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Local summer seafood

Local summer seafood in Victoria is a dream. Nothing beats eating fresh seafood—including fish’n’chips— in the sea breeze, in casual conditions you don’t have to pay extra for. This is an absolute must during the warm months.

Where: While touristy Fishermen’s Wharf has decent fish’n’chips at Barb’s Place (March-Oct. only), our favorite seafood is found at Red Fish Blue Fish (1006 Wharf St., map), a blue steel shipping container turned ocean-friendly fish dispenser right on the harbor.

When: Daily, 11:30am-7pm (Feb.-Oct. 31 only), 11:30am-3pm on rainy days. Call to be sure: 250-298-6877.

Order: The tacones (CAD$5.50-$7.75 for one)—seafood like BBQ wild salmon, albacore tuna, Qualicum Bay scallops, or tempura cod wrapped into a grilled, cone-shaped tortilla (“taco cones”)—are delicious, and you won’t go wrong with the crispy, tempura-battered wild Pacific fish’n’chips (salmon, halibut, or cod, $12.50-$17.50 for one piece).

The best thing we tasted here was the BBQ Qualicum Bay scallop burger: three perfect local scallops with aioli, tartar, and lemon-pickled onions on a long roll topped with a tempura pickle. As of early 2021, it's no longer on the menu, but the other sandwiches must be delicious too!

Good to know: Items labeled “ocean wise” on the menu have been deemed environmentally friendly by the Vancouver Aquarium’s conservation program.