A popular downtown Victoria restaurant has announced they’ll be departing from Victoria Public Market at the end of December.
In a recent Facebook post, Café Malabar has said that their operating space with Coho Commissary has chosen to end its lease, which means they’ll have to leave the space.
Their last day of service at the Victoria Public Market will be on Sunday, December 29th.
“We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to open our space at the Victoria Public Market. While we’re saddened to not have more concrete plans in place before this closure, we know this isn’t the end,” the post reads.
Details on why the lease would not be renewed have not been disclosed. However, there is speculation that a grocery store may be set to occupy the main level. Those details have not been confirmed or released.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to expand our restaurant and continue serving this amazing community that has supported us so much.”
They added that, though this is sad news, they were planning on taking January off anyway to visit Kerala and give their team a “much-deserved break,” so the timing aligns with their plans and will give them time to finalize reopening details.
They’re hoping to rejoin the local cuisine community in February, whether that’s at Victoria Public Market or a different location.
This news comes just over a month after Café Malabar scored 5th place on Air Canada’s ‘Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada.’
“[A] recognition we couldn’t have achieved without you.”
In case you have yet to check them out, Café Malabar serves food that features the authentically vibrant flavours of the Kerala state of India!
They use fresh ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to emulate the flavours of the Southern Indian region.
Stay tuned for news on their reopening by following them on social media.
“We look forward to seeing you again soon! From our table to yours, Chef Kiran & Chef Karma.”
