EATS
Birdman opens on Johnson with fried chicken and oysters
The crew behind Wind Cries Mary and Rudi takes over the old Friends of Dorothy room.
537 Johnson Street, downtown
Birdman opened in May 2026 at 537 Johnson Street, in the room that used to be Friends of Dorothy. It is still open daily, 11:30 a.m. to midnight, which makes it one of the few downtown kitchens you can walk into late and still eat properly.
From the same crew behind Wind Cries Mary and Rudi, it leans Southern. Fried chicken sandwiches, oysters, hush puppies, and a wine list that is thought through rather than long.
“
Same address, new spirit. The bones of the old room are still there.
Worth a Friday-night drop-in before the weekend rush sets in. Go early if you want a seat at the bar.
Two more from the same spring
- 49 Below opened its third shop at 420 Craigflower Road in Vic West in May, with a Vic West-only flavour named after the address.
- Noble Berry opened in May at 2560B Sinclair Road in Cadboro Bay. Berry-forward desserts and pastries, with a strong gluten-free and vegan selection.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SLOT Your ad here?
Your ad here?