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 JEFFREY BOSDET
Best West Coast Contemporary – Bray’s
460 Pandora Avenue | $$
braysvictoria.ca | Limited reservations available
Although Bray’s is a chic, modern West Coast tapas and wine bar, it also has a deep connection to Victoria’s past. Bray’s is not only located in the historic Janion building, it’s named for one of the city’s earliest entrepreneurs, and a delivery service that evolved into the Bray’s Transfer trucking company. The restaurant was opened in 2023 by partners Brent Ryan and Gareth Bray-Bancroft (yes, the same Bray family), with chef Harris Bredin serving up the menu of grazable dishes that perfectly capture the West Coast vibe. Think: truffle popcorn, white fish crudo, burrata with tomato jam, seared albacore tuna with soy gochujang emulsion and, of course, a generous charcuterie board, with a well-priced and wide-ranging wine selection to go with. A glass of orange wine and truffle popcorn enjoyed on a patio overlooking the Johnson Street Bridge? Sounds pretty good to us.
