The Victoria Rainy Day Food Tour
It's rainy, we're touring! A cozy comfort food walking tour that only runs when Victoria gets wet.Grab your umbrella and rain jackets. This cozy Saturday food tour only runs when the forecast calls for rain, and it is all about warm, hearty comfort food. We meet at the Umbrellatorium in historic Fan Tan Alley and wander the streets of Chinatown and Old Town, ducking out of the rain into some of our favourite local restaurants. If you are looking for things to do in Victoria on a rainy day, this is one of the coziest ways to spend a wet afternoon.
Duration
2.5 hours
Price
$89.00 per person
Availability
Rainy Saturdays in November
11:00am to 1:30pm
Comfort Food for Rainy Days in Victoria…
When the West Coast rain rolls in, there is nothing better than something warm. Think pipping-hot bowl of noodle soup, decadent BBQ pork, steaming cups of tea, Kerala spiced dishes, crave worthy chicken, and a warm dessert to round things off. Along the way you will visit five local culinary stops, including award winning Cafe Malabar, named one of the top 10 best restaurants in Canada, and Birdman, the hip new chicken joint in town.
Every stop is a small, independent, locally owned business, and every bite comes with the story behind it.
It’s Rainy, We’re Touring…
This tour is made for wet weather, so it only runs on rainy days. Every Thursday we check the forecast for Saturday. If rain is on the way, bookings open for that weekend. If the forecast looks dry, the tour simply is not offered that week, so you will only ever be booking a true rainy day adventure.
We start at the Umbrellatorium, Victoria’s very own umbrella shop tucked into Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada. Forgot your umbrella? Tour guests get 20% off at the shop, so you can pick one up before we head out.
Details
Season: Rainy Saturdays in November (Nov 7, 14, 21 + 28)
Time: 11:00am to 1:30pm
Meeting Place: The Umbrellatorium (4 Fan Tan Alley). Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Ending Place: Downtown Victoria
Walking: Short, easy walks between cozy indoor stops
Weather: Rain is the whole point. Bookings open each Thursday only when the Saturday forecast calls for rain.
Parking: Please visit our parking info page HERE
Dietary & Safety Concerns
We can accommodate most dietary needs on this tour with advance notice. Please let us know about any allergies or vegetarian requests when you book so we can make arrangements with our tour partners. This tour is not suitable for guests with life-threatening severe food allergies.
Tour Highlights
Comfort Food Done Local: five culinary stops serving warm, hearty dishes at small, family owned businesses, not on the tourist trail.
Award Winning Eats: includes Cafe Malabar, one of the top 10 best restaurants in Canada, and Birdman, the hip new chicken joint in town.
Umbrella Shop Start: meet at the Umbrellatorium in Fan Tan Alley, where tour guests get 20% off.
Small Groups: a maximum of 12 guests for a cozy, personal experience.
Friendly Guides: our guides go through an extensive training program, so you get carefully curated stories, history and local food tips.
Exclusive Discounts: every guest gets our Eat & Shop Like a Local Card with discounts at local restaurants and shops, good for up to 1 week.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
BOOK DIRECT FOR THE LOWEST PRICE
Book directly on our website or call our office to get the best price on our tours. Find it cheaper? We’ll refund the difference! Keep in mind that sites like Trid Advisor show you the price in your own currency (may appear cheaper due to currency exchange) but just know – it is not cheaper to buy from a 3rd party site!
FREE CANCELLATIONS
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a FULL refund. We know that plans can change, that’s why we offer one of the most generous cancellation policies in the industry. Please note if you book through a 3rd party site it is not as easy for us to issue a refund.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some common questions asked by Off the Eaten Track customers.
How do I know if the tour is running?
We will announce on Thursday before the tour if the tour is available on Saturday. We will decide based on the weather report. If there is a chance of rain we will open the tour for bookings. If the weather changes, we won’t cancel the tour. Once we have decided to run the tour it will be guaranteed to run. Fingers crossed it rains!
What happens if the weekend forecast calls for sun?
If the weather looks like it will be sunny we will not be offering the tour. We will make this call on the Thursday before the tour. If we decide to run the tour but the weather changes, we will still run the tour as we will not cancel the tour once we have sold tickets.
Do I have to buy an umbrella at the start of the tour?
No, you do not have to buy an umbrella, you are welcome to bring your own. However, the Umbrellatorium is offering a great 20% off discount for any umbrella purchse.
Can I get a refund or reschedule my tickets?
We offer a full refund if tours are cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours. We unfortunately do not offer refunds for no-shows or cancellations made within the 24 hour period as your seat is being held on the tour.
Do you offer discounted tickets for children or seniors?
On some of our tours we do offer discounts for seniors and youth. As this is a seasonal “pop-up” tour and not one of our flagship tours we will not be offering a senior or youth rate. But our Downtown Food & City Tour, our Hip & Hidden Chinatown and Old Town Tour, and our Victoria Chocolate + Bakery Tour all have Senior and Youth pricing.
What is included in the ticket price?
- All food and beverage tastings (enough for a meal)
- An expert tour guide to lead the tour
- Our Eat Like a Local discount card
Are gratuities included in the price?
No. If you enjoyed your tour guide’s service, gratuities are greatly appreciated. The standard gratuity in the service industry is 15-18%
How much food is served?
Our tours include enough different stops with an abundance of food along the way. You should consider the tour as a meal however our goal is not to leave you stuffed, but to give you a taste of the best culinary delights that Victoria has to offer.
Are there any beverages served?
On some of our tours there is an alcohol beverage included but we always have a non-alcohol option available. On the Rainy Day Food Tour there is no alcohol included but there is tea included.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes. When completing the order form, you will be asked if you would like a vegetarian option. We must know in advance and unfortunately we cannot change preferences the day of the tour.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We are able to accommodate for some dietary restrictions however, due to the nature of restaurant kitchens, we cannot guarantee substitutions can be made for specific diets. When completing the order form, you will be asked if you have any allergies or dietary preferences. We must know in advance and unfortunately we cannot change preferences on the day of the tour. Our tours are unsuitable for those with any severe food allergies.
Do we only walk around and sample food?
Definitely not! Our tours combine dinning with sight-seeing. The tour guides will provide commentary throughout the tours regarding history, cultural landmarks, insider culinary tips, exciting shopping opportunities and more. Consider our tours a smorgasbord of eating, learning, meeting locals, and a way to discover hidden gems in the city.
How physically fit do I need to be to attend a tour?
The tours require a certain level of physical stamina. Some tastings are on the go and seating opportunities can be limited and sporadic. There is an approximation of the distance covered in the details section of each tour.
Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
Yes, this tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Are tours offered only in English?
Currently our tours only operate in English however we are working on hiring multi-lingual guides. Please email info@offtheeeatentracktours.ca if you are interested in booking a tour in another language and we will do our best to accommodate.
Is there free parking?
Unfortunately Victoria does not have any free downtown parking. We suggest downloading the Victoria Parking APP to pay and book for your parking.