31 contemporary cuisine paired with unique views of the Johnson Street Bridge. Slip into Wind Cries Mary for modern and local cuisine paired with a stellar cocktail list. For spots that are less overtly romantic but still intimate, try End Dive for hyper-local pescatarian fare, Bao Victoria for a hearty bowl of noodles, or Rabbit Rabbit, known for its extensive wine list and playful champagne button you can press to have bubbly delivered straight to your table. Beer lovers will also feel right at home here, with several of the city’s top breweries nearby, including Whistle Buoy, Harold Street Brewing, and the legendary Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., which now offers a full menu (hot dog tower, anyone?). There are also excellent taprooms like Swan’s Brewery, The Drake Eatery, and Craft Beer Market, which boasts one of the best patios in the city Some kid-friendly spaces include Pinhalla Pizza & Pinball, Cafe Mexico, and Shanzee’s for the best biscuit in town. In Fan Tan Alley you’ll find Friends & Family Bakery, famous for its Filipino desserts packed with delicious ube flavours. For tasty dumplings head to Dumpling Drop for Thai fried dumplings, Chubby Dumpling for Korean-inspired dishes, or Don Mee’s for a fun dim sum experience. Alright adventurous foodies, are you ready to eat around the world in just one block? Start at the base of Fisgard street on the water at the award-winning Café Malabar for modern South Indian cuisine. Don’t miss the Kerala Egg Puff, a flaky French pastry wrapped around a masala-spiced egg. Then make a quick stop at Eva Schnitzel for their currywurst, a classic German street food of fried sausage topped with ketchup and curry powder. Next door, pop into La Roux Pâtisserie for something sweet. Their handmade macarons are always a hit, but the Paris-Brest pastry is truly exceptional. Cross the street to Maiiz Nixtamal for authentic Mexican cuisine. Chef Israel Molina makes his tortillas using the traditional nixtamalization process, and the beef barbacoa taco is outstanding. Feeling wild? Try the grasshopper taco. Mere steps away is Loy Sing. This historic spot has been operating since 1889, making it the oldest continuously running Chinese business in North America. You can’t go wrong with a plate of their BBQ duck or pork but be sure to bring cash. Then grab a famous pork bun from Wah Lei Yuen, a family-owned Cantonese bakery and restaurant that turns out about 100 of these irresistible buns each day. Finish your culinary journey across the street at Matadora, where you YOU HAVEN’T BEEN TO VICTORIA UNTIL YOU’VE BEEN TO THE STICKY WICKET CANADA’S BIGGEST PUB 919 DOUGLAS ST VICTORIA & WORLD FAMOUS BIG BAD JOHN’S HILLBILLY BAR Brunch options abound at Hotel Grand Pacific’s Fathom restaurant.
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