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Food & Drink

Downtown Victoria’s Top Patios

Soak up the sun, suds, and good eats on Downtown Victoria’s Best Patios

Itinerary created by Scott Daly

Take in the Views of Victoria’s Working Harbour

Visit the Tiny But Mighty Whistle Buoy Brewery

Stroll the New Patios of Government Street

Float Away at the Flying Otter Grill

Get the Quintessential Victoria Patio Experience

Hit up The Patio with Panoramic Views

Share with a friend

You haven’t had an authentic Victoria experience if you haven’t visited at least a few of these patio spaces. There’s nothing better than being outside with some good friends, a cold drink and some tasty food. Victorian’s take their patio spaces seriously and, luckily, there are lots to choose from.

Scott Daly is a communicator by trade. When he’s not working, you can find him meeting new people, cooking with wine or travelling with his husband, Tom.

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Downtown Victoria’s Top Patios

Take in the Views of Victoria’s Working Harbour

On the northern edge of downtown Victoria, Canoe brewpub’s patio has been a longtime local favourite. Set in a beautiful old brick building with timber framing inside, the west facing patio sprawls towards the water. With ample sunshine well into the evening, you get great views of the hub of Victoria’s remaining working harbour where you’ll see a variety of ships being worked on, including some BC Ferries. Chances are you’ll likely also see Victoria’s new Johnson Street Bridge raise and lower if you ever wanted to see what a street in the sky would look like. While the patio is solid, Canoe has also been a bre

Take in the Views of Victoria’s Working Harbour

Abottle of beer and a view

Hosted by Canoe brewpub

Visit the Tiny But Mighty Whistle Buoy Brewery

Whistle Buoy is newcomer to the Victoria microbrewery scene, and its quickly become a favourite of this beer-obsessed town. It crafts small “experimental” batches of beer in just 600 square feet of space. It’s hard to keep track of my favourites since they’re changing all the time. I loved the Current Swill this summer made with local black currents and the Discovery Coffee Mild Ale takes my favourite local coffee and turns it into a fabulous beer with hints of chocolate, coconut and tropical fruit. I don’t usually like IPAs but the Low Vis Hazy IPA won me over with the strong mandarin orange flavour. I can’t say what will be available when you come here, bu

Visit the Tiny But Mighty Whistle Buoy Brewery

Get your favorite beer at Whistle Buoy Brewery

Hosted by Whistle Buoy

Stroll the New Patios of Government Street

Government street has exploded with new street-side patio spaces thanks to car traffic being restricted. The strip between View and Humbolt streets is now fully open for pedestrians and it also happens to boast many of Victoria’s most popular pubs. All have taken advantage of the opportunity to increase their patio seating. Many love to hit up Irish Times, Bard & Banker and Frankie’s Modern Diner (do hit up Frankie’s for brunch!). But my favourite is Garrick’s Head. It’s been around since 1867, making it Victoria’s oldest pub and it boasts 65 beers on tap, most of them local or regional. If given the chance, I would eat just their amazing beer-battered f

Stroll the New Patios of Government Street

Walk around at the New Patios

Hosted by Garrick’s Head Pub

Float Away at the Flying Otter Grill

There is no patio in Victoria that gets you closer to the water, to boats, to sea planes and, yes, to otters than Flying Otter Grill. This is an unparalleled vantage point for seeing the busy inner harbour in motion. But let’s talk about the food. They make everything from scratch and it makes such a difference. You will never go wrong with the bacon wrapped prawns, clam chowder or the halibut fish and chips. But my favourite has to be the buttermilk fried chicken burger on a brioche bun. While they do have local beers on tap, the Flying Otter brings their A game to the patio cocktail whether it’s a pitcher of Violet Squeeze or a gin and tonic made with the award wi

Float Away at the Flying Otter Grill

Reserve a table in the patio

Hosted by Flying Otter Grill

Get the Quintessential Victoria Patio Experience

Looking out at the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel, legislature and the bustling inner harbour is Commons. This small patio is great for getting the vibe of downtown Victoria while being slightly removed from the crowds. Commons has an elevated feel yet comfortable and is owned by a local family that have a number of successful restaurants in the city including the adjacent 10 Acre Bistro. While they have their standard menu, it also adjusts to their “farm forecast” with everything they’re expecting to harvest that month from their 10 acre farm in North Saanich. Try the curry bowl or, on the lighter side an avocado roll. To drink, Commons makes the best shafts (and

Get the Quintessential Victoria Patio Experience

Book a table with the best view

Hosted by Commons

Hit up The Patio with Panoramic Views

Lido Waterfront Bistro is one of my favourite patios because it’s in the heart of old towne and right on the water. It’s also away from the busiest tourist areas making it a bit more relaxed and usually not much of a wait for a table. It’s a good thing the service is fast and the drinks are super-cold because this patio gets HOT sun all day in the summer. Of course, like any place I would recommend, they have a selection of local beers on tap. But if you need a break from beer, go for the strawberry basil margarita pitcher (to share) or they have one of the more extensive happy hours in town. For food, pizza is the way to go here – I recommend the Lido Signature