Signature
Chicken Dum Biryani
Authentic Hyderabadi-style chicken dum biryani: aromatic basmati rice slow-cooked with tender chicken, fresh mint, and fragrant saffron.
CHEF-CRAFTED · FAMILY-OWNED
Home of Authentic Indian Flavours
Authentic Halal Indian Food in Victoria, BC
OUR STORY
Scars, Stories & Spices: Authentic Indian Cooking, Brought to Victoria
Some flavours can't be rushed. They're built slowly - over years spent in working kitchens, in recipes guarded and passed down, in the patience to do things the old way when the easy way is right there.
Zaika was born from that kind of devotion. Not a recipe lifted from a book, but a craft carried across the world and planted here, in Victoria.
What reaches your table is authentic Indian cooking the way it's meant to taste - not softened for the West, not watered down, not rushed. The same spices. The same fire. The same care it would be given anywhere flavour is taken seriously.
This is for everyone who's searched for that taste and never quite found it here - the one that feels like home, wherever home happens to be.
We can't bring the whole world to your table.
But we can bring the flavour.
Meet Chef Jahir Shaikh
Chef Jahir Shaikh brings decades of culinary mastery to Victoria. His cooking is grounded in the deep traditions of Indian cuisine - slow-built techniques, whole spices toasted by hand, and a refusal to cut corners.
Every dish at Zaika reflects that standard: authentic, cross-border flavour crafted with passion, resilience, and a deep respect for tradition - served the way it was always meant to be, right here in Canada.
CHEF JAHIR SHAIKH'S
Signature Dishes: Biryani, Butter Chicken & Rogan Josh
Signature
SignatureLamb Rogan Josh
Authentic Kashmiri-style lamb rogan josh: tender lamb slow-braised in an aromatic gravy of yogurt, tomatoes, and warming whole spices.
SignatureButter Chicken
Classic North Indian butter chicken: tandoor-charred chicken simmered in a silky, creamy tomato-butter sauce finished with fenugreek.
SignatureChicken Dum Biryani
Authentic Hyderabadi-style chicken dum biryani: aromatic basmati rice slow-cooked with tender chicken, fresh mint, and fragrant saffron.
SignatureLamb Rogan Josh
Authentic Kashmiri-style lamb rogan josh: tender lamb slow-braised in an aromatic gravy of yogurt, tomatoes, and warming whole spices.
SignatureButter Chicken
Classic North Indian butter chicken: tandoor-charred chicken simmered in a silky, creamy tomato-butter sauce finished with fenugreek.
A Glimpse of Zaika
Real plates from our kitchen: biryani, curries, starters, and more, photographed at Zaika by JJ.
DELIVERY & TAKEOUT
Order Indian Food Online in Victoria: Delivery & Takeout
Get Zaika delivered or ready for pickup through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip The Dishes.
GUEST EXPERIENCES
What Victoria Diners Say About Zaika
See what guests are saying about Zaika by JJ in Victoria, BC, then read every review on our Google profile.
4.9 on GoogleSee all Google reviews
“The Chicken Dum Biryani is the best Indian biryani in Victoria - fragrant saffron basmati, tender chicken, and that real dum aroma. Authentic Indian food done properly.”
“Their Butter Chicken is creamy, smoky, and perfectly balanced - hands down the best butter chicken in Victoria, BC. Zaika is now our go-to authentic Indian restaurant.”
“The Lamb Rogan Josh is rich, tender, and deeply spiced - genuine Kashmiri flavour you can't find anywhere else in Victoria. Outstanding Indian dining experience.”
“The Bihari Goat Curry blew me away - tender bone-in goat slow-cooked in a deep, smoky masala. A must-try authentic Indian dish in Victoria.”
“Juicy and perfectly spiced - the Nawabi Chicken Seekh Kebab here is the best in town. Zaika serves truly authentic tandoor cooking in Victoria, BC.”
“As a vegetarian, the Punjabi Saag Paneer is a dream - fresh spinach, soft paneer, and warm spices. Easily the best vegetarian Indian food in Victoria.”
“The Dal Makhani is velvety, buttery, and comforting - slow-cooked the right way. Zaika is my favourite authentic Indian restaurant near Victoria.”
“Their Samosa Chaat is perfection - crunchy, tangy, and loaded with flavour. The best Indian chaat and street food in Victoria, BC.”
“Chicken 65 here is addictive - crispy, spicy, and fresh with curry leaves. Great authentic Indian appetizers and friendly service every time.”
“The Vegetable Biryani is fragrant and beautifully spiced - a fantastic vegetarian biryani in Victoria. Generous portions and authentic Indian taste.”
“Finished with the Gulab Jamun - warm, soft, and soaked in rose-cardamom syrup. The best Indian dessert I've had in Victoria, BC.”
“The Mango Lassi is thick, creamy, and refreshing - the perfect pairing with their spicy curries. Authentic Indian flavours every single visit.”
“Fresh, fluffy Garlic Naan straight from the tandoor - soft, buttery, and perfect for scooping up curry. Best naan in Victoria, hands down.”
“The Kadak Masala Chai is brewed just right - strong, spiced, and comforting. Zaika nails authentic Indian tea and breakfast in Victoria, BC.”
“Creamy Kheer with cardamom and toasted nuts - a perfect end to the meal. Authentic Indian comfort food and a warm, welcoming dining room.”
“The Lacha Paratha is flaky and golden - so good with their dal and curries. Best Indian takeout in Victoria when I want the real thing.”
“From the Butter Naan to the Lamb Rogan Josh, every dish is authentic and full of flavour. Zaika is the best Indian restaurant in Victoria, BC.”
LOCATION & HOURS
Visit Us: 2630 Bridge St, Victoria, BC
Zaika by JJ
2630 Bridge St, Victoria, BC V8T 1T6, Canada
- Monday – Friday11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday – Sunday12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM. Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Halal, vegetarian, delivery, hours, and where to find us, all answered.
Is the meat at Zaika by JJ halal?
Yes. Every chicken, goat, and lamb dish at Zaika by JJ is prepared with 100% halal meat. The full menu of Indian mains, biryanis, and tandoor dishes is halal-friendly, and there is also a large selection of vegetarian options.
Does Zaika by JJ have vegetarian and paneer options?
Yes. Zaika by JJ has a dedicated vegetarian menu that includes Dal Makhani, Dal Tadka, and several paneer dishes, most of them served with complimentary basmati rice.
What is dum biryani, and how is it made?
Dum biryani is basmati rice layered with spiced meat or vegetables and slow-cooked in a sealed pot, so the aromas of saffron, mint, and whole spices stay locked in. Zaika by JJ serves Hyderabadi-style chicken dum biryani alongside other biryanis.
Does Zaika by JJ offer delivery and takeout in Victoria?
Yes. You can order Zaika by JJ for delivery or pickup through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Skip The Dishes, or call the restaurant directly at +1-250-388-3966 for takeout.
What are Zaika by JJ's hours?
Zaika by JJ is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Where is Zaika by JJ located?
Zaika by JJ is located at 2630 Bridge St in Victoria, BC, in the Rock Bay and Burnside area near the Selkirk Waterfront.