tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
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What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

A Victoria restaurant with a 5-star rating on Google, all the food events in 2025, best places to eat in Tofino, Whisky festival, and more!

Tasting Victoria·Jan 16, 2025·9 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №080
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

Good morning foodies, 

Today we are bringing you a story about a Victoria restaurant that has a perfect 5-star rating on Google and a list of all the food events happening in Victoria this year for you to mark your calendar so you don’t miss a thing! Some of them are just around the corner.  

Make sure to check out the deals section at the bottom of today’s edition to learn more about a Victoria restaurant doing an all day 50% off burgers with drink purchase next week. 

What would you like to see more of in Tasting Victoria this year?

We’d love to hear about it! Please write your suggestions in the comment section.
  • More “best of” lists
  • More recommendations in my area (please mention area in comments)
  • More seasonal food content (eg. Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc.)
  • More about food events
  • More restaurant profiles/reviews
  • More restaurant news like openings, closings, and new menus
  • Other (tell us in the comments)

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😍 5 spots to try right now

🥢 Block Kitchen and Bar: Shareable Asian fusion eats and cocktails at 538 Yates.  

🍝 Il Covo Trattoria: Chow down on authentic Italian dishes at 106 Superior.  

🌯 Bold Shawarma: Delicious shawarma wraps, bowls, falafel, and burgers at 1420 Quadra St. 

🇹🇭 My Thai Cafe: Authentic home-style Thai cooking with vegan and gluten-free options in Cook Street village. 

🍴 Atelier: Elevated dining in Sidney featuring French-inspired cuisine informed by the fresh and hyper-local ingredients of the Saanich Peninsula and surrounding areas.

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

FEATURED

This Victoria restaurant has a perfect 5-star rating on Google

It is uncommon for restaurants to maintain a perfect 5-star rating on Google due to the volume and variability of customer reviews, but this Victoria restaurant has managed to maintain a perfect rating since its opening in January of 2023. The restaurant has gained a loyal clientele, maintaining a perfect 5-star Google rating from over 233 satisfied customers and earning recognition as a local favourite.

Find out which restaurant it is.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

Visit Vancouver to taste the world

Plan a trip to Vancouver this winter to explore the world of wine at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, February 22-March 2. The 2025 festival features 121 wineries from 15 countries participating in 43 events, with a spotlight on West Coast U.S. Wines. From educational wine seminars, grand tastings and casual parties, to lively lunches and winery dinners, the festival offers experiences to please every palate.

Book a stay at one of StayVancouverHotels.com’s 43 downtown hotels and receive a free International Festival Tasting ticket to the session of your choice, February 27-March 1. Book two or more nights and receive two free tickets. Taste the world at VanWineFest and then complete your wine and food journey by exploring Vancouver’s vibrant and award-winning restaurant scene. 

FEATURED

All the food events coming to Victoria in 2025

GoodSide Pastry House at Culinaire. Culinaire’s Website.

Attending local events is more than just a way to fill your calendar, it’s an opportunity to connect with the heart and soul of the community. For Victoria food enthusiasts, local food events are especially meaningful. They offer a chance to explore the culinary diversity of a city known for its  history, blend of culture, fresh seafood, and innovative chefs and restaurants. From food festivals to tastings, here is a list of food events coming to Victoria this year. Mark your calendars and get ready to indulge.

Check out the list. 

🗞️ News

Award-winning Cafe Malabar is sharing a journey in Kerala to explore its rich heritage, flavours, and stories that have shaped the cafe’s menu. Follow along.

The Victoria Public Market is opening a prime space for month-to-month or seasonal pop-ups for local entrepreneurs to start their journey. 

Sea Glass Grill gift cards can be brought to Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe in Sidney for a free meal. [Victoria Buzz]

Our sister publication, The Georgia Straight has made a list of the best places to eat in Tofino. 

Brasserie L’École, Café Brio, End Dive, Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, Stage Wine Bar, Part and Parcel, The Courtney Room, and Ugly Duckling are finalists in the Vancouver Magazine 36th Restaurant Awards in the Victoria category. 

22 meals to try in Victoria this year.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

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🗓️ Events

Victoria Whisky Festival: Join the 19th Victoria Whisky Festival at the Hotel Grand Pacific from this Thursday to Sunday for interactive tastings, master classes, special dinners, and more. 

House of Suntory: The Nature and Spirit of Japan: Visit Clive’s Lounge this Friday and Saturday to experience House of Suntory on their 100-year anniversary, on a casual drop in and out tasting that will be showcasing some incredible and exclusive whiskies from one of Japan’s premier distilleries. 

A Taste of Scotland: Whisky & Culinary Pairing: Celebrate the best of Scotland at a paired Scotch whisky dinner this Saturday at HOB Fine Foods featuring expertly paired courses by Chef Castro Boateng, hosted by David Allardice of Whisky Sounds Good. 

Cake Decoration Workshop: Visit Flourish BeauTea in Langford next Tuesday, Jan. 21 for a fun and creative evening learning new techniques, meeting fellow cake enthusiasts, and unleashing your inner artist. 

Karaoke Mondays: Jam with host Char at Whistle Buoy Brewing on Monday, Jan. 20, Feb. 24, Mar. 17, and Apr. 14. 

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• $7.95 teriyaki box at Noodlebox on Tuesdays.

• $22 lunch feature (lunch food item + lunch drink) at CRAFT Beer Market from Mon.-Fri., 11am-2pm for a limited time.  

• $16.50 lunch special including five pieces of original chicken, six pieces of wedge potatoes, and a canned pop at Chicken 649 from 11:30am to 2pm, Mon.-Sat. 

• $5 queso fries and $4.50 tacos at Leopold’s Tavern on Tuesdays after 2pm.

• All day 50% off burgers with drink purchase at Bin 4 Burger Lounge on Monday, Jan. 20.

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

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Kitchen staff at Prima Strada.

  • Manager at Bard and Banker. 

  • Team member at Gigi's Italian Foods.

  • Host at Nautical Nellies.

📸 Post of the week

drakeeatery on Instagram
@drakeeatery
View on Instagram →

The pork tostada at The Drake Eatery is locally sourced from some of the best producers and it’s delicious. Featuring flavourful Two Rivers Meat pork shoulder, a yummy squash and sesame mole spread, Square Root Farm watermelon radishes and pumpkin seed dukkah served over a crispy Maiiz Nixtamal tostada.

That’s it!

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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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