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Harvest Season in Greater Victoria
Posted on October 8, 2021
A city that blends rural traditions, a bountiful sea, and modern culinary flair, there is no place on earth like Victoria when it comes to farm-to-table dining. Boasting more restaurants per capita than any other city in Canada, there are endless opportunities to excite your pallet and explore the bounty of this rich and colourful land. We've put together a list of some of the finest restaurants, cideries, and wineries, where you can enjoy our harvest season.
Nourish Kitchen & Café
Located in a stunning heritage house that overlooks the inner harbour, Nourish Kitchen and Café is sure to impress. Stunning views paired with delicious food made from locally sourced farm-fresh ingredients makes Nourish such a special spotduring harvest season. Nourish asks you to bring your family, friends, and partner to eat with people you love at one of Greater Victoria’s favourite brunch hotspots.
The Roost Farm Bakery & Vineyard Bistro
Just a short haul out of the city, in the heart of the North Saanich Peninsula, a trip to The Roost Farm Bakery & Vineyard Bistro is emphasized by pastoral landscapes, local food, and wine. The Roost sits on 10 acres of farmland that they use to produce the food they proudly serve. Wheat grown on the acreage is milled on-site and used to bake their comforting fresh breads. A vineyard, blueberry patch, and sheep also welcome visitors for this second-to-none farm to table experience.
West Coast Grill
From farm to plate and sea to fork, these are the values that West Coast Grill is committed to delivering to their guests. Using only the freshest and finest seafood and local ingredients, West Coast Grill offers a wide range of culinary creations. Ocean views of the stunning Sooke Harbour compliment the experience and provide a great opportunity to take in the vibrant fall landscapes of our Island’s rugged coast.
Q at the Empress
The quintessential Pacific Northwest restaurant, Q at the Empress serves fresh local ingredients provided from their extensive partnerships with local farmers and artisans, as well as sustainably sourced seafood and traditionally raised meats. The Q’s world class wine list showcases some of the region’s top vintages.
Located in the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel, surrounded by historic architecture, The Q offers service truly fit for royalty. Don’t miss your chance to dine at one of Greater Victoria’s most iconic and revered landmarks.
Wind Cries Mary
With a dynamic menu that changes as often as the seasons, Wind Cries Mary is a must for any farm-to-table enthusiast. Crafting lasting relationships with local farmers, foragers, fishmongers, craft brewers, and winemakers of the island, Wind Cries Mary is always serving up something new on their ever-changing menu that focuses on nose-to-tail butchery. Come together and break bread in this laid-back, west coast dining experience.
Saveur Restaurant
Delivering French-inspired contemporary cuisine that changes with the availability of seasonal offerings from island farmers, foragers, and fisheries. Saveur’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients is showcased by their beautiful living wall with bay tree and rosemary. Award winning Chef Cassels’ invites you to a culinary experience that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Truly elegant dining.
10 Acres
With three Victoria locations, you’re never far from 10 Acres. Much of their locally sourced food comes directly from their own farm located on the Saanich peninsula, including meats, produce and eggs. Whatever they cannot produce themselves, they turn local providers for the freshest seafood and cheeses. With each location having its on emphasis on ambiance, you can choose between the Sidney waterfront, the casual harbourfront commons, and the cozy bistro featuring fireplaces and a heated garden courtyard.
Agrius Restaurant
Agrius Restaurant has become famous in Victoria for their dedication to quality. Dealing with many local farms, foragers, and producers that deliver fresh ingredients straight to their kitchen. Agrius’ menu is committed to seasonal availability, combining our regional bounty with French cuisine. Much like the chef, the bartenders take this same approach to their drinks program pouring up original cocktails, local beers, wines, and spirits. The perfect place to go when you are looking to eat, and drink, like a local.
Little Jumbo Restaurant & Bar
Sometimes dining is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food. Little Jumbo Restaurant & Bar delivers on both. This restaurant won the 2014 award for best commercial design on Vancouver Island. Little Jumbo’s atmosphere perfectly captures the feel of the Pacific Northwest. Their commitment for farm to table and boat to table dining is legendary. Knowing that every good meal, deserves a good drink, Little Jumbo overhauls it’s cocktail menu every six weeks, and has won many awards in the process.
The Pacific Restaurant
The Pacific Restaurant is dedicated to showcasing the natural bounty of Victoria and the Island. Their creative, scratch-made dishes focus on using local seasonal ingredients. The Pacific is always in the mix of Victoria’s best restaurants because of its local commitment. A team of inhouse sommeliers help compliment all their beautiful meals with BC wines, local craft beer, and artisan spirits. The Pacific, being a family friendly venue, offers delicious scratch-made kids meals built from high quality ingredients, making this a great place to connect with those you love.
Merridale Cidery and Distillery
Merridale’s eatery pairs orchard-to-glass ciders and cocktails with farm-inspire comfort food. The eatery overlooks Merridale’s breathtaking orchard meadow, and aims to bring the outside in. Merridale Cidery and Distillery offers casual family friendly dining, and even serves up all-day breakfast. A passionate team is always happy to engage, telling the stories of the orchard, their products, and recommending pairings for their great selection of food and ciders.
Insider Tip: Be sure to try Merridale's famed apple pie.
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse
Located on the stunning Saanich Peninsula, Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse’s gorgeous ocean views and orchards capture the hearts of every guest. Offering a wide array of ciders made from apples out of their own orchard, as well as a limited menu from their Ciderhouse featuring local cheeses, sausages, pies, and ice cream. If you need to get out and enjoy the fall colours, you’re in luck. Sea Cider offers picnic baskets to go which can be enjoyed on premises or where your adventures take you.
Unsworth Vineyards
Getting to Unsworth Vineyards is part of the experience. Located down a winding country road through picturesque farms and hills, Unsworth produces some of the best wine the Island has to offer. Unsworth crafts wines that distinctly reflect the conditions of our region. This award-winning winery boasts a restaurant that is in a restored 1900s farmhouse and serves up local, natural foods. This winery has created strong relationships with the farmers and producers they share the landscape with and boast a highly localized menu.
Church & State Winery
Vancouver Island’s largest winery is a sight to behold. It’s gorgeous estate vineyards produce traditional artisan sparkling wines. A unique and educational experience, Church & State Winery is a must see for all island visitors. Bring your own island favourites in a picnic and enjoy a bottle of Church & State's fantastic wine as you dine amongst the vines.
