Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Much as tourists flock to the cafés and restaurants of the Inner Harbour and Government
Street, the area away from the waterfront remains the haunt of lunching locals. Reminis-
cent of days gone by,
John's Place
(723 Pandora Ave., 250/389-0711, 7am-9pm Mon.-
Fri., 8am-4pm and 5pm-9pm Sat.-Sun., $11-20), just off Douglas Street, serves excellent
value for those in the know. The walls are decorated with movie posters, old advertise-
ments,andphotosofsportsstars,butthisplaceisalotmorethanjustanothergreasyspoon
restaurant. The food is good, the atmosphere casual, and the waiters actually seem to en-
joy working here. It's breakfast, burgers, salads, and sandwiches throughout the week, but
weekend brunch is busiest, when there's nearly always a line spilling onto the street.
Opposite Beacon Hill Parkandinbusiness since 1958,
Beacon Drive-In
(126Douglas
St., 250/385-7521, 7am-10:30pm daily, $5-10) dishes up the usual collection of cooked
breakfasts and loaded burgers, with so-so milkshakes to wash it all down.
Dating to the 1960s,
Paul's Motor Inn Restaurant
(1900 Douglas St., 250/382-9231,
6am-3pmSun.-Thurs.,6am-midnightFri.-Sat.,$9-15)hasno-frillscookedbreakfastsfrom
$6.50, sandwiches and burgers in the $9-11 range, and full meals such as meatloaf with a
side of mashed potatoes for under $15.
Right in the heart of downtown is the
Elephant and Castle
(corner of Government St.
and View St., 250/383-5858, lunch and dinner daily, $13-22.50). This English-style pub
features exposed beams, oak paneling, and traditional pub decor. A few umbrella-shaded
tables line the sidewalk out front. You'll find all traditional favorites, such as steak and
kidney pie and fish and chips.
Swan's Hotel
(506 Pandora St., 250/361-3310, 7am-1am daily, $12-20) is home to a
stylish brewpub with matching food, such as a portobello burger and a smoked salmon
wrap.Aswellasthetypicalpubpews,thehotelhascoveredasectionofthesidewalkwith
a glass-enclosed atrium.
While these pubs exude the English traditions for which Victoria is famous,
Spinna-
kers Brewpub
(308 Catherine St., Esquimalt, 250/386-2739, from 11am daily, $13-29) is
in a class by itself. It was Canada's first in-house brewpub, and it's as popular today as
when it opened in 1985. The crowds come for the beer but also for great food served up
in a casual, modern atmosphere. British-style pub fare, such as a ploughman's lunch, is
