tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
Subscribe to our newsletter →Subscribe →
Best RestaurantsBest Cafes & BakeriesCity GuidesChef SpotlightsNewsletterArchive
Newsletter

What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

The coolest ice cream shops, Roast is popping up at Phillips this summer, Artemis Whiskey Bar declared Best Shaft in Victoria, and more.

Tasting Victoria·Apr 24, 2025·7 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №092

Good morning foodies,

This week we are bringing you a list of ice cream places to check out this spring and summer, as well as the details on the new food pop-up at Phillip’s Tasting Room. 

Don’t forget to check out the news section of today’s edition to learn about what has happened in the Victoria food scene over the last couple of weeks. Now let’s get to it. 

Where do you get a good iced matcha?

Share your favourite spot in the comment section.
  • At this specialty shop:
  • At this coffee shop:
  • At this restaurant:

😍 5 spots to try right now

🍰 Darling Cake Co.: Stunning and delicious custom cakes and sweet treats, perfect for any celebration.​

🍝 Triestina Pasta and Provisions: Offering handcrafted pasta and Italian provisions, bringing a taste of Italy to Victoria.​

☕ Duo Cafe and Bakery: A cozy spot serving freshly brewed coffee and a delightful selection of baked goods.​

🌭 Hot Dog Hustlin: Authentic Filipino-Canadian gourmet street food. Find them at the Inner Harbour and at local events. 

🏞️ The Lake House at Shawnigan Lake: A picturesque restaurant offering lakeside dining with a menu featuring local ingredients.

FEATURED

Victoria’s coolest ice cream shops

Cold Cones. Instagram.

The sun’s out, the cones are calling. From rolled ice cream and handmade bars to classic scoops and small-batch gelato, we’ve rounded up the best spots to treat yourself around Victoria.

Check them out.

FEATURED

Roast is popping up at Phillips this summer

Roast and Phillips. Provided.

One of Victoria’s most-loved sandwich spots is teaming up with one of its most-loved breweries. With the Victoria Public Market closing soon, this beloved local food spot has found a new downtown home. It’s a perfect pairing of local beer and bold eats—just in time for the May long weekend.

Learn more. 

🗞️ News

Humboldt Bar has been ranked the No. 69 bar in Canada in an inaugural extended ranking of North America’s 50 best bars that now includes the top 100.

Oso Cookies opened a second location in Mayfair Mall, serving a variety of pastries, coffee, hot chocolate, and more. 

Kinton Ramen expects to open a location in Victoria in May. [Vic News]

Artemis Whiskey Bar declared Best Shaft in Victoria after scoring the most votes during Victoria Cocktail week. 

Refire Kitchen’s Sidney location moved to a bigger space at 2506 Beacon Ave. 

Meet BC’s new generation of farmers: Jared de Dood blends tech, tradition, and tenacity to raise certified organic eggs—and a family—on his thriving poultry farm.*

*Sponsored Listing

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

Get in touch with our team for small business-friendly advertising plans.

🗓️ Events

Downtown Flavour Trails Festival: Celebrate the vibrant and diverse array of flavours in the downtown core this weekend. The self-guided festival offers cooking demos, workshops, and dishes featuring local, seasonal ingredients. Sat. & Sun. All day.

Lunchtime Concerts at Market Square: Enjoy live music every Friday in April and May at Market Square's lower courtyard, presented by the Victoria Festival Society. Bring your lunch and enjoy local performances.

Bratwurst & Bubbles: Sip sparkling wine and enjoy locally made bratwurst on the patio at Averill Creek Vineyard. Sunday, 12pm. 

Perfect Milk: Milk Steaming and Latte Art: Learn the art of steaming perfect microfoam and pour your first latte art design at The Stick's Roastoreum in Sooke. Saturday, 3pm.

Mother's Day Artisan Market & Workshops: Discover unique gifts and participate in creative workshops at The Bay Centre’s Mother's Day artisan market, May 3. 

Are you hosting a food event? Let us know

 💸 Deals

• $17.50 lunch buffet at Mantra Indian Cuisine daily from 11am-3pm.

• $8 margaritas and $12 three feature tacos at Ferris’ Grill on Tuesdays.

• $26 mussels and wine special at Atelier on Sundays. It includes a serving of mussels with fresh bread and two glasses of house wine or bubbles.

• $16 ramen bowls at Ghost Ramen from Mon.-Thurs. 

• $10 wings at Bard and Banker on Thursdays. 

Do you know a great deal in town? We’d love to know.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Full-time and part-time servers at 3rd Street Cafe

  • Part-time baker at Deer and Dough

  • Brunch line cooks at OEB Breakfast Co. 

  • Line cook at Big Wheel

📸 Post of the week

You and your pup can get your own treats at 49 Below Ice Cream! The pup cups are made in-store with beef stock from Slater's Meats. Perfect for a sunny day.

That’s it!

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, consider forwarding your friend; if not, let us know down below.

What did you think of today's newsletter?

  • 😋😋😋 Tasty and delicious
  • 😕 So so, needs some spice
  • 👎 Send it back
The newsletter

Victoria's food news, before the weekend.

Openings, closings, standout dishes, and the stories worth planning around.

Free. Monthly. 30,000+ local readers.

Keep reading

More from the archive
Newsletter

Something that will make you Happy...→

EXCLUSIVE: 2 openings no one in town knows about yet

Jul 5, 2026
Article

Hey Happy Is Moving Into Cook Street Village→

Finally, the cool cafe we've been waiting for in Cook Street Village

Jul 4, 2026
Newsletter

No Excuses: Victoria Just Gave You Six New Reasons to Leave the House→

3 New Restaurants Coming Soon and 2 New Opens To Check Out

Jun 11, 2026

Useful Victoria guides

Keep exploring
Best Restaurants in Victoria, BCRestaurants in Victoria, Victoria restaurants, and the full editor-picked map.Best Ice Cream in Victoria, BCIce cream, gelato, Cold Cones, Parachute, Cold Comfort, 49 Below, Mosi, and craft scoop coverage.New Restaurants in Victoria, BCOpenings, coming-soon restaurants, and fresh food spots.7 New Restaurants Coming to VictoriaAn archive story about new restaurants Victoria BC, new Victoria restaurant, new Victoria restaurants, best new restaurants Victoria BC, coming-soon restaurants, and local opening coverage.7 Openings, 1 Kitchen Fire, and Late-Night VictoriaA food-scene archive story about Victoria restaurant openings, late-night Victoria, and local opening news.Exciting Food Openings Coming Soon to VictoriaAn archive story about food openings coming soon to Victoria, Mosi Bakery, Mosi Bakery Cafe & Gelateria, Mosi Florentine Bakery & Cafe, restaurant launches, gelato, and new local dining rooms.
tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
Don't waste a meal.

About

A local guide to eating and drinking in Victoria. Helping readers discover their next best eat since 2019.

About Tasting Victoria

Food guides

  • Best Restaurants
  • Best Cafes & Bakeries
  • Full Story Archive
  • City Guides
  • Chef Spotlights
  • Newsletter
  • Foodie Guide
  • New Restaurants & Openings
  • Downtown Restaurants
  • Inner Harbour & Fisherman's Wharf
  • James Bay
  • Cook Street Village
  • Fernwood Cafes
  • Chinatown & Old Town
  • Langford, Colwood & Westshore
  • Saanich, Sidney & Peninsula
  • Saanich Restaurants
  • Sidney BC Restaurants
  • Oak Bay
  • Sooke Restaurants
  • Esquimalt Restaurants
  • Sushi
  • Japanese & Ramen
  • Ramen
  • Breakfast
  • Downtown Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Date Night
  • Fine Dining
  • Steak Dinners
  • Bars & Pubs
  • Family & Kid-Friendly
  • Casual & Takeout
  • Italian
  • Pizza
  • Chinese
  • Indian
  • Thai Restaurants
  • Tapas & Small Plates
  • Hidden Gems
  • Mexican Food
  • Food Trucks
  • Food Tours
  • Food Events
  • Dine Around
  • Vegan & Vegetarian
  • Desserts
  • Gluten-Free Bakeries
  • Victoria Public Market
  • Burgers
  • Seafood
  • Oysters & Raw Bars
  • Waterfront
  • Patios
  • Lunch
  • Happy Hour
  • Late-Night Food
  • Italian Guide
  • Seafood Picks
  • Hidden Gems
  • Coffee Shops
  • Westshore Locations
  • Saanich & Sidney
  • Westshore & Langford
  • Ice Cream
  • Breweries
  • Markets
  • Farmers Markets
  • Christmas Markets
  • Food Shops
  • High Tea
  • Downtown Coffee
  • Coffee Shops
  • Coffee Roasters
  • Bakeries

Get in touch

  • Give us the scoopA new opening or closing, an event or supper club, a tip or story we should be chasing — let us know.→
  • Advertise with usReach 30,000+ Victorians who decide where to eat each week.→
© 2026 Tasting VictoriaInstagram @tastingvictoriaRSS feedDesigned in Victoria, BC