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?

African and Caribbean restaurants, two Victoria restaurants are closing, family-friendly spots, and a beloved restaurant finds a new home!

Tasting Victoria·Feb 13, 2025·8 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №084

Good morning foodies,

Valentine’s Day and Family Day are this weekend, and there is a lot to do! We thought of bringing you a list of family-friendly restaurants in the Westshore because finding the perfect restaurant for the whole family can be a challenge.

February also marks Black History Month, a time to learn about and celebrate the cultural past of Black people in BC and Canada, and one way to celebrate the culture is through food. We’ve put together a list of African and Caribbean restaurants and food businesses in Victoria to check out and support. 

Over in the news, you’ll find an announcement of two downtown restaurants closing. Now let’s get to it.  

Do you have Valentine’s Day plans?

Feel free to share more in the comment section
  • Going for a nice dinner
  • Lunch date
  • Going to an event
  • Celebrating Galentine’s
  • Staying home
  • Other

Subscribe to participate in polls.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🌱 Root Cellar: An innovative destination grocery store for farm fresh produce and Vancouver Island-made products at 1286 McKenzie and 271 Cook.

👨‍🍳 Island Chef Kitchen: Catering, take-home-ready meals, and cooking classes in Langford. 

🍣 Momo Sushi: Japanese fare and vegan-friendly restaurant serving in two locations, one in Quadra and another one in Colwood.

🇮🇷 Niloo Persian Kitchen and Grill: Delicious Persian cuisine at 4440 W Saanich. 

🍸 End Dive: A downtown Victoria restaurant focused on sourcing ingredients locally, with a globally inspired menu and great cocktails. 

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

FEATURED

African and Caribbean restaurants in Victoria

In Victoria, there are many opportunities this month to explore Black history through local events, and one way to celebrate the culture is through food. We’ve put together a list of African and Caribbean restaurants and food businesses in Victoria to check out and support. Each of these restaurants contributes to Victoria's rich culinary scene.

Check them out. 

FEATURED

Family-friendly restaurants in the Westshore

Finding the perfect restaurant for the whole family can be a challenge, but the Westshore is home to plenty of great spots that make dining out with kids easier. Whether you’re looking for a casual café, a cozy diner with a kid-friendly menu, or a restaurant with spacious seating and welcoming service, there’s something for every family. Here’s a roundup of family-friendly restaurants in the Westshore where both kids and adults can enjoy a great meal.

Check them out.

🗞️ News

Sult Pierogi Bar permanently closed this week.

Tug Eatery at Mermaid Wharf announced its closure. Cafe Malabar to take over the space soon. More details to come in next week’s edition. 

Small Gods Brewing Co. launched a hyperlocal peninsula lager, crafted with 100% Saanich Peninsula barley grown and malted by Field Five Farm. The beer will be exclusively available at select establishments on the Saanich Peninsula, including the Surly Mermaid, Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe, Jacks on the Water, 10 Acres at The Pier, The Pub at Brentwood Bay Resort, and the Small Gods Brewing Taproom.

The Fairmont Empress welcomes a new female executive chef.

Top fine dining restaurants in Victoria, as voted by readers.

Discover new wines, new regions, and new favourites at the Vancouver International Wine Festival with 43 events in downtown Vancouver, February 22-March 2.*

*Sponsored Listing

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Paint and Cider Night: Head to Sea Cider Farm tonight for a special paint night experience where you can create your own canvas that forms a larger, beautiful masterpiece when brought together.

The Treat Shop Pop-up at Uptown: Get your Valentine’s sweet treats at this fun pop-up at Uptown Shopping Centre by House of Luo. Today and tomorrow. 

Valentine's Day Chocolate Class: Have a fun date or spend some time with family and friends tomorrow while learning the basics of chocolate making in this fun workshop, hosted by the mother-daughter team of Pure Lovin' Chocolate. Each participant will leave with nine chocolate truffles in a gift box, one large piece of chocolate fruit and nut bark, and a handout with recipes.

Pizza Pop-up at Working Culture Bread: Make your pizza order for pickup on Sunday, Feb. 16. Options to choose from include margarita, cavolini, and pineapple jalapeño.

Tamales Workshop by Food on the Run: The local Mexican food business is hosting a workshop on March 16 at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre. Guest will learn how to make Mexican tamales and chocolate atole. 

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• 10% off every week during your first month with Easy Vegan, a local, sustainable, plant-based meal prep service. Make your first order here. 

• $5 Rhino drafts and $5 shafts at Earls Victroria during daily happy hour, 2pm-5pm daily, 9pm-close from Sun.-Thurs., and 10pm-close on Fri.-Sat.

• $9.99 three-piece idly and sambar idly at Dosa Paragon daily. 

• 3 for $15 baos at Bao Victoria daily, eight filling options to choose from.

• $30 cheese fondue at Averill Creek. A bubbling pot of rich cheese and the perfect dippables, all enjoyed in the cozy warmth of the tasting room.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Server/Bartender at Deep Cove Winery

  • Host/Hostess at CRAFT

  • Server at Park's Kitchen Korean & Japanese Restaurant

  • Assistant restaurant manager at Virtuous Pie

📸 Post of the week

kithkincharcuterie on Instagram
@kithkincharcuterie
View on Instagram →

A beautiful and edible charcuterie bouquet for your Valentine. Kith and Kin Charcuterie has put together a beautiful edible bouquet with heart-shaped truffle cheddar, gouda, Four Quarters Meats German salami and saucisson fumé, Bon Macaron passionfruit and white chocolate

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
Best Restaurants in Victoria, BCRestaurants in Victoria, Victoria restaurants, and the full editor-picked map.Victoria, BC Foodie GuideBest food, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, breweries, markets, desserts, food trucks, and hidden gems.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.
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