Top 10 fine dining restaurants in Victoria, Vancouver Island

Home to a medley of international cuisines, highly-acclaimed chefs, first-rate seafood and compelling landscapes, choosing the right place to eat in Victoria, Vancouver Island can seem like an impossible task.

So why not make things easy for yourself and take the pressure off by choosing somewhere from our pick of the top 10 fine dining restaurants in Victoria? Each has been carefully chosen for their striking settings, exquisite menus and exemplary service, perfect for cosying up for a romantic date night or celebrating a special occasion.

#10

Vista 18

Where: 18th Floor, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, 740 Burdett Avenue

The scene: Perched at the top of the Chateau Victoria Hotel, Vista 18 showcases the true beauty of Vancouver Island. The incredible views can be seen from every table (there really isn’t a bad seat in the house) and stretch from the ocean to the mountains, much like the menu. Offering a broad selection of modern American and Canadian dishes, from steaming seafood hot pot to waffle-encrusted slow-roasted chicken thigh, the enticing menu is so extensive that it’s bound to have just what you’re looking for. For lighter bites, there’s also a tapas-style menu available at the wine bar, comprised of an international plethora of small nibbles designed for sharing. The live jazz band which plays on Friday and Saturday evenings adds a lively buzz to the place, making Vista 18 equally perfect for tucking into a plate of sous vide duck breast or sipping on one of their creatively named signature martinis.

Signature dish: Vista 18 signature root vegetable crisps served with a black garlic tzatziki.

#9

Finn's Seafood, Chops & Cocktails

Where: 1208 Wharf Street

The scene: Before you even get to the food there are two things to recommend this restaurants - it's set in an 1882 heritage building and boasts a beautiful 60 seat patio overlooking the Inner Harbour. The menu is centered around sustainably caught seafood, and steaks & chops cut in-house. Finn’s is also a champion for classic cocktails, served strong and cold, and featuring martinis shaken or stirred (as you wish) at your table.

Signature dish: Steamed local Dungeness crab served with charred lemon and drawn butter

#8

Blue Crab Seafood House

Where: 146 Kingston Street

The scene: Described as ‘the best seafood spot in Victoria’ by Frommer’s International Guide, Blue Crab Seafood House makes the most of seasonal ingredients to create an exciting menu, brimming with tantalising dishes that change throughout the year. This downtown gem features a cosy indoor dining room with a dark, romantic colour scheme as well as a dazzling outdoor terrace with mesmerising harbour views, making it the perfect spot for an amazing date night you’ll never forget. In addition to the dinner menu which features drool-worthy mains such as blue crab risotto with chilli oil and Dungeness crab with drawn butter, Blue Crab Seafood House also offers fantastic daily specials hand-written on a rustic blackboard. The wine list highlights crisp Pacific Northwest and British Columbia labels that pair perfectly with the fresh-daily seafood, while the made-in-house desserts are the ideal way to round off your meal with a small indulgence.

Signature dish: Crab cakes served with napa cabbage and fennel slaw, drizzled with chili aioli.

#7

AURA Waterfront Restaurant + Patio

Where: 680 Montreal Street

The scene: Providing an inviting escape on the edge of Downtown Victoria, AURA Waterfront Restaurant + Patio evokes feelings of culinary excitement the minute you walk through the door. The kitchen dream team work hard creating menus that are both a real labour of love and based on fresh, local ingredients that evolve throughout the seasons. Exhibiting the finest in local seafood, the dinner menu includes delights such as fresh B.C. oysters, banana leaf-wrapped halibut and deep-fried sushi. You’ll also find some decadent meat-based options to satisfy ravenous carnivores, too, such as pork two days (glazed loin and sous vide belly) and five spice-rubbed duck breast. Despite being a fine dining restaurant, AURA’s lack of a formal dress code and chic, contemporary environs give it a casual, laid-back atmosphere, making it perfect for foodies who want gourmet eats without a stuffy atmosphere.

Signature dish: Seafood Trio – seared scallops, local wakame butter-poached spot prawn tail and karaage head, and charcoal grilled octopus with pommes dauphine, baby summer vegetables, dashi glee and nasturtium velouté.

#6

Q at the Empress

Where: 721 Government Street

The scene: Serving up classic fine dining with a fresh modern twist, Q at the Empress imbues royalty and decadence everywhere you turn. From the luxurious plum-coloured artwork and seating to the tall, ornate ceilings and the wonderfully artistic low-hanging chandeliers, you know you’re in for a real treat before you even sit down. The cuisine is best described as Pacific Northwest, with a strong focus on seasonal produce and ingredients sourced from local artisans and farmers, all complemented by delicate herbs and vegetables grown in the chef’s onsite garden. Light bites, such as the seafood tower for two with Dungeness crab and tuna poke, develop into more hearty offerings, like slow-cooked double pork chop with carrot cumin puree and roasted Kuterra salmon with whipped potatoes, as the menu progresses. Although the wine list is superb, you’ve got to try the Empress Signature Cesar cocktail, made with Finlandia vodka and house clamoto, decorated with a charcoal salt rim.

Signature dish: Roasted Peace River lamb loin with charcoal aubergine, thyme potatoes and Kalamata liquorice crumbs.

#5

FATHOM – Hotel Grand Pacific

Where: Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street

The scene: Oozing exclusivity and unashamed luxury, the FATHOM is a private dining room set inside the distinguished Hotel Grand Pacific. Offering a one-of-a-kind blend of total privacy and dynamic Pacific Northwest cuisine, this clandestine dining spot flaunts perfectly dressed tables, complete with custom-blown candles, Frette linens and Riedel glasswear, leaving no detail forgotten. The relatively small menu starts simply with fresh salads, daily-prepared soups and small nibbles like crispy calamari and pork belly steamed buns, before moving onto more robust fare, such as house-made pizzas, Asian-inspired ramen bowls, gourmet burgers and a great choice of fish and meat dishes. Even though the relaxed style of cuisine is not what you might expect from a fine dining restaurant, the exceptional effort that goes into creating each dish and the impeccable presentation suggests otherwise. The extensive wine list, which has seen the unique dining spot receive the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past nine years running, is sublime and worth the price tag.

Signature dish: Grand Pacific Burger – a grilled gound chuck patty topped with ancho chilli barbecue sauce, aged cheddar cheese, onion jam and lettuce in a brioche bun.

#4

Brasserie L’ecole

Where: 1715 Government Street

The scene: A classic French-style bistro that serves simple, hearty cuisine along with excellent wine and beer, Brasserie L’ecole is a pleasantly cosy restaurant that strikes a harmonious balance between a casual dining place and an epicurean spot in which to enjoy great food and flawless service. The menu changes constantly to capture the essence of seasonal highlights, like heirloom tomatoes, salmonberries and figs, but always offers a decadent combination of rich and flavoursome French country cooking. If you really want to tuck into something special, don’t pass on the signature platter for two which is always a fabulous sharing experience. The patina-rich fir floors and the pastoral chalkboards listing today’s specials add a homey feel, enhanced by the low lighting and limited seating capacity. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait, as the petite dining hotspot doesn’t accept reservations.

Signature dish: Despite the nightly-changing menu, steak frites with a red wine and shallot sauce is always available and reliably heavenly.

#3

Ugly Duckling Restaurant

Where: 543 Fisgard Street

The scene: A unique restaurant with a beautiful concept - the combination of Vancouver Island's magical terroir and its produce, with the rich cultural heritage of North America's oldest Chinatown. Since opening in February of 2023, Ugly Duckling has made its mark as one of Vancouver Island’s best and most innovative dining experiences, their mantra is "we seek to create inventive and original dining experiences centered around the magical place we call home".

Signature dish: Duck breast with herb doughnuts, green onion, cabbage and a blueberry sauce.

#2

Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar

Where: 1525 Douglas Street

The scene: After over a decade away honing his craft, Executive Chef Kristian Eligh returns to his hometown with a shared vision to create an approachable dining experience that celebrates timeless simplicity highlighting the very best of Vancouver Island. The menu features local and global seafood paired with farm-fresh high-quality sustainable ingredients, and the raw bar has a delicious selection of nigiri, sashimi and sushi rolls. There is an extensive wine list celebrating varietals from reputable regions plus the Island’s premiere wineries.

Signature dish: Take your pick from the beautifully presented raw bar

#1

10 Acres Kitchen

Where: 614 Humboldt Street

The scene: Self-described as ‘slightly finer dining inspired by land and sea’, 10 Acres Kitchen goes back to basics in the best way possible. Whatever the kitchen team doesn’t grow and ethically raise themselves on their organic farm in North Saanich, they selectively source from like-minded farmers, fishermen and food purveyors as locally as possible. Their regionally-inspired Pacific West Coast menus headline the freshest and most innovative ingredients available, guaranteeing you bursts of incredible flavour with every mouthful. The a la carte menu offers beautiful small and large plates, with outstanding menu items that read like poetry. The Chinook salmon with house-made ricotta, smashed peas, grilled sourdough bread, pickled blackberry puree and lemon butter sauce being just one of the many examples. Weekly-changing five-course tasting menus, brimming with an enticing amuse bouche, salad, pasta, main and dessert are the best way to take full advance of the chefs’ creativity and their unparalleled access to superior quality ingredients.

Signature dish: Local Dungeness crab served steamed or chilled with roasted potatoes and 10 Acres Farm vegetables.