Where to stock up on Victoria’s best food and drink this fall – Scout Magazine

Planning a trip to Victoria this month? We’ve compiled a short list of things to eat and drink in the city to satisfy your appetite for the cooler months ahead…

dumpling drop

Yes, Victoria is much loved dumpling drop is known for their dumplings – no surprises there – and you should definitely drop by their Pandora Street storefront for a serving of these delicious fried dudes. Pork belly? Shrimps & Chives? Lemongrass chicken? Vegan Triple Mushroom? They have them all! But do it at lunchtime (the earlier the better), that way you can come back – with a new appetite – for Chaiyo Nights, Dumpling Drop’s evening alter-ego serving authentic Thai dinner. . Grab a friend, get cozy, and order a slew of plates to share, including garlicky chicken wings, Som Tom green papaya salad, Masaman Gai (a comforting curry of chicken, potato , coconut and tamarind over rice) and a glass of Thai noodle salad with a spicy mint, cilantro and lime dressing (all pictured above against a pink background). Don’t forget to throw a glass of natural wine or a cold beer into the mix. Chaiyo Nights runs Thursday through Sunday, 6-9 p.m.

Eva Schnitzelhaus

Still adjusting to the sudden shift from a prolonged summer to a full fall? We offer you to facilitate the transition by relying on comforting dishes: Jagerschnitzel, schweineschnitzel, bratwurst, currywurst, braised red cabbage, cold beer and SPAETZLE! Eva Schnitzelhaus got you covered. This sophisticated yet laid-back space on the outskirts of Victoria’s Chinatown offers dining five nights a week (Wednesday through Sunday), as well as weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Orchestrate your own Oktoberfest in November.

End of dive

End of dive is a new restaurant located at the Government and Herald. We haven’t had a chance to check them out for ourselves yet, but we’ve been watching closely and like what we’ve seen and heard (for some background, check out Ryan Hook’s informative article in Capital city here). Bottom line: this is a capable crew focused on seafood, good times, no pimping, punk music, unique design, made-from-scratch cuisine, and local ingredients. End Dive is open during the day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday to Monday; and Thursday through Sunday evenings from 5 p.m. to late. If you go, report back – we want to know how it was!

Arrange

Located outside of downtown Fernwood (a pedestrianized neighborhood anchored by a community theater, small shops and independent restaurants), not only Arrange a room full of lovely features – large windows, brick walls, wood floors and candles – it’s also full of delights. The French-inspired menu is small and seasonally focused with a West Coast twist – as good for sharing as it is for a solo meal. Classic cocktails and wines from their thoughtful wine list are affordable (and encouraged). In short, you can’t go wrong by incorporating Stage into your Victoria itinerary. Our advice: aim for seats at the bar.

Agrius & Fol Epi

Whether you’re tucking into a baguette, granola or box of pastries to go, or settling down for a late afternoon charcuterie plate and a nice glass of wine, which mysteriously leads to pizza for dinner …this Yates Street institution always delivers. Known for their commitment to using organic ingredients from the best local farms, as well as natural and low-intervention wines, both Agrius and Fol Epi showcase the best of Vancouver Island by telling culinary stories.

sherwood

Sausage, eggs and sourdough French toast with ricotta whipped daily; natural wine list and plates to share in the evening; plus a great happy hour with cocktails in the $8-12 range – this bright and lively “contemporary take on a European cafe” awaits, whenever you’re ready. Check Sherwood website for full menu playback.

To feed

Authentic, nourishing dishes served in a welcoming 1888 heritage home on the edge of Victoria’s Inner Harbor with an emphasis on “…holistic philosophies, traditional culinary techniques and boundless inspiration from nature”. Not only the inspiration behind To feed translate into healthy, comforting and tasty food on the plate, a visit to this coffee shop and community center is a great place to retreat from the chaos of downtown.

Uchida Restaurant

This lunch-only restaurant is only accessible via take-out. Despite very specific parameters, Uchida worth it if you crave a nourishing meal of organic Japanese comfort food. Great for taking back to your hotel, but in a pinch, this restaurant is located inside Nootka Court (a fully covered mall-like space in downtown Victoria). Also note: Uchida is located right next to Jaga silk tea shop. Jaga Silk is open every Friday from 12pm to 4pm for tea and homemade desserts.

hank

This tiny restaurant on Douglas Street may only have 16 seats, but it has a great attitude, unapologetically bold flavors and good energy. To hank you will be served by the chefs who cook your dishes. The menu changes with seasonal ingredients, sourced directly from farmers, fishers and gatherers on Vancouver Island. This team cares about where the food comes from and how it’s cooked, and it shows.

Bread work culture

Looking for a pick-me-up? Fresh bread, cinnamon rolls and nice people always make it for us. Bread work culture has them all, and more. Head to this Douglas Street bakery for bread, cookies, pastries, coffee and (sometimes) even pizza. Don’t leave it too late in the day, though! Victoria loves the work culture and the shop sells out steadily. Travel Tip: Dark Chocolate Sourdough (Saturday) and Cheese and Herbs OR Potato Herbs (Sunday) are only available on weekends. Check the working culture to see which breads will be on the shelves during your visit here. Pro tip: To-go sandwiches are a great thing to make for yourself on the way to the ferry.

Maiiz

Even though the food Maiiz was not one of the most authentic and delicious Mexicans we encountered in Canada, Chef Israel Alvarez Molina’s enthusiasm and knowledge of traditional ingredients and processing would be reason enough to stop in this Mexican counter service shop, located in Victoria’s Chinatown. Tamales and tacos are a must, but consider packing a carry bag to load up take-out packets of their stone ground tortillas, plus Pozole, Barbacoa and Enchilada kits…AND the hot chocolate is the real deal – you should so probably leave with a cup of that too.

School Brewery

Although School Brewery does not accept reservations, if you are brave enough to prepare for the November weather by queuing for a spot, you will be rewarded! There’s a reason the seats of this classic French country-style brasserie have been sought after for almost 20 years. Comfortable dining room, soft lighting, authentic service, French wines (and beer) and a classic menu (imagine yourself enjoying an Onion Soup Gratinée followed by an Endive Salad and the Brasserie’s famous burger with truffle oil and parmesan fries!) Brasserie l’L’Ecole is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm to 9pm. We suggest you arrive early to claim your right to a table. If you don’t get in for the first seat, don’t worry – they have a waiting list system that lets you leave your name and phone number so you’ll be notified when a spot becomes available.

Ruth and Dean

We never leave Victoria without visiting Ruth and Dean. Located in a bustling shopping area one block away in a residential neighborhood, this luncheonette and bakery offers comfort food. Not only do they serve homemade soups, sandwiches and salads, but they also produce some of the best baked goods in town. We make sure to fill our bags with all kinds of goodies to take to Vancouver, including frozen soups, homemade granola, the best chocolate ice cream cake ever, and a few Nanaimo bars for good measure. Damn, this place is good.

Beer

In Victoria and looking for a good beer? Heat things up by knocking Superflux {Shack} for sexy Vegas-inspired vibes with a menu of cozy classic dishes, plus sleeves of Superflux beer flowing from their taps. Brasserie Ile Sauvage just turned four in October, which is reason enough to drop by and go wild with a glass of something fruity and/or sour on tap. And, if you’re doing the downtown brewery tour, then Brewing whistle buoy is obvious. Plan your visit on a Friday or Saturday afternoon (the earlier the better) to devour some Vancouver Island oysters from the wandering mollusk pop up with your beers. A short walk (5 minutes) will take you to your next stop: Herald Street Brew Works – a joint effort between the owners of The Drake in Victoria and the owners of the New West Steel & Oak Brewery, so you can count on an inviting space and delicious beers.