Pagliacci's

This local favourite has been around for decades and we visit occasionally when we’re in the area. Brunch is perpetually busy in the typically touristy months. Seating is a bit snug, but it’s pretty flexible. The wait staff are very cool, friendly and are genuinely interested in you. The back house guys bang out a constant stream of eclectic brunch dishes at an impressive pace. Food is solid, unpretentious and a bit fun too, it seems.

I kind of feel a bit sad that I can't make it back soon as we are on the other side of the country. :) We went one night and the line up and the place was packed. So decided against it. The recommendations from friends made me go back. It was our 30th anniversary month and the visit was worth it. The evening was very enjoyable. The place was busy as usual but it really wasn't a long wait. It's tight in there. The staff have it worked out like experts to be able to manoeuvre the tables and chairs to get you seated. Awesome staff. Thanks very much. Thanks Kelsey for the service. Menu items as attached in the pics. So delicious.

I really liked the service. The host was very welcoming and accommodating especially when it was so busy. Our waiter angel was also attentive his timing and the knowledge of the menu helpful as it was our first time there. Their happy hour seems like it has some great values. Overall I would definitely come here again!

This was an amazing place for dinner, probably one of the best I've ever been to and one Victoria's finest restaurants. The service was extremely fast: there was no wait for a table, the waiter (Although I did go on a Tuesday night, pretty late!) was very quick and attentive in getting drinks, bringing us bread, taking our order, checking up on us, and bringing the bill. The in house sangria is delicious. We ordered a large order of pasta and they split the dish up onto two plates without our even having to ask! It was the most delicious pasta I have ever had! There was live music and the whole place felt cozy and welcoming. I enjoyed every moment of the visit and cannot wait to return again in the future!.

My partner and I have been to victoria 4 times in the past 3 years together and it has become a tradition to come to Pagliacci’s - no negotations. Most recently we came November 7, 2025 and once again the food and portions satisfied without fail. 1. Focaccia bread - All times we came here, I couldn’t resist having a smile on my face upon taking a bite. Not kidding when I say their bread is just so unique and classically delicious. No dips required. It is on the saltier side so I reckon taste experience will vary by flavour preference. 2. Mr Robert’s Seafood Lasagna - Latest trip we went for a couples date and both ordered this. We were able to finish one but still had half left over from the second batch. This was really thick and savoury..filled us up pretty fast. Lots of baby shrimp and generous amounts of cheese in this one. Moderate saltiness. 3. The Big Easy - Generous amounts of protein in one pasta. Prawn, chicken and sausage amounts were well balanced and the spice level only had a small kick as to seemingly keep the focus on the strong marinara base. Sauce was moderately thick and flavour kept its consistency in every bite. 4. The Doors of Perception - If you’re a truffle or cream base lover.. I would recommend getting this. Flavours complimented the light cream on this one. Big fan personally of the truffle oil. Also can’t go wrong with a good meatball. 5. Checkerboard cake - Old family recipe and a huge chocolate cake chunk I HIGHLY recommend anyone coming to Pagliacci’s to order no matter how stuffed you are from the entrees. As soon as you take a bite, you forget you’re full and it’s hard to stop yourself. Enough said on how good their checkerboard is. Portions on all the pastas were huge as always, and prices are fair. The handful of times we have come here, everyone is often in high spirits and you can get lovely interactions and an amazing experience out of this place..especially the busier it is or when they have live music playing. No reservations however so expect to wait outside for over an hour at peak times.

Went on a recommendation and loved it. Luckily when we went there was a band playing Jazz. It was so cool. Loved the atmosphere and the chilling vibe. Has a patio but inside is way better for seating. Got their Hot Chocolate for drinks and it was delicious. For food we got Gnocchi and Salad which again were just so good. Totally recommended.

Great Italian all around. Nice variety of dishes. Service was very friendly and attentive. Food amazing. The bread for me alone is worth coming back for. Nice atmosphere. Very ample helpings so bring an appetite and the happy hour has some great values on drinks and appetizers. Compliments to the management for such a well run restaurant. Wish we had a few places like this back in the states.

Stopped in for an early lunch. Our server at another restaurant had reccomended we try this place. It's small and crowded, but the food is good and they had live music when we were there. Close to the mall. I had chicken Cesar salad and my friends had seafood lasagna. (Took a pic of our drinks but forgot a picture of the food 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Pagliacchi's - Victoria - August 9, 2025 We arrived on a Saturday evening at about 5:30 PM. They don't take reservations. We had our little dog with us and so we needed to sit outside on the patio. When we got there, the patio was full, so we had to wait in line for about 20 minutes . They have a system for the outdoor patio where you form a separate line for that space. There was plenty of seating indoors, so if you see a line there and you're OK sitting indoors definitely check in with them. The staff there are very friendly and accommodating. Once there was a table cleared for us, we were seated immediately and brought water and garlic bread. A waiter got our drink order and also our food order at the same time. We ordered a citrus martini and shared that. They'll make whatever kind of martini you want, but that's their house special. We enjoyed that. My wife ordered the butternut squash ravioli and I got the 20 leagues under the sea linguine with halibut and prosciutto. We also ordered a bottle of 2023 Fanti Tocana red wine. The food came out fairly quickly with the wine and everything was delicious. Since it was my birthday, they also brought me out a complementary slice of marble cheesecake. That was very tasty too! I would definitely come back!

Pagliacci's is a classic Victoria restaurant, which I definitely recommend to anyone! The food and drinks are great, and the staff are all super nice! Every time I've come, I've had a spectacular night. It is packed full of tables, they are quite close together, but that's never presented any issues. Pagliacci's is meant to be a lively, fun, and chaotically good restaurant. And it delivers that! The vibe of being in a busy restaurant like that is almost thrilling, and adds to its charm. They don't take reservations, which I really wish they did. They make you line up outside in order to get in, and often the wait is about 30-60 minutes. For me, I don't mind waiting in this line, as I ultimately think it's worth it for how much I enjoy the food. However, I have a disabled partner who is simply unable to stand in a line that long. Because of this, he is unfortunately unable to come back as often as he would like. Please introduce reservations, or a number system, or something else to make the waiting line more accessible for your guests.

went on a wednesday night for dinner and there was a line which is expected with how popular the restaurant is. we waited around 30-40 mins with four people in front of us. the ambiance was definitely LIVELY especially with the live band playing. the tables are seated very close together so you'll definitely hear conversation with the people next to you but it's too loud to even notice. definitely not the restaurant to go for a quiet dinner date. lowkey overstimulating at times. luckily, we were seated at a booth so we had a little bit of privacy. the service was friendly and got us started with our drinks right away. i got the blush and pucker lemonade. this lemonade was LEMONADING!!!! true it's to name i definitely puckered every time i drank this. it was sooo sour though i couldn't fully finish it. we got starter bread at the table. the bread was fluffy and buttery but very SALTY. i also ordered minnesota fats which are the risotto cheese balls which were deliciously cheesy. i ordered the sophia pasta dish (small plate) which was basically a seafood alfredo. it was good. the seafood was fresh especially the clams. portions was a lot even tho it was a smaller plate. honestly the food was okay. was expecting more especially considering how popular it was. the vibes are fun here tho

Came here for dinner on Saturday. The line was out the door and wrapped around the block! I feel like good food options are fairly sparse in Victoria so we decided to stick it out. We also were a party of 6 which delayed getting in since they're a relatively small space. After what felt like forever, but realistically close to 2 hours!, we got in. They actually walked us through a side door and up to the owners table in the balcony which was neat. We got an assortment of dishes, all of which were great, includi g the Hemingway short story, lasagna, and the cabinet of Dr. Cappelletti. The bread sticks also were wonderful, and I had a tasty beer too. We were so full at the end that we couldn't possibly have any dessert. About 30 mins into our meal, they had live music- a trumpet player with a bass and electric guitar - it was great! Would definitely come here again.

Oh my god everything about this restaurant is great. Even though wait may be a bit long, it is worth it. I ordered the Hemingway Short Story pasta, and it tasted absolutely exquisite. Service is also top notch. The vibe of the interior also feels very homey especially at night.

Good size portions, friendly staff, tight space but still feels pretty intimate. Live music! Bread was very buttery, but I have to admit I liked it quite a bit. We ordered the Hemingway and the seafood lasagna. Hemingway was more pasta than we expected, and quite good. The sauce was creamy and didn't get clumpy as it cooled, which is always a win. The seafood lasagna was quite unique, and there were some good chunks of crab and shrimp, so I was quite pleased. Overall, good meal, fair price for where you are and what it is. Recommend if you are looking for casual Italian in downtown Victoria! Two of us ate for $78 after tip.

It's been a fantastic restaurant for the last 40+ years always busy always amazing staff are incredible. The bread is to die for.

Upon our visit to Victoria, BC a couple of months ago, I was looking for a restaurant with good vegan options that also had options for my omnivore family. I reached out to the amazing vegan community in the Vegans of Victoria ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/VegansOfVictoria ) Facebook book and one of the options suggested was Pagliacci's Restaurant, as they have a lovely atmosphere with a separate vegan menu! It's always a thrill when a restaurant not only has vegan options, but a whole separate vegan menu (or vegan section on their menu). Their menu options seemed rather unique and original to me, options that you might not expect to find elsewhere. I think this originality carries over to their whimsical names for their dishes as well. We opted for "The Doors of Vegan Perception" lol, linguini with sausage topped with truffle oil and a cream sauce and, "Manchuria Candidate Vegan Platter", crispy tofu with black bean tapenade and garbanzo beans. Both dishes were very hearty with a lot of flavors to absorb. The latter really struck a good balance between hearty and healthy. The restaurant is very small, as they're trying to do a lot, serve food, while also have space for live music. It's not a big deal but something to keep in mind if you need to make a quick restroom break lol, you might be squeezing yourself and saying "oh, excuse me" a bit lol.

Food: 3/5 We ordered the duck dodgers, crab cakes, salmon sing in the street, medium rare rib eye, the bicycle thief, and the Sophia! The texture of the pasta was good and the half portions were still big. However, it was a little bland but if you're a fan of a simple flavor palette, then this is perfect. If you want more flavor, definitely get one with tomato sauce. The salmon was great though. The duck and crab cakes though were amazing! Seasoned beautifully and full of flavor. The steak was good, just heavy on the rosemary. Overall, place was good but if you're coming specifically for pasta, I'd pass. Service: 5/5 Fast, quick, and very friendly service !! We got seated quickly too. Ambiance: 5/5 Beautiful place and they have live music on certain nights!

3.5/5 stars Came here for lunch on a Sunday, and there was no wait. The menu had some unique items. I got the seafood lasagna (half portion - $19), and my bf got the Cabinet of Dr. Cappelletti (Large portion - $28). They gave us some focaccia bread to start, which was just ok. The seafood lasagna was pretty good. It had a crab flavor, but didn't really have much crab pieces in it. It also only had a few pieces of shrimp, and maybe could have had more cheese in between the layers. I tried my boyfriend's dish, which was tasty, especially the layer of cheese on top. It was supposed to have meat, but we didn't taste any meat. Overall enjoyed the meal, but it was carb-heavy and needed more protein!

I'm always recommending this place to others. The vegan options are top tier and makes it possible for my son and I to order from same place. Also, cheesecake is the closest thing to a NY cheesecake I've had. Servers are the best in town. Live music is sometimes offered. Tables close together make for lively conversations. The total package!

it will blow your mind at how good it is!!!! no wonder they have a line around the block!!!!

This is a solid Victoria Italian restaurant. It was recommended by a hostess at The Empress, and we did enjoy it. Nothing spectacular, but good food. They have specials on drinks and appetizers during their happy hour from 3:00-5:00. We got the Krabby Patty (a tiny crab cake, but good) and the Pete Rose Headfirst Slider (includes two meatballs) for $6 each. My wife got the La Scala (a pasta Bolognese), and I got the meat lasagna. Both were good. Our server was exceptional. Very attentive and ready to assist. The place has a lot of pictures all around it. It feels a bit like a Manhattan restaurant. Seating is really crowded.

We were in town visiting and had a wonderful delicious dinner here. First off they moved tables to fit all 8 of us in on a busy Saturday night. Incredible work! We barely had to wait 20min. That was very appreciated. The bread is outstanding, buttery, garlicky and salty. Just divine. And heck The service is just as good as the bread. So friendly, helpful and quick. The duck lollipops were definitely a highlight. We had 2 orders of that appetizer. The duck was flavored so well and peppery. The pasta dishes were phenomenal and all of them were difficult to finish because there was so much food in the bowl. I probably should have split a dish with my husband. The curry flavor was phenomenal and the shrimp were jumbo. Nothing I tried was bad nor even mediocre. It was simply perfect. I wish I lived closer because this place would become our family's staple Italian restaurant.

OMG. Vancouver clams are legit good. We ended up ordering 2 lbs worth of it during happy hour at Pagliacci's. Definitely a must stop for us whenever we are in Victoria Island. On the menu, it's listed as "OCEAN'S ELEVEN" and u can get either their mussels, Vancouver clams, jumbo prawns, or all 3 on a lemon, butter, garlic, & chili sauce that was so good we were scooping them up with the clam shells and dipping out bread in them. We got all clams because they were so good. We also tried the SCROOGE MCDUCK which was their duck wings and it was tasty but you only get the drumette part of the wing so it wasn't my favorite. The KRABBY PATTY was their crab cakes and they were Delicious. It was a bit on the pricey side so we decided to order more of the clams instead but I would definitely get them again next time we come back. The 33 acres IPA was light and delicious. Even for someone like me who doesn't normally like beer it was refreshing. The staff was fast and friendly, the place small and intimate on the inside with comfortable booths on the sides. They also have space outside for those who want the fresh air. Definitely a nice looking place to enjoy a meal and drinks.

The best place for pasta. "The Shell Game" excellent dish. The deserts are great too.

Bread - light fluffy and covered in Italian crust spices Sauce - rich Meatball - large, cooked well, tasty

Wow! What an absolute gem. Not only is the food delicious, but the service was absolutely lovely. They had a great gluten free selection. The ambiance was lively like a var, but not too rowdy to be offputting. It was definitely a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for good gluten free pasta in Victoria, this is the place to go.

This place is popular and I can see why. We showed up at 4:30 PM and were able to enjoy the happy hour as well as regular dinner menu. The seafood trio was great value for happy hour, and the pastas were all quite well done. The only thing that I thought was that the noodles were a bit overdone - but I do personally enjoy quite al dente pasta. Service was excellent, bringing bread over right away and even giving us some to go as well. Overall, if you are wanting a enjoyable Italian meal, would recommend you check out Pagliacci's!

Every so often, you come upon a restaurant that makes you feel that everyone working there, from the host to the servers to the chefs, really cares about giving you a truly special experience. This is one of those places. As we approached the restaurant at 7:30 on a Monday night, we were surprised to see a long line, at least 20 to 25 people, stretching down the sidewalk. We almost left but decided there must be a reason for such a long line on a Monday. The line moved quickly, and we were at the front in about 20 minutes. Shortly after that, we were seated and could immediately feel the energy of the dining room. This is not a large space, and the tables are fairly tightly arranged, so the atmosphere is lively and fun. Our server was absolutely delightful and really made us feel welcome. However, she wasn't the only one. Every server we watched was exactly the same, fun and friendly. They all moved skillfully through the tight spaces between tables to ensure food was delivered quickly and tables were turned for the next guests. The food was wonderful, from the warm focaccia to the perfectly seasoned, al dente pasta. The live jazz added to the enjoyment of the meal. We will absolutely be back, next time we are in Victoria. This place is special.

We went to dinner on Wednesday and the place was packed. The food was mediocre. Though the complimentary bread was delicious and with refills of you ask for more. Our waitress was unfriendly-nice. She seemed annoyed to help us but helped us because she had to work. The restaurant is probably popular for the atmosphere and live music from Sunday to Thursday which I thought was a nice touch.

We came here for dinner because of a personal recommendation and because of the reviews I had read. I think we walked in at the perfect time because we were seated almost immediately, even though the restaurant was absolutely packed. This felt like an Italian grandmother's kitchen who didn't turn anyone away and found a seat for just about everyone, eventually. That is to say the space between tables and seats was minimal, but hey this staff would be great at Tetris. The food was good and enjoyable. I'd say the winner was the Minnesota Fats dish, or their version of arancini. These were light and the filling was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The second best was the New York cheesecake, which was a great way to finish. We also ordered the lasagna, the crab cakes, and a slider. These were good, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them as hits. I did really appreciate that the meat in most cases was only beef and wasn't mixed with any pork since we don't eat pork.

The Best Seafood Lasagna Ever!!! It's Memorable - All the way back to the 90's. Can't wait to return!!! Thank You!!!

We shared the "Barney's Version'" eggs Benny with extra poached eggs. What a treat to sit and listen to the jazz ... check out the atmosphere, the fast friendly service. Always ready with a refill of my coffee.

I was on the fence and a bit nervous about the food since I read mixed reviews online. We waited approximately 20-30 minutes before we got a table when we came around 7pm on a Monday evening. The good thing was that we got to dine with the live music since it started at 8pm and we basically got the table around 730, so by the time we were enjoying our meal, the music started. We came with our toddler and it was very generous of them that they served kid's pasta complimentary (you can either choose the pasta plain w just butter and cheese or w tomatoes sauce) and kid's shirley temple. My toddler was very very happy with their dinner (she loveeedd the live music too). The star of the meal was the Hemingway (tortellini), we ordered large and smaller stomach can certainly split the plate. It was very flavorful and not too rich. We did not opt for the baked version. The LA strada was good too, .y hubby liked his plate clean! For dessert we shared the black and white checker cake. It was 16 CAD, but the piece was quite large and 3 of us shared it. Service was friendly, but the keep in mind the restaurant is compact and always busy so you do get seated close together. They also have outdoor seating, but you won't get to enjoy the live music if you sit outside. We certainly recommend this restaurant for a great meal with live music (starts at 8pm).

Amazing food and friendly staff.. imo portions are huge and the music is great addition to listen to!

Stopped in for happy hour and had a great time! The focaccia bread was tasty (more on the oily side) and delicious! Tried the duck wings, clams, crab cake, and risotto balls. The duck wings ended up being a surprise hit- tangy and tender. The meat came right off the bone. Had the Catalina wine mixer to drink which was like an alcoholic lemonade. Loved it! The space is small and tables are close, however at the early hour, it wasn't a problem. Parties all seemed to be a table away so it didn't feel crowded.

Visiting Victoria four of went to Pagliacci's for dinner around 7 PM on a Tuesday night. It was an experience I hope to never repeat. While our waiter and hostess were lovely and the food was good, the rest of the experience was so unpleasant. The booths are so small I had to push my plate away from me and lift my elbow in the air to cut my entree with the very tip of the knife. The floor was so packed that once someone sat the table outside our booth we were trapped. It was so loud you couldn't hear the people across your table. It was truly claustrophobic! I felt really disrespected as a customer! The most humiliating thing was that when we tried to leave, you had to rub your body, front AND back, on other peoples seated at tables, to get out the door. All we could do was apologize. The food was not good enough thatI would ever want to repeat that experience again.

they let us dine outside with the dogs. really enjoyed my "ill have what shes having".

For years, Pag's has been my absolute favourite place to eat out. This week, my husband and I went for lunch on our anniversary. A basket of bread was brought to the table. Ordinarily the focaccia is to die for, but this time it was cold and lacking flavour. I let our server know and she replaced the bread with warm fresh bread which was much better. Our meals were delicious. The food has always been delicious for as long as I can remember. I have noticed that the beautiful nostalgic jazz has been replaced by music that does not enhance the ambiance. Sadly, the staff seems to change much more frequently than in the past. IMO, the servers take away from the dining experience, probably because they have not had the time to mesh as a staff team or get to know regular customers. The restaurant was as empty as I have ever seen it. We went away feeling sad about how our old favourite seems to have changed. I hope we've just been on "off" days lately and that Pag's willl continue with the same magic Howie and staff had going for so many years!

This place is so cute, everyone's so friendly. They started us off with focaccia, loved it. We ordered the salmon eggs benny and the birdland eggs benny. Absolutely delicious, the birdland was just enough heat from the Siracha and perfect amount of crispy. We will be returning to try other items on the menu

Bar none, the best Italian food we have ever had (including the food we had in Italy!). The Mr.Roberts seafood lasagna was amazing, the Dempsey lasagna was also fabulous. One of our party ordered from a "choice menu" with three options and had the best halibut and Scallops he's ever had! The Manhattan Transfer was only marginally less spectacular. We were amazed by the Chianti we shared. It was memorable the place was totally packed but it didn't matter because the food was crazy good!

amazing food. great atmosphere, we loved the low lighting and live jazz band. the food was fast, hot and DELICIOUS. Waitress was nice and we never had to wait long for anything. 10/10 experience.

a wonderful Italian spot, tables are crowded in a small spot, but the service was friendly and fast (Johanna was our server and was pleasant)

Absolutely delicious!! The impeccable service on top of delicious menu items, truly made our first dining experience in Victoria memorable. This restaurant was referred to us by several people at a recent visit to a store when we asked for recommendations for dinner, and we weren't disappointed. The bread, Meatballs and marble cheesecake overloaded my taste buds with yummy deliciousness. The ambiance and impeccable service was top notch. I think our tall. Dark and handsome young man waiter, whom ithink was named Xavier, was not only a cutie patootie, but full of charm and personality:) The small world Italian charm of this restaurant surpassed our expectations.

Really quaint place. Food was excellent and enjoyed a bit of the live band as well. Server was attentive.

Strategy was to come early before the dinner masses. Surprisingly the huge inside seating was already filled and crazy fun loud. Luckily, we got in quick for the outdoor patio. Inside was the classic mosaic of picture framed walls but back to back seats are a millimeter apart. IMO outside was the choice spot to enjoy the fresh air, people watch strolling the street, and chitchat with the tables next you without having to shout. It is a pasta joint when offered 14 regional wines on tap! A few local beer on tap also but mostly in cans. Sauvignon Blanc was crisp and not too sweet. Pasta perfect ~ nice & chewy, meatballs meaty, seafood not overcooked. Everything delicious. Service was as local friendly as it gets! Busy as she was, our server took time to describe a few of the specials & recommend some wine without feeling rushed through. Very diligent on making sure we were enjoying our time throughout the dinner. *This is a great spot for big groups. Just remember everybody's big group is coming here too ;)

We were so full from a day of eating but still had to come try this place we heard so much about. Super crowded restaurant with friendly service. The food was good.

What a lively and vibrant experience! The atmosphere is indeed celebratory, yet our table felt cozy and intimate. Our server was so present and lovely, managing several tables while providing personal and generous attention. The food was delicious - we had the regular portions which were more than enough along with an appetizer of arancini and focaccia. We'll order the smaller size next time and save room for dessert.

My friend N recommended this place. B ordered the large braised beef ravioli with Caesar salad. I got the Door of Perception small. This restaurant has some really interesting names on the menu. When we sat down, we were served with complimentary bread. Wow those were delicious. It was so good that we asked for seconds. The bread was really filling. The Door of Perception was very delicious. It was made with truffle creme and it had peas, mushrooms two giant meatballs on spaghettis noodles. The meatball was super flavorful. It had a very strong spicy kick to it. B said he liked his ravioli. It was delicious but it was definitely not something that he can eat everyday. It was very filling and had a lot of carbs. The bread was the best part of the entire meal. It was very oily. They make the bread inhouse and they bake them in a layer of olive oil. B liked the Caesar salad and I have to say they were very generous with the parmesan cheese. Note that this place doesn't take reservation and they are super busy on the weekend. I highly recommend trying this place.

Service was good. Focaccia bread was delicious. The rest of the Food was sub par at best. Pastas were all flavorless and severely overcooked or undercooked. Clearly out of a package. The worst Olive Garden on their worst day would look like a 5-star restaurant compared to this place. Don't waste your time.

Came with hubby and one of our sons, with high expectations as hubby started his career cooking at the Nanaimo location. Pagliacci's did not disappoint. From the deservedly famous focaccia through appies, pasta entrees, and desserts, we were blown away. The service was great, the ambience was awesome, and we will definitely be back.

Context is important. My death row meal is served at a restaurant in Victoria but subsequent to enjoying that beyond-amazing pasta dish a handful of years ago, I had to go gluten free. My husband and I traveled to Victoria figuring our dining options would not measure up to pre-diagnosis nirvana. Enter Pagliacci's. They offer GF alternatives for many of their dishes, and they take your issues/allergies seriously. The food was extremely delicious, the ambiance was charming and romantic and the service top notch. Shout out to Johanna who made our dinner memorable. Cody also makes one mean "reverse roobois Manhattan". Thank you for a wonderful dinner and experience!!!

A must visit spot when in downtown Victoria! I throughly enjoyed my Sophia pasta while my husband and sister in law enjoyed their own dishes. Our meat and cheese plate starter was fantastic. Loved their selection of meat and cheese. Their cheesecake and ice cream were too amazing but we were already so full from dinner. On the day we went there, they had a live band playing music. The place is charming albeit a little tight but definitely worth experiencing.

Stopped by here for the happy hour on a drizzly Saturday afternoon while waiting for the return clipper to Seattle. We just wanted a few light appetizers as we would be doing quite a bit of walking afterwards while waiting for the boat. The waitress seemed quite put out that we would only be having appetizers and not ordering entrees or alcoholic beverages. At that point the service was subpar but let's skip to the good stuff. For the appetizers we had their complimentary bread, which like everywhere in town was divine! We also had the arancini 3/5, the crab cake 5/5 ( I ordered a second one) and the meatball sliders 4/5. Decent prices for happy hours apps but I would hesitate to return given the hostile vibe of the waitstaff if you aren't ordering entrees (the waiter acted the same to the couple next to us who ordered one drink and 3 appetizers).

A TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT!! Paid extra for the LARGE Arancini and Pasta...Food actually was delicious but the portions were unbelievably small. Even though I paid extra for the large portions the food portion received was a huge let down. $70 for this was a brutal ripoff..also paid an extra $6.50 for Caesar salad with the pasta..what a joke!!....Spend your hard earned money elsewhere...don't give it to these thieves!! Forgot to take a pic of the LARGE Arancini ..but 6 small rice balls for $20+...total waste of money like the rest of the meal. Will never order again from this,place!! SPEND YOUR $ ELSEWHERE!!

Went here for their spaghetti and had a great meal. Service was good and the kitchen staff seemed to keep up albeit the restaurant was very crowded on the Saturday evening around 8PM. As they don't take reservations we had a short wait outside lined up to the door. In addition to the inside main floor they had second floor balcony seating upstairs and outdoor seating under an open tent as well as tables lined up against the wall along the sidewalk. We were fortunate to get a small table in an alcove as the noise level was otherwise quite high. I dropped the star primarily that they had too many customers too close together for our liking. The need to make revenue needs to be balanced with the customer experience.

This is hands down, by far, our favorite place to eat in Victoria! We took our grown up kids here for their first time as we live in Washington and they're still talking about it. The atmosphere is lively and so much fun. The staff is all so friendly and the food was delicious. I could make a meal on their focaccia bread alone as it is seriously that good. There were 7 of us and we all agreed it was some of the best Italian food we have ever had (4 of us have been to Italy). The portions are big and fun to share with each other. We've been coming to Pagliacci's for 27 years now and this is a must stop when you come to Victoria. Solomon takes great pride in his restaurant and it definitely shows. Not many people take the time to address every review. Pretty darn impressive! Don't let the long line discourage you - there is a reason and yes it is absolutely worth it! Thank you for making our Anniversary a night we won't forget! We are already looking forward to our next trip back. Thank you!

Visited Victoria during a cruise and found this place. It had a great cozy ambiance and the staff were super friendly. Our server Tommy gave us great recommendations. My sister and mom had the shell game and loved it. I had the Hemingway short story with melted cheese and it was the perfect dish for a warm day. Note that it is heavy. I got the half serving and still couldn't even finish. Definitely would recommend coming