Victoria - Inner Harbor restaurants

[NoobCruise]

We'll be in Victoria from 6pm to midnight. Not a lot of time and most of the excursions don't really appeal, so we thought we'd spend our time exploring the Inner Harbour. Can anyone give me an idea of a selection of good restaurants to choose from? A pub with fish n chips or maybe a good italian or mexican would be great.

 

Any "must see" shops? Thanks!

[Putterdude]

Barb's Fish n' Chips at Fisherman's' Wharf is always popular and an easy walk from the cruise terminal. Hard to beat the views from Milestones on Wharf St. Nautical Nellie's at 1001 Wharf St. has improved a lot in recent years. The Sticky Wicket in the Strathcona Hotel has always had decent fish n' chips. Shops not to be missed are Rogers Chocolates and Murchies Tea, both on Government St.

[scottbee]

We'll be in Victoria from 6pm to midnight. Not a lot of time and most of the excursions don't really appeal, so we thought we'd spend our time exploring the Inner Harbour. Can anyone give me an idea of a selection of good restaurants to choose from? A pub with fish n chips or maybe a good italian or mexican would be great.

 

Any "must see" shops? Thanks!

 

There's [sadly] very little in the way of Mexican, Only one I would really recommend is La Fiesta, a very casual place at Douglas & Broughton. For Italian the two choices I would consider are Pagliacci's on Broad Street (short walk from the Inner Harbour -- heart of downtown); and Zambri's on Yates street. it's an odd location, but the food is excellent.

 

As for Fish and Chips, Barbs (close to the cruise terminal) located at Fisherman's Wharf would be one suggestion, plus an excellent food cart style place called Redfish Bluefish

 

Something I would recommend, if you like asian food, is the Noodle Box multiple locations in Victoria - the one on Douglas is probably closest for you.

 

http://www.thenoodlebox.net/

http://www.lafiestacafe.ca/

http://www.zambris.ca/

http://www.pagliaccis.ca/

http://www.barbsplace.ca/

http://www.redfish-bluefish.com/

 

map; showing where the ship docks, easy walking routes etc

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=212770407613531027445.0004665d7f3e28f06866d&msa=0&ll=48.418606,-123.375649&spn=0.023355,0.033774

[Sandy R]

Scotbee... great map. Will take it with me when we go in September. Thanks!

[celestialcruiser]

Thanks for the map. If you walk into town, are there shops along the way? Or other things that are open after 7pm? Or maybe we should just do a bar hop? We will be there Sept. 7, so it will be dark by that time. Is it safe to walk? Or should be take a cab somewhere?

[scottbee]

Thanks for the map. If you walk into town, are there shops along the way? Or other things that are open after 7pm? Or maybe we should just do a bar hop? We will be there Sept. 7, so it will be dark by that time. Is it safe to walk? Or should be take a cab somewhere?

 

It's a safe walk along the waterfront; it's a combination of older residential, some hotels (hotels on the larger roads), and government offices ( you pass the BC Legislature along the way). I used to walk it all the time, but then I lived in that part of town; and worked for the government.

 

You won't find anything in the way of shopping really until you get north of the Empress Hotel (ie north of Humbolt/Government).

[NoobCruise]

Thanks for the map. If you walk into town, are there shops along the way? Or other things that are open after 7pm? Or maybe we should just do a bar hop? We will be there Sept. 7, so it will be dark by that time. Is it safe to walk? Or should be take a cab somewhere?

 

What ship are you sailing? We'll be there Sept 7 too lol

[celestialcruiser]

Thanks scottbee.

 

We'll be on the Golden.

[operabob]

Barb's Fish n' Chips at Fisherman's' Wharf is always popular and an easy walk from the cruise terminal.

 

Everyone lines up for Barb's because of past reputation when they were the only outlet on the wharf. Because of the reputation everyone misses the outlet right next to them. Just as good IMO and a dollar cheaper. Expect to pay about $21 after tax for 2 piece Halibut and chips. As it is, being a cheap SOB, my wife and I get ours at the James Bay F&C for $13 and take them to the wharf (although I'll admit the quality is a bit lower) but hey those $8s saved go to our next cruise. :D

 

My favourite is the Galley near Willow's Beach but it's too far from the terminal.

 

If you're up to funky I'd suggest walking into town a little further (but not that far) to John's Place

 

http://www.johnsplace.ca/

 

for a burger + unique local eatery.

 

I do like Ferris Oyster Bar as well:

 

http://www.ferrisoysterbar.com/

 

In a very historic part of the city. They make great burgers and the best fries in town.

 

For a mid-price unique Victoria experience you could try:

 

https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&tok=7gaA0prByAK_yzyTnm1QzQ&cp=4&gs_id=7x&xhr=t&q=pagliacci%27s+victoria&pf=p&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=pagl&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=8c67ee93f45e31b8&biw=1024&bih=629

 

Couldn't get their homepage to load so I'm just giving you the Google search. Many locals refer to Pag's as Victoria's favourite restaurant. I particularly like the "Peter C. Newman Lasagna". It's just into the downtown as you come from the ship.

 

Others mentioned the Sticky Wicket. It's probably the most popular pub in town. Another pub worth visiting is "the Bard and Banker" but I wouldn't eat there as it's over-priced IMO.

 

http://www.bardandbanker.com/

 

 

It's named that way because it was the original bank and school house in Victoria and the bank manager and school teacher was Robert Service who wrote all the famous poems about the Yukon Gold Rush.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_W._Service

 

A little further up the street is the Garrick's Head pub (general pub food). The balcony on the side over looks where they held the public hangings. The owner of the Garrick's Head thought it would be a great place to sell beer!!!! He himself was murdered. There are still 11 bodies buried in the square. It's said to be the most haunted place in Canada!

 

http://www.bedfordregency.com/pub.htm

[LeftcoastBC]

Recently stayed at the Executive House and there are two restaurant in that building. Pub style down stairs and "West Coast" up.

 

Easy walk behind the Empress (north side) to the East. (Check Scott's map)

 

I was pleasantly surprised with the food. F&C down in the pub. ;)

[operabob]

Going with Lefty's thoughts:

 

If you want a really unique experience, but more costly, try the Bengal Lounge in the Empress Hotel.

 

http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/thebengallounge/

 

The Bengal Lounge was designed in honour of Rudyard Kipling and the era of the British Raj in India. Kipling stayed at the Empress a couple of times as did Raymond Chandler (The Big Sleep):

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Chandler

 

as did a lot of Hollywood celebraties, including Bing Crosby and Bob Hope who used to pitch golf balls on the front lawns. Peter Lawford was arrested there for assaulting a chambermaid. John Wayne used to moor his yacht (a converted mine sweeper) in front of the Empress.

 

The Bengal Lounge serves a curry buffet. Not overly expensive nor expansive but I like it.

 

Going back to my earlier rec of John's Place. I once suggested to a bus tour group to go there not knowing they'd been the night before. The people on the bus cheered and applauded. It's where the locals would eat.

 

I have no connection whatsoever on any of my recs. other than as a patron BTW.

[scottbee]

My favourite is the Galley near Willow's Beach but it's too far from the terminal.

I grew up on the cheap side of town, and it was Brady's on Burnside for us....

 

If you're up to funky I'd suggest walking into town a little further (but not that far) to John's Place http://www.johnsplace.ca/for a burger + unique local eatery.

 

I do like Ferris Oyster Bar as well:http://www.ferrisoysterbar.com/

 

In a very historic part of the city. They make great burgers and the best fries in town.

Famous for their sweet potato fries.

 

For a mid-price unique Victoria experience you could try:

 

https://www.google.ca/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&tok=7gaA0prByAK_yzyTnm1QzQ&cp=4&gs_id=7x&xhr=t&q=pagliacci%27s+victoria&pf=p&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=pagl&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=8c67ee93f45e31b8&biw=1024&bih=629

 

Couldn't get their homepage to load so I'm just giving you the Google search. Many locals refer to Pag's as Victoria's favourite restaurant. I particularly like the "Peter C. Newman Lasagna". It's just into the downtown as you come from the ship.

I would argue the best thing on the menu is the lunch time unlimited [homemade] soup and bread; but.... to each their own.

[operabob]

Scott,

 

I liked Brady's too but the quality seemed to drop a bit when they re-opened in the new location.

 

I grew up on the cheap side of town

 

We drove to the Galley! ;)

 

There's also the "Old Vic" in Downtown:

 

http://www.10best.com/destinations/canada/victoria/downtown/restaurants/old-vic-fish-chips/

 

but I don't find them outstanding although in the past many people swore by them..

 

As to Red Fish/Blue Fish, people create long lines for them and I won't go back for the Fish & Chips. I was really disappointed. But that's my opinion only. However, I noticed most people were ordering the fish tacos which might be the reason for the lines as nobody else in town seems to be focusing on this market.