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, two new restaurants open this week, what to expect at CrabFest, and Pride events

Sarah Madsen·Jul 4, 2024·8 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №054

Good morning foodies!

This week we are bringing you a look into what to expect from CrabFest next weekend as well as a story about two new restaurants that are coming to the city this week.

Emmaline’s opened its doors last Sunday in Quadra Village and Saxe Point Pub will finally be open this Saturday in Esquimalt.

Do you plan to try any new restaurants this summer?

Let us know where!
  • Yes! Esquimalt's new neighbourhood pub
  • Yes! Quadra Village's newest addition
  • Yes, there are a few new places I'd like to try
  • Yes, somewhere I've been meaning to try for a while
  • Maybe, I haven't decided
  • No, I'm not interested in trying somewhere new
  • Other

Subscribe to participate in polls.

😍 5 spots to try right now

🌮 Cafe Mexico: Traditional and modern Mexican dishes at 1425 Store.  

🥂 Junction Cidery: Craft cider with a tasting room at 273 Prospect Lake.  

🥐 Fox & Monocle Cafe: Bakery and restaurant in North Saanich serving European pastries and comfort food at 2300 Canoe Cove.   

🫓 Los Panas Kitchen: Delicious Venezuelan food truck serving arepas and patacones at 1910 Store. 

🍫 Little Sins Chocolate: Artisanal small-batch chocolates and caramels at 776 Fairview.

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

FEATURED

Victoria is getting two new restaurants this week

Elizabeth Grace Bryan outside Emmaline’s with the artist who hand painted the restaurant name on the glass. Photo: @emmalineingreen / Instagram

After a couple months of teasing sneak peeks on social media, Emmaline's finally opened its doors this past Sunday in Quadra Village. The new restaurant at 2571 Quadra is the vision of Elizabeth Grace Bryan, who previously ran Vancouver’s beloved Dock Lunch restaurant. A self described neighbourhood comfort bistro, Emmaline’s leans into classic bistro fare and takes inspiration from New York, New Orleans, and São Paulo. 

Opening this Saturday in Esquimalt is Saxe Point Pub. The long-awaited neighbourhood pub is coming to the new Esquimalt Town Square and it aims to be a community gathering place with an inviting and warm atmosphere. Its menu will focus on pub classics with a twist, made with locally-sourced fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Read our full story on what to expect from Emmaline's and Saxe Point Pub.

FEATURED

CrabFest is coming to Victoria next weekend

Celebrating local fishermen and incredible access to quality seafood, the Vancouver Island CrabFest is coming to Victoria next weekend and we can’t wait to get our hands on a bucket. 

Local Dungeness crab, corn, potatoes, clams, prawns, fresh bread and butter are all served in personal-sized buckets at Victoria’s Banfield Park next Saturday from 12pm to 7pm.

Along with delicious seafood, expect live music and performances and a fully-equipped kids zone, allowing guests of all ages to participate in this year’s festivities.  

Read more about this year’s CrabFest.

🗞️ News

The Doughnut Vault closes full-times operations: The small-batch doughnut shop that operated out of Victoria Public Market hopes to continue with monthly pop-ups. [Daily Hive]  

Celebrate Pride this weekend with food-related events taking place across the city. From Festival in the Park to drag lunch and roller derby, Tasting Victoria has compiled the upcoming events. 

Pagliacci’s is releasing a documentary on August 24, celebrating 45 years of service. Watch the teaser trailer here.  

Original Pho will open its second location: The Vietnamese eatery is set to take over the old Chorizo & Co. location at 807 Fort, which closed at the end of May. Opening date is yet to be announced.

Seal Point Pizza reopening this weekend: The Fairfield pizza spot reopens Saturday for dinner service following a temporary closure.

The Courtney Room launches new cocktail menu: An Exploration of the NorthWest Vol. 2 highlights locally made spirits and ingredients found on the Island, with beautiful illustrations done by Victoria’s own Darq Webb.      

Westshore Fairway Market will close: The grocery store at Westshore Town Centre is shutting down operations this Saturday after 36 years. [Times Colonist]

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Candy Land Pride Party: Comedy duo Candy Whip will be hosting a dance party and variety show at Victoria Event Centre. Today. Doors 8pm, show 8:30pm. 

Kilbourne and Bedtime Snack: Celebrate Kilbourne's birthday with additional sets from Mirage, HzLock, and Chymes at Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow. 9pm. 

Comedy for a Cause: Curran Dobbs will headline this comedy fundraiser for Community Living Victoria at The Vic Theatre. Tomorrow. 7:30-9pm. 

Pride in the Word: Listen to literary readings from queer speakers at the Victoria Conference Centre tomorrow, 7:30-10:30pm.   

Phillips Backyard: The music festival’s Tilt weekend kicks off from tomorrow until Sunday and includes performances from Orville Peck, Noah Cyrus, Saint Motel, and more. 

Saanich Strawberry Festival: The annual family-friendly festival at Beaver Beach includes live music, bouncy castles, a farmers market, and lots of strawberries. Sunday, 11am-4pm.

 💸 Deals

  • $12 gin and tonics and $10 potato skins at Bartholomew's Public House during daily happy hour, 3-6pm. 

  • $6 crab cakes and $6 Cynar spritz at Pagliacci's during daily happy hour, 3-5pm.  

  • $9 smashville burger and $8 deep fried pickles at Bin 4 Burger Lounge during daily happy hour, 3-6pm. 

  • $9 caesar brussels sprouts and $11 old fashioneds at The Keg during daily happy hour from open to 6pm and 9pm to close.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Community Engagement Consultant at Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre

  • Executive Director at Capital Bike

  • 1st or 2nd Cook at The Blue Poppy Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens

  • Enhanced Executive Support Analyst at ISM

📸 Post of the week

partandparcelvictoria on Instagram
@partandparcelvictoria
View on Instagram →

This mouthwatering Nashville fried halibut sandwich from Part and Parcel is packed with half sour pickles, red onion, and fig leaf tartar sauce. Find it at 2656 Quadra.

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