Victoria Chinatown & Old Town Food Tour: Fan Tan Alley, Craft Beer, Multicultural Eats

Summary

Victoria’s oldest Chinatown meets new flavors in hidden alleys and lively Old Town corners

You’ll wander Victoria’s Chinatown and Old Town with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Taste South Indian dosas, Filipino pastries, Thai dumplings, sample local craft beer at Whistle Buoy Brewery and squeeze through Fan Tan Alley. You’ll hear gold rush tales and meet real locals along the way — there’s laughter, spice on your tongue, maybe some rain on your jacket.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the smell of incense to hit me before I even saw the Gates of Harmonious Interest. We’d barely started our food tour in Victoria’s Chinatown when our guide, Jasmine, waved us over to a little bakery window. “Try this,” she said, handing me something flaky and warm — I still don’t know what was in it (egg? coconut?), but it was sweet and gone too fast. The street was busy but not loud, more like a low hum of voices and clinking teacups coming from somewhere behind those red doors.

We ducked into Fan Tan Alley — honestly, I had to turn sideways at one point because it’s that narrow (Jasmine said 0.9 meters; she wasn’t kidding). There was a mural tucked away in the shadows, and someone selling tiny origami cranes from a table that looked older than my grandma. I tried saying “ni hao” to an old man sweeping his stoop; he grinned but answered in perfect English. That made me laugh. The history here feels layered — gambling halls, opium dens, now bubble tea shops and neon signs.

Old Town surprised me the most. It used to be full of brothels and bars during the gold rush days — now it’s breweries and little shops with handmade soap or vegan tacos (which were actually spicy enough to make me cough). At Whistle Buoy Brewery we sampled craft beer that tasted almost floral; I’m not usually a beer person but maybe that’s changing. The weather kept shifting — sun one minute, drizzle the next — so we just kept eating: South Indian dosa with coconut chutney, Filipino pastries that left sugar on my fingers, dumplings with chili oil that Jasmine warned us about (she was right).

I liked how nobody rushed us. We talked about Victoria’s past while leaning against brick walls still scarred by old shop signs. Locals nodded as they passed or stopped to chat about where to get the best bao (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Mandarin — probably butchered it). By the end my jacket smelled like curry and rain. I keep thinking about that alleyway light slanting through steam from someone’s lunch cart…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chinatown and Old Town food gems

• Visit Victoria's oldest Chinatown
• See Chinese Language School and heritage sites
• Walk through Fan Tan Alley
• Take iconic photos in narrow alley
• Explore historic Old Town square
• Sample craft beer at Whistle Buoy brewery

Top questions

How long is the Victoria Chinatown & Old Town food tour?

The tour typically lasts around 2-3 hours depending on group pace.

Is food included on this Victoria food tour?

Yes, food tasting is included throughout the tour at several stops.

Does the tour go through Fan Tan Alley?

Yes, you’ll walk through Fan Tan Alley as part of the experience.

Are vegetarian options available?

Vegetarian options are available if you advise at time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Can children join this food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; non-alcoholic samples are provided for youth.

What kind of food will we try on this Chinatown & Old Town tour?

You’ll taste South Indian dishes, Thai dumplings, Mexican tacos, Japanese bites and more.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through Victoria’s Chinatown and Old Town with a local guide leading you to multiple tasting stops featuring multicultural cuisine like South Indian dosas and Filipino pastries; you’ll sample craft beer at Whistle Buoy Brewery (with non-alcoholic options available), plus all taxes are covered so you can just show up hungry.