Brasserie L'Ecole in Victoria

1715 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z4, Canada

★★★★★
(662 reviews)
Categories: Restaurant French restaurant

About

Celebrated brasserie for French fare & wine served in bustling, unpretentious quarters.

Website
lecole.ca
Address
1715 Government St, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z4, Canada
Plus Code
CJHM+W8 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Time Zone
America/Vancouver

Business Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5:30–9 PM
Wednesday
5:30–9 PM
Thursday
5:30–9 PM
Friday
5:30–9 PM
Saturday
5:30–9 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Great cocktails
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Late-night food Spirits Wine
Dining options
Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilets Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy Romantic Upmarket
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs

Photos

Reviews

4.7
★★★★★
662 reviews

Most Mentioned

french onion soup (23) steak frites (21) mussels (19) bistro (16) duck confit (13) creme brulee (12) belgian beer (8) endive salad (6) pate (5) truffle fries (5)
5 stars
542
4 stars
77
3 stars
20
2 stars
10
1 stars
13
★★★★★
December 16, 2024

In a city with some of the most mediocre food I've ever had, Brasserie is a stand out. But, it doesn't just stand out because it's in Victoria, it stands out on it's own. I visited with a friend last week and we started with ordering a glass of Bordeaux each. We asked the server to just select the one she liked best, she asked us a few questions and then selected two different Bordeaux's which were full bodied and delicious. We ordered 1 stuffed date each which was delectable and shared the chicken liver mousse. It was my friend's first time having pate and as a pate lover, I was so happy this was her first. It was delicious and had a wonderful texture. The bread, mustard and cornichon pickles that were served with the pate were delightful. For my main, I had the duck confit. It is the most tender and flavourful duck confit I've ever had...even in Paris. It was served with delicious brown lentils and endive. I'm not a fan of endive but the bitter pairing with the salt was very good. We finished with a classic creme brûlée which had a ton of caramelized sugar on top, usually my biggest gripe is that there isn't enough sugar on top. Thank you for the wonderful meal and evening.

★★★★★
December 1, 2024

Truly an amazing restaurant. Warm, inviting, comfortable, a real French bistro. Impeccable service, atmosphere and food… A trifecta! The owner, Marc, is virtually always on site, and it shows! While it’s not an inexpensive restaurant, the prices in relation to the quality, portions, and whole experience are extremely reasonable. The best burger Victoria combine with one of the best fries in Victoria (not really an exaggeration! ). The house salad is outstanding. The beef is ground fresh at the restaurant, so it’s one of the ‘rare’ places you can have a burger as you like it. No Restaurant is perfect, but I have to say, this place strives hard and comes as close as any. Highly recommended! (FYI, no reservations, but they’ll call you after you put your name in if you want to walk around the area.)

★★★★★
November 21, 2024

This small, unpretentious bistro on the edge of Chinatown has food that compares favourably to Michelin starred restaurants in Vancouver, San Francisco and NY. It’s that good. Well worth a visit.

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

Exceptional food and experience! We went here for our anniversary and had a wonderful meal. Virgil gave us excellent wine pairing suggestions and everything was timed perfectly.

★★★★
August 6, 2024

Wanted the food to be excellent, but it’s just missing that next level. On the whole it’s a fantastic brasserie. I’m judging this brasserie harder than normal because of the outstanding reviews and having such good menu items. Here are the problems: 1) too much cheese on the French onion soup (flavor was good on the broth) 2) scallops were overcooked, 3) salad probably needs a Gorgonzola. Here are the high points: 1) drinks were great, 2) mussels were fantastic, 3) duck was succulent. Very solid brasserie loved by locals, but there’s probably a way to do reservations that meet the need of travelers, locals and the establishment.

★★★★★
June 28, 2024

A perfect night out with the family. Amazing food and service. I highly recommend the salmon, it was fresh and so delicious. The truffle parmesan fries are to die for! Being from Montreal we're pretty hard to please when it comes to food but l'Ecole definitely a great dining experience.

★★★★★
May 25, 2024

The best French restaurant in town. Food and service are outstanding and such a cool design! So many lovely details in the decoration. Great experience, we’ll come back again definitely.

★★★★★
May 23, 2024

Hands down the best dining experience in the city. Their attention to detail and making sure every one of their guests has a special night out is something you won’t find anywhere else. That and the menu is amazing. French onion soup, endive salads, any of the steak options. Paired with the perfect wine. I honestly look forward to every meal here.

Local Guide
December 16, 2024

A $27.00 dollar hamburger? ... What is the mark up? 150 % You should be ashamed of yourself... Time to start calling these places out

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 16, 2024

Food, drinks, and service were all excellent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 9, 2024

Charming with delicious food.

★★★★★
November 23, 2024

Amazing short ribs last Friday night. Service and atmosphere, as always, was great. The wait staff know their wines & food and all staff work together to make each visit special.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

The short braised rib is rich and delicious. Their staff are friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. Highly recommend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 23, 2024

Steaks were cooked perfectly and the service was excellent.

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

Always excellent.

★★★★★
October 23, 2024

We love coming here! The service, food, and atmosphere are consistently awesome. Its our favourite restaurant in Victoria.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Literally my favourite restaurant in the city. I had the opportunity to go in to celebrate my birthday with a dear friend. As usual, they did not disappoint. Service, atmosphere & food, all top notch. Amy is simply the BEST. We ordered appies, steaks and desserts. All were great. It was my companion s first time dining in (last two years for my birthday, we all enjoyed take out Brasserie Burgers) and she is completely converted and it s our place now . It s been my place for years. Get the burger, it s everyone s favourite

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 23, 2024

Great French restaurant. The confit du canard was delicious with lardons, peas, the steak was good quality, asked for it rare but was probably more medium rare than rare as we would expect in the uk. Mussels were local and great portion size. Truffle fries were excellent. Service very good and attentive with good wine recommendations. Creme brûlée was very good. We probably got the last table at 5.25 so go early. Definitely worth queuing for.

★★★★★
September 23, 2024

Awesome,

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Excellent service. Bistro feel. Excellent onion soup and steak fries! Beautiful endive salad and tasty pasta and scallops! Be there right at 5:30 when they open, no reservations!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

The place to be in Victoria!

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 23, 2024

Amazing French cuisine. Right from the start, all the servers were amazing and so friendly. They brought us some bread and butter while waiting for food and they mustve replenished it like 4 times. We ordered duck confit which was superb, the only small downside is that it was slightly on the saltier side. Also got mussels, great seasoning, no complaints. Got DW burger which was surprisingly good, bread was nice and fluffy, it was not overly heavy or greasy, really nice balance overall. Got creme brulee for dessert and it was absolutely amazing, best one Ive had so far.

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

Unbelievable five star French steak expereicne. Ive paid a lot more for a lot less.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Found this place after searching on Reddit for places to eat in Victoria. Amazing! Appetizers of sauteed honey muscles and French Onion soup were excellent. Then the main course. The burger was outstanding, so flavorful. Fries were crisp and exploded into magic when bitten. Perfectly done. Salmon and sides was a symphony of flavors, a masterpiece. The best of many good meals on our trip to British Columbia.

★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Our first two experiences here were really great years ago but our recent dinner was a significant shift. With the costs of our meal, we unfortunately left disappointed.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Medium rare burger with a perfect crust. 9.5/10 on the burger Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Food was delicious and everything was perfect!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 23, 2024

Excellent service (always!!) and such great food. Its a bit of a twist on a steakhouse, meets French bistro and we always love the steak frites (cant go wrong) and the burger is probably the best in the city! Nice selection and rotation of wines and desserts as well.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Excellent food and service! Really happy we were able to get a seat for 2 people on a Friday night. The wine was superb! Mussels were great and the T-bone was very flavorful.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

We were a little nervous dining with 3 children but the staff totally made us feel so much at ease. They offered high chairs, markers and paper and even a complementary refill for their drink. Food was all very impressive and our fave was the steak frites and honey mussels. We got in line at 515 on a midweek dinner and there were still a few tables open after the lined guests were seated. Definitely would return when we are back in the area

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 23, 2024

Best French onion soup and the burger was amazing!!

★★★★
June 23, 2024

Overall, excellent food. Duck confit cavatelli was delicious, rich but not over the top. Brioche with smoked mackerel and pickles was amazing too. Perfectly balanced bites. They do a great French burger, medium rare. Their fries are mid, and when I asked if they had ketchup (not authentic but not unreasonable) I was bluntly turned down. I felt uncultured for even asking, which I suppose is authentically how Parisians treat north americans in France. As a result, I didnt walk away feeling the service was exceptional because of that moment.

★★★★
May 23, 2024

Service was a tad slow at the start waited quite a while for drinks, but really friendly waiter and waitress. I had the duck confit for the main course. The duck feels dried out, which is really weird for confit. The crepe and mushrooms were fantastic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

We had a fantastic meal at Brasserie L Ecole. The food was delicious and the service was impeccable. Highly recommend.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 23, 2024

Great little place to have some really good food. The food was so good we forgot to tale pictures for the review. We had the duck confit, short rib, burger and steak frites.

★★★★★
April 23, 2024

I ll start with the fact that I never leave reviews. Before I get into how insanely amazing the food was, let me rave about the service. We got there and waited outside for about a minute or less before we got greeted by the most joyous man. He kindly told us it would be a bit of a wait and asked what phone number they should text. My boyfriend gave his, to which I asked how charged his phone was. 14%. When we got there (they texted exactly when they predicted they would btw) the lovely man seated us and said I heard you have a low charge on your phone to which we approached a table where they had plugged in a cord for him to charge his phone. I almost teared up it was so thoughtful This level of service on top of some of the most high class food preparation in Victoria, (the stuffed dates were to die for) makes for an unmatched experience of fine dining in a wonderfully energetic and positive atmosphere.

★★★★
March 23, 2024

While passing by, we discovered this eatery and made the decision to eat here. And that was a very wise choice. because there are many tasty foods served at this restaurant, and the environment is wonderful.

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

Best hamburger Ive ever had. I daydream about it often.

★★★
March 23, 2024

Food was eh, ok, service was good. Came because of the hype, unfortunately the experience was mediocre

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 23, 2024

Excellent place truly the best in Victoria, having been going for years

★★★★★
March 23, 2024

Everything g is perfect. The staff, food and atmosphere are amazing. Everything from the moment you get in line. I d give them 6 stars if Incould. Tonight was the first time I tried the burger and it s by far the best i ve ever had. My GAWD! Everything was perfect. Best restaurant around.. Easily. Parking: park your car or walk or bike as it s stretched to a bike lane from multiple sides Wheelchair accessibility: yes

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Everything was on point! Food was delicious, customer service was excellent, atmosphere was cozy and comforting! I will be back

★★★★★
February 23, 2024

One of the best restaurants Ive been to in a while. The server made excellent food recommendations. We ended up sharing the endive salad, 16oz steak and white wine and garlic mussels. My husband lived in Brussels for several years and said these were the best hed had in ages. The steak was fantastic. The next time were in Vic, well be back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Best food Ive ever eaten.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 23, 2024

Wonderful atmosphere, lovely meal before heading to the McPherson Theatre Opens at 5:30 and had a lineup by 5:15 We didn t feel rushed even though there were people waiting outside. Chose the trout, whipped feta, squash, chard and grano. Food : 5/5

★★★★
February 23, 2024

They have a excellent service , their dining area is very clean. The food they serve is really worth it because its so delicious. Thank you Brasserie LEcole for accomodating with us.

★★★★
February 23, 2024

Loved it here, and will for sure be back. Unique and lovely spot. Not a fan of the need to line up to get in - if they allowed reservations, I would come more often. Have had much better steak for way less money at other places. The steak I had was ok, but actually was over cooked, a bit tough, and considering the price (!!), I will definitely never order steak here again myself.

★★★★★
January 23, 2024

Never disappoints. Mark and the team are fantastic!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 23, 2024

Absolutely delicious every time!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Fantastic experience once you get in the door. Maybe one day there will be some invention that would allow you to contact a restaurant and tell them that youd like to come and eat at a particular time. Oh to dream.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

A relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. Friendly and professional service. Perfect and mouth-watering food. I had the steak frites with the fancy fries. The fries had the most amazing texture I have ever experienced, and the steak had this delicious aged butter melted on top?! To die for. My partner had the duck and was very satisfied. 100/10 will be back to try the highly anticipated burger.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Always saw a long lineup in front of the store before it opens at 5:30 and was curious. Did some research and saw some good reviews so decided to give it a try. We went there on a Saturday around 4:45 and we were the third group in line. Id say from the experience of that day alone, being there at 5 should secure you a seat unless you have a big party. I usually dont like places that dont do reservations and you have to line up for a long time to grab a seat but this was different. The food was amazing. The housemade charcuterie board was very delicious. Ordered the Duck confit as well as a steak and they were all spot on! A variety of wine selections too. Worth the wait to try it at least once.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

All was amazing and very reasonable prices. Best steak & frites Ive ever had.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

A Victoria classic for a reason

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

The quintessential French experience in Victoria. You GOTTA go!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Great food. Had nearly the whole menu and everything was good. Service was alright, perhaps a little sparse for such a place. Be prepared to wait in line before opening and possibly come back for the second seating.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Very good French cuisine. Wine list is amazing value.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

The very best French restaurant in our city. Sophisticated food and the servers know the menu inside and out.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Excellent experience top to bottom. Promptly greeted and sat, excellent suggestions by the staff, the food was basically Michelin star without the foie gras and pageantry. 10/10 would dine again.

★★★
December 23, 2023

We have had a few good meals here but not the last two occasions. Tonight was quite poor. The service was good and the appetizer (scallops) was very nice, but the main course (duck) was not good. Duck was dry, vegetables soggy and the meal was lacking in flavour. Thats two poor meals in a row for us. We will continue to support other local restaurants but not the Brasserie.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Excellent french cuisine, the reservations are first come first serve though so you much show up immediately when they open if you want a table. Update Mar 22, 2023: My moms birthday dinner at Brasserie LEcole was an unforgettable experience, thanks to the restaurants commitment to seasonal, locally available products cooked in a classic French-country style. We were blown away by the quality of the food, and each dish we tried was outstanding. The endive salad was a refreshing start to the meal, with the combination of bacon, apple, hazelnuts, and mustard wine dressing creating a perfect balance of flavors. The frites were also delicious, with the Parmesan, garlic, parsley, and truffle oil making for a decadent and indulgent treat. The house-made charcuterie was a standout dish, with the Secret de Scey cheese and marinated olives perfectly complementing the array of cured meats. The pork belly was also fantastic, with the romesco, chicharron, chive oil, and coffee glaze creating a unique and flavorful combination. One of the highlights of the meal was the sole and scallop terrine, which was beautifully presented and full of delicate flavors. The preserved lemon aioli and marinated mussels added a wonderful depth to the dish. Throughout the meal, the service was attentive and accommodating, and the ambiance of the restaurant was cozy and romantic. We couldnt have asked for a better experience on my moms birthday. Overall, Brasserie LEcole is a must-visit restaurant for anyone looking for a great French dining experience. The quality of the food, the service, and the ambiance are all exceptional, and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

So delicious. Show up early to get a table. You wont regret it.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Great service, delicious food. What a gem!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

We had a sumptuous meal here. Very personal service, very rich food everything you might hope for in a little bistro like this. We loved it. PS skip lunch and arrive hungry.

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Food is not as good as described on Google comments. My opinion is the food is below standard. Not worthy to wait to be seated.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Amazing burger! Wish their menu had a bit more selection. Service was friendly but fairly standoffish and not very personal. We were also disappointed as we checked the website for the menu only to find out the menu posted was for the previous evening and the item we wanted was not available.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

I have been dining in this French Bistro for 20 years. The consistency of the food has not changed a bit. Great food , great service and the owner Mark is a gracious host. Hands down my favourite restaurent in Victoria. Try the French Onion Soup, and endive salad. You won t regret it.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Hands down the best burger of my life! It lived up to the hype for sure. Got there at 5 for a 5:30 opening on a Tuesday night!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This is the best place to be impressed! Merci!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Simply delicious... Again. French Onion Soup, Dry aged steak, and a bavaroise cream. Go easy with the soup, quite filling actually. Food : 5/5

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Great service and food!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

We waited at 5 and were able to be seated when it opened at 530 on a Saturday. I think we may have been one of the last groups in line that made it in immediately. I had the burger, olives, asparagus brioche and for drink the Vieux Mot. It was delicious. All of it. One of the best burgers I ve ever had. The fries were yummy and very French traditional. I ve never had a salty brioche before but will now be trying them more at home. I loved it. I can t speak enough about how kind the servers were! I travel a lot alone with my daughter (5yo) and we love to go to fancy dinners together. However that usually means we get turned away or side eye. It was absolutely not the case here and I really appreciated that! We both had a wonderful dinner

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Love it here vibes r fantastic food is reasonably priced and insanely delicious Staff is friendly Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

The trout was delightful and I would recommend the truffle oil frites which were also delicious! The restaurant had a lovely ambience and the staff were friendly and prompt.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

My favourite downtown restaurant. It has everything I love .. mussels , yummy French onion soup , cremant , fantastic service and the atmosphere is Margo Approved :) Love love love the Brasserie!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Always good, when you get in.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Highly recommend, amazing food and amazing staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Excellent. The menu was delicious and well prepared.

★★
December 23, 2023

I am from Quebec City and I was very excited to try this classic French restaurant. We showed up at 6pm and they took our phone # and texted us at 7pm when the table was ready, which didn t bother us. I don t get why it s so popular. I was very disappointed by the food. Maybe my expectations were too high because of the amazing food we have in Quebec. We had the endive salad and dates with blue cheese as an appetizer. Endive salad was very basic, kind of boring, for $17. The dates were okay, as expected I guess. My boyfriend had the trout and I had the mussels. Trout was served on an over cooked potato patty, it was dry and had a bland taste. For $30 you get a small portion of Salt Spring Island mussels (they were super good) and a small side of fries, which were okay. The ambiance is not great. The decor is not exciting either. I was expecting more because this restaurant is always full, and normally French cuisine is amazing. Will not go back.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

The staff is great! Very attentive even if not their table. No reservations, so be aware of the seating policy and plan accordingly. It is worth the uncertainty! The chocolate cake was so good I took a photo after the first bite so I can look back on it wistfully.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Fantastic wine selection, menu was creative without being inventive. The house made charcuterie was exemplary and the ratatouille was divine; both exploding with flavor and expertly prepared. Our meal here was quite memorable, I recommend them enthusiastically.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Absolutely loved my experience there. Staff was on point and food was fantastic.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

What a wonderful place, and people were right - you cant have a bad meal. The restaurant is small with just a dozen or so tables, not crammed together. The ambience is dark with sun coming through the front window and background music that is really low so everybody can talk. The top recommendation is the dry aged burger, oh my... This was the most unique and best prepared burger I tried, by a mile. To the eye, it looks like a normal to above average burger but the smashed meat is crunchy like bacon and has such a unique taste. Another highly recommended meal is the duck breast, it was tender and juicy. Even if you are not a starter person, just try onion soup, you wont regret it! Coming back for sure, because all the meals look and sound standard but are prepared on the next level. I enjoyed it so much I didnt take pictures

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This place offers very solid bistro dining in Victoria: * You likely know that they do not take reservations * We showed up on a Friday night just after 8:00 PM & were warmly greeted by the owner/manager. Within 5 minutes he had us comfortably seated. * Tables are well spaced apart. They could easily cram more in. The owner explained that this is his new philosophy: fewer tables = superior service + getting home at a reasonable hour. A huge amount of respect for this philosophy. * All of your brasserie favourites are on the menu. We opted for the ratatouille & the mussels with frits. Both were expertly prepared & a very pleasing explosion of flavour. * Wines are very gently priced. We opted for a sensibly priced Chablis. * Lighting is low & very flattering to the guests * Service throughout was knowledgeable, low key & polite * Guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. The sound level was subdued but exuberant. * A very enjoyable evening at Brasserie LEcole.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Food is amazing and the athmosphere warm and cozy, the staff is very kind and professional.

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

We really liked it! Excellent food and courteous service! We recommend it!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Classic French bistro out in Victoria. They dont take reservations which works out perfectly for someone like me who makes dinner plans last minute! Food was delicious, and the wait staff had great wine recommendations for us. Would highly recommend the Ratatouille and the liver pâté Food

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Great wine list and very well balanced menu. The mussles we re amazing.

Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Would have loved to dine here, but even with open tables there they told us they had already stopped seating (this was at 8:15, 45 minutes before their 9:00 closing). Most frustrating was had the manager bothered to explain or ask, he would have learned we were not interested in a leisurely dinner and had no problem being out in time for them to close. I guess theyre doing well enough theyre able to turn away business, though. EDITED TO ADD: I normally dont follow up on reviews after management response, but I find it insulting to say you explained this to us as it was not said. Totally understand if your wait-list was full, but we were only told you had stopped new seatings, full stop. Also, your hours list your close time at 9pm so thats where that assumption came into play.

December 23, 2023

Nice staff and service. Terrible, terrible food. This was one of the worst French restaurants I ve ever been to. Bread was cold, hard, and unappetizing. Main dish was almost bitter from salt. The steak, the pork loin, and the fries. Extremely salty. My lips are still burning. Not sure if the chef ever tastes his own food. Also, they only sell cheap wine by the glass. Asking $14 per glass for a wine sold $20 per bottle is a bit offensive to the customer. It s a French restaurant with American menu but done very badly!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

If you want great food, a warm environment with attentive service this is the restaurant to go to in Victoria.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Best food experience in Victoria.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Everything we ate was wonderful start to finish. The lemon meringue is to die for. The service was wonderful. I d fly back just for the meringue. No seriously. The meringue is amazing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Incredible experience!! We went in on a Wednesday night and missed the infamous queues. The waitress was wonderful, attentive and helpful! She stopped us from over ordering and made some great recommendations so we could still try the things we wanted. The food was DELICIOUS! The French onion soup was so comforting. We did the steak frites with a ribeye and subbed for parm fries; it was incredible! The steak just melted in your mouth. We also took advantage of the baskets of bread. Finished with creme brule which was a perfect end to the meal. Highly, highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Fit us at the bar on a busy night. Wonderful food and warm service. A long time staff member remembered us and that just makes you feel like returning. Great place

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

I had the steak & my friend had the halibut. Both were extraordinary. The service is both professional & friendly. The prices are very reasonable and especially for this quality. This place is great!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Outstanding!! My friend took me about a month ago and we had the best night. I am French and was dubious as to what the quality of the food would be, but honestly all I can say is DÉLICIEUX! Starters, main courses (moules frites are sublime), dessert, bread, drinks - all of it was absolutely excellent. And the service was just amazing. We will definitely be returning soon!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Great food, great service! Had the Moules and frittes, fantastic. The wine selection was awesome too

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

Get here 15 minutes before opening or you will be waiting to get a seat.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This is one of the best restaurants in Victoria.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2023

This is a leader among the best places to dine in the GVA. No reservations. Line up at 530 to get a table. Food

★★★★★
December 23, 2023

Very good service!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Amazing food, incredible drinks, staff are very efficient and cheerful.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

The steak frites was very good and the staff were wonderful. The creme brule was runny and the caramelized sugar top was over done. Still, it was a nice experience and well be back again.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Great service, intimate atmosphere and wonderful food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Absolutely fabulous dinner, ambience and service. Extra kudos to the pork belly and duck confit and as always a top notch steak with best in class truffle fries. An awesome experience. Thanks Mark and team!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Amazing staff and food! Best restaurant in Victoria!!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Amazing hamburger- a must try.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

One of the best joints in Victoria hands down. Gluten-free options for my celiac folks, delicious french cuisine, wonderful atmosphere, abundant wine list, cocktails, and immaculate service. There is a reason why Brasserie is able to operate without reservations. Go a bit before youre wanting to eat and get ready for a top-notch experience.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Unique and delicious, food and ambience are perfect! Get there early!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Got lucky that there happened to be a table and didn t have to wait. French onion soup was great for the cold rainy weather out. The duck with Roquefort sauce was a nice combination of flavours, and burger with truffle fries was tasty as well. Restaurant interior was cosy, a lovely place to dine for special occasions.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Best burger in Victoria!

★★
December 23, 2022

This restaurants policy of not taking reservations is absurd. We arrived 30 minutes early last Friday and stood in line only to be told it was full and we could try coming back in 2 1/4 hours. I guess it works well for them stuffing people into the restaurant, but certainly isnt great for customers. Ive been coming here for years, but may not return....

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great burger, excellent truffle fries and a decent creme brulee. Amazing atmosphere and great customer service. 5 star restaurant, a must visit in Victoria.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I went with my Family to this restaurant, we were glad that it was a good day because the wait outside in a line to get a table could be quite painful if the weather was terrible. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very calming and quite. As well the waiting staff was fantastic. Our dishes were quite tasty, quite enjoyed the Duck Croquette. The steak was also good but would have liked some vegetables with it.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Innovative chef that doesn t get enough credit For his work behind the scenes! Maybe learned classic French, but hasn t stopped learning and innovating new dishes to please our palates Maintaining honesty and desire to source locally and please locally! The chef is remarkable, the guy at the front is also quite remarcable lol Continuing a Brass tradition of simple and pure and honest and unpretentious!!!! YES PLEASE

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Amazing dinner and classically French. Get there at 5!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Great food, lovely atmosphere, and in season spot prawns what s not to love?!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

One of the busiest restaurants in Victoria, expect a 30+ mins wait. The steak tastes quite good, so are the appetizers. Warm service as well.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Very nice place. Will have to return to try more food. Staff are awesome. The only drawback is that its so popular theres always a wait. However, the service they offer to take your name on the door (there are no reservations) and contacting you when a table is free helps to offset that.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

French onion soup SLAPS! And they have the best burger in town.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Unbelievably good. Visited from Vancouver which has its share of great French Brasseries, but this place is next level. Steak, sablefish and saddle of rabbit were amazing. A perfect dining experience really.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Adorable spot, pretty busy so try and get your name on the list for one of the settings. Feels very cozy inside but still intimate. Salads were amazing and food very well prepared. Would highly recommend trying it out

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Wonderful French style food, with service to match. The chocolate cake was the topper!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I was very impressed with this place across the board. The food is classical French done to perfection - generous portions, I suggest sharing a salad, appetizer then having your own main. Wine was superb and the service exceeded any possible expectations- she even called us a cab and helped get cash for our babysitter.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

What a fantastic experience. The service was outstanding and very personable. The food was perfectly cooked and masterfully seasoned. The in-house charcuterie is worth the visit alone. Its a must visit for any food connoisseur to the Victoria area.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Outstanding! A must experience if you are ever in Victoria and want to feel pampered to the next level.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Best duck of my life. This restaurant is amazing food, service and such a catch in Victoria.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Always a pleasure, one of my favourite restaurants in Victoria, great job guys! highly recommended

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Date night, Wednesday night or any night! Always classic, always delicious, and the best burger and frites around!

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

This is our go-to special occasion restaurant. Very attentive service, consistently delicious food and drinks. My top pick for Victoria. Usually a wait for a table, but well worth it. Mark and his great staff will make your dinner extraordinary.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

I went here on a Wednesday night in August. Arrived just before 5 and waited until open. I shared the fries and had the pork belly. Everything was wonderful. The food was delicious, the servers were lovely, the space didnt feel crowded. I think its worth it, highly recommend. Parking: While there is street parking available nearby, youre probably better off parking in the Fisgard St parkade and walking over, if youre able.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

This very special French Restaurant operates on a first arrive,first basis so we arrived 30 minutes early and there were several enthusiastic customers already lined up the discussion among those waiting was enthusiastic about what each individual was interested in ordering..the staff made regular visits along those waiting to answer any questions and to determine how many in each group..when seated, the service was excellent and all questions were answered..the cuisine was exceptional and we appreciated each portion of our order..the dessert was very delicious we will be back soon for another adventure in this French Atmosphere..

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Arrived half an hour before opening on a Wednesday night for a special occasion dinner. Was seated right away once they opened and the service was great. The food was absolutely fantastic, I had the duck and shared the fries. Absolutely worth the wait and am excited for my next visit.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Fantastic upscale dining, lovely service , knowledgeable staff, the burger is one of the best I ve ever had:)

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Everything was delicious. Its hard to get a table there as they dont take reservations.

Local Guide
December 23, 2022

They do take reservations, but you have to go, get in line to reserve. I am calling them out for calling it first come first serve, when its not! One star is only for wrong information about reservations, I have not tried their food yet.

★★★
December 23, 2022

Sirloin was a very tough piece of meat cooked rare, not medium well as requested. Waiter never asked if I was satisfied with the meal, until after our group was finished. Server showed up with my drink after the meal. (Oh, I forgot to add that I left half of the steak uneaten...) ...that should be a signal to the staff that all is not well. All in all, I thought the staff was pleasant and Im sure most of the folks had a great experience. To quote a famous american saying: other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great food, welcoming atmosphere. Certainly one of Victoria s best restaurants.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Some staffing changes, but all the same things you know and love about this amazing Brasserie - small but hand selected and great value wine list (tell Marc what you like and hell make great recommendations), high quality French cuisine prepared and presented very nicely and friendly, professional staff who understand timing and cadence.

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Best burger in Victoria hands-down. It s French food, so it s very rich. Line up early to get a spot!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

We love going to Brasserie for dinner. The food, drinks, and service are excellent! They do not take reservations and the lineup outside can be discouraging the first time, but they do a wonderful job making sure everyone gets a seat. The burger and fries are outstanding. Take a break from your counting calories and enjoy the menu.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Great place for fine dining. Great atmosphere and excellent food and service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Always a perfect meal

★★★★★
December 23, 2022

Hey, since it s not anywhere. The restaurant is closed until November 15.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

A hidden gem with a rotating menu. Some of the best steak Ive had in town, hands down. Also, some may view it as an after-thought, but even their French fries were terrific!

★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Ordered a burger but was brought a steak. After realizing their mistake my burger was rushed out but completely under cooked and raw. Beers were good at least.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

So delicious and great mood!! Small and intimate seating. The staff are friendly. We had the charcuterie board and the sausage +spatzle ans both were super delicious. I especially loved the house made charcuterie!! I would go back for that. The menu seems to change often so keep an eye out for the changes! The creek brulee was small but good as well

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

My favourite restaurant. Always delicious and great service

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

We decided to finally try Brasserie LEcole on our anniversary for nice French dinner. 30 minutes waiting out in the cold was not so fun but we heard thats how you get a table so we dressed warm at least. We were seated right away and our server was polite and friendly while answering our questions about the menu. We ordered French onion soup and Tortelloni as appetizers and Rock fish, Duck Confit as main. French onion soup was fabulous. Rich in flavor, plenty of cheese on the top. The rest however was not so impressive. Tortelloni needed a bit more sauce, rock fish was cooked properly but was way salty. Duck confit tasted like a leftover most likely because its overcooked. Not too long ago we had really nice duck confit at Cafe Brio so we were definitely disappointed. Dessert was alright, nothing impressive. After telling our server the rock fish was too salty, he took care of dessert which was nice. Personally I would prefer getting a great food and paying the right price for it than getting it covered on the house becuase it was not seasoned properly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Always superb service with the best burgers in town!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2022

Fantastic every time

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Amazing restaurant!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Seems like an odd place to order a burger.. but its sooo good!

★★
December 23, 2021

Dine in only if your hoping for fresh value of your order. A $300+ LARGE burger pick up order was placed and I have to say I did not get get the fries I ordered, and many people got fries that were totally dead . Save your money and dine somewhere else for pick up at least. !!! Sorry not sorry for this honest review.

Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Weve been turned away twice now and management still wants to go for a third round. At this point, they could be serving gold-covered worlds finest beef tartar, my expectations are so high they will never be met. Get your shnitz together people, this isnt sustainable reputation-wise.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Good food good music. Come 25 min before opening

★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

A number of things were not what I expected them to be compared to their names on the menu in a place called Brasserie l Ecole . For example, while technically there are various kinds of endives in the same genus, an endive salad (salade d endives) refers to the yellow and white crispy kind. I ended-up learning that in the UK, curly endive (i.e. frisée) is called endive, but a restaurant called Brasserie lEcole should not be teaching me British references. Also, I make a difference between pâté and terrine and pickles are rarely ever sweet in French cuisine in my experience. A poster in the mens room essentially explains something to the effect that a little BC will make French cuisine easier to embrace. I could get along this idea, and overall the food is good at Brasserie lEcole, but in my opinion there are faux pas in the delivery. On the other hand it s great to see the nice selection of aperitifs and digestifs on offer, especially some rarely seen products like Suze.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Delicious creme brulee & amazing owner.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

No reservations allowed here, but they took our phone number and texted when a table was ready soon, so you can take a walk or get a drink somewhere close by. Food was excellent as always!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Best burger in the universe

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

The service and the food were equally superb. Since the moment we got greeted at the door we were treated very politely and friendly. Service and everything else went smoothly. Food quality is top notch. Good portions, beautiful presentation and rich flavours. You can get refill on bread with butter and non alcoholic drink. That was a nice touch.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Excellent small French style bistro. Good value too.

December 23, 2021

Their listed hours are wrong. They stop taking tables before 7pm, so unless you like to eat at 6pm or earlier, dont waste your time with this place. EDIT: to clarify, we (and several others) were turned away at 7:05pm on a Friday night. Specifically, we were told the restaurant is full, have a good night.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

A great experience.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

This is the place for fine dining in Victoria. Classic french bistro food and service, superior wine list, well trained waiters. Other than they dont take reservations I find no fault here...

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Wow! the best Hamburger in town, The taste is delicious and comes so quickly. I enjoyed eating here with a good atmosphere and with good service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Wonderful experience. Quite impressed

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Excellent food and service.

★★★★
December 23, 2021

I never understood the hype of waiting outside to get into Brasserie L Ecole, but finally tried it and can say that it s pretty good. Prices are fair, food is tasty, staff is knowledgeable. Still not entirely into the no reservation thing, but I guess it s their thing. Highlight was the chocolate bourbon mousse - I m more of a savoury person but the mousse was tres bien. I should have gotten a steak as it seems it s what they are known for (tried one of my party s and it was quite good).

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Great food and service. There is a line to get in for a reason! Perfect birthday dinner with a friend and a bottle of wine.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Can t say enough about this place, decided to try it after I saw a line forming outside (always a good sign). The squash gnocchi is one of the best dishes I have ever had in my entire life, a must-go if in Victoria !

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

The burger definitely was the best I ve had in Victoria. Girlfriend ordered the steak and she said it was amazing as well. Owner was very accommodating of my peanut allergy (as of the time of this review there are no peanuts on the menu). They went the extra mile to respond to my questions. Highly recommend. Come early tho, it s first come first serve.

★★★★★
December 23, 2021

Always excellent! Great selection of wine that is hard to find and a real bargain! Great selection of Belgian beer as well. The food is always exceptional. Order something new on the menu, you wont regret it.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 23, 2021

Great food and outstanding service. Be prepared to wait to be seated, it is a very popular place and for good reason. The only reason I gave it only four stars is because it is loud inside making it hard to have a conversation. That may be because the music is a little loud and people try to talk over it. Would I go back and experience their ever changing menu? You can count on it.