Cute spot, very artsy and great coffee and pizza! Also discounts for local Coast Guard employees!read more

I'm giving it 5 stars after realizing that this is not just an organic café in James Bay. It's an…read moreunconventional enrichment space and business model for troubled young adults that is making a difference in the community. There was no way that I could review it solely on the pastry received during our BC Bites & Sights tour. We met Dorothy who gave us a warm welcome. She provides a creative space, as well as an opportunity to those who need that inspiration. It's a unique work program! So, please have a heart when you experience slower than usual service. It may be a newcomer in training. We have all been there at some point in our lives. I love the creativity here! It's not just about coffee. They serve fresh out of the oven pizzas. We didn't get to see the bread and bannock. I really would have loved to try bannock which is sort of the Scottish precursor to the Native American fry bread (but, not really). You'll just have to read about it. What we did try was a pastry with custard, strawberries, and rhubarb. It was very good. I especially loved the rhubarb. I was also in love with the plants in the garden. It overlooks a park, and it's very close to Fisherman's Wharf. A great location! It's true that we only got a small taste of Victoria, but it did leave a lasting impression. There's so much more to this capital city that needs to be explored in more detail. Hopefully, we'll get that chance one day in the future.

piggy and paisley is a small, charming local café in james bay that fits really naturally into the…read moreneighbourhood. it's located just across from thrifty foods and a short walk from victoria's inner harbour. james bay itself feels quite different from downtown. while the core of victoria is busy with tourists, government buildings, and constant movement around the harbour, james bay feels more residential and relaxed, with tree lined streets, older homes, independent shops, and a steady local rhythm. i stopped in for a matcha latte with oat milk and sat by the bay window. it's an easy place to slow down for a bit and watch the neighbourhood go by. natural light fills the space, softening the pink tones and cozy interior, and there's a quiet, comfortable hum of conversation in the background. during my visit, a few people were catching up over tea, others were working on laptops, and some were simply enjoying coffee and pastries. it has a very unhurried feel to it, like people naturally settle in. afternoon tea is available but needs to be booked in advance. there are also small curated displays throughout the café with teas, gifts, and artisan items available for purchase. it feels thoughtfully selected and woven into the space rather than presented as a separate shop, which adds to the overall charm without distracting from the café experience. what stands out most is the atmosphere. it feels genuinely local. regulars come in and out, conversations happen easily, and even as a visitor you feel comfortable settling into the space. it feels more like a neighbourhood café that naturally belongs where it is. if you're in victoria, it's worth stepping away from the inner harbour and downtown for a bit. wandering into james bay and spending time at piggy and paisley gives you a quieter, more local side of the city that many visitors miss, and it's a nice place to slow down for a while.

I brought my husband here for his first time ever having a traditional tea experience…read more Unfortunately, at the time we had a bit of a crisis that was happening at home and it was hard for us to sit and just enjoy our meal because we were dealing with a crisis, however, the server was so sweet and genuine and understanding about us being somewhat distracted. Despite our side quest, my husband still told me he enjoyed every second of that tea lunch and had a great time. They do a really good job about decorating it making it feel very authentic, and the tea was delicious and they really went above and beyond to explain everything that we were receiving. I would definitely go back!

Good coffee. I loved the ginger scone!…read more Conveniently located in downtown Victoria. Heard that the scones are amazing house as well which surprise me given the size of the coffee shop itself. Again, I highly recommend recommended the scone!

Simple and pleasant coffee shop offering a surprisingly decent amount of seating indoors. Staff is…read morefriendly and helpful and the coffee (tried a cappuccino and flat white) were solid, though nothing out of this world. All in all a great place if you're nearby the area in Downtown Victoria.

Came in for a cup of coffee and to meet up with my daughter. I was greeted to Steely Dan playing on…read morethe sound system and by a nice staff member. The coffee wasn't hot, but it was tasty. The thing I love is a cafe where the sun shines in the winter. This is it. The mall where it is located is drab. Well, no, not drab. Actually it is a nice mall as far as malls go. I just don't like malls. This cafe doesn't have that mall feel. The sun changes everything. All is right with the world.

Good coffee but expensive, and the WiFi is capped at less than 0.30 Mbps, what a cheap joke what is…read morethis, 1999 dial-up? I'm going to Starbucks

Great vibes and good drinks! Beer and wine were delish. Nicola was the best…read more Highly recommend

Cannot recommend enough, so absolutely delicious and the vibes of the restaurant are so perfect!read more

I have tried brunch and lunch. I found it a friendly spot, laid back. Great staff…read more Get a spot in the front overlooking the breakwater and the strait. Not too fancy. They have a solid menu I recommend it

Food, service, and views sing at Breakwater. So many yummy options; I settled on a burger and green…read moresalad, and it was all delicious. If you like a crispy burger from a very hot grill, this is your place. I thought it was the perfect burger, served with a house made roasted pepper relish. The salad was delicious and artistic--see the photos. My husband enjoyed the fish tacos and said they were pitch perfect. We both had refreshing watermelon/mint lemonade. We'll definitely be back for more in the future. Bravo, Breakwater!

I've been to Heron Rock a handful of times now over several years and it's always been such a…read morestaple brunch spot! The bennys are my fave. Today we had the smoked salmon benny half order with a fresh salad and my hubby on the Dungeness crab and prawn benny with the roasted potato's and onions. We were very pleased with both. What I love most about the Benny is their hollandaise sauce - so lemony and light and they put the perfect amount on each - ie not drenched but nicely poured. The staff is super nice and overall the place feels homey. You also aren't waiting in lines to get good brunch which is always a bonus especially coming from Vancouver where everyone and their dog is going for brunch and lining up. This spot is very unassuming and kind of hidden behind the building. Highly recommend! They also have a cute patio if you're feeling some sunshine!

Absolutely delicious food! Extensive and surprising menu with great variety, definitely check out…read moretheir happy hour deals that happen twice a day! Ambience could be improved, but there is a small patio outside. Keep in mind, small dip portions and they charge extra if you want more!

Located next to Chinatown, we stopped by this local bakery while exploring the area. They offer a…read moregreat selections of desserts, cheesecakes, pies etc, but we decided to try the Nanaimo bar, a classic no-bake Canadian dessert. It was delicious and definitely worth trying if you never had these before. On the side note, I found it pretty funny the cafe has a surprisingly high-tech restroom lock where they buzz you in from behind the counter.

Quaint neighborhood bakery next to Chinatown. We tried the local Nanaimo bar and it was pretty…read moretasty!

Disappointing experience at Tre fantastic, located just outside the Paradise Hotel and Spa. What…read moreshould have been a straightforward morning coffee run turned into an exercise in frustration due to their surprisingly rigid policies and poor quality. The most baffling issue is their refusal to customize drinks. When ordering their smallest coffee, I was informed it automatically comes with two espresso shots. When I politely asked for a single shot instead, the staff flat-out refused, stating it was two shots or nothing unless I upgraded to a large size. Forcing customers into a higher caffeine content and a more expensive tier just because of a fixed-recipe policy is customer-hostile and strange. Unfortunately, the coffee itself doesn't justify the stubbornness. The brew is very basic, lacking any depth or distinct flavor profile, and simply not worth the money they charge. To top it off, the food was just as disappointing; the croissants were clearly old, stale, and unpleasantly hard. Skipping this spot and finding a cafe with better quality and a bit of flexibility for its customers is strongly recommended.

I read an earlier review from a fellow Seattleite who griped about the lack of wifi here, and my…read morefirst thought was "Sweet, no laptops hogging all the tables!" (I view this all-too-common situation as one of the downsides to the shift away from working at the office. I'm am staunchly in favor of working from home, but not from the cafe. I have spoken. /grumpy old man rant) The weather was shite outside, so I went with a cozy salted caramel latte and a cheddar & sundried tomato scone. Both were fab. The service was prompt and pleasant, and the music (not something I typically notice) is groovy enough that I am loath to leave. I don't come to Victoria often, but I hope this place is still here next time.