The food and service were excellent. The ambiance is beyond hectic. Tables are packed together. Our table in particular was so close to the neighbor table that one diner's plate was about as close to me as my own plate was. At one point an employee started moving my table while we were still seated. Now that's hectic! But obviously people love it because there was a long line of folks waiting to get in. For us we prefer something calmer. We were glad we went, but, for us, once was enough. And in Covid times one has to wonder about being so close to the other diners. read more

This restaurant was recommended by friends who said it was a favorite place when in Victoria. It was excellent in every way, food and service. read more

Not wheelchair accessible because they jam too many tables in so there is absolutely no room to maneuver. We waited for 40 minutes for a table (no reservations accepted) then they were going to put us right in front of the main entrance...literally 6" behing wheelchair for everyone to exit/enter the restaurant (probably everyone would bump into him coming and going. However the got us a different table once we said it was not going to work but 5-6 diners had to get out of their seats to allow the wheelchair through. It was awkward and undignified for a disabled person to put that many people out just to have dinner. We chose this place mostly cause it said here that it was wheelchair accessible but just because you don't have steps in doesn't make it workable. They should either take some tables out or remove the wheelchair label. There was live music. It was very good jazz/swing. But you can't have a conversation (50 year old with good hearing) because of it, just FYI. Food and service very good (they are good at turning over tables quickly to make more money. Food came out fast. read more

After dinner here, I was pretty surprised that this place has a solid 4 stars on Yelp I had dinner with my family on Sunday night and we were pretty impressed with the ambience and how there was live music, which we all enjoyed. If you're a fan of being crammed and feeling a little claustrophobic then this place is for you! However, we were not impressed by the food. I ordered the 1/2 size of the Annie Hall, which is lobster ravioli with cheese all over it. I will say that it was pretty good but you get tired of tasting the cheese after a while. I will say that it is not worth the $32 since it is a small portion. Also if you're lactose intolerance, I'd say "Stay Away!" Even if you did take a medication. We also had the Salmon salad, which was pretty bland. My brother got the Mr. Roberts and he did not like it due to how all he tasted was just crab. My dad has some other dish that I can't quite remember but he didn't really enjoy his meal all that much. I can't say that the service was all that great since it did take them a while to give us our bill and to swipe the card and the only person that was friendly was the lady that sat us. I'll only give it a two 1/2 stars for the live music and the creative menu. Don't think I'll be returning :( read more

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Friendly, warm staff with excellent food. Lunch was delicious. Enjoyed the decor and clever menu.

Food is not very good. Taste like jar sauce. Service was good and thats about it. Not much you say just a very mediocre place. read more

Pagliacci's - Food is not very good. Taste like jar sauce. Service was good and thats about it. Not much you say just a very mediocre place. - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

This is probably one of the BEST Italian restaurants that I've ever tried so far!!! We got this foodie recommendation from our car rental receptionist, and oh man I have to say that this has to be one of the best recommendations ever. I made a reservation dinner on a Monday evening (New Year's eve). As expected, the restaurant was super crowded. The waitress greeted and checked us in. We waited about 10' to be seated, and we got a table very shortly afterwards. The atmosphere was cozy and authentic Italian vibe (candle light dinner with beautiful music). I have to say that the noise level is a bit loud because the restaurant is pretty small. However, you can still hear each the other if you sit on the same table. After being situated, we were served with a basket of warm bread to start off. The bread was so moist and soft that we ended up asking for another one later on. The menu was super diverse. There were lots of seafood items on the menu which I love. They also have other poultry and red meat dishes like steaks as well. We ordered some crunchy crab cakes as appetizer to warm up our tastebuds, and followed with two entrees: a scallop pasta and a steak/prawn pasta. Oh My Goodness!!! They served the freshest and the tastiest crab cakes! They were crunchy on the outside, and moist, fragrant, soft on the inside. You can actually taste the crab meat (not like the excess dried batter from other places), if you know what I'm talking about. Finally I can taste crab cakes that tasted like crab! Make sure you squeeze some lemon juice on top and dip them in the delicious sauce that comes with the dish! Steak/prawn pasta was delicious, the steak was cooked to perfection-medium rare. It was super tender and juicy. The prawns were fresh and crunchy. The dish was well seasoned, and everything tasted so perfect. Scallop pasta, Oh My Gawd guys!!!! It was the most delicious pasta I've ever had (did I say delicious again!?!? Yes I did). It was phenomenal!!! I was super duper excited because there were so much scallops on the dish, and they're huge!!! The scallops tasted like they were fresh caught from the sea!!! The dish was garnished with spinach, and it was the best combination! Oh yes, don't forget to give your dish a squeeze of the lemon juice, it definitely gives a little kick to your tastebuds!!! After I tried it, I preferred it with the lemon juice than without. I cant believe that a little element like that can actually bring your dish to the next whole level! As you can already tell that I am absolutely obsessed and in love with this place. Hold up, I didn't stop there. On the day I left Victoria island, I stopped by and ordered a take-out to satisfy my craving. I couldn't feel complete without coming back for another scallop pasta (lol yes I did!) I was munching while taking the cruise home. Surprisingly, it still tastes amazing. It didn't disappoint me! Now every Italian that I go to, I keep comparing it with this one, and its hard for me to give other ones a 5 stars (maybe thats a bad thing lol?) If you're a big fan of seafood, I highly recommend trying out this dish. I promise you'll be crazily in love like me. Baby! I will be coming back for you! read more

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HAs always been one of the most popular restaurants in Victoria. Great food! Great friendly service! Great atmosphere and surroundings

The restaurant is a little cramped and we had a long wait to be seated. There was live music (weekday evenings only) though! But this also made it harder to hear others talking at the table. Their bread that they serve in the beginning is so flavorful. I ordered the half portion of the salmon sing in the street, which was perfect. The half portion allowed me to enjoy the bread and not worry about getting too full later on. My dish was super fresh and I loved the sauce in it. I devoured it. The cherry tomatoes were super juicy and were great in my pasta. There was surprisingly a lot of street parking right in front of the restaurant! read more

Pagliacci's - Salmon sing in the streets - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

This is by far the best restaurant i've ever been to. The service is amazing and all of the workers actually look like they enjoy their job. BUT the real star of the show is by far the free bread you get with your meal. The first bite was like biting into a fluffy warm cloud with a slight crunchy film. The flavour is impeccable and feels like im getting little warm kisses all over my body, by far better than any stable relationship ive been in. Whenever i come to Victoria to visit its a must come place to eat. Whenever i eat here i feel like im in new york, but, its less intrusive... you get the vibe? - A bread enthusiast read more

We had a delightful and delicious dinner. We both ordered "I'll have what she is having", which is a huge dish of mixed seafood in a light marinara, severed with a half loaf of focaccia bread, the best focaccia bread I have ever had. We could have split it between us. I left a few shrimp I couldn't finish. The service was excellent and the surroundings are quaint. I highly recommend this establishment. read more

Pagliacci's - The fork is actual size and the plate is very large. It's enough to split between a couple. - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Food so-so at best. Our ravioli were barely warm at the centre and came back on the same plate after microwave treatment. no apology. as to ambience, o come if you like to eat at a circus. Not sure why it's so popular. read more

Too much oil in my pasta. I have been a fan of Pag's for years. Was raving with a girlfriend yesterday about how good the food is....and even mentioned to her that the pasta has a lot of oil in it....which I usually don't notice unless I am reheating leftovers the next day. However, tonight, there was so much oil in my pasta that I could not even finish the meal (see picture). Just too oily with no flavour due to the incredible amount of oil present. read more

Pagliacci's - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

I wondered how they could move their line up so fast, but they seat you with others if you're comfortable. They had a good selection on their menu and I was very happy with my seafood pasta. The staff were very knowledgeable and super friendly. I loved the atmosphere of this place! read more

Very quaint Italian restaurant in the heart of Victoria. They don't take reservations, but the line moved quickly. The food was great. Most of the dishes have a title that is a play on words, which is fun. I had the mixed seafood bowl "From the Ocean" with a "Fish Called Wanda" lemon/caper sauce. It was overflowing with mussels, clams, shrimp, halibut, AND salmon. My wife had the scallops with prosciutto and my boys had bolognaise. Everyone loved their dishes. The chocolate oblivion was absolutely decadent for dessert. The service was attentive and personable. It's a must visit in Victoria! read more

Such a cozy dining area, great food, and very friendly servers! Took a little bit of time to get in (we hadn't made a reservation), but once we were in, the rest of our time flew by. The chocolate cheesecake special is amazing!! read more

Pagliacci's - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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This meal was so great! The bartender makes amazing drinks. If you don't drink, order their homemade Shirly temple. We had the duck wings, Caesar salad, and 2 pasta dishes. Save room for dessert! We had their homemade ice cream that was out of this world! The service was amazing as well. Wish I could come back here, but I am visiting. Highly recommend read more

Out of the park. Loud yes, fun you bet food incredible and our waiter has been there since the opening of you can get him it's going to be a great night. Lineups it's little but one of the best in Victoria read more

They gave us so much bread, and it was sooo good!! Food was great and the Shirley temples were on point. Definitely eat here

Ordered for first time during covid because there was always a line up to get in when went in person . This told me it must be worth the wait, and sure did not disappoint! Food was clearly homemade and the flavours were incredible . I see myself standing in that line up soon! read more

Never seen a staff that efficient and yet super friendly and patient. The food was really good despite the infinite number of items in the menu, which I am always suspicious about. Great drink list, from local cider to orange wine. Great decor, fair price. Great time. read more

Incredible, authentic Italian food! Prepare to get to know your neighbor as this place is tiny and jammed with people. When we were there, they did not take reservations, so we waited in line and chatted with other patrons-in-waiting! GO EARLY! The food was divine, the service was good (it is very difficult for just one or two servers to wait on everyone) and we had a nice time. It is cramped inside, so you will want to get out of there as soon as your meal is finished (this is not a relaxing, "chat and enjoy" type of restaurant). There just isn't enough room! Plan accordingly, and don't miss this if you love Italian food! read more

We ordered four items which took a long time to get: - Doors of Perception - Dempsey's Lasagna - Striploin with Raging Bull Sauce - Striploin with the Grubsteak sauce and a side of Sophia pasta. - Pitcher of Sangria When we got our food, it was unimpressive for such an expensive meal. Will not be back. Not worth the wait! read more

We heard it got crowded so we went early. Starting with the bread is was delicious. Got there for happy hour so that worked out nicely. Fast service and very nice staff. Halibut was good really good, I would go back. read more

Decent Italian in Victoria. Some of the dishes were a bit on the salty side: The scallops with prosciutto was good, but the prosciutto was extremely salty. I wish the dishes were more memorable, but nothing really sticks out. read more

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Evidently we were there on an off night. That's what I'm going with. It was a Monday so maybe they had been busy over the weekend. The layout is interesting and I'm glad no one was at the table beside us. I can be a bit fidgety and with someone sitting beside us I tend to try to listen to all conversations and sometimes just become too chatty with those around us. We arrived fairly early, probably about 4:45pm so it wasn't full at all. I ordered a drink that looked pretty interesting. It was a champagne drink with strawberry syrup and it just sounded good. My boyfriend ordered a cab, "We're out." Ok, he ordered the merlot, "We're out." He ordered a red blend that we were assured was available. Next thing I know, our waiter is back and says to me, "We're out of your drink." He's no longer my favorite person. Nothing else stood out, I just had water. We ordered our dinner, Dempseys Lasagna and Hemingway Short Story with baked cheese. The Lasagna was ok. It was good, but nothing that was over the moon. The Hemingway was delicious. I enjoyed my dinner, but there still seemed to be something that was missing with it. All in all, the food was good but the experience was less than optimal. It seems to be very popular as the restaurant was filling up while we were eating and there were people waiting for a table as we left. Again, maybe it was an off night - but it was disappointing. read more

It's a great unique spot to go to, go early as no reservations. Good service and great food. The duck wings were delicious, the last was good I have had better but at fine dining. It certainly beats Most. The Szechuan chicken was delicious too. read more

The food in this restaurant has fantastic food as they are fresh and the cook is very skilful. Portion size is appropriate and so is its pricing. This restaurant is highly recommended for all your family members. The only con is that the wait is long and service is slow. read more

It is so refreshing to meet an owner who is as passionate about service as he is his food. Mr Siegel, through his vision and hard work has made Pagliacci's a go to visit while in Victoria. Lovely establishment, passionate staff and some of the best pasta dishes around. Cheers! read more

This place is a hot spot for locals. The indoor dining area is packed so tightly that you feel like you're a part of the table next to you. Not a safe environment for Covid unless you dine outside. There are a few outside dining tables. The food was okay. Waitress brought our focaccia bread but forgot the oil dip. Lasagna was a bit sour for my taste. Salmon was satisfactory. Carrot cake was dry. It was recommended to us to eat here, but I didn't think food was exceptional. read more

The atmosphere is that of a classic Italian restaurant. The service was great and its location in James Bay was nice and close to downtown. The Caesar salad as well as the spaghetti Bolognese was superb. I went back in Aug 2020 for my moms 60th birthday. It felt good to support this great restaurant as they were struggling during the pandemic. read more

A unique and very tasty dinner! Great staff, fantastic food and a touch of whimsy. You never leave hungry that's for sure. The fried veal shop was absolutely delicious. Made me go back again a second night to try more things! Ya gotta stand in line, but that's the deal! read more

I think this might be the best pasta restaurant I've eaten at. We spent the day today in Victoria and had to have lunch here. First off, the free bread is TDF. I ordered the spicy meatballs and spaghetti and it was sooo so good. I started with aloo chana soup - yes, I said aloo chana. It was delicious but don't ask me what was in it. If you're in Victoria and you want good pasta, go here! read more

Pagliacci's - Seafood Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Our neighbor owns this restaurant and it's one of our favorites! Amazing kid menu and there's something for everyone. Service is fast and friendly. Portions are generous. We go for Happy Hour and sit outside on lovely Broad Street. Parking is half a block away. read more

Had lunch here yesterday and it was great. We ordered the Bicycle Thief and La Strada. Just got half sizes, but they were enough for us along with the bread which is absolutely delicious! I BP love the atmosphere and the decor here. It was a little noisy inside, but that is part of the atmosphere. The staff is friendly, and I absolutely love the fact that the management walks around to chat with you and joke with you! Loved it! read more

I went here for dinner yesterday with the family. We went around 4:30 and were seated right away because we were able to avoid the evening rush. They served us a few baskets of freshly baked foccacia bread before dinner. I ordered tortellini with a bacon cream sauce in the half size. It was a good enough portion for me to feel satisfied but not bloated. If you're the kind of person who likes to take home leftovers or have a large appetite then order a full size. My husband had penne with marinara sauce, chorizo, shrimp, and chicken. I think I would have preferred to have what he ordered. My tortellini wasn't very flavourful - it was just okay. We had the espresso cheesecake for dessert and that was really good. It was a really big slice. Definitely made for sharing. read more

This is by far, hands-down the best Italian food I've ever had. And they put on a great show! Sure, it's definitely a little pricier than where I would normally eat, but it sure made for one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had. It felt like a dream. They nailed the ambiance with candles at the table and old photos and art all over the walls. This place is the real deal. Their menu was also sufficiently labeled for gluten free folks (two of my party) and the wait staff were incredibly helpful. I had the veal and will day it was one of the best dishes I've ever had. Yum! One of us ordered gluten free pasta with meatballs and loved every bite. Another in our party had the bread they brought out all to himself and was continually raving about it throughout the meal. I would go again in a heartbeat. read more

Wow, this place was packed! I can see why though, because they have things my taste buds always delight in: seafood and pasta. The lovely bits: + the waitstaff, despite being onslaught by a full house, was extremely kind, attentive, and accommodating - we had to catch a bus so they expedited our order + they offer gluten-free pasta and vegetarian options + the pasta (District 9) was very tasty and well-portioned with fresh pesto + there was a definitely a buzz of noise, but the tables were perfectly cozy and great for a date + we did not get to experience it since we came in for lunch, but apparently they have music nights (jazz & more) ! + they offer a menu online so you can make sure it's a good fit for your dietary preferences + If I lived in Canada, I'd definitely be back. Honestly, I still hope to one day. No precautions or downsides to this one, a definite crowd-pleaser and good date night destination for sure. read more

Authentic Italian food. Busy place. Expect to wait at prime time. Fresh ingredients. I had the Prince of Tides salad. I love it. The flavours are there and a great portion for that price. read more

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The scene is very warm, dark, and inviting. The host is very upbeat and the overall staff is quite welcoming. The polenta fries are bland, but the sauce makes it 2x better. The caesar salad that comes with pastas is the HIGHLIGHT of the experience. Although the manhattan pasta was not to my liking, they quickly took it back and gave a free cheesecake, which I may say was not so bad. 30% tip, who? read more