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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JordanB
The food was excellent some of the best we've had in Victoria. Only notes would be some dishes could have been a bit more balanced with some acidity/feshness (halibut dish) and at some points service was a bit slow. It took awhile for someone to come to our table at first and other dishes (duck) could have been warmer and (dessert) the ice cream was melted. I don't want this to sound complainty because we really enjoyed the creativity, quality , and flavours of the food. Just some small notes. Thanks!!
Isabella Brown Hudema
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.
Katie Dickens
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
kaykay2
Dining at a Michelin level with a casual vibe The team at the Ugly Ducking is really cooking at all levels! The ambiance and design sense is very zen. The Asian theme follows over to the food : great techniques and flavour profiles and dishes with varied components on them that work very, very, well. Wine program simple but compliments food perfectly. Everyone quite charming. Can't wait to go back
Derrek Leong
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 Victoria's Chinatown.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
ShannonK
I don't write many reviews (it's something I'm working on), but I just had to sing Ugly Duckling's praises. We didn't quite know what to expect, but we're so pleasantly impressed. The tasting menu is so well thought out and it progressed like a well written story. Every detail and dish is so thoughtful and complex. This goes for the cocktails as well. They're able to take good dimple ingredients and make them shine. The service was also amazing, attentive, but not overbearing. There was a good pacing and flow to the meal. All staff were knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions. It was very easy to see how much care was put into this dining experience and it was apparent at all levels. Ok, I'm gushing... thank you Ugly Ducking for a very memorable date night. It was easily one my favourite meals. Cheers!
The tasting menu was an amazing experience! We enjoyed every single dish. Each dish was rich with complex imaginative taste combinations. It was a meal to remember. Highly recommended! We we'll be back next time we visit Victoria
Pacobell
Ordered the tasting menu. Timing was way too slow. Tiny portions with ages between courses. Food was good, but one course was super disappointing. Butter poached halibut that ended up like tasteless gritty overcooked fish. Of all the dishes, I think I saw two tiny bits of vegetables. $400 for 2 people, with a couple drinks each. Not worth it. If the food had been better, and timing better, I would consider it worth it. But this was just a bad effort.
JWfromYYJ
I really like this place. It's one of the best restaurants in Victoria. The prix fixe asian fusion menu had a surprising variety of well prepared and balanced fish, foie gras, pork, among other things. They had an amazing cocktail served in a chinese food takeout container (sorry, spoiler alert), and between the four of us we tried pretty much everything. We'll be back.
The Ugly Duckling provided an excellent dining experience. The food was locally sourced, creative and delicious. The service was as you would expect from a fine dining experience. The menu is very limited however it provides an opportunity to try flavours you might otherwise not.
Mike
The dishes were innovative and beautifully prepared. The variety and sequencing of each course was perfect. Excellent wine pairings. Could not be happier. It was truly a magical experience.
TeresaB
Wonderful assortment of really thoughtful dishes. Very unique, but not too adventurous for people concerned with this being a 'foodies' restaurant. Little plates packing a big punch. I had a wonderful time and our server was top notch! My only comment is to maybe include an amuse bouche at the beginning!
Zoe Anderson
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 staff's knowledge of the menu was impressive, and their friendliness added to the overall experience. The ambience was exceptionally cute. Highly recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sofia Baltasar
Lovely restaurant. One of the best fine dining experiences in Victoria. The food was delicious and our server, Liam, was exceptional!
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was excellent some of the best we've had in Victoria. Only notes would be some dishes could have been a bit more balanced with some acidity/feshness (halibut dish) and at some points service was a bit slow. It took awhile for someone to come to our table at first and other dishes (duck) could have been warmer and (dessert) the ice cream was melted. I don't want this to sound complainty because we really enjoyed the creativity, quality , and flavours of the food. Just some small notes. Thanks!!
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.
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dining at a Michelin level with a casual vibe The team at the Ugly Ducking is really cooking at all levels! The ambiance and design sense is very zen. The Asian theme follows over to the food : great techniques and flavour profiles and dishes with varied components on them that work very, very, well. Wine program simple but compliments food perfectly. Everyone quite charming. Can't wait to go back
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 Victoria's Chinatown.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't write many reviews (it's something I'm working on), but I just had to sing Ugly Duckling's praises. We didn't quite know what to expect, but we're so pleasantly impressed. The tasting menu is so well thought out and it progressed like a well written story. Every detail and dish is so thoughtful and complex. This goes for the cocktails as well. They're able to take good dimple ingredients and make them shine. The service was also amazing, attentive, but not overbearing. There was a good pacing and flow to the meal. All staff were knowledgeable and eager to answer any questions. It was very easy to see how much care was put into this dining experience and it was apparent at all levels. Ok, I'm gushing... thank you Ugly Ducking for a very memorable date night. It was easily one my favourite meals. Cheers!
The tasting menu was an amazing experience! We enjoyed every single dish. Each dish was rich with complex imaginative taste combinations. It was a meal to remember. Highly recommended! We we'll be back next time we visit Victoria
Ordered the tasting menu. Timing was way too slow. Tiny portions with ages between courses. Food was good, but one course was super disappointing. Butter poached halibut that ended up like tasteless gritty overcooked fish. Of all the dishes, I think I saw two tiny bits of vegetables. $400 for 2 people, with a couple drinks each. Not worth it. If the food had been better, and timing better, I would consider it worth it. But this was just a bad effort.
I really like this place. It's one of the best restaurants in Victoria. The prix fixe asian fusion menu had a surprising variety of well prepared and balanced fish, foie gras, pork, among other things. They had an amazing cocktail served in a chinese food takeout container (sorry, spoiler alert), and between the four of us we tried pretty much everything. We'll be back.
Restaurantji Recommends
The Ugly Duckling provided an excellent dining experience. The food was locally sourced, creative and delicious. The service was as you would expect from a fine dining experience. The menu is very limited however it provides an opportunity to try flavours you might otherwise not.
The dishes were innovative and beautifully prepared. The variety and sequencing of each course was perfect. Excellent wine pairings. Could not be happier. It was truly a magical experience.
Wonderful assortment of really thoughtful dishes. Very unique, but not too adventurous for people concerned with this being a 'foodies' restaurant. Little plates packing a big punch. I had a wonderful time and our server was top notch! My only comment is to maybe include an amuse bouche at the beginning!
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 staff's knowledge of the menu was impressive, and their friendliness added to the overall experience. The ambience was exceptionally cute. Highly recommend this place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely restaurant. One of the best fine dining experiences in Victoria. The food was delicious and our server, Liam, was exceptional!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5