We take dinner reservations by phone only from Wednesday to Sunday, and are available for calls starting at 2:30pm. We do experience a high volume of calls, especially on Wednesdays as we are closed on Monday and Tuesday. We answer all our calls in the order they are received and very much appreciate your patience.
We look forward to providing a memorable dining experience with us! Ospitalit Italiana was created to promote authentic Italian restaurants around the world which guarantees the quality and standards of Italian hospitality. Il Covo Trattoria is honoured to be awarded by the Italian Chamber of Commerce the Ospitalit Italiana seal certifying us as a truly authentic Italian restaurant.
We look forward to providing a memorable dining experience with us! Ospitalit Italiana was created to promote authentic Italian restaurants around the world which guarantees the quality and standards of Italian hospitality. Il Covo Trattoria is honoured to be awarded by the Italian Chamber of Commerce the Ospitalit Italiana seal certifying us as a truly authentic Italian restaurant.
Services
Our signature recipes, including our fresh made pasta are created with the finest quality ingredients. In our garden patio we grow herbs & edible flowers that are presented in dishes & drinks. Locally sourced seasonal seafood, produce & meats. Not all ingredients may be listed on the menu. Please let your server know prior to ordering of any dietary concerns or special requests.
This historic heritage-designated building was built in 1914 by architect JCM Keith whose design credits include Christ Cathedral and the Legislature library. Named the "Connaught Seamen's Institute", its function was a safe haven for young merchant sailors providing them a bunk, food and guidance while waiting for their next vessel.
Il Covo Trattoria gift cards can be purchased in person at the restaurant or online for any denomination. There are no restrictions or expiry date applied. We accept Cash, Visa, Master Card, or Debit for gift certificates purchased in person at Il Covo Trattoria. All online gift cards require 24 hours to process and you will receive a confirmation email.
Thank you Victoria for voting for us as finalists in both Best Italian and Best Fine Dining!. Trattoria - "an Italian style eating establishment serving classic home-cooked Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere" - is the perfect description being part of the James Bay community.
Reviews (20)
Hollis Hodson
Dec 14, 2021
Report
Wonderful ambiance and excellent service! Our fellow was perfect in his delivery of drinks, food, recommendations and conversation and invisible when removing dishes.
If you have bland palette you will wonder why I didn't rate 5 stars - however Italian food for me is about fresh flavors and the dishes we ordered were good flavors but not great (lacked freshness pop) - which for the price they should have been (particularly as a the daily special .)
I gave 4 stars because the serving sizes were also good - they didn't short on quantity. They had gluten free options and our server seamlessly adjusted
If you have bland palette you will wonder why I didn't rate 5 stars - however Italian food for me is about fresh flavors and the dishes we ordered were good flavors but not great (lacked freshness pop) - which for the price they should have been (particularly as a the daily special .)
I gave 4 stars because the serving sizes were also good - they didn't short on quantity. They had gluten free options and our server seamlessly adjusted
Sav
Nov 19, 2021
Report
Came here for mine and my boyfriend’s 5 year anniversary. We made reservations through the phone and mentioned that we would be celebrating our anniversary that day. Upon arrival, the host outside greeted us with a friendly, “happy anniversary”, along with the host inside, as well as our server. We even got 2 glasses of champagne on the house. We felt very special to say the least. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcomed, which is rarely experienced these days. I have been coming to Victoria yearly for the past few years now but I will definitely remember this experience
Jessie W.
Nov 19, 2021
Report
Had high expectations of this popular place -- had tried twice previously to make a reservation less than a week in advance without success. Unfortunately didn't find it all that impressive:
- outdoor area including garden was blocked off
- indoor wasn't as decorative as I would expect of a high-end Italian restaurant
- service wasn't spectacular -- answered questions when asked, got us what we needed, but certainly didn't go above & beyond
- food was somewhat mediocre -- beef carpaccio a bit short on flavour, pappardelle ai funghi a little heavy after first bites, lamb
- outdoor area including garden was blocked off
- indoor wasn't as decorative as I would expect of a high-end Italian restaurant
- service wasn't spectacular -- answered questions when asked, got us what we needed, but certainly didn't go above & beyond
- food was somewhat mediocre -- beef carpaccio a bit short on flavour, pappardelle ai funghi a little heavy after first bites, lamb
Vanco P.
Oct 18, 2021
Report
I think this place got it's fame because it's one of the longest standing restaurant in Victoria. We came here for my birthday for the first time, personally speaking, my experience was mediocre. First of, our table felt like it was added on, cuz it's right by the door and after the statue. Our server was not very attentive either and forgot to bring our wine until we reminded him. Secondly, the lamp shank and the pasta that we order were both so salty that both me and my partner had to chuck down the meal with water. Lastly, it's the cannoli, the crust was very hard and it was hard to bite down
Creek F.
Oct 06, 2021
Report
This restaurant is a rare gem. The food is amazing! We had the chef's four-course dinner (only $50 each) and each course was a delicious surprise! The final course (dolce) was a platter of desserts - 3 or 4 desserts, with enough for each person. The food, ambiance and service were so amazing, I'd travel to Victoria just for this restaurant!
Nathan Hale
Aug 31, 2021
Report
Elsa
Aug 19, 2021
Report
Paul
Aug 12, 2021
Report
Food was good and service as well. Overall a decent restaurant.
Where it fails is on its ownership policies. Unfortunately this restaurant continues to enforce mask policies no longer supported by laws in this province. This is the first establishment I've visited that has enforced mask requirements after it was no longer mandated. Furthermore while leaving and observing through the windows off the sidewalk I could see the kitchen staff preparing meals and nobody was wearing a mask. If your going to enforce idiotic requirements for me to enter your business at least extend it to your kitchen staff
Where it fails is on its ownership policies. Unfortunately this restaurant continues to enforce mask policies no longer supported by laws in this province. This is the first establishment I've visited that has enforced mask requirements after it was no longer mandated. Furthermore while leaving and observing through the windows off the sidewalk I could see the kitchen staff preparing meals and nobody was wearing a mask. If your going to enforce idiotic requirements for me to enter your business at least extend it to your kitchen staff
Renee Mellody
Aug 12, 2021
Report
Most of everything was so good. We did not have reservations and on a Sunday night at 8pm we thought we'd be fine. Wrong. Make reservations if you want a table, especially in the patio which is lovely. We could, however, sit at the bar, which served their full menu. We took it and actually jumped 3 other tables, with reservations, still waiting for their table.
Service was exceptional. Always there to attend to things but never intrusive. As we sat at the bar we got to watch them clean and prepare drinks. Top notch.
Food was so good. We split the tomato and boccochoni cheese salad (capresse)
Service was exceptional. Always there to attend to things but never intrusive. As we sat at the bar we got to watch them clean and prepare drinks. Top notch.
Food was so good. We split the tomato and boccochoni cheese salad (capresse)
Island Oxygen Yoga
Jul 14, 2021
Report
Have been trying to get a walk in table to a couple of Italian restaurants lately with no luck. Finally committed to a reservation 2 weeks in advance. We had a party of six and arrived promptly at our time of 730 on a Sunday night. We were seated at a beautiful table by a window. As it was an anniversary celebration the server brought out two glasses of champagne for the couple. We ordered a bottle of Chianti and it was delicious. Meals were as follows, a slow simmered lamb and pasta, bolognese sauce gnocchi, seafood linguini, and caesar salad. All I can say is WOW...everybody enjoyed the food
Christine J.
May 03, 2021
Report
Tried for the first time using Tutti delivery. My sister and I split the antipasto plate for two and the cannelloni di mare. What a treat! It even came with a HUGE warm, fresh focaccia. Plenty of food for two people with a little left over. The cannelloni was stuffed to splitting with delicious crab, lobster, cheese and spinach, and covered with a savoury rose sauce that was a delight to mop up with the bread. The antipasto was a lovely variety of meats, cheeses, fruit (fresh and dried) olives, onion jam and roasted eggplant. That alone would have satisfied us both. Will definitely order again
Jon C.
Mar 15, 2021
Report
Brian L.
Nov 20, 2020
Report
All the meals here are excellent, and we have tried many of them. That said, the Familia Italiana for four is likely our favorite and is great value and HUGE portions. Make sure you come in hungry. It is a four course meal (Insalada (salad), Primi patti (pasta), Second course (main) and finishing with Dolci (dessert) consisting of Cannoli, Panna Cotta, Mousse, and Profiteroles.
The service and ambience make one feel like you have dropped into a Tuscan village and the hosts, Italo, Charmaine, and Senna, make you feel at home. Reservations are strongly recommended and if you are lucky enough to
The service and ambience make one feel like you have dropped into a Tuscan village and the hosts, Italo, Charmaine, and Senna, make you feel at home. Reservations are strongly recommended and if you are lucky enough to
Mary-Jane A.
Sep 16, 2020
Report
What a great find! When we come to Victoria we always try to eat one night at Il Terrazzo, but this trip we couldn't get in so tried Il Covo instead. We really enjoyed this restaurant and it's now become our favourite in Victoria. We'll be coming here instead from now on!
There were 6 of us and everyone had something different to eat, and each dish was excellent. The service was top notch from start to finish. The garden outside has a nice setting for dining and inside is very nice as well. Not located in the downtown area, more on the outskirts, but definitely worth the visit
There were 6 of us and everyone had something different to eat, and each dish was excellent. The service was top notch from start to finish. The garden outside has a nice setting for dining and inside is very nice as well. Not located in the downtown area, more on the outskirts, but definitely worth the visit
Kirsten S.
Jul 16, 2020
Report
Best service. Scott was absolutely amazing and informative. We had the antipasto and carpaccio to start with. From there we took the recommendations from him and had the gnocchi, pappardelle. The setting and atmosphere is something you can't find in any other place in downtown Victoria but here.
I wouldn't change a thing, best service inside and out. Thank you for everything.
I wouldn't change a thing, best service inside and out. Thank you for everything.
Liz L.
Apr 26, 2020
Report
Conrad Y.
Feb 03, 2020
Report
Stumbled in solo on a rainy night with little hope since Dine Out was on but kind front end staff managed to shoehorn me into a spot at the bar.
Went for the DO menu because it was easiest and decent value-the dishes were all excellent; Eggplant & Bocconcini in a tomato based sauce sound hackneyed but it wasn't and neither was it over salted so rare in restaurants generally, Lingcod with Capers & Olives was again delicious/not too salty and the Limoncello desert fit perfectly since it wasn't too sweet.
I've been to Victoria a number of times wanting to try this place
Went for the DO menu because it was easiest and decent value-the dishes were all excellent; Eggplant & Bocconcini in a tomato based sauce sound hackneyed but it wasn't and neither was it over salted so rare in restaurants generally, Lingcod with Capers & Olives was again delicious/not too salty and the Limoncello desert fit perfectly since it wasn't too sweet.
I've been to Victoria a number of times wanting to try this place
Charlie S.
Nov 17, 2019
Report
Great ambiance, but the food was just ok for the prices charged. We ordered the tortellini, the lamb shank and the cannelloni. The server Gabriel was very polite and but never took notes of our orders causing the bring us a ravioli instead of the cannelloni
The food was luke warm all around and the lamb shank was salty.
The expectations must have been to high with the 4 star ratings but the experience was rather underwhelming.
Q
The food was luke warm all around and the lamb shank was salty.
The expectations must have been to high with the 4 star ratings but the experience was rather underwhelming.
Q
Ryan E.
Sep 02, 2019
Report
Angela M.
Aug 03, 2019
Report
Wanting to get away from the cruise ship after 6 nights, we ventured to Il Covo from the cruise ship terminal. We'd called around 7:20pm on a lovely July Friday night as we were disembarking and were told that we couldn't get a reservation until 9:15pm. Since we wanted to be back on the ship by 10:30pm, I was nervous that would be too late. We decided to walk quickly and take our chances with sitting at the bar.
A brisk 15 minute walk from the ship, we were charmed by the garden and historic building. We were told there was space for 2 at the bar opening up as that couple had asked
A brisk 15 minute walk from the ship, we were charmed by the garden and historic building. We were told there was space for 2 at the bar opening up as that couple had asked
