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

Produce box subscriptions, the best sushi and best Indian restaurants, a Victoria ice cream shop is opening its third location, a new Venezuelan food pop-up, and more!

Tasting Victoria·Mar 20, 2025·8 min read
Tasting Victoria
Newsletter №089

Good morning foodies,

Today we are bringing you a story about produce box subscriptions and CSA programs available in Victoria, including Sooke, Metchosin, and Cowichan Valley. Supporting a CSA and local farms not only guarantees you high-quality, nutrient-dense food but also helps small farms thrive in a challenging economy.

We are also bringing you a story on where to get good sushi in Victoria, and don’t forget to check out the news section of today’s edition to learn about a local ice cream shop opening a third location and a new Venezuelan food pop-up. 

Now let’s get to it.

What food marks the beginning of spring to you?

  • Fish and chips by the waterfront
  • Iced coffee from the local cafe
  • Finally grabbing some ice cream
  • A craft beer on the patio
  • Fresh salads
  • Poké bowls and sushi
  • Other (tell us in the comments!)

😍 5 spots to try right now

🥐 Friends and Family Bake: A cozy bakeshop in Fan Tan Alley offering authentic Filipino breads and pastries alongside Western baked goods.

🔥 Fireside Grill: Experience farm-to-table dining in a warm, inviting atmosphere in Saanich.

🥗 Part and Parcel: A casual eatery serving inventive, locally sourced dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavours.​

🍛 Sabhai Thai: Delight in authentic Thai cuisine, from spicy curries to flavourful stir-fries, with locations in Langford and Sidney.

🍺 Refuge Tap Room: Try out a flight of local and BC-wide beers at 832 Fort St.

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

FEATURED

Fresh From the Farm: 11 produce box subscriptions in Victoria

South Island Farm Hub. Website

As spring arrives, there's no better time to support local farmers and enjoy the freshest seasonal produce by signing up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or farm box. These programs connect you directly with local farms, providing you with weekly or bi-weekly deliveries of fruits, vegetables, and other farm-fresh products.

Whether you’re looking for organic produce, farm-fresh eggs, or artisan goods, here’s a roundup of CSA and farm box options available in Victoria.

Check them out.

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FEATURED

Best sushi in Victoria

Nubo Tapas. Website.

Craving fresh sashimi and sushi? Victoria has something for every sushi lover: creative sushi rolls, fresh seafood, and even a traditional omakase bar. Whether you're looking for a quick grab-and-go option or a full dining experience, our readers have voted for their favourites, and we’ve added an honourable mention to the list. 

Grab your chopsticks and get ready to try them out.

🗞️ News

Parachute Ice Cream is opening a new location in Oak Bay soon at 2548 Windsor Rd. 

A new Venezuelan food pop-up has opened inside Fuego Old Town Eatery, Maria’s Venezuelan Kitchen. Open only on Mondays from 4-9pm. They offer authentic cachapas, empanadas, tequeños, and more. 

Changes to immigration policies hurting Victoria restaurant workers. [Capital Daily]

The annual list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants announced that it’s debuting a new list focusing exclusively on North America, including the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. We hope a Victoria restaurant makes the list on its debut! We’ll keep you posted. 

Best Indian Restaurants in Victoria, according to you. 

Have a restaurant, business, or event to promote?

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

🗓️ Events

Ono Poké Anniversary Celebration: Visit the Uptown location this Saturday for a celebration with $3.33 snack bowls, build-your-own bowls starting at just $9.99, prizes, and more. The event is intended to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital through donations, raffle ticket sales, and special product sales.

Intro to Gong Fu Cha Tea Brewing: A hands-on workshop this Saturday, covering the basics of Gong Fu tea brewing, including tea ware, techniques, and types of tea. Hosted by the International Tea Appreciation Society. 

Chef Pop-Up with Brian Tesolin: The Drake Eatery hosts The Courtney Room's chef Brian Tesolin for a one-day pop-up this Saturday, featuring locally sourced, seasonal dishes.

A Vermouth Masterclass & Pairings: As part of Victoria Cocktail Week, Matadora Taperia and Esquimalt Vermouth are doing two immersive masterclasses on April 15. Learn all about vermouth—from its historic roots to European aperitivo culture—with some tasty pairings.

The Best of BC Wine Tasting: Gigi’s Italian Foods is organizing a wine event on April 17 to celebrate BC wines with sommelier Shrawan Khanna and canapés by chef Vince Capitano of Island Chef. 

 💸 Deals

• $10 cocktails and $15 plant-based pizzas at Virtuous Pie during happy hour, Sun.-Thurs. from 2-5pm and 8pm to close. 

• Cocktails starting at $6 during Sunday jazz brunch at Pagliacci’s.

• $12 cocktails and 10% off all spirits at Sheringham Distillery on March 22 for World Cocktail Day. Featured cocktails include the Seaside, made with Seaside gin, lemon, and rosemary bitters; the chocolate Martinez, made with Beacon gin, chocolate liqueur, sweet vermouth, and more, including non-alcoholic alternatives.

• 50% off desserts after 5pm at The Palms. 

• Check out 80 of the best daily food specials in Victoria here. 

🧑‍💻 Jobs

  • Servers at Blue Fox Cafe

  • Brunch line cooks at OEB Breakfast Co. 

  • Baker at Rhino Coffee House

  • Server at Swan’s

📸 Post of the week

italian.bakery.victoria on Instagram
@italian.bakery.victoria
View on Instagram →

It’s officially spring today, and the Italian Bakery on Quadra knows it! Their popular gelato is back for the season with a huge lineup of different flavours to choose from, including strawberry, lime, pineapple, mango, peach, vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate, and more! Did you know that they’ve been making their own gelato since 1998? According to their website, they were the first to make gelato in Victoria. 

That’s it!

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About this story

A Victoria food-scene newsletter covering produce boxes, sushi, Indian restaurants, ice cream openings, a Venezuelan food pop-up, and local restaurant updates. Use it alongside the related Victoria guides below for current restaurant, cafe, market, and neighbourhood context.

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Food Scene Roundup
Coverage
Victoria
Guides
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tasting victoria
Est. 2019Vancouver Island
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