Penny Farthing Public House in Victoria

Always a perfect pint from Isaiah.

Great pub. Authentic British atmosphere. True Victoria pub experience.

The food is delicious. The service great. The atmosphere fun.

Great traditional pub food, fish and chips are great as well as the meat pies and burgers

Disgusting display of nepotism. Our group arrived at 2pm to secure a good table to watch the truck parade. After drinking all afternoon, we are told at 4:50 that our table had a rezy for 5pm and were asked to move. At no time all afternoon were we told this and in our refusal to move, were told by the bar manager that the same group books the table a year in advance. Would you believe that BS? Clearly someone was more important than we were. Having been born and raised in Oak Bay, it was highly disappointing. Better run establishments would let you know about your table status well before it is being saved for someone else. Bellevilles puts signs on their tables to let you know how long you have. Pennys could take a lesson out their book.

Loved discovering this lovely haunt in quaint Oak Bay; breakfast was delicious and great price! We will be back for more next time.

Great atmosphere!

Delightful atmosphere and great food! Certainly a gem of a restaurant you wont want to miss.

We had fish and chips. More fries than chips. The batter was thick and hard and burnt. The fries were also hard. Tasted like frozen products. The worst fish and chips ever had

Matilda was great!

Matilda was a great server!

Matilda is the best!

Great staff awesome menu ...old skool charm and historical atmosphere definitely will require multiple visits....

Had a superb breakfast there today. The Light with perfectly poached eggs and a beautiful and generous fresh fruit bowl. Friend had the full English breakfast. Also excellent.

A pub with only 2 screens, no loud blaring music, just people. Good food options.

Same old menu and just average food.

Quaint building, lots of character. A fun place to eat!

Jess and Emma the greatest. Not only is their service spectacular, they know their way around a Waffle House!

I haven t eaten here in a loooong time - but brought my 90 year old brother in law for a Sunday evening treat - driven in some part the proximity to his home and the on line daily special being roast beef dinner, something he would like. We were that at 6 pm and told all the roast beef was gone. I was informed they do one roast that is about 20 servings and that s it. I thought this a little odd and disappointing but on we go. My brother Inlaw ordered a cup of the daily soup and the meatloaf , I had lamb burger and a salad. Our server was attentive, and we had just excellent customer service. The food was less than inspiring or even tasty- the greens in my salad were limp and warm, lamb burger - I ate about 1/3 - less than tasty or appetizing - the soup and the meatloaf dinner were brought together - one would think the appetizer soup would be served first. All in all nice place, good staff but I go to a restaurant for the food and this was well below my expectations and I will choose another pub

Very busy Sunday night. Pub atmosphere. Waiters were busy but tried to make sure we had what we needed. Food was ok Vegetarian options: I ate the Buddha bowl with chickpeas

We adore this place, especially on dreary Victoria days. Come in and find a seat with a view of a fireplace and order some comfort food. The Shepards pie, Bangers and Mash or any handheld are somehow all decadent. Service is great, people are lovely.

Penny Farthing is a staple in the Oak Bay neighborhood and is not to missed, its a beautiful classic pub with good service and great pub food with a twist. We have been there many times, and will continue to grab a pint, chat it up with the locals, and enjoy great food!

A great pub! Good food and atmosphere

We had a wonderful lunch! I love the atmosphere. The staff is so lovely. We opted for the sandwich with clam chowder. Sooo good!

What a great cozy pub with super nice staff.

Very nice pub restaurant with excellent service and great food. I was intrigued however about the sign outside saying Olde English Pub yet inside there were pictures of Stirling on the wall and beer mats that bear the name of a Scottish brewery! A wee bit mixed up I think! Still, I suppose some Europeans get Canada and the United States conflated!

Burger was ok, fries so so, budha bowl disappointing

Great staff, very friendly!! Lovely environment and the food is pretty good too!

Food was very tasty, they have a good variety in their menu! Nice for an afternoon snack or dinner!

Nice staff, excellent food. Atmosphere was spot-on

Its been along time on my many journeys to enjoy a very expentatonal server. ANNA Rocks . I would fly here in a Snow storm. Great Service.

We only had a drink here. Was a lot of fun here. Nice service.

First time visiting vg selection food and beverages. Great staff our server was excellent. Well priced.

The food was delicious and Matilda was excellent with us, we definitely came back for her and the food. Kid-friendliness: Normally it is not a space for children but surprisingly this one was.

Excelent place and the food was delicious. Matilda was the best! Definetivelly a great plus to the restaurant!

Great pub and service.

We really enjoyed the service, food and street patio! So much that we came back a few times. Would highly recommend.

Two for one fish and chips on a Monday! Great service; courteous, quick, and polite.

Ordered fish and chips. The fish was dry and the batter was rock hard! When I went to cut into it, it flew off my plate and rolled onto the table There has to be room for improvement! Food

A great pub menu! Great fish and chips.

A typical pub, with good food and good service. This has been a usual place to go with my parents and siblings.

It was very nice and calm. The server, Matilda was very nice and she made sure we were happy and had water the entire time. The food was very good.

First time visitor. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, especially bartender Clare. I will be back!

If youre a vegetarian searching for delicious options in Victoria, Penny Farthing Public House is a must-visit. This cozy, inviting spot in Oak Bay offers an impressive selection of vegetarian dishes that go beyond the typical pub fare. The menu features a range of thoughtfully crafted vegetarian options that dont skimp on flavour or creativity. The vegetarian flatbread, loaded with fresh, seasonal vegetables and tangy cheese, is a personal favourite. The balance of flavours and textures is spot-on, making it a satisfying choice for any palate. Their veggie burger (black & blue) is another standout, with a hearty patty thats perfectly cooked and topped with all the right fixings. Pair it with a side of their crisp, golden fries or a fresh salad, and you have a meal thats both filling and flavourful. Even the classic pub snacks cater to vegetarians, with options like the garlic cheese toast and the sweet potato fries, perfect for sharing with friends over a pint. What I appreciate most about Penny Farthing is that they dont treat vegetarian options as an afterthought. Each dish is carefully prepared with high-quality ingredients, and the flavours are rich and satisfying. The warm, welcoming atmosphere of the pub only adds to the experience, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal with friends or family. Whether youre a vegetarian or just looking to try something different, Penny Farthing Public House offers a delightful selection of dishes that are sure to please.

Delightful Old World Pub. Just like stepping back to London. A great selection of foods and drinks to choose. Food

We come here regularly and the food and service is always spectacular. Especially Matilda who is our favorite server and so good when we bring our kiddo.

Went to meet family for lunch. The servers were friendly and food was good.

Great place for a private event in the back! Servers were excellent!

Food is pretty good for a pub!

Spent an hour waiting to be served

This place runs contrary to get what you paid for. Ive never spent so much for such average fare. My kid ordered a virgin cocktail. It came in a can for $7. Couldnt convince the bar to throw in a lime or orange rind. Sad.

Lovely spot for lunch and a pint. Thanks Matilda!

Beautiful space in the back room for small intimate wedding ceremonies with your most loved.

We had dinner here with the kids, and the food was fine and staff friendly. Probably a place more suited to an adult visitors, but there was a kids menu, so this is more related to the general pub feeling .

Nice looking place on the inside but noisy when busy. Parking: Limited spots at the back. Some parking behind the bank after 5:00pm. Food : 5/5 |

Tim and I were welcomed with smiles and hospitality. Clearly Matilda and Kristy love their jobs but more than that, they love the people they serve. This restaurant and food was recommended by my brother and his wife! Delicious indeed! We had the onion soup-amazing, pear walnut flatbread-sweet yummy flavors, caesar salad w/ shrimp and avocados-fresh & tasty, and cheesecake with berry compote-Wow! We felt like we were eating with family and friends. We received world class service! THANK YOU! Carol

Great atmosphere, great food. Loved it. Waitresses were also very friendly.

Oakbays penny farthing great atmosphere

Great meal. Wonderful atmosphere!

All around B+. Great beer selection. Good food. Will be back (again)

Our waitress was very attentive and sweet. The pub had a great atmosphere,and it felt like a pub in England when I visited there. The burger, curry fries and mushroom flat bread were delicious!!!

We went today for Fish&Chips and a Penny Burguer. The fish was taste less, and overcooked. The paddy was overcook no real flavor neither. Service was good, ambient as well is good. Good place for drinks for sure.

Savoring classic pub vibes and delicious fare true local gem.

Great experience. Good food

Excellent. We went 5 times during a two week stay in Victoria

Excellent service, I sat at the bar and the bartender was attentive friendly and welcoming would definitely go back.

nice patio for a beer in a sunny evening

Popped into this pub today for the first time and I must say that the atmosphere is lovely and welcoming. Staff are super friendly and helpful, the food was amazing too. Id definitely come back when Im in the area! Thank you for a lovely experience! :)

Had a great experience today. Our server Ellie was great. Food was executed to perfection. Mini Yorkies and Fish and Chips with a couple Hoyne Pilsners absolutely hit the spot.

This is by far my favorite place to go and relax. Kid-friendliness: Kids are very welcome here. Its an amazing family atmosphere Food : 5/5 |

Great location! The food was really good and the staff were very friendly.

Beautiful UK-Style Pub! Kid-friendliness: Minors allowed Wheelchair accessibility: Ramp along side of building

Usually go here every spring when in Vic. Disappointing this year. Turkey Pot pie was gross, full of skin and gristle and cranberry sauce pasted all over. Probably will not be back

Baked brie was delicious! But the sandwich melt was just ok. Service was great! Our server was kind and attentive. The drinks came out quick! Lucky to have come during trivia. Nice, playful evening.

Very nice pub I visited yesterday night after my concert. Even though it was already late, the girl who served us was very kind and helpful, promptly meeting all our requests. Many thanks for this! Good food and excellent local beer! Food

Nice pup with an old timey feel. Some fun British items on their menu.

Went twice in one day. Had a chowder and later the meatloaf. Local hazy pale. Good to see a good crowd in at dinner.

Food was very good. Nice presentation.

Very good service and the food was fantastic!

Spend a wonderful night cap in a small town and gorgeous pieces of history of the place.

The Penny is a great spot to hangout for a bite to eat and drink. The pub in the front is perfect for watching sports and the back is great for family dinners. During the summer the patio gets loads of sun for enjoying a crisp beverage. The staff is amazing and very friendly making your experience memorable!

Expensive and not as generous in portions as it was before.

Their menu is just sad , Im pescatarian , open to much , like protein , the bowl was sooooo boring, is he wow factor the canned chickpeas and grated carrots are in a jar that I drop into the flavorless rice ? Oh and 3 times the price of an amazing salad I just had in bibliotaco in Cumberland. ! Vegetarian options: Get more

Penny Farthing is a great local pub in the heart of Oak Bay. Their food is classic British and delicious. the french onion soup is authentic and so good on a cold day. Their fish and chips is also delicious. I would skip their sangrias - but overall good! Staff are friendly and has a nice academia feeling atmosphere

Beautiful pub in an upscale neighborhood. Exorbitant prices on craft beer with no daily specials. $10 for less than a pint of Fat Tug. Fish n Chips special was decent. Great atmosphere.

We had our wedding here and the food and service were absolutely amazing! We had the best time and all of our guests couldnt stop complimenting everything. The Penny Lane is a gorgeous room. Thank you!

Tasty pub grub and good selection of local and European beers. My fish and chips & Guiness were excellent, and were on my table impressively fast, despite my arriving at 6pm, probably peak time.

Great staff. Beautiful pub. Diverse and terrific menu.

A classic in Oak Bay, great ambiance at any time of the day. Can be very busy...

I went to Penny Farthing for my husbands birthday and had a great experience. Our server was friendly and attentive. He also scored bonus pionts for bringing my husband a complimentary birthday Ceasar. We both had the French Onion Soup and Chorizo Penne and thought both were great and reasonably priced. Since the French Onion Soup is quite rich, we could have shared one between the two of us.

Fast and friendly service. Very tasty fish and chips with delicious peas.

Nice relaxed pub, happy hour 3-5pm. Very good fries.

Lovely local pub, great service, good food. Well be back!

A local favorite fir my friends and I.. after eighteen holes @Royal Victoria Golf club. Great food, soup and friendly staff. I like the bangers and mash/a pint o Guinness, while the Mrs.. loves the charcuterie board/a lime margertia. Be sure to say magic words sei a hum ba, a uca yen quen coous three times, very slowly. To receive free bread/butter. Cheers Fotastic Friends!!

Fish and chips wow loved the mushy peas that come with.

Courteous and engaging staff. Excellent food. Comfortable surroundings.

Great authentic British Pub. Catch the live music and you will not be disappointed!

Good food, good service and price is right

Excellent spot to grab a drink on the patio on a sunny day or to drop in for a great bite to eat. Great spot to bring kids too or have a large group. This week I dropped in for the Best French onion soup on the island.

The place was clean and the wait staff helpful. The liquor and food prices are over the top for what you get. The meat on the burgers was a little dry and the shepherds pie was mostly mashed potatoes. Very little meat. There s better value for your money elsewhere.

Seafood Chowder was excellent! Service was great. Gave us more bread when asked. A nice treat for a quick lunch. We used to bring Dad here, so we really miss having him with us! Lots of good times!

Great food, lovely atmosphere, friendly service. Definitely recommend!

The menu, meh..but its a staple jn Oak Bay

Lovely food, did take a while to arrive but it was quite busy. Staff very friendly. Vegetarian options: Limited vegetarian options but the Black and blue burger is very good!

A great place for awesome food, drink and atmosphere. It is a proper pub.

Delicious Fathers Day Menu... I loved the place!

Good food and drinks with great atmosphere and people. A locals gathering place thats well worth the stop.

Had the Curry fries and a Black and Tan. Staff friendly and knowledgeable. Has a real neighborhood pub feel. Food : 5/5

Went here like 2 decades ago with my second ex-fiance way back in the day when we used to date, and this same person insisted to come here again (after this experience I was reminded why I didnt want to be with him all these years ago as he suggested me where to go and in the end ignored all my suggestions). The server was very nice and attentive but I felt so awful that despite the fact I knew exactly what I wanted to order and eat right away, the lousy accompaniment delayed ordering 3 times. The food was mid at best; I cant remember if the quality was like this all these decades ago. I normally love French onion soup but their bowl was ridiculously salty. The steak pie, well the steak pieces themselves was very well done like shoe leather, the sauce was quite greasy, and the greens were just arugula and nothing else. The wings I was looking forward to was very dry; after ingesting the third wing, I just want to pack the rest to go as I lost appetite finishing the rest at the premises. The only entrée I find satisfactory without complaints was the Yorkshire appetizer; otherwise none of the food is of value at all. The atmosphere itself was fine but I dont know whats wrong with my experience on my visit. We were placed in the brightest room which thankfully has an outlet to charge my device with near zero battery life but I guess it was the combination of coping with the lousy accompaniments absolutely rude table manners (full elbows on the table and kicking on the table leg, deliberate loud mastication, honking nose blowing with his handkerchief directly at my food, excessively loud belching) and overhearing one person in the opposite table of 8 going off on a debate trying to convince his unenthusiastic party that Hitler is a good man and all the history books in the education system is biased was enough to ask the sweet server to quickly pack my wings and prep my half of the bill so I could leave stat. That one person goading about Fascism was the last thing I want to hear from a strained dining experience. Its cool coming to this restaurant on the day of the Oak Bay Tea Party parade was launched (was in the area earlier to watch my amazing daughters perform in their schools marching band) but otherwise nothing too notable for me to return as a repeat patron. Parking: Free parking lot located at the back of the establishment

To say that Sam and his staff go above and beyond is an understatement! The atmosphere is lively, relaxed and welcoming, the food is warm, comforting delicious British pub faire and the Margaritas are excellent! The perfect place to unwind after a busy day with friends!

One of the rare pubs in town , you can bring your kids

Fantastic atmosphere. The pub is beautiful, it was definitely a labor of love. The food is fantastic! Highly recommend it. It gets very busy on the weekends, so the service can get a bit slow, wouldn t recommend if you re in a rush. Great place to hang with friends and have a pint.

A bit pricey but overall very good. Amazing building!

The worst ploughman plate I have ever had. The scotch egg was dripping with oil, there were 4 small slices of bread to accompany the meager amount of smoked meat and corned beef, and there were 2 tiny cubes of cheese. Also, the whole thing was covered in peppercorns as a garnish (why??). All for a whopping $31. Server was pleasant but service was very slow. Do yourself a favor and skip this one...

I just have to say that i saw mice running around! GROSS. Also, there was a dead fly in my salad. The building is old i get that. The bowner, Matt should spend a little to make sure his restaurant is clean!

worst experience. rodents in the food prep area! If you go there, do not eat anything! just have drinks. Make sure the glass is clean!!@!

Always love going here when I visit Victoria! Great food and atmosphere Wheelchair accessibility: They have a wheelchair accessible entrance on the west side of their storefront. Food : 5/5 |

Service and breakfast before 9am. Just great

Great little restaurant in Oak Bay! Outdoor seating is lovely! Food is great and the service is always good! Look forward to visiting at least once or twice when we come to Victoria.

Had a great lunch for our first time at the PF. Decent beer menu, prices similar to most pubs but some great house specials.

I had higher expectations and felt the food flat and lacked flavour or balance. Stuffed Yorkshires looked great but were lacking. Salad was good but mildly dressed and definitely could not determine any flavour of a dressing. Teriyaki wings were average, wish I ordered the hot. My husband enjoyed the clam chowder. He said the coffee was not good. I noticed as I left that Vis Vis and this place are connected and likely share the same kitchen and that would definitely explain the lack of fire on either side. We did go mid afternoon when it was quiet. Service was satisfactory. Very good at the beginning. There are a variety of seating areas which was nice. There is a washroom on the mainfloor for those who cant do stairs.

Best pub in town!

Great experience, well attended, good food and drink!

Had a turkey pie. Was pretty good - nice crispy pie crust. Very filling. Salad was bland. Service was meh - long wait times. Overall a good English pub with a nice outdoor patio.

Great English feel to the place. It was our 7 year old grand daughters first choice for lunch, so there we went! Kid-friendliness: My 7 year old grand daughters favourite place!

Root vegetable pie and Shepherds Pie both with lightly dressed fresh greens made a hearty lunch. Great selection of beers and ciders to choose from.

The good: I really liked the atmosphere of the pub. It has a ton of character. Our food was fantastic. My burger was cooked absolutely perfectly. Juicy and delicious! The fries were not good, however. Quite soggy. My partner had the clam chowder and salad and loved it. The bad: We didnt get great service, unfortunately. We never did have the same server come to our table twice. We were seated in the back covered patio, which was a really nice spot, but we felt like we were forgotten about back there. The menu was a bit confusing with the pricing. Most of the entrees were $2-3 cheaper than the sandwiches. $23 for a chicken wrap compared to a full plate of pasta with garlic toast for $18? I just dont get it. Some things seemed to be priced properly, and then other things were just way overpriced. If you want to add chicken to a full sized salad you are looking at a $35 salad... at a pub... really? A $9.50 pint also seems a bit steep to me when most places are $7-8 for the exact same beer. Overall: Id probably go back for happy hour someday, but otherwise, they werent offering something unique that I cant get somewhere else for much cheaper.

We visited here on July 29th - the food was very tasty - one positive choice is you can ask the server for the menu of their partner next door bistro Vis a Vis - the shellfish bisque was delicious - so were the mussels and baked brie- the batter of fish and chips very good , and our server Jess ( I think that was the name she mentioned) was friendly, attentive and patient- A great experience and the old Irish pub look - ambience was cozy and wonderful Will definitely recommend as a must dine in experience for that local vibe when in Victoria

Lov it!

Was happy to end up here! Really authentic English style pub.

Simple. Elegant. Great food. A lovely neighborhood pub. I got to chat with a couple of the Oak Bay regular customers. Great spot for friends and a pint Kid-friendliness: Kids eat free during the summer of 2023

What you love about good English pub. Good beer selection and English Fare.

The cream pasta is unforgettable. I will definitely return and bring friends with me! The atmosphere is just amazingly old school--perhaps English or Scottish or Irish or Welsh or a mix of everything British! Theres a patio out front. The middle room is just lovely for intimate conversations. And, theres a room extension with more sun. We chose the sunnier spot at the back so we can gaze at the surrounding beauty more clearly.

Friendly staff and an excellent interior design (yes, it looks like a typical up scale pub). Food I ordered the Sheppard Pie and to my taste buds (which are less reliable as I get older ie male over 50), the pie seemed a little bland. Beer: good. (As an aside, Ive noticed that many women have good to excellent abilities to taste flavours. Also, many women seem to dislike stronger flavours and hot sauces. As a man, Ive noticed that other men like hot and spicy meals (yes, very scientific). If this guess is remotely close to being useful, then this suggests that menues might or are already adapted to their target audiences; to wit, if in an area there are more elderly women then men, with money, then the food may tend to be more bland to men. Thus, taste preferences may not be a reliable metric unless you know more about who is saying what. Sorry for the grossly oversimplified analysis, but this may help others with real data to figure something out. Perhaps there can be menues for the taste impaired?)

Food is not great. Great place for drink not dinner. Bathroom unclean. Very pricey. Expect to pay more than normal prices.

Great atmosphere, fantastic service, delicious food, and located in a beautiful neighborhood! Recommended by our hotel and I complimented the hotel for the awesome recommendation!

This is such a fun place to have a drink and appetizer! We sat outside and had great service. The atmosphere was beautiful.

We had the burger. The beef was really good as it says. Chowder was good, but Ive had better. Friendly service but she had a lot of tables to serve so she was busy. Really nice choice for stopping by in bikes.

All the way round great food atmosphere and service here!

And oak bay classic. Food and service was great and the atmosphere is always friendly. Grab a private spot in the back if you want some space away from the crowd.

Great place for fish and chips. Great beer selection too of course

Nice atmosphere for happy hour. Good food, beer and reasonable prices. Outside has some table for stay relaxing and appreciate the view.

A bit pricey, but food was excellent and great portion size. Server was great, and of course the atmosphere is perfect. Wouldnt change much, hard to believe oak Bay residents didnt want it initially, cant get more British than a neighbourhood pub with good food.

This is a must visit, when in Oak Bay. Lovely English pub atmosphere, mediocre service, expensive lunch.

Oct 2023 revision: food has improved. Service is great. Atmosphere is still fantastic. As a relative newcomer to Victoria, I see so much potential here. They pour a good pint. Great service. However, their food consistently disappoints, to the point where it s not an option for dinner. If they invested in a better menu with higher standards (take a page out of The Beagle s book) this place would be packed every night.

I love a cute British style pub, and the food and vibe here was great.

All in all it was a good time ... menu used to be better.

It was busy and we managed to get a spot on the patio. Had calamari and it was delicious. Our server was nice, but she was busy. They were out of the beverage I wanted- but otherwise a good experience.

A traditional English-styled Pub with atmosphere to match. The service was good, the selection, price and flavour of the food and beverages were excellent. Well worth a visit if you are looking for pub food in the area. Vegetarian options: There were vegetarian and Gluten free options on the menu

A friendly and fun English themed pub. Lots of variety in the menu and large servings.

Nice pub. Love coming her for the atmosphere. Not much for vegans to eat, so I usually come for fries and beer. :)

The pub youre looking for - maybe not EVERYBODY knows your name, but whats wrong with that?

Went there after the kitchen closed but had a wonderful time great atmosphere great place

Had a great light dinner with my partner the other night. Theyve got a deadly french onion soup and fairly priced pastas. True Irish bar always has Guinness on draught.

Should have called ahead. We came for an early diner but the place was packed. One hour wait or more per wait staff. Those at the bar were taking the next available seatings..

The Penny Farthing is an excellent place to hang out in the lovely atmosphere of the evening, and a perfect spot for a quiet lunch too.

Many beer choices, and really delicious root veggies pot pie. Had an excellent time there, also great atmosphere to have conversation with friends without being disturbed by loud music

Super busy night at the Truck Parade

Below average for pub food staples

If i lived in Victoria this would become my goto hangout for all the above stars! Really decent food, very nice and efficient staff, nice beer choice and prices, super comfy old English atmosphere... Go there!

Great service, with a great smile!