An edible celebration of Vancouver Island.

A Love Letter to our Chinatown home.

Since opening in February of 2023, Ugly Duckling has made its mark as one of Vancouver Island’s best and most innovative dining experiences.

Recognized as Victoria, BC’s Best New Restaurant by YAM Magazine, and long-listed as one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2023 by Air Canada’s En Route Magazine, we seek to create inventive and original dining experiences centered around the magical place we call home.

“On our second visit, we felt cared for in exactly the same way as before—like regulars, even though we were still relative newcomers. That’s the hidden brilliance of Ugly Duckling: its refinement is never cold or showy, but always rooted in generosity.”

— Elizabeth Nyland, Edible Vancouver Island

Slices of rare lamb with a savoury soybean cassoulet.

Close-up of charcoal-grilled octopus garnished with nasturtium, XO sauce, and salsa verde.

Chocolate dessert with malted chocolate ice cream, chocolate cremeux, freeze-dried raspberry, and a honeycomb tuile on a gray plate

At the heart of everything we do are two promises: to serve you only those things which we have made by hand; and to work relentlessly to make you smile. We can’t wait to welcome you.

Our menu changes with the seasons, the farmers, and the whims of the culinary team. Accordingly, please treat the following as samples only. Our team is happy to accommodate most dietary restrictions and aversions, but we kindly request a minimum of 48-hours notice so that we can prepare to welcome you. We regret that we are unable to accommodate severe allium, soy, sesame, or fin-fish allergies.