tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
Subscribe to our newsletter →Subscribe →
Best RestaurantsBest Cafes & BakeriesCity GuidesChef SpotlightsNewsletterArchive
Newsletter

What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Plus, spot prawn season, Esquimalt bakery fire, and South Island liqueur and vermouth win global awards

Sarah Madsen·May 23, 2024·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №048

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a story about Sheringham Distillery and Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs winning international awards for their liqueur and vermouth as well as a roundup of places across the city to find spot prawns.

May and June are spot prawn season and Victoria is the place to be to enjoy the seafood delicacy.

Are you a fan of seafood?

  • Yes! I can't get enough of it
  • Yes, but I don't eat it often
  • No, but I would like to try it more
  • No, I'm not a fan of the taste or texture
  • No, I'm vegan or vegetarian
  • Other (tell us in the comments!)

Subscribe to participate in polls.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🥐 Sidney Bakery: Delicious baked goods at 2507 Beacon.  

🧆 Syriana Catering: Authentic halal Syrian dishes at 1258 Esquimalt Rd. Available at Moss Street Market on Saturdays.  

🫖 Pendray Tea House: Enjoy a Victoria-style afternoon tea at the heritage hotel at 309 Belleville. 

☕ Hide + Seek Coffee: Tasty coffee drinks and baked goods in a cozy atmosphere at 1839 Fairfield and 2207 Oak Bay Ave. 

🌮 Kattia's Kitchen: Authentic Mexican dishes available at its food truck and at 4636 Elk Lake Dr.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

South Island liqueur and vermouth get global recognition

Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs / Facebook

The winners of this year’s World Drink Awards have been announced and once again South Island producers have taken home top prizes.

The awards based out of Norwich, UK celebrate the best of global alcoholic beverages and are comprised of several competitions judged by expert panels that recognize everything from rum and tequila to brandy and specialty cocktails. 

This year, Sheringham Distillery won gold in the liqueur competition, while Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs took home awards in the vermouth competition. 

Read more about how the two producers earned the top prizes.

FEATURED

Spot prawn season is officially here

It’s right around the end of May each year that seafood lovers living on the Island come to celebrate one of the most iconic food celebrations on the West Coast: The Spot Prawn Festival.  

Hosted by the Chef's Table Society of British Columbia and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association, the Spot Prawn Festival is an annual event centred around the harvesting of a particular species of shrimp—the spot prawn—a delicacy known around the world for its sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture.  

Although the official festival is in Vancouver this weekend, for those looking to get their hands on this exquisite crustacean closer to home, we have rounded up a few places in Victoria to find spot prawns.

🗞️ News

Spinnakers celebrates 40th birthday: The oldest brewhouse in Canada first opened its doors at 308 Catherine on May 15, 1984. This Sunday it will host a historical brunch in celebration.  

Fire at Esquimalt bakery: Rising Star Wholesale Bakery was left badly damaged following the fire on Wednesday morning. Nobody was injured, but many are left unemployed while the business has had to temporarily close. [CHEK]

Chorizo & Co. officially closed: The restaurant on Fort had its last day of operations on May 18. The restaurant has been sold and the new owners will open with a new concept.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

Get in touch with our team for small business-friendly advertising plans.

🗓️ Events

Fern A Drag Show: Woofie, Vivian Vanderpuss, and Ket Bush will perform drag numbers today at The Fernwood Inn. Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm. 

Drew Lynch: The American comedian will bring his Short King tour to McPherson Playhouse tomorrow, 8pm. 

Indigenous Plant Walk: Learn about plants indigenous to the Island and their traditional uses at the Compost Education Centre. Saturday, 1-3pm.

Scattered Artists Tour: Take this self-guided tour of artist studios across 10 locations in Saanich this Saturday and Sunday.

Awakening Chinatown: This event celebrating Victoria’s Chinatown includes performances, crafts, games, and more. Sunday, noon-5:30pm.

Jann Arden and Rick Mercer: The two Canadian icons will bring their Will They or Won’t They tour to McPherson Playhouse this Sunday, 8pm.  

Wine Dinner at Rudi: Enjoy wine pairings alongside a curated five-course menu on Wednesday.

 💸 Deals

  • $12 beef burger and $12 calamari at Heron Rock Bistro during daily happy hour, 3-5pm and 8pm to close.  

  • $25 The Mini Meal at Virtuous Pie during daily happy hour, noon-5pm.

  • $6 pierogi poutine and $6 traditionalist plate at Sült Pierogi Bar during happy hour. 

  • $8.50 draught pints and $13 one piece cod fish and chips at Flying Otter Grill on Fridays, 3pm to close.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Certified Dental Assistant at Peninsula Dental

  • Operations Manager at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society

  • Line Cook at The Rose Neighbourhood Public House

  • Executive Director at Capital Bike

  • Bus Driver at Victoria Seniors Travel and Social Group Society

📸 Post of the week

kulapops on Instagram
@kulapops
View on Instagram →

Phillips Brewing’s Dreamsicle Dinosour slushies and KulaPops are a match made in heaven. Enjoy the slushies at the brewery’s tasting room at 2010 Government. Find KulaPops at 2575 Cadboro Bay Rd.

That’s it!

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, consider forwarding your friend; if not, let us know down below.

What did you think of today's newsletter?

  • 😋😋😋 Tasty and delicious
  • 😕 So so, needs some spice
  • 👎 Send it back

Subscribe to participate in polls.

The newsletter

Victoria's food news, before the weekend.

Openings, closings, standout dishes, and the stories worth planning around.

Free. Monthly. 30,000+ local readers.

Keep reading

More from the archive
Newsletter

Something that will make you Happy...→

EXCLUSIVE: 2 openings no one in town knows about yet

Jul 5, 2026
Article

Hey Happy Is Moving Into Cook Street Village→

Finally, the cool cafe we've been waiting for in Cook Street Village

Jul 4, 2026
Newsletter

No Excuses: Victoria Just Gave You Six New Reasons to Leave the House→

3 New Restaurants Coming Soon and 2 New Opens To Check Out

Jun 11, 2026

Useful Victoria guides

Keep exploring
New Restaurants in Victoria, BCOpenings, coming-soon restaurants, and fresh food spots.7 New Restaurants Coming to VictoriaAn archive story about new restaurants Victoria BC, new Victoria restaurant, new Victoria restaurants, best new restaurants Victoria BC, coming-soon restaurants, and local opening coverage.7 Openings, 1 Kitchen Fire, and Late-Night VictoriaA food-scene archive story about Victoria restaurant openings, late-night Victoria, and local opening news.Exciting Food Openings Coming Soon to VictoriaAn archive story about food openings coming soon to Victoria, Mosi Bakery, Mosi Bakery Cafe & Gelateria, Mosi Florentine Bakery & Cafe, restaurant launches, gelato, and new local dining rooms.Victoria Food Scene Newsletter: May 29A newsletter archive page about Victoria food-scene updates, 10 new restaurants and food spots, downtown cocktail bars, markets, and local opening coverage.Best Breakfast in Victoria, BCWhere to find a good breakfast in Victoria, from bakery lineups and breakfast sandwiches to bagels and slow rooms where morning drifts into lunch.
tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
Don't waste a meal.

About

A local guide to eating and drinking in Victoria. Helping readers discover their next best eat since 2019.

About Tasting Victoria

Food guides

  • Best Restaurants
  • Best Cafes & Bakeries
  • Full Story Archive
  • City Guides
  • Chef Spotlights
  • Newsletter
  • Foodie Guide
  • New Restaurants & Openings
  • Downtown Restaurants
  • Inner Harbour & Fisherman's Wharf
  • James Bay
  • Cook Street Village
  • Fernwood Cafes
  • Chinatown & Old Town
  • Langford, Colwood & Westshore
  • Saanich, Sidney & Peninsula
  • Saanich Restaurants
  • Sidney BC Restaurants
  • Oak Bay
  • Sooke Restaurants
  • Esquimalt Restaurants
  • Sushi
  • Japanese & Ramen
  • Ramen
  • Breakfast
  • Downtown Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Date Night
  • Fine Dining
  • Steak Dinners
  • Bars & Pubs
  • Family & Kid-Friendly
  • Casual & Takeout
  • Italian
  • Pizza
  • Chinese
  • Indian
  • Thai Restaurants
  • Tapas & Small Plates
  • Hidden Gems
  • Mexican Food
  • Food Trucks
  • Food Tours
  • Food Events
  • Dine Around
  • Vegan & Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Gluten-Free Bakeries
  • Victoria Public Market
  • Burgers
  • Seafood
  • Oysters & Raw Bars
  • Waterfront
  • Patios
  • Lunch
  • Happy Hour
  • Late-Night Food
  • Italian Guide
  • Seafood Picks
  • Hidden Gems
  • Coffee Shops
  • Westshore Locations
  • Saanich & Sidney
  • Westshore & Langford
  • Ice Cream
  • Breweries
  • Markets
  • Farmers Markets
  • Christmas Markets
  • Food Shops
  • High Tea
  • Downtown Coffee
  • Coffee Shops
  • Coffee Roasters
  • Bakeries

Get in touch

  • Give us the scoopA new opening or closing, an event or supper club, a tip or story we should be chasing — let us know.→
  • Advertise with usReach 30,000+ Victorians who decide where to eat each week.→
© 2026 Tasting VictoriaInstagram @tastingvictoriaRSS feedDesigned in Victoria, BC