Photo: Rudi / Facebook
Summertime can be the chance to get outside and socialize, and here at Tasting Victoria it has also been the time to try some new dishes from across the city. From these tasting endeavours, we have fallen in love with some absolute favourites that we cannot wait to share. Although recent gloomy weather may suggest otherwise, there is still plenty of time left this summer for a tasting outing of your own.
From hearty dinner plates and late night cocktails to midday sandwiches and baked goods, these are the foods and drinks that we think you should try before summer is out!
Wild albacore tuna from Wind Cries Mary
Located in Bastion Square, Wind Cries Mary specializes in modern west coast cooking, utilizing locally-sourced ingredients. Its albacore tuna is a show stopper. Crusted in fennel, this tuna has an earthy anise-like flavour that complements the crisp taste of the rare served fish. The tuna lies on a bed of quinoa, yam, fresh tomatoes, and almonds which provides a warm and comforting element to the dish. Round out the meal with the restaurant’s roasted beets and a sunkissed negroni—a bitter gin-based cocktail with green strawberry, anise, and rhubarb.
Address: 45 Bastion Square, Victoria
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 4pm-1am
Roasted veggie and havarti sandwich from Little June
In the heart of Fernwood, Little June is a hub of community comings and goings. Its large window panes look out on the bustle of shoppers, dog walkers, and impromptu meetups. Located inside the cafe, resides one of the city’s most delicious vegetable sandwiches. Toasted between two slabs of thinly-cut crusty bread, this sandwich is packed with roasted zucchini, roasted pepper, and roasted eggplant. Piled on top of a generous layer of hummus, these veggies are topped off with havarti and fresh leafy greens. Best enjoyed with a maple shay shay, a comforting maple latte.
Address: 1301 Gladstone Ave., Victoria
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7am-5pm
Irish coffee from Bartholomew's Pub
Although Victoria has been blessed by some gorgeous sunshine these last few months, this past week reminded us that it would not be the west coast without some wet and gloomy summer weather. The perfect cure for those stormy days is to hole up in the cozy atmosphere of Bartholomew’s Pub with a warm cocktail in hand. The comforting drink in question is the pub’s Irish coffee–a combination of brewed coffee, Teeling small batch Irish whisky, lightly whipped cream, and nutmeg served hot in a glass that fits right into your hand.
Address: 777 Douglas St., Victoria
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30am-11pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30am-midnight
Olives and lemon zest loaf from Working Culture Bread
It is no secret that Working Culture Bread bakes up delicious baked good after delicious baked good. In true testimony to this knowledge is one of the bakery’s signature loaves—the olive bread to end all olive breads. This batard loaf is filled with whole kalamata and castelvetrano olives and is made with a combination of rye, white, and red fife flours. Be sure to grab one of Working Culture Bread’s incredible chocolate brownies while you are visiting.
Address: 2506 Douglas St., Victoria
Hours: Thursday and Friday, 8am-4pm; Saturday, 9am-4pm; Sunday, 9am-3pm
The king arepa from Los Panas Kitchen
Venezuelan food truck, Los Panas Kitchen, is the place to go for patacones and arepas—a stuffed flatbread made from ground maize. The king arepa is stuffed full with pulled pork, sweet plantain, and black beans and then topped with feta cheese. Make sure to add on Los Panas Kitchen’s house-made guasacaca sauce onto your arepa for the ultimate experience. The food truck travels around to events across the city but can typically be found on Store Street.
Address: 1910 Store St., Victoria
Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 11am-8pm
Cotton candy nebula from Artemis Whisky Bar
Located near the Johnson Street Bridge, Artemis Whisky Bar is a space-themed speakeasy. Although primarily known for its whisky and whisky-based cocktails, the bar has a gin cocktail—the cotton candy nebula—that is delicious. Bright pink and topped with cotton candy, this cocktail looks like something out of an intergalactic film. The drink is made with Empress and tastes of chocolate mint, courtesy of the inclusion of mint liqueur and creme de cacao.
Address: 1409 Store St., Victoria
Hours: Monday, 5-10pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 5-11pm; Thursday, 5pm-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 4pm-1am; Sunday, 4-9pm
Pork belly from Rudi
The sister restaurant to Wind Cries Mary, Rudi opened last December in the location previously occupied by Sherwood. The restaurant aims to evoke comforting family meals inspired by memories of travel. The restaurant’s space provides a corresponding cozy atmosphere that lends itself to family-style dining, with a highlight of its menu being the pork belly. Cooked with apple, mustard, and celeriac the pork melts in your mouth. Enjoy the dish alongside the restaurant’s Brooklyn cocktail—made with tequila, amaro, and maraschino.
Address: 710 Pandora Ave., Victoria
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday, 11am-10:30pm; Saturday, 3-10:30pm; Sunday, 3-10pm
Ube matcha latte from Moka House
With locations in Cook Street Village and Cadboro Bay, Moka House has previously featured in Tasting Victoria’s roundup of the best places to find matcha lattes across the city. This summer, the coffee shop has had an exciting new addition to its drink menu, an ube matcha latte. The addition of ube—a sweet purple yam used often in Filipino desserts—gives the bitter green drink an earthy, sweet flavour.
Address: 345 Cook St.; 3849b Cadboro Bay Rd.
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7am-8pm; Monday-Sunday, 7am-6pm
Here at Tasting Victoria, we are constantly getting a taste for what is delicious across the city. Interested in some of our past favourites? Learn about our favourites from the springtime as well as our top dishes of 2023.
