Two long-standing restaurants in downtown Victoria have quietly closed their doors, marking the end of an era for a pair of spots that helped shape the city’s dining scene.
After more than 32 years in business, Santiago’s Cafe has officially closed following its final weekend of service.
The beloved Tex-Mex restaurant, located at 660 Oswego Street, announced the news on November 30th through a heartfelt message shared with customers.
“Victoria’s favourite Nacho King here with a special message,” the post began, before confirming the restaurant would be retiring in mid-December.
Owners Tim and Kim thanked the community for decades of support, calling their time running Santiago’s “an incredible journey.”
As a final thank-you, the restaurant offered $5 all-day happy hour cocktails in the weeks leading up to its closure, encouraging customers to stop in for one last sangria, margarita, or plate of their famous nachos.
The owners also shared their final menu, noting that some favourites might sell out as the kitchen wound down.
Santiago’s first opened its doors on October 26, 1993, introducing South American-inspired tapas to many Victorians for the first time.
At a time when Victoria’s dining scene was far less adventurous, the restaurant quickly built a loyal following and became a staple for casual nights out, celebrations, and late-night nachos.
Also closing is Koto Sushi Izakaya, one of the older sushi and izakaya-style restaurants in downtown Victoria. The restaurant had been operating quietly in the 500-block of lower Fort Street and appears to have shut its doors without a public announcement.
Koto had been part of Victoria’s restaurant landscape for just over a decade, offering a menu that blended traditional sushi with izakaya-style small plates.
Over the years, it built a steady following among locals looking for a relaxed spot for rolls, sake, and shared dishes in the downtown core.
While the closure has flown largely under the radar, it adds to a growing list of long-time food and drink establishments that have closed in recent years.
Together, the closures of Santiago’s Cafe and Koto Sushi Izakaya highlight a changing restaurant landscape in the city, as rising costs, staffing challenges, and shifting dining habits continue to reshape where and how Victorians gather to eat.
