Downtown Victoria’s best patios you need to visit

March 23, 2021

It’s a well-known fact that Victorians truly enjoy patio season. With warmer temperatures and sunshine in the city, we’ve put together different series of guides of the best patios where you can soak up the sun and have a great meal this season!

Whether you’re after delicious food, a great drink, or an incredible view, here are our top picks for patios in downtown Victoria:

Whistle Buoy

Voted one of the best patios in Victoria, in the 2021 Tasting Victoria People’s Choice Awards, Whistle Buoy Brewing makes small-batch, experimental beers with high-quality ingredients in the heart of Downtown Victoria. With new beers being released weekly and the sunshine in the forecast, come join Whistle Buoy in Market Square on its dog-friendly patio that’s open from noon to 10pm daily. And remember, you can bring your own food to the taproom and patio and enjoy it with one of their beers!

Must-try beer and menu item: Coastal Pale Ale or any of their features! As for food, we recommend trying their weekly food pop-ups from Los Panas Kitchen and Wandering Mollusk.

whistlebuoybrewing.com@whistlebuoybrewingUnit 63 – 560 Johnson St, Victoria

Il Terrazzo

Il Terrazzo has been a landmark in the Victoria dining scene for more than 25 years. Enjoy fine Italian dining in an old town courtyard setting featuring brick fireplaces and a candle-lit ambiance. It has a lively patio with excellent service, enhancing your dining experience. You can visit the patio during the day, but the atmosphere at nighttime is super romantic.

The menu is inspired by Northern Italian cuisine with a Pacific Northwest twist, and it is super diverse; there is something for everyone. Open seven nights a week from 4pm to 10pm. Make sure to make a reservation!

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Wine. Il Terrazzo’s certified sommeliers have created an amazing wine program to complement their offerings. As for food, Misto Di Carne.

Photo: Il Terrazzo

ilterrazzo.comWaddington Alley at 537 Johnson St, Victoria

Finn’s Restaurant

A locally owned and operated seafood restaurant with one of the best views of the city. Finn’s Restaurant is located on Wharf Street, in a red-brick heritage building with an awesome patio. Their waterfront patio has been recently renovated and just opened their beautiful lower deck patio. Enjoy fresh local seafood, fresh shucked local oysters, AAA house cut steak and more! They have options for everyone and have a great happy hour and brunch, but you will definitely love visiting during the day and continue into nighttime to catch the beautiful sunset.

Finn’s also offers a company-paid Red Seal apprenticeship program aimed at developing aspiring young chefs.

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Mexican Bulldog: Margarita on the rocks with an upside-down Coronita, and for food, go with Fresh Oysters.

Tapa Bar

A Victoria classic with food for sharing. Tapa Bar offers a diverse menu of Spanish-inspired tapas and more. You can enjoy Spanish music alongside the beautiful Trounce Alley lights. A great patio to visit day or night.

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Red Sangrias and Almond Stuffed Dates

tapabar.ca@tapabar620 Trounce Alley, Victoria

Sherwood

Catch a ray of sunshine and enjoy unique dishes and drinks. Day and night, Sherwood serves up a calibrated beverage program alongside comforting and locally informed café, bar, and coffee menus. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, and late night.

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Little Wren 12 and Gochujang chicken sandwich

sherwoodvictoria.com@sherwood.victoria710 Pandora Ave, Victoria

The Drake Eatery

The Drake Eatery opened back in 2014, but it was just last summer when they introduced their new Beer Garden in Market Square. They offer a casual and comfortable space to enjoy a West Coast craft beer and food experience. Their 33 taps allow them to offer a wide selection of beers in various styles. All their beer selections are done on a rotating basis meaning there will very likely be a number of new options on the Draught List, even if you visit two days in a row!

Must-try cocktail and menu item (Recommendation by @yyjfoodies): Tucana Tangerine Sour. Nice, refreshing, crisp, with the perfect amount of citrus! For food, the BBQ pork back ribs, super nicely sauced braised in house.

drakeeatery.com@drakeeatery517 Pandora Ave, Victoria

10 Acres Commons

Voted #1 patio in this year’s Tasting Victoria People’s Choice Awards, the sun-drenched patio at 10 Acres Commons is well-known for its beautiful views of the Inner Harbour, its handcrafted cooking using fresh and seasonal ingredients and daily drink features.

Choose from a varied menu including seafood, tacos, sushi, or charcuterie boards!

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Kombucha bliss and prawn tacos.

10acres.ca@eat10acres620 Humboldt St, Victoria

The Local

The Local is definitely one of Victoria’s most popular summer patios. The atmosphere is lively and it has a cheery ambiance. The menu features a variety of appetizers including the pretzel appetizer, main courses like the cheeseburger with garlic fries on the side, halibut burger, pancetta chicken burger, and the seafood chowder. Another patio where you get to stay for the sunset and enjoy the view.

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Crunchy chicken bacon caesar wrap.

The Veranda

The Fairmont Empress is reopening on April 1st after weeks of mechanical upgrades, and we couldn’t be more excited to visit The Veranda at The Fairmont Empress. Let the Veranda be your next go-to patio spot: enjoy stunning views of the Inner Harbour, thoughtful service, and unforgettable experiences for which The Empress hotel is renowned. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

Must-try cocktail and menu item: The Empress 75, a riff on the lavish French 75 but made with Empress Gin, complete with grapefruit pearls. Farro and flax bread with Empress honey, whipped butter, and Salt Spring seasonal salt.

Lido Waterfront Bistro

An oceanside restaurant that features food sourced from local vendors using seasonal ingredients and hand-crafted cocktails in a casual atmosphere. In their fabulous patio you get panoramic views of the Inner Harbour, as well as the best sunsets!

Must-try cocktail and menu item: Try their classic caesars and the East Coast garlic fingers

lidobistro.com@lidobistro1234 Wharf St, VictoriaNote: Don’t try to go through the hotel to get to Lido. Easier options to get to Lido include, down the stairs across from Bastion Square at Finn’s, the ramp or stairs at the bottom of Fort Street, or using The David Foster Harbour Pathway.

Follow along to see the best patios in other Victoria neighbourhoods!