My Favourite Restaurant, Period
The Carden Street Cafe has food with all sorts of external influences, but remains distinctly Canadian. The menu changes a lot, but make sure you try the sweet potato soup.

Every time I visit Victoria I make a point of driving out to Carden for at least one meal. Their dinner hours at the restaurant are limited (I strongly recommend reservations) but they have a small chuck-wagon out front with a simpler menu that serves take-out lunches most days. Try the falafel or the veggie burger.

[Why is it called Carden Street? Because the owners Mike and Paulette used to run a restaurant located on Carden Street in Guelph, Ontario, also called the Carden Street Cafe. The two restaurants don't have any formalized relationship anymore that I know of, but the restaurant in Guelph is still good but slightly down-scale and a little cheaper.]    [30 May 2003 17:35:36]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: malai kofta, sweet potato soup

     ­Aaron Vanderwal, Vancouver   

Always a Wonderful Experience
It never fails to be a wonderful experience from start to finish. Couldn't ask for better, food, service, ambiance -- terrific.

Can't recommend any one dish -- oh my gosh -- everything we've tried has be excellent. We've never been disappointed. We've taken guests with us, same response.    [30 Jun 2004 16:06:05]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 

     ­Linda and Dave from Michigan   

Hidden Gem
My wife and I usually go to Carden Street for special occasions and are never disappointed. The food is second to none and I am always amazed at how good everything tastes and the subtle changes they make to many dishes, as well as new ones!
This is truely one of the hidden gems of Victoria and the penninsula. Ambiance - real flowers, tremendous service - staff is ready when you need them but don't hang over you, excellent cuisine - especially the crab cakes    [16 Jun 2006 11:17:41]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: crab cakes

     ­Jason MacKenzie