By Megan Cole
What is it about home that when you’re a young you just can’t wait to get out? My hometown was Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island, and I wasn’t fond of it as a teenager and young adult. I wanted to be across the ocean in Vancouver, not in the city I’d already spent most of my life. Victoria is largely geared towards tourism, which means sometimes it felt like it lacked substance and something that locals could be proud of. When we were growing up most of the popular restaurants were chain restaurants, but coming back to my hometown as an adult it’s all changed and there is now a lot of food and drinks to be proud of.
The Veneto Tapa Lounge
I’m a sucker for nostalgia, and there’s nothing more perfect for a heritage city like Victoria than to have a blooming cocktail scene. Veneto Tapa Lounge is one of several outstanding cocktail bars in Victoria. In a sense, it’s like stepping back in time. Behind the long stone bar, bartenders sporting bow ties and even suspenders not only reintroduce the classics, but also create custom cocktails per order (called Spin the Wheel). Or, you can just pick off the list of amazing house cocktails. After trying my very first Old Fashioned while sitting at Veneto’s bar, I find it hard to order anything else, but I have on a few occasions chosen to spin the wheel, and it’s always delicious.
La Taquisa
Most cities in Canada are taco crazy, and Victoria is no exception. For years, the taco destination in Victoria was another popular spot called Hernande’z Cocina, but it seems the new kid in town may be giving the OG a run for its money. With limited seating, La Taquisa is making tacos the way we all want them; quick, delicious and good to-go. Also, the menu is fun to order from. Essentially you order the item you want and then you choose your protein (i.e. chicken mole), followed by your salsa. It’s great because it feels like you can order the taco a different way every time you go in. I’ve had several items from the La Taquisa menu, but when it comes to the tacos I highly recommend the Baja-style shrimp.
10 Acres
When I first discovered 10 Acres, all I could think was, “It’s about time!” Victoria may be surrounded by ocean, but it’s also surrounded by endless options for local produce, products, seafood, meat, beer, spirits and the list goes on. Eating and buying local is one of the most important things we can do. But it’s often hard to even know what is local, and that’s why restaurants like 10 Acres are so important. They are educating their diners about what is seasonal and local in the Victoria area, and are serving them up as part of mouth-watering dishes. Everything on their menu is delicious, from their chicken wings to their Negroni cocktails.
Caffe Fantastico
At this point in our hometown tour of Victoria, BC we’ve got you covered for lunch, dinner and cocktails, but you’re going to need a coffee, and one of the best is Caffe Fantastico. This coffee shop started with one great location just outside of Downtown Victoria on Quadra Street. Their focus was simple: beautifully roasted coffee, perfectly served. They’ve continued to do that and now have three locations, and I have to admit I have a favourite, which is in Vic West. On a beautiful Victoria day, I love to sit out on their patio with an Americano in hand and enjoy a view of Victoria we don’t often see, which showcases all the amazing heritage buildings along the downtown’s Store Street.
Driftwood Brewery
I’m still on the hunt for the perfect Victoria, BC dessert. Instead of recommending a plain ol’ ice cream cone, I’m recommending you pick up a bottle of beer from one of my all-time favourite breweries: Driftwood Brewery. I think what I experience with Driftwood is much like what a parent does with their children; how do you pick a favourite? It just seems wrong. They have a great range of beers in their collection and every one seems to be brewed to perfection. If I had to choose a favourite to recommend to you, I would say either their Farmhand Saison or, if you like sours, check out their Belle Royale.
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