Victoria’s best new restaurants of 2020

December 30, 2020

It’s been a difficult year for restaurants. They had to adapt and reinvent themselves to be able to work according to the new COVID-19 restrictions. But despite it all, great restaurants joined Victoria’s culinary scene this year.

These are Victoria’s best new restaurants of 2020.

Bear and Joey.

Nestled on the border of Downtown and Fairfield, Bear and Joey is a neighbourhood meeting hub on Cook Street. Their aim was to create a vibrant and spacious backdrop for people of all walks of life to gather, socialize, and enjoy wholesome food.

Morning coffee, brunch or drinks, this is their interpretation of Sydney’s café culture, by combining elevated ambiance, an interesting food & drink programme and above all, true hospitality. Bear and Joey has easily become a local favourite, no wonder why.

Faro Restaurant

FARO is anchored by its Wood Stone pizza oven and a seasonally changing menu that includes handcrafted pizzas, a variety of fresh salads and small bites, cocktails and local wines, all to be enjoyed in a stunning modern room, at the tasting bar or on the outdoor patio with fire features. Their menu is super unique and their service is excellent.

Nubo Kitchen + Bar

A beautiful spot to eat by the harbour, Japanese food and fun cocktails. This restaurant is stylish and taste-testing worthy. This little joint is owned and operated by the same owners as E:Ne Raw Food・Sake Bar and Nubo Japanese Tapas, so one can be promised splendid food and drinks.

This Japanese restaurant promises fresh seafood served creatively, with unique flavours and an expansive selection of dishes. Enjoy a lunch with family or a late night dinner and drinks with your bubble. Nubo also offers a happy hour from 3pm to 5pm, offering a diverse selection of drinks from classic highballs to a rhubarb spritz.

Taj Taste of India

We are very happy to have this new Indian restaurant in town!They offer authentic Indian cuisine, plus Indo Chinese Food. Some of the menu items are a selection of Pakora, Tandoori, Tikka, Curries, Vindaloo, Biryani and more! They have a huge vegan and vegetarian selection as well.

Working Culture Bread

Working Culture Bread just opened eight weeks ago and has become a local favourite. It is a neighbourhood bread and coffee shop in Rock Bay. They bake naturally leavened, handmade sourdough bread, along with a rotating selection of baked treats and snacks. They are doing take away only for now, but hope to introduce some cozy seating in the future.

Bar 500

Bar 500 is a new and distinct restaurant located at 500 Oswego in James Bay. Southern Italian inspired, with an innovative and global influence, the eatery showcases local and sustainable products, true cocktails, smart wines and Whistle Buoy draught. Professional and passionate staff, led by talented chef Josh Cocca, master mixologist Mark Roeric and sommelier Daryl Drainville make Eatery 500 the new go-to hot spot in James Bay.

Bar 500@bar500victoria500 Oswego Street

Xing Fu Tang

Authentic and original Taiwanese beverages. Have you tried stir fried sugar pearl milk? Xing Fu Tang makes it in house. They import all key ingredients directly from Taiwan and produce each drink with the exact formula as used for decades by Xing Fu Tang Taiwan.

xingfutang.ca@xingfutang_canada608 Broughton Street

Très Gourmet Cafe

A new cafe concept opened this summer on Broad Street and if you haven’t visited this gem yet, it’s time to make some eating plans.

With the mission to offer a comfortable atmosphere with enough seating capacity for just about anything you’re up for, Très Gourmet has some absolutely delicious baked goods, all at affordable prices.

@tresgourmetcafe1280 Broad Street

Citrus and Cane

A tropical cocktail bar boasting a mid-century modern decor, featuring a menu that ranges from the classics to the exotics, with a rum focused back bar.

Tractor

A new healthy food restaurant opened this year in Government Street. This new counter-service eatery in Victoria’s historic Belmont Building offers wholesome menu of seasonal salads, sandwiches, soups, bowls and baked goods available for takeout and dine-in. Vancouver based and family owned.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily with plenty of options for guests with dietary restrictions and allergies.

tractorfoods.com@tractorfoods805 Government Street

Flourish BeauTea

Located in Downtown Victoria, this spot offers carbonated fruit tea incorporated with fresh fruit, unique blends of coffee and light refreshments. Not only their drinks are very unique, but the space is beautiful as well.

@flourishbeautea667 Fort Street

The Hallway

A social gathering place with a modern west coast shareable style menu alongside a large handcrafted cocktail bar menu with a local beer and wine list.

Every part of their menu down to the basics is made in house in order to provide a perfectly balanced upscale pallet taste across all our menu items.

Friends of Dorothy

LGBTQ+ space in Victoria. Feel at home in a place that straddles a classy VIP experience and a zany, be-yourself atmosphere.

They are open for breakfast and brunch 8 am to 2 pm, lunch from 2 pm to 4 pm and dinner and cocktail from 4 pm to 9 pm.

Rain Dogs Wine Bar

Artuflly crafted small plates to pair with a carefully curated premier wine cellar and whisky collection.