Review Bar 500 - Victoria

The Simmering Pot

Really enjoyed the pasta. Great texture on the noodles. Creative sauces and accompaniments. Tasty dessert. Wish the bread was grilled/warm. You can taste the quality of the ingredients and everything was well-made.

Carol Ann Johnson

Wonderful meal ... AGAIN!! The selections are always tasty and well presented. Never disappointed and we were happy to bring two couples with us this time. The "first-timers" were as impressed with their selections as well. There is an accessible washroom (single room) which I believe is part of the hotel. Unfortunately, there are a few things that need to be improved to make it friendlier. The hook mounted on the door is too high for someone in a wheelchair as is the towel dispenser which requires hand motion to activate it. These things could be easily fixed by adding a lower coat hook and lowering the towel dispenser. The room is a good size and the there is an assist bar mounted beside the toilet.

Paul Mellor

We wanted a very light dinner away from the bustle of Fisherman’s Wharf and Bar 500 was the perfect find. Situated in a quiet residential area, it’s a smartly presented restaurant/bar with a good menu. I had prawns in garlic and they were the juiciest prawns I’ve had for a very long time. Service was excellent and very friendly. I’d unhesitatingly recommend Bar 500.

Jussi Päivinen

Did not try the food, just had drinks while waiting for our transporation, but it was ok just to take a beer outside and the terrace was fabolous. Price for a beer was very cheap and they had excellent hazy IPA on tap.

L Norry

LOVE going to the Bar 500 for jazz nights. Its a cozy atmosphere and not too crowded. The menu is small and the food is delicious. Our only request/recommendation is to add a few monthly dining features to change things up a bit. We would come more often then. All in All, a GREAT venue.

Cory Laprade

Very good portions, delicious, and the bacon was HUGE and cooked to perfection! Seriously, if you like bacon, then try theirs. The local made bread was a little too crunchy, but she explained that the bread company was concerned the bread was overbaked. I think they should have used different bread because serving it today was mouth painful. I am sure it has been better other days, but today was quite rough. Was overall still worth the brunch. And our waitress was pleasant, fun, perfect and on the hosting ball.

Jackie Early

This was our third visit to Bar 500. Previously had two breakfast meetings there. The breakfast menu is not extensive but what they do, they do well. This was a jazz/dinner evening which was great. The jazz really enhanced the dining room ambience. The food is good (hubby had a melt in your mouth lamb shank and I had a delicious mushroom pasta dish) . The servers are really friendly. I felt as though I was a member of the Oswego family as we were so well looked after. We enjoyed the jazz singer too. If you're looking for a cosy and intimate setting, Oswego Bar 500 is perfect.

Darryl Karleen

We visited in the evening for the Dine around town menu. The mushroom chowder was amazing and creamy. We had the sablefish entree which consisted of outstanding different flavours. I hope they consider adding the sablefish dinner to their permanent menu.

Nigel Malkin

Did not know the restaurant was in a hotel and had concerns as many hotel restaurants are not great. The restaurant is quite small and more unfounded concerns. Our server was a pleasure and even with what appeared to be a fairly limited menu the dishes all sounded good so we ordered. Well everything was fantastic I had the skate and the flavors were simply amazing. Our shared appetizers were all terrific as was desert. The best dinner out we had in our week in Victoria. So Bar 500 is a hidden gem that should be put on your list.

Veronica Ardila

Amazing breakfast place! Delicious and original! Excellent service too!

Byron Fritzler

Spent a couple nights at the Oswego Hotel and sought out their sunny patio for a relaxing meal. We eat out a lot and this was one of the best meals we've had in Victoria. They have a tidy menu of things that they do very well. The fish was outstanding, the chicken sandwich was unlike any other. If you like good food made with fresh local ingredients, you will love what they can produce. The service was notch too. Our waiter was passionate about what they put on the menu each day and how they go about sourcing their ingredients. I'm reluctant to review this as I fear we might not get a table when I visit next, but we will be back as often as we can to Bar 500.

Cody H

Excellent service and good food. Portions were on the smaller side for the prices but the food was creative and prepared well. We brought our dog and sat in the outdoor patio area.

Jody Shakespeare

A hidden gem, located in the lobby of the Oswego Hotel. The seasonal menu is short and beautifully executed. Exceptional craft cocktails to boot. We dined here three times: twice for dinner and once for brunch while on our recent trip to Victoria. In a city full of well-reviewed restaurants, this dining spot is wonderful, and beyond reasonably priced for such a fabulous experience. Front of house service was always on-point, manager Mark was memorable and the Chef nails every dish coming out of his kitchen. 5 stars all the way!

Pam Hartling

Very enjoyable meal. Three course meal beautifully presented and every course delicious. Really appreciate the seasonal local grilled cabbage salad. The ravioli may be the best we've had. Nice work Chef and attentive servers.

Allie Jones

I love this place! Excellent location, the food and drinks are incredible and the staff is always so kind and attentive. My favourite place for Live Music on Thursdays :)

Ric Johnson

The people here make you feel like you're coming home, but the food isn't like home at all. It is like nothing we've ever had and we have had all varieties of foods. Tonight one of us had pasta flavored with flowers and one had skate -- did you know skate was edible? I thought it was just a very cool looking cousin of a mantra ray. Everything is absolutely delicious. If you are not feeling adventurous, there are plenty of choices for you as well. The entrance and every table are wheelchair accessible.