01
Downtown Japanese Guide
Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar
Toptable's elevated West Coast room — globally sourced seafood, a Japanese-leaning raw bar, and a serious dinner menu of towers and steak frites. Named Canada's Best New Restaurant.
Japanese & Ramen in Victoria, BC.
The best Japanese restaurants and ramen in Victoria — omakase, izakaya, donburi, and a bowl for a grey afternoon.
5 current picks · 8 archive links · Updated June 2026
Quick answer
Where to start
Start with Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar, Chobap Sushi Bar, and Yua Japanese Bistro. The archive links below are worth a scroll for the backstory — just check hours and details before you head out, since they change.
- Current picks
- 5
- Archive support
- 8
- Coverage
- Japanese Guide
Best Japanese Restaurants & Ramen in Victoria, BC
With downtown sushi close at hand when that's nearer to what you want.
Treat this as a shortlist, not gospel. Start with the current picks, raid the archive links for the backstory, and always check hours, menus, and reservations before you head out — these things move around.
The archive isn't filler. It's here when an older Tasting Victoria story still explains why a place, neighbourhood, or dish is worth your time.
- Japanese, sushi, omakase, izakaya, donburi, sake, or ramen relevance
- Useful for lunch, dinner, date night, or casual downtown dining
- Current editor pick or proven archive guide
- Clear Victoria search relevance rather than a generic restaurant list
Local picks
5 places
02
Downtown Japanese Guide
Chobap Sushi Bar
Victoria's first 8-seat omakase counter from Osaka-trained chef Sun Min — a tightly composed multi-course menu built around small-boat catches, with a focused sake pairing list.
03
Downtown Japanese Guide
Yua Japanese Bistro
A modern Japanese bistro in Old Town with a bright dining room popular for casual weeknights. The aburi oshi is some of the best in the city.
04
Downtown Japanese Guide
Uchida Eatery
Handcrafted Japanese cooking since 2012. Donburis, sashimi, grilled mackerel — simple, tasty, takeout-friendly, with a small menu that turns over with the seasons.
05
Downtown Japanese Guide
Nubo Japanese Tapas
A small-plates Japanese izakaya doing yakitori, robata-grilled skewers, and creative maki alongside a sake-forward drinks list. Recently relocated to Fort Street and merged with sister bar E:Ne — check the site before you go.