10 new restaurants and food spots that just opened in Victoria this spring

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Spring is all about fresh starts, and Victoria’s food scene is blooming with exciting new openings. From downtown ramen bars and dreamy dessert cafés to cozy bistros, there’s no shortage of delicious places to check out. Whether you’re craving a steaming bowl of noodles, an Instagram-worthy pastry, or a scoop of small-batch ice cream, this season’s newest spots have you covered.

Here are 10 new restaurants, cafés, and food businesses that just opened their doors in Victoria:

Kinton Ramen – Downtown Victoria

Kinton Ramen, established in 2012 in Toronto, has grown into a prominent Japanese ramen franchise with over 40 locations across Canada and the US, and it has recently opened a location in downtown Victoria. The Victoria location is a great spot, surrounded by scenic views, shops, and local attractions; it’s the perfect stop for a comforting bowl if you are exploring downtown Victoria, the harbour, or out with friends. Known for its authentic, high-quality ramen, Kinton offers a variety of customizable options, including different broths, noodle types, and toppings, catering to diverse tastes.

Address: 813 Wharf St. ​

Oso Café Dessert - New location at Mayfair Shopping Centre

Oso Café Dessert opened a second location this April at Mayfair Shopping Centre, right by the food court, next to Purdy’s chocolates and across from Kennel's. After a busy and sold-out first week, it’s clear that people are loving this sweet new spot.

This local, family-run café is known for its creative and beautiful, delicate desserts, inspired by European-style bakeries. They serve coffee, iced lattes, and their famous hot chocolate, plus a rotating menu of trendy treats. You’ll find everything from fancy croissants and crolls (a croissant-roll that sells out fast!) to chocolate-covered muffins, pretty donuts, gourmet cookies, and realistic mousse cakes shaped like fruit or bears.

The menu changes often, so there’s always something new to try. They also offer custom orders and catering, and they have another location downtown at the Bay Centre. 

 ​Locations: Mayfair Shopping Centre and the Bay Centre. 

Liv Café Bistro – Oak Bay

A new addition to the Oak Bay food scene, Liv Café Bistro is a bright, welcoming neighbourhood space with a focus on fresh, seasonal fare. Chef Milton Rebello, a finalist at Food Network’s Fire Masters, has curated a menu that blends café classics with bistro-inspired dishes, all served in a cozy, community-oriented setting.​ The philosophy at Liv is simple: as the seasons change, so does the menu. The restaurant cares about creating an experience, not just a meal. Menu items that locals have been raving about include the avocado toast, chicken and waffles, eggs benedicts, and shrimp tacos. 

Address: 713 St. Patrick St.

Roast at Phillips - Downtown

Roast moved into the Phillips Tasting Room this month. With the Victoria Public Market closing soon, this beloved local food spot has found a new downtown home. The menu at the Tasting Room includes sandwiches, salads, hot dog towers, nachos, tots, and more. Guests can also expect rotating menus and weekend features. Roast X Phillips is the perfect place to visit this summer. 

Address: 2000 Government St. 

Parachute Ice Cream - Oak Bay

Parachute Ice Cream opened a new location in Oak Bay early in April, making it a perfect location to visit and head to Windsor Park or to the beach with your ice cream cone. The shop used local ingredients for its ice cream, including hand-making ingredients like brownies, crumble, and compote. It also makes its waffle cones from scratch. The ice cream shop has many gluten-free and vegan options, as well as cakes and pies. Parachute offers classics like chocolate truffle and its best-selling lemon cream, as well as limited-time flavours. Recent limited-time scoops include salted skor and lemon cream.

Address:
2548 Windsor Rd.
105-2626 Bridge St.
129-735 Goldstream Ave.

Kizuna Ramen and Good Filling Sankaku - Downtown

Kizuna Ramen is a popular ramen spot previously located in Esquimalt and it has just moved to downtown Victoria. Known for its authentic Japanese flavours, the restaurant offers a variety of traditional ramen dishes. They blend Japanese umami food culture, authentic cooking methods, and locally sourced and Canadian-made ingredients to create Victoria's own original rich umami. Their menu features rich broths, fresh noodles, and a selection of toppings to customize your bowl.

Good Filling Sankaku, specializing in Japanese-inspired snacks like gluten-free handmade rice balls, opened in the same spot, making it the perfect partnership and combo. You may be familiar with them since they have been selling their snacks in local markets for the past year. 

Address: 1314 Douglas St.