YAM magazine’s Best Restaurant Awards 2025 celebrates Greater Victoria, B.C.’s exciting food scene, judged by an independent panel of chefs and food experts.
BY JOANNE SASVARI | Photo by Alison Kuhl
Best Sommelier and/or Wine Program | Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar
1525 Douglas Street | $$$
marilenacafe.com | Reservations strongly suggested
All across Victoria, restaurants both new and established are paying increased attention to their wine programs, and that has made this category harder to judge than ever before. (Not that we’re complaining — the more good wine the better!) So we raise a glass to Marilena’s well-trained crew of wine stewards led by wine director Shrawan Khanna. A wine educator, ambassador and agent in his spare time, he continues the tradition of wine excellence established by Marilena’s parent company, Vancouver-based Toptable Group, and its award-winning wine director Shane Taylor. Marilena offers plenty of impressive labels, but it also offers a wide range of wines that are challenging and comforting, spendy and reasonably priced. Most of all, the team is clearly passionate about what they pour, and thrilled to share that passion with their guests.
Runners-up
