Victoria Taste Buds

08/19/2026

What an absolutely unreal experience this was. 🥹💕

From getting that very first email asking Victoria Taste Buds to be a Title Media Sponsor, to getting to experience Picklefest for my birthday surrounded by some of my favourite people… I’m still kind of taking it all in.

Seeing the Victoria Taste Buds logo on signage throughout the festival was already such a surreal moment, but having people actually come up to me and tell me they read and love the blog, that they’ve discovered new restaurants because of it, or that they appreciate being able to find more accessible places to dine honestly meant more to me than I can put into words.

One of the most incredible parts of this whole journey has been seeing how many local businesses, restaurants, festivals and events genuinely believe in Victoria Taste Buds and what I’m trying to build. To have people in this community not only support Taste Buds, but actively champion it, recommend it, invite me into their spaces and want to see it succeed is such an incredible honour. I don't take any of that trust or support for granted.

Victoria Taste Buds has become so much more than I ever imagined it would be. Having people share it, promote it, recommend it and genuinely value what I’m creating is incredibly heartwarming.

I don’t really know how to properly thank everyone for the support and love you’ve poured into both me and Taste Buds so far. I put so much of myself into this little corner of the internet, and getting to see it grow into something that people genuinely value is pretty damn special. 💕

Thank you for being here, for reading, sharing, following along and supporting what I’m building. And a HUGE thank you to everyone at Picklefest for believing in Victoria Taste Buds, inviting me to be part of such an incredible event, and making my birthday one I definitely won’t forget. 🥒

08/19/2026

🍸 Some of Victoria’s best cocktails are hiding where you’d least expect them…

Sure, Victoria has plenty of incredible cocktail bars, but what about the places that aren’t known for cocktails, yet are quietly serving some seriously good drinks? 👀

Think breweries with creative cocktail menus, restaurants where the drinks deserve just as much attention as the food, and casual spots serving hidden gems you might completely overlook.

I rounded up Victoria’s Best Unexpected Cocktail Spots, featuring:

🍹 Cafe Malabar
📚 Small Gods Brewing
🌮 Hanks A Restaurant
🍝 Old Spaghetti Factory Canada
🍸 End Dive

Whether you’re looking for your next happy hour spot, a creative mocktail, or just want to try something beyond your usual order, there might be a new favourite waiting somewhere you wouldn't expect.

👉 Read more on our website to see the full list + the cocktail I recommend ordering at each spot!

Looking for the best hidden gem cocktails and mocktails in Victoria, BC? From Small Gods Brewing and Café Malabar to Hanks, End Dive, and Old Spaghetti Factory, these unexpected spots are serving some of the city's most underrated drinks.

08/18/2026

Being a food blogger is a little weird sometimes. 🍴

I absolutely LOVE talking about why I started Victoria Taste Buds, supporting local restaurants, making Victoria's food scene feel more accessible, helping people discover somewhere new, and making sure everyone feels like they deserve a spot at the table.

But actually telling people I'm a food blogger? For some reason, that still gives me anxiety, so I decided to write about it.

This one is a little more personal than my usual posts. I'm sharing what it's actually been like growing Victoria Taste Buds, the creator events that can sometimes feel oddly competitive, how I approach honest restaurant reviews, the reality of comped meals and brand deals, the VERY strange messages I've received from businesses and other local accounts, and the surprising amount of work that happens behind the scenes.

I'm also talking about something that has become increasingly important to me: accessibility in our local food community. Whether that's price, dietary needs, physical accessibility, sensory considerations, or simply giving you enough information to decide whether an experience is right for you, I want Victoria Taste Buds to be more than pretty pictures of food.

I want it to actually be useful.

And yes... I included a couple of the weird DMs. 👀

Read the full blog on our website for a little glimpse behind the scenes of Victoria Taste Buds. 🍽️💛

There is something weirdly anxiety-inducing about telling people I’m a food blogger. Which is funny, because if you ask me

08/11/2026

🥒 VICTORIA, SHOW US YOUR PICKLE 🥒

We have some very important judging duties coming up this week… 👀

Victoria Taste Buds will be joining the judging panel for the Show Us Your Pickle Competition at Picklefest Victoria, and yes, that means we’ll be tasting our way through some of Victoria’s best homemade pickles. Tough job, but someone has to do it. 🫡🥒

BUT we need more pickles to judge!

Think your homemade pickles have what it takes? Whether you’ve perfected a family recipe, have a secret brine you swear by, or simply make a damn good pickle, this is your chance to put them to the test.

🥒 HOW TO ENTER:
Complete the online application, prepare your best batch of homemade pickles, and drop them off at Phillips Brewery (2010 Government Street) by August 12.
Application form 👉https://picklefestcanada.wufoo.com/forms/m1ndhgsf02n30dq/

📍 Drop-off: Phillips Brewery
📅 August 5–12
⏰ 11 AM–7 PM daily

Then head to Picklefest Victoria on August 15 to find out who takes home the win!

🥒 Proudly Sponsored by Putter’s Pickles

A big thank you to Putter’s Pickles, the official sponsor of Show Us Your Pickle, for helping celebrate Canada’s incredible home pickling community.

We’re VERY ready to taste what Victoria’s home picklers have been working on. 👀🥒

Tag the person who makes the best pickles you know they’ve got until August 12 to prove it.

07/29/2026

🚨 I need your BEST chicken wing recommendations... and I don't want any gatekeeping.

I'm updating the Victoria Taste Buds Wing Guide and I want to make sure I've got the absolute best wings in Greater Victoria.

So tell me...
📍 Where's your go-to wing spot?
🔥 What flavour do I HAVE to order?

Bone-in, boneless, vegan, sweet, spicy... I want to try them all. Help me build the ultimate list by dropping your favourites in the comments! 🍗👇

07/19/2026

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at BC CrabFest at Ship Point in Victoria's Inner Harbour, and I genuinely think this will always be one of the most delicious events of the summer. 🦀☀️

Each year there's something new to experience. Yes, the Authentic BC Crab Boil is always the star of the show (for good reason), but this year I found myself spending more time at the Coastal Conversations. Hearing directly from local chefs, fishers, seafood educators and Indigenous guides about everything from how to cook and crack BC Dungeness crab to the history of the Lekwungen People and why supporting local seafood matters added so much to the day. It wasn't just about eating incredible food, it gave you a deeper appreciation for the people and traditions behind it.

There's plenty to enjoy beyond the crab buckets too, with live music throughout the day, an Educational Marketplace, a Family Zone for kids, and local BC craft beer, cider, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

One thing I really appreciate is how physically accessible the event is. The layout makes it easy to get around, and there are lots of places to sit and enjoy the harbour.

Now, let's talk about the crab. 🦀 It's definitely one of the pricier food events in Victoria, but I honestly think it's worth it. BC Dungeness crab is considered a luxury product around the world, yet this event lets you enjoy it fresh, right where it's harvested. If you're looking to save a little money, I'd recommend sharing one of the larger crab buckets. You still get the full experience, and it's a great way to keep costs down.

I also love that BC CrabFest is about more than great food. It's a celebration of our coast, the fishing families and producers behind every catch, and gathering around the table together. Add in the festival's zero-waste commitment and donation-based entry supporting The Mustard Seed, and it's an event that's easy to get behind.

Already counting down until next year. 🦀🌊

07/16/2026

Life happened. ❤️

A few months ago I announced that Taste Trails were coming to Victoria Taste Buds... and then life threw me a few curveballs. Rather than rush them out half-finished, I decided to hit pause until I had the time and capacity to build them properly.

I want these to be something you actually use. Not something that's rushed or half done.

So... we're back. 🙌

🎉 The goal is to officially launch Taste Trails by August 1!

After reading through all of your amazing suggestions (seriously, there were so many good ones!), here's the first wave of trails we'll be rolling out:

🍩 Donut Trail
🌮 Taco Trail
🍦 Ice Cream Trail
☕ Latte Trail
🥪 Sandwich Trail
🍹 Caesar Trail
🍜 Ramen Trail
🍪 Cookies Trail
🍹 Mocktail Trail

Now I need your help one more time! 👇

✨ Is there a must-visit spot that absolutely deserves to be on one of these trails?

✨ Or do you have an idea for another themed trail you'd love to see?

Drop your recommendations in the comments! I'm still adding stops and already thinking ahead to the next round of Taste Trails. 💛

P.S. Thank you to everyone who was excited about this idea the first time around. I can't wait to finally get these out into the world! 🍴🎉

07/14/2026

One question I get asked all the time is why you don't see many negative reviews on Victoria Taste Buds.

The honest answer? It's because I don't enjoy writing them

That doesn't mean every place I visit is perfect. It means I don't believe one bad experience is enough to fairly represent a restaurant or event.

If I have a disappointing visit, I'll usually give it another chance. Plus I always go to restaurants minimum twice before I write a review, I never write a review based just off one visit ( especially a comp'd visit). I want to make sure what I'm sharing is fair, balanced, and reflects the bigger picture rather than one off day.

If, after multiple visits, I feel there's a consistent issue, I'll be honest about it. But until I'm confident I have the full picture, I usually choose not to post about that experience at all.

Victoria's food scene is full of hardworking people who put their hearts into what they do. My goal has always been to celebrate great local accessible food while being fair, honest, and transparent with all of you.

I hope that gives a little insight into how I approach reviews, and I really appreciate everyone who follows along, trusts my recommendations, and supports local businesses with me. 🧡

07/10/2026

Some meals stick with you long after you've left the table, and that's exactly how I felt after dining at March. 💛

From the moment the first dish arrived, it was clear that every ingredient, every flavour, and every detail had been thoughtfully considered. Chef Calista, founder and head chef of March Kitchen, brings authentic Cantonese home-style cooking to Victoria with a philosophy that's refreshingly simple: fresh, seasonal, nourishing food made with care.

Originally from Guangzhou, China, Calista works closely with local farms to source the freshest seasonal ingredients, creating dishes that stay true to traditional Cantonese home cooking while celebrating what's available right here on Vancouver Island. It's a style of cooking that's light, vibrant, and lets every ingredient shine.

What I also loved is the philosophy behind March. They believe in slowing down, sharing a meal, having meaningful conversations, and enjoying dining at a gentler pace. In a world that always feels rushed, it was a reminder of how special a truly thoughtful meal can be.

Here's what we tried:
🥟 Calista's Signature Pan-Fried Pork Buns
🥢 Special Sichuan-Style Braised Pork Belly
🐟 Secret Recipe Pickled Mustard Fish
🥬 Three-Color Stir-Fried Shredded Lotus Root
🦀 Calista's Seasonal Special: Midsummer Fresh Prawns, Fresh Crab Meat & Lotus Root
🍮 Caramel Steamed Egg Custard for dessert

To finish off the evening, we were also treated to a sample of Guotai Guo Biao Jiu, a premium Chinese baijiu, which was such a unique way to end the meal and an experience I hadn't had before.

Every dish brought something different to the table, but together they created one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in Victoria this year.

📍 You'll find March at 1008 Langley St, Victoria.

Be sure to give them a follow and keep an eye out for even more fresh seafood dishes coming soon March Restaurant

Have you been to March yet? If so, what should I order on my next visit? 👇

07/03/2026

Afternoons just got a little more exciting at Rudi. 🍸✨

Their new Aperitivo Hour is available daily from 3–5 PM, bringing together some of my favourite things about this restaurant in a perfectly shareable menu.

Expect:
🍸 Classic aperitivo cocktails, spritzes, Negronis, martinis, and more
🫒 Snackable bites like Smoked Fish Toast, Anchovy Toast, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Arancini, and Cacio e Pepe
🍷 Wine, beer, and cocktails designed for lingering conversations
✨ The perfect excuse to ease into your evening

If you haven't been to Rudi yet, it's one of Victoria's most memorable dining experiences. The space feels effortlessly stylish while still being warm and inviting, with a menu that beautifully blends West Coast ingredients with European influences. Every dish is thoughtfully plated, the cocktails are some of the best in the city, and the service always makes you feel right at home.

Whether you're meeting friends after work, planning a date night, or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy a great cocktail and a few shared plates, Aperitivo Hour is well worth checking out.

Who's grabbing a seat at the bar? 🍸👇

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