Wonderful food. Wonderful service. Will be visiting again when we get out to that area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S LEE
I had a delightful time at Tapas on Oak. The restaurant's interior boasted vivid red paint, creating a tidy and inviting atmosphere. Our server was friendly and attentive. Upon their recommendation, we ordered bread and bison. The bison was outstanding—tender and bursting with flavor. Accompanied by garlic butter, the bread was unfortunately marred by the overpowering taste of raw garlic, which lingered until the next day. I believe roasted garlic would have make it better garlic butter. Despite being half-priced at $10 for two, the tacos were merely average. At their full price of $20 for two, they would have left much to be desired. I wouldn't recommend the tacos, considering the abundance of superior options in Victoria. However, the bison dish was exceptional, especially when paired with the bread (which helped mellow the garlic's intensity). Lastly, I wish the wooden bpard didn't habe black spots in the middle.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Kathryn Holopainen
Fabulous food, small plates served with good timing. Great service from Trinity.Excellent presentation and sauces. We don’t eat red meat but didn’t feel at all deprived. Crab cakes, salad, olives were all good. The roasted duck spring rolls and Szechwan green beans were particularly good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda Heffelfinger
I am surprised by the positive reviews. I went to Tapas on Oak with a friend yesterday. I would sum up our experience as "the most money we have paid for the worst food we have had" in a long time. We ordered 4 dishes to start, including bread and olives. On the menu, the plates were an average of about $18 - $22. Most are "Asian influenced". The most expensive we ordered was a Japanese-style chicken - I can't call it a true chicken Karaage. It was coated in a sauce which we found so salty that neither of us could get it down and we left most of the dish untouched. It came with a cucumber garnish that was so doused in vinegar that it made our eyes water. Although garnishes are sometimes just for decoration, it is nice when you can eat them and they add to the over-all taste experience of the dish. We had szechuan - style green beans which were OK-to-good if somewhat "standard" but at $18 we could have found same or better in any reasonable Chinese restaurant for, given the small portion served at Tapas on Oak, 1/3 of the price. In addition we had a teeny-tiny caprese salad that was dowsed in a balsamic glaze, which, to my taste at least, extinguished all flavours in the dish behind a vale of cloying sweetness and at about $18, it was tiny: basically, just cherry tomatoes (I get that tomatoes are out of season) and those little bocconcini balls which are never as good as the real thing. For $7, about 5-6 paper thin slices of baguette, toasted, with some incredibly salty garlic butter. The olives, at around $8, were OK - but tasted like grocery store mixed olives that had been heated up with some roasted garlic thrown in. Some fennel seeds, citrus or rosemary, for example, would have made this more distinctive. Normally, when we go out for Tapas we start with around four dishes and then order more as the evening progresses. Not here. There was nothing in our initial order that instilled confidence that anything else would be to our liking and worth the money. Although we were hungry when we left, we decided it was better to make something when we got home. The cost, with tip and 1 glass of wine, was about $100. The waitress was very nice and tried her very best to be attentive, but she was alone and, to us, she did not have the level of skills or experience appropriate for a restaurant that charges so much - i.e. dropped cutlery, spilled water and not entirely confident in the menu. This is fine - she was really nice, but l think you have a right to expect a more professional and polished service at a restaurant that charges so much, as opposed, for example, to a cheap-and-cheerful burger place where you can be much more forgiving and typically are. Ultimately, you should get what you pay for. And yet, the place was full. Maybe we were missing something or were unlucky. People obviously like it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Ascent Yard Care
Good ambiance and good eats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janet Roth
Food is presented well and tastes good with a nice variety of tapas but so overpriced. You’d have to spend at least $50+ per person to be “full”.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Pieter Dorsman
Excellent tapas place with really warm and kind service from Trinity. Food is really good, dishes are sequenced in the right pace. We were lucky to be here on wine Wednesday, so good rate on excellent wines. Highly Recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mohit Verma (Extraordinary Fool)
If you get there you have to try the almond brie something because that was the second best thing on Valentine's Day, me and my beloved were served by Trinity, so if you get her, you are in for a treat because she is really kind and very fun to converse with, she is knowledgeable about the menu and can suggest drinks. The manager is very helpful and accommodating, it's certainly a delightful experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Les & Gerry Erickson
Tapas On Oak… what a fabulous find!From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Dan, the owner and the lovely servers, Trinity and Ella… from that point on, the whole experience was one that will definitely bring us back time and again. Thank you for making our night out so special and memorable.Not only was the food scrumptious, the service was exceptional. Trinity and Ella were attentive, helpful and so delightful. Loved the music and the whole vibe… still thinking about the superb evening we had and how much we thoroughly enjoyed the Szechuan Green Beans, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Karaage Chicken, Almond & Rosemary Baked Brie with Artisan Bread.Highly recommend Tapas On Oak!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsay Fleming
We were there for our 21st anniversary.Trinity was our sever and was fantastic.We had the duck spring rolls, prawns the bison and the spicy chicken tacos .We can say enough about the food and the service.
This place has delicious food! I really wish I could rate it a 100! The service is kind and amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Watters
Loved our dinner at Tapas on Oak. Everything we ate tasted great, service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant! Thank you very much.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gina Marrello
Great tapas, the baked brie was a highlight. Very friendly service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nick Croft
My girlfriend and I were in on Friday night after wondering around Oak Bay.Tapas on Oak is a super intimate setting, and a great overall vibe for a fancier night out.We shared the olives (a hefty, tasty amount although a little heavy on the Chili Flakes), dumplings (fantastic), creme brule, and their sundae along side a glass of port.The Owner and the server were both extremely attentive and friendly.I'd highly recommend this to friends if the budget permits (it is on the pricier side!).I would have loved to take photos of the food, however didn't want to disturb other patrons.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
L Rahn
We stopped by on a whim. The food was fabulous!!! We enjoyed the bison, prawns and baked brie - to start! The wine recommendation paired very well. Our server Trinity was such fun! Dan, the owner sat with us at the end of the night. Such a fun evening! We will be back! Highly recommend Tapas on Oak!
Wonderful food. Wonderful service. Will be visiting again when we get out to that area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had a delightful time at Tapas on Oak. The restaurant's interior boasted vivid red paint, creating a tidy and inviting atmosphere. Our server was friendly and attentive. Upon their recommendation, we ordered bread and bison. The bison was outstanding—tender and bursting with flavor. Accompanied by garlic butter, the bread was unfortunately marred by the overpowering taste of raw garlic, which lingered until the next day. I believe roasted garlic would have make it better garlic butter. Despite being half-priced at $10 for two, the tacos were merely average. At their full price of $20 for two, they would have left much to be desired. I wouldn't recommend the tacos, considering the abundance of superior options in Victoria. However, the bison dish was exceptional, especially when paired with the bread (which helped mellow the garlic's intensity). Lastly, I wish the wooden bpard didn't habe black spots in the middle.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Fabulous food, small plates served with good timing. Great service from Trinity.Excellent presentation and sauces. We don’t eat red meat but didn’t feel at all deprived. Crab cakes, salad, olives were all good. The roasted duck spring rolls and Szechwan green beans were particularly good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am surprised by the positive reviews. I went to Tapas on Oak with a friend yesterday. I would sum up our experience as "the most money we have paid for the worst food we have had" in a long time. We ordered 4 dishes to start, including bread and olives. On the menu, the plates were an average of about $18 - $22. Most are "Asian influenced". The most expensive we ordered was a Japanese-style chicken - I can't call it a true chicken Karaage. It was coated in a sauce which we found so salty that neither of us could get it down and we left most of the dish untouched. It came with a cucumber garnish that was so doused in vinegar that it made our eyes water. Although garnishes are sometimes just for decoration, it is nice when you can eat them and they add to the over-all taste experience of the dish. We had szechuan - style green beans which were OK-to-good if somewhat "standard" but at $18 we could have found same or better in any reasonable Chinese restaurant for, given the small portion served at Tapas on Oak, 1/3 of the price. In addition we had a teeny-tiny caprese salad that was dowsed in a balsamic glaze, which, to my taste at least, extinguished all flavours in the dish behind a vale of cloying sweetness and at about $18, it was tiny: basically, just cherry tomatoes (I get that tomatoes are out of season) and those little bocconcini balls which are never as good as the real thing. For $7, about 5-6 paper thin slices of baguette, toasted, with some incredibly salty garlic butter. The olives, at around $8, were OK - but tasted like grocery store mixed olives that had been heated up with some roasted garlic thrown in. Some fennel seeds, citrus or rosemary, for example, would have made this more distinctive. Normally, when we go out for Tapas we start with around four dishes and then order more as the evening progresses. Not here. There was nothing in our initial order that instilled confidence that anything else would be to our liking and worth the money. Although we were hungry when we left, we decided it was better to make something when we got home. The cost, with tip and 1 glass of wine, was about $100. The waitress was very nice and tried her very best to be attentive, but she was alone and, to us, she did not have the level of skills or experience appropriate for a restaurant that charges so much - i.e. dropped cutlery, spilled water and not entirely confident in the menu. This is fine - she was really nice, but l think you have a right to expect a more professional and polished service at a restaurant that charges so much, as opposed, for example, to a cheap-and-cheerful burger place where you can be much more forgiving and typically are. Ultimately, you should get what you pay for. And yet, the place was full. Maybe we were missing something or were unlucky. People obviously like it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Good ambiance and good eats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is presented well and tastes good with a nice variety of tapas but so overpriced. You’d have to spend at least $50+ per person to be “full”.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Excellent tapas place with really warm and kind service from Trinity. Food is really good, dishes are sequenced in the right pace. We were lucky to be here on wine Wednesday, so good rate on excellent wines. Highly Recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
If you get there you have to try the almond brie something because that was the second best thing on Valentine's Day, me and my beloved were served by Trinity, so if you get her, you are in for a treat because she is really kind and very fun to converse with, she is knowledgeable about the menu and can suggest drinks. The manager is very helpful and accommodating, it's certainly a delightful experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tapas On Oak… what a fabulous find!From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Dan, the owner and the lovely servers, Trinity and Ella… from that point on, the whole experience was one that will definitely bring us back time and again. Thank you for making our night out so special and memorable.Not only was the food scrumptious, the service was exceptional. Trinity and Ella were attentive, helpful and so delightful. Loved the music and the whole vibe… still thinking about the superb evening we had and how much we thoroughly enjoyed the Szechuan Green Beans, Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, Karaage Chicken, Almond & Rosemary Baked Brie with Artisan Bread.Highly recommend Tapas On Oak!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were there for our 21st anniversary.Trinity was our sever and was fantastic.We had the duck spring rolls, prawns the bison and the spicy chicken tacos .We can say enough about the food and the service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place has delicious food! I really wish I could rate it a 100! The service is kind and amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved our dinner at Tapas on Oak. Everything we ate tasted great, service was quick and the atmosphere was pleasant! Thank you very much.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great tapas, the baked brie was a highlight. Very friendly service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My girlfriend and I were in on Friday night after wondering around Oak Bay.Tapas on Oak is a super intimate setting, and a great overall vibe for a fancier night out.We shared the olives (a hefty, tasty amount although a little heavy on the Chili Flakes), dumplings (fantastic), creme brule, and their sundae along side a glass of port.The Owner and the server were both extremely attentive and friendly.I'd highly recommend this to friends if the budget permits (it is on the pricier side!).I would have loved to take photos of the food, however didn't want to disturb other patrons.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
We stopped by on a whim. The food was fabulous!!! We enjoyed the bison, prawns and baked brie - to start! The wine recommendation paired very well. Our server Trinity was such fun! Dan, the owner sat with us at the end of the night. Such a fun evening! We will be back! Highly recommend Tapas on Oak!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5