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

Good morning foodies,

Today we are bringing more details on Cafe Malabar’s new location and opening, as well as a story on Charelli’s Cheese Shop & Delicatessen's which has announced it will be closing. 

We’ve also put together a list of top vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Victoria, based on readers’ votes, and there are lots of fun events happening tonight and this weekend that you won’t want to miss. Now let’s get to it.  

😍 5 spots to try right now

🍣 Steve’s Poké Bar: Great fresh poké bowls with a location in Vic West and a location in Langford. 

🌊 Jacks on the Water: A new restaurant in Sidney, nestled right on the water's edge. 

☕️ Little June Cafe: A quaint coffee shop in the heart of Fernwood Square, offering delicious breakfast and lunch. 

🥬 Rudi: Check out Wind Cries Mary’s new venture at 710 Pandora.  

🍔 Murder Burger: Grass-fed, dry-aged smashburgers and crinkle-cut fries pop-up on Fridays and Saturdays at 1019 Fort.

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

FEATURED

Cafe Malabar to reopen in a new location this week

The beloved family-owned restaurant known for bringing the vibrant flavours of Kerala's Malabar Coast to Victoria, has found a new home downtown in a beautiful waterfront space. After their unexpected departure from the Victoria Public Market in December last year, the team has been hard at work to continue serving the community. 

With this move, Cafe Malabar is not just reopening—it’s evolving, bringing everything they’ve learned and dreamed of into a new and exciting chapter. The restaurant is soft opening from this Thursday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 23 for lunch and dinner by reservation only. The restaurant will be fully open to the public next week, with an official announcement coming on social media. Stay tuned. 

Everything you need to know about the reopening and what’s new at Cafe Malabar.  

FEATURED

Charelli's Cheese Shop & Delicatessen is closing

Founded in December 2003 by Carmen Lassooij, Charelli's began as a small shop, but despite its size, the shop quickly gained loyal customers for its extensive selection of fine cheeses, carrying between 250 to 350 varieties from around the world. Beyond cheese, Charelli's offers an array of specialty foods, including charcuterie, house-made spreads, olives, frozen meals, European pantry staples, chocolate, and more.

The shop announced its closure via social media.

Learn more. 

🗞️ News

Top vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Victoria, as voted by readers.

Gyrosa Greek is opening a new location in Royal Oak in March. 

Ono Poké, Chipotle, Opa!, Dave's Hot Chicken, and Kinton Ramen are some of the food retailers coming to University Heights on MacKenzie Avenue. 

Chef Scott Ng from the Cozy Place will join Ate A* Restaurant this Friday and Saturday for a Szechuan feast, serving eight courses.

We tried Janevca Kitchen & Lounge and here are all the details. 

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Cake Decoration Workshop: Visit Flourish BeauTea in Langford tonight for a fun and creative evening learning new techniques, meeting fellow cake enthusiasts, and unleashing your inner artist. 

Chocolate and Whisky Workshop: Immerse yourself in a sensory experience at Bard and Banker tonight, where each participant will try four whisky tasters with a unique chocolate pairing. 

Savour Sidney: The exclusive prix-fixe dining event in Sidney starts tomorrow.  

Hot Chocolate Festival: Taste the warmth of Victoria’s community, where participating businesses showcase their creative hot chocolate experiences to support the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre. The festival ends on Feb. 28.

Culinaire: Vancouver Island’s finest food and beverage event will return to the Victoria Conference Centre on Wednesday, Feb. 26. 

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• $21 lunch buffet at Sizzling Tandoor Downtown and Langford locations daily.

• $23 roast beef dinner at the Loghouse Pub in Langford on Sundays, including slices of slow-roasted beef, served with yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.

• $99 thirsty Thursday dinner for two, including pasta, pizza, dessert, and a bottle of wine at Nowhere *A Restaurant tonight. 

• All day happy hour at CRAFT on Sundays, food starting at $4. 

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

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Manager at Bard and Banker

• Assistant manager at Country Grocer

• Server at Park's Kitchen Korean & Japanese Restaurant

• Assistant restaurant manager at Virtuous Pie

📸 Post of the week

If you are looking for a stunning cake for a celebration, Darling Cake Co. makes beautiful and delicious custom cakes. We are obsessed with these luxe micro cakes! 

That’s it!

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