Janevca Kitchen & Lounge — Restaurant in Esquimalt

Beautiful atmosphere in an unlikely location of the city. Always say yes to the specials.

I've had the opportunity to visit Janevca twice now so I feel like I'm ready to share my thoughts.

Parking seems to be limited and I'm not sure about the cost. We typically use a taxi or Uber but last time we used valet and I didn't notice the cost.

You are immediately struck with the atmosphere, it's a beautiful older building located in a residential section of Esquimalt. I'm told it's an old hotel that has been renovated with the plans to have the hotel return soon. The building is beautiful and the dining room is filled with a classic style. In the center of the room is an amazing faux tree that fills the room and is changed with the seasons. You can't help but take a picture. Many of the items in the room have a long history and have been imported from many parts of the world, right down to the cutlery. I'll admit I'm not a fan of the tables, the glassware tends to stick to it making it challenging to pick them up without spilling at times.

Drinks are done well here. They have a selection of signature cocktails that are very reasonably priced and I haven't had one I didn't like. They also have a premium selection of cocktails that are excellent. Even the zero proof options are thoughtful and make everyone feel included in your special event.

Service has been outstanding, if not a bit awkward at times. I'm fine with a little awkward encounter because you can tell there is a commitment to an outstanding guest experience at all times. Management has done a good job of keeping the staff focused on that mission and it shows.

The wine list is extensive and includes a range of prices. We found the sommelier very helpful when looking for a good choice to pair with our meal in a price range we selected. I can't speak to the options by the glass.

The food is good overall but our best experience has been with the specials rather than the set menu. At both visits we have enjoyed a special stuffed pasta, an excellent tasting and visual experience. Steaks are cooked well but have not been a stand out compared to other options in town. The beet salad was tasty, it's hard to go wrong with a whipped barrata. The broccolini has been a favorite on both of our visits.

Each dessert we have tried has been interesting if not adventurous. On our first visit there was an orange cake that had an overpowering bitter flavour but when paired with the tiramisu, it was fantastic. On our most recent visit we ordered a trio of desserts, each more fantastic than the next. Everyone at the table picked a different favourite.

There is also a lounge which seems to have a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the dining room but I'm not sure how the menu compares. Some day we'll take the opportunity to check it out.

Overall I would suggest adding Janevca to your list if you enjoy fine dining. They have the possibility of creating something very special here and you might want to take the chance to check it out before it gets too popular to...

A Culinary Hidden Gem in Esquimalt, BC: Let me start by saying there are no photos of this meal because the food was that good, too mesmerizing to pause for a camera. I was entirely swept away in a blissful, bite-by-bite experience at Janevca Kitchen and Lounge, nestled on quiet Lampson Street in Esquimalt, BC. This isn’t just a dinner spot—it’s a destination for those who love to eat with heart, soul, and a little sparkle.

Atmosphere & Ambience: When you step into Janevca, you know you're in for something special. The interior strikes the perfect balance of elegance and warmth—soft lighting, sleek lines, and textures that make the space feel both modern and welcoming. The ambiance hums with quiet sophistication, punctuated by laughter, clinking glasses, and the gentle rhythms of great conversation. The staff are an absolute dream—attentive without being intrusive, genuine, knowledgeable, and passionate about every detail on the plate and in the glass.

The Food: Art Meets Flavour: Every dish I tried at Janevca was a masterclass in flavour and finesse. The Acquerello Risotto was a verdant beauty—creamy yet light, with a wild nettle pistou that sang of spring. The preserved Meyer lemon added a citrusy brightness, while the frico brought just the right crunch. It was comforting, elevated, and unforgettable.

I started with the Roasted Beet Salad, and let me tell you, it’s not your average beet salad. The espresso vinaigrette was unexpectedly divine—a subtle bitterness that danced beautifully with the sweetness of candied hazelnuts. The whipped ricotta? Cloud-like. It was earthy, sweet, creamy, and complex all in one dish.

I chose the Ginger Spice cocktail to sip. It combines cozy winter fires with zesty summer sunshine in a glass. Coal-roasted citrus gives it a deep, smoky warmth, while the pear and ginger beer fizz with a fresh kick. It's perfectly balanced and dangerously drinkable.

And the dessert? Just to let you know, a standing ovation is in order. The Chocolate Black Sesame Tuxedo Mousse was a revelation. Layers of flavour—from the deep richness of the chocolate sesame cake to the nutty whisper of the sesame namesake, all tied together by the silkiness of milk chocolate mousse. The black sesame ice cream was a star in its own right—smoky, creamy, unexpected. And the sesame snap? A delightful crunch that closed the show with flair.

Final Thoughts Janevca Kitchen and Lounge is a treasure trove of culinary creativity and heart. It’s the place that makes you want to return before you’ve even left. Every element, from the inspired dishes to the charming space and the lovely people who bring it all to life, speaks of intention, care, and passion.

If you’re craving something genuinely special in Esquimalt, don’t walk—run to Janevca. And leave your phone in your bag. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a...

I wanted to put some distance between my experience and writing this review to really think about it. Honestly, the location and the room are so stunning that they make up for some lost points.

Pros: we liked our food, no complaints, cooked well, reasonable portions, great flavours, but nothing im dying to get back in to try cocktails were great stunning dining room and overall location server was friendly and informative

Cons: one of the specials was Japanese milk buns with miso yuzu butter. The buns were delicious but the butter was full of pepper and no miso or yuzu flavour; we asked a server if maybe it was the cacio peppe butter that is served with the sourdough and she assured us no, it was the miso yuzu… I truly don’t know if it was correct or not but why make a second butter and overload it with pepper when you already have a pepper butter! I ordered the special because I love miso, and got none of that I was sitting on a booth with my back to the wall so I could look out at the restaurant; AC was absolutely blasting behind me so I was freezing (didn’t mention to server because they looked very warm) servers were absolutely rushing around and looked overworked; this gave the impression they were pressured for high turnover or that it was overbooked which kind of gave an anxiety to the experience. Many of them were sweating, and dining room layout is awkward for them along with bussing staff to navigate continuing to the rush feeling, food came out almost too fast and by people other than our server. Almost all our courses were sitting in front of of us for minutes before the server had time to come back and bring serving utensils and describe the dish to us letting the food get cold or we could pick at it from the main plate (everything is family style) one male server (not ours) brought out the signature chicken dish to us and said “here’s your bird and taters”… just an overall casualness to it that I would expect at a diner, but not with fine dining it was my birthday and we’d saved up for a while to come experience this. No where on reservation was there a spot to indicate it was a special event, and we weren’t asked upon arrival. I didn’t need/want fanfare, but again for this level of dining there are certain expectations.

Food: beet salad: delicious and fresh Scallops: standout dish, ended up being our fav Japanese milk buns: buns were great, but as above I’m not convinced we got the right butter Potatoes: fine, a tad underdone Chicken: second best dish, signature chili crisp was delicious Halibut: really good, cooked to perfection Peach Melba: stunning to look at, chocolate pit was clever, but overall looked better than it tasted

Overall: for over $250 for two people (one drink each) the experience level was just not...