…read morecoffee experience. Their wide range of coffees are exquisitely prepared and served, always with a smile. Their imported beans are also available for purchase, as are their house flavourings and syrups. Their pastries and rolls (the sausage rolls and cheese-and-onion rolls reminiscent of Greg's pasties in the UK) are baked fresh in-house every day and are absolutely delicious. The space, while small (at the moment, anyway, as I hear an expansion is in the works), is tastefully decorated, inviting and cozy. They also have an outdoor patio area out front, perfect for a warm summer's day. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to please. If you're heading up or down Douglas St., this little bougie coffee shop is just a minute's walk away on Humboldt St. and definitely worth the detour. Five stars!

Good coffee. I loved the ginger scone!…read more Conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Heard that the scones are amazing house as well which surprise me given the size of the coffee shop itself. Again, I highly recommend recommended the scone!

Came in for a cup of coffee and to meet up with my daughter. I was greeted to Steely Dan playing on…read morethe sound system and by a nice staff member. The coffee wasn't hot, but it was tasty. The thing I love is a cafe where the sun shines in the winter. This is it. The mall where it is located is drab. Well, no, not drab. Actually it is a nice mall as far as malls go. I just don't like malls. This cafe doesn't have that mall feel. The sun changes everything. All is right with the world.

Good coffee but expensive, and the WiFi is capped at less than 0.30 Mbps, what a cheap joke what is…read morethis, 1999 dial-up? I'm going to Starbucks

Cannot recommend enough, so absolutely delicious and the vibes of the restaurant are so perfect!read more

Excellent staff! The food was prompt and fresh (it didn't sit under lights). The waiter stopped by…read morejust often enough to see if we needed anything and otherwise left us to our dining experience. Save room for desert!

I have tried brunch and lunch. I found it a friendly spot, laid back. Great staff…read more Get a spot in the front overlooking the breakwater and the strait. Not too fancy. They have a solid menu I recommend it

Food, service, and views sing at Breakwater. So many yummy options; I settled on a burger and green…read moresalad, and it was all delicious. If you like a crispy burger from a very hot grill, this is your place. I thought it was the perfect burger, served with a house made roasted pepper relish. The salad was delicious and artistic--see the photos. My husband enjoyed the fish tacos and said they were pitch perfect. We both had refreshing watermelon/mint lemonade. We'll definitely be back for more in the future. Bravo, Breakwater!

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!

This is our go to place to relax after walking atound DT Victoria for a coffee and dessert. The…read moreservice is professional and friendly, local vibe and the food is really good. We always take at least 6-8 Nanaimo Bars home with us, the Cheesecake is amazing and all the other cakes are just as good.

Nanaimo bars are one of my favorite foods and I wasn't able to find them on a recent trip to…read moreVancouver. Thankfully this weekend I was in Victoria for a project and found QV Cafe and bakery, which had them! They were open late so I stopped by after dinner and picked one up. They're GIANT! Like the size of my hand, and only 5 CAD. I was thrilled. The were just as good as I remembered. Sadly I didn't get to go back before I left this morning, but I would absolutely go back. Indoor and outdoor seating, close to the marina and across the street from Chinatown.