Discovery Coffee - Victoria, British Columbia

Sylvain P.

Still the best cafe in Victoria. Toujours le meilleur café à Victoria !

Tim M.

Oak Bay location.

Food rating: The Apple fritter I had was super oily - their bakers had a bad batch, not usually like this.

Coffee is always solid and very well made... if it were not for this core aspect, I would not be back as often as I am. Don't loose that, PLEASE!

Service: functional but nothing more. See below.

Atmosphere: LP playing ambient music (a bit loud) but is a nice accompaniment to the buzz of local convos.

My recommendations for the owner:

1) branded to go cups with QR for Google or FB reviews.
2) QR codes on tables and at the door for menus... maybe offer a promo on the table menus for discount on 2nd drink or a Togo item when leaving, and maybe to eliminate lines, have a table runner bring the item and collect payment so you get shorter lines and the walkin walk out traffic can get in line faster.
3) would be nice if staff greet customers, or at very least at the till.... they NEVER EVER SMILE... they seem like they hate being here and not super friendly. They comply with orders, but do nothing to be welcoming or even friendly. Training!!!
4) menus.... covered this already, but if you don't do the QR thing, at LEAST print a larger menu or do a chalk board or something.
5) setup a drink of the day or some kind of special bevy that is shown in a photo and displayed on a sandwich board outside or on an easel inside the door so you see it right away. Make it 10-15% more than regular priced similar drink, but just add some twist.... a special latte or bring in some Merchies tea for a weekend.....

Gord

A $6.50 latte? Seriously? Go down the Avenue for a reasonably priced coffee. Totally out to lunch on prices.

Service was basic and transactional. Very unfortunate because the interior is quite nice.

Bitcoin F.

Just priceless to be able to see and hear vinyl music 🖤 to spend any day here 🙂

Chaselyn L.

Good coffee, great donuts from Yonni’s. Service is polite but my guess is they’re not paid more than minimum given how aloof they are. No sizes over 16ozs, some more limited flavored syrup options.

My biggest complaint is the lighting. It gives me a headache within 2 minutes because they use spotlights meant for plants or highlighting walls… except they’re pointed at your face. If you are sensitive to lights or are neurodivergent and don’t like big lights, you don’t want to come here.

Kathryn D.

Cool space. Like the doughnuts.
Service is kinda odd.
A few times ive been i swear no one behind the counter made eye contact with me.
When they got my drink size wrong I felt super discouraged to say anything.
They've mismade my drink a few times which is a bummer as often I bring my own cup in with some mct powder so I lose that when they remake it.
I find the coffee consistent though in flavor which is really nice and why I go back

Josh V.

Edited: gave it one more shot and was worse than the first time. Extremely rude staff, dirty vibe, and the music is too loud. They removed all the outdoor seating over half an hour before closing on what is the warmest and nicest day of the year so far. Lazy. Donuts made by a different company are about the only redeeming feature of this place.

Original: Came around 2pm, didn’t have a single thing to eat at all. Still using paper straws despite the carcinogenic glue used to make them and how they ruin your drink. Didn’t like the atmosphere either, full of entitled Oak Bay hipsters. Coffee worse that others within walking distance.

Saanichton M.

Not friendly staff or service. The transgender, WOKE/DEI bathrooms were confusing to understand and upsetting. It is overpriced too. Inflation of coffee prices/tips will mean we brew our own!