PAUL NURSEY
VICTORIA – One of Greater Victoria’s most anticipated culinary events, Dine Around and Stay in Town, returns in 2025 with exciting new additions. The annual foodie festival runs from January 24 until February 9, 2025, and features Greater Victoria’s vibrant mix of restaurants and accommodations.
More than 50 restaurants are participating with set-price, three course menus priced at $25, $35, $45, $55, $65 or $75 per person. The new $75 menu options provide participants with more choices. While the event typically puts a focus on dinner menus, this year many establishments are also offering special breakfast, brunch, and lunch menus.
This year, Greater Victoria’s hotels are offering special rates for accommodation ranging from $139 to $259. It’s the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors alike to support the local hospitality industry by eating out and making a night of it.
“For more than twenty years, this popular culinary festival has showcased the creativity of the region’s leading chefs,” says Peter DeBruyn, Provincial Chair, BC Restaurant and Food Services Association – Victoria Chapter. “This year’s specially curated menus will feature some of the best farmed and foraged ingredients the region has to offer – a treat for locals and visitors alike.”
New participating restaurants include Bin 4 Burger Lounge, Rudi, Table 19, Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse, Saxe Point Public House, MeeT on Blanshard, and Jacks on the Water. Additionally, Days Inn on the Harbour will be joining the accommodation list. Recognizing January is typically a slower period for Greater Victoria’s hospitality industry, the Dine Around and Stay in Town program provides an opportunity to drive traffic to local eateries and accommodations.
“During off-peak times, events like Dine Around and Stay in Town play an important role in supporting restaurants and hotels as well as the broader visitor economy in Greater Victoria,” says Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. “Every visitor counts during the slower winter months. By highlighting the region’s culinary scene and accommodations, this event invites both locals and visitors to experience the unique offerings of our destination. Such events have a lasting impact on the community.”
On January 23, 2025, the Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria Gala at the Crystal Garden marks the beginning of the foodie festival. Early bird tickets are on sale now for $100 plus tax. Once sold out, regular Gala tickets will be available for $120 plus tax. Gala attendees enjoy unlimited tasty bites and beverages along with lively entertainment, while fostering a sense of excitement for the culinary experiences that lie ahead.
For more information about Dine Around and Stay in Town, including participating restaurants, menus, and accommodation options, please visit http://www.tourismvictoria.com/eat-drink/dine-around.
Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria
