The most anticipated restaurant openings in 2024

The last few months have been filled with sneak peeks and pop-ups that are making Victoria foodies excited about the new restaurants set to open across the city this year. We gathered all the information you need to know to best prepare yourself for expected menus and opening dates. 

From new ventures by established local favourites to entirely new endeavours, these are the restaurants that are coming soon or have recently opened that we are most excited to check out!  

Tombo

This farm-to-table restaurant will be taking over the downtown space formerly occupied by Agrius and Fol Epi. With house-made dishes cooked using locally sourced ingredients, Tombo’s selection will include baked goods and charcuterie items to grab-and-go lunch options like sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and soups. Tombo is the project of Tom Moore, the Australian chef behind Crust Bakery who has decades of experience in the industry.

The tentative opening date for the restaurant is in February—roadblocks and permits have caused delays—but Tombo currently has a pop-up in Trounce Alley that is providing a taste of what the restaurant will look like. The pop-up has proven to be exciting, making up treats like its cube croissants, which have been selling out quickly.    

Address: 731 Yates St., Victoria
Pop-up address: 1219 Government St., Victoria
Pop-up hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-4pm

Saxe Point Public House

The announcement that a new public house would be opening in Esquimalt Town Square has been the source of much excitement considering the township has had no local pub since Gorge Pointe Pub and Liquor Store shut its doors in 2021. The pub will occupy a 2,900-square-foot space in the newly developed town square and will be operated by Demian Merino, who has previously managed Bard & Banker and Irish Times.

Saxe Point Public House plans to offer craft beer, inventive cocktails, dishes made with local seasonal ingredients, and a BC focused wine menu. It also plans to host trivia nights, live music, and community events. The pub plans to open its doors in May.   

Address: 101-505 Park Pl., Esquimalt

Rudi

The new venture from Wind Cries Mary opened its doors just before New Year’s Eve after much anticipation due to the popularity of the Bastion Square restaurant. Rudi has taken over the space previously occupied by Sherwood, who closed its doors in September.

The restaurant utilizes local ingredients and takes its inspiration from Western European dishes, approaching home cooking with a sense of curiosity and experimentation. The menu includes charcuterie and shareable plates featuring duck rillette, slow cooked beef risotto, rosti potatoes, and more. Currently the restaurant is just open for dinner, though it plans to begin daytime service in the spring.

Address: 710 Pandora Ave., Victoria
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 4-11pm

Taisho Japanese Grill & Bar

This new restaurant from the Nubo group is opening up in the heart of Cook Street Village in the space previously occupied by The Collective Wine Bar & Kitchen. Taisho Japanese Bar & Grill plans to open its doors on Feb. 1.

While there is limited information on what exactly this new restaurant will look like, if it is anything like the other restaurants owned by the Nubo group then it is something to get excited about. The other restaurants under the Nubo umbrella include Nubo Kitchen + Bar by Johnston Street Bridge and three smaller specialized locations on Pandora—Nubo Japanese Tapas, E:Ne Raw Food and Sake Bar, and Nubo Sushi Roll & Roll.    

Address: 107-230 Cook St., Victoria

OEB

It was announced during the summer that Victoria would be the next city to get a location of the popular Calgary-based brunch restaurant. While initial reports tentatively indicated that the restaurant would open in the fall, the breakfast spot has not opened its doors yet and its Instagram says that it is “hatching soon” and is aiming for early 2024.

The eatery on Yates will be the company’s 20th location, with spots across Canada and the United States. OEB focuses on responsibly sourced farm-to-table brunch dishes that include classics like eggs benedict and french toast as well as more unique options like breakfast poutines.     

Address: 856 Yates St., Victoria