Transitioning to the colder months can leave you feeling a little blue — even as the leaves are turning red and gold. The good news is, along with the changing colors and dropping temperatures, the harvest is here! Sample Victoria’s fine produce while simultaneously experiencing the city’s flourishing culinary scene by checking out these four farm to table restaurants that bring fresh fall flavors right to your fork.

10 Acres Bistro

Just steps from Victoria’s Inner Harbour lies 10 Acres Bistro, a restaurant that sources directly from their North Saanich partner farm. The 10 Acres’ menu highlights organic produce, root cellar veggies, fresh honey and free range animal products. Whether you stop in for lunch or dinner, be sure to check out their “fresh sheet,” which changes depending on what is currently being produced at the farm.

This fall, choice eats include cedar plank salmon served with crisp kale or the bacon and leek risotto. But if you want to truly experience the freshness of the farm, try the 10 Acres Greens — a medley of all things good, local and green by season topped with pickled vegetables and a garlic lemon vinaigrette.

OLO

Over in Victoria’s historic Chinatown, OLO is all about forging good relationships over good food. Envisioned by executive chef and owner Brad Holmes, OLO uses meats and produce from Vancouver Island fields and waters to create innovative, Italian-inspired comfort food. As such, be sure to give their pasta selection some serious consideration. Our favorite, decadent dish features porcini gemelli chanterelles and lobster mushrooms heightened by chili, parsley and grana padano.

Nourish Kitchen & Cafe

An intimate, quaint restaurant in an 1889 heritage home, Nourish takes advantage of the building’s two floors and many rooms to offer a unique experience in each section. If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed experience, head over to the cafe counter for bone broth soup and gluten-free snacks.

Have time for a full sit-down meal? The dining room will not disappoint, with bright natural light during the day and cozy candles at night. Enjoy their medium rare flat iron steak served with locally sourced ingredients like lentils, radishes and green olives or try the harissa chicken, flavored with thyme, lemon and rose. Whatever you choose, Nourish’s quirky layered flavors will keep you coming back.

The Drake Eatery

For the beer loving farm-to-table foodie, there is no better place to be than The Drake Eatery. After all, hops do count as a farm crop, right? “Pumpkin ales,” anyone? The restaurant focuses on great local craft beer, and they deliver. Some of the brews on tap are sourced from the popular Victoria-based Phillips, complemented by smaller, local operations like Parallel 49, Four Winds and Tofino Brewing Company.

The food menu has plenty to offer, too. The Drake specializes in small, tapas-style shared plates made from local, organic ingredients. Check out the cheese and meat boards, which serve up tempting morsels such as smoked duck breast, beef bresaola and local Capilano salami.

There’s nothing quite as romantic and nourishing as feeding yourself from the land around you. These Victoria restaurants bring the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, infused with delicious creativity, to your table. The harvest has never looked so good.

Clipper Recommends:

• After feasting on a delicious meal, lace up your sneakers and hop on the Castles, Hoods and Legends Bicycle Tour and breath in the crisp fall air as your ride past some of the city’s iconic landmarks.