We all have our favourite spots to eat at in the city and it's hard to branch out, but what do you do when you end up on an island with your family on a trip to see your aunt or your friends want to visit that one gal pal who decided to go to UVIC instead of UBC? Instead of puttering over Yelp reviews that are never reliable (honestly, who Yelps anymore?) use this list as your guide to Victoria's best restaurants to avoid ending up at the White Spot. Ferris’ Oyster Bar, 536 Yates St. View this post on Instagram Tried oysters with lime before?! . . . . #yum #raw #oysters #lime #effinghamoyster #ferrisoysterbar #cellardirect #chardonnay #organic #slurp #yyj #tryit A post shared by Steve Reichheld (@sreichheld) on Jan 9, 2019 at 8:12pm PST Okay, you're on an ISLAND - you'd better eat some seafood! But if you're still apprehensive, this oyster bar offers all kinds of dishes (yes, even some non-seafood meals for the less adventurous ones out there) with the downstairs grill, the upstairs oyster bar, and the tapas lounge. Recommended: Fried oyster burger with the salad. Add lemon feta dressing. You're welcome. Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar, 506 Fort St. View this post on Instagram Not your average meat 'n' potatoes...⠀ ⠀ Brant Lake Wagyu beef bavette, potato terrine, caramelized shallot, rosemary bone marrow butter, grilled asparagus, whisky-mushroom jus 🥩🥃 #yyjfoodie #yyjrestaurant #brantlake #steakdate A post shared by Little Jumbo (@littlejumbobc) on Jun 3, 2019 at 12:24pm PDT If you're wanting to celebrate a special occasion, or just enjoy some creative fare, look no further than this chill speakeasy. This intimate, urban spot is a perfect place for a late-night craft cocktail that'll quench your thirst and blow your taste buds away. Recommended: Little Jumbo Burger and Frozen Lemon Soufflé. Be Love, 1019 Blanchard St. View this post on Instagram This isn’t just ‘exquisite vegan cuisine’. This is ‘exquisite cuisine that happens to be vegan’. I ordered the Gnocchi di Viola, @mikey01235 had the Medicinal Congee (with Peking Tofu), and we shared the Cheese & Crackers 🌱 @belovevictoria #finedining #vegan #glutenfree #victoriabc #veganrestaurant #victoriavegan @tourismvictoriabc @victoriatourism_bc #gnocchi #congee #cheese #beloverestaurant A post shared by AIR | Dance Yoga Fitness Vegan (@air_the_dancing_vegan) on Feb 7, 2019 at 8:51pm PST We all have that friend we need to accommodate. You know the one. Vegan. Gluten-free. Believe me, before Be Love I didn't realize you could eat like that without it tasting like cardboard. This insanely creative and elegant restaurant is owned by siblings and offers organic and plant-based foods that will both satisfy and energize you without harming any furry friends. Bonus: Their Love Bowl initiative offers a legume rice bowl by donation so that no one has to go hungry. Recommended: Empanadas!!! Pizzaria Prima Strada, 230 Cook St. View this post on Instagram The funghi supremo at @primastrada is perfection after a long week👌 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #buybc #eatdrinklocal #yyjfood #yyj #supportlocal #localresturnants #Vancouverisland #eatlocal #foodphotography #yyjeats #foodie #foodporn #forkyeah #instaeats #figscheeseandchampignon #pizza #mushrooms #mushroompizza #funghi #pizzaria #primastrada #pizzariaprimastrada #yyjpizza #weekend #weekendvibes A post shared by Amy (@figscheeseandchampignon) on Apr 25, 2019 at 5:51pm PDT Who doesn't love pizza? With two locations in Victoria, Prima Strada is the primo spot to get a slice of pie. Even Vancouver blogger and owner of Fraîche Nutrition, Tori Wesszer, couldn't resist their Funghi Supremo. Recommended: Rucola e crudo with lots and lots of chili oil. Hank's *A Restaurant, 1001 Douglas St. View this post on Instagram Buratta is one of our faves. Ours are made in Italy and dropped to us via Lufthansa very shortly after. They ride in the front seats. This how you know they're good. #cheeseball #buratta #banger A post shared by Hanks (@hanksvic) on Jun 12, 2019 at 9:50am PDT Have you ever wanted to eat so much food you thought you might die? Well, look no further than Hanks on Douglas. With an ever-evolving menu, the two owners cook and serve you an array of meat inventions that will make you want to pass out, but it's definitely worth it. This open-concept kitchen is only a 19-seater, but if you manage to get a seat at the bar, be sure to heckle the staff. Recommended: Anything on the special board. The Tapa Bar, 620 Trounce Alley View this post on Instagram The last lovely lunch with @amberrutledge90 at @tapabar 💖 They have such amazing food and great customer service!! I highly recommend The Tapa Bar in Trounce Alley! 🙌🏼 • • • • #yyj #yyjeats #yyjfood #yyjrestaurants #yyjphotographer #yyjshoplocal #thetapabar #thetapabarvictoria #tapas #besties #food #seafood #chicken #vacation #fettuccini #pasta #lunch #girlsday #girlsdayout #girlsweek #bestfriends #love #blessed #happy A post shared by 🌻Shelley Smiley🌻 (@shellsmiley90) on Aug 31, 2018 at 6:00pm PDT Three words: Bacon. Wrapped. Dates. The Tapa Bar is the best place to go with your girlfriends so that everyone can share a bit of everything. Okay, it's actually so you can all get an order of dates without it looking weird. Make it a Sunday affair and get pitchers of sangria for $20! Recommended: THE DATES, DAMMIT! OLO Restaurant, 509 Fisgard St. View this post on Instagram Herb Crusted Halibut on the menu this week - accompanied by a spot prawn bisque, quinoa & sprouted grains, charred cucumber, roasted tomato, with sea asparagus and arrow grass. 🐟🐟 Try it as part of our prix fixe menu, on our kitchen tasting menu, or a la carte. Delicious summer seafood flavours! . . . #oloeats #eatlocal #yyjeats #halibut #spotprawn #bisque #oceantotable #forage #foragedfood #seafood #farmtotable #victoriabc #vancouverisland #explorebc #plating #instafood #foodgram #westcoast #pacificnorthwest #cheflife #tastingmenu #imentionedthebisque A post shared by OLO restaurant (@olorestaurant) on Jun 1, 2019 at 4:31pm PDT Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, OLO takes farm-to-table to the next level by using ingredients from all over B.C. OLO's mission is to forge connections over food, so consider this a place to try on your next date night. Recommended: Ask the server what their favourite dish is. Bao, 626 Fisgard St. View this post on Instagram Definitely a Ramen day🍜 Open 12-9#bao_victoria_chinatown #yyjfoodie #ramen #tantanmen #noodlesoup A post shared by Bao Restaurant Victoria (@bao_victoria_chinatown) on May 25, 2019 at 11:25am PDT Since you're already on Fisgard... You should DEFINITELY check out Bao, a much-needed ramen spot in Victoria featuring buns, bibimbaps and, duh, ramen! Recommended:Taiwanese classic bun. Taste of Europe Deli, 735 Yates St. #130 View this post on Instagram What a tasty find! The chef made the schnitzel from scratch. I could hear him pounding it with the mallet in the kitchen. The potato pancakes were from scratch too. A light crunch on the outside while fluffy on the inside. #tastingvictoria #yyjeats #yyjfoodie yyjfood #gastropost #foodstagram A post shared by lilikoiboi250 (@lilikoiboi250) on Feb 9, 2019 at 2:10pm PST It's not always about where you eat, but what you eat. It's easy to miss this spot if you're walking up and down the Douglas stretch, but when you step inside, you'll be greeted by owner Chris Zmuda, and if he doesn't already make you feel like family, his pierogies will. Recommended: The Borscht. Update: This Yates' location has closed. As the owner awaits securing a new permanent location, his tasty Polish classics are available through online orders. Foo Asian Street Food, 769 Yates St. View this post on Instagram Lunching at Yates and Blanchard St. #padthai #bbqoctopussalad #tunatataki #foodporn #foodgasm #foodgram #yvrfoodie #vcbfood #dhvanfood #pescatarian #wanderlustfoodie #victoriabc #fooasianstreetfood A post shared by Aka Chopstick Chika 🍜 (@the_hangry_wanderer) on Apr 5, 2017 at 12:04am PDT Creature of habit? While Foo offers specials every day, their standard menu items are so good that you probably haven't tried anything else. This tiny spot gives you the feel of street food from the comfort of restaurant dining. Recommended:Caramel Chicken. Bin 4 Burger Lounge, 911 Yates St. View this post on Instagram Father's Day burger brunch? Last day for our All Day Happy Hour🍹 A post shared by Bin 4 Burger Lounge (@bin4burgerlounge) on Jun 16, 2019 at 9:17am PDT Expanded from Downtown to Westshore and Saanich, Bin 4 Burger specializes in "The Burger." They offer 17 set burgers with a rotating special every month, but go for their onion rings and array of aiolis, too! Recommended: Bin 27 "The Bistro" with half salad, half fries and truffle aioli. Mmm. Tip: After 9:00 PM, your burger is 1/2 price with the purchase of any beverage, boozy or not. La Taqueria Pinche, 766 Fort St. View this post on Instagram TACOS ON MY MIND 🌮🌮🌮 ___ VARIOUS TACOS @lataqueria ___ #vancouver #foodbeast #vancouverfoodie #yvreats #dishedvan #f52grams #buzzfeedfood #yahoofood #foodintheair #feedyoursoull #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #spoonfeed #thekitchn #foodporn #foodstagram #getinmybelly #eatingfortheinsta #buzzfeast #thrillist #eater #feastagram #eeeeeats #yvr #yvrfoodie #tacolover #🌮 A post shared by richwon | food photography (@therichwon) on Jun 6, 2019 at 6:35pm PDT Vancouver is almost too familiar with La Taqueria, and yet their opening on Fort Street still sent Victoria into a taco frenzy. The vibrantly designed space is perfect for your next Instagram post, and the mezcal margaritas are a must-have. Recommended: Mixed platter of veggie and meat tacos. Part and Parcel, 2656 Quadra St. View this post on Instagram marinated peppers, warba potatoes, castelvetrano olives A post shared by Part and Parcel (@partandparcelvictoria) on Jun 6, 2019 at 4:57pm PDT Seasonal? Local? An ever-changing menu? Yeah, you're on the island. This casual dining spot offers sandwiches, salads, and the "etc." menu that's worth checking out. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Recommended: The Moroccan fries. Venus Sophia Tearoom & Eatery, 540 Fisgard St. View this post on Instagram Day trips are so much fun especially with no kids 🤓.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ About a month ago I went to Victoria with a friend. We bussed there, walked around their downtown area, fisherman’s wharf, and Chinatown for our last stop.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It was a pretty chilly day so we needed to warm up. Ended up at @venussphia for tea. Their scones were pretty amazing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ If you haven’t been to Victoria’s Chinatown I highly recommend exploring it. It’s probably the cleanest and prettiest Chinatown I’ve ever been to. A post shared by JUBA (@acupofjaba) on May 17, 2019 at 11:40am PDT It's like going to the Empress, but with better sandwiches. Located in Chinatown, Venus Sophia is a vegetarian eatery and tearoom that gives you the vibes of eating with Queeny without the required inside voice. Recommended: Tofu "Chicken" Burger and a pot of organic tea. Yalla, 1011 Blanshard St. View this post on Instagram Turkey shwarma bowl and halloumi salad from @letsgoyalla Sysco Victoria staff are in restaurants on Vancouver Island every day and with more than 200 associates. We have asked our staff to submit pictures from some of their favourite places to eat so we can share them. Submission from Sysco Victoria employee Instagram contest. #syscoeatslocal #vancouverisland #foodpics #bctastesbetter #eatdrinklocal #yyj #yyjfood A post shared by Sysco Victoria (@syscovictoria) on Mar 26, 2019 at 10:33am PDT Yalla is taking shawarma and falafel to the next level by putting a Western twist on classic Middle Eastern cuisine. Matching their small and affordable menu with their street-cart vibe, Yalla is one of the best places to hit up on your lunch break. Recommended: Halloumi Kale Salad. The Drake Eatery, 517 Pandora Ave. View this post on Instagram Em and I found some time to get together at the drake and they have #vegan cheese boards. Ayyy 🤙 A post shared by Zabrina 👑 (@zabrinathewitch) on Apr 23, 2019 at 8:10pm PDT Casual AF. Couch crash and admire the Persian rugs while you eat, drink, and be merry. Serving local craft beer and pairing them with small plates are what owners Mike and Lee Spence are all about. Recommended: Any of the toasts. Dak, 838 Fort St. View this post on Instagram Change up your breakfast routine with an amazing Congee bowl at Dak. This is the Congee #1, sesame roasted butternut squash and sweet potato, fried egg, gochu bacon, green onion pesto topped with crispy onions and pumpkin seeds! . . . #dak #dakvictoria #breakfast #congee #gochu #bacon #squash #sweetpotato #crispyonions #egg #yyj #yyjbreakfast #yyjeats #yyjfoodie #yyjfood #food #foodie #eat #goodeats #victoria #victoriabc #victoriacoffee #victoriafoodie #victoriaeats #bowl #yyjcoffee #victoriacoffee A post shared by dak (@dakdakdakvictoria) on Apr 12, 2019 at 9:43am PDT Owned by couple Jon and Melissa Perkins, Dak is a chicken rotisserie with a Korean twist. The Perkins are Fort Street royalty who run cafes (Picnic and Picnic Too) on either end of the block. So roll up your sleeves, grab a couple (hundred) napkins, and slather more sriracha on that sando! These people know what they're doing. Recommended:Bulgogi beef sandwich and that nearly empty bottle of sriracha. Red Fish Blue Fish, 1006 Wharf St. View this post on Instagram Happy FRIEDay everyone!!! If you’re ever in Victoria BC, make sure to stop by Red Fish Blue Fish for some amazing seafood!! Got the halibut fish and chips, and some fried oysters and both were amazing!! Super fresh seafood, awesome weather and a wonderful view. What more can you ask for? 🙌 TIP: Beware of the seagulls, they will try to take your food 😒 I looked away for a second and the seagull swooped in and grabbed the halibut...good thing the bird dropped it on the table, I must have startled it with my scream 😂 #seafood #fishandchips #friedfood #friedoysters #oysters #halibut #victoriabc #redfishbluefish #fries A post shared by SEA Taste Test (@sea.taste.test) on May 31, 2019 at 5:10pm PDT Certified Ocean Wise and only open seasonally, RFBF teases us with tacones and the best damn fish and chips between February and October. The conservation program relieves some of the guilt of eating fish on the harbourfront while looking at, well, fish. Recommended: Two-piece BC Halibut with tartar. Pagliacci's, 1011 Broad St. View this post on Instagram New features alert! Local beer braised short rib. Almond. Heirloom carrot. Pommes Aligot. Pea tendrils grown 15 minutes away. #eat #eatlocal #purelove #foodporn #yyj #yyjeats #beautifulbc A post shared by Pagliaccis (@pagliaccisvic) on Mar 10, 2019 at 8:03pm PDT Carbo-load for life. For thirty years, Howie Siegel has been serving up everyone's favourite: cheese on pasta in all different variations. This spot is classic Italian cuisine which means a ton of wine. Recommended: My Secret Garden. And my roommate swears by their cheesecake. Fiamo, 515 Yates St. View this post on Instagram It's almost dinner time AND it's the weekend! Heading to @fiamovictoria for a few favourites and staples: meatballs, pizza and the kale salad. Get out and support your local restaurants this weekend. No reason other than its nice to have someone else make an epic meal for you instead. A post shared by Culinaire Victoria (@culinairevic) on Feb 23, 2018 at 5:42pm PST Victoria's coziest kitchen also doubles as an escape from midterms, your boss, and your dating problems. Recommended: The Bambino cheese and meat platter. Chorizo & Co., 807 Fort St. View this post on Instagram Paella with rice balls #eeeeeats A post shared by Kate (@kateyyan) on May 7, 2019 at 12:48pm PDT Imagine a place where you can get the best breakfast sandwich, wine, paella, and churros. Are you imagining Heaven? I'll do you one better. That place is Spanish eatery Chorizo & Co., and I'm warning you, the hospitality is as good as the brioche buns. Recommended: The Bocata. The Mint, 1414 Douglas St View this post on Instagram Make sure you're visiting us at least once a month so you can treat yourself to our monthly Fresh Sheet! One of May's four fresh items is the Veggie Sandwich, made with hummus, cucumber, carrot, avocado, tomato, capers, alfalfa sprouts, and spinach on baguette, served with your choice of fries or side salad. Come try this flavourful sandwich for yourself any day of the week between 5pm and 2am! . . . #themint #yyjeats #yyjfood #veggiesandwich #freshsheet #happyhour #latenighthappyhour #viccity #victoriabc #downtownvictoria #downtownyyj #sandwich A post shared by The Mint (@themintvictoria) on May 23, 2019 at 7:19pm PDT The perfect spot to celebrate your birthday with your gal pals. Glitter steps guide you down to a dimly lit, loud basement where you're guaranteed to polish a few pitchers of pimms and gossip about that girl dating your ex. Recommended:Naan pizza to share. This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.