The Dine Around and Stay in Town 2024 Guide

It’s beginning to look a lot like Dine Around!  

That’s right… Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria is back from January 26th – February 11th for its 20th anniversary! If you listen closely, you’ll hear eager foodies clicking away at over 50 restaurant menus offered this year. 

A beloved culinary festival, Dine Around involves our local restaurants offering prix-fixe, multiple-course dining experiences ranging from $25 to $65 per diner.  

Make it a night on the town and enjoy discounted rates on room bookings during the Dine Around program period. This year, we’re offering deals from 12 Greater Victoria hotels! 

The 20th anniversary of Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria kicks off with a Gala Launch, happening January 25th, 2024 at the Victoria Conference Centre. Tickets fly quickly – scoop yours up today! 

We’ve prepared this cheat-sheet for you to help you find the dream dining experience you’re yearning for. Without further ado… our Dine Around and Stay in Town 2024 Guide.  

New to Dine Around | A View to Pair | For All Diners | Victoria’s Pub Scene

Metropolitan Meals | The Classics | Love at First Bite | Tastes from Around the World

New to Dine Around

These four eateries are brand new to the Dine Around program this year, and we’re welcoming them with open arms (and a big appetite!):

Good Ovening – Combining the punches of flavour that Korean cuisine is known for with health-conscious cooking styles, Good Ovening’s oven-roasted approach to Korean chicken has swept Victoria’s food scene! Try Spicy Bulgogi, Kimchi Stew, or the chicken they’re best known for in their $35 menu.

Hermann’s Jazz Club – This beloved music venue has charmed us for 35 years and counting and comes with a fully licensed restaurant to pair! They are making their grand debut to Dine Around with a $35 menu.

Marilena Café & Raw Bar – That’s right – the #3 Best New Restaurant in Canada (as per Air Canada and En Route) is joining us for this year’s Dine Around program! Known for their exquisite seafood dishes and perfect plating, come see what made our country fall in love with Marilena.

FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room – Located inside the internationally-renown Oak Bay Beach Hotel, we’re happy to welcome FARO to Dine Around this year! Handcrafted pizzas, fresh salads, and local wines await in this stunning, modern hotspot. 

A View to Pair

Is it dinner with a view, or a view with dinner? Either way, we can’t get enough of them.

Vista 18 – Set on the 18th floor of Chateau Victoria, at this restaurant, you’ll see and taste it all! Enjoy entrees like their Orange Saffron Glazed Ling Cod or their Surf + Turf Roulade while gazing out over Victoria in their $55 menu.

Steamship Grill and Bar – offering fantastic harbour views looking out from the historic Steamship Terminal building, Steamship Grill and Bar offers several great seafood and vegetarian options to choose from in their $45 menu.

LURE Restaurant and Bar – located at the Delta Hotels by Marriott™ Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, LURE offers one of Victoria’s Hottest Patios gazing out over the Inner Harbour. Their unique $55 menu will lure you in!

Boom + Batten – This trendy restaurant is surrounded by the ocean, making it possible to watch otters or sea-kayakers passing by. Get a taste of the west coast through their elevated $55 Dine Around menu.

GLO Restaurant + Lounge – Sister restaurant to Boom + Batten, GLO offers 180° views of the Selkirk waterway, as well as the most perfectly Instagram-able food. Sample favourites such as the Pacific Sweet Potato Gnocchi and the Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake through their $45 3-course menu.

Blue Crab Seafood House – Where the fish is as fabulous as the view! Nestled inside Coast Hotel Victoria, Blue Crab Seafood House looks out over the hotel’s very own marina, integrating fresh catches of the day throughout their restaurant.

10 Acres at the Pier – North of Victoria is the picturesque seaside port-town of Sidney. Hugging the coastline is 10 Acres at the Pier, a restaurant that prioritizes Ocean Wise and sustainably sourced local seafood. You will love its ambiance and charm! 

For All Diners

These options offer full Dine Around experiences for those with dietary restrictions. Dine without a worry at any of these restaurants!

Six Mile Pub – The oldest pub in BC is back with $35 and $45 Dine Around menus – and those with dietary restrictions, rejoice! The majority of their menu items are gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian, and it’s easy to have a fully gluten-free or vegan Dine Around experience here.

Virtuous Pie – This plant-based restaurant is offering not one, not two… but FOUR plant-based Dine Around menus ranging from $25 to $45. Their vegan slices and scoops are famous around our city, and through Dine Around, you’ll get to sample both. Bring your stretchy pants – you will be wowed by the portion sizes here!

The Arbutus Room – Nestled inside Brentwood Bay Resort, The Arbutus Room offers an elevated, sophisticated atmosphere with views of tranquil Brentwood Bay. It is possible to have a fully gluten-free Dine Around experience here, with vegetarian options available as well!

Lot 1 Pasta Bar – A pasta experience like no other. Their $45 menu may last you a few meals, guiding you through an appetizer, hearty pasta dish, and a dessert finale – with famous Lot 1 Breadsticks to start. Vegan options are available for all four courses – yes, even for the breadsticks! 

Victoria’s Pub Scene

Victoria’s pub scene always represents every Dine Around season! Pair your tasty three-course meals with three new-to-you brews for a fun night out! 

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub – As Canada’s first brewpub, Spinnaker’s paved the way in our pub scene with innovative brews and sustainability initiatives. Bring the whole family – they have a children’s menu!

Penny Farthing Pub – Tucked in the heart of Oak Bay Village, Penny Farthing capitalizes on coziness with four crackling fireplaces, great drinks, and a true English pub experience. Drop by for a $35 menu full of true comfort-food; from French Onion Soup to Chicken Tikka Masala.

Sticky Wicket Pub and Restaurant – a Victorian era pub and family restaurant located at the Strathcona Hotel, they offer Dine Around menu items such as French Onion Soup and a Steak & Lobster dish.

Irish Times Pub – The Irish Times embraces Irish culture with food for the body, drink for the spirit, and music for the soul. Their $25 and $35 menus offer true Irish comfort food that pair perfectly with a BC brew.

Bard & Banker – The Bard is a popular choice when looking for a downtown pub – their ingredients are locally-sourced whenever possible. Set in an 1885 heritage building that was once a bank, it is often deemed as one of Victoria’s most beautiful pubs! 

Metropolitan Meals

These eateries are conveniently located in downtown core.  Many of our Stay in Town hotels are also downtown, making the pre-and-post meal waddle a breeze!

Ferris’ Downstairs Grill + Garden Patio – Ferris’ is a well-known Victorian classic frequented by locals. The flavours, friendly service, and ambiance will have you raving!

Fire + Water Restaurant – conveniently located inside Marriott Victoria Inner Harbour (participating in Stay in Town!), this cozy restaurant boasts a $65 menu that will surely wow you, and the lucky person you choose to bring along with you.

Little Jumbo – This award-winning restaurant on Fort St boasts a farm-to-table and boat-to-table philosophy. The team’s cocktail creativity is out of this world – you must try one to pair with your meal!

10 Acres Commons – On the edge of Humboldt and Government, 10 Acres Commons aims to be a warm and welcoming place for the community to meet up and have a great time out. The music, service, and vibes here are fantastic, and their $45 Dine Around menu offer plenty of options to choose from. 

The Classics

Well-known, and well-loved! If they aren’t already, get ready to make these your next Greater Victoria hotspots.

Earl’s Kitchen and Bar – this eatery on Government Street has something for everyone to enjoy, and is a great place to unwind after a day of shopping, exploring the city, or work. 

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – Juicy steak and tender seafood awaits you at the Keg, located on Fort and Wharf. If you find yourself in Saanich, there is another participating location (located in the original Waterworks building) at 3940 Quadra St.! 

Cactus Club – A well frequented stop in the heart of downtown. Their $45 Dine Around menu might just pair perfectly with one of their Victoria-famous peach bellinis. 

Milestones Victoria – Just steps from the BC Parliament and Fairmont Empress, Milestones Victoria is offering a $45 3-course menu this year with dishes that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Closer to Langford? Milestones Millstream Village is also participating with their own menu. 

Browns Socialhouse – at their prime location on Douglas St, Browns Socialhouse celebrates all things casual, all things craft, and all things BC. Sample their fresh food and cheerful service this Dine Around season! 

Love At First Bite

The Courtney Room – This elegant restaurant tucked inside the Magnolia Hotel & Spa is offering Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner options, if you just can’t get enough (and believe us, you won’t be able to!). May we recommend their gluten-free Fish and Chips, found on their lunch menu?

10 Acres Bistro – One of Victoria’s brightest and greenest dining establishments is 10 Acres Bistro, who sources many of their ingredients from their ten-acre farm on the Saanich Peninsula. Relish the food while you soak in the ambiance by their fireplaces, or on their heated garden courtyard.

Fathom – A beautiful venue to take your date, Fathom offers a picturesque, sophisticated dining experience inside the Hotel Grand Pacific. Try their three-course $55 menu, which offers delicious options such as Seafood Chowder and Scallop Risotto!

Wind Cries Mary – The ambiance here can be described as “elevated cabin food” and their ever-changing menu is meant to be shared and served “family-style” for a truly homey experience. They are back to Dine Around with a 4-course shareable menu!

Q at the Empress – The Fairmont Empress’ storied restaurant guides diners through their “Attract”, “Engage”, and “Delight” Dine Around menus for $55. You will love the one-of-a-kind chic atmosphere!

Ferris’ Oyster Bar and Grill (Upstairs) – the second floor of Ferris’ offers an upscale menu featuring fresh oysters, shellfish, local seafood & steaks, served in a beautiful room featuring brick walls, rustic wood floors & comfortable banquette seating. 

Tastes From Around the World

Perro Negro – Meaning “Black Dog” in Spanish, this restaurant is an extension of the famous Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood and Oyster Bar. Try authentic Spanish tapas through a $35, eight-course shared-for-two experience.

L’Apéro Wine and Cheese Bistro – L’Apéro is back with their famous Swiss-raclette experience for Dine Around, which involves a massive, melted cheese wheel scraped over roasted potatoes, cured meat, marinated onions, and other accompaniments. A Swiss fondue and a cheese board dinner are other delicious options on their $55 menu!

Fiamo – Get a taste of Tuscany with this popular Italian restaurant on Wharf and Yates, with French, Spanish, and Mediterranean elements mixed in. Enjoy Capesante, Risotto or Anatra in their $55 menu.

Zambri’s – Specializing in classic Italian cuisine, we are swooning over the options offered in Zambri’s $55 Dine Around menu. Bite into Arancini di Tonno con Putanesca, Braised Beef with Asiago Polenta, or Lavender Panna Cotta with Honey & Thyme.

Ugly Duckling Restaurant – A highly unique fine dining restaurant, Ugly Duckling takes inspiration from its surroundings – Vancouver Island’s fine offerings and Canada’s first Chinatown, where they are nestled. Sample Dim Sum, Vancouver Island-style Chow Mein, and “Sweet-and-Sour” Foie Gras through this $65 dinner menu.

Vis-à-Vis – This restaurant prefers dining face-to-face. Their traditional French cuisine and cozy ambiance provides for an intimate evening best enjoyed with one other person. Their dishes are on a Dine Around $55 menu feature.

Pendray Inn and Teahouse – Tea at the Pendray is like receiving a hug from Prince Harry. Lean into this three-tiered British tradition through their $55 Afternoon Tea menu, available in Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegan if you give them 24 hours’ notice. Plus, Pendray is one of the few Dine Around restaurants offering a breakfast menu – and at a very modest $25 price-point to boot!