Interior of Il Covo Trattoria
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IL Covo Trattoria

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Experience rustic Italian charm in a historic building with a secluded garden patio, offering authentic dishes and warm hospitality.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

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Interior of Il Covo Trattoria

IL Covo Trattoria

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience rustic Italian charm in a historic building with a secluded garden patio, offering authentic dishes and warm hospitality.

"A staple of fine dining in Victoria, with high standards from ambience to food and service!"

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular Italian gem.

Come Hungry!

Generous serving sizes mean you'll want to come with an appetite to enjoy every bite.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Wednesday 5PM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

$$$

Phone

+1 250-380-0088

Address

106 Superior St, Victoria, BC V8V 1T1, Canada

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High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Enchanting Garden Patio

Enchanting Garden Patio

Dine al fresco in a secluded, lush garden patio, illuminated by twinkling lights. A romantic escape.

The Ultimate Victoria Patio GuideTop 5 places for outdoor eating in Greater VictoriaThe Best Patios in Victoria: Sunshine & Sips
Authentic Rustic Italian

Authentic Rustic Italian

Savor generously portioned, well-prepared rustic Italian dishes, with many pastas made in-house.

Restaurants in VictoriaThe 15 Best Restaurants in VictoriaGoogle Review
Warm & Welcoming Ambiance

Warm & Welcoming Ambiance

Experience an authentic Italian setting with vaulted ceilings and a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

The most romantic restaurants you need to visit in VictoriaGoogle Review
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🇮🇹✨ Spritz maison, pâtes artisanales et charcuteries italiennes, Il Covo est LE spot pour des vibes 100% Calabraises. 🍷🍝 Finissez avec un Amaro pour un voyage parfait. 👌 #IlCovoParis #ItalieÀParis #SpritzTok #FoodieParis #RêveCalabrais #SaveursAuthentiques #pov #pourtoii #viral_video
@itisbloome
9 likes • 412 views

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular Italian gem.

Come Hungry!

Generous serving sizes mean you'll want to come with an appetite to enjoy every bite.

Share Appetizers & Desserts

Given the large portions, consider sharing starters or sweets to sample more of the menu.

Consider Weekdays

For a more relaxed experience, try visiting on a weekday or during off-peak hours.

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure a table at this popular Italian gem.

Come Hungry!

Generous serving sizes mean you'll want to come with an appetite to enjoy every bite.

Share Appetizers & Desserts

Given the large portions, consider sharing starters or sweets to sample more of the menu.

Consider Weekdays

For a more relaxed experience, try visiting on a weekday or during off-peak hours.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Il Covo Trattoria is celebrated for its authentic Italian cuisine, particularly its house-made pastas and generous portions. Diners praise the attentive service and the restaurant's warm, inviting ambiance, especially the charming garden patio. However, some reviews mention a less satisfying experience with certain dishes being overly salty or overcooked, and occasional slow service, though the staff's pleasant demeanor is often noted.

"Superb experience.

Beginning with Dan our server, excellent. Read our table-vibe well and leaned in with the exact right amount of humour and professionalism.

Both of us ordered pasta. I had GF vongole, lots of seafood and the pasta was al dente. Very very good.

She had the cannelloni and it was also superb.

The tapenade that came with the bread was "special." The chef has created a, in my opinion, perfect recipe."

Don R Campbell

"We had an incredible dinner at Il Covo Trattoria. The food was outstanding—every dish was rich in flavour and beautifully prepared. Our server, Raimondo, went above and beyond. His warmth, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality made the night feel truly special. My partner was celebrating his birthday, and the extra care Raimondo showed made it unforgettable for him. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend."

Bradley Olson

"A staple of fine dining in Victoria. High standards all around, from the ambience to food to service. It’s no surprise that there is a constant waiting list and reservations are my absolute recommendation - you likely won’t grab a table here without one.

Major compliments to all the chefs and our great service staff! One of my new favorite restaurants in town!"

Arin Sarkissian

What People Like

Authentic house-made pasta
Generous serving sizes
Charming garden patio

What People Dislike

Salty or overcooked dishes
Slow service at times
Dim interior lighting

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, reservations are highly recommended as the restaurant is very popular and tables fill up quickly.

Google Review

Yes, diners consistently mention generous serving sizes, so come hungry or consider sharing.

Yes, it features a beautiful, secluded garden patio that is highly praised for its romantic atmosphere.

The Ultimate Victoria Patio GuideTop 5 places for outdoor eating in Greater VictoriaThe Best Patios in Victoria: Sunshine & Sips

Yes, the restaurant is noted to cater to dietary needs, including offering gluten-free options.

Best Italian restaurants in Victoria [2024]

They specialize in rustic Italian dishes, with many pastas made in-house, and regional specialties.

Restaurants in Victoria

Many consider it a top spot for romantic dinners and special occasions due to its ambiance and cuisine.

Most Romantic Restaurants on Vancouver IslandGoogle Review

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The warmth of Italy surrounds you at this family-run trattoria near Fisherman's Wharf. The owner hails from Genoa so much of the menu features cuisine from that region as well as daily specials from other parts of the country. Traditional favorites include carpaccio, polpette in agrodolce (tender beef meatballs with a savory sweet and sour sauce of caramelized onions, dried cranberries and green olives, and toasted almonds), spaghetti allo scoglio (a seafood medley in a wine and marinara sauce), and gnocchi in various incarnations.

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Just a ten-minute walk from the Inner Harbour, you’ll feel miles away from it all at Il Covo Trattoria, a traditional, rustic Italian restaurant nestled into Victoria’s historic James Bay neighbourhood. The restaurant features a super secluded, split-level patio with soft music and lush foliage abound, plus a tiny antique shop hidden within the building itself. Choose from several delicious a la carte options (like cannelloni stuffed with ricotta, spinach, crab and lobster), or opt to go family-style with a four-course chef’s choice menu.

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One of the top restaurants in the city, Il Covo offers high-end Italian cuisine. While the restaurant boasts a romantic indoor dining room, its private courtyard patio gets raved about for its atmosphere, lush with plants and flowers. The menu has lighter fare like the Antipasto Il Covo for Two, a popular Italiano platter; desserts like the fan-favourite Tiramisu; and it’s widely known as one of Victoria’s top pasta stops.

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Il Covo Trattoria is a beautiful family-run Italian restaurant in the James Bay area, offering a truly authentic Italian experience as soon as you arrive, from the ambiance, to the authentic cuisine, to the service. The building is a 100-year-old designated heritage building that was converted into an old-world trattoria. Il Covo Trattoria grows their own herbs and edible flowers in their own beautiful garden.

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Address: 106 Superior St, Victoria, BC V8V 1T1, CanadaPhone:+1 (250) 380-0088Website:ilcovotrattoria.caDetails: $$$, Italian restaurant. Il Covo Trattoria in Victoria offers a delightful Italian dining experience in a charming garden patio setting. The restaurant caters to dietary needs, including gluten-free options, ensuring that all guests can enjoy their meals to the fullest.

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Il Covo is tucked away in the corner of James Bay steps from the inner harbor on the quieter side of downtown. The building was built in 1914 as a rest spot for travelling merchant sailors and is rustic yet refined with high vaulted ceilings and brick walls. They serve up authentic Italian home style cuisine with house made pastas, fresh focaccia, seafood and steaks.

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$$$ |Location: 106 Superior St. | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Wed – Sun | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2. Il Covo Trattoria is a treasure among the best patios in Victoria, offering a slice of Italy right in the heart of BC. This spot quickly became my go-to for romantic dinners, thanks to its enchanting atmosphere and a patio that feels like you’ve stepped into a lush Tuscan courtyard.

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This fantastic Italian restaurant is one of the most popular places to go for any special occasion. Located right on the water near the Inner Harbour, this restaurant has a great Italianate ambience and serves the most mouth watering Italian cuisine on the Southern Island!. If you’re looking for something a little special to celebrate, this is it!

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Il Covo Trattoria offers a charming dining experience in the heart of Victoria, British Columbia. Nestled within a quaint setting, this Italian restaurant is renowned for its cozy ambiance, friendly service, and authentic cuisine. The menu showcases a delectable selection of traditional dishes, prepared with the freshest local ingredients.

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Victoria, BC

IL Covo Trattoria, is a rustic Italian restaurant with a warm ambiance serving northern Italian classics. It was a great finishing touch as our final dinner in the island. I really enjoyed the Impepata di Cozze and I must say, I loved the pasta my sister ordered which was the Linguine alla Puttanesca.

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Rustic Italian dishes are the draw at this charming eatery with vaulted ceilings and a garden patio. Il Covo is a very romantic restaurant with excellent service, as well as outstanding pasta!. During the summer months you can sit out in their very lovely garden patio while enjoying Italian classics!

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Reservation, Mediterranean, International, Restaurants, Mexican, Italian. "It's a good Italian menu, plenty of choices, and the food prices are reasonably priced, however the wine we had is $10 in the store and they charged $60, So sham on us for not knowing, but that's a huge margin in my opinion

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I’m a sucker for Italian food, and Il Covo Trattoria was definitely a fit for me. From the warm bread to dessert, I didn’t want to leave a bite on my plate. We enjoyed the Minestrone soup, a refreshing salad, penne al funghi, impepata di cozze blue mussels, and pollo alla cacciatore con polenta.

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The garden patio is beautiful and the whole place has a lovely atmosphere. Morgana, our server, was amazing and the food was excellent. Our group was looking for some vegan and gluten free options and she was so knowledgable and made great recommendations for everyone!

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Dinner | 106 Superior Street | 9-min walk from Black Ball's Victoria terminal. Il Covo Trattoria is an Italian restaurant located in the Victoria’s charming James Bay neighborhood. The restaurant boasts a menu that celebrates the rich and diverse flavors of Italy.

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Nestled in James Bay, Il Covo Trattoria offers an Italian escape with a Tuscan vibe. The Stinco D’agnello, or lamb shank, braised in red wine, is fall-off-the-bone good. And the Pappardelle Al Funghi with homemade pasta and rich mushroom sauce?

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Il Covo Trattoria – This cozy Italian restaurant in Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood offers classic dishes with a modern twist. Try the house-made pasta or the wood-fired pizzas for a taste of Italy in Victoria.

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Il Covo has a beautifully tailored and private garden patio to fulfill all of your Italian daydreams. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Il Covo Trattoria (@ilcovotrattoria)

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Il Covo Trattoria is honoured to be awarded by the Italian Chamber of Commerce the Ospitalità Italiana seal certifying us as a truly authentic Italian restaurant.

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