The Penny Farthing Olde English Pub

If wanting to see some of the neighbourhoods not far from downtown Victoria, take the scenic drive and veer off and go to Oak Bay Avenue. The Penny Farthing is a Canadian style English pub in the heart of the "avenue" with waiter service but tastefully done. Food is better than most typical pub food although also a bit more expensive. If just going for drinks (recommended) and not knowing what to have, try the Robert Service which is usually on special; lighter golden ale tasty and great in winter or summer!

Interesting that it was not busy. Cute place, low lighting. Food was great. Beer was smooth going down and we had a fun time with friends. Don't forget to look up and see the Penny Farthing as you come in the front door.

The Penny Farthing supported the silent auction at South Park School (Victoria) and we were lucky to bid on the package with the gift certificate. We had lunch yesterday - it was delicious. The services was excellent. Thanks for being a part of our Mother daughter day!

We were referred to the restaurant by the B&B that we were staying at, and expected a great experience. The restaurant was well done from the exterior. Great. And then it all fell apart. They had a sign up telling us to seat ourselves. We started heading to an open table, but were told by a server that it was reserved ... for over an hour later. We started heading for a second table ... same thing. The servers kept pushing past us, avoiding us, or even glaring at us. Weird. One server told us to try upstairs ... but the waitress at the top of the stairs said that everything there was already taken ... or reserved as well. We went back down and stopped another waitress and explained the issue we were having ... and all she said was that they don't seat the guests and that we'd have to find our own table. She then left us standing in the middle of the restaurant without making a single effort to help us. So we took her advice and found our own table ... somewhere else. They didn't want our business ... so we took it to somewhere that did.

This pub is in the heart of Oak Harbour and pretty busy for a weekday evening. We ordered traditional pub fare, bangers and mash and shepherds pie. The food was a little different from what we were expecting and the shepherds pie was a smaller portion. Desserts were excellent. Service was good although a little slow.