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YOUR FAVOURITES, THEIR STORIES
Best of City 2025
At Victoria News, we’ve always believed that local news is about more than just keeping people informed, it’s about telling the stories that shape our community and recording the history that’s happening right now.
For years, Best of the City has been one of our favourite ways to do just that. It’s a chance to shine a spotlight on the people, places, and businesses that make Greater Victoria such a great place to work, live and play in, and to remind ourselves how important it is to support local.
This year, over 130,000 votes came in across more than 135 categories, showing just how much our community cares about celebrating the best of the best. A big congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists... you’ve earned it!
In the pages ahead, you’ll also find stories highlighting milestones and anniversaries from some longtime local favourites. These businesses and organizations are part of the fabric of our region, and we’re proud to help share their journeys.
Hope you enjoy reading Best of the City as much as we enjoyed putting it together!
Randi Page and your team at Victoria News
Group Publisher: MichelleCabana
Publisher: RandiPage
Copy Editor: DanEbenal
Writer: ChristinevanReeuwyk
Contributor: TimCollins
Multi Media Marketing: BrianHeighington
GlenButcher
JasonOuellet
JocelynPereira
JosieHadley
PeytonSeltenrich
Layout & Design: TammyRobinson
CreaZhang
VICTORIA
DESTINATION
GREATER VICTORIA CEO PAUL NURSEY SAYS VICTORIA'S BRAND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY A HOST OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE GLOBE.
By Tim Collins
Every year, a variety of organizations take it upon themselves to proclaim a list of the ‘best’.
The categories are many and varied and run the gamut that includes things like education, food, movies and entertainment, sports figures – well, you get the picture. If it’s out there, there’s a ranking list.
Although these lists are often highly subjective, they are popular and, let’s face it, they are most often based upon an indisputable excellence of the product, service or experience being rated.
That’s what makes the Victoria News’ Best of the City features so fascinating. They highlight the best of Victoria, providing insights as to what makes the winners in each category so wonderful.
But what about the city itself?
Well, the truth is that Victoria is consistently at the top of the lists of the best cities in which to live as well as the most attractive destinations for visitors.
Travel and Leisure magazine’s annual poll, for example, has ranked Victoria in the top five cities in Canada for both 2024 and 2025, and Conde Nast Traveller (another top-ranked travel magazine) has ranked Victoria as one of the best cities in the world.
And while it’s always nice to hear that others agree with our assessment of our city, we really don’t need others to tell us that Victoria is a great place
“We certainly have a strong brand internationally,” said Paul Nursey, the CEO of Destination Victoria. “Brands are developed over decades, but for the past several years, it’s been independent businesses that have really shone and have pushed us to the forefront. We’ve earned that brand.”
Those independent businesses are, in many ways, the essence of what makes Victoria such a special place.
“Hotels, restaurants and other businesses have earned us a reputation as having friendly service and a positive local energy
that visitors delight in and residents appreciate and develop an affinity for,” said Nursey.
That positive energy and the reputation that it has engendered is one of the reasons behind Victoria’s burgeoning reputation as a convention hotspot.
“The convention business is reaching new heights, and for local businesses, that provides a great opportunity,” said Nursey. “Our tourist season is very vibrant between April and October, but the convention business has become very strong and continues throughout the rest of the year.”
As might be expected, visitors to Victoria are arriving from all over the world, and Nursey identifies 11 “long-haul markets” with a propensity for making Victoria a must-see destination. But while countries like the U.S., Australia and Japan are on that list, Nursey points out that Victoria’s brand has been recognized by a host of countries around the globe.
“Look at the comment books at any hotel and you’ll find notes from everywhere you could imagine,” said Nursey.
Victoria’s reputation as a great city has also been recognized within our own country, with about 60 per cent of our visitors arriving from other parts of Canada.
“We get such positive feedback on our friendliness and the personal touch that Victoria offers to visitors and locals alike,” said Nursey.Of course, those characteristics extend beyond just the city’s commercial and service sectors.
Victoria is inarguably one of the most magical cities to be found anywhere. Surrounded by unsurpassed beauty and blessed with a fantastic Mediterranean-like climate, the city is large enough to offer entertainment, dining opportunities, and a host of cultural activities and other attractions, while retaining its charm and small city feel.
“Victoria is just a great place to live or visit,” said Nursey.
Photo by Matt Shannon Photography. Courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria. Inset: Paul Nursey. Black Press file photo.
Honouring aLegacy
When longtime Victoria radio host Jason Lamb worked across the hall at The Q he was already a standup comedian with a dream of combining the two careers.
“Comedy doesn’t pay the bills unless you’re super lucky, unless you win the lottery of life,” The Zone’s newest midday host said.
Not long later he kind of did, with the sister stations sharing a site on Quadra Street, one morning show host at The Zone frequently missed work – leaving Lamb called on last-minute to read the news alongside Dylan Willows.
“Almost from the first time I met Dylan in that studio, we just hit it off in a weird way, even though we’re very different people. So I did that a few times and then she ended up leaving and they offered me that job,” Lamb said.
“That changed my life completely.”
By Christine van Reeuwyk
For 16 years, co-hosts Dylan and Jason playfully roasted each other every morning, regaling the city with tales, interactions and funny moments.
His legacy is massive,’ Jason Lamb says of fellow longtime radio personality Dylan Willows/ Courtesy The Zone 91.3
“We didn’t always get along, we were two quite different people in a lot of ways, which I think made for good radio,” Lamb said. “When we butted heads and stuff, that was often the funniest stuff or the most entertaining stuff.”
On Feb. 15, 2024, the banter came to an abrupt halt, even as fans – packed in cars creeping through the morning crawl –tuned in.
“Unfortunately, the sad news is today is my last radio show here on The Zone at 91.3,” Willows told listeners that morning.
“I’m now facing very limited time and unfortunately, that time can’t be spent here at the radio station anymore, which is a vital blow to me. A death that I need to mourn myself because this has been my whole life for 22 years of radio. To see the day come that I have to walk away from not only this radio show, but from my partner in crime Jason and my extended family here at the Zone and my even greater extended family of all the Zoners, unfortunately, today is the day.”
Zoners, as avid listeners are called, looked left and right and found themselves suddenly connected to the people in the cars around them – all crying over the news.
Willows’ final broadcast was among the many low moments in the turmoil for longtime morning show co-host Jason Lamb since “Big D” revealed the cancer he’d defeated two decades ago had returned – with a vengeance. But that low also exposed the amazing impact the duo had on the city.
Dylan Willows/ Courtesy The Zone 91.3
It sparked texts to both “Lambo” and the station. What was wild, was how many listeners wrote to describe a similar scene.
“How powerful is that? I was like, holy shit,” Lamb recalls, leaning back on a chair at the Quadra Street station more than a year later. “It really became so apparent, and it was too bad it took this, but we already knew people loved us, you know, we already knew that we had a good fan base and people felt very connected to us.”
A roller-coaster of a year later, just settling into happiness as a midday host, Lamb was surprised to see the pair nominated for Victoria News’ Best of the City.
When crafting the nominees list for folks to vote on, it comes down to the reader. Across the region, people type in the name of their favourite bookstore or brewery. That can lead to technically incorrect names as people cling to nostalgia or submit their local lingo for a business name.
Or nominating a morning show duo that exists only in memory.
“At first I’m like, ‘That’s so weird’ because, you know, Dylan and I haven’t been on the air for over a year for obvious
Dylan Willows/ Courtesy The Zone 91.3
reasons,” Lamb said, surprised their names remained in the forefront for Zoners and musicians.
“I think sometimes you can’t quantify or put your finger on just a chemistry that people have together,” he added. “I mean, if you look at our sister station, you’ve got Ed and Cliff, they’ve been together for 30 years. Some morning shows have those lasting powers, when you just have that click and that chemistry … like Larry and Willie on CFOX back in the day, and there’s a few like that, but it’s rare.”
Ed Bain and The Q Morning show on 100.3 The Q are among those nominated for Best of the City.
Big D leaves a “massive legacy”
The wider music community, fans and performers alike, mourned when Willows was Stage 4 uveal melanoma, a rare form of ocular cancer, in December 2023 and died June 6, 2024. He was 45.
After his death, Willows’ family suggested donations to charities he supported, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
A Claremont Secondary graduate, Willows was on the airwaves for more than two decades and served as a proponent of local music. He was once director of The Zone’s Band of the Month program and gave his time as a juror for programs such as the Juno Awards, Peak Performance and Western Canadian Music Awards.
Dylan Willows/ Courtesy The Zone 91.3
Starting in 2010, his family built a successful annual toy drive, now called The Willows Family Toy Drive.
The community showed its heart for Big D in March 2023 with two sold-out tribute concerts at the Royal Theatre, featuring bands he championed. Willows was pretty sick at that point, but he showed up for a final hurrah with his people.
“This guy really impacted people’s lives. … His legacy is massive and I think it’s gonna continue for a long, long time,” Lamb said.
His radio family mourned. Lamb didn’t miss a day, and in hindsight, figures he maybe should have. After a year of depression, anxiety and lack of sleep – and a girlfriend who stuck by his side – the midday show host turned a corner in January.
“Obviously, I think about Dylan pretty much every day still, but that really deep grief and anxiety and depression lifted,” he said. “It feels really nice to feel passionate about radio again, because I was not for quite some time after he left.”
At the station, a silver lining emerged in the wake of Dylan’s departure.
“It feels like a family again here at The Zone. Pol and Jenny and Kirsten, and myself, and all the people here – it feels happier again, cause we were all struggling. All of my co-workers were grieving too.”
Current morning show host Pol Plastino and Jenny West were thrown into the early-morning fray, and their hjinks are pretty popular too.
“Pol and Jenny, they were the afternoon show for many, many years, and they have a great rapport too. They also have that kind of unspoken chemistry,” Lamb said.
Recent ratings show them as the lead Victoria morning show, he added expecting they’ll be among the Best of the City 2026 nominees.
“I want to make sure I give a tip of the hat to what’s going on now,” Lamb said. “We’re moving forward. We all had a terrible year with Dylan’s illness and death. But we’re all kind of coming out of it and brushing off the cobwebs and we’re still The Zone. We’re still his family, and Pol and Jenny are doing an awesome job, and I’m happy as pie for them.”
Lifestyle Markets
A NATURAL FIT WITH VICTORIA SHOPPERS
CUSTOMER HEALTH IS FRONT OF MIND AT VICTORIA'S EXCLUSIVELY NATURAL AND ORGANIC GROCER
By Tim Collins
Organic food has become increasingly popular in Canada, with the number of people choosing organic food while grocery shopping is growing exponentially. That being said, organic food accounts for only about three per cent of total Canadian food sales.
That percentage is changing, however, and is growing steadily as people become increasingly aware of what they put in their bodies. It’s estimated that the market for organic food in Canada will increase almost fourfold by 2033, with an estimated value of more than $13 billion.
That’s good news for Carmine Sparanese, partner and general manager of Lifestyle Markets, Victoria’s largest locally owned natural food store and the largest such store on Vancouver Island. The store offers an entirely organic produce selection for discerning customers.
“When we opened 30 years ago (July 1995), it seemed out of place to have a store this size, and people questioned what we were doing,” Sparanese said. “But, 30 years later, we have this fantastic client base and there are a lot of people who have found us who are proactive about their health, and many who are responding to existing health concerns. Increasingly, there is a need to provide people with the best, cleanest, and healthiest products possible.”
Although at first glance, Lifestyle Markets boasts an impressive selection of organic produce and natural and organic groceries, Sparanese readily admits that his store may not have the vast array of products that you’d find at some corporate grocers.
“We’re not into a lot of the conventional products (that get sold in regular grocery stores), but we stick to what we do best with natural, organic foods. The biggest thing for us is what that food doesn’t have, like pesticide residues,” he said.
Beyond pesticides, consumers are also concerned with other
Lifestyle Markets general manager Carmine Sparanese takes pride in the organic produce in his store.
farming practices that include synthetic hormones and fertilizers, irradiated foodstuffs to help preserve their freshness, and genetically modified foods.
The same sorts of concerns are addressed in the food selections at Lifestyle Markets.
“We bring in non-GMO and organic groceries Sparanese said.
But the healthier options at Sparanese’s store go beyond just foodstuffs. Shelves are lined with vitamins, supplements and personal grooming products – all with the health of the consumer as a foremost consideration.
“When it comes to body care, for example, items like deodorant, makeup, soap and shampoo are also very important,” Sparanese said. “Some people don’t think about the implications of those products, but what goes on the skin can be absorbed and make its way to the bloodstream and into the body. Again, with these products, it’s the ingredients that are not present in what we sell that’s important.”
“People are getting more and more aware of the health effects of what they put in and on their bodies and consumer awareness is growing every day, but more should be done to educate, especially our young people.
“We have a fantastic client base that we take care of as best we can, and we stick to what we know,” said Sparanese.
With that, he smiled and turned to help a customer select some fantastic-looking produce that she cheerfully added to her basket.
Lifestyle Markets is located at 2950 Douglas St. in Victoria. They also have two satellite locations at 343 Cook St. in Victoria and 9769 Fifth St. in Sidney.
Carmine Sparanese’s Lifestyle Markets offers a wide array of healthy alternatives to grooming.
FAIRMONT EMPRESS
ascends the throne as BEST HOTEL IN CANADA
By Christine van Reeuwyk
According to Travel + Leisure, many readers referenced location while singing the praises of the Empress, perched in pride-of-place above Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Named second-best in 2024, climbing from third in 2023, the Fairmont Empress claims the throne as best hotel in Canada, according to Travel + Leisure readers.
B.C.’s iconic Fairmont Empress was named No. 1 City Hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure in the 2025 World’s Best Awards. The original hotel, known as The Empress Hotel, opened in 1908, but don’t let its age fool you: while the hotel feels connected to its roots, there’s nothing stuffy or antiquated about it, according to the magazine.
“This award – voted by thousands of global travellers – marks a proud moment not just for the hotel, but for Canada’s hospitality industry. As one of the country’s most storied and celebrated hotels, the Empress continues to set the standard for luxury travel experiences rooted in heritage, elevated design, and standout service,” the Empress said in a news release announcing the win.
To celebrate, the hotel created a new cocktail fittingly named The Leading Lady – in a nod to the hotel’s legendary nickname –crafted with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Absolut Elyx and Lillet.
Two Vancouver Fairmont properties claim the other two B.C. spots in the Top 10 with Pacific Rim at No. 7 and Hotel Vancouver at No. 9. The rest are in Ontario and Quebec, including Montreal’s Ritz Carlton in second and Four Seasons in third.
Travellers also voted for the Top 5 best Canadian resorts, with B.C. claiming the top three spots: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino.
Lunch11am - 2pm Dinner4:30pm - 8pm
A recipe
By Tim Collins
“It doesn’t matter how busy it is – or how slow – if you come in every day and execute like it’s day one, and you do that every day, over and over again, you’ll be successful.”
Nico Tiginagas smiled as he shared the philosophy that has made his restaurant, Gyrosa, a neighbourhood favourite.
Serving up a variety of deliciously fresh Greek delights in generous portions, Gyrosa has been in operation at its Admirals Road location for two years and has recently opened a second location in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre on West Saanich Road.
Tiginagas and his partners, Adrian Bears and Troy Nye share their commitment to quality and have a simple approach to what can be a very tough business.
Gyrosa owners Nico Tiinagas, Troy Nye and Adrian Bears share a commitment to quality.
“If we can provide our community with a consistently high-quality product while at the same time make our team happy, pay them well, and feed them well, well, then we’ve made our community a better place,” said Tiginagas. “It we do that, then we’ve hit all the marks and, doing that, you’re always going to be successful.”
“Our vision was to have a mid-tier restaurant, somewhere between fast food and formal sit-down, that provided quick service on a product that had consistently excellent quality,” said Bears. “And we have a tremendous team who genuinely love the business and are committed to providing a high level of service. We will never expand our operation until we have that in place.”
Glancing over at the counter, Bears smiled at the young lady working there.
“Take Monica over there. We’ve known her since she was a newborn, and now she works with us. She’s great and the customers know and trust that she’s going to give them the best service and a great product,” said Bears. “We, all of us, work every day to earn the trust of our customers.”
In fact, the partners at Gyrosa are constantly discussing what needs to happen for that trust to be maintained.
“We talk all the time about how to make the restaurant even better,” said Tiginagas. “We look at our product and we look at the numbers. There are restaurants that I know of where they’ve had lineups out the door and they’ve had to close because they lost track of the numbers, or they’ve expanded too fast without a good
team and ended up with a lacklustre location. People and product and keeping track of the numbers…they all play a part.”
As if to emphasize the point, a customer spies Tiginagas and Bears and makes her way over to our table to ask about a menu item.
“I love that lemon rice and wish you’d bring it back to the way it was. The food here is still really great, but I miss that rice,” she said. “I’d come here every day just for that.”
Tiginagas smiles broadly and takes the time to assure the customer that the much-loved rice will be returning very soon. He tells her how they changed from a chicken stock to a veggie stock, but will be responding to customers to bring back an option with the original flavour.
“See, that’s what I mean,” said Bears. “If you care about your customers and you listen to them, it can really make a difference.
“The restaurant business can be hard, but with the right approach not only to the business but to life, that positive energy and success will always be there.”
Crispy calamari topped with fresh onions, and our signature house made tzatziki. Courtesy Gyrosa Facebook page.
Results2025
BEST MORNING RADIO SHOW
1. ED BAIN AND THE Q MORNING SHOW
2. Virgin Mornings with Bailey & Johnny
3. Mornings with Al Ferraby and Lisa Best
BEST MUSEUM
1. ROYAL BC MUSEUM
2. BC Aviation Museum
3. Miniature World
BEST PLACE TO LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC
1. HERMANN’S JAZZ CLUB
2. Royal Theatre
3. University Farquhar Auditorium
EATING & DRINKING
BEST BAKERY (Independent)
1. CRUST BAKERY
2. Dutch Bakery & Diner
3. Esquimalt Bake Shop
BEST BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
1. JOHN’S PLACE RESTAURANT
2. Floyd’s Diner
3. The Village
BEST BURGER
1. BIG WHEEL BURGER
2. Bin 4 Burger Lounge
3. Fatburger
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
1. CHICKEN 649
2. Fatburger
3. Hecklers Bar & Grill
BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
1. J & J WONTON NOODLE HOUSE
2. Don Mee Seafood Restaurant
3. Halibut House Chinese Restaurant
BEST COCKTAILS
1. KINU
2. Clive’s Classic Lounge
3. Citrus & Cane
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
1. MOKA HOUSE COFFEE
2. Caffe Fantastico
3. Fernwood Coffee Company/ Parsonage Cafe
BEST DELI
1. RED BARN MARKET
2. Italian Food Imports
3. The Old Farm Market
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT
1. FRANKIE’S MODERN DINER
2. Fatburger
3. Sizzling Tandoor
BEST FISH & CHIPS
1. RED FISH BLUE FISH
2. Barb’s Fish & Chips
3. Finest At Sea Seafood Market and Food Truck
BEST FOOD TRUCK
1. GREEK N’ GO
2. The Bannock Room
3. Deadbeetz
BEST GLUTEN FREE SELECTIONS
1. ORIGIN BAKERY
2. Be Love
3.The Bannock Room
BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
1. ITHAKA GREEK RESTAURANT
2. Il Greco
3. Gyrosa Fresh Greek
BEST ICE CREAM
1. PARACHUTE ICE CREAM
2. 49 Below Ice Cream
3. Beacon Drive In Restaurant
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
1. SIZZLING TANDOOR
2. Varsha Indian Kitchen
3. Royal Spice Fine Indian Cuisine
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
1. IL TERRAZZO
2. Pagliacci’s
3. IL Covo Trattoria
BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT
1. JAPANESE VILLAGE RESTAURANT
2. Sen Zushi
3. Bon Sushi
BEST KOREAN
RESTAURANT
1. CHIMAC KOREAN PUB & FRIED CHICKEN
2. Sura Korean GrillHouse
3. Persimmon Tree
BEST LOCAL BREWERY
1. PHILLIPS BREWING & MALTING COMPANY
2. Hoyne Brewing Company
3. Driftwood Brewing Company
BEST MEAL UNDER $15
1. RED BARN MARKET
2. Big Wheel Burger
3. The Bannock Room
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1. CAFE MEXICO
2. Benjo’s Tacos
3. MAiiZ Nixtamal Eatery & Tortilleria
BEST OUTDOOR PATIO
1. GLO RESTAURANT + LOUNGE
2. CRAFT Beer Market
3. Saxe Point Public House
BEST PIZZA
1. PIZZERIA PRIMA STRADA
2. MOD Pizza
3. Romeo’s Place
BEST PUB
1. SPINNAKERS GASTRO BREWPUB
2. The Beagle Pub
3. Irish Times Pub
BEST SANDWICH / SUB
1. RED BARN MARKET
2. Italian Food Imports
3. The Old Farm Market
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
1. RED FISH BLUE FISH
2. Finest at Sea
3. Marilena Cafe & Raw Bar
BEST STEAKHOUSE
1. THE KEG STEAKHOUSE + BAR
2. Brasserie L’Ecole
3. Fireside Grill
BEST SUSHI
1. FUJIYA
3. Nubo Roll & Roll
3. Bon Sushi
BEST THAI RESTAURANT
1. BAAN THAI WOK & BAR
2. Sabhai Thai
3. Thai Lemongrass Restaurant
BEST VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT / VEGAN RESTAURANT
1. SIZZLING TANDOOR
2. Rebar
3. Be Love
BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT
1. ORIGINAL PHO EATERY
2. Pho Vy
3. Green Leaf Vietnamese Bistro 2 0 2 5 Y E
Photo by Parkside Hotel & Spa courtesy Destination Greater Victoria.
2025 RESULTS
BEST PLACE FOR COSMETIC TREATMENT (Non-surgical)
1. EMERALD DAY SPA
BEST DAY SPA
1. EMERALD DAY SPA 2. The Willow Stream Spa at the Empress 3. Sapphire Day Spa
DENTAL OFFICE 1. CADBORO BAY DENTAL
Oak Bay Dental Centre 3. Hillside Dental
HEALTH TREATMENT CENTRE 1. GEOMETRY INTEGRATED HEALTH
2. Pursuit Physiotherapy
3. Rise Health
BEST PHARMACY
1. HEART PHARMACY
2. London Drugs
3. Shoppers Drug Mart
2. Derma Spa
3. Studio Kanti
BEST PLACE FOR COSMETIC TREATMENT (Surgical)
1. PLASTIC SURGERY VICTORIACHRIS TAYLOR, MD
2. Dr. Jennifer W. Robinson Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
3. Clinic 805
BEST PLACE FOR EYE CARE / EYE WEAR
1. PURELY OPTOMETRY (DR. JOHN POON)
2. Eyefinery Optical Studio
3. Maycock Eyecare
LEISURE
BEST BED & BREAKFAST
1. ABIGAIL’S HOTEL
2. Natasha’s Bed & Breakfast
3. Amethyst House
BEST HOTEL / ISLAND RESORT
1. TIGH-NA-MARA SEASIDE SPA RESORT
2. Oak Bay Beach Hotel
3. Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
BEST LOCAL LANDMARK
1. BEACON HILL PARK
2. Inner Harbor
3. Ogden Point Breakwater
BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG
1. DALLAS ROAD WATERFRONT TRAIL
2. Thetis Lake
3. Beacon Hill Park
BEST WHALE WATCHING
1. PRINCE OF WHALES
2. Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours
3. Orca Spirit Adventures
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
BEST CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
1. GARY SANDHU DEVELOPMENTS LTD.
2. Villamar Construction Ltd.
3. MAC Reno Design Build
BEST DEVELOPER
1. VILLAMAR CONSTRUCTION LTD.
2. LIDA Construction
3. Aryze Developments
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
1. THE MORTGAGE CENTRE
SERVICES
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
2. Macara Mortgages
3. Wise Victoria Mortgages Inc.
BEST MUNICIPALITY IN GREATER VICTORIA
1. SAANICH
2. Victoria
3. Oak Bay
BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM
1. RE/MAX CAMOSUN
2. Gower Smith Real Estate
3. Newport Realty Ltd.
BEST REALTOR
1. GARY SANDHU
2. Dez Daljit Mahal
3. Kris Gower
1. DUSANJ & WIRK CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS
2. Hutcheson & Co CPA LLP
2. Giesbrecht & Associates
BEST AUTO SERVICE / REPAIR
1. JOHN’S AUTOBODY AND PAINT
2. Malibu Motors
3. Galaxy Motors
BEST BARBERSHOP
1. NANDA BARBER
2. Status Barber Shop
3. Brothers Barbershop
BEST CARPET / UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
1. SUNNY CARPET & AIRDUCT CLEANING SERVICES
2. Luv-A-Rug Services Inc.
3. Nationwide Carpet Cleaning
BEST CLEAN ENERGY COMPANY
1. SOLVE ENERGY INC.
2. Sasquatch Heat Pumps
3. Shift Energy Group
BEST DRY CLEANER
1. INDIVIDUAL DRY CLEANERS LTD.
2. Squeaky’s Laundromat
3. One Hour Cleaners
BEST ELECTRICIAN
1. BLACKBOX ELECTRIC
2. Titan Electric
3. CBS Electrical Contractors Ltd.
BEST FUNERAL / CREMATION SERVICES
1. MCCALL GARDENS FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE
2. First Memorial Funeral Services
3. Earth’s Option Cremation & Burial Services Inc.
BEST HAIR SALON
1. THE NATURAL HAIR SALON
2. Fish Hair Salon
3. Kharma Salons
BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES
1. CLEANDERELLA MAID SERVICE
2. Merry Maids of Victoria
3. ALB Cleaning
BEST HVAC COMPANY
1. SASQUATCH HEAT PUMPS
2. Coastal Heat Pumps
3. Island Temperature Controls
2025 RESULTS
BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
1. LONG & MCQUADE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
2. Tapestry Music
3. Tom Lee Music
BEST NAIL SALON
1. SUNRISE DAY SPA & SALON
2. Popular Nails by Bella
3. Polish Perfect
BEST OIL CHANGE
1. CHARGED AUTO REPAIR
2. Great Canadian Oil Change
BEST PET GROOMER
1. KATHY’S MUTT CUTS
2. Pawsitive Pet Grooming
3. Groom That Dog
BEST PET STORE
1. BOSLEY’S - VICTORIA
2. Paws on Cook
3. The Pet Store - Victoria
BEST PLUMBER
1. ON DEMAND PLUMBING & HEATING LTD.
2. Wade Roberts Plumbing
3. Callaway Plumbing & Drains Ltd.
3. Beacon Law Centre BEST MOVING COMPANY
1. 2 BURLEY MEN MOVING
2. Ouch My Back Moving
3. Hendra Moving and Storage
3. Mr. Lube
BEST PEST CONTROL
1. VICTORIA PEST CONTROL
2. Old Island Pest Control
3. Pest Scene Investigations
BEST RENOVATION COMPANY
1. MAC RENO DESIGN BUILD
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BEST FOR BBQ’S & ACCESSORIES
1. CAPITAL IRON
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BEST FOR PRODUCE STORE
1. THE OLD FARM MARKET
2. The Root Cellar
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BEST FOR VITAMIN’S/ SUPPLEMENTS
1. LIFESTYLE MARKETS
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BEST FURNITURE STORE (Locally Owned)
1. DODD’S FURNITURE & MATTRESS
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BEST GARDEN STORE / NURSERY
1. GARDENWORKS
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1. THRIFTY FOODS
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BEST GROCERY STORE (Locally Owned)
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2. Pacific Paint CentreBenjamin Moore Paint Store
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1. SAANICH COMMONWEALTH PLACE
2. Oak Bay Recreation Centre
3. Esquimalt Recreation Centre BEST SKATING RINK
1. G.R. PEARKES RECREATION CENTRE
2. Oak Bay Recreation Centre
3. Archie Browning Sports Centre BEST SWIMMING POOL OR WATERPARK
1. SAANICH COMMONWEALTH PLACE
2. Oak Bay Recreation Centre 3. Archie Browning Sports Centre
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of Fashion Trends
By Tim Collins
Scott Thompson started off in the clothing business when he was only 11 years old after his father brought him into his clothing store to mark up socks. Years later, despite earning a university degree in biology, those early experiences might have played a role in drawing Thompson back into the business.
He now owns and manages the oldest family-owned clothing store in North America, W&J Wilson.
“I guess you could say that the clothing business was woven into my DNA,” said Thompson.
Courtesy W & J Wilson.
The store had its beginnings more than 160 years ago when, only a few steps from the walls of Fort Victoria, the store’s founder, William Willson, landed at the wrong port with his 18 trunks of clothing (he thought he was going to New Westminster). He stayed and began selling clothing to the community.
The Wilson family continued to operate the W&J Wilson store until 1954, when Thompson’s grandfather bought into the business, beginning a second family’s connection to the company. That transition to a new family’s legacy in the business was completed when, in 1972, Thompson’s father, Tom, secured a bank loan to buy Harold Wilson’s remaining shares.
The store carries men’s and women’s fashions that range from stylish yet casual to high-end items and even customized suits.
“It’s important to us to live up to the legacy of the business. The secret to our longevity is that we work very hard and we change with the times,” Thompson said. “Fifty years ago, it was all suits and ties, but things have become far more casual as time has passed.”
One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the family’s commitment to quality.
We caught up with Thompson as he was about to embark on his latest buying trip to Europe, where the store still sources the bulk of what they sell.
“We do all our importing from Europe, so what we carry is different from everyone else. We pride ourselves in offering good quality clothing at a reasonable price,” said Thompson.
CHILLOUT!
Scott Thompson took over W&J Wilson Clothiers from his parents.
In 2021 W&J Wilson shuttered its Government Street store in response to a shifting market and, instead, decided to concentrate its efforts on their Sidney and Oak Bay locations.
“You have to change with the times and be responsive to your customers,” said Thompson. “But, make no mistake, our other two stores are continuing the tradition of providing great service to the community. A lot of it is based on the relationships that we’ve built up over the years. We have a hands-on, personalized approach that people still appreciate.”
The extent to which those long-term relationships are at the bedrock of W&J Wilson’s business model is demonstrated, in part, by the experience and longevity of their staff. Helena Andrews, for example, is a seamstress at the Oak Bay store who has been with the landmark clothier for 37 years. As you might expect, there’s not much about the business and the products that she doesn’t know.
“Our knowledgeable staff and the relationships
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andbest yours!
A smile is just a short ride away
at Victoria’s Fairfield Cycle
SHOP CARRIES EVERY SORT OF BICYCLE IMAGINABLE, FROM OLD SCHOOL CRUISERS TO SLEEK ELECTRIC BIKES AND BEYOND
You’re never more than a bike ride away from a smile.
That’s a philosophy that has guided the good folks at Fairfield Cycle for more than 30 years, and the smiles they flash to greet customers at the neighbourhood shop speak volumes about the truth of that belief.
The cycle shop, located at the corner of Oscar and Moss streets, is just the sort of place that used to exist across the country, long before the advent of multi-national mega stores. Well-trodden wooden floors are crowded with every sort of bicycle that one might imagine, from old school cruisers to sleek electric bikes, as well as some unique machines that range from folding bikes to mobility trikes.
“Our focus has never been on racing or very high-end competition bikes,” said Henry Lee, the manager of Fairfield Cycle. “Our focus is on the everyday rider, someone who loves cycling and just wants to go for a ride.”
But it’s the personal service born out of years of experience and a personal love of cycling that truly sets the store apart.
“If you come in, we won’t just try to sell you what we have. We’ll ask about your cycling abilities, the terrain that you plan to ride, how far you plan to ride at any one time, whether you ride alone or in a group … there are a hundred questions,” said Lee. “Then we’ll help guide you in the right direction.”
Lee insists that at Fairfield Cycle, the staff won’t just sell what
they have in the store but will always try to put you on the bike you need – even if that means they have to bring in a bike that they don’t have in stock.
“We also make sure it’s a right fit by suggesting that you take a test ride,” said Lee. “And I’m not talking about once around the block, but a real ride.”
Another aspect of Fairfield Cycle that makes the staff beam with pride is their service department.
“A lot of people come here for the service,” said Lee. “You can buy just about anything on the internet these days, but you can’t buy the knowledge of the products or the service that we provide.
“We have people like Max working on bikes, for example. He’s been with us for 30 years and he knows absolutely everything about bikes,” said Lee. “We stock parts for all kinds of bikes and Max knows where every part is…what’s needed and which drawer or which box on which shelf that part can be found. He can fix just about anything.”
Lee said that the greatest change in the burgeoning popularity of bikes has been the introduction of electric bikes.
“They’ve really expanded the range of people who can continue to cycle as they get older, as well as people who want to ride their bikes for longer distances. But there are also innovations like cargo bikes, trikes designed to adapt to mobility issues and more,” said Lee. “It’s safe to say that just about anyone can ride these days and we’re here to make sure that they have the right bike for their needs.”
Henry Lee with Fairfield Cycle can find the right bike for any rider.
one of Canada’s favourite cities Victoria right at home as
By Christine van Reeuwyk
In a bit of a role-reversal, two B.C. cities are among the “Five Favourite” in Canada as named by Travel + Leisure readers, but Victoria dropped from No. 2 last year to No. 5 while Vancouver climbed from No. 4 to third.
Quebec City tops the list with Montreal in second and Halifax fourth in the annual magazine readership survey. The World’s Best Awards weigh in on travel experiences around the globe –as Travel + Leisure followers share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey.
Cities were specifically rated on the criteria of sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value. For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor.
Victoria is a favourite on the West Coast for its “stately British architecture and green spaces,” the magazine said. Many voters labelled Butchart Gardens, just outside the city, a must-visit.
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The 55-acre tourist destination in Central Saanich was also named as a draw when Vancouver Island made the CNN Travel list of 25 best places to visit this year.
According to the news travel site, the Island’s “wild and untamed landscapes and explosions of manicured blossoms” are a natural draw.
The region is routinely named as a top travel destination.
As a part of its annual readers’ choice awards, the Conde Nast Traveler magazine listed Victoria as the best small city in the world for the second year in a row in 2024.
Conde Nast Traveler ranked small cities based on responses from over 575,000 U.S. readers. Using a standard five-point scale, nominated cities were judged on a set of criteria, and the average of these ratings determined final scores.
Victoria’s score trumped those of other major tourist destinations, including San Miguel de Allende, Florence and Salzburg.
In late 2024, Victoria was also deemed a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Family Travel Awards. To name the best vacation destinations in different categories, a group of seasoned travel writers reviewed submissions and more than 100 testers then visited the places to assess based on standardized criteria.
In Greater Victoria, the tourism sector supports around 25,000 jobs, with about one in four families directly or indirectly supported by tourism, according to the October 2024 Destination Greater Victoria Economic Impact Report. In 2023, Greater Victoria welcomed 4.9 million visitors, and the visitor economy generated $3.5 billion in business sales.
“Pickle boat” take a harbour tour on a
Best of the City trawls Victoria in search of the BEST Fish & Chips
By Olivier Laurin
There’s hardly a better culinary pairing than enjoying fresh fish and chips in a quaint coastal community.
With nearly 26,000 kilometres of shoreline, 40,000 islands, pristine waters, and a long-standing fishing legacy, B.C. has no shortage of great fish and chip joints – known as “chippies” in the land of the Brits.
For this reason, Goldstream Gazette reporter Ben Fenlon, a native of Britain, and Saanich News reporter Olivier Laurin set out on an arduously delicious mission to find the best maker of this U.K. staple in the Capital Region.
From Sidney, at the northern tip of the Saanich Peninsula, all the way down to Victoria’s bustling Inner Harbour, the two journalists tested six different restaurants serving primarily fried fish and fries.
The review was based on one piece of halibut – often considered a premium option – and a portion of fries.
The criteria evaluated for this endeavour were divided into five categories.
FIRST, the central piece, the fish, was judged on the size of the portion offered,
its freshness and texture. Halibut, known for its firmer, denser flesh, should neither be mushy nor too dry to earn maximum grading.
SECOND, the batter. The crispy outer layer should be mildly flavoured, well-seasoned with salt, crunchy, and light. Points were deducted if the batter was overly greasy, fell off the fish, or was too soft and soggy.
THIRD – and not to be underestimated – are the chips, also known as french fries (but don’t say that to a Brit). Proper chips, as opposed to North American fries, should be chunky, wide, and thick. While they may have a golden, crispy exterior, British-style chips should be soft and creamy on the inside.
FOURTH, the condiments. No proper fish and chips is complete without its trusty sidekicks to enhance the dish’s main players. Think a plump wedge of lemon, malt vinegar, and most importantly, tartar sauce. Although mushy peas and malt vinegar are go-to options overseas, tartar sauce reigns supreme as the ultimate supporting character in North America. AND FINALLY, the price. Known as
the ultimate dish of the people in the U.K., fish and chips should defy inflationary trends and offer a hearty meal for the everyday working-class customer.
With all that said, enough rambling. Let’s dive in, shall we?
FISH O CHIPS - SIDNEY (10153 Resthaven Dr.)
The first spot did not disappoint. The service was great and fast, and the portion arguably had the biggest piece of fish in this review gauntlet.
Speaking of which, the fish was just the right thickness, was light, well-cooked, firm, and incredibly flaky.
The batter was perfectly crispy and golden brown, with beautiful crunchy bits. Although it lacked a bit of saltiness – after all, it’s always better to be under-salted than over-salted – it made up for it in flavour and texture.
The chips, according to Ben, were the closest to the “real” thing. Thicker than your original french fries, the outside was golden brown, and the inside was soft and fulsome. However, the chips at the bottom of the dish became a bit too soggy for our
liking – perhaps because of the steam generated by the dish’s heat.
This British classic was served with a good portion of coleslaw and a small portion of tartar sauce. Although the portion was on the small side, the tartar sauce was full-bodied, sweet, tangy and well balanced.
The price for this order was $22, which isn’t cheap nor too expensive.
Overall, Fish O Chips starts off as a contender to be reckoned with.
FISH ON FIFTH - SIDNEY (9812 Fifth St.)
The second stop offered perhaps the biggest overall portion of this fish and chips review tour. The hefty mound of chips was crowned by a long piece of fish, flanked by the largest cup of tartar sauce and a generous scoop of coleslaw – all beautifully presented.
The fish was just the right thickness, fluffy, bright white, and fresh, but a bit on the mushier side.
The batter was well seasoned, crispy and stuck to the fish, but was a bit on the pale side, suggesting it could have remained in the oil a bit longer for a crispier finish.
The fries were abundant, well seasoned, but a bit on the overcooked side.
The tartar sauce has proven to be the star of the show here. Hefty, flavourful, dill-forward, with big chunks of gherkins, this was a great addition to the dish.
Price-wise, this plate was $21, which isn’t bad.
Fish O Chips is located at 10153 Resthaven Dr. in Sidney.
Fish on Fifth is located at 9812 Fifth St. in Sidney.
Overall, Fish on Fifth offered a big portion, great sides, but lacked a bit of je ne sais quoi.
NAUGHTY NELLIE’S - SAANICH (4081 Shelbourne St.)
This long-standing Saanich institution offered the most unique experience of the review run.
Served in a newspaper wrap, as an ode to the traditional way of presenting this British classic, the meal revealed an interesting surprise upon peeling back the final layer of waxed paper.
The first thing that jumped out was the fish’s brightly coloured batter – not your standard fare and reminiscent of American-Chinese-style batter (think almond fried chicken or fried prawns).
Naughty Nellie’s is located at 4081 Shelbourne St. in Saanich.
Though a bold twist on the classic, the reporter felt it missed the mark slightly, adding that the batter didn’t adhere well to the fish.
The fish itself was medium in size, flaky, plump, and cooked to perfection.
The chips, however, were a bit of a miss. More like fries, they were soft – likely from the steam – and underseasoned.
As for the tartar sauce, it leaned more toward a yogurt-based dip, with a flavour profile similar to Greek tzatziki. Also worth noting: customers must pay extra for tartar sauce.
Amid all that, one silver lining emerged — the price. Naughty Nellie’s was the cheapest of all the stops, with a total cost just north of $19.
Overall, this experience landed somewhere in the middle of the road.
RED FISH BLUE FISH - VICTORIA (1006 Wharf
St.)
With a queue of people often stretching as far as the eye can see, Red Fish Blue Fish is one of the region’s most well-known and beloved fish-and-chip joints.
Starting strong with a good portion of fish, it was chunky, wellcooked and flaky.
It also had a great fish-to-batter ratio, with the latter being crispy, well-seasoned, nicely adhered to the fish, and showcasing a perfect golden colour. However, on the downside, excess oil appeared when cut.
Once again, rather than traditional chips, the fries were skinny, long, and well-cooked, generously seasoned with salt and black pepper. While other chippies held back, Red Fish Blue Fish leaned in – perhaps a little too much.
The tartar sauce delivered a gourmet twist, with a complex flavour profile packed with herbs and bold spices.
At $23, this meal was among the priciest of the chippies visited.
Overall, the fish felt like one of the most authentic components in the review journey – a solid contender.
FINEST AT SEA - VICTORIA (27
Erie St.)
One of James Bay’s go-to spots for those craving the British classic, Finest At Sea offered an experience that did not disappoint.
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Red Fish Blue Fish is located at 1006 Wharf St. in Victoria.
Starting with a hefty portion of fish, they offered the thickest portion of fish, which ticked all the boxes: thick, fresh, flaky, and firm. However, it was a tiny bit on the mushy side.
The batter was fried to perfection, well-seasoned, puffy, and nicely adhered to the fish. Whole peppercorns added a pleasant kick of spice and a sharp, fruity flavour.
As for the fries, they stood out for their hearty, potato-forward taste and fresh, satisfying mouthfeel, which was a notable shift in comparison to other chippies, but were a bit on the dry side.
The tartar sauce, like other sauces on this list, felt more yogurt-based, so rich but not as much as a mayo-based one, which was welcomed.
As a side note, though not graded, Finest At Sea’s coleslaw was Ben’s favourite of all the places visited.
Also coming at $23, this meal was among the priciest of the chippies visited.
Overall, this chippie delivered a strong fish and chips, suited to nearly every palate.
& CHIPS
Last but not least is another contender for Greater Victoria’s most popular chippies, Barb’s Fish & Chips, located in the prime tourist hub of Fisherman’s Wharf.
Starting with the second-smallest piece of fish, Barb’s offers a narrower yet thick, flaky, and airy fillet.
BARB’S FISH
- VICTORIA (1 Dallas Rd.)
Finest At Sea is located at 27 Erie St. in Victoria.
Barb’s Fish & Chips is located at 1 Dallas Rd. in Victoria.
The batter is quite crunchy, but glistens with oil and is slightly underseasoned. Regardless, it delivers on texture.
The fries, while not remarkable, do a solid job of complementing the fish.
The tartar sauce, similar to Sidney’s Fish on Fifth, contains a generous amount of gherkin chunks, adding both flavour and texture.
Priced at $23 – like its two other Victoria counterparts – this chippy is on the expensive end.
Overall, Barb’s Fish & Chips delivers a solid rendition of the classic, offering well-rounded flavours, staying true to the basics without straying into unfamiliar territory.
CONCLUSION
After an in-depth foray into the fascinating world of fish and chips, our reporters crowned Sidney’s Fish O Chips as Greater Victoria’s top chippy with a final score of eight out of 10. However, these views are entirely their own.
The moral of the story? Get out there,
enjoy what the Capital Region has to offer and decide for yourself. Every single chippy has something unique going on, and all are worth a visit.
A FISH DISH STEEPED IN HISTORY
You’re still here? Great! Here’s a little bonus if you want to know more about this fish dish.
Fish and chips, a classic British dish with working-class roots, traces its origins back to the height of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1800s.
The fried fish component is believed to have been introduced to England by Sephardic Jews who settled there after being expelled from Spain in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Among their traditions was a method of preparing battered fish, possibly because it could be cooked before the Friday Sabbath and eaten cold the next day without breaking religious laws.
This cooking style quickly gained popu-
larity in London as a street food staple.
In 1863, an immigrant from Belgium, where fried potatoes were already common, is thought to have been the first to combine fried fish with chips, opening a shop in East London after first selling the meal on the street.
Through the ages, this iconic dish spread like wildfire across the island nation and beyond.
Fun fact: fish and chips were one of the few foods not subject to rationing during the Second World War. Prime Minister Winston Churchill argued the dish was good for the nation’s morale and even considered a contributing factor in defeating Nazi Germany, famously nicknaming it “the good companions.”
Today, fish-and-chip shops are found across the globe, especially in English-speaking countries.
According to a national trade association, the United Kingdom alone is home to more than 10,000 chippies, with countless pubs offering the dish as well. Nearly one in four Britons eat fish and chips at least once a week.
