Victoria donut tour: Four stops, pastries & Chinatown

Four donut shops in one walk, ending where they bake them fresh

You walk four donut stops across Victoria's downtown and Chinatown with a local guide who points out the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings, and the history of Fan Tan Alley along the way. The tour includes tastings at Empire Donuts, a local ma-and-pop shop, and Filipino treats at Friend and Family Bake, plus insider recommendations for where to eat and shop. The whole route is wheelchair accessible and takes about two to three hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Downtown Victoria Donut and History Tour

• Start at Empire Donuts shop
• Stop for quick refreshments
• Discuss Old Customs House history
• Walk through downtown highlights
• Visit local donut shop for treats
• Walk through Market Square
• Explore Fan Tan Alley history and shops
• End tour at Friend and Family Bake

The experience

A guide points out the storefront, and you're already inside Empire Donuts: the 1950s diner aesthetic hits you first, all chrome and neon, then the smell of fried dough and glaze. This is where the Victoria food tour starts, in the heart of downtown, and it's not a casual stop. Empire is known for its intergalactic-themed donuts, the kind that look like they belong in a retro sci-fi movie, and you'll taste why people line up here. From there, the walk begins in earnest: a short distance to a beloved coffee and donut spot, passing what your guide will tell you are some of the best restaurant locations in the city. You're not rushing. The pace is slow enough to actually notice the buildings, the street corners, the way the light falls on Government Street as you head toward the Inner Harbour.

The Inner Harbour itself stops you for a moment: the Empress Hotel and Parliament Buildings sit there like they've been waiting for you to notice them, and your guide will talk about what you're looking at while you take it in. Then the route curves back into downtown, and you hit the third donut shop, a local ma-and-pop operation that doesn't have the Instagram appeal of Empire but has something better: the kind of donuts people actually eat, not just photograph. By now you've walked enough to have earned it. The final leg takes you toward Chinatown and Friend and Family Bake in Fantan Alley, where the real surprise happens: Filipino treats, including donuts you won't find anywhere else on this tour, and if the timing works, you'll see them being made through the shop window. The whole thing takes about two to three hours, and you'll have walked through most of downtown without it feeling like a march.

Your guide knows the city in the way only someone who walks it regularly does. They'll point out Market Square and give you actual recommendations, not generic ones, but places they'd take a friend. You'll hear stories about Fan Tan Alley's history, about Victoria's British heritage, about why certain streets look the way they do. It's the kind of detail that makes a food tour feel like something more than just eating: you're learning the place while you taste it. The wheelchair-accessible route means the whole downtown core is open to you, and the pace suits all fitness levels. This isn't a race, and it's not a leisurely stroll either. It's a walk with purpose and stops that matter.

What’s included

• Your tour includes tastings at four artisan donut and pastry shops: Empire Donuts, a local ma-and-pop donut shop, a coffee and donut spot, and Friend and Family Bake in Fantan Alley with Filipino treats.
• A local guide leads you through downtown Victoria and Chinatown, sharing stories about the city's British heritage, coastal history, and local culture, while pointing out the Inner Harbour, the Empress Hotel, Parliament Buildings, Market Square, and Fan Tan Alley.
• You'll receive insider recommendations for dining and local attractions, and the entire route is wheelchair accessible.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDepartures at 10:00, 11:00 and 13:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Underground Donut Tour

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste Victoria's best donuts and pastries without planning four separate stops yourself. The guide handles the route, the history, and the recommendations, leaving you free to eat and pay attention to the city.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Victoria food tour?

The tour takes approximately two to three hours, with walking between four donut and pastry stops across downtown and Chinatown.

What donut shops are included?

You'll visit Empire Donuts (downtown), a local ma-and-pop donut shop, a coffee and donut spot, and Friend and Family Bake in Fantan Alley, which specializes in Filipino treats.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the entire route is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What will the guide talk about?

The guide shares stories about Victoria's British heritage, coastal history, and local culture. You'll learn about Fan Tan Alley's history, the Inner Harbour landmarks, and get insider recommendations for dining and shopping.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues.

Can I see the pastries being made?

At Friend and Family Bake in Fantan Alley, if timing allows, you may see Filipino treats being made through the shop window.

What should I wear?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as you'll be walking between four stops across downtown Victoria and Chinatown.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.