Il Covo Trattoria

Someone from this business manages this listing.

953 reviews

#17 of 704 Restaurants in Victoria$$ - $$$, Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian

+1 250-380-0088+ Add website

Hours

Sun

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Wed

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Thu

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Fri

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sat

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

953 reviews

#17 of 704 Restaurants in Victoria

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

“I had the cioppino, which was good, but too heavy on the canned tomato and no...”

“Halibut overdone”

“... seafood and mushroom pasta, roast duck in orange sauce and the most beaut...”

“Unfortunately we know lamb and grew up with it.”

Location and contact

106 Superior St, Victoria, British Columbia V8V 1T1 Canada

James Bay

+1 250-380-0088

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Can a vegetarian person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

Unsure

Details

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About

Located in the historic area of downtown and steps from the Inner Harbour, Il Covo Trattoria is a memorable and unique Italian dining experience. Being a Trattoria, we're the perfect spot for any occasion where you can enjoy casual, rustic Italian cuisine in a warm old world Tuscan ambience. We also offer a beautiful garden patio for outdoor eating in an al fresco Italian style during the summer season. Come and enjoy a taste of Italy!

PRICE RANGE

$9.00 – $35.00

CUISINES

Italian, Tuscan, Central-Italian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

953 reviews

Excellent

580

Very good

225

Average

Poor

Terrible

dragonflygirl

White Rock136 contributions

Romantic Date restaurant

Dec 2019 • none

What a lovely restaurant!! I had read reviews online and did not realize quite how close it was to our restaurant(just across the road from Coast). It was hard to book a reservation(its quite small inside) so we had to eat at 5;30 at the bar. I have to say Bar seating is not ideal or romantic but the bartender was lovely and made excellent reccomendations both for the drinks and the food. My boyfriend had the lobster and crab pasta and I had a basic Marinaria spagetti but the flavors were spot on ! I highly reccomend to all for great food

Written January 9, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ScottC

133 contributions

Incredible

Jun 2020 • none

Our first post COVID dinner with friends and the result was amazing. My wife and I split the Misto Mare seafood salad and both agreed a double serving each would have been a stellar meal. All 4 of us ordered the pasta special and it would rank as one of the best pasta dishes I can remember. The setting and atmosphere is classic and wasn't diminished by distancing. Our server (Nathan) navigated the COVID rules elegantly making the experience great and completely normal. The dessert sampler was likely our least favorite but given the standard the first 2 courses set being 3rd isn't a complaint. Of course cocktails and wine were also superb.

Written June 13, 2020

Jacquie

Maple Ridge3 contributions

Amazing

Jul 2020 • friends

We dined here this evening and it was fabulous. From cocktails to salads to entrees, everything was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. Service was great. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for an excellent Italian dinner!

Written July 9, 2020

toygim

Victoria107 contributions

Less than impressed!

Feb 2020 • none

Thought I'd finally try this restaurant as it was part of the Dine Around. My partner and I were seated immediately. The restaurant is just one open room with high vaulted ceilings so it can get very noisy when full of diners. The service was good until we had complaints about the food, then the smile went away. I ordered from the Dine Around menu and my spouse ordered à la carte. I decided on the Spinach Salad followed by the Beef Tenderloin, hubby had the Shrimp Salad and Duck Breast. The salads were okay but I had asked for no onions. It was obviously previously prepared and they had removed the onions but the flavour remained. The Shrimp on the salad were not fresh. The entrées arrived and looked great but the beef was very stringy so I sent it back for another. When the replacement arrived not only was it a fair bit smaller but it was burnt on both sides. Completely charred! I cut off the outsides and ate the remaining (2oz?) piece. All of the accompanying vegetables were also extremely overcooked. My husband's duck breast was supposed to be pan-seared to medium rare. The meat was overcooked and the texture was horrible. It seemed like it had been overdone by sous vide and when we asked if this was how it was prepared the waiter didn't know what that was but then said it was braised and then pan seared. Whatever they did it was a sad end to a lovely piece of meat. I finished with the limoncello dessert from the DA menu and the waiter said they would remove my meal from the bill. When the bill arrived, they had given us a $15 credit from the $40 DA so it cost $25 for a salad and dessert. Wow! Unimpressed! As we both had had a glass of wine our total was $100 after our credit, not including tip. I cannot recommend this restaurant. Perhaps they've seen better days but this certainly wasn't one of them.

Written February 5, 2020

Islanddrum

Nanaimo37 contributions

Great return visit

Jan 2021 • none

We first discovered this restaurant soon after it reopened following the first Covid wave. I love Italian inspired food, and we both found the experience amazing. Our return a few months later did not disappoint. The food was equally delicious, waiting staff equally helpful, and the ambiance still warm and intimate, in spite of the continuing social distancing requirements. We'll be back!

Written March 18, 2021

Jennifer E

Victoria16 contributions

A divine date night experience.

Oct 2020 • friends

A huge thank you to the Il Covo Team, for a most incredible dining experience. From the warm welcome filled with love, air hugs and smiles (beneath the masks) to the buzz and energy of everyone enjoying themselves and their meals to the ambiance, the safety spaced tables and lovely dividers and attention to detail, to being treated to a glass of bubbly, enjoying a ridiculously delicious meal with amazing company. Charmaine and Italo, I am blessed to call you friends, so proud of what you have accomplished with Il Covo, and so very thankful for my time spent there with you. You will all, always hold a special place in my heart. Already looking forward to my next visit. XO

Written October 31, 2020

Safetravellor

11 contributions

Good but no longer great

Aug 2021 • couples

We had a nice evening. The meal was paced out, which we appreciate. Service was very good. I had the halibut special, unfortunately it was very over cooked and dry. The pasta , mushrooms and wine sauce that came with it was good, just not enough sauce to help with the dryness of the fish. My husband had the veal scallopini which was well sauced and served with a good pasta. We were here a year ago on another visit to Victoria, the meal that time was exceptional.

Written August 11, 2021

richmennie

Victoria Capital Regional District156 contributions

Simply an outstanding meal.

Nov 2020 • couples

Simply an outstanding meal. We started with the beet and the caprese salads which we shared and were delicious. We followed with the halibut special for my wife and the tagliatelle seafood pasta for me. Once again they were excellent. The servings were generous and delicious. Their gluten-free protocols were outstanding with gluten-free bread for my wife and delicious focaccia included. We finished with crepe brûlée which was very nice. A very good wine selection as well. Great service and delicious food. A new for us go to place.

Written November 23, 2020

mastaflash

Victoria16 contributions

Not the experience we were expecting.

Aug 2021 • none

We have been to Il Covo a couple of times before, and we have been pleased in each case, but not this time. While the service and ambience was excellent, the food was not what you would expect for the price. We ordered a carpaccio and a caesar salad for appetisers, and they were both most disappointing. We have ordered these before and they were always great. The menu describes the carpaccio as a raw beef slices on a bed of arugula. There was an arugula garnish in the middle...buts that is all. It was otherwise tasteless. The caesar was meager and not worth $12.imo. The mains ( smaller than in the past ) were OK but came late, which meant we were moved along for the next guests who we were told were waiting we had no time for coffee etc. All in all, an unsatisfying experience for a lot of $.

Written August 15, 2021

JOHN B

Victoria1 contribution

our favourite restaurant ...

Mar 2021 • none

We have visited Il Covo many times and particularly like the outdoor patio when weather permits. During this pandemic, we order in advance and pick up our meals in person at the back door. The meals are consistent and the staff are always courteous and competent. We hope this fine dining establishment survives the public health restrictions on indoor dining in B.C. John Billett

Written April 1, 2021

BradVancouver_Canada

Richmond44 contributions

Valentines Day perfection

Feb 2020 • none

I left it too late to make a reservation for this restaurant but went on the waiting list just in case. Did not expect to get a call but they actually called on two separate occasions to get us in. They bent over backwards which was much appreciated as was the exceptional meal we had. They also made me my favorite Italian dish even though it was not on the menu - Gnocchi with peas and pancetta!

Written February 17, 2020

Angus M

9 contributions

Best italian

Jul 2021 • none

We went for dinner and the restaurant was busy and staffed by excellent well trained waiters and very italian. Beautiful caprese salad followed by excellent homemade pasta and then ice cream all washed down with excellent chianti. A wee bit noisy is the only fault

Written July 17, 2021

babsinbc

Victoria138 contributions

Another extraordinary evening!

Nov 2020 • none

Since we're not doing any travelling lately 🙄 , we decided to treat ourselves to dinner at Il Covo and overnight downtown. The service was exceptional, both from Nathan, our server, and Sommelier, Heidi, who helped us select a really nice Italian wine perfect with our dinner choices. We shared a Caesar salad and both had the house-made pasta of the day with seafood and mushrooms. We really enjoy coming to Il Covo. All the staff are great and they've gone to extra trouble to install beautiful partitions between the tables so it's a totally safe place to enjoy a wonderful evening. Thank you all very much!

Written November 29, 2020

Ann H

Gabriola Island185 contributions

Consistently GREAT!!

Jun 2021 • none

We totally look forward to our Victoria trips as Il Covo has become part of our treat! We opened with a shared Caesar Salad. They do a fine job on a traditional salad. Gary had the dinner special which left his plate clean. Roasted veg, potatoes and red meat. I had the lobster cannelloni. It was delicious and again my plate was also clean. White Capella wine for me and Chianti Classico for Gary. Both complimented the meals. Tiramisu for Gary and cannoli for me. They serve you 4 small cannolis with 2 flavours on a well presented plate. I wanted more. More than satisfying. Can't wait for our next visit. There is a lovely outside terrace as well.

Written June 29, 2021

NoshTraveller

Canada1826 contributions

Nice Atmosphere, Food Average

Oct 2022 • couples

This restaurant is always busy. I’ve heard numerous times how good the food is, so I decided to try the place. The room is very well lit and the atmosphere is nice. I ordered the Lasagne alla Bolognese while my partner tried the Tagliata con Gnocchi. Before our meals arrived, the server brought some complimentary fresh focaccia Bread and Olive Tapenade to the table. The meals arrived a short while after ordering. The Lasagne was ok. It wasn’t bad in any way, but it also wasn’t outstanding in any way. The flavours were good, but not extraordinary. My partner’s Tagliata con Gnocchi (sliced AAA Sirloin with a Reduction and served with wild Mushroom Gnocchi), was disappointing. Because they used a Sirloin cut, instead of a Striploin, it wasn’t tender. It was also very fatty, which meant she didn’t eat 1/2 of it. The wild Mushroom Gnocchi was ok. Overall, the atmosphere was very good, while the meals were just ok. Service was friendly and accommodating.