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Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups
Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Located in the historic area of downtown and steps from the Inner Harbour, Il Covo Trattoria is a memorable and unique Italian dining experience. Being a Trattoria, we're the perfect spot for any occasion where you can enjoy casual, rustic Italian cuisine in a warm old world Tuscan ambience. We also offer a beautiful garden patio for outdoor eating in an al fresco Italian style during the summer season. Come and enjoy a taste of Italy!
PRICE RANGE
$6.00 – $25.00
CUISINES
Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
959 reviews
Excellent
583
Very good
226
Average
84
Poor
50
Terrible
16
Micask
Fredericksburg71 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
We had the best dining experience in Victoria among our many options! Every bite was a delight to savor. We made our reservation just a couple of days in advance and were offered bar seating, which turned out to be a fantastic choice. The tasteful plexiglass partitions provided just the right amount of privacy, and we enjoyed watching the bartender craft drinks as he was a gifted, detail-oriented mixologist.
Our server, Willis, was exceptional. He made us feel welcome, offering great recommendations without being intrusive, and he always seemed to appear just when we needed him. And the food—absolutely AMAZING! As Italian cuisine lovers with experiences ranging from around the US to dining in Italy, we can confidently say each course was a "chef's kiss."
Starting with the bread and dip, which was hands down the best I've ever had, to the beautifully presented and equally delicious tomato soup of the day, everything was perfection. Our entrees, Tagliatelle Alla Genovese and Lasagna, were a delight with every bite. To top it all off, we received a complimentary dessert to celebrate our anniversary! I highly recommend this gem—it’s a must-visit in Victoria!
Written September 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Virginia
Tacoma185 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Ambiance, delicious and wonderful service! This restaurant is a little flat walk from the main harbor area through a beautiful neighborhood, or grab one of the pedal taxis to take you. All desserts are made in house - the trio of selections for two is a wonderful way to taste several in smaller portions ideal for two people to share. Dinner was superb! Too busy savoring to take pics!
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FleetRacer
Fleet205 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Served by Kel and his colleagues friendly and professionally
We late booked and was offered sitting at the bar which we don’t normally do but was a great choice.
Watching and interacting with the cocktail maker was a new experience
We had some delicious bread and dip to start followed by Mixed crab and lobster caniloni and seafood spaghetti
Followed by a mixed desert recommended by Kel
All in all a great experience and could not fault as food and plates served piping hot as they should be but often not the case
Well done guys thank you
Written September 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike T
Nanaimo380 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
Truly exceptional restaurant, there are other Italian places in Victoria that have received best Italian and I’ve been to them but the be honest from someone that travels to different countries and know some of the top Italian places in different parts of the globe this place caught my attention. I am a huge wine guy so money is no object in this area , my favourite pairing is carbonara which is not on their menu with Tignanllo not on menu for pasta , of course they made me the best version I’ve ever encountered and the wine pairing knocked the dish out of the park. Great evening and great service , the chef upon request came out to meet me before I left so I could thank him for off menu dish , he said anything I needed in future he could do with a call! Ahead of time. Great rooms great patio , nothing more to say.
Written October 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancymhoule
Victoria3 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Beautiful restaurant but underwhelmed by my entre. Cioppino Lovornese was smothered in a marinara sauce that was too bold for me to taste the seafood that I was looking forward to. Also it further cooked the seafood by the time it made it to our table.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allen R
Bakersfield9 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Since it was difficult to get a reservation we thought it would be much better than it was. It was a disappointment. The food we had was bland, no flavor, tasteless - you name it. Maybe average for an everyday Italian resaurant. Maybe we just ordered the wrong dish. When served the food was lukewarm. We should have complained just to see what they would do. They must have known we weren't happy when we had them take it away with only half of it eaten. We skipped to dessert - also a disappointment.
Written May 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian H
Kelso66 contributions
May 2024 • couples
We got lucky and scored a reservation at an early seating at the bar on short notice. The atmosphere inside is cozy and warm. The service was outstanding (thank you Willis), and the food was top of the line. I have been to Italy and had the real deal, this restaurant is pretty close to being in Italy. Good salads and hearty pasta in rich sauce. The wine list isn't long, but in my opinion, better to have good pairings than pages of choices. Call well ahead of when you want to go if you are particular about your meal time, prime reservation times are hard to score. The food and service here are worth the wait.
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika T
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • family
My family who lives on Victoria and my husband and I who live in Vancouver always dine at il covo when we're in Victoria. This weekend was no exception. Last evening with our usual excitement we dined there. It began rather awkwardly when our entrees arrived shortly after our cocktails were served, leaving us feeling rushed. What we experienced in the food was nothing short of a very big disappointment. Two of us had the seared ahi tuna which was very dry and extremely salty. Another entree was a pasta dish where the pasta was very dry. The 4th entree in our group was very good, risotto with bay scallops. The replacement dishes to our ahi tuna were also very disappointing. My prawns were not hot and were dry. This dining experience has completely turned us off this restaurant. What a shame. Has something changed here?
Written November 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul E
Vancouver Island284 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
Was lucky enough to get a reservation and was not disappointed. Great service by Nathan and the food was spaced perfectly, timing wise, always water when we needed without asking. Every dish was excellent in quality and quantity.
Thanks. Was our first time here and will return.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoshTraveller
Canada1865 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
This restaurant is always busy. I’ve heard numerous times how good the food is, so I decided to try the place.
The room is very well lit and the atmosphere is nice. I ordered the Lasagne alla Bolognese while my partner tried the Tagliata con Gnocchi.
Before our meals arrived, the server brought some complimentary fresh focaccia Bread and Olive Tapenade to the table.
The meals arrived a short while after ordering. The Lasagne was ok. It wasn’t bad in any way, but it also wasn’t outstanding in any way. The flavours were good, but not extraordinary. My partner’s Tagliata con Gnocchi (sliced AAA Sirloin with a Reduction and served with wild Mushroom Gnocchi), was disappointing. Because they used a Sirloin cut, instead of a Striploin, it wasn’t tender. It was also very fatty, which meant she didn’t eat 1/2 of it. The wild Mushroom Gnocchi was ok.
Overall, the atmosphere was very good, while the meals were just ok. Service was friendly and accommodating.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VictoriaCoffee
Victoria4 contributions
May 2023 • couples
After 50 visits to Il Covo, I can honestly say… they’ve never let us down - Italian cuisine that’s reliable as gravity - genuine, well presented by professionals. Pretense? Never experienced this. It’s like dining with family.
Perhaps we are too well known now. We’re always treated like royalty.
They are popular — and now you need to book well in advance.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josephliyen
Calgary1273 contributions
Jun 2023 • business
Decent but not amazing. The food is good, but didn't wow me. It is relatively expensive. The bread was nice and so was the veal pasta. I thought the cheese platter was soso. None of the meat and cheese tasted amazing and it was really expensive at $35.
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan S
Duncan55 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Had read reviews before and wanted to try for myself. Went beyond my expectations!
Our waiter was incredible (Stephano I believe) was attentive but didn't hover, was there with suggestions, etc and didn't ask questions when our mouths were full!!
Meal started with warm focaccia and tapenade, followed by a sizable Ceasar salad, big enough for us to share. The pasta was perfect and sauce the best I've encountered!! Tiramisu and leopard coffee to finish a most incredible meal!
Thank you Il Covo, perfection in a meal we are still talking about 4 days later!!
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlene2012
Vancouver116 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
This has been our favourite restaurant for years, we even stay an extra night as they only open Wed-Sun. However, this year was very disappointing. I had the bellini with cassis in - hardly any taste and was still "white" so shows not much cassis in it. The veal and sauce was delicious as usual (I asked for extra sauce but when presented I had to ask if they did do extra sauce and they said yes - I would hate to see it if I hadn't asked for extra sauce). The pasta I change to an alfredo sauce as the one that comes with it has goat and blue cheese in. Usually so delicious, but this year was so salty I couldn't eat it. Needless to say, we won't be back.
Written October 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safetravellor
11 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
We had a nice evening. The meal was paced out, which we appreciate. Service was very good.
I had the halibut special, unfortunately it was very over cooked and dry. The pasta , mushrooms and wine sauce that came with it was good, just not enough sauce to help with the dryness of the fish.
My husband had the veal scallopini which was well sauced and served with a good pasta.
We were here a year ago on another visit to Victoria, the meal that time was exceptional.
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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