Ugly Duckling Dining & Provisions in Victoria

This place was soooo good I m soooo full yum yum yum be nice to them and have a good meal you lucky but ugly duck Vegetarian options: Had a vegetarian tasting menu

Every time I have dined here, Chef Corbin and his team have created the most perfect dining experience. From the exquisite culinary presentations to the carefully selected menu (I usually do Omakase), the customer is treated like royalty. I ve recommended many friends here and every group has been fantastically happy and impressed. To dine here really is a remarkable experience! Dietary restrictions: Chef is always accommodating of dietary restrictions Parking: Street parking is free after 8pm Wheelchair accessibility: Street level

Best meal of 2024 for us! That says it all.

Only the best will do! I booked Ugly Duck restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. As a pescatarian, i often worry about a tasting menu! THE TASTING MENU WAS perfect. As the owner who also wears the apron as chef, forager, floor sweeper & glass polisher, he attends tables to explain each dish. The chanterelles were so tasty with the sweet corn/miso/rice pudding. Each of my dishes were exceptional ..try the menu yourself and enjoy what the Ugly Duckling can create!

Just had a fabulous meal at The Ugly Duckling. It was amazing in so many ways.

Insane food Insane service Insane atmosphere Our new favourite in Victoria. Wow

We had the most amazing experience here with the tasting menu. The food was delicious and every course felt special, purposeful and intricate. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and anticipated our needs. Highly recommend!

We had a lovely time enjoying the tasting menu in October. They modified my meal to be gluten friendly in a way that I never felt I was missing out.

Incredible and a unique experience! Definitely recommend trying this amazing restaurant

Delicious

We had a wonderful meal at Ugly Duckling. It was the highlight dinner of our three week holiday on Vancouver Island! The owner, Gorban (I believe), went above and beyond to make our meal memorable. We challenged him to find the perfect pairing for a Syrah wine and he delivered! Dietary restrictions: They were aware of Celiac disease and instilled confidence with their knowledge of cross contamination.

Chef and owner, Mathany, loves food and excellent service. He doesnt need to say it. Its in every delicious bite and every word as he describes each dish that he brings to the table himself. My partner and I had the tasting menu for my birthday. 2.5hrs felt like the perfect pace for the many courses. We had the nonalcoholic vanilla cream soda. Drinking the layers as they slowly mixed together was refreshing and sweet. Every morsel is thoughtful and well balanced. I noticed careful attention was paid to balancing flavours and textures. Tangy intentional hits of miso aioli on creamy savoury rice pudding. The salt of the dandan with the sweet of the onions. The softness of the dumpling with the crunch of the nuts. A lovely contrast between sous vide beef and stewed oxtail. I would describe the daikon as nothing short of inspiring. And P.S. He harvested the chantrelles himself! The cutlery and dishes frame each dish like a work of art. Like, they are so nice I literally picked up a dish to see what company it is. Our pallet cleanser, passion fruit sorbet, was served in an adorable ceramic DUCK FOOT. The butter poached halibut is served in a gorgeous giant half eggshell. The cutlery, which is refreshed at every course, sits in a little leaf-shaped holder. Plates being warmed or cooled to match the dish express orientation to detail. Dessert courseS, yes plural, were also one delight after another. Everything was the freshest of the fresh. The right amount of sweet, delicately spiced with a tantilizing mouthfeel to each dish. I have a habit of checking out the washroom at restaurants. And this one did not disappoint with touches like individual fabric towels and lightly scented lemon hand soap (I just hate it when restaurants have a musky smelling hand soap). Ill add that we had THREE occasions where he went above and beyond. I wont say them here so they dont become an expectation. Ill just say it was a very special experience and I felt so welcomed and well served. A really great birthday.

Great food. I thought there would be more a fusion aspect to the menu, but it was delicious and well prepared in any event.

Hard to choose a favourite from this fall tasting delight!

What a restaurant for Victoria! This was a truly special experience. Tasting menu was exceptional. The small offerings are made with so much detail and care. Of course you want more but then another equally interesting dish arrives. We certainly did not leave hungry. Such a thoughtful team effort in all aspects of the service. The pace between courses allows each dish to settle in. This is how eating out should be. Not just eating, but time between for conversation and no feelings of being rushed. I can t even imagine how every dish on every table is timed so perfectly. No photos from me but wonderful memories for sure.

The tasting menu is the way to go. Yes, its expensive but you get what you pay for - a unique dining experience, a wide array of wonderful food, great service, and intimate seating perfect for a small celebration dinner or date night. We loved every bite!

More hype than value. Very little selection which is not announced in advance so we had someone in our party who couldn t eat either choice of the main course. Portions are too small and the food not worth the price. There is no sound barrier so it gets quite loud when the small restaurant gets full. Service was good. This is not a place you visit twice.

Ate here with me and my wife and I honestly thought I was eating at a Michelin star restaurant. Incredible service, delectable food. Nothing but praise for Ugly Duckling

Disappointing and definitely not worth the price. The portions are ridiculously small and we had to find another restaurant after our meal there. Neither of us are big eaters so we opted for the 3 course option. Honestly I have had bigger portions at tapas restaurants. The courses were beautifully presented but not all that impressive. We had the custard for our appetizer and it was quite delicious. I had the pork medallions for my main and my partner had the halibut neither tasted as good as they looked. I had the matcha cheesecake for dessert and it was mediocre at best. The market on Yates makes much better cheesecake. The service was good but no better than other hi-end restaurants. I found the atmosphere cold, almost cafeteria like. Not at all suitable for a romantic dinner or conducive to intimate conversation. Definitely will never return.

Wish I could give 10 stars! Such kind staff and a great atmosphere, but the best part has to be the food. Its the kind of food you dream about when you get home and get excited at the thought of eating again. Theres just something so thoughtful about every bite on the plate! The worst part has to be knowing that the menu will change and you might have to wait to try it again - but thats simultaneously what makes the experience so special, and what makes you want to come back. Its going to be something new and probably even better!

The food was phenomenally cooked, it truly was a fine dining experience. Each dish combined many complex flavors that worked perfectly together. The fanciest meal I have had in Victoria!

Ive been here multiples times since it has opened, and it has been wonderful every time! Every dish was incredibly flavorful and their plating was beautiful. Such a great experience here, from their delicious food, to their fun and unique cocktails, to their friendly and helpful staff. I will continue to go back!

Best dinner experience I have had in Victoria. Good wine list as well.

What an amazing experience the food was absolutely delicious. Every dish was bursting with flavour. Hands down best food food hand in a long time

A perfect celebratory evening where gluten free was seamlessly accommodated (including home baked gluten free bread and pastries). The dishes were perfectly executed, a treat to the palate and the eye. The service was informed and welcoming with no pretension. The setting is warm and comfortable. Highly recommend Dietary restrictions: Gluten free

Food was stellar, delicious cocktails, very friendly staff but service was slow.

A total delight. Creative and delicious food - complex, beautifully balanced flavours with a nice nod to the Chinatown locale. Attentive, friendly, and unpretentious service. Warm and inviting space with a lot of nice little touches. We had the three course tasting menu and our only regret was not going for the six. The wine pairing was perfect - and we appreciated the focus on BC wines. Will definitely be back.

If you have the opportunity to go to Ugly Duckling you absolutely must take it. The service was outstanding, the atmosphere delightful and the food was out of this world - genuinely perfect.

We had an amazing experience tonight. Everything was fresh and delicious, the service was wonderful, and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Dietary needs were accommodated wonderfully. Our evening felt truly special and we look forward to returning for another special occasion!

Amazing dining experience. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The Cloud Nine cocktail was hands down the best cocktail I ve ever had (if you like gin, you need to try it). The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the space warm and tastefully decorated. Highly recommend!

This is the best restaurant in Victoria. The food is impeccable well-conceived, beautifully presented, and delicious. The dining experience is sophisticated without being pretentious or showy. The tasting menu is great, but I also love their new pop-up a la carte concept. Hopefully there will be more opportunities for this down the road. This is a small business doing things right.

Easily the best dining experience I ve ever had. Every detail was exquisite. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the food, drinks and wine pairings. The atmosphere was intimate, yet relaxed. The restaurant and bathrooms were clean. The tasting menu was like nothing I have ever experienced. All of the flavours and textures were delicious and the presentation was impressive. Everyone in our party had nothing but great things to say about the entire experience. This was definitely the highlight of our trip to Victoria! I highly recommend the ugly duckling!

Excellent food! We were given the second starter to try. A great team!

Came to the Ugly Duckling while on vacation in Victoria. Food, service and atmosphere were all top notch. Would highly recommend the tasting menu with wine pairings.

The tasting menu was exceptional. The finest food I have ever eaten in Victoria.

My wife and I just had an excellent dining experience at Ugly Duckling Restaurant in Chinatown the other night. We had the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairing. The food was outstanding, the tastes and presentation were easily Michelin star quality. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was very nice...not too loud so you cannot hear each other talk. Overall superb. Id say the best restaurant and dining experience in Victoria right now. Highly recommend a visit

Phenomenal!

Excellent restaurant, fantastic tasting menu. Shout out for Albacore Tuna, Duck Breast and BC Cherries.

Exception tasting menu and service recently. Handled my wifes food allergy even within the confines of the tasting menu. Numerous times the chef came by to chat and actually talk about a particular dish. Service was just as attentive. Wonderful last evening in Victoria.

Days before visiting Victoria, we had one of the best restaurant experiences yet. This set the bar relatively high for Ugly Duckling, and I wasnt sure what to expect when we arrived. I can confidently say this restaurant delivers. It is hands down the best restaurant in Victoria and a must-visit for anyone coming to the island. The food was outstanding, the ambiance was cozy, and the service was top-notch. Our server, Liam, was absolutely exceptional and made us feel right at home.

Best meal Ive had in Victoria

This is absolutely in the top 5 meals Ive ever eaten. My husband is saying top meal ever, but Im gonna wait a week and let it settle before I decide for sure. Regardless of where it lands, we both really loved this meal. Every course was different. They were carefully and beautifully flavored. The drinks were novel and tasty and the space was fancy but still completely comfortable. We went for the tasting menu, so I cant promise that anything we ate will be there for you, but I can give an idea of the range. The courses ranged from a custard that tasted like a warm hug from a fancy grandma, to an upscale take on an old classic, to a perfectly cooked piece of fish in a sauce that balanced fresh and rich flavors. There were tons of little thoughtful touches everywhere. The servers were the exact right amount of helpful and knowledgeable. They really seemed to value making the meal feel special, and it was. If any of you are reading this: Thank you.

We had a wonderful meal here to celebrate our wedding. My mother-in-law informed them that she was celiac, they catered a special menu for her. Even giving her their celiac bread recipe and allowing her to take the rest of the loaf home. They even ran up to the shop to get my fussy mother Diet Coke. Please visit if presented the opportunity.

I booked the restaurant for my birthday, they even printed happy birthday on the menu for me AND The tasting menu is incredible! Highly recommend for your special occasions!

Phenomenal menu. Favourite dishes were the Butter-Poached Halibut and Shitake Mushroom Custard, but really couldn t go wrong with any of it. Highly recommend trying the tasting menu.

As a Chef, it was extremely refreshing to know that places of this calibre are coming into the new world of gastronomy. Everything was executed with precision and artfully presented. Tastes of Asian and French worked flawlessly. Front of House support was attentive, friendly and au courant. I will be watching their progress from the states and absolutely returning when I get back to Canada.

Amazing food and an even better experience! Fantastic wine pairings!

Dont be fooled by the Ugly name! The meal and overall ambiance was simply perfect.

Dining here is an experience. It was delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, and lovely service. We will definitely be back next time we visit Victoria. They accommodated my dietary needs (gluten-free) in ways that felt above and beyond. Stunning.

Recently went here for our anniversary. Great spot, cool and unique food offerings, had a great bottle of wine. A great place to celebrate, also a great place for people who love food. A great addition to Victorias Chinatown.

On the recommendation of 2 Dudes 2 Foods we decided to do the tasting menu here for our honeymoon. It was INCREDIBLE. The Frois Gras is absolutely worth the extra $15, completely melted in our mouths. All the servers and chefs are lovely, such a great experience having them come to the table to explain each dish!

My mum and I recently went here for dinner, and oh my gosh I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Every dish was so well thought out, the presentation and the flavour, to die for. The service as well, from the moment we walked in the door was wonderful, so welcoming! Being gluten free it can be hard to find food of this calibre, but you would never know the difference! And their house made gluten free bread, is the best you will ever have! The cocktail and wine selection was wonderful! If you are in the Victoria area or visiting this is a MUST go to while you re here!!! Everything from the food to the service to the ambiance, top notch and worth every cent.

Culinary adventure. Food and beverages were excellent. Professional service especially from a female staff member who seemed keenly interested in assuring a good dining experience. Cocktails are innovative and unique. Highly recommended.

Celebrated my birthday this evening and the experience was phenomenal. Thoroughly enjoyed every bite! The food was delicious and unique! Service was excellent and elevated. Thanks for a great evening!

We attended for dine around and the menu was delicious. Definitely a tasting menu so don t go super hungry but we really enjoyed our experience. Very cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

Lovely restaurant. One of the best fine dining experiences in Victoria. The food was delicious and our server, Liam, was exceptional!

On January 26, we had a dinner reservation for two. Our delightful server remembered us from the dine-around gala, showcasing a stellar memory. We started with cocktails and enjoyed three impeccable courses. The staffs knowledge of the menu was impressive, and their friendliness added to the overall experience. The ambience was exceptionally cute. Highly recommend this place

We came for a birthday night out and it was such a great experience! They restored the exterior of the building back to its 1800 century beauty and when you walk inside it is modern, moody and perfect for a date night out. The food was absolutely delicious and the ingredients played well off each other. Corbin the owner/chef and all the staff were really friendly and very knowledgeable about all the dishes.

This is easily one of the best new restaurants in Victoria. We had the Dine Around Victoria tasting menu, a three course meal, and upgraded to the entree to the Steak (worth every dollar). I cannot recommend this place enough. Everything we had was perfectly executed and delicious. The service was fantastic and they were able to fit us in without a reservation. You have to check this place out - I cannot recommend it enough. Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs and easy access to tables and through the front door.

The entire experience is a work of art. Thank you Ugly Duckling.

Really went in with high hopes but to be honest this wasn t worth the price. We love the tasting menu concept but work needs to be done. The good: - the food was good, definitely using fresh ingredients. The fusion is inspired & interesting - great cocktails & varied wine list plus a very reasonable $25 corking fee - the petit fours were perfect. No notes. We were also served a surprise chocolate cake at the end for a friend s birthday and it was phenomenal The bad: - our service was subpar. Our table was really wobbly and we had to ask twice to get it sorted. The water service started off strong but fizzled out, and the removal of dishes was often clunky & loud. Another note is our wine wasn t poured for us after the first glass - atmosphere is very quiet, no energetic hum. Lots of plates & cutlery clanking and the room was HOT - very uncomfortable towards the end of the night - service was way too long, that really needs to be tightened up - we opted to have the menu come as a surprise rather than look at it prior, because of this we realized at the end we missed out on the opportunity to choose the fois gras over the noodles which we all were very disappointed about - the size of the courses were too small for only 6 courses, which added to the disappointment when waiting so long for the next course as it felt like we were starving by the third course - personal preferences maybe: I don t like when ingredients are repeated in dishes and I don t think granola is dessert. I also had a few bites of things that were over cooked or the wrong temperature While I believe there is a lot of potential here, the hefty price tag isn t worth it right now. I won t be rushing back.

This was our first prix fixe experience and I was with a formerly picky eater - and he cleaned all of his plates. Everything was so delicious. Even things Im not normally drawn to were incredible. The pork was hand down, the best pork loin Ive ever had. Everything from the service to the ambiance to the food was perfect. It was very affordable around $215 USD after two people, three cocktails, and a 30% tip. We will be back. Tldr; if youre considering going - go.

We have visited the restaurant for the tasting menu and the food was really good but overpriced. Over $300 for dinner for two. You are able to select the first two dishes in the menu (otherwise it s fixed menu) but the wording around it costing extra is confusing and we ended up paying 30% more than we have initially expected. Overall, a good experience but for the given price I had better experiences in the past. Therefore only 4 out of 5.

Service was sub-par. Food was okay, not worth the price.

A foodies delight! Masterfully executed, well-balanced dishes in a classy but casual environment. One of the best places Victoria has to offer. As a former fine dining server I really appreciated Liams service.

We had one of the best meals we ve experienced in Victoria here. Starting with the tasty and imaginative cocktails and ending with the petite fours, every delicious course is married perfectly with a thoughtfully chosen wine. The service was exemplary. Highly recommended!

Real deal. Delicious and unique.

Best restaurant in Victoria. We talked about our meals for the rest of the night. Very unique and delicious.

Ive never dreamed of such happiness as this. Wonderful service, amazing space, incredible food. I cannot put into words!

This is perhaps the best restaurant in Victoria. I cant think of anywhere executing food with the presentation and flavour at the level of this place. Went in for a 7-course Valentines Day meal and left blown away by each and every dish. Cannot recommend enough.

Absolutely exceptional experience! The cocktails are incredibly creative and delicious (the #4 is a treat!). The food was perfect, innovative and beautifully plated. Corbin and his wonderful staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a terrific night. It was an unmatched experience in Victoria.

7 course tasting menu for Valentines day was a delightful experience. All the proteins were on point in every way.

We enjoyed a fantastic Valentine s 7 course meal. The service was friendly and the variety of dishes were excellent. I would recommend the Ugly Duckling to anyone looking for a unique culinary experience and a taste for fine dining with a flair. Thanks Corbin!

Absolutely fantastic!! Unmatched ambiance, service and of course, the food! Savoured every single bite. Will definitely be back.

I cant say enough about how amazing everything was. Ugly Duckling didnt just create a meal for us, they created an unforgettable experience. Every plate was gorgeous and tasted even better than it looked, the room is beautiful, and the service was impeccable. Im still dreaming about the foie gras - try it if you get the chance! - and the melt-in-your-mouth halibut and that scrumptious fortune cookie. And they made a remarkable experience even more special by remembering a birthday and making us the most beautiful, decadently delicious cake! (Bottle those cherries!) I cant wait to go back - very soon and very often.

To start, the food was a 6 out of 5. We had the halibut and the duck which delivered layer upon layer of delicious flavors. Both meals were excellent but the halibut won the day. The ambience was very nice too. Unfortunately that is where the good ended, as the service was slow and lacking. Our appetizer arrived in a reasonable time but the main was close to 50 minutes later and the dessert 20 minutes after clearing the main. At one of the few times our server did come by, it was to say the meal would be right out. At least another ten minutes passed before it showed. Dessert was the same story. The only thing to arrive early was the bill. Weirdly, it was handed to us with our dessert, so we didnt bother to ask for a coffee. Also, it took so long to get change, that I actually began to think they were not coming back. While we like to enjoy a relaxing meal, this was a bit much. Even with the fantastic food, it was not enough to overcome the service and I doubt we will be back. Perhaps it is growing pains and will improve with time.

A jaw-dropping emphatic Wow . It s so refreshing to see this level of food here in Victoria. We went in for a meal and left with such an experience that we ve not stopped talking about it. My partner and I have been in the industry for a long time and feel like a lot of places are a touch samey . While good, most places feel a little been there, done that . Ugly Duckling just felt a little different. All the little touches they added really made the experience. Hot towel service and home made fortune cookies to name a couple. My partner and I have a lactose allergy and informed them on our reservation. They had alternatives to the three course meal lined up and they were on point. We didn t feel like we were getting a second rate option at all. So glad we went. Looking forward to going again and soon! Dietary restrictions: Dairy Allergy. They happily accommodated. Parking: Street Parking. Free in the evenings.

My favourite meal I ve had in a long time! (possibly ever) Every dish tasted incredible, and the cocktails and wine list were phenomenal as well. Definitely will be back!

After several dining experiences in Victoria, this will remain the best restaurant for us. A successful tasting evening yesterday thanks to dishes of great finesse, tasty desserts without forgetting surprising and subtle cocktails. Everything is homemade , with quality products and that is very appreciated. Thank you to this fantastic, smiling team. Its a pleasure to be able to interact with the cooks who explain their dishes themselves. Well done again, thanks to you we had a great time!

Enjoyed an excellent dinner here with my wife. We both loved the food and atmosphere. No doubt this ugly duckling will turn out to be a swan!

Overall one of the best dining experiences I ve had in Victoria. Food was lovely, service was good, and some interesting wine pairings as well. Would highly recommend.

The best restaurant in Victoria! The 7 course menu with wine pairing is amazing. The aesthetics of the place, the music and the service are phenomenal. This is a must go on your visit to the island!

Excellent food, drinks, service and atmosphere. Ugly Duckling has provided a much-needed injection of vibrancy into our historic Chinatown and Im confident that theyll become a fixture of downtown Victorias dining scene for years to come!

Delicious food served by a great team in a very memorable venue. I loved the thought put into the dishes and appreciated the high level of service.

We were pleasantly surprised by this new eatery just what we ve been waiting for. Ambience, service & food was impeccable. We will be back! Parking: Plenty around.

This is a fantastic culinary experience. The dishes were unique and delicious. The staff were very friendly and explained everything.

Great little restaurant in Victoria s Chinatown with outstanding food and really nice atmosphere. We had the tasting menu of 7 courses if you count bread and petit fours. The food was absolutely amazing, Chinese milk bread with charred scallion butter, a trio of Chinese street food which include lamb, halibut and a scallop pure beautifully presented to be eaten with chopsticks, then we had cucumber where the water was replaced with champagne, served with thinly sliced albacore tuna, a halibut dish where the halibut was melt in your mouth with a miso buerre blanc, lamb with soybean cassoulet and a delicious dessert with white chocolate toffee sprinkle. Every dish was perfect. The wine list and pairing are also very well done. My only complaint is the timing of the service. A little too long between courses. Service was attentive and the servers were very friendly, but the kitchen needs to tighten up their timing. I love a relaxed pace, but it was just a little too relaxed. Despite that, I highly recommend this restaurant!!! Chef has nailed the food!!

Hands down the best spot to eat in Victoria at the moment (and in a long time). Had the five course tasting menu and was BLOWN away. Was comparable to a Michelin star restaurant I dined at in the south of France. Service. Wines. Atmosphere. Food. Everything was perfection.

This may have been the best dinner in my entire life. The tasting menu was inspired. The entire offering was spectacular.

10 year anniversary with someone who cannot eat onions or garlic is not easy. They were immediately accommodating to our request. They pulled out all the stops to make sure we had a safe and incredible meal. I have to say that dish they made special for my partner was amazing. So if you guys want to put that duck and beetroot dish on the menu you have our votes! We did the 7 course meal and were stuffed. Looking forward to coming back again asap.

Ugh, I really wish I could give Ugly Duckling a 5 star for the food as it was phenomenal - beautifully curated, pure and intense flavours, and gorgeous plating. Portions are to be expected for fine dining. Service was friendly and professional, and it felt like the entire team worked together on service. It was a unique joy to get to meet the kitchen staff. Unfortunately, despite all this, the wait times between tasting menu courses verged on unbearable, and brought my overall experience down to a max 4 star. We had a reservation for 8pm and left the restaurant at 1130pm, not by choice. It was fairly obvious that other tables had also felt weary, as we all waited on last courses there was more and more silence across the restaurant. A shame because the execution of food was spectacular, the menu well thought out, but time management matters and I truly have never waited so long between courses Sadly this was the main impression I left with rather than the food. I m hopeful that this issue will be mitigated once they change to tasting menu only. The food deserves to be experienced, but I can t see myself returning or recommending anyone wait that long for fine dining.

An extraordinary evening of food and fun by Chef Corbin and his team. The staff and space provided a very relaxed vibe. And 3 washrooms! Dining options include a la carte, 3 course or chefs tasting menu.

V good

An excellent fine dining experience in victoria. The service was excellent. Our server was kind and fun. Having the chef come say hello was an unexpected treat! The service was so good we felt as if we were the only ones in the restaurant. Each dish was flavourful and unique with contrasting complements to keep it interesting. Portions were good for a multi course fine meal. I left quite full! We loved the complex and artistically curated dishes - especially the cucumber vinaigrette and the clams and kimchi! - but will likely remember the chips and brandade most fondly. Thanks team!

Brought my mom for their special Mothers Day brunch. While service was friendly, we seemed to have been forgotten about for much of the time we were there, despite the restaurant not being that busy or full. After we sat at our table, our server never returned to take drink orders and I had to flag him down 30 minutes after wed arrived to place our food orders. Once our food finally arrived, the eggs and hollandaise sauce were cold. While it was otherwise ok, I didnt find it to be anything out of the ordinary. Based on the other reviews, it seems they generally make good food here for their dinner service. Our brunch experience, however, was extremely disappointing, especially when it was meant for a special occasion.

Wow, what an incredible meal! It is hard to find full tasting menus like this in Victoria. I was very impressed by everything I ate. @Victoria_Foodies

Excellent. Very accommodating for dairy free. Food

What a wonderful dining experience in this historic Chinatown building. The seven course tasting menu was superlative. Beautifully plated and served at the perfect pace in order to enjoy each imaginative and delicious course. The halibut, the lamb, the tuna were such unique dishes, each cooked and garnished with such interesting combinations of fresh and imaginative ingredients. Even a delightful presentation before dessert of a palate cleanser. And the dessert was perfect featuring in season strawberries. We especially enjoyed the enthusiastic and detailed explanation of each course as it was served. The staff are a great team, professional and attentive and so creative. They made our dining experience very enjoyable and memorable. Thank you, too, for the fun presentation of apple juice to 3 year old Kieran !

We had the four course tasting menu - every course was absolutely delicious. Fabulous vodka cocktail. Had the tuna, clam chow mein, halibut and strawberry dessert. All top notch. Highly recommend.

This was one of the best dining experiences Ive ever had. The service was impeccable, the food exquisitely delicious, and the wine pairings we got with each course complemented the dishes perfectly. Truly, the whole experience was sublime, and my boyfriend and I were so glad that we chose Ugly Duckling to celebrate our first year together. Dietary restrictions: The chef modified a couple of the courses to accommodate my fish allergy, no problem.

Exquisite trusting menu that is carefully prepared. Beautiful pairings of flavours!

We loved our experience at the Ugly Duckling; we had the tasting menu with the accompanying wine parings. The food was lovely, locally sourced and tasted wonderful. The pairings were excellent, almost all BC wines that were new to us, and customized for us once we expressed an interest in local wines. I very much enjoyed having the chef come out to introduce himself and explain some of the dishes. Cannot recommend this highly enough for anyone who likes this type of experience (i.e. tasting menus) and is visiting Victoria. Parking: Large paid lot across the street.

Really nice experience! The food, presentation, and service are all excellent, and its worth a try!

I went to ugly duckling with very high hopes because of the great reviews but was left a bit disappointed. The dishes, while beautifully presented were often hit or miss in taste and purpose. For example, the veggie starter was lovely to the eye but tasted more or less like a few tiny raw vegetables and leaves. The cold noodles were nice but no different or better than the cold noodles youd get at a typical Chinese restaurant. The dessert was also quite confusing as it had cornflakes and yogurt and tasted more like a breakfast cereal than an ending to a meal. While there is definitely potential at ugly duckling, and some delicious dishes, Im not sure the overall concepts are fully there yet. That, combined with very long wait times between courses in a half empty restaurant, made it very hard to give anything but 4 stars at best.

Wow... Just wow. From the food, to service and atmosphere everything was top notch. Thank you Ugly Duckling. We will see you in the fall.

Had an amazing night, everything is clearly made with passion!

I wanted to experience fine dining ever since I moved to Victoria. One of the famous restaurants I had an eye on closed so I decided to try this one instead. In summary, the plating is what wowed me on multiple occasions compared to the flavours which were good, though not mind blowing. To begin, the salad was petite, but ok, the basil really gave a punch the dish needed. The foie gras didnt make an impression I was expecting as it was the usual Ive had in other places. The Salmon and blackberries dish was really well prepared. The Halibut...one note in my opinion, the butter overpowered any flavours the dish had to offer. My favourite was the ribeye, might be because of the sauce which I could eat all day.I see any restaurant can get an easy win if they perfect the Velouté. Besides the sauce, the cook on the steak was amazing! For the dessert there were 2 courses - one was the lemongrass ginger ice cream, mmm I liked it! Simplicity wins here. The final dessert was a piece of art, very well plated and tasted good too. Service was good. I liked the down to earth ambience of the place. Not bad for a one time experience.

The ugly duckling is a welcome addition to the food scene in Victoria. We need more upper scale fine dining in this town with table dhote style The good: The food is prepared with fresh local ingredient that are in season, and also in house from scratch. Any experienced Haute cuisine expert can tell the difference. They meet the high threshold for quality food preparation as well, with impeccable plating presentation. I was overjoyed that they would change the cutlery after every course, why is this so rare nowadays? Those who complain that portion size is too small, or that a 3-4 hours meal is too lengthy, are lacking in sophistication. These types of meals are made to be enjoyed with your eyes first, then your nose and your palette. Also they are meant to be a relaxing event to spend with your loved one. They are not meant to be all your can eat buffets to stuff yourself as fast as possible while playing with your cell phone and running out. It is expected that not every course will meet ones tastes, as that would be impossible to accomplish. Out of 9 courses, 1.5 did not meet my picky palate, and I would deem that acceptable. The wonderful explanations, straight from the courteous staff and chef at table side, were excellent. Overall a solid performance. The bad: At a near 400$ price tag, I think that a serve yourself water refill bottle should not come near the table, the waiter should monitor this and refill as needed. We were never offered drink refills for our menu ordered items, another misstep. Some of the dishes could have used more of the flavoring that made them so special. More mousse, more froth, more sauce, let me enjoy those flavors! The home made seafood butter had zero flavor. The burnt apricot imparted its burnt taste to the rest of the dessert, the only only course I did not like that night. I urge you to not make that mistake again. Some of the other patrons were waving bright cell phones around in a dim lit restaurant that was somewhat annoying, maybe ask patrons to have some class and enjoy each other company instead? I did not get my 20$ applied back to my invoice at the end from the reservation, I hope this will be rectified. This newer restaurant has solid potential to achieve, and I will be happy to give them another try soon. Thank you.

We went for the August tasting menu last night and it was by far the best tasting menu Ive ever had in Victoria. Really amazing food, each course was 10/10. I loved the spice elements from the Thai chilies with the noodles to the Chili oil with the ribeye steak which helped the sweetness of the corn not overpower the rest of the flavours. All in all the flavours melded perfectly and each had a distinct purpose for being part of the dish which we could really appreciate with each mouthful. My only critique will be the pace of the meal/service. Im going to assume they were struggling for some reason bc we were there for over an hour and had only had one course by then. They did apologize to us for that and we werent in a rush so it really didnt matter and I think given labour shortages etc its important to have grace for situations like this these days. We will 100% go back. This is our new favourite place in town!!!

For us, it was all about the food. That meant taking our time and really slowing down. We finished the 4-course option in under 2.5 hours, the suggested time frame provided by the establishment. And oh, was it worth it! We nearly passed out from joy. We opted for the premium wine pairings and they were absolutely spot on. From French champagne to California cabs to Hungarian dessert wines, they seem to have sampled everything imaginable to find the perfect pairings. The ingenuity was fascinating. The service was very accommodating, the atmosphere quiet and contemporary. The chefs visit your table and descibe their creations, a nice touch. Finding the door is fun; its in Chinatown where all of the storefronts have loud and bold signage and red and yellow paints. This storefront is narrow, black, with just a small wood sign over the door with an etched image of a waddling duck. Knowing where to look is like being part of a secret society! Highest ratings!

The Ugly Duckling is Victorias must-see restaurant, its a cozy little restaurant in Chinatown, its definitely worth the detour!! The dishes are perfectly refined, we are served without waiting or rushing and everything is fully explained by the chef!! Everything is extremely fresh and of excellent quality, it is not surprising that it is voted first of the new restaurants in British Columbia, well done for the obvious efforts of this young team..

The 4 course menu was superb - all the food was delicious, and service was excellent. We enjoyed the non alcoholic ginger beer and vanilla apple fizz too. Will definitely come back to try more of the rotating menu!

Had a great experience with the full tasting menu. I read the reviews that mentioned issues with timing or atmosphere and this was not our experience at all. Everything seemed well timed, the vibes were great, and the food was delicious! I am looking forward to our next visit.

Beautiful restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. We ordered the four course menu and it was delicious. We loved everything we had: the rhubarb cocktail, milk buns, roasted carrots appetizer, clam chow mein, halibut main course, local white wine, coconut ice cream, gala apple dessert, macaron and chocolate fortune cookie. The service was fast and efficient. All the courses were presented by either Chef Corbin or Tito, the sous-chef, who presented the plates in French upon hearing us speaking French at our table. It was lovely. Can t wait to go back for a special occasion.

Great food, great staff, great everything. Very pricey but a good experience to have.

We recently visited for my husbands 40th birthday celebration and the food, service, and atmosphere were all completely fantastic. Highly recommend. Thanks for making his day so special.

The atmosphere was lovely and we were served by one of the chefs. We tried the tasting menu and, while some of the dishes were gorgeous, a few were disappointing. My friend ordered the menu as-is and I ordered the supplements. Where he had carrots and tofu, I had octopus. Where he had noodles, I had foie gras. His courses looked sad compared to mine, and he was underwhelmed. I recommend ordering a la carte. We never received the salmon course, and were surprised when told the savoury portion of the menu was finished. We left feeling hungry and swung around the corner to Brasserie l Ecole for steak frites and duck confit.

My wife and I, along with a couple of friends, recently dined at this restaurant. Overall, we had a decent experience. However, there was a notable hiccup. Despite pre-paying for the reservation, we found ourselves waiting for 30 minutes before being seated. This was a bit disappointing, as we had anticipated a smoother process. I have since went to book again for this restaurant a second time. But looks like we will need to cancel the reservation. Id give this place 4 stars instead of 5 primarily due to their rigid booking and cancellation policy. It seems they are hesitant to consider any adjustments and stick to a one-size-fits-all approach. Requiring a $10 deposit for reservations feels somewhat inflexible. When if you need to cancel and give a weeks notice you just forfeit the booking deposit. We recently will have to cancel with over a weeks notice, but The Ugly Duckling insisted we find someone else to take our reservation, which proved to be impractical for us as newcomers to the island. Consequently, we may end up forfeiting $40. In my view, a weeks notice should be ample for a cancellation. Their current policy might inadvertently lead people to consider a no-show, which undermines the purpose of the policy itself. They already have our $40 and are unwilling to make any adjustments with over a weeks notice. Some flexibility would go a long way in enhancing the overall customer experience. Additionally, considering its a Saturday night reservation, they could potentially make $200 from that time slot. (instead of the $40 no-show) At this point, Im seriously considering a no-show due to the inflexibility of the policy. Will have to decide what route to go.

Had dinner here a few weeks ago for the full tasting menu with wine pairing. Overall the presentation was great but the taste of the dishes was very hit or miss. There was an overwhelming use of five-spice on nearly every dish we sampled. The duck was slightly undercooked and the foie gras wasn t as light as other places. The service was mediocre, quite a bit of wait between courses and our request for allergies to the dessert were forgotten although acknowledged upon arrival. There were some highlights though, the octopus, pasta, and gala apple dessert were outstanding. The imported wine pairing was fantastic. The atmosphere was great and the sommelier was knowledgeable. There is definitely potential here but for what they are charging there are better options in the city.

I love this place! It is definitely worth it. We got the tasting menu. The butter poached halibut was the best halibut I have ever had. The attention to the detail with the flavours and presentation was perfect. The nicest touch was the sorbet palate cleanser, although I would have placed it before the last main course. The only criticism is that one of the servers didn t give that fine dining feel. She was short with us and didn t describe the drinks we had properly. That could be improved. Our real server did come and he described everything properly and was super nice. Altogether, I will definitely return to this place the next time I am in Victoria.

Celebrating our anniversary at this restaurant was a very expensive mistake. We decided to splurge on the full tasting menu and the premium wine pairings for myself based on 1)its best new restaurant awards and 2)the assurance on their website that they were happy to accommodate dietary preferences. In the past, we have enjoyed tasting menus in Victoria and around the world. The problems started immediately when despite paying a $25 each non refundable deposit upfront there was no place to note my dietary preferences. I just found the note to email the restaurant. Which I did (to the correct email address) on two occasions to request a pescatarian menu. I wondered if they just hadnt responded...but no we arrived at the restaurant for our special night only to be told that they needed 48 hours notice for a special menu which they hadnt received. But then decided they could prepare a pescatarian menu for me. Points for allowing diners at a table to order different menus. I tried emailing the restaurant again before dinner and was told that they didnt receive either of my emails (how is that possible?) and that I should have noted my preferences in the reservation system...The premium wine pairings were very expensive and tiny but were excellent wines. I wonder about the pairing aspect as they were served during the long wait between courses. It must be easy to be a waiter here and bring out set courses. But they couldnt even handle serving our water. We didnt realize the sparkling water had been poured from a bottle out of our sight when another waitress asked if we wanted another bottle. Turns out there was still water in the first bottle...and then later another waiter topped up our sparkling water with still water...The food was all tasty and fresh. However none of it was outstanding and in fact a few of the courses were not at all visually appealing. The restaurant itself appears newly renovated. But we were seated in the front area close to the front door receiving cold blasts every time someone opened or closed the front door. The place is small and not that exciting so even though we were expecting the service to take 2 and 1/2 hours it felt like torture waiting for our next courses. The deposit was not applied to the bill - no doubt to ensure that their staffs received their full inflated tips - and did not appear on my credit card for 10 days afterwards. It was an anxious wait given my experience with trying to email the restaurant. Not what I expected for $420 (and my husband didnt have any alcoholic drinks). We will very definitely not be returning.

Hands down the best meal I ve enjoyed in Canada in the last ten years. This truly feels like a kitchen driven restaurant where the food is made by chefs with a passion for food. Our group had the tasting menu with the premium wine pairing that I cannot recommend more! The wine pairing was excellently chosen and complimented each dish. The service was an excellent match to the food. Megan and Liam were knowledgable, the pacing was consistent, waters were constantly refilled, and every dish and glass of wine was romanced. If you are planning your next special occasion or just love food, go to Ugly Duckling today, not later. Don t walk, run! Enjoy yourself, live a little, and eat good food made by people who care.

Had a great time here for my partner s birthday. All 6 courses were incredible and each plate had us excited for the next. Our server (forget his name) was fantastic too!

The atmosphere was great. Love that the island has this fine dining place. However, the amount of money people are paying, customers should not leave hungry after doing the 6 course tasting menu. I under you are paying for the quality of food and experience, but then it wouldnt be worth it. A 6 course meal should not take 3 hours for the portions given. I do appreciate the chefs ability to accommodate a vegan and regular menu at the same time.