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, new restaurant coming to Esquimalt, Instagram-worthy restaurants, and Deer & Dough Bakery is reopening

Sarah Madsen·Jul 11, 2024·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №055

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a round-up of picture-worthy restaurants as well as a story about a new restaurant that will be opening in the former Old English Inn in Esquimalt.

It will be among a number of new and returning eateries—Deer & Dough Bakery also announced this week it would be reopening—that are popping up across the city.

What type of cuisine would you like to see more of in Victoria?

  • African food
  • Vegan and vegetarian food
  • Caribbean food
  • Middle Eastern food
  • Barbecue
  • South and Central American food
  • South Asian food
  • Other (tell us in the comments!)

Subscribe to participate in polls.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🍣 Kappo Marta: Modern Japanese restaurant serving donburi, noodles, and teishoku at 1600 Bay.  

🍺 James Bay Inn Pub: Neighbourhood pub serving local brews and comfort food at 270 Government.   

🧀 Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen: European specialty store that serves breads, pastries, and deli goods at 2272 Oak Bay Ave.  

🍪 Chubby's Cookies: Made to order cookies with a range of exciting flavours.   

🌮 Taco Justice: Food truck serving Mexican street food at 1580 Cook.

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

FEATURED

New Restaurant coming to Esquimalt heritage building

Rosemead House. Photo: Submitted

Janevca Kitchen & Lounge will open in the restored Rosemead House—formerly known as the Old English Inn—in August. 

The new restaurant at 429 Lampson St. aims to celebrate heritage in a heritage home. It will focus on open-flame cooking, using a wood-fire grill to offer dishes like steak and charred vegetables. 

The kitchen will be led by executive chef Andrea Alridge, who was a finalist on the cooking competition show Top Chef Canada. Alridge will take inspiration from her Filipino and Jamaican heritage in designing the restaurant’s menu. 

Read our full story on what to expect from Janevca Kitchen & Lounge.

FEATURED

7 Instagram-worthy dining rooms in Victoria

Victoria is full of beautiful sights, and that certainly doesn’t exclude its restaurants. From candlelit rooms decorated with brick fireplaces to sky-high seating that overlooks the city, there are spaces that are practically screaming to get their photo taken.

Check out our list of seven of our top Instagram-worthy dining rooms in Victoria, featuring an ambiance you’ll want to come back to again and again.

🗞️ News

Deer & Dough Bakery is reopening: The cafe and bakery formerly located in Fairfield will take over the former Shatterbox Coffee location in the Victoria Public Market. Set to open in August.     

CrabFest returns this weekend: Enjoy a bucket of crab, prawns, and clams at Banfield Park on Saturday, 12-7pm. The crab festival will also have a beverage garden, vendors, and live music.  

Canadian Beer Festival is moving: The annual craft beer festival will relocate to Topaz Park for this year’s Sep. 6-7 weekend. The festival was previously at Royal Athletic Park. 

Refuge Tap Room is turning five: The tap room on Fort will celebrate its birthday with $7.50 shafts throughout the week and cake on Wednesday.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Cole Ashley Quartet: The tenor saxophonist will be joined by pianist Rick Son, bassist Harold Cui, and drummer Hans Verhoeven at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

SKAMpede: The outdoor live performance festival returns this weekend with venues across the Galloping Goose trail, Songhees Park, and Songhees Walkway. Performances will include comedy, dance, puppetry and more. Tomorrow until Sunday. 

Festival Mexicano: This festival celebrating Mexican culture will take place at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour this Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm. 

ReLove Market: Shop secondhand and vintage clothes and accessories in Market Square this Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm.

Club Voltaire: The band will perform music inspired by Django at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Saturday. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

Get On Bad: Dance along to reggae, dancehall, and afrobeat music at Victoria Event Centre. Saturday, 10pm-2am.

 💸 Deals

  • $8 porcini mushroom arancini and $8 chip buttie at Saxe Point Pub during daily happy hour, 3-5:30pm. 

  • $13 butter chicken poutine and $8 featured cocktails at Varsha Indian Kitchen during daily happy hour, 3-6pm. 

  • $10 lychee elderflower martini and $10 old fashioned at Bray's during late night happy hour from 9pm to close.

  • $10 chicken karaage and $9 gyoza at Taisho Japanese Grill and Bar during happy hour from 3-5pm and from 9pm to close.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Dental Hygienist at Peninsula Dental

  • Irrigation Trades Assistant at The Butchart Gardens

  • Community Engagement Consultant at Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre

  • Executive Director at Capital Bike

📸 Post of the week

sealpointpizza on Instagram
@sealpointpizza
View on Instagram →

Delicious small batch pizza made in Fairfield. Seal Point Pizza has reopened at 1275 Fairfield and is now open for dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

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.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.
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