The Ruby - Johnson Street

A beautiful stop with history in Victoria. We had gorgeous weather during our spring visit and got…read moreto enjoy the patio alongside several tourists, locals, and cute pups. My mom is a big fan of the restaurants namesake and had easily the most fun. We enjoyed win, excellent food, and some great conversation with our waitress. I visit Victoria often and this is one spot I'll definitely be a repeat customer at.

This was are first bar we went to when we first got to Canada everyone was so welcoming…read more Like we were regulars and they knew us. We got a few of their local beers , cider , and their local drink was some shot. Had some of that too a few apps. Two cups of chowder Honestly, I left a bit tipsy great service. The vibe was chill. It was a great way to start the day. It's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Pulling IPA Craft Beer

Love the old school decor

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Tablorone Hot Chocolate

Block Kitchen + Bar

4.7(80 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

Vegetarian friendly

Fabulous meal and cocktails.the tuna, Korean chicken and gyoza were incredible. The service was…read moreexcellent and the decor really nice

The service was exceptional, and every bite and sip felt like a little piece of heaven. After…read morenearly every dish, we found ourselves looking at each other saying, "Wow... oh my God, that's amazing." The pork belly bao is generously sized and easily shareable. The bun was incredibly fresh, light, and pillowy, while the pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender with the perfect balance of richness and tang from the kimchi. The pickled vegetables added a bright crunch that tasted incredibly fresh. We started with the salmon tartare, and it was phenomenal! Rich, buttery, bursting with flavor, and so good we were literally fighting over the last bite. And the scallop? Order one for each person. Seriously. It's far too delicious to share. It had just the right amount of heat, leaving the perfect lingering warmth that immediately made us want another. Do yourself a favor and give yourself enough time to work your way through the menu, because every dish we tried was outstanding. Each plate was thoughtfully curated, beautifully executed, and cooked to perfection. I like to call it the C³ trifecta: curated, created, and cooked. Without question, this is some of the best food we've had in a very long time. We can't wait to come back (when visiting) and continue eating our way through the rest of the menu.

From local craft beers to exotic cocktails, we have a drink for you and that special someone.

Duck Spring Rolls with Nam Jim sauce.

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Admiral Sho Cauliflower with marinated and fried cauliflower bites, General Tso sauce, sesame, chili thread.

The Churchill

4.2(73 reviews)

Great happy hour. Had the lager on tap- turned out to be Phillips Tilt and it was great. It was…read morequiet inside and nice and cool and it made a great rest stop during our very busy day sightseeing. Service was great and we loved the music.

Our group decided they wanted to try a local pub while we were in Victoria for our last night of…read morethe cruise. After a quick search on Yelp we settled on The Churchill so they could try several different local beers. I opted for the featured cocktail of the month Into The Wild with blackberry gin, blueberry liqueur, honey, lemon & orange bitters. I thought it was really good, smooth but potent. When visiting Canada, I thought it was mandatory to get the Poutine - Beer battered fries, squeaky cheese curds, homemade beef gravy. Very filling and did not disappoint. The rest of the family liked their choices (Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken Burgers, Pulled Jackfruit Bun) as well. We sat in a large booth instead of at the bar like most of the regulars and locals. Service was a little slow but would not keep me from coming back.

Booth area

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Wind Cries Mary

4.0(113 reviews)

Holy hell, this place was amazing! Get there early because the line will literally wrap around the…read moreblock, but after eating here, I completely understand why The Blue Fox has been so popular for so many years. This was hands down some of the best breakfast I've had anywhere. The food was so freaking delicious, and the lavender London fog was the best I've ever had. Seriously, I'm still thinking about it. The restaurant itself has so much character and is filled with beautiful art, making it just as fun to look around as it is to eat. The staff were incredibly kind, friendly, and attentive even with how busy the place gets. If you're visiting Victoria, GO HERE. Honestly, go to Victoria just for The Blue Fox. It's that good. 5/5 without question!

Wind Cries Mary is located at 45 Bastion Square, Victoria, BC…read more Food : (5/5) Service : (5/5) Ambiance : (5/5)

Bar - IG @bougiefoodieboi

Tasting Menu: April '26 - Pork belly

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Cocktail pairing

The Courtney Room

4.0(78 reviews)

0.5 km

The food was good. We had the prix fixed menu. The salad was the best out of our choices for…read moreappetizer. The steak tartare was tasty but the arugala overwhelmed it. The salmon main was absolutely delicious. The salmon roe added a texture were your mouthful just popped. The duck main was cooked perfectly. Did not taste gamey. The black rice or risotto in this dish was very tasty. The dessert of Panna cotta was delicious and had a citrus finish. The dessert feature of rhubarb cake was just meh. The white frosting had no taste and was thick on the cake. You finish out the meal with some jellies and some caramel Service was good but here is the reason for the low rating.... The main of the flat iron with arugala on the top with fries. They plated it and served it with a slug in it. The slug fell from inside the salad onto the plate . A baby slug. But it was living and moving. What followed was poor response and gaslighting of which this restaurant should be ashamed. In order not to disgust the others I stopped a woman that was working the floor to remove the plate. When I pointed to the slug why gave a small chuckle and half smile and stated, "well, it is farm to table." That is gaslighting. Right there that was a poor response. I see signs saying Michelin on this restaurant, but really...if you had served a slug to a someone rating you for a Michelin, you think you would get that rating? Highly doubtful. That should never have been served. Yes the restaurant cooked another meal which took longer. They cooked it just fine too....however their lackluster and empty words of well we do say it's farm to table doesn't replace an apology or an assurance of we will do better.

Overall the food was five star and the scallop appetizer was my favorite. We chose to sit at the…read morebar and the chairs are not quite High Enough for the height of the bar and there is no footrest at the base of the bar. Our waiter had not fully mastered the menu however he was very sweet and continually went back to get more information... We had to flag someone down to get a second glass of wine despite being at the bar.

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Tora Tiki

4.8(21 reviews)

0.2 km

TL;DR: Yes, it's a tiki bar. That's about as far as it goes…read more Drinks: Coming from someone with a rum shelf and a closet of tiki mugs, this was thin. Very limited rum selection, nothing distinctive. The menu reads like flashcards: Trade Winds, Trader Vic's Grog, Saturn. Correct, competent. Vibe: The ambiance is fun and well done. It checks the boxes, but it doesn't push past them. What could be better: Depth. The rum program feels bare, and there's no sense of curiosity. Bottom line: If you don't know tiki, you'll probably have a good time. If you do, have a daiquiri and move on. My review matches what the locals say - Yup, it's a tiki bar.

Great ambiance, good friendly service, a private karaoke room, and stellar cocktails, what more…read morecould you ask for. If I lived here I would definitely become a regular.

Great tiki experience

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Bar

Frankie's Modern Diner

4.2(303 reviews)

0.4 km

I love diners, and this one is fabulous!…read more Located right downtown by the inner harbor, on Government Street, this restaurant is large, with two separate doors 1/2 block apart. I loved the spacious interior with the retro diner aesthetic. I loved how it opens at 7am and has a lot of breakfast options, and all are reasonably priced. I love the booths, the soda counter, the chalkboard message board with daily specials on it. I love the cheery and attentive server we had. And, lastly, I love the food here! (I was here for breakfast and my eggs and bacon were EXACTLY how I ordered them, and they also made me a fantastic iced vanilla latte, too). The restaurant and the bathrooms were super clean, too (bonus!). I checked out the extensive menu and realized, heck, I should have come here the day before for lunch. They have so many sandwiches and burgers available. Just wow. IMO this place would be perfect for breakfast or lunch, or a late night snack. (I think they're open until 9pm). If you like traditional diner fare, this is the place to be, for sure.

Frankie's Modern Diner was a nice casual place to stop by for dinner. We had a reservation for…read moredinner on a weekday, but there were hardly anyone in during prime meal time. The atmosphere was alright with dimmer lighting than other similar places which was nice for the mood, and the place was surprisingly louder than expected for the little people that were there. The waitress we had was friendly and nice, but also came by frequently to ask if we were done looking at the menu, with our food, wanting the bill. It felt very rushed despite there not being many other customers in the area. We were only in the restaurant for about 45 minutes today. The food was mediocre. I had the fried chicken and waffles, which looked good but tasted generic. The fried chicken was a bit dry and just tasted like it was seasoned with salt and pepper and that's about it. The waffle tasted like something anyone could make at home. My friend had the Caesar salad, which was drenched in sauce but otherwise looked alright. Overall, the food is on the pricier side, relative to the portion size being served. Expect to spend at least $30 to be full, not including drinks and dessert.

Starting the day with a spot of tea

Meatballs with fries

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Dinner with friend tonight!

Clive's Classic Lounge

4.3(82 reviews)

0.6 km

TL;DR: A worthwhile cocktail bar with the right mood and…read moresolid execution. Setting your expectations correctly is key here. Drinks: We had four cocktails between the two of us. All were good and well made, but a couple felt slightly out of balance, keeping them from hitting the excellent tier. Service: Attentive, professional, and engaged. The bartender knew what they were doing and kept things moving smoothly. Vibe: Dark, old-school, and moody in the best way. You quickly forget you're in a hotel once inside. Comfortable and easy to settle into. What could be better: Tighter balance and consistency in the cocktails. A small refinement would make a noticeable difference here.

A cozy cocktail bar with great drinks and appetizers. The service was outstanding. We enjoyed the…read moreSpanish Croquettes with a Cottage and a Negroni.

Duck Confit

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Duck Confit

Artemis Whiskey Bar

4.3(18 reviews)

ERROR is the most incredible cocktail I've ever had. Also, the alien bubbles gave me the shits…read more Worth it.

Super cool speakeasy with hidden entrance and really nice vibe. Warming, it is VERY dimly lit,…read morebring your glasses! At $20+ a drink though, not a place you'll be spending all night at but cool to stop by. Very attentive servers!

Artemis bar - fabulous whiskey selection.

Space shuttle themed drink lit up fluorescent! It was out of this work and super yummy!

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Humboldt Bar

5.0(8 reviews)

0.6 km

One of the best bars I have been to in a while, I was surprised to slip right in for a table of 4…read moreon a beautiful June Saturday night. All the drinks we had were top notch and unlike others I've had anywhere else. My favorites were the Lost Luggage and Pingu Club. The server was attentive and knowledgeable as he was the creator of a handful of them on the menu.

Humboldt was a perfect stop for a drink before dinner. I love the ambience - dark, soft lighting,…read moreplush seating. It reminded me of cocktail bars in NYC. Our server was super knowledgeable and we loved our drinks. I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Bar area

POTATO PAVÉ FRIES without the duck shredded confit

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Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Simon L.

Elite 18

324

106

297

8 years ago

I'm a massive fan of all things brunch and, in my journey to try every brunch place in this city, The Ruby and I crossed paths. Okay sidebar to start: I have a massive (probably 4ft) concrete statue/planter of a painted dog named Ruby so I immediately feel at home when I enter (yes, I'm aware that this is strange but what that I do ISN'T). Now, for the actual restaurant. If you've read any of my other reviews, you won't be surprised to hear that the decor of a place has a huge effect on my experience there and The Ruby definitely made a great impression. With a mixture of rustic and modern elements, the restaurant feels like a cool, up-to-date ranch with some flairs of farm and fashion around the eating area. I have to say though, my absolute favourite part of all of the decorations were the chandeliers next to where I was sitting; they were black cast-iron and had miniature deer fashioned all over them - a small detail that I thought was incredibly charming (and looked great too!!). Our server got us all coffees and waters right away and, as it wasn't very busy, it felt as if we had her full attention at all times, which was incredibly lovely! My coffee was topped up every time I even thought about it and our orders were taken quickly, followed through effectively, and checked upon regularly. I ended up getting the rotisserie chicken skillet (I'm very partial to chicken... and skillets... and brunch) and when it arrived, it. looked. beautiful. I've attached a photo but wow, it doesn't do it justice. Okay, I have to warn, if you're not very big on salty food, this dish isn't for you. I was simultaneously eating and guzzling water because I swear this dish could dehydrate you in half a serving - mixed with coffee, I was shriveling up! I also added the jalapeño sriracha sauce that they had at the table (y'know, for extra sodium) and it gave the dish that bit of a kick that I looooove at brunch. I was able to chat with the manager a bit, get lovely service from our server, and enjoy a great brunch with some friends. Highly recommend The Ruby! read more

VR Lounge Downtown I.

0

20

0

7 years ago

I had a really delicious eggs benedict with beef brisket! The service was a little slow and there was a mix up with one of the orders, but it was handled very professionally. Otherwise, a fantastic place I'll definitely come back to! read more

Thu P.

0

18

7

4 years ago

They serve small portions for a high price and they don't taste good either. Recommend try elsewhere!

Dana Z.

30

148

90

3 years ago

The place is closed till February 1st. Didn't get to experience it after hearing so much about it!

Celine L.

45

29

16

7 years ago

The service was fast and efficient. The food was good. Never had to flag down server.

The Ruby - Johnson Street - breakfast_brunch - Updated October 2026

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4.1

(63 reviews)

As usual, food was very good!! Service was a little slow and the Server is very new. Ambiance still…read moresort of somber with very few looking happy. Server did not smile at all and appeared scared. The only one who smiled and was socialable, pleasant and make you want to come back was Kiera. An excellent server and truly cares about you. Thank you Kiera for making my day. I hope to see her there again. PS. The Mgr. Zoe is Not talking to me now?! Lol most unprofessional and immature to be in that position. Sad.

Randomly stopped here for breakfast and ended up eating here two days in a row it was so good!!…read more Really interesting menu with a lot of choices, and the food was very fresh and delicious. Ps try the shakshuka!

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We came here for breakfast. They do have a kids menu, which was appreciated. The food was good -…read morenothing special. A bit pricey from what you got. We chose a different place to go to this morning. If we could have given a 3.5, we would have.

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4.0

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Delicious, hearty breakfast! Sausages were extra nice. Attentive servers kept us well -supplied…read morewith coffee. Fun posters on the wall & a '90's rock vibe.

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This place had been on my bucket restaurant list for years. Soo sooo many ppl have told me it's a…read moreMUST EAT place. We snagged a spot close to close; so there was zero wait. 6/5 stars easily. The breaded fried brie cheese with the ripe peaches and perfect poached yolks. GOD DAMN! Only regret was not going sooner. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

Jam is a classic breakfast spot in downtown Victoria for a reason. The food is always good and the…read moreline moves fast. This time I tried the what the cluck which was very good! It's rare I leave a restaurant super full but this item accomplished that! I'd stay away from the bowl items personally but everything else is top notch! 100% worth a try!

Floyd's Diner

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You aren't going to Floyd's diner in Langford for the fancy interior, the comfy seats or the…read moreartwork on the wall. You're going there for the solid rib sticking food that will make you want to come back again. There is no pretense here, just straight forward what you see is what you get. Ryan M took great care of us while there, we backed for nothing. That said he has a personality, which we love, no shrinking violet here. My traditional bennie was good, with house cooked ham, eggs exactly as I asked for and potatoes shaped differently than you typically see. They were great for mopping up the leftovers. The lovely K Huevos Incredibalos was also good. She opted for two tortillas instead of three and enjoyed every bite. Would we go back, hell yeah we would!

Solid diner with eclectic decor and interesting menus items. Had breakfast here on a Saturday this…read moremonth. Friend got a custom omelette for $21.95, and I had the Herb Hudson Benedict for $23.95. Their POS system had issues. It rejected multiple cards before the waitress thought to use a different machine, then there weren't any problems. They have a breakfast item called Laban that includes 6 strips of bacon, a shot of Jack and a beer but you get a 50% discount if that's your name.

Avalon Restaurant

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Great eggs benedict. This is a great top 3 for me due to prices. I got tomato slices instead of…read moreEnglish muffin at no charge. Service is great. Always leave with a couple extra bucks in my pocket and a meal well able to compete with the popular spots

Although I didn't take any pictures, I felt this place was worth the review. We went here on a whim…read morebecause the cafe we planned to go to had a line out the door. Someone we passed on the street recommended Avalon, so we gave it a try. The place is small and cozy and we did not have a wait on a Saturday morning. The place had a very homey, family style that I adored. Our server was very busy (she had all the tables to herself) but she was really nice and good at her job. The food was very reasonably priced and super yummy. I got the breakfast sandwich and my husband got the omelet. I recommend stopping by if you're in the area!

Frankie's Modern Diner

4.2

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I love diners, and this one is fabulous!…read more Located right downtown by the inner harbor, on Government Street, this restaurant is large, with two separate doors 1/2 block apart. I loved the spacious interior with the retro diner aesthetic. I loved how it opens at 7am and has a lot of breakfast options, and all are reasonably priced. I love the booths, the soda counter, the chalkboard message board with daily specials on it. I love the cheery and attentive server we had. And, lastly, I love the food here! (I was here for breakfast and my eggs and bacon were EXACTLY how I ordered them, and they also made me a fantastic iced vanilla latte, too). The restaurant and the bathrooms were super clean, too (bonus!). I checked out the extensive menu and realized, heck, I should have come here the day before for lunch. They have so many sandwiches and burgers available. Just wow. IMO this place would be perfect for breakfast or lunch, or a late night snack. (I think they're open until 9pm). If you like traditional diner fare, this is the place to be, for sure.

Frankie's Modern Diner was a nice casual place to stop by for dinner. We had a reservation for…read moredinner on a weekday, but there were hardly anyone in during prime meal time. The atmosphere was alright with dimmer lighting than other similar places which was nice for the mood, and the place was surprisingly louder than expected for the little people that were there. The waitress we had was friendly and nice, but also came by frequently to ask if we were done looking at the menu, with our food, wanting the bill. It felt very rushed despite there not being many other customers in the area. We were only in the restaurant for about 45 minutes today. The food was mediocre. I had the fried chicken and waffles, which looked good but tasted generic. The fried chicken was a bit dry and just tasted like it was seasoned with salt and pepper and that's about it. The waffle tasted like something anyone could make at home. My friend had the Caesar salad, which was drenched in sauce but otherwise looked alright. Overall, the food is on the pricier side, relative to the portion size being served. Expect to spend at least $30 to be full, not including drinks and dessert.

The Ruby

4.3

(154 reviews)

The Ruby is a restaurant connected right to the front lobby of Hotel Zed. The meals they serve are…read morebreakfast and lunch. Steve, myself and some in-laws went here in the morning after our overnight stay. There were a lot of good options to pick from sso we decided to share some of our meals with each other to try out a little bit of everything. I ordered just plain waffles, nothing with too many bells and whistles other than butter and syrup. The waffles were wonderful! Nice and airy where they needed to be and a very nice texture. Prepared to perfection actually. We also had the Rotisserie Chicken Hash also which was amazing. We were told to try a chicken dish while visiting Victoria and so we made sure we did. So very fresh and flavorful! Steve's sisters had good meals as well which made this a very enjoyable breakfast dining experience!

Food was amazing! Service was very good, went on a pretty busy morning but they clear tables really…read morefast so the wait was not long. The waiting area is the hotel lobby which has lots of seating and even board games to play while you wait! Restaurant is nice and clean inside.

The Village

4.2

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Had a good brunch here! The place was smaller than I expected and they were predictably pretty busy…read morewhen we arrived around 11:30 on Sunday. Indoor seating was full, but we got a table for 2 right away on the patio. It was awful weather, but the patio is covered and heated, so it was actually fine. My food and drink were really good! I got a strawberry matcha latte and the Mt Doug benny. The matcha was good and the strawberry wasn't too sweet. It came with a little biscotto, which was a treat both to dip in the drink and eat on its own. The benny was delicious - all the toppings went well together and the pesto was great. The latke base was interesting. I liked the latkes but I would probably get the bagel base if I could do it over again for a little less oil. I thought I ordered half salad/half fruit for my side, but I got fruit and potatoes. Didn't feel like sending it back. It was a lot of potato, but the side potatoes were admittedly really good with lots of seasoning. Our waiter was attentive and very friendly. They asked us to move over a table at one point before we even got our food so they could accommodate a bigger group, and it was no big deal for us, but they were nice enough to comp our drinks as thanks.

Service was exceptional! Food was great! Wish we lived in the neighborhood to be regulars.read more

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