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

Good morning foodies, 

We are happy to keep sharing with you all things food this 2025! And we hope you are having a great new year so far. 

Today we are bringing you all the deets on the Dine Around and Stay in Town event happening later this month, as well as a list of must-try dishes in the city. Let’s get to it.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🇬🇷 Ithaka Greek Restaurant: Traditional Greek fare served in a bustling environment.

🛍 The Market Garden: Serving customers dedicated to experiencing the best local produce and culinary curiosities from around the world.

🍳 Nourish Kitchen and Café: Casual, vegetable forward food in a heritage home in the heart of James Bay.

🥒 Poke Fresh: With two locations in Victoria, specializing in Hawaiian food including poké bowls, açai bowls, wakame salad, and shaved ice. 

🐟 Ferris’ Grill: A Victoria classic serving seafood, burgers, pastas, and an incredible happy hour.

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

FEATURED

Dine Around and Stay in Town is back in Victoria this month

Brought to you by Destination Greater Victoria and the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, Dine Around’s 17-day celebration of food features some of Victoria’s top restaurants presenting set three-course menus at set prices ranging from $25 to $75 from Jan. 14 to Feb. 9, 2025.

Learn more about the event and participating restaurants.

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FEATURED

22 dishes to try in Victoria this year

Victoria’s culinary scene is filled with flavour, and with so many incredible options, deciding where to dine and what to order can be a challenge. At Tasting Victoria, we’ve dedicated the past few months to exploring the city’s best dishes, uncovering the gems that truly stand out, classics, and new additions. 

From decadent desserts to mouthwatering appies and mains, we’ve curated a list of must-try items that showcase unique, flavourful, and exciting dishes to try out. 

Check them out.

🗞️ News

‘Bankrupt’ Sidney restaurant owes employees thousands. [CHEK]

Many Victoria restaurants are closed these first weeks of the year. Make sure to check the restaurant's websites and socials these days if you are planning to head somewhere in particular. 

Little June Cafe is under new ownership. Ed Cunningham, one of the founding partners, has taken over ownership of the cafe.

Cera Korean Tapas is opening soon in the former Little Jumbo location. [Vibrant Victoria] 

8 of the most exciting restaurant openings that came to Victoria in 2024.

The Victoria Whiskey Festival is back from Jan. 16-19.

SPONSORED BY DESTINATION GREATER VICTORIA AND THE BCRFA VICTORIA BRANCH

Dine Around returns to Greater Victoria

On January 23, the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Gala will take over the Crystal Garden!

The launch party of this longstanding Victoria foodie festival features all-you-can-eat bites from 60 of the region's top restaurants, delicious bevvy's, and live entertainment. It's the most dazzling foodie's-night-out in town!

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

The Power Plate with Julie Daniluk: Join registered nutritionist and highly sought-after anti-inflammatory expert, Julie Daniluk at the Victoria Conference Centre this Friday at 2pm, as she shares how to eliminate your pain of bloating, brain fog, achy joints, sleepless nights, poor digestion, and lack of energy in just seven simple steps.

Five-Course Dinner with Small Gods Brewery: Visit HOB Fine Foods this Friday or Saturday for a dinner collaboration with the local brewery, where you’ll taste a delicious paired menu including a grilled melon salad, pulled pork taco, jerk confit duck wings, and more.

Drag Brunch at Vicious Poodle: Enjoy a hearty brunch this Saturday and Sunday while Victoria’s top drag performers put on a show. [Free entrance]

Hot Chocolate Fest: Taste the warmth of Victoria’s community on a month-long run festival from Feb. 1-28, where participating businesses showcase their creativity by creating hot chocolate experiences to support the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre.

Hide N Seek Kitchen Takeover: Hide N Seek Asian Comfort Food Truck is taking over Driftwood Brewery’s kitchen this Saturday, offering gyozas, Vietnamese pork spring rolls, sushi rolls, Yakibuta pork okonomiyaki, Vietnamese pho, and more. 

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• $8.99 poutine and $5.50 16oz. pilsner or Dark Matter at My Chosen Cafe during happy hour, Tues.-Fri. from 2-5pm and 7-8pm.

• 2 for 1 tasting flights at Junction Cidery in January and February.

• Buy one, get one free main at Merridale Farmhouse Eatery in January. (Ask for the BOGO deal when placing your order.)

• $15.99 bundles at Rhino Coffee: Any donut of your choice, a breakfast bagel, and an organic dark roast coffee. 

• $31 prime rib at the James Bay Inn on Sundays. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Team member at Gigi's Italian Foods.

• Support staff at Bucky’s Taphouse. 

• Kitchen manager at Shine Cafe. 

• Host at Med Grill Restaurant.

• Chef de partie at Six Mile Pub & Eatery.

📸 Post of the week

Local influencer “Victoria Taste Buds” did a review on Saxe Point Pub’s Sunday roast special and we are drooling over her post and description. Featured in this post is the honey mustard roast pork loin, sticky toffee fritters, and an orange crème brûlée. Have you been to Saxe Point Pub yet?

That’s it!

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