The Minimalist

You don’t have to travel to Vietnam to try authentic pho – it’s available right here in Victoria. So put away your passport and visit one of the Vietnamese restaurants below. Soon you’ll be sipping on savoury broth, seasoned with traditional Vietnamese spices and full of tasty meat and veggies. Close your eyes and you might forget you’re in Canada!

Eating out doesn’t have to be expensive – and you don’t have to sacrifice quality or taste just to get a good deal. Luckily for us, there are a number of Victoria eateries that offer satisfying meals for less than $10. Drop in, fill up, and leave with the energy you need to make it through the rest of your afternoon.

Student life can be hectic, so you need food that’s tasty, quick and, most importantly, cheap. Here are some of Victoria’s most student-friendly off-campus restaurants. Some are just down the street; others are a short bus ride downtown. But all of them have cheap eats that’ll keep you fuelled from frosh week to finals.

Real ramen, with freshly-made noodles, crisp veggies, high-quality pork and a rich, flavourful broth bears little nutritional resemblance to the freeze-dried, cardboard packages found in grocery stores. When you’re craving a warm and comforting serving of real ramen, here’s where you'll find it.

There are plenty of comfort foods out there, but few fill you with the warmth and contentment of a good bowl of soup. From simple broths to complex layers of flavours and textures, here's where to find some of the best bowls of soup in Victoria.

Whether you're a student cramming for exams or a freelancer tired of the sight of your own four walls, coffee shops have become welcome working destinations. The next time you're craving caffeine, grab your laptop and head to one of these local spots to connect with your community (and free WiFi).

Students are always looking for great places to relax, hang out, study and get a delicious (and budget-friendly) bite to eat. After a stressful day in class, hungry co-eds often turn to food for comfort. Whether on or off campus, UBC students know where to go to find affordable, tasty food choices. [Photo credit: Leonardo Patrizi]

Students don't always have the time (or ability) to cook for themselves, so they’re often on the lookout for affordable places to eat. For students at Simon Fraser University, there are a number of convenient and appealing dining options available both on and off-campus. Whether you're craving burgers or burritos, soup or salad, you'll find budget-friendly fare at these local eateries near SFU

Vegetarians rejoice: pho is typically a beef-based dish, but you can enjoy it too. This traditional Vietnamese soup usually contains rare beef but the meat-free version — with noodles and tofu in a veggie broth — is available if you know where to look. It might not taste like the classic version, but these pho-makers still ladle on the flavour. [Image credit: iStock.com/Kelseyhboyte]

You don’t have to travel far to try authentic pho – it’s available right here in your backyard. This delicious Vietnamese soup has reached new heights of popularity, and foodies aren’t the only ones taking notice. The dish is affordable and accessible to all tastes. Adventurous diners eager to please their culinary palates can enjoy a taste of Vietnam right here in Toronto.

If you're looking for the best spots to get fuelled during TIFF festivities, these sit-down and to-go restos around the Lightbox will prove Toronto's obsession with perfecting the sandwich. Keep your hunger in check during the festival with a next-level-delicious Rueben, pulled pork, or veggie delight from one of these King West hotspots.

This long-established Toronto neighbourhood stretching from Avenue Road to Bathurst Street is full of wallet-friendly lunchtime eats. There’s everything from organic vegetarian, to exotic Mexican and Indian cuisine, to hearty comfort foods. Check out these speedy eateries when you’re busy and on-the-go.