YAM magazine’s Best Restaurant Awards 2024 celebrate Greater Victoria, B.C.’s exciting food scene, judged by an independent panel of chefs and food experts. 

BY CINDA CHAVICH | PHOTOS BY JEFFREY BOSDET

Brasserie L'Ecole, Best European, YAM Best Restaurants 2024
Brasserie L’Ecole leans into old-school favourites like cheesy French onion soup and Belgian beer.

Best European: Brasserie l’Ecole

1715 Government Street  |  $$-$$$ |  lecole.ca  |  No reservations; walk-ins only

Set in a historic building on the edge of Chinatown (close to the iconic Victoria Chinese Public School), Brasserie l’Ecole might have been plucked from the streets of Paris, a cozy French bistro with a classic menu and wine list to match.

Owner and sommelier Marc Morrison opened Brasserie more than 20 years ago and it’s still the place for locals to gather for bowls of cheesy French onion soup, endive salads topped with smoky lardons, duck confit, steak frites and big rib-eye steaks to share.

The beverages include well-chosen and affordable French wines and a range of Belgian beers, plus classic French cocktails. They resolutely eschew reservations, so you’ll have to line up before their 5:30 p.m. opening to snag a table, but our judges concur: It’s worth the wait.

Runners-up:

Cafe Brio

Zambri’s