James Bay Food & History Self-Guided Tour
Discover local foodie gems in Victoria's oldest suburb. Purchase Tour
Price
$35
DistanCE
3 km
1.8 miles
Mode of transport
Walk
Discover gardens, gastronomy, and history:
Spending a day walking around James Bay is a must-do activity when visiting Victoria. This historic neighbourhood hugs the coastline on the most Southern tip of Vancouver Island and is full of lush temperate-rainforest gardens, Victorian-era heritage houses, and numerous bustling cafes, gourmet restaurants, and quaint foodie shops.
Not to mention it is home to some of the biggest tourist attractions in Victoria including the Legislature Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Emily Carr house, and the Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal. Our James Bay Food & History Self-Guided Tour is a fun and informative way to explore this popular neighbourhood on your own time and at our own pace using our foodie passport and free GPS-guided app.
Discover gardens, gastronomy, and history:
Spending a day walking around James Bay is a must-do activity when visiting Victoria. This historic neighbourhood hugs the coastline on the most Southern tip of Vancouver Island and is full of lush temperate-rainforest gardens, Victorian-era heritage houses, and numerous bustling cafes, gourmet restaurants, and quaint foodie shops.
Not to mention it is home to some of the biggest tourist attractions in Victoria including the Legislature Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, The Emily Carr house, and the Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal. Our Self-Guided James Bay Food & History Tour is a fun and informative way to explore this popular neighbourhood on your own time and at our own pace using our foodie passport and free GPS-guided app.
Passport Foodie Stops:
Imagine Studio Cafe
31 Erie St, Victoria, BC V8V 1P8
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9a.m.–4p.m.
Wednesday 9a.m.–4p.m.
Thursday 9a.m.–7p.m.
Friday 9am-7pm
Saturday 10a.m.–7p.m.
Sunday 10a.m.–4p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: No
Business Website: https://imaginestudio.cafe/
This beautiful café has a lot to offer, and it functions as a great learning tool for youth and people with barriers to employment. The sample is called Bannock. The recipe comes from the Cultural Teachings by Joseph Thomas Family at Esquimalt Nation (offered by permission). Gilbert Thomas and Zach Horne, our Coast Salish team
Ingredients: Organic Flour, Baking Powder, Butter (sometimes use Lard), cream, water.
Passport Sample
One traditional Indigenous bannock
Barb's Fish & Chips
1 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC V8V 0B2
Monday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Tuesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Wednesday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Thursday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Friday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Saturday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.–8p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Business Website: https://www.barbsfishandchips.com/
Sampling seafood is a must when visiting Victoria and the very best chowder in the city is from Barb's. They are most famous for their fish & chips but we think the chowder is a secret hidden gem that most tourists don't know about!
Ingredient List: flour, cream, butter, fish stock, bacon, clams, fish bites (cod/halibut), salmon, vegetables and seasonings
Passport Sample
One small bowl of seafood chowder
Nourish Café & Kitchen
225 Quebec St, Victoria, BC V8V 1W2
Monday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Tuesday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Wednesday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Thursday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Friday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Saturday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Sunday 10a.m.–3p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Business Website: https://www.nourishkitchen.ca/
Here you have options! In the mood for a great coffee? They use a locally roasted coffee from a company called Mile Zero. Mile Zero roasts their coffee in small batches using Arabica fair-trade beans. The residents of Victoria are pretty serious about their coffee and Mile Zero is definitely a local favorite. Not a coffee drinker? No problem, you can choose from any of their signature drinks which also includes tea and hot chocolate.
Passport Sample
One 8OZ signature drink including coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
Courtyard Cafe
463 Belleville St, Victoria, BC V8V 1X3
Monday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Tuesday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Wednesday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Thursday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Friday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Saturday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday 7a.m.–6p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Business Website: https://www.hotelgrandpacific.com/dine/courtyard-cafe.html
Chef Ian Goard created this dish specifically for the tour and we couldn't be more thrilled. The sausage is made from house-made pork sausage, wrapped in puff pastry, sprinkled with everything bagel spice.
Ingredients: Pork, Ginger, Garlic, Thyme, Rosemary, Pepper, Spices, Salt, Puff Pastry, Egg, Everything Spice.
Allergens: Garlic, Onion, Gluten, Egg, Soy (in the puff pastry), Sesame Seeds, Poppy Seeds.
Passport Sample
One sausage roll
Terrible Truffles
501 Government St, Victoria, BC V8V 2L6
Monday 9a.m.–5:30p.m.
Tuesday 9a.m.–5:30p.m.
Wednesday 9a.m.–5:30p.m.
Thursday 9a.m.–5:30p.m.
Friday 9a.m.–6p.m.
Saturday 9a.m.–5:30p.m.
Sunday 9a.m.–5p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Business Website: http://www.terribletruffles.com/
Owner David Booth is always creating new delicious chocolates that he makes in the kitchen in the back of the house. The exact samples and ingredients will change depending on the season and what is in stock. If you have a nut allergies just let them know and they will make sure to accommodate you.
Passport Sample
Two handmade Truffles
For Good Measure
579 Niagara St, Victoria, BC V8V 1H8
Monday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Tuesday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Wednesday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Thursday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Friday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Saturday 8a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday 9a.m.–5p.m.
Learn More
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Business Website: https://www.forgoodmeasure.ca/
Owner Max makes amazing nut butters and snack mixes and the One Sailing Wait is the most popular snack mix they have.
Ingredients: Almonds*, raisins, dried cranberries, diced pineapple, chopped apricots, pecans*, sugar, sunflower oil, non-GMO canola oil, sulphur dioxide, citric acid, rice flour. *roasted with non-GMO canola oil. This product is manufactured in a facility that processes foods containing wheat, milk, soy, tree nuts, peanuts and seeds. This product is manufactured in a facility that processes foods containing wheat, milk, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, and seeds.
Passport Sample
One 100g bag of One Sailing Wait snack mix
Important Information
- Keep your foodie passport safe like you would a real one. We can’t replace lost passports and this is the only way to acquire your tasting samples.
- The passport is valid for 2 weeks once you pick-it up from our kiosk so use it up! After the expiration date the foodie samples are no longer valid.
- If you choose to complete the tour in one-day, plan for at least 2-3 hours of walking and tasting.
- You will need headphones to listen to the commentary on your phone. Bring your own or we sell them for $7.
- You will need a fully charged cell phone to run the app. Please charge your cell phone before starting the tour, you are welcome to charge it at the kiosk.
- Hours and times of food businesses change, especially on holidays. For the most up-to-date information please contact the business directly.
- The most ideal time to do the tour is Tuesday-Sunday 2pm-5pm.
- There is roughly 3KM (1.8 Miles) of light walking. We suggest wearing appropriate footwear.
- This is not a VIP access card that lets you jump the queue. You may have to wait in line or wait for a table at certain spots. We recommend visiting during non-peak times. Sorry, even we have to wait sometimes!
- The answer is yes, you should definitely leave a gratuity. These are small businesses working incredibly hard and it is our local custom to tip wait staff, counter staff, and really anyone that flashes a smile and serves you food + drinks. A Toonie or Loonie will do.
Dietary Concerns
We are unable to make substitutions for any dietary allergies or vegetarian requests. This tour is not suitable for those with a seafood, gluten, or dairy allergy. A few things to consider:
- While the food is a very important aspect of the tour you will still enjoy the commentary and stories that come with the tour so if there is one or two stops you may skip we still think the tour is worth it!
- We have more control over dietary requests on our guided tours. If you have allergies we would suggest joining us on our guided tours.
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