Victoria named the third best food destination in Canada

As we showcase all of the incredible restaurants the city of Victoria has to offer each week, we’re celebrating a major win for the city as one of Canada’s highest ranking food destinations.

According to a recent study by Chef’s Plate, Victoria was ranked third in the country’s hottest food spots just after Vancouver and Toronto with an overall score of 86.9/100.

Four categories were used by the popular home meal kit company to make the decision: the number of restaurants per capita, the percentage of restaurants with a minimum rating of four out of five stars, the average cost of a meal for two people and the average monthly Google searches for “food in [city/town]”.

Victoria was most highly praised for its vast seafood options and striking seaside dining views. The city also notably has the highest number of restaurants per capita—more than any other city in the country with 67 eateries per 10,000 residents.

For foodies in Victoria, this rank doesn’t come as too much of a surprise.

The city is consistently growing in recognition for its vibrant food culture and has already earned its title on several notable food lists this past year. Condé Nast’s Reader’s Choice Awards placed Victoria in eighth place in their list of top 50 food cities in the world for 2023, while one of the city’s cocktail bars—Clive’s Classic Lounge—was ranked one of Canada’s top 50 bars in 2022.

Not to mention the sheer number of new restaurants opening each season with talented chefs moving to the city from all around the world, only continuing to add to Victoria’s arsenal of diverse food options. Whether you’re looking for authentic Pacific Northwest Cuisine in the form of fresh shellfish, cozy diners, indulgent dessert cafes or vegetarian fine dining, the city’s got it all and more (much, much more).

Got a spot in mind that makes Victoria’s food scene shine? Let us know via the Tasting Victoria Awards! Voting is currently open for all food and occasion categories, from best sushi and burgers to prime first date destinations. Stay tuned for our announced winners!