Top Victoria take-out restaurants
Sometimes you want to dig into a good meal at home or on the go without having to cook it. These restaurants are local favourites that always dish up incredible take-out.
Pig BBQ Joint
1325 Blanshard St, Victoria, BC V8W 0B5There’s good reason this causal downtown eatery was featured on Food Network Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here. It’s satisfying comfort food for meat lovers. Try not to think of the calories as you indulge in smoky, tender pulled pork on a bun, poutine, crispy fried mac ’n’ cheese, fried chicken, barbecue ribs, wings, fries and coleslaw. Pig keeps its menu fresh with daily specials, like pulled pork tacos and a beef brisket sandwich. Hearty portions ensure you won’t be hungry when you finish (but you’ll want more anyway).
Xin Korean Restaurant
823 Bay St, Victoria, BC V8T 1R3This is where the locals flock when a craving for Chinese food hits. Here, you’ll find authentic Chinese dishes, such as chicken chow mein and beef and broccoli, as well as handmade noodles and 14 types of dumplings. You’ll have a hard time choosing from their extensive menu. Must-try dishes include the spicy ginger fried beef (sticky, sweet and savoury) and the salt and pepper squid (tender and perfectly seasoned). John’s Noodle Village dishes up fresh, simple and delicious meals that hit the spot.
Ithaka Greek Restaurant
1102 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8V 3M8Here, you’ll find the very best traditional Greek cuisine – fall-off-the-bone, slow-cooked lamb, tender calamari, mouth-watering moussaka, charbroiled souvlaki, Greek lemon potatoes and flaky, spinach-stuffed spanakopita. Order one of their share platters and sample a Greek feast. Everything is made from scratch, including the homemade bread, soup, dips and sauces. You’ll also find steaks, ribs, pastas, pitas and salads – the menu even includes fish and chips and liver and onions. Don’t forget to grab some baklava for dessert.
Pagliaccis Restaurant
1011 Broad St, Victoria, BC V8W 2A1This Victoria establishment has been dishing up legendary meals for more than 30 years. It’s hearty Italian food at its finest. The restaurant is always busy, so order your food to-go instead waiting for a table. You can’t go wrong with any of their pastas, but a local favourite is The Bicycle Thief (Italian sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, green onion and Fontina cheese tossed with linguine in a garlic chicken broth). Mop up the sauce with fresh-baked focaccia bread. The also serve steak, seafood and dinner salads.
Prima Strada Pizzeria
105-230 Cook St, Victoria, BC V8V 3X3Their authentic, fire-roasted pizzas start with the finest Italian flour and plum tomatoes, and use traditional techniques to create a mouth-watering final product. Forget what you know about take out pizza; these crispy pizzas are akin to what you’d find on the streets of Italy – bursting with incredibly fresh flavours. Try the Diavola (tomato, calabrese salami, fresh mozzarella, parmigiano and red onions) or the Quattro Stagioni (tomato, housemade sausage, peppers, anchovies, olives, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella and basil). It’s no wonder they’ll soon open a third Victoria location.
Foo Asian Street Food
769 Yates St, Victoria, BC V8W 1L6If you’re craving incredible Asian-inspired street food, grab some take out from FOO. Located in Victoria’s business district, FOO offers a casual “hawker stall” ambience with a modern vibe. The menu includes dishes inspired by the Canadian owner/head chef’s Asian travels, including pad Thai, butter chicken, tuna tataki and soba noodle salad and beef and broccoli chow mein. This is not your typical Asian take-out – think Asian fusion food at its best. It’s creative, wallet friendly and delicious.
Sizzling Tandoor Restaurant
637 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 1M7This restaurant packs a punch when it comes to the flavour of each of the dishes on their extensive menu. Stick with classics like tandoori chicken and vindaloo curry, or take your taste buds on an exotic trip with exquisite flavours like pomegranate or cashew curry sauce. Pick your heat level, from mild to extra hot. Mop up the sauce with fresh naan bread baked to perfection in a tandoor oven. Dine in next time for the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet – a steal at $13.
La Taquisa
1017 Blanshard St, Victoria, BC V8W 2H4If you’re looking for authentic Mexican take out, look no further. Start with a handmade corn or flour tortilla, then build your own burrito, taco or quesadilla by choosing the filling and the salsa. All of the meat is locally sourced, and the creations are mouth watering (such as flank steak marinated in adobo sauce and shredded chicken stewed with tomato and chipotle, to name a few). There are also delicious vegetarian and vegan options (homemade pinto beans and roasted poblano peppers). Ole!
Barb’s Fish & Chips
This outdoor floating seafood restaurant has been a local gem for more than 30 years. Located on the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf, grab some take-out seafood and watch the resident seals play in the water and float planes land on the harbour. Barb’s is renowned for serving the best fish and chips in the city, and they make everything from scratch – including their seafood chowder, dips, dressings and burgers. Come for wild fish sourced from the West Coast, clams, mussels, oysters and crab.
