Victoria is a sweet place to live and an even sweeter place to visit, thanks to these amazing group of home-grown confectioners (and a couple bakers). All of these businesses are Canadian owned, operated and run by the confectioner themselves. Many are located within the downtown core; a couple just outside the core but still walk-able. We’ve mapped out two routes that will excite the kid in you by hitting up all these sweet spots in one to two days!
ROUTE ONE
1. First Stop…
our own Tout de Sweet Confections Shoppe at 1620 Store Street. We are located next to the (new) Johnson Street Bridge; in the Janion Building.
In our beautifully sweet candy shoppe you will find a wide range of our own handcrafted candy – (organic, nut-free, celiac-friendly) marshmallows, caramels, gumdrops, chews, caramel popcorn, cotton candy; as well as other all natural sweets, snacks, and sips from a range of Canadian food artisans.
We have soda pop, cordials, hot chocolate mixes, chips from Hardbite, nut mixes, unique and fun chocolate bars, brittle, rock candy, maple syrup, candy recipe books, and more!
We carry items suitable for vegans, those with nut allergies and celiacs!
2. Second Stop – Kid Sister
A mere 3 minute, 1/2 block away from Tout de Sweet is one of Victoria’s most iconic alleys – Fan Tan Alley. And there you will find Kid Sister Ice Cream.
Kid Sister is a local ice cream and popsicle shop. They work with the finest, organic, locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. They also make amazing sundaes and milkshakes.
Walk 10 paces in Fan Tan Alley to
3. Third Stop and you will find Pure Lovin’ Chocolates
Pure Lovin’ Chocolates is known to make vegan chocolate that tastes delicious. Locally made and consciously handcrafted from organic, Fair Trade chocolate, their chocolate is also gluten, soy & preservative free.
Just up the street (Fisgard Street), walk one block up to the Hudson Building.
4. Fourth Stop is located inside the Victoria Public Market.
Here you will find The Chocolate Project.
Victoria BC’s Chocolate Project offers more than 300 bean-to-bar chocolate bars from artisan producers from all over the world. The bars are sustainably harvested and traded, crafted by hand in small batches, and most importantly fantastically good chocolate. Visit David & Stephanie to pick up your favourite bars, sample products and learn more about the latest additions to The Chocolate Project.
Find them at a stall in the middle of the Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street, Victoria BC.
5. The Fifth Stop is a 5 minute walk away.
Phillips Soda. Founded by Phillips Brewing Company, Phillips Soda Works has been crafting hand-brewed soda with all-natural, real ingredients since 2012. They will soon have a bigger and better Tasting Room, located next to their current tasting room, but for now you can go in and have a sip of whatever suits your fancy.
Located 10 minutes walk from Phillips is Victoria’s other soda jerk (yes, that’s a real term and not an insult).
6. Located at 616 Hillside Avenue, unit #4 is your Sixth Stop….Victoria Soda Works.
Victoria Soda makes small batch soda pop in 20 flavours. They also make Mile Zero Seltzer.
The hours they open their facility to the public are VERY LIMITED. Typically they only open in the summer on Fridays from 11:00 till 2:00pm, and Saturday from 11:00 till 3! You can drop by for a cold soda or even a slushie!
If you are wondering what to do if they are, in fact, closed to the public on the day you want to go. Well, we highly recommend you walk over to the
7. Seventh Stop – Parachute Ice Cream
Parachute is another amazing hand-made ice cream confectioner. They also make gelato, milkshakes, floats, hot chocolates, sundaes, soft serve and slushies with local dairy and other high quality ingredients.
Looking for more sweet places to go to while you are in Victoria, BC? Check out Route Two, which has six more sweet places to check out.
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