Gold: Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar
Victoria’s dining scene has been nothing short of impressive as of late, so we thought it was about time we revisited Vancouverites’ staple Island getaway for this year’s awards. Scoring gold is Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, for what one judge described as “raising the bar for fine dining and service in the city.” Its menu is impeccably tailored to the setting: highlighting the elegant simplicity of sustainable, local seafood. An expansive selection of expertly sliced nigiri, sushi and sashimi showcases a dedication both to the craft and to high-quality products, while the creativity of dishes like lingcod Bourguignon (with local bacon, pearl onions, potato and mushrooms) and crispy lobster tacos proves that simple ingredients can produce the most memorable dishes.
1525 Douglas St.
marilenacafe.com
Silver: The Courtney Room
The Courtney Room takes home silver this year with its tightly constructed plates that explore the bounty of local Vancouver Island ingredients—do not miss the B.C. side stripe shrimp toast (it comes on local sourdough) or the lamb bacon tagliatelle.
619 Courtney St.
thecourtneyroom.com
Bronze: Cafe Brio
Bronze goes to Cafe Brio, a longstanding local favourite for vibey, farm-fresh dinners (the rabbit terrine is a highlight) that has been taken over by new owners and is full of buzzy energy.
944 Fort St.
cafebrio.com
Honourable Mentions
Ugly Duckling
543 Fisgard St.
uglyducklingrestaurant.ca
Part and Parcel
2656 Quadra St.
partandparcel.ca
