The sea has much to teach us: its tides foretell the lunar cycle, its salt treats us to delicious shark jerky, and its colourful creatures prove that nature looks better in Blu-ray. Celebrate the big salty puddle's sagacity with today's Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of steaks, oceanic cuisine, and drinks at Nautical Nellies, located on Wharf Street.
Winner of a 2010 OpenTable Diners’ Choice award, Nautical Nellies showcases the stars of land and sea with a diverse menu of seafood dishes, steaks, and sushi. With a stunning view of Victoria’s Inner Harbour as your backdrop, set sail with Nautical Nellies’ signature crab cakes, sidekicked by peach and sweet pepper chutneys ($14.50). Veer your victual vessel toward the vast selection of entrees—such as the Vancouver Island wild halibut, whose large white flakes and delicate texture will lovingly smack you like a snowball of flavour ($28). Certified Angus steaks satisfy landlubbers ($22.50–$36.50), while extensive sushi and oyster bar menus will give raw-food rah-rahers something to chew on.
Reviews
The Times Colonist gave Nautical Nellies a good review. OpenTable reviewers give it an average of four stars and two Diner’s Choice awards in the Seafood and Most Booked categories. TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl eyes.
- We had trouble narrowing down on an appetizer, so the logical thing to do was have four of them. The Tasting Box ($21.98) was so good, we agreed it would be hard to return and order anything else. – Pam Grant, Times Colonist
- Enjoyed our meal from start to finish at Nautical Nellies. The service was excellent, and the food equally impressive. Wouldn't hesitate to visit again next time I'm in Victoria! – Roam the World, TripAdvisor
Nautical Nellies Restaurant
Nautical Nellies Restaurant, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016, is no stranger to recognition. The eatery, which overlooks the city's inner harbour, has garnered multiple Open Table Diners' Choice awards in categories including Best Food, Best Seafood, and Best Overall. Fillets of wild Pacific halibut or Vancouver Island ling cod flake beneath forks, and shellfish, lobster, and Dungeness crab claws teeter on multi-tiered seafood towers. Diners can sample 10 varieties of oysters and rolls of fusion sushi. Grass-fed Angus steaks, aged for 35 days, are cooked to any specification, from well done to what chefs term “blue”— seared on the outside, with a cool centre and a scrawled-on frowny face.
Thanks to the work of wine director Betty Furneaux, Nautical Nellies' beverage programs are just as thoughtfully designed as its dining menus. Wine Spectator honoured the eatery's wine list with an Award of Excellence in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Cocktails range from beachy mojitos to the savoury double-prawn caesar with vodka, Clamato juice, and two black tiger prawns. The restaurant also dedicates a section of the menu exclusively to scotch.