Lunch At The Parliamentary Dining Room In Victoria

The Parliamentary Dining Room in British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly Building is an elegant treat for breakfast or lunch

The British Columbia Parliament Buildings are an impressive feature of the Inner Harbour of Victoria, British, Columbia.

Legislative building featuring stone construction and domed roof areas

Construction, led by architect Francis Rattenbury, began in 1893. The buildings officially opened in 1898. Additions and embellishments continued through to 1915. The buildings house the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia as well as the Parliamentary Dining Room, where you can have an elegant breakfast or lunch.

White tablecoth-covered tables in a restaurant with wallpapered walls and wood accents

With its wood accents and wallpapered walls, the Parliamentary Dining Room exudes a timeless old-world charm. Framed photographs from the B.C. Archives adorn the walls.

Dining table covering with white tablecloth and two place settings with menus and folded napkins

White tablecloths cover the tables. Food is served on china.

The menu features classic dishes with fresh B.C. ingredients when seasonally available and includes daily and weekly specials. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are available. Prices are very reasonable.

Basement corridor with stone walls and overhead pipes

The Parliamentary Dining Room is in the basement, but it is not truly underground. There are large windows letting in daylight. However, you do go through hallways that feel like underground tunnels and then outside across an alleyway to get into the dining room. It feels a bit like heading to a secret spot.

Side view of the B.C. Parliament Building showing the covered side entrance

Entrance to the Parliamentary Dining Room is via the accessible Mowat entrance, located to the right of the main entrance staircase (note the canopy-covered entrance in the photo). You will likely not be allowed to enter until ten minutes before your reservation time.

You go through airport-like security to enter the building and must show photo-identification. The security desk provides you with a pass and hangs on to your photo-id until you finish your lunch and exit the building.

Because my sister and I had arrived about 30 minutes early for our reservation, we chose to spend some time looking through the building. We went in through the main entrance. Here you also go through airport-like security, but you hang on to your photo-id.

Inside you’ll find glamour and history. The rotunda is adorned with marble and gilded walls. Stained glass windows are found throughout. If the Legislative Assembly is sitting, you can view the proceedings from the public gallery.

Two stained glass windows separated by small area of wall with sconce on it — *A couple of the many stained glass windows*

Photo showing a legislative assembly room with red carpet, seats behind wooden railings and ornate pillars and ceeiling — *Photo of the Legislative Assembly Room*

When it was within ten minutes of our reservation time, my sister and I went back to the main security desk area and told the guards there we had a lunch reservation. One of the guards escorted us onto an elevator and downstairs. We did not need to go through security screening again, but we did have to hand our photo-id over to the dining room security desk.

Dining at the Parliamentary Dining Room was a special type of experience I would gladly do again. And, after viewing part of the building itself, I think a guided tour on a return visit might be in order.

Two women at a restaurant table with plates of food in front of them — *My sister and I at lunch*

The Parliamentary Dining Room is open Mondays through Fridays for lunch and breakfast. Hours vary depending on whether the Legislative Assembly is in session or not. Check the website. If you wish to tour the Parliament Buildings before or after your lunch, check its website for information on guided or self-guided tours.

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