Victoria's culinary scene is always full of surprises and is ever-evolving. On a recent trip to BC’s capital I popped ‘round to a couple of my fave can't-miss foodie shops plus a new-ish grocery – and seriously loaded up on delectable goodies for my own kitchen. With my car full of groceries, that ferry ride back to Vancouver didn't seem so long after all….
Just open a year, the Niagara Grocery is run by a charming couple who’ve turned this James Bay neighborhood food store into something truly special. Now a one-stop shop supporting local farmers and food producers, I found it all here, from soup to nuts, literally. Pantry must-haves? A bag of coffee beans roasted in-store from Mile O Coffee Roastery, some Kokotelli Garlic Syrup, $15 (drizzled on SunWing Farms heritage tomatoes? heaven) plus La Boulange breads and a jar of James Bay honey.
Choux Choux Charcuterie on Fort Street downtown is also couple-owned and run, and is every local’s go-to for French flavour. Who needs Paris when it’s all here? Pick up foie gras from Quebec, Sloping Hills Farms cured and smoked meats, the house-made pates and load up from an exceptional showcase filled with fine cheeses from France. Your charcuterie platter wouldn’t be complete without cornichons, mustards and compotes either – many to choose from on these well-stocked shelves.
Nothing like a shop you have to do a couple of laps around, in order to take it all in. Plenty Epicurean Pantry is truly one of those ‘something for my friend – something for me’ kind of shopping experiences, with an interesting mix of products with a conscience solidly filling up the shelves, showcases and tables. Aptly named indeed, Plenty is the local’s go-to for a great selection of cookbooks, gifts for the home chef and stock for your own cupboards like Vij’s garam masala, Italian pastas, dried chanterelles and tea-time sweet treats like French macarons.
View Spotlight: 3 Savoury Spots in Victoria in a larger map
Niagara Grocery
579 Niagara Street, Victoria BC
(250) 383 -1223
Choux Choux Charcuterie
830 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
(250) 382 – 7572
Plenty Epicurean Pantry
1034 Fort Street, Victoria, BC
(250) 380 - 7654
Catherine Dunwoody is a freelance writer based in Vancouver.
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