623 Courtney St, Victoria, BC V8W 1B8, Canada
Modern Pacific North West Cuisine. 2024 YAM Magazine's Victoria Restaurant of the Year! Gather at the bar for fresh-shucked oysters and craft cocktails, unwind with friends over sharing plates, or celebrate that special occasion with an elevated dining experience. Just two blocks from the Inner Harbour, enjoy seasonal menus showcasing the best of Vancouver Island ingredients. Awarded YAM Magazine's Best Victoria Restaurant and 2-time (2024 & 2023) Best Sommelier/Wine Program. Also, Vancouver Island's ONLY Platinum-tier awarded restaurant at the 2024 Vancouver International Wine Festival for Wine Program Excellence.
Went to the Courtney Room for the first time and was very impressed! Started off in the lounge while we waited for our reservation in the dining room. Impeccable service and small touches like the frozen cocktail class were a big clue to the service and experience we'd get at dinner. Dinner (chef's seasonal tasting menu — was told in a few weeks they'd be switching to a new fall/winter tasting menu): We started off with a foamy, creamy sparkling elderflower lemonade to cleanse our palate after cocktails and prepare us for all the flavours… Then got Fanny Bay sun seeker oyster with black locust blossom tincture, orange, umeboshi, and tonic syrup From there we moved to appetizers. Salmon roe tostada with corn tortilla, burrata, fermented black bean salsa House-cured Hokkaido scallops with tomato ponzu, tart and tannic wild berries, hazelnut crumble, and wrapped in shiso leaves Some sort of lettuce wrap with salmon, black and white truffles, and other stuff I can’t remember (this was all 10/10 but if I had to choose, this would be my least favourite…but it’s kind of like choosing your favourite child soooooo….) House-made spam with Kewpie mayo and all kinds of other seasoning. The crispy rice with the spam was WOW — this is literally the best “spam musubi” I’ve ever had and I grew up on spam! The appetizers ended with a waffle injected with foie gras, some sort of sweet cream, and fruit curd (almost tasted like dessert). This was the “end” of the amuse-bouche part of the course The next course: Dry-aged hiramasa kingfish “salad” to start our next round, with summer tomato, caper, grapefruit, tomato dashi, sorghum, and this crazy ponzu sauce that I can’t describe and can’t remember what was in it. ALSO teeny tiny popcorn made from popped sorghum (the perfect nutty crunch that surprised me to no end — this place knows how to combine unexpected flavours and textures) Followed by: B.C. sockeye salmon cooked mi-cuit style. It was to DIE FOR. I always avoid salmon in restaurants because it’s so dry, but this was….insane. I can’t even describe the texture. Came with salmonberry condiment, bay leaf, umami coconut emulsion and a tarte flambée (yogurt, preserved spring vegetables, pesto). Thought this was the main course, but it wasn’t! The salmon was followed by Metchosin-raised crispy duck egg on top of a duck confit served with fiore d’ulivo, dandelion, pecorino, truffle, and rosehip It was so perfectly cooked. I can’t describe! The yolk was neither runny nor hard, but had this perfect mousse-like texture The mi-cuit salmon was originally our favourite but then we got our “main course": Brant Lake wagyu ribeye — it was perfectly medium-rare and literally melted in your mouth — on top of a braised beef croquette with morel mushroom, purple and orange carrots, and green almond miso paste Finally: I don’t even like dessert (like, at all — zero sweet tooth here) but this choux was insane. It reminded me of a highly elevated cream puff with whipped caramelia ganache, but the star was the seabuckthorn berry curd inside (Also I stopped taking pictures but there were more desserts and housemade candies served when we got the bill) Amazing service. The sommelier is very knowledgeable and would come and check on the temperature of our wine throughout the night to ensure it was kept at the right temp. Each server was amazing, and the timing was perfect between courses. Keep in mind this is a long dinner service when doing the tasting menu — we were there for about three hours and it was so worth it!
We booked the restaurant for our anniversary and it was outstanding. We had a window seat and received a card for our anniversary. We enjoyed the tasting menu. Each course was thoughtfully prepared and we appreciated the pace of dinner.
We went all in on the tasting menu with wine pairing - what a fabulous evening! The food was outstanding - absolutely delicious and fascinating journey through West coast flavors with a wonderful progression. Service was outstanding (excellent and unpretentious), and the somalier was a joy - listening to the enthusiastic stories behind the wines was wonderful. Probably the best meal we have ever had. Thanks so much for a great memory!
We had a farewell end of tour dinner at the Courtney Room, which was very successful. There was a mix-up with our drinks requirements, but we finished up with a selection of very nice wines to choose from. The entree was somewhat different with raw kale ,not such a big winner. The main and dessert were fine.The service was good even with a large group. In all it was a very good night.
The dinner started off great and the appetizers we ordered were excellent (oysters, scallops, pork belly). However, we waited an hour between our appetizers and mains. When we wanted to check on the status of our meal, our server was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, when the mains finally arrived, their was no apology for the long wait and the food mediocre . We had great expectations for this dinner after reading about it online but were extremely let down by the service and main dishes. I would recommend this place to people who would like to spend alot of money on mediocrity.
Our party of three walked in no problem on a Monday evening. Staff were friendly and gracious. The flavors of the food were great. I ordered the clam and linguine. My pasta was a little too al dente, but I still ate every bite! At the end of the meal our server delivered extra little desserts from the chef with the bill, which was a nice surprise. Would definitely recommend and go back!
The bottom line is that the food is okay, the atmosphere is classy, relaxed, and dynamic, and the service is excellent. The Courtney Room is a hotel restaurant we just visited for breakfast. We tried both a standard breakfast of eggs, potatoes, and english muffins, as well as french toast and yogurt. The scrambled eggs were mushy, the french toast may have been slightly burned, but the yogurt bowl with nuts and fruit was excellent. I wouldn't go out of my way for the food, but it was a very relaxing experience and I walked away full and happy. In the evenings, the restaurant bar draws a crowd. This restaurant opens relatively early, which is nice if you're trying to get an early start. I would eat here again.
Had breakfast here while staying at the Magnolia Hotel next door. Food was delicious, both the salmon benny and omelette were yummy. A bit on the pricier side but quality is outstanding, the salmon was super fresh. Service was quick as well, coffee and water was always refilled
Anton is a treasure when it comes to understanding cocktails. The staff go above and beyond to make an experience complete. The food is as good as it gets here in southern VI
had the chef s tasting menu and the service and food would incredible. we opted to buy a couple wines we wanted rather than do the wine pairing and the sommelier was helpful in guiding us. chef brian knocked it out if the park
Good, interesting brunch options with attentive but not smothering staff. Very attractive decor.
Always excellent.
Enjoyed our meal but service and portions not good enough for the price: not enough staff for a busy restaurant and waited 20 minutes for drinks to arrive. I had halibut (felt like a half size portion) and it came with enough root vegetables to feed a small child.
Had the most divine time celebrating our first holiday party at the Courtney Room. Ive never been to this restaurant, but I will say, I WILL be returning it was the most satisfying meal Ive had in a while. To start, I had the kale ceaser salad, the cod for my main, and for dessert, I had the olive oil chocolate cake! All was extraordinary! This dining experience will be remembered as the most joyous occasion! I cant wait to bring friends and family here the next time Im in Victoria! Keep being delicious
I went to the Courtney Room for a private event. Polled the staff about which main was best and consensus was the fish but is tasted old with bitter potatoes, the most unpleasant meal I ever ever had in a restaurant and I was not the only person who thought so. Ate it all regardless but still fiercely hungry after salad and main. Service was slow. I tried a variety of drinks and all were SO expensive, diminutive, sour and disappointing. My table companions complained of undercooked pasta and unpleasant ingredients. The other reviews indicate good food is occasionally served here but I saw no evidence of it.
Was here for a group event on Wednesday November 13th. Had a great time. Food and service were excellent.
Overall, this is a good restaurant. I have 3 stars for the food for 2 reasons. My wifes ling cod dish was just OK and my risotto was tasty, but the serving size was so small that it seemed to be almost a joke. Maybe 2 tablespoons with raw, white mushrooms on top. Really overpriced for what you get. Servers were great, but there was no response when it friends mentioned the very small size of my dish.
Waited almost an hour between appetizer and main course. Food was either cold or severely undercooked. Would not recommend at all.
I had high hopes and brought out of town guests to enjoy brunch here. While the decor and ambiance leads you to believe the quality of the food will be on par, that is unfortunately not the case. To start with, the $9 fresh squeezed orange juice did not seem freshly squeezed at all and when we inquired we were told it is out sourced (so why the hefty $9 price tag?) It felt misleading and cunning. The 3 breakfasts we received were evidently sitting under a heat lamp for too long, the presentation was lacking, and the taste profile was sub par. For the $129 bill, I would ve much rather enjoyed brunch elsewhere. This is not a restaurant I can recommend.
Another Victoria restaurant that doesn t live up to the hype. Food was MEH, service was average and the decor could use an update. Definitely a restaurant that is attached to a hotel. I d give it a pass.
The otherwise good food was marred by the servers sneaky upselling. My wife and I went to the Courtney Room in the New Year to try their dry-aged steak. After picking the 26oz 45-day dry-aged steak to share, for a whopping $250 dollars, we were annoyed by the constant upselling from our server. After I, knowing its an extra, added the foie gras, he told my wife, referencing me: Yours of course comes with the foie gras, would you like to have the scallops?. Changing the wording making her think its not an add on. Later, he also suggests adding three mushrooms for 8 dollars a piece for the both of us. Fine, but left another sour note for my wife. Overall, the food was quite delectable, but we did not enjoy the constant upselling. Also, we did not appreciate the servers comment when we asked him to take a returned drink off the bill, him saying: That helps a little bit. Might have been an attempt at being funny or cute, but did not come across that way to us. Nothing we needed to hear. Although we liked the food, this experience has made us not return to The Courtney Room since.
Had dinner here. Food was tasty and service was good. One of us is a vegetarian who wasnt enamoured with the menu. We called ahead and left a message and received no call back. They finally did come to with a decent fish. I had the cod. The portion size was miniscule. I was in disbelief at the price to food ratio. For me this was not a main dish portion. Also had the burrato with sourdough starter. That wed get a smaller cheese circle with some slices of sour dough to share. Turns out to be a single slice of toast. It was tasty but again totally not what I thought Id receive. Salad was fresh but the dressing was awful, partner did not like it at all. For me the restaurant was a miss. I felt it was pretentious and expensive without delivering a tasty and satisfying meal.
Delicious & fresh food
Its OK. The thing with using croissants for bennys is that they need to be fluffy and able to hold the sauce/ingredients on top. A bit overly salty as well. Mixed greens salad and potatoes were done well, and the service was friendly enough and attentive. Pleasant atmosphere to sit in as well. Overall, price is over the top for whats offered, but as theyre attached to a hotel, its expected.
Very overpriced, very small portions and not really good food. Left feeling robbed of a lot of money and still hungry. Our server was good. Suggest at least offering a free refill on pop.
Excellent service! The best cocktails and food.
Amazing food and Johnny was an excellent waiter and made great recommendations. Drinks and food were to die for.
Great French style restaurant. Lots of local Vancouver island food, wine. The cocktail and drinks were amazing!! Really a 5 star experience in Victoria. Nice deco and quiet seating area with a nice second floor outdoor patio.
Fantastic, incredible , extremely flavorful. Every bite had such detailed and complementing taste. I have never had such an incredible meal. My wife s agrees. The duck was amazing. The caviar delicious . Focaccia was delicious also!!
If youre looking to impress your guests with a unique dining experience in Victoria, The Courtney Room downtown is your go-to destination. This exceptional restaurant stands out with its exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and charming atmosphere, making it a standout choice for any occasion. As you step into The Courtney Room, you re not just entering a restaurant, but a warm and welcoming environment that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience. With their attentive and friendly demeanour, the staff go above and beyond to ensure your visit is truly special, adding a personal touch that makes every guest feel valued and well-cared for. The Courtney Room s ambiance is equally impressive. The décor is stylish and thoughtfully designed, with elegant touches and a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Every detail, from the tasteful artwork to the well-set tables, contributes to a dining environment that feels both sophisticated and cozy. The food is nothing short of spectacular. The menu features a variety of beautifully crafted dishes, each prepared with the finest ingredients and keen attention to flavour and presentation. Whether you re enjoying a perfectly cooked steak, a delectable seafood dish, or a creative vegetarian option, every bite is a testament to the kitchen s skill and dedication. The dishes are not only delicious but also visually stunning, making them a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The Courtney Room also boasts an impressive selection of wines and cocktails, curated to complement their menu perfectly. The knowledgeable staff are happy to provide recommendations, ensuring your meal is paired with the ideal drink. The Courtney Room is a standout dining destination in downtown Victoria. Its exceptional food, attentive service, and inviting atmosphere make it the perfect place to take visitors and leave a lasting impression. The Courtney Room delivers excellence for a special occasion or a refined dining experience.
Beautiful restaurant! The staff was attentive and friendly. Food was excellent and just the right amount. Food
We had a group of six but it seemed the restaurant was busy because service was a bit slow. The ambient noise was distracting, but once a couple of groups left the bar, things got significantly better. The food was excellent. This was our second time here. Dietary restrictions: We had a couple of gluten intolerant people and they were very satisfied. Kid-friendliness: Grandchildren loved the burger and fries! Wheelchair accessibility: There are two levels so obviously only one is accessible.
Menu is minimalist both for food and wine. Food is only OK and definitely not worth the price. Many items on the menu were not available and certain items for appetizer and dessert, the flavour was non existent. The service was patient and superb but I would not return for the food.
Pretty place to eat, food was expensive but for the most part tasty but the people in our party who ordered a steak were disappointed with the quality for the price we paid (90$) for an average tasting steak and very mediocre fries. We waited 30 minutes before we received our drinks, it didn t seem to be overly busy so we felt confused as to what was taking so long, the same thing happened for appetizers and dinner. When the bills came, they conveniently forgot to mention that they added an auto gratuity onto parties of 6 or more so most of us ended up tipping 35-40% on mediocre service. PLEASE disclose when you re automatically adding a charge of any kind to our bills, we all felt quite scammed and were left with a very unpleasant dining experience.
If youre looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Victoria, look no further than The Courtney Room. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the stage for what would be one of the best meals weve ever had. Our server, Sage, was absolutely incredible. Sages attention to detail, knowledge of the menu, and genuine care for our experience made the evening even more special. The entire staff was fantastic, working seamlessly to ensure everything was perfect. It felt like we were not just guests but part of something extraordinary. And the food? Love, love, love! Every dish was a masterpiece, bursting with flavor and presented beautifully. The chef clearly knows their craft, and it shows in every bite. Whether youre a local or just visiting, The Courtney Room is a must-visit. Trust me, you won t regret it!
I have rarely experienced such an amazing evening with such fabulous service. I was drawn in by the menu and then blown away by the level of professionalism and dedication to the art of cuisine. Please come here. You are so worth it.
Immaculate service, interesting cocktails, blow-your-socks-off food, and well balanced desserts. will return.
Mac rules! I loved her personality and tasty cocktails. I hope to try the food next time Im here.
Amazing food and drink options and very knowledgeable staff! The meals were divine and drinks were expertly crafted. Emma was very attentive and friendly. A great experience all around!
One of my favourite places to eat when in Victoria. I stay at the Magnolia hotel because of this establishment. Highly recommend
Amazing food
Went there recently with a group of friends. I loved the food and service but most importantly the ambiance. While the other tables around us were occupied, it was so easy to maintain a conversation. Lots of gluten free options on the menu. Food
My party chose to do the chefs choice ensemble, and we were challenged by a number of tastes and items we wouldnt normally order. However, they all proved to be delicious and the sommelier and hostess team described the choice of dishes and pairings marvelously. They thoughtfully accommodated some dietary restrictions and the Chef also came out to ensure the modifications would meet our needs. It was a slow, paced, evening that we would be happy to repeat. Dietary restrictions: We discussed restrictions with the staff and they came up with thoughtful and tasty alternatives and cleared each choice with us.
Celebrated our wedding anniversary at The Courtney Room, it was simply awesome. The staff was attentive and very kind. The food, a delight on each bite and the wine, oh the wine, great selection in that cava. Highly recommended.
Server was rude, inattentive and arrogant. A regretful experience for my best friends Batchelor party.
Stopped in to grab a dessert to go and it was really tasty! The passion fruit millefeuille had a light crispy filo pastry and a delicious mascarpone crémeux that paired beautifully with the passion fruit coulis. Definitely worth trying out. Food
My husband and I had a delightful evening here. The steak frites was an enormous portion and the gnocchi special was excellent. Our server was very nice. Would definitely return.
Did the lunch set menu, and write enjoyed what we were served. The service was excellent, from start to finish. The virgin ceasar could use a little extra punch, maybe adding some ginger? Overall great lunch Vegetarian options: Yes, options are available Dietary restrictions: Yes, they ask if you have any allergies Parking: Can be tough to find paid parking Wheelchair accessibility: The bottom of the restaurant is
Stayed at the hotel connected to this restaurant and went to go check it out on our first day of our vacation! The selection for cocktails and customer service was exceptional and made us want to come back multiple times during our trip. Thank you Eric for the hospitality!
Im from Las Vegas, and love to travel. My wife eat out all of the time, and this was surprisingly one of the best restaurants Ive eaten at in years. We went back multiple times and no other restaurant in Victoria that we ate at compared to it. We would even joke that we should have just eaten there again, any time we ever tried a different restaurant during our visit to Victoria. Highly recommend.
Stepped out for a nice happy hour, heard some nice things about The Courtney Room. First the service is wonderful, very attentive, good follow up. The drinks were crafted well. The cheese and bread tray was very good. Stop in, enjoy the vibe.
Food was delicious and service was wonderful, my only personal downfall is their in- house curated cocktails dont appeal to me so I stay with classic cocktails or wine
What a great experience we had at The Courtney Room. The locally sourced food was amazing and beautifully enhanced by the talented chef. Our server was fantastic, with great advice and direction in course selections and timing the arrival of courses to suit us perfectly.
Wonderful luxury experience. We got the chefs table selection for dinner and wine pairing; truly a 5 experience. The service was excellent, and it was so worth it! We went for our wedding anniversary and if you are celebrating a special occasion this is worth it.
I was expecting that this restaurant would give me a good vibe for dining but it turned out that the food was okay and the service was bad. My friends and I were waiting the food for an hour ish( booking at 8.00 , getting the food at 9.30) which that day was my birthday celebration. I was really disappointed on my special day. :(
Not the one to write the reviews much, but I had to come here for this one. Recently booked an Easter brunch here, 68$ per person, and the amount of food given was a joke. The Easter menu looked good in itself but when the food was served, it wasnt per person. The only separate thing we got one benedict which was too small! The rest of the food was given in one plate for 4 people. Whereas the the other table for 2 people were getting the same amount of food as us and we were 4! When we mentioned it to the server she managed to bring one more waffle plate for us, agreeing it was their fault and we should have received another plate since we are 4 people. Its not even about the money, but when you pay this much, you do expect a decent amount of food if not a lot! Such a RIP off!
Neither of us enjoyed our meals. Everything had a very sweet and sickening taste, sort of like paint. Portions were extremely small.
This place was pretty good, but we had a bit of a wait to get seated. The food was good and the offered kids meals, although I don t feel this place is really for young kids. We stayed in the Magnolia hotel and ate here for breakfast. I thought we were getting a deal on breakfast from staying at the hotel, but it didn t come across that way and we paid a lot more than we should have. Overall, this is a very nice and clean restaurant and the staff if good, although not great. I feel our questions and the kids were a bother. Nice location and while I rate this a 3.5 star, I m rounding up.
I had read all the reviews and kept an open mind. However, our experience was fair, the food was okay, the service was slow, and I was surprised how basic the interior was for an upscale restaurant. That said, we did go to the Happy Hour, and the bartenders were friendly, efficient, and made good drinks - they deserve 5 stars.
The Courtney Rooms great food, pleasant ambiance, and incredibly helpful service are the reasons I enjoy eating here.
Service was fantastic, food was amazing, ambiance was perfect! Their wine list is 11/10. Thanks for the fab visit y all!!
Do not recommend - will not be back. Selected restaurant based on Victoria Votes, excited to celebrate 34th anniversary!! Husband ordered 60.00 tenderloin medium well, came out red, medium Rare, could not eat. Sent back. Came back with burnt steak - pretty bad! Linguine and clams, extremely salty. Do not recommend. Service was ok, and drinks and water were quick. Food was so disappointing. Was not worth the meal, time and effort and price. Be mindful of other reviews.
Best Happy Hour in town!!! Fresh shucked oysters and strong handcrafted cocktails overlooking one of the prettiest harbours in the world. Not to be missed!! Food : 5/5
We came here on a Friday night to celebrate a special occasion. The service and the venue are quite nice. The food was a little disappointing though, especially considering the price. The best thing of the night was the fried mushrooms, which we loved. The scallops were ridiculously small and there were only four of them. The NY steak was good, but for the price (over 80 bucks) I would expect some more interesting fries to go with the meat. I had the feeling that the fries we were served were frozen. I could be wrong, but if they were not frozen, they were really bland.
Outstanding food, drinks, service, and atmosphere
Love everything about this place! The servers are incredible and love explaining the dishes in detail! They truly want to make your experience perfect!
I visited the Courtney room two years ago and had the best foie gras and steak. This time, during dine around, we visited again with high hopes. Appetizer: The squid was tender and tasted great. The soup has a bit of a sour kick at the end, but the sweetness and toasted nutty flavour mixed well with it. Main: The steak was great with the steak sauce, but I thought the pesto under the bottom was not necessary at all. The fries were average. Ling Cod Cheek was disappointing. It didnt feel like it was fresh, and the sauce was quite sour - tasted like a miracle whip. The pesto from the steak wouldve been a better base for the ling cod cheeks. However, the potatoes and peppers were great. Dessert: I couldnt taste much of Earl Grey. I thought the chocolate was too thick and overpowering, but my husband said he was able to taste the hint of Earl Grey. Apple tart was crispy and caramelly. I would visit again for a steak and foie gras, but highly unlikely I would try other items off of their menu since I was disappointed a bit this time.
Ive been to this restaurant a few times now and its always been nothing short of great. Ive gone for happy hour or dinner. The food, presentation, drinks and service are always on point. They make the best Boulevardier in town, in my opinion. It hasnt been super packed (its been busy but comfortable) when Ive gone which I personally like- I can hear my dinner guest! Ill definitely be going back and recommend it.
We enjoyed a dine-around-town brunch today. Starting with a bowl of the best butternut squash soup we ever tasted. Second was the amazing smoked salmon benny which was covered in a tasty magnolia and paprika holidaise sauce. Wow! A pot de creme and coffee was a great end to the meal.
My friend and I tried the Courtney Room for Victoria dine around. The service was excellent however, this was a real life ratatouille. Between courses we saw a rat run across the floor. I do not normally complain however, the food and drinks were quite expesive and this is considered an upscale venue. It weighed on me for a couple days. I attempted to contact the manager via phone and never received an acknowledgment. I ordered the chicken, it was dry and mediocre in flavor (5th street chicken strips are better). Beautiful establishement and the service was very good but disappointed with the quality for the price and seeing the rat put a damper on our night.
Exceptional, professional, friendly, helpful service. Would definitely recommend this place.
Eaten here many times fantastic food sourced organically extremely good flavours and dishes coming here is a must hotel pretty good to
Came here on Valentine s Day for the first time! Very knowledge regarding the food/ingredients they use and what wine to pair with. The tenderloin steak was amaaazing, but the rest of the food was quite mediocre especially considering the price. Food
I do enjoy this restaurant but more for lunch than dinner. The mushroom chicken wings are amazing. Literally, so good. The trout was ruined by the sauce and the tenderloin was chewy as well as under seasoned. The service was slow. With all capitals. This is usually the case every time I have been here. I keep trying but keep being disappointed. It s a lovely spot and I may continue to be optimistic.
The avocado toast breakfast was the weakest Ive had anywhere, let alone for $26. A tablespoon of avocado puree spread butter-thin on a single thin slice of toast.
We had lovely breakfast at The Courtney Room for a few days while we were staying at the Hotel Magnolia, Victoria. Food was pretty good. The ambience was quite nice. We liked their service and hospitality. Overall a very cozy and a lovely place to visit. Vegetarian options: There were good options for vegetarian like Shakshuka( replaced with Avocado instead of eggs), Housemade granola with nuts, yogurt & berry compote, Oatmeal with maple syrup and many more.
If you don t plan doing business at 10am, you should just not open. I normally don t leave negative reviews but this is literally one of the worst places I ve been to. We came here at 10 for brunch and they practically sold out of everything already. To make it worse, service was one of the worst I have experienced. The server was incredibly inattentive. We never even got our water filled since the beginning, and when we asked for a refill they never did. We were told certain things might be out so we gave alternatives, and the waitress never even came back to confirm.
Service was very very slow, and their portions so tiny.
Gorgeous decor. Very calm and relaxing for happy hour. Amazing classic cocktails for $12. $6 draft beer. Glassware is top tier. Didnt have any food this time but well definitely be back.
Came here for brunch on a weekday with my bf and two friends. Unfortunately the service as this restaurant definitely has room for improvement. Our reservation was at 10:15am. We were seated 5-10 mins after we arrived as they were still preparing our table, however the restaurant was not very full or busy. After we sat down the server poured us water but not enough for the fourth glass. Our server informed us that they were out of sourdough, sausage, and hollandaise. This affected about 80% of the menu. We were surprised about this since we were seated at about 10:30am which is decently early. Our server explained that they were slammed in the morning since they opened at 7am. We did not understand this explanation since the dining room was not even half full when we arrived. Even if it were completely full I have never experienced such a shortage of item availability at a restaurant ever, not even ones where I ve had to wait 2 hours in line for reserve 2 months in advance for because it was so busy. We also felt that this should have been communicated to us before we were seated as almost every item on the menu was missing ingredients or could not be made at all. We ordered pancakes after which our server informed us that they may not have pancakes and she will check. We said if they don t have pancakes we will have waffles. Our server did not return to inform us that they did not indeed have pancakes but instead brought us the waffles. We were of course fine with the waffles but were unhappy that we were left to guess what we were getting and she never returned to tell us if they had pancakes or not. Lastly, as I mentioned before my friend never had a full glass of water. After our meal we asked for more water as it was never refilled. However, we eventually left the restaurant without our water ever being refilled. I totally understand understaffing issues especially if the restaurant were busy, but it was not and we did not ask for much besides water, were patient and adjusted our orders based on availability of food. However we definitely felt that communication was poor and service definitely left something to be desired. The food itself was delicious thought visually nothing really exciting (I didn t even take any photos of the food). Originally I had this restaurant booked as a backup for Fathom for my mom s 65th birthday and I am extremely glad that Fathom worked out and that we did not come here for her special occasion Unfortunately would not recommend and will not return
Had the Christmas dinner with my partner and mom! Was delicious and wait staff was courteous and efficient.
So, Im currently sitting in The Courtney Room, having the Chefs tasting menu. We sat down at 515pm and now its 730pm. Weve ONLY had 3 courses, and two extra courses because I explained that we were getting hangry from waiting. They are short staffed and that is understandable, however, the other tables around us are getting their meals in a timely manner. My friends and I see all the other tables have their food (as well as other tables also there for the Chefs tasting menu) yet our table sits empty from food. Also - it seems that the kitchen staff are heavy handed with sugar and sweeter ingredients but less so on the salty/umami ingredients. Everything so far has been unusually sweet. Not recommended for their tasting menu.
Creative menu and great wine selection
Almost 3 hours for a 3 course meal not very happy food was good took all night
Very good service, food was good but my husband and I both thought the portions were small.
Came in excited to try the dine around lunch menu heavily promoted on their Instagram. When we arrived on Saturday the menu was different and they refused to honour the menu promoted online. Very unwilling to help and very unapologetic. We had already driven downtown and payed for parking. We and another couple seated beside us walked out.
Always happy when I dine here, and the last time was no exception. We sat at the bar, having arrived with no reservation on a Saturday evening. While many restaurants were doing limited menus for Dine Around Victoria, Courtney Room was still offering a full menu. We shared the kale salad and ravioli, which were both done perfectly. We also shared the cake dessert, which, alas, was a mere speck of cake and would have been better eaten by just one person. It was good, just not very much to it. Wine list and cocktails here are amazing. Service is friendly and attentive -- and in my experience, near flawless. The decor is hip, the vibe is fun and sleek... you cant go wrong.
The brunch menu wouldnt allow any substitutions which seemed abit ridiculous. The fries were super skinny and gross. Burger bun had no sauce. Lots of wierd food combinations that made most things seem abit off. And I swear to god the aoli was like thousand island dressing. Def tasted like and looked like it had ketchup mixed into it and was vinegary. I dont think anyone of our group of 16 was pleased with the service or food. The waitress talked in very quietly and when we couldnt hear her she would repeat herself in the exact same volume. My friend couldnt hear her and when he said he had looked at the menu she literally said. Well Im glad you looked at it but do you know what you want? And wierdly only brought water to one side of the long table and everytime I asked for a refill she would start at the side with the water and refill everyones cup and as I was at the end she pour the last bit into my cup so I never had more than half a cup regardless of being the only one to make the request. Honestly kind of a joke considering how much they charge for their dinner menu. It looked nice. There was an awful ringing coming from the bathroom area. Our waittress was socially awkward and kind of rude. The food wasnt good. Would not go back for a $27 burger.
Visited last night for our 10 year anniversary and all expectations were met or exceeded. We did the tasting menu and I highly recommend it. Service, ambiance, food and wine were all fantastic. Really appreciate the experience.
We went there tonight for a Valentine s dinner. It was not a good experience. I am not a fancy eater, so I had the dry aged burger. It arrived raw in the centre. They took it back and then deliver the most overcooked, angry chef burger. My wife s meal was supposed to be a pasta shellfish with saffron tomato consumé (spelling) that was served lukewarm. The redone dish was still the same. $100.00 Dessert was decent and complementary because of the poor food. The wine was good. Staff handled the situation as best they could. But I would not recommend it and I certainly will not be going back.
The food was amazing, really enjoyed the experience.
Ill be honest here; seeing some of the reviews for the Courtney Room I was a little concerned going into my partners birthday dinner. I was looking for a nice place that would offer a spectacular night out that wouldnt leave us disappointed. TCR knocked it out of the park! Interesting cocktails, great starters, stunning mains (one of the best steaks Ive ever had), a great wine selection and fun desserts too! Is this the most expensive dinner Ive ever paid for? Yes. Was it worth it? I definitely think so! Will be back the next time Im in the city.
Awesome as always.
First time ever and was blown away! Fantastic food and everything is pretty much from local farms. We will definitely be coming back.
Boring, sterile and aseptic. Could be any hotel bar anywhere. Or a hospital, if they had bars.
A bit disappointing for brunch. Options were limited, and food were just ok-ish. Very high up environment and I guess that s why it s over priced.
Just by chance, my husband and I chose The Courtney Room for dinner. Our server, Veronica was absolutely wonderful. She was very respectful in dealing with my food allergy. Everything is made in house. The ravioli and meatballs was outstanding. This is my first time visiting Victoria and Veronica was such a warm welcoming presence. She suggested a lot of fun things to check out around town. What a great start to our vacation!
The fresh made food was terrific. Our server Veronica went out of her way with my wifes food allergy. They had the best meatballs and ravioli.
Memorable experience diving in a beautiful sensorial exploration. Starting with an extraordinary cocktail called MOON + TIDE 18. (Suntory Toki, apricot brandy, lemon, koji syrup, cherry bitters, coniferous smoke) which kissed my senses - the prince in that fairytale style - and I woke up in a sunny fruit garden full of delicate smoke. I love it when food does that, first wakes you up the most wonderful way and invites you for a sensual journey, teleports you somewhere unreal and the only thing you can do is let go and explore: what an incredible melting beef short ribs, crispy outside yet wonderfully moist potatoe s rectangle inside- carrot, salsify and kale. A side of duck confit rillettes style. Everything so perfectly baked. For wine pairing, the sommelier s advices added to my journey, his second choice was a success. Each sensations in my palate had both more depth and space to develop. I caught myself slow down and focus on my senses. We concluded the journey with a brownie and beets which was very pretty and we loved the pate de fruits. Truly amazing restaurant. Thank you so much for the experience. The journey was exceptional. Very friendly staff. Memorable. Yeah but the bill went to a little over 200 for 2 all included. Worth spending the money ? YES. ABSOLUTELY.
Excellent beverages, service and ambience!!! Will definitely be back!
Amazing cocktails and equally amazing service!!
Great food. At this price is not expensive at all taking into account the quality and the taste of the food(including wine paring). A must go place in Victoria!
I had the most wonderful experience from start to finish booking the Courtney Room for my grandmothers 90th birthday dinner. I was met with enthusiasm, flexibility, and warmth from Greg, the reservations manager. The entire party of 14 had such a good time, and we all loved the food so much. The wait staff came out as a team to serve everyone at once which meant no one was left waiting for their meal, and the flow was fantastic. The cocktails were delicious and Colin, the sommelier, took the time to go through the extensive wine list with those who ordered wine. Overall, Id give this restaurant 10/5 stars if possible! Thank you all so much for the fantastic and memorable dining experience!
We landed at this place after a horrible experience at a restaurant down the street. The staff and food at the Courtenay Room was amazing. Customer service was top notch and so was the food. This was the best accident that happened on our trip to Victoria. Thank you for turning our night around Hayley and staff, we appreciated it! Dietary restrictions: They are amazing about this, asked about any allergies without being prompted.
We had an amazing meal here! The staff was fantastic, especially Hailey! The food was expertly presented and everyone raved about their meal.
Good God. Plan to be here for hours. Breakfast is not difficult but it is slow.
The food was good, but the whole experience was not worth the money. We ordered the special (steak to share) the waiter explained all the accompaniments we would receive but we ended up only getting the regular steak to share on the menu.. We ended up waiting over an hour for our meals, which were underwhelming. The waiter told us oh I was waiting for you to finish your salad to bring out the other meals . We didn t realize she had to finish her salad before the other food could come out. They did however recognize we didn t really enjoy our meals and gave us two desserts. This restaurant has the appearance of a really incredible restaurant, but did not live up to the expectations Considering the service (waiter was condescending, probably because we weren t dressed up like everyone else in the restaurant), he brought us the bill and then disappeared for 20 mins. We finally decided to get up to leave and pay on our way out because he was just chatting about his horses with another table and showing them pictures on his phone. When he saw we were upset he gave us another excuse I thought the manager was coming by to take your payment . Don t waste your money here, there are way better restaurants in this city that don t cost $400 for a steak and potatoes.
Had an amazing dinner here last week! I m still dreaming of the chocolate cake almond dipped dessert thingy it was to date the best dessert I have ever had ever! The pricing isn t for the faint of heart but the experience makes it more then worth it :)
Food was very good but the service staff were unable to answer questions about the menu. When asked for a recommendation, our server said I dont know I dont eat meat
Excellent alcohol, excellent service and atmosphere. Fancy and welcoming at the same time, I had amazing first impression when I walked in. Food was disappointing though. Everything was too salty. I ordered the striploin, the scallops, the day s catch (moon fish) and a bunch of side dish. The only decent dish was the potatoes courtney lmao I won t come back for the food, unfortunately. Excellent service though, I have never seen a waiter who loves his job, or at least seems like it.
We ate here every day during our week at the Magnolia. Breakfast, brunch, and late dinner. Food was outstanding. Their hot sauce is l ade in house and is incredible. The compote was fresh and delicious. Wonderful spirits and drinks for less than the stuffier Empress. Also quieter. More intimate. We were impressed!
One of the last fine dining establishments in Victoria, BC. By far the best experience I have had dining out here. From the ambiance to the expert gastronomic knowledge of the staff, to the decor and the food and drinks itself. Johnny our waiter, is the star of this place. Perfect for a special occasion to remember. Dietary restrictions: They mentioned that there are strict measures to avoid all nuts in the kitchen.
Brian the the chef and Kyla the server along with the rest of the team made this meal the standard that we will judge all others. Really great experience, we will see you next time.
Dont be fooled by the looks. Its a nice room. Mediocre food that doesnt live up to the overstated menu descriptions. Service is fine. But for the price, this is two stars compared to peers in the same range.
We stayed at Magnolia Hotel for 4 nights, which this is the hotel restaurant. The entire experience dining here was fantastic! We thoroughly enjoyed Chef s Tasting Menu for dinner one night and breakfast each morning. Highly recommend!
I dont know what the other items on the menu are like but the burger is terrible, very greasy fries, too bad because its a nice place.
The lobby was really warm in the summer afternoon. Steak tasted not good. The Keg s steak is better. Cod tasted bad. I had a big cake and they charged $5 per person but served a very tiny piece for each portion. Won t be here again and won t recommend it to any my friends
We came in for drinks prior to a reservation at another restaurant. The hostess and bartenders were all amazing as were the drinks. I wish we had stayed for dinner. Next time!
Weve been to a few Michelin restaurants and think The Courtney Room definitely has the potential to be on the Guide with some star. We had the Tasting Menu with Wine Pairing, Oysters and 35 Day Dry Aged Steak. We just LOVE every single dish!! The size of the Tasting Menu dishes might appear on the small end but there are 6-7 courses in total including a dessert plus one glass of wine with each course so VERY fulfilling. The 35 Day Dry Aged Steak is a MUST! Its flavor and aroma are the best weve ever had in our life and the price is beyond reasonable. Every dish is a perfect balance of art, visual presentation, flavor, creativity and palate sensations. We enjoy listening to the team explaining the dishes, the list ingredients and the origin of the wine being paired. Its such an amazing food experience. All the knowledge adds so much flavor and our respect to the food. We also had the honor to meet Chef Brian Tesolin himself, the man behind all the magical dishes and made our night. We spent almost four hours to finish our entire Tasting Menu. It was a huge challenge to keep our three year old busy and staying seated. Chef Tesolin made him the worlds best Mac & Cheese. His team took great care of us and were so kind and patient. Our toddler boy enjoyed the night as much as we did. Big thanks to Chef Tesolin and his very professional and lovely team from the bottom of our heart. We had one of the best culinary experiences here and highly and cant say enough about our experience with The Courtney Room. We highly recommend the restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable night--be it for a special occasion, celebration or the highlight of your Victoria trip like us. Below is our review in Chinese as we think everyone should know about The Courtney Room - Elegantly decorated, hidden under the famous Victoria SPA Hotel, The Courtney Room is a restaurant with great Michelin potential! I highly recommend their Tasting Menu, the chef s surprise set meal: a total of 6-7 dishes. The restaurant will call the day before to ask if you have any dietary preferences or allergies. Each dish is completely creative, taste buds, visual, and art of presentation. Enjoy! It is highly recommended to add wine pairing for an additional price - each dish will be paired with a suitable glass of wine, which is super delicious! ! If you like steak, don t miss their 35-day aged steak, which has great flavor! ! ! Considering the quality of the beef and the aging process and other time costs, their prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend The Courtney Room to gourmets who love gourmet food. It is not inferior to many high-end restaurants on Vancouver Island that are twice as expensive. If you are dining with children, you can order Mac & Cheese cheese noodles, super fragrant cheese, and hand-made pasta. The roll noodles tasted really good. Our boy was so happy eating it that he stayed with us for almost four hours!
Excellent sommelier, great experience.
Stick to the hot dishes. This place was talked up by both locals and the internet and it did NOT up to the hype. We had the tasting menu which we were really excited for. Usually a tasting menu is small portions of exquisite food. This was tiny portions of extremely mediocre food. I will say that the two hot dishes - the pasta and lamb - were very good but the flavours were nothing new. Everything was just blah. The one redeeming quality of the restaurant was the sommelier. I didn t catch his name but he was so enthusiastic and the pairings were excellent. The couple next to us got what looked like an incredible steak dish so maybe the non tasting menu is good? Overall this place is absolutely not worth the price.
From the moment we arrived at The Courtney Room we were greeted with warm, friendly and professional service. The decor and atmosphere were stunning and elegant with a casual feel. Colin, on our wine pairing. Was knowledgable as well as passionate about his craft, Travis and Veronica were approachable and on point every step of the way during our experience. We will definitely be back. Well done Courtney Room.
This was my 7th visit to the Courtney Room. I keep returning because the breakfasts are very good in the morning and drinks are very good in the evening. Unfortunately, Ive never received either without a significant wait time between ordering and delivery. Today, I waited 20 minutes for a continental breakfast to be served which is the norm. Servers are very friendly, but no one gets in a hurry. So, come for the great food, but make sure you have time to wait.
Perfect food, perfect service.
Fantastic meal.
Stayed at the Magnolia Hotel and Spa for a few nights and stopped by the Courtney Room on Thursday morning for coffee and a quick Bloody Caesar. Those were both great but Mackenzie behind the bar was what kept me there for over an hour - they provided great local insider knowledge of how and where to enjoy Victoria, amazing service, but most importantly just funny AF. Thanks Mackenzie!
My husband and I were staying at the hotel and decided to have dinner at the restaurant, what a great idea. We really enjoyed the food, the service and the atmosphere. Everything was wonderful, we promised we will be back soon. Food
Really put together menu and wonderful knowledge of food chemistry that was evident in each and every bite. The service was excellent and the bar was fabulous. We had the seafood linguine which was out of the world. I was expecting something with a tomato-based sauce but it was really delicate with a hint of truffles. I really recommend it. Dont forget to try the non-alcoholic drinks, in case you are not into alcohol.
Always one of my all time favorite places to go. I was honored to be remembered by staff and that made our visit that much more enjoyable. The food never disappoints. 5 star food, service and atmosphere every time !! Kid-friendliness: The kids on the next table were treated like royalty. You could see they enjoyed !
Previous visits all very good. 5th visit and typical of Victoria and its lack of consistency, things got weird. Lovely server. A bit busy, but very pleasant. Read the menu. No wine list. We got one. The menu looked similar. We are here two weeks ago (our 4th visit). No chicken. No prawn bisque. Okay. Caviar, excellent. We ordered the scallops we had last visit. They were so good. What we got was completely different small dish, sliced scallops. Good but not what we expected. The small dollop of crème fresh with the caviar was so nice my wife asked if she could get the recipe. Hey it worked at Jean Georges, but not in old Victoria. Declined! lol Fair enough, but it was frigging crème fresh! Why was the scallop dish changed ? The chef likes to mix things up. Maybe less mixing up, purchase enough chicken and prawns lol He s a bit of a diva I said. She just smiled. Our 5th visit and last.
What a great place for breakfast! Elegant, modern design, a lovely environment to start the day. The food was exceptional - the Smoked Salmon Benny, with greens, was superb, a wonderful blend of flavors. The service was excellent too - Mackenzie was attentive, warm, with a great positive attitude.
Great food with the best ingredients you can get! ( small portions, although )overall, the staff was great, but the server was rude a couple of times, impacting the experience and making the group quite uncomfortable.
Delicious breakfast
This is a great place right at the core of downtown Victoria. Very nice and fancy atmosphere and food is good. The cocktail menu is short, but high quality, I had the sea bird cocktail and it was very well balanced and fresh. Highly recommended. The fixed price menu for lunch is decent on price and food is good and enough for one person.. not much waste which is good. Dessert was hazelnut brownie... delicious. Very balanced not too sweet and with amaretto on the rocks, that one was just the perfect combo
The Courtney room is so whack. My partner and I went there and paid over $50 for two dirty martinis during happy hour. For gin that costs $50 a bottle. My dad made reservations for brunch there for 10 people and didn t get proper service for at least 30 minutes after they sat down and were super rushed into preferring because brunch was coming to an end. Also they charged $15 per person to cut a cake he brought!!! He wrote them and email and NEVER HEARD BACK. Y all suck at service. Do better
I went in for dinner the other night, and counted 2 rats run through the dining room. I got up and left within 15 minutes as it was so unsettling and disgusting to eat at a place that had rats. Imagine the kitchen and the amount that are loose in there. This place should be shut down by health services! Me and my husband will not be coming back.
I was in for lunch last week, as the service was satisfactory I got really sick after eating here and now that I see there is reviews of this place having a rat problem, no wonder I got sick. This is somewhere I will cross off my list of coming back to at least until the health and safety board does an inspection and deals with there rodent infestation.
Very busy and crowded but tasty meals.
TRADITIONAL FINE DINNING, finish all your appetizers first otherwise you will never get your main course. We waited one hour for our main courses and server even made mistake with our order, had to wait for another 15mins. Cauliflowers were overcooked, some of them were burned like rock, linguine was bland and steak was dry. Portion is small, not worth every penny.
My partner and I spent an evening here for her most recent birthday and every aspect of the experience was sublime. The dining room is spotless and the food is the best Ive eaten in Victoria by a wide margin. Everyone who served us, from the wait staff to the manger, was professional and engaging. Best fine dining in town, hands down. Dietary restrictions: We mentioned dietary restrictions when we made our reservation and the awesome team here never needed a reminder.
My partner and I visited a few nights ago for our anniversary and enjoyed the tasting menu and wine pairings. We love tasting/chef menus where we get to just sit down and be fed, not having to decide what to eat or even know what will be plated in front of us. We have enjoyed them across Canada but this was our first time indulging in Victoria. The Courtney Room did not disappoint, we shared 7? beautiful courses. The flavours and textures were great on all. We spent about 3 hours here and enjoyed the entire meal and did not feel that this was too long to sit and share. I specifically chose this restaurant as their main menu featured so much local seafood and I had hoped it would feature. It did. I had been worried it would have a steak or some Alberta beef, it did not. The wine and the food were all amazing and unique. This was the first time that Ive enjoyed a tasting menu where there was a sommelier to serve and introduce each wine. They had fantastic descriptions, details, history and tasting notes with each one, the energy they shared was infectious. The food was all fantastic, but except for a very brief intro as to what we were about to eat the connection to the chef wasnt there. This was probably the best wine pairing Ive ever had but I wish the sharing and describing of the food was as the same level. Parking: Lots of paid on-street parking and several parkades nearby
Rebecca was one of the best servers Ive had she had such amazing customer service and made my experience above and beyond. Ill definitely be back for lunches soon. Vegetarian options: Lots of Vegan options Dietary restrictions: Was amazing for me being Celiac
My partner and I had a small wedding reception here last Sunday and Renée and her team were great. They were very accommodating and Food, drinks and atmosphere were divine. I highly recommend this place.
We had a lovely evening out for drinks with a group of 6. Excellent service, decent cocktails. Unfortunately, after paying, our entire table realized after tipping our server that there was already a 20% service charge added and not brought to our attention. That leaves a bad taste in your mouth, paying over $60 for $37 in drinks.
We had a great experience with the tasting menu at The Courtney Room. The food was amazing and the storytelling that went with the wine pairing was superb. Our Sommelier, Colin, did an outstanding job pairing the wines with the courses. The food was delicious and the flavors were layered and each bite yielded a slightly different flavor that kept our taste buds fresh and eager for more. The only ding was there was a period where we had a long wait between courses, but given how slow we were eating that was completely understandable. We will be back again to see how the tasting menu continues to evolve as the seasons change. This is a great place for a couple to enjoy a delicious meal in a wonderful setting.
My friends and I enjoyed a nice evening at this restaurant. The atmosphere was wonderful, the wine selection impressive, and the food was fantastic. The overall service, including timing and the assistance of the sommelier, was excellent. However, our experience was marred by an unwelcoming and condescending server. Despite our politeness in requesting a table adjustment due to last-minute cancellations, the response was unexpectedly dismissive and unnecessarily snarky, leaving us all feeling uncomfortable. The servers condescending tone during menu explanations was also off-putting. Although it indicated a 20% autogratuity on the bill, the server did not communicate this to us and there was no acknowledgment or gratitude after we settled the bill. While we appreciate the positive aspects of our visit, the servers attitude left a lasting negative impression. A bit more humility would go a long way in enhancing the overall dining experience.
We had the privilege to dine with The Courtney Room this weekend for my partners birthday. To start we were welcomed with refreshing cocktails from the bar. We had opted for the Chefs tasting menu and it did not disappoint. Every course was thoughtful and delicious, and to add to the experience we did the wine pairings which were described so elegantly in detail every course. The service we received was truly above and beyond and it was a pleasure to dine and celebrate here.
Sucks to find out that the kitchen is closed when the menu says until closing and closing is at 11 PM.
Great restaurant for our anniversary!
The tasting menu... you must do the tasting menu...with the wine paring. It was likely the best meal weve had. The food was unbelievable and the education we got on the wines that were offered from the solmonier was fabulous. By far the best value. Its expensive but more than worth it. Better than Il Terrazo. And thats saying something.
Lovely spot for breakfast in the morning and cocktails in the evening. Food was great and the service was stellar. Visited on numerous occasion and had different servers each time and they were all exceptional
Expect to pay, but its a great place and amazing drinks.
What a fantastic meal. Did the tasting menu with the wine pairings, and it was excellent from start to finish. A great experience overall.
Took my team to the Courtney room for our holiday party and they completely spoiled us. The food, the service, the ambiance was incredible. We had the most amazing evening. What an unbelievable cocktail menu and the seafood tower was unreal. I cannot recommend them enough. Easily one of the best places in victoria to eat and stay. Also my husband and I stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the breakfast. So perfect!
Nice room with a menu that was shaped to maximize the experience. Our server was...unhappy to have a family out for a pleasant evening? And, was determined to show us how much we were out of place. While oysters and scallops were...fine, the mains disapointed. My lamb dish was unrecognizable, the sauce was the dish rather than the lamb, was it in fact, lamb? Carrot sides were different, & nice. The steak was cooked to temp, but salty.. Drinks were slow coming. All in, wait a bit and look for updates from others. Kid-friendliness: Not for children.
You don t have to be a guest at The Magnolia (Victoria s top boutique hotel), but do visit this place. We ve been to New York, Paris, Rome, Girona and other big cities and this little gem of a restaurant in wee Victoria BC gives the same vibe. They have an amazing continental breakfast menu, but if you are a big eater, they have a menu for that as well! The oatmeal smoothie is a must order. Go eat here, you will love the friendly and unassuming staff.
Food and drinks were all great quality. Friendly staff and beautiful decor. Brunch menu seemed like there were no wrong options. Enjoy!
Vegetarian options: Decent options Food
Based on reviews and location, I expected a higher end experience, with beautiful food. Chicken and waffles were meh, eggs benny was underwhelming, hashbrowns were just frozen deep fried cubes, you would expect homeade, was told kitchen couldnt accomodate fried onions for hashbrowns.Service was nothing special, coffee was good quiality. I dont know, it was just mediocre. We love dining out, and dknt mind paying well for food, but it has to be good food. Lots of way better options around victoria. I have been meaning to go here for years, but I wont be back.
I have been the The Courtney Room for brunch, happy hour, and dinner, and I have never been disappointed. The food is fantastic, and they have numerous gluten free options if you require gluten free (even a separate fryer). A piece of advice - you MUST get the potatoes courtney - they are literally out of this world. They have a fully stocked bar and can make you just about any drink, and they have a cocktail list that features unique drinks which regularly changes. I would highly recommend The Courtney room for a special occasion dinner, happy hour drinks with friends, or a nice weekend brunch.
Service was not great at all. Waited 20 mins just to get our drink order taken and felt very neglected the whole night. Manager dealt with the whole situation poorly. The food was great, however won t be coming back.
Spoke to the manager as sightly concerned scores for this restaurant had dropped slightly recently and was reassured nothing had changed. Meal was interesting, excellent and unusual as testing menus should be and flight of wines perfectly balanced to the food. Staff knowledgeable and attentive. A very pleasant evening in a lovely hotel!
We reserved a table for a special occasion, they tried putting us in a dark corner. Which we complained about right away, then were seated to a nice window seat. Our food after sitting for an hour finally arrived. Eggs benny, even though it does say paprika hollandaise, did not expect it to be so much paprika it was to hot to enjoy. The BLACK KALE & AVOCADO BENNY (two poached farm eggs, salsa verde, smoked paprika hollandaise, house made ricotta, lemon, chili, english muffin) had no ricotta, at least none we could find and so much kale that 1/2 had to be taken off. Over all for a late Mothers day brunch, we were very very disappointed
After an outstanding meal a few months ago, I had to return to confirm this place was truly as good as I remember - that was certainly proved to be the case again this time. I would (and in fact did) travel across the country to eat here and definitely loved the experience. The food is a wonderful expression of fresh PNW that deftly integrates world cuisine with local bounty. Chef is not afraid of expressive flavour or spice - in a very good way. Each bite reflects a balance of sweet, salty, bitter, spice and umami as required. I say when required because Chef has no problem using dominant flavours at times (scallop in spicy XO sauce) while equally posessing a light touch in presenting perfect ingredients with minimal intervention (think spot prawn served simply with fir butter). That kind of ability to be both dominant and simplistic is a challenging delivery in todays fine dining scene that Chef navigates seemingly with ease (but I suspect is far more hard wrought than one would suspect). The presentation is awesome, every time - offering eye popping presentation that stimulates more than just the palate. But to end there would negate the support offered from the bar and cellar. Cocktails are unique and interesting and shouldnt be missed. Unless, of course youre saving room for the outstanding offerings from their wine cellar, which carves our a respectable space for BC juice alongside international vintages. I personally love the expression of terroir in BC wine and, when served with the kind of fresh, local ingredients showcased here, truly underscore the bounty BC offers. This restaurant is simply wonderful from top to bottom. Thank you.
Fantastic food with very rich flavor. Definitely not just a plate of food with some seasonings that you could get from a local grocery store. You can easily tell the food is prepared by an experienced and professional cook. The service is good, you can certainly expect a casual fine dining experience. Spaces between tables is a disaster though. The restaurant is always quite busy so I can understand it. Overall, very recommended.
Great food
Nice setting but brunch was just okay. I had the crab and Gruyère omelette, and the waffle. I enjoyed them but would try another brunch place next time.
VERY disappointing! ordered: WAFFLES - on menu said - fruit compote, whipped cream, poached fruit, candied walnuts * - COLD, with blueberries, No fruit compote and NO poached fruit NO candied walnuts ; waiter did not refill water glasses :(
Not a great tasting menu. Ive done quite a few over the years at different restaurants and this one was the worst. They tried to be inventive but those dishes landed flat. For the price the food wasnt very good, and it took a long time. A 4 plate tasting menu took almost 3 hours. There was quite a bit of down time. I was not impressed. The most redeemable part of the experience were the mocktails they had. Those were very good.
You need to add this place to your list for spectacular food and beverages! In talking with the head chef (whom I dont know at all, but frequently comes out to talk to the guests; kudos to that), they are constantly reinventing their menus.
Food was good, but had we been told the kitchen was running an 1 1/2 - 2 hours behind, we wouldve understood the delay. Instead, the server started off very attentive but after our appetizers came out which was pretty quick, and were cleared from our table, she didnt check on us until our mains were dropped off. It was 1 1/2 hours. Someone other than our server kept our wine and waters topped up but that was it. No attempt to apologize or comp even a dessert. Pretty disappointed as this came highly recommended by our hotel who had made the reservation for us
The venue is very nice, the staff are even nicer, the food is passable, but I wouldnt recommend it for picky eaters, theres a lot to be picky about sadly
Food was excellent up until we had our entrees. Both my date and I found that the fish was simply not to our liking. The flavours weren t really meshing together for us. As soon as I brought this up with our waiter after we both had one bite, the entire service was turned upside down. We received only one word answers from our waiter and snarky comments. She even left mid sentence while I was trying to apologize to her as it wasn t my goal to upset her. She couldn t even hand us our bill at the end of service and had to get another staff member to give us the check. An absolutely disgraceful finish to a fantastic start of a meal.
Dietary restrictions: Service was outstanding, and they have many gluten-free options. The food was delicious. Prices ranged from $15 - $26 for breakfast, but each dish our party ordered was well worth the money.
Amazing food and the bar service is top shelf.
Absolutely delicious meal and lovely service! Will be back!
Had the vegan three course Christmas Eve tasting menu, the food was amazing and the ambiance was nice however for the price point we found the overall experience disappointing. The service was good but lacked the refinement you would expect at the price point and that we ve had at other restaurants. Additionally the salad and entree (essentially another salad) were great however again for the price point it was lacking. We enjoyed the wine and cocktails. Do not plan on returning anytime soon. To update my review - our final meal price was over $400 for a bottle of wine, three courses, two cocktails and tip . The most expensive meal we ve had out and definitely not in our top five dining experiences. Still stickers shocked given the level of service and two salads. The problems with service included - no printed menu for the vegan option, getting flat water despite asking for sparkling, having a wine bottle dropped on our feet. The response from the owner is even disappointing, at least it solidifies my choice to not return.
These guys really know their stuff! We had the tasting menu with wine pairings (added caviar and champagne to the list). The food was incredible, presentation was creative and beautiful and sommelier was very informative and passionate about the pairings. So glad we decided to go here! Will be back
Delicious food. I was there for a business meeting.
It s ok. Great atmosphere and nice staff Food portions are small so the assumption is that the quality would be fantastic you would be wrong as the asparagus is wilted and the scallops lightly flavoured. All the food came lukewarm which is my overall feeling about this place. Edit: I m changing the rating from 3 to 4 because the breakfast is quite good! Came here twice. Had the smoked salmon Benny and the shakshuka. Both are highly recommended!
Not for folks on a tight budget, but the food and service is top notch.
Amazing dining experience - outstanding cocktails and delicious sablefish.
Last month, my husband and I spent a week in Victoria, and we hit The Courtney Room at least once a day. The breakfast was incredible, Happy Hour was a blast, and I havent stopped thinking about the aged steak dinner since. Servers were great, and we were particularly impressed with the bar staff - specifically Anton, Dylan, Eric and Kate were unreal. We havent stopped talking about it or recommending it to others. Will be back!
Delicious food and quick home service!
Breakfast at The Courtney Room is not to be missed. We stopped for breakfast on a whim. What a wonderful experience. Absolutely 1st class service. The food was impeccable. You must try the Salmon Benny! One of the most innovative and delicious breakfast offerings I have had the pleasure of trying. Not to be missed is the basic Courtney Room Breakfast. Every item was prepared to perfection. Each bite a wonderful experience. Take the time to put this one on your must-visit list.
Ambiance was congruent with what we expected. Greg, the Maitre D was charming and determined to please. Emma, our server was an absolute jewel. Our selection of appetizers all arrived beautifully arranged and the flavour combinations were like a walk in a garden. We left feeling light, refreshed and welcomed. Well done, team!
We hosted our rehearsal dinner at The Courtney Room on Sept. 2, and to make a long story short, the Courtney Room is incredible! I want to extend a HUGE thank you to the servers and staff that worked during our dinner they really made the night completely perfect. The service was warm, thoughtful, and extraordinarily attentive. We had a pre fixe menu for the event, and the food was all wonderful. The duck was tender and mouth watering, the pasta was creamy and delightful, the shortrib was rich and craveworthy, and the vegetables and salad were all so fresh I could have sworn it was all picked from the garden 5 minutes ago. We also had a selection of BC wines that pleased the crowd enough to elicit comments several days after Tantalus is my personal favorite, and we were so excited that Courtney Room had it in their cellar. I also want to extend a special thanks to Renée, who helped us coordinate the dinner 3 months ahead of the wedding it was a huge load off our shoulders while planning the rest of the wedding. We can t wait to visit Victoria and the Courtney Room again!
We had a great Sunday Brunch at the Courtney Room. The staff was super friendly and the food and drinks were amazing. Our server, Jaya, went above and beyond to make sure we had an incredible experience and made the start to our day awesome. We highly recommend stopping here for a great meal and a great atmosphere.
Underwhelmed. We went for Mother s Day brunch and it was really nothing special. Their cappuccino was velvety and delicious, but everything else was a bit of disappointment. I had heard some many good things about their brunch over the years but I didn t live up to my expectations, unfortunately. They do, however have great, fresh oysters for dinner.
I wish I was a food blogger because I know this post is not going to do the food or staff here justice. We had the tasting menu and my wife had the wine pairing. For health reasons I cannot drink, so I had a non-alcoholic beverage and it was amazing! My wife raved about the wines as well. The food... *reminiscent sigh*. The food was phenomenal. There arent enough food related adjectives in the English language to accurately describe the experience of eating here. Every course was a rollercoaster of flavors, textures, and presentation. The servers were professional, fun, and excited about the food they put in front of you. If youre in Victoria and you dont eat here, I simply feel sorry for you. It seems sad to experience all of the beauty and magic of Victoria without adding The Courtney Room to your list.
A wonderful place to enjoy a great cuisine Parking: Close by
Unfortunately, I had quite the poor experience going for dinner with my wife and her sisters. Although the food was excellent (which does deserve credit), my overall rating was biased by 2 factors: 1) our waiter made a very rude comment to my wife that was deserving of a censored response; and 2) it took almost 1.5 hrs for us to get our mains. I should note that the other staff were great and very welcoming; however, this one particular individual ruined my evening. I will personally never go back nor will I recommend the Courtney Room to any of my family or friends.
Delicious tasting menu! The cocktails were delicious and the wine pairing went wonderfully with the food.
Very disappointed with the food services. Waited 30 minutes and burger bun came out soggy.
Nice atmosphere, really good drinks provided by the best bartenders, Anton and Eric From classic cocktails, the best fancy corn dog and one of the most unique cocktails I have ever had, the Mind Hive. Happy hour runs from 2 to 5. Loved The Cortney Room.
Service was good but the food was so so in my opinion....went again today Never again
High end gourmet dining. A little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for
Omg the seafood is amazing! So fresh!
Had a great time at the Courtney Room! Kate was amazing and made me an unreal cocktail. Thanks for the great experience.
All the dishes we had were done perfectly especially steak! It was spectacular. The service is also amazing! Would love to go here again
Amazing service and food.