Cenote Restaurant and Lounge — Restaurant in Victoria

A taste of New York in downtown Victoria? Yeah, Cenote is kind of like that. Really cool cocktails, with weekly rotating specials, a small selection of sharable tapas, and a few entrees.

So here's the dirty;

When you walk down the stairs to Cenote on Yates Street, you will come into an urban oasis. There are books and artwork galore — I'd recommend taking a look around because the interior decoration is really cool. Plants are another nice addition. I often see a lot of bars and restaurants where the ONE thing they're missing is the pop of life; greenery.

They have a pretty extensive cocktail list. I believe there is something for everybody, but if you're stuck, I have heard people spit balling with the bartender about making custom drinks for their tastes, so don't hesitate to ask.

The drink specials are also good. Their happy hour runs late (till 7, which is appreciated), and they have a second happy hour at 10PM till close.

Pretty good sharable menu. Seems like it's missing something, but I can't say what. There's nothing deep-fried, which is kind of cool, but maybe my Canadian sensibilities are having me wish for something greasy.

I've only been here a few times, but I've interacted with a few different staff so far, and I can say that so far they're personable and talkative. I feel like people can be themselves here, where sometimes at other restaurants or bars, the staff are going through the motions, or going through a script — at Cenote they really seem to play to their individual strengths.

I've only been here three times, but I've sat at both the bar and at a table with friends. Would recommend either depending...

Cenote continues to impress visit after visit.

During my recent visit to Cenote with a couple of friends, we were thoroughly impressed by the food, drinks, and ambiance. I ordered the beef bulgogi, which was tender and flavorful and truly hit the spot. My friend's girlfriend ordered the gluten and lactose-free Hawaiian flatbread and was equally impressed by its flavour and tenderness. The baba ghanoush was also a big hit among the group, with its perfect blend of flavours.

The cocktails at Cenote are truly award-winning, with expertly crafted drinks that are both delicious and visually stunning. The bartenders are skilled and knowledgeable, providing recommendations and creating drinks that perfectly complement the food.

The ambiance and decor of the restaurant are both eclectic and inviting, creating a unique and memorable dining experience. The staff is attentive and friendly, providing excellent service throughout the meal. The music is well chosen, diverse, and sets a great mood; the volume is also suitable for having comfortable conversations across the table.

Overall, Cenote is a must-visit restaurant in downtown Victoria. Its delicious food, award-winning cocktails, and inviting ambiance offer a unique dining experience. Whether you're looking for a late-night date spot or a fun night out with friends, Cenote is the perfect spot to enjoy refreshments and...

We had gone to the office when it had first opened. The food was awesome and the service was bar none. We went a second time trying the "dining" side. The menu was silly. Pick your meat, then pick your starch then pick your sauce. Don't know about you but when I go drop 100 bucks on a meal, I don't want go through that much effort.

Now we went back with lower expectations as one of our regular restraunts was really backed up.

We were greeted by a nice young lady who took us to a table immediatley. Unfortunately, that is where the quality service dropped. It was 10 mins before our drink order was taken and another 10 minutes to receive them. Not to mention that it looked like the ultimate underpour for a drink. (2 oz? i doubt it)

We both ordered steak which was 25 a plate, mine medium rare the wife medium. We were disappointed as mine was more rare and hers more medium well. And to boot there was so much sauce on the plate. I guess the sauce is to offset the lack of spice on the steak.

So 2 hours later, we leave, still hungry and not very statisfied.

If you are looking for a place to drink, hear some music etc this place looks pretty good. But if you want a meal, it isn't...