Barb's seasonal restaurant serves their fish and chips in classic British style – piping hot and presented in a newspaper cone. The fish is lightly breaded halibut or cod, and the fries are hand-cut. From the Inner Harbour, catch the ferry to Fisherman's Wharf and you can't miss Barb's blue-painted floating restaurant. Picnic tables allow you to eat and watch the local fishermen at work.

The noodles are made fresh on the premises, and a glass wall lets you watch the chefs work their magic. This authentic noodle house offers daily lunch specials incorporating different fresh seafood each day. Also delicious are the spicy ginger fried chicken and the imperial prawn with spicy garlic wine sauce. Lunch lines are often out the door at this hidden gem, thanks to the tasty fare and modest prices. Casual.

Rebar is a favorite, especially among vegetarians. Juice smoothies are a meal in and of themselves – more than 80 varieties are available. Need something a bit more filling? The mostly vegetarian menu features omelets, salads, burritos and curries, along with fresh baked goods from Cascadia Bakery. Kids are welcome, and they'll love the pizza and pasta selections. Smart casual. Reservations suggested for brunch.

Huge sandwiches, homemade soups and meaty chili make Sam's one of the hottest lunch spots in Victoria. Locals rave about the shrimp and avocado sandwich. Or try the ploughman's lunch; it comes with meat or paté, two cheeses, dill pickles, fresh fruit and sourdough bread. Dine on the patio or get your lunch to go and walk down to the Inner Harbour – it's just a short distance away.

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!

The Blue Fox serves breakfast all day, and you're likely to see lines snaking down the sidewalk as Victorians wait for their fix. Locals can't get enough of the "very fat French toast." Large fluffy omelets cooked to order and huevos rancheros are other good bets. Not in the mood for breakfast fare? Hearty burgers and sandwiches are available, too.

A much-loved Victoria institution, Lotus Pond is actually a Buddhist vegan Chinese restaurant. Most folks go for the expansive lunch buffet, which truly covers all the bases, from egg rolls and potstickers to sweet and sour "chicken" and veggie lo mein. Load up your plate (you pay by weight) and enjoy! Monday through Friday from 2:30pm-3:30pm, the buffet is half price – expect a crowd! At dinner the menu is traditional a la carte, but the food is no less wonderful.

If you're searching for a true Canadian dining experience, this is it. The Seagrille certainly looks the part, with an open kitchen, roaring fireplace, lots of wood, local artwork and huge windows with views of the mountains and the water. Chef Alain Leger believes in using nothing but local ingredients, such as foraged berries and mushrooms, line caught local fish and just-harvested vegetables. The inventive menu changes frequently, but you may encounter dishes such as dungeness crab roulade, Cowichan duckling, and arbutus-grilled sockeye salmon. Sommelier Brian Storen has amassed an excellent selection of mostly BC wines, with a solid component of Californians as well. The four course tasting menu, a bargain at $34.95, makes this a Best Value.