tasting victoriaEst. 2019Vancouver Island
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What is happening in Victoria's food scene this week?

Cider season is here, exciting openings coming soon to Victoria, wine festivals, block parties and more

Team Tasting Victoria·Jun 5, 2025·9 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №098
RED ROOSTER WINERY

Good morning foodies,

Today we are bringing you a story about cideries to check out around Victoria and another about food businesses that are opening soon. It is always great to see that Victoria’s food scene gets better, now with a build-your-own dessert cup truck, a ramen shop finally landing in Langford, a new coffee shop Uptown, a new cafe in Oak Bay, and more on the way. 

We’re also curious: who’s your go-to vendor at Victoria’s farmers markets?

Reply to this email or vote in the poll below. We’d love to feature your favourites in next week’s newsletter.

Now let’s get to it.

What is your favourite food/drink vendor at Victoria’s farmers markets?

It can be anything! Please share more in the comments. We’d love to share your favourites in the next newsletter edition.
  • I love this vendor at this farmers market
  • I can’t remember
  • I haven’t been to any farmers markets

😍 5 spots to try right now

🫖 Rudi’s Tea Room: Reopened for the season at Government House, this charming tea room offers a cozy menu of light lunches, baked goods, and refreshments with products sourced as close by as the Government House vegetable gardens, fruit trees and beehives.

🍞 Wildfire Bakery: Beloved for its wood-fired breads, croissants, and tarts. A long-standing favourite for artisanal baking in Victoria.

🍳 Volta Victoria: Flavourful breakfasts, rich dark coffee, and tasty grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and panini at 766 Yates.

🍷 Deep Cove Winery: Nestled in North Saanich, this boutique winery offers small-batch wines and a beautiful tasting room and patio perfect for a weekend escape.

🍽️ FreeBeets: Healthy meal plans tailored to match guests' lifestyles and nutritious goals. Order online or visit the storefront at 1527 Amelia St.

Know a great place we should add here? Reply back and let us know!

FEATURED

6 cideries to check out in and around Victoria

Victoria Cider Co. by Sarah Reynolds Photo. Instagram.

Cider season is here! Craving a sun-soaked patio with an orchard view or a refreshing flight of small-batch cider? Victoria has great options for you. This week, we’re rounding up six must-visit cideries in and around Victoria, from West Saanich to Salt Spring Island, each offering something a little different, from family-run charm to creative flavour blends. 

Check them out.

SPONSORED BY RED ROOSTER WINERY
RED ROOSTER WINERY

Red Rooster Winery welcomes you

Make your next wine country adventure one to remember at Red Rooster Winery on the Naramata Bench—just five minutes from Penticton. With sweeping views, a relaxed vibe, and a bold lineup of expressive wines, this is where flavour meets escape.

Open daily | 11am – 5pm

Two ways to taste:

Flight Club
A laid-back tasting of four handcrafted wines at the bar, with insights from our passionate team about what makes the Okanagan so special.

The Roost Reserve
A seated, guided experience featuring six premium selections—perfect for curious palates craving something elevated and unexpected.

Sip, Savour, Soak in the views— Click here to book your Naramata Wine Escape today!
FEATURED

Exciting food openings coming soon to Victoria

Berry Sweet. Instagram.

Victoria’s food scene is getting better and better. With a fresh lineup of openings this spring and summer, from a build-your-own dessert cup truck to a ramen shop finally landing in Langford. Expect sweet treats at the Sidney Street Market, legendary sandwiches making a comeback, and familiar favourites like Rhino Coffee and Mosi expanding into new neighbourhoods.

Check them out.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS
THE BUTCHART GARDENS

Summer Dining at The Gardens

Nestled within the captivating beauty of The Butchart Gardens, guests can indulge in a fine dining experience in the original home of the Butchart family. From Wednesday through Sunday evenings, savour exquisite dishes crafted from local ingredients surrounded by breathtaking views in The Dining Room Restaurant.

🗞️ News

Los Panas Kitchen has reopened its food truck for the season. 

Best iced matcha lattes in Victoria. 

Urban Express Market is opening soon at 944 Johnson St. 

Seaside Gin out of Langford secures a spot on Ontario shelves. [Victoria News]

10 restaurant patios to check out this spring and summer.

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

An Exploration of BC Hybrid Wines: Discover fresh, expressive wines made from hybrid grapes at this relaxed drop-in tasting, featuring pours from Ursa Major, Bella, Whispering Horse, and Beaufort. Curated by Sarah Gottwald and Wade Moore, it’s a casual night to explore the future of BC wine—no tickets, no pressure, just head over to Part and Parcel tonight starting at 5pm.

Tofino Wine and Dine: The popular food festival returns this weekend, bringing together some of BC’s best wineries, cideries, and distilleries alongside top chefs from Vancouver Island and beyond. Guests can enjoy thoughtfully curated tasting events, expertly paired small plates, and a vibrant, coastal atmosphere that makes this festival one of Tofino’s signature experiences. 

Haus X GoodSide BBQ Pop-up: This Sunday from 12-2pm, visit GoodSide Pastry House at 1805 Fort St. (back parking lot) to try one of two (or two) burger combos, including a drink and a mini cream puff.

Oak Bay Tea Party: Join the 63rd annual Oak Bay Tea Party this weekend at Willows Beach with rides, a parade, live music, floating teacup races, and pancake breakfasts for a full weekend of family fun.

The Village Block Party: Celebrate summer in Cook Street Village this Sunday in one of the most popular neighbourhood parties with 125+ vendors, live music, food trucks, and the beloved “Fastest Dog of Cook Street Village” race at this lively block party.

More events happening in Victoria this month.

 💸 Deals

• Free Father’s Day brewery tours at Small Gods Brewing on Sunday, June 15. Various times.

• $3 chorizo sliders and $5 house lager at Superflux {Cabana} during daily happy hour, 4-5pm.

• $7 prime rib slider and $20 Keg burger at The Keg during happy hour, Sun.-Thurs. from 4-6pm, and from 8:30pm-close. Fri.-Sat. from 4-5:30pm, and from 9pm-close. Available to enjoy in the bar/lounge area.

• $9 “smashville” and “smash that” burgers at Bin 4 Burger Lounge during daily happy hour.

• $10 fish pakora and $10 wings at Varsha during daily happy hour.

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Pizza & Grill Cook at Serena's Pizzeria & Hoagies

  • Full-time baker at GoodSide Pastry House

  • Chef at Atelier Sidney

  • FOH and BOH positions at Janevca

📸 Post of the week

dumplingdrop on Instagram
@dumplingdrop
View on Instagram →

If you’ve never tried Thai tea, this is your moment, and it’s coming in slushie form at Dumpling Drop. Sweet, creamy, and packed with that rich black tea flavour, this icy treat is the ultimate summer cool-down.

That’s it!

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About this story

A newsletter archive page for Victoria food-scene updates, Urban Express Market, restaurant news, local openings, and Tasting Victoria reader interest. Use it alongside the related Victoria guides below for current restaurant, cafe, market, and neighbourhood context.

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Victoria
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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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