From The Fairmont Empress Best Nearby Canadian (Restaurants) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Victoria, BC Empress Room (Restaurants - Canadian) 721 Government St The Fairmont Empress, Victoria  BC  V8W 1W5 • 250-389-2727 Distance: ~0 m User Rating: 8.7308 / 10         Description: INNER HARBOUR. Reservations are strongly recommended at Victoria's most elegant restaurant, located in The Empress Hotel. A mahogany ceiling, tapestry-covered walls and candlelight set the mood for a fine-dining experience. The seasonal dinner menu showcases the culinary team's skill with fresh local ingredients, and might include dishes such as long pepper berry rubbed lamb loin with green olive & goat cheese risotto. During the warmer months, try to get a table on the veranda, which offers absolutely lovely views of the Inner Harbour. Milestone's (Restaurants - Canadian) 812 Wharf St, Victoria  BC  V8W • 250-381-2244 Distance: ~153 m         Description: INNER HARBOUR. Casually elegant and trendy, Milestone's appeals to folks who enjoy their comfort food on the "slightly adventurous" side. Although it's part of a small chain, the restaurant successfully avoids the cookie-cutter approach to atmosphere and decor, so each location has its own personality. The menu includes traditional favorites as well as more modern interpretations of classics. Start with spinach-artichoke dip or popcorn shrimp, or sample a steamy bowl of corn and potato chowder. Mains include everything from grilled steaks and seafood to Asian-style noodle bowls and smoked baby back ribs with cranberry corn relish. There's also a solid wine list and a bevy of tasty choices for vegetarians, carb-avoiders and other health-conscious types. Fire & Water Fish and Chophouse (Restaurants - Canadian) 728 Humboldt St Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, Victoria  BC  V8W • 250-480-3828 Distance: ~233 m         Description: DOWNTOWN. Stylish and appealing, Fire & Water offers a fine Pacific Northwest meal in particularly comfortable surroundings. Although the specialty of the house is Prime Rib' à la Plaque (tender beef cured with brandy, pan-seared with a unique spice rub and served with cognac demi glace), seafood really shines here. Try the Digby scallops with wilted spinach and caramelized shallots, or a steaming bowl of cioppino brimming with crab, local fresh fish and veggies. The adjacent lounge, a great place to relax by the fireplace with a cocktail, serves more casual fare such as burgers topped with smoked bacon, aged cheddar and house made barbecue sauce, and fish and chips (salmon or halibut with hand cut smoked paprika fries). The Pacific Restaurant (Restaurants - Canadian) 463 Belleville St Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria  BC  V8V 1X3 • 250-380-4458 Distance: ~252 m         Description: JAMES BAY. Casually elegant in the best West Coast fashion, The Pacific is an ideal choice if you're looking for fine Canadian dining. They specialize in line-caught fish and wild and locally harvested ingredients. Seafood lovers should start with steamed mussels or clams or smoked salmon bisque, and follow with miso-marinated rockfish or hazelnut-buttered Queen Charlotte halibut. If you prefer land-based foods, try the incredibly inventive house salad tossed with blueberry-maple vinaigrette, then opt for cumin-scented lamb t-bones or lemon-salted Fraser Valley duck breast. A West Coast tapas style menu is served in the lounge, and a jazz pianist plays weekend evenings. Blackfish Cafe (Restaurants - Canadian) 950 Wharf St, Victoria  BC  V8W 1T3 • 250-385-9996 Distance: ~274 m         Description: DOWNTOWN. This unique floating restaurant is a great place to spend an afternoon sipping a martini and watching the activity on the water, either ensconced in the cozy interior or enjoying the view from the heated, covered patio. Although Blackfish is known for having exceptional fish and chips, there's more to their menu than just fried seafood and potatoes. Start out with chili-lime-cilantro prawns or a curry-mango spinach salad. The halibut and chips are decidedly tasty, to be sure, but you can also opt for a burger or a sandwich at lunch, and at dinner there are steaks, pastas and additional seafood preparations on the menu. Freshly baked muffins and other treats hit the spot at breakfast or in the afternoon. Vista 18 (Restaurants - Canadian) 740 Burdett Ave Chateau Victoria Hotel, Victoria  BC  V8W 1B2 • 250-382-9258 Distance: ~308 m         Description: DOWNTOWN. What a view! From the top of the Chateau Victoria Hotel, Vista 18 showcases the beauty of Vancouver Island from the ocean to the mountains, and there's not a bad seat in the house. Linger over cocktails while you peruse the menu, a far-reaching tome that's divided into Earth (vegetarian), Ocean (seafood), Air (fowl), and Land (beef, pork, lamb) sections. Order from just one section or mix it up, whatever appeals to you. The food is colorful, artfully presented and fabulous. A tapas menu, consisting primarily of smaller tidbits of main course dishes, is available at the bar, and there's live jazz on Friday and Saturday evenings. Nautical Nellies (Restaurants - Canadian) 1001 Wharf St, Victoria  BC  V8W • 250-380-2260 Distance: ~331 m         Description: INNER HARBOUR. Nautical Nellie's is known for its breathtaking view of the bustling Inner Harbour, and has enough seafaring décor elements to keep even young ones entertained. The roster of appetizers runs from escargot to Cajun clam strips, plus interesting salads with a bevy of slightly unusual ingredients. If there are at least two or three in your party, try the "Colossal Canoe," a heap of mostly Asian inspired tidbits such as crispy calamari with citrus mirin sauce and lobster and fennel spring roll. The entrée menu is truly huge – if you came with 30 of your closest friends, not only would no two people have to order the same thing, but everyone would also get exactly what he or she wanted, with no compromises. There's even a raw bar with a big selection of fresh oysters. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar (Restaurants - Canadian) 500 Fort St, Victoria  BC  V8W • 250-386-7789 Distance: ~411 m         Description: DOWNTOWN. Founded in 1971 in Vancouver, The Keg is a popular casual steakhouse chain with many locations across North America. Enjoy a flavorful steak grilled to your specifications, sided by a huge baked potato. There's also chicken, baked salmon, ribs, and a nice selection of share-able sides like asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and cheesy cauliflower. Gatsby Mansion (Restaurants - Canadian) 309 Belleville St, Victoria  BC  V8V 1X2 • 250-388-9191 • 800-563-9656 Distance: ~471 m         Description: JAMES BAY. The Gatsby Mansion is an 1897 Victorian beauty blessed with stained glass windows, detailed paintwork, glittering chandeliers and dark wood paneling, the whole surrounded by the verdant landscape of Belleville Park. What better place to enjoy a proper afternoon tea? The complete presentation includes steaming tea, warm scones with jam and Devonshire cream, finger sandwiches, fresh fruit, diminutive desserts and decadent chocolate-Pernod mousses. Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop (Restaurants - Canadian) 718 Fort St, Victoria  BC  V8W 1H2 • 250-385-1012 Distance: ~483 m         Description: DOWNTOWN. A long-lived family business, the Dutch Bakery is one of Victoria's favorite breakfast stops. They offer a great deal – coffee and a Danish to go for $2! At lunch, you can get a big meal (sandwich, soup or salad, coffee or tea, and a dessert pastry) for $8.50. All pastries, chocolates, and treats are freshly made in-house and they are absolutely wonderful. So even if you just need an afternoon pick-me-up, this is an ideal place to refuel! Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.