We’re celebrating our booziest winners, spiciest new restaurants and all the things that make our city delicious.
Awards
We could not be more thrilled to hear that one of our favourite barkeeps, Kate Chernoff, formerly of The Courtney Room and Humboldt Bar, has just been named Diageo World Class Canada Bartender of the Year 2025. Chernoff, who recently moved to Vancouver’s Keefer Bar, now goes on to compete in the World Class global final this September in Toronto. The winner of that prestigious competition is justly considered the best bartender in the world — notably, Canada has won the global title four times since we began competing in 2013.
In exciting recognition for Victoria’s stellar bar scene, Humboldt Bar has popped up at No. 69 on the latest North America’s 50 Best Bars list. The Humboldt Bar also shone at the illustrious Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirit Awards, placing in the top 10 for Best International Bar Team – Canada and Best International Cocktail Bar – Canada. Also recognized were Citrus & Cane in the top 10 for Best International Cocktail Bar – Canada and Clive’s Classic Lounge for Best International Hotel Bar – Canada.
Judging by the winners at the recent 2025 World Whiskies Awards, our Island whiskies are the dram others dream of. Merridale Cidery & Distillery’s Whisky Jacks won gold for Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt at the prestigious awards. Merridale won for the first whisky ever crafted at the Cowichan distillery, which was made from organic B.C. malted barley, distilled in 2007, aged for over 15 years and named for the two “Jacks,” the fathers of owner Janet Docherty and her co-founder Rick Pipes. “This release is deeply sentimental for us at Merridale,” says Docherty. “To now see it recognized on the global stage is incredibly meaningful.”
Meanwhile, Macaloney’s Distillery won four World Whiskies gold medals, for an astounding total haul of 17 gold medals since 2020, placing it among the world’s top four most awarded distilleries. It won: Best Canadian Pot Still Whisky (Peated Kildara); Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt (Peat Project Sugar Kelp Peat, Red Wine Barrique); Best Canadian Single Cask Single Malt (Peat Project, Washington Peat, ex-Bourbon Cask); and Category Best Single Malt Gold (Peat Project, Islay Peat, ex-Bourbon Cask).
Victorians are also enjoying an elevated wine experience these days, as recognized by the prestigious Wine Program Excellence Awards at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. For the second year in a row, wine director Colin Davidson and the team at The Courtney Room won platinum for their exceptionally well-produced wine list. They were also joined by three other Victoria restaurants: Marilena Cafe & Wine Bar, which took home gold; and Boom + Batten and Fathom, which both won bronze. Note that next year’s festival, the 47th annual, will be held March 7 to 15, with France as the theme region.
Partnerships
We love seeing local partnerships, especially when they add deliciousness to the city. Among those that have recently tempted our palates: Chef Israel Alvarez Molina and the team at MAiiZ Nixtamal worked with Île Sauvage Brewing to create a Mexican lager that they’ll be serving alongside their famous tacos now that they finally have a liquor licence. And Roast, which is losing its home in the Victoria Public Market, is teaming up with Phillips Brewery to launch a pop-up at its tasting room this summer. Starting May 12, the collaboration will pair Phillips’s craft beer with Roast’s signature roasted meats, sandwiches, sides and seasonal specials. The pop-up will run through September, and maybe beyond.
Openings and Big Moves
Probably the biggest restaurant news of the last couple of months has been the opening of Cafe Malabar in its new location at 407 Swift Street, in the former Tug Eatery space. Chef-owners Kiran Kolathodan and Karma Tenpa had to move from their Victoria Public Market location after the commissary kitchen they used abruptly shut down. Now they are in a bigger space, where they offer table service as well as cocktails, wine and beer to go alongside their exceptional Keralan cuisine. They have a spectacular waterfront patio, too, and promise a special patio program of snacks and bevvies to enjoy all summer long. Meanwhile, head down there to enjoy their warm hospitality and gorgeously spiced dishes.
Wait a minute — maybe this is the biggest restaurant news of the season. After a year that saw a few hiccups at Brasserie L’Ecole, the beloved French restaurant is back and on solid ground. It has new owners who have an inspiring track record in Victoria dining: Sam Harris and Vincent Vanderheide, co-owners of Cafe Brio. After a speedy refresh, they’ve quickly reopened their doors, offering the same great food, service and ambience we already love — but now with the option of booking reservations by telephone or OpenTable. Finally! We couldn’t be happier.
While we were sad to see Little Jumbo close last fall, we’re excited to see what’s moved into its space at 506 Fort Street. Cera Korean Tapas has reopened here with a new concept focused on tapas, share plates and all the fun of Korean drinking culture. Think: light bites like spicy cucumber in sesame chili dressing or inventive creations like kimchi ragu fries, as well as several variations on Korean fried chicken and other classics. Plus you’ll find great cocktails, beer, wine and a selection of the Korean spirit called soju. Seems downtown has a tasty new hangout!
Now that the warm weather is here, we’re happy to see a cool new sweet spot in downtown Sidney. Scoop and Waffle, located on Beacon Avenue, is a dessert café that offers 28 rotating flavours of ice cream as well as mini donuts, custom cakes, milkshakes, sundaes, warm Belgian waffles loaded with toppings and waffle pops, mini Belgian waffles served on a stick. For those who want to indulge, but not too much, there are vegan sorbets and gluten-free waffles and cones.