Good morning foodies!

One thing I love about Victoria is the community! Everybody is so incredibly supportive of new business ventures, whether its from people brand new to the game, veterans of the industry, or even, the owner of the Vancouver Canucks. Today’s first story features the Vancouver Island ingenuity that no other place in the world has.

Cheers,

5 spots to try right now

Jam Cafe: Hungry for breakfast but it's past noon? Take a jaunt to Jam at 542 Herald St. It's so good they opened two more locations on the Mainland.

The Tapa Bar Restaurant: Sometimes appies and savoury snacks are just what you need. Seems like a good time to go for some delicious Spanish cuisine in Trounce Alley.

Nowhere * A Restaurant: Don’t let the name fool you: this is some place at 1001 Douglas St. The finest local ingredients are handcrafted into brilliant eating. Excellent cocktail list, too.

Taco Justice: The verdict’s been in for years, and these are among the best tacos and burritos this side of El Tri. You aren’t a Victorian if you haven’t found Taco Justice at 1580 Cook St.

Frankie’s Modern Diner: There is a time and a place for a diner breakfast, lunch, or dinner; and that time and place is anytime at 910 Government St. Huge portions. Key lime pie. Yum!

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

This barista converted her trailer into a mobile café

Plenty of Victorians are used to getting their coffee while on the go—but that usually means they’re the ones moving around, not the café.

The latest local coffee shop to open is inside a trailer, moving around town like a food truck to serve coffee lovers across the region. The trailer’s offerings include a full espresso bar menu, cold brew from Discovery Coffee, and caffeine-free “superfood powders” by Vancouver-based Bloom, which are used to make specialty drinks.

Coffee To Tow is an idea brewed up by owner Olivia Vallee-Burns, who had a vision about 6 years ago of a mobile coffee shop that would bring café service out into the many beautiful spots around the Island.

Here’s how Vallee-Burns went from barista to business owner.

FEATURED

8 places to grab a cool drink in Victoria this summer

As the sun rays pour down on you this summer while you lounge around downtown or on the beach, the best thing to accompany those good vibes is a refreshing drink. Thankfully, a cure to your thirst is easily solved as Victoria is teeming with excellent cool drinks.

From bubble tea and milkshakes to iced coffee and smoothies, here are some of the city’s best places to grab a non-alcoholic cold beverage.

🗞️ News

• Colwood’s Beats & Eats will take place on July 29. It’s a beach party at Royal Bay with music from the Zolas, Tragically Hip tribute band Nautical Disaster, The Projectors, and more. Plus 15 food vendors, a street market, a climbing wall, and chances to try out kayaks, paddle boards, and e-bikes.

• A Barbie themed pop-up restaurant will come to Victoria in October. The brunch, lunch, and dinner event will feature Barbie-themed cocktails, trivia, and music. The event is set to run on Burdett Avenue from Oct. 21-22.

🗓️ Events

• Esquimalt Farmers Market returns: Live music, local artisans, and food trucks. Starts today and runs to Sept. 4. 4:30-7:30pm at Memorial Park at 1200 Esquimalt Rd.

• Celebrate Dungeness crab Saturday at Crabben in the Park. Dig into a bucket of fresh crab, corn, and potatoes while listening to live music at Banfield Park.

• Explore craft brews and ciders from over 80 vendors at Langford Beer Festival this Saturday at Starlight Stadium, 3-8pm. Food vendors will also be available.

• Get a taste of Stampede on the Island Saturday and Sunday at Bard & Banker’s Gone Country, with pancake breakfasts both mornings and Jack Daniel’s flights. Listen along to live country music and watch the rodeo play all weekend.  

• Taste food from all over the world at the Uptown Multicultural Festival this Saturday will feature food vendors celebrating multicultural cuisine. Vendors will include Ono Poke, Sizzling Tandoor, and Yummy Food Truck.   

 💸 Deals

• Get a free ice cream cone from Dairy Queen this Sunday. Download the Dairy Queen app and you can qualify for a free small vanilla ice cream cone.

• $6 bao buns, $10 Sake-tini's, and $10 Korean fried chicken at Block Kitchen + Bar, Sunday to Thursday from 4 to 6pm.

• Every day from 4 to 5pm, head to Wind Cries Mary for $10 snacks and wine, $11 cocktails, and $5 beers.

• 2-for-1 fish and chips at Penny Farthing Pub on Mondays.

• Grab an $8 martini at the Beagle Pub in Cook Street Village.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

• Cooks at Butchart Gardens

• Part-time Server at Revera Retirement Home

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort