May the Fort Be With You: Eating Your Way Up Fort Street in Victoria

Fort Street is just a few blocks away from Victoria's Inner Harbour
Photo by Sue Frause

Although I'm on a wonderful two-week Rick Steves' tour to Slovenia/Croatia/Bosnia Herzegovina, I'm looking forward to my visit to Victoria in July. An area that I haven't explored in awhile, and which I pass on my way to Fairholme Manor, is Fort Street. 

Fort Street has long been known as Antique Row, with its numerous antique shops and auction houses. But recently, with the addition of several food establishments, Upper Fort has become a haven for foodies. Here are just a few of them:

Dutch Bakery & Coffee Shop | 718 Fort Street | This family run landmark has been in Victoria 1956, and features a wide selection of chocolates and pastries. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Hook Fine Foods | 805 Fort Street | Just a block away, this newly-opened shop offers a variety of smoked salmon products, sandwiches, soups and salads.

Hilary's Cheese | 1034 Fort Street | A branch of the popular Cowichan Valley cheese maker, featuring both locally crafted artisanal cheeses along with imported varieties. Locally made preserves, bread and other deli items.

Choux Choux Charcuterie | 830 Fort Street | Right next door is this popular shop featuring many tastes of France. Locals say Choux Choux makes the best pate in town, along with in-house made sausages and other Euro-style cured and smoked meats.

The London Chef | 953 Fort Street | Dan and Michaela Hayes run this cafe and pantry, catering business and cooking school. The cafe serves lunch Monday-Friday and the pantry is stocked with a variety of house-made products.