Cafe Brio’s Website. Johann Vincent Photography
There’s something very exciting about discovering a restaurant that feels like a well-kept secret. It’s time to ditch the usuals and shake things up with some of Victoria’s hidden gems, as voted by our readers. Whether it’s a tiny family-run eatery, a hole-in-the-wall spot serving unique flavours, or a restaurant that hasn’t yet hit the foodie spotlight, these gems will surprise and delight guests.
A rustic Italian restaurant with a menu that is driven primarily by local produce and seasonal goods. This restaurant is considered one of the Island’s best dining experiences. Everything is made in-house from scratch, from the table bread to the cured meats that accompany an antipasto board. After 27 years of service, Cafe Brio is under new ownership and in excellent hands: chef Sam Harris and bar manager Vincent Vanderheide.
Our Pick:
Gnocchi carbonara
Address:
944 Fort St.
Nestled in the heart of Quadra Village, Part and Parcel has been serving some of Victoria's best food and drinks for more than a decade. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, dinner, wine, creative cocktails, and a rotating selection of craft beer.
Our Pick:
Charred broccoli sandwich
Address:
2656 Quadra St.
Uchida offers handcrafted Japanese cooking, keeping things simple and tasty. They opened in 2012 and serve donburis, assorted sashimi, grilled mackerel, vegetable dishes, and more. Uchida is popular for takeout, which makes it convenient for those who prefer to enjoy a high-quality meal at home.
Our Pick:
Negitoro donburi
Address:
633 Courtney St.
Safaa Naeman moved from Syria to Victoria in 2017, and in 2021, she began catering full-time. People fell in love with her food, and in early 2024, she opened Syriana Restaurant, offering shawarma wraps, hummus with pita bread, falafel, tabbouleh, pistachio baklava, and more. The restaurant often has a line-up outside, causing the restaurant to extend its hours, so it’s no wonder Tasting Victoria readers voted for Syriana as one of the best new restaurants in the city.
Our Pick:
Rice and meat combo
Address:
1258 Esquimalt Rd.
This charming café was nominated in the hidden gem category of the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards last year. It offers breakfast and lunch menus that change regularly to highlight seasonal produce from local farms. The atmosphere is cozy, nestled within hiking trails, swimming lakes, and farmland, making it a beautiful spot.
Our Pick:
Any salad
Address:
505 Quayle Rd.
This restaurant in Oak Bay, known for its authentic Thai cuisine, was nominated again in the hidden gem category of the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards last year. The chef, originally from Thailand, brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to using organic and fresh ingredients, ensuring that every dish is a treat.
The menu offers a diverse selection for dinner and caters to various dietary preferences, providing vegetarian and vegan options.
Our Pick:
Fried rice
Address:
2524 Estevan Ave.
Another restaurant nominated in the hidden gem category of the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards is End Dive. A distinctive restaurant and bar downtown known for its inventive approach to seafood and plant-based dishes, emphasizing local sourcing and seasonal ingredients. The menu is dynamic, reflecting the freshest available produce and catch, ensuring a unique dining experience with each visit.
Our Pick:
Funghetti or the seasonal pasta available
Address:
1802 Government St.
Honourable mention to Emmaline’s
Not nominated this time because this stylish new bistro just opened its doors in Quadra Village last summer, but definitely an under-the-radar bistro that needs to be known by many. Inspired by Dock Lunch, a previously beloved bistro situated in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood that fostered a tightly knit community, Emmaline’s main focus is bringing that neighbourhood bistro energy to Victoria.
The restaurant emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, and the menu typically changes seasonally to highlight the freshest local produce, seafood, and meats. For food, guests can expect an eclectic menu of Italian, American, and Brazilian influences with items like lasagne bolognese, tomato pies, American-style layer cakes, and more. While the fixed menu is small, Emmaline’s offers features like gingery baked wings, Cilbir (Turkish eggs), verde migas with steak and eggs (Tex Mex), and Moroccan chicken, and they have a brunch menu available on weekends.
Our Pick:
Lasagne Bolognese
Address:
2571 Quadra St.
If you’d like to see the winners for the 17 other categories in the Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards, check out the list here.
