Didn't expect much from the food here as the servers seem hot and annoyed... BUT…read moreOrdered tomato soup which was absolutely fantastic tasty spicy beautiful served with great baquette. Ordered salad Nicole's - another rave! Lovingly chopped potatoes,cucumber,boiled egg,tuna, with a lovely lemon dressing. Best food ate all weekend in Nanaimo.

arriving at mon petit choux around 2:30 pm, i noticed a handwritten note on the front door: the…read morekitchen was closed for the day, but drinks and pastries were still available. exactly what i wanted anyway. stepping inside, the comforting scent of freshly baked bread wrapped around me like a warm hug. the interior immediately draws you in, robin's egg blue banquettes curve around small marble tables, paired with dark wood chairs and deep red flooring. charcoal walls trimmed with subtle gold details give the space a slightly vintage, old world charm feel, softened by leafy plants and framed artwork. it's cozy without being fussy, elegant without ever feeling stiff. the barista greeted me with a genuinely warm smile, answering my questions with patience and ease. there was no rush, no performative cheer, just the kind of friendly, attentive presence that makes you feel comfortable settling in. it's a small thing, but it set the tone for the entire visit. by mid afternoon, the pastry case was understandably a little sparse, with the almond croissants already gone. i grabbed the last chocolate croissant and ordered a matcha latte with oat milk. after paying, the barista offered to warm the croissant and bring it over to my table, a thoughtful, relaxed touch that matched the gentle pace of the room. when my order arrived, the matcha latte carried a subtle, unexpected peachy note, light and refreshing, though not quite to my taste. the chocolate croissant, lightly warmed, had a slight crunch exterior that gave way to soft layers, and a rich dark chocolate filling. it wasn't ultra flaky, nor chewy, but it was baked in house with care. as i prepared to leave, i was offered a baguette or focaccia to take home, another generous gesture that left a lasting impression. even though the latte wasn't a personal favourite, mon petit choux is a genuinely welcoming, quietly charming spot i'm already looking forward to returning to, especially for brunch. it's the kind of café where you linger a little longer than planned, where the space itself encourages you to slow down, and where the city outside feels momentarily hushed.

We visited Drip Coffee for breakfast and found it pretty busy on a (late) Friday morning. The…read moreinterior was small, but cozy and well decorated, and service was friendly. I ordered a Salted Maple Latte off their season drinks menu, and an Avocado Toast. The latte was fantastic - the "salted" flavor was really strong and didn't get overpowered by the maple, which I loved. The Avocado Toast was larger than I had expected and very well made - so filling, with tasty feta cheese and cherry tomatoes on top. I also bought a Ginger Cookie on the way out, which was huge and really good. Overall, big fan of Drip!

Love drip coffee! Delicious coffee and healthier food options. Right across from…read moreDeparture bay beach. They are a little pricier but worth it

1. I went here over the course of several days on vacation and enjoyed it…read more 2. They make a solid macchiato which I had several of. 3. It's in a cool old train station building and has both indoor and outdoor seating.

stopped into white rabbit coffee just before 1:00 pm on a thursday, that sweet spot when the lunch…read morerush has eased and the space feels fully alive. big windows, pale wood booths, white walls, and warm toned floors keep everything light and airy, even when it's busy. the vibe lands perfectly between polished and cozy. blonde wood booths offer both semi private corners and more open seating, with plants and colourful abstract art softening the clean lines. baristas move with easy assurance and a friendly, unhurried energy. this is clearly a neighbourhood hub. older couples lingering, solo laptop folks settled in, and small groups catching up without rushing. the room hums, but never feels hectic. the menu is refreshingly straightforward. coffee classics are clearly listed and fairly priced, with sensible milk options. sandos and salads run until mid afternoon and focus on familiar combinations done well, like a breakfast sando, pear and brie grilled cheese, smoked chicken with banh mi crunch, and a bright dill pickle slaw. vegan options are integrated naturally. the not coffee section is just as solid, with matcha, chai, london fogs, and hot chocolate that don't feel like afterthoughts. i ordered a matcha latte with oat milk, warm and grounding on a cold, clear day. signage around the café quietly reinforces the welcoming tone without feeling performative. the music playing soft, yet audible, michael jackson and paul mccartney drifting through the room was nostalgic, playful, and oddly perfect. white rabbit fits the old city quarter beautifully. bonus points for black rabbit kitchen next door if you want something more substantial. this is the kind of place that turns a simple coffee stop into an excuse to slow down and linger.

The best Nanaimo Bar we ever had. It was delicious and to die for!…read moreMy sister bought some extra take back home (Toronoto). They are still delish after couple of days.

I heard from multiple sources that Red's Bakery serves the most mediocre Nanaimo Bars in Nanaimo,…read morebut since we were in the area (and a couple of other places were closed the day we were in town), we decided to walk on over. Red's has a kind of small town bakery feel, with old-fashioned almost eclectic decor, perhaps 60s/70s retro. Unlike some of the other bakeries, they prepackage some of their desserts in plastic, so it's difficult to tell how fresh they are. I suppose Nanaimo Bars keep well in the first place. We ended up trying Nanaimo bars from three different places, with my notes for Red's as below: Nanaimo Bar ($6) - This Nanaimo bar is much taller than the other two, probably around 50% taller than bar 3 and a full double of bar 2. It cuts very smoothly without much flaking off. The crumb base underneath is smooth, indicating that the coconut fibers are well blended to reduce strand length. It's almost like an Oreo base, with heavy Dutch processed cocoa flavor. There should be nuts mixed in, but they are crushed so finely that I can't really tell what nut is used. People on social media complain about the bottom layer, but I actually love it. For the other layers, the top icing is really sweet. It has a heavily roasted chocolate flavor and by far the darkest in color. The middle layer just tastes like standard icing. It's sweet but I think less so than the other bars. (4/5) Interestingly enough, I enjoyed the Nanaimo Bar from Red's more than both other bakeries. I think it's pretty good in quality and while sweet, has the heavy cocoa elements of the cookie base to help balance things out a bit. Washroom - I didn't see any available for customers.

An exceptional gem in the usually hard pressed for cuisine city of Nanaimo. Every dish is perfect…read more How good can eggs Benedict get? Pretty damn good. I cannot recommend this place enough. Their small selection of baked goods are also exceptional. I had their tourtiere special and it was fantastic. Amazing attention to detail, from the perfectly seasoned filling, the crisp flaky pastry and the perfectly poached egg, along with a side of stewed tomatoes and local peppers, it just projects this restaurant's intense love of food

From the owner: We offer a delicious menu of brunch items like: Eggs Benedict with various toppings and home made…read moreEnglish muffins as an option, vegan and gluten free options, baked French toast, home made quiche, house made fresh soups, sunrise sandwich with Spanish frittata, healthy quinoa and grain bowl with roasted fruit, fresh baked in house scones with in all the fixings and much more. We also have a full coffee and special tea service. We serve English High Tea on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (starting April 22, 2023) with savory finger sandwiches, fresh baked goodies all served with a flair and a smile. Located in downtown Nanaimo in the historic Old Quarter. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended as we do have limited seating available.

Discovering another gem in Nanaimo! Lavender Art Cafe in Country Club Mall is the perfect cozy…read morespot for hanging out with friends, diving into a good book, or getting some work done. With a 5.0-star rating on Google, it's no wonder! Indulge in their delicious pastries and savor a wide selection of teas and coffees. If you're looking for a new favorite cafe, this is it! Make sure to try their traditional Persian breakfast dish and the apple cake. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Parking 5/5

From the owner: Signature LAvender Tea Signature Lavender Coffee and Lattes…read moreSignature Lavender Sweets Sweets Bakery

Excellent food, and service…read more Great beef dips and breakfast. We hope to come back again.

The food is reasonably priced. Fresh farm eggs. Service is great with a smile. You get a good sized…read moreportion. Fairly busy but totally worth it. Lots of locals dine here.

A cute little gelato place right on the waterfront in Nanaimo. It was nice to pop in for a quick…read moregelato while admiring the scenery. The store is small, but all you want is the gelato, so who needs a huge place anyway? They had a good selection for a store that size, and they offered some fun flavours that we Toronto people don't get access to. An example is the Nanaimo bar flavour they offered. I was told by my friend that it was extremely tasty, and the salted gelato was quite good as well. Just a heads up, they only allow you to sample once, so pick carefully!

I was excited to see they made their ice cream in house. Many different flavors which are not run…read moreof the mill. Kahlua chocolate fudge? Barnacle swirl? Nanaimo bar? Black licorice? The place is tiny and besides ice cream and sorbet, there are shelves of candies too I decided to get a lime sorbet as it was a very hot day and I wanted something light and refreshing. It hit the spot. Icy sweet and tangy. The service could be better. Not that friendly. No sampling I think, though I did not ask since most places stopped it due to covid.

Hands down best cafe in Nanaimo. Consistent quality, fair pricing, fresh food, warm service (this…read moreis what keeps me from almost all other cafes ... rude/condescending staff) & a great downtown vibe being by all the shops and waterfront. Owned by wonderful people. You won't regret it a bit!

i made a point to stop in at serious coffee after spotting their chalkboard advertising a black…read moresesame matcha latte, because curiosity absolutely won. i arrived before noon on a friday and the café was nearly empty, with only one table occupied, which gave the visit a calm, unhurried feel. the space itself is cozy, relaxed, and slightly mysterious, with high ceilings, exposed beams, chandeliers, and warm lighting paired with dark wood. it feels very much like a place that had a previous life, likely as a pub, and that history adds character. at the same time, the room feels visually busy. the walls are lined with menus, chalkboards, printed signs, and notices, and the pastry case is packed with labels and options. it all creates a sense of abundance and activity, even when the café is quiet, almost like there is a lot competing for your attention at once. i ordered the black sesame matcha latte with oat milk, unsweetened, along with a strawberry iced chai with oat milk, also unsweetened. the black sesame completely overpowered the matcha. the matcha was there, but very subtle, more of a background note than a distinct presence. if you love black sesame, this drink might work well for you, but matcha lovers may find it lacking balance. the strawberry iced chai, even without sweetener, it somehow tasted too sweet for my preference, and the flavour combination felt slightly off. it was not terrible, just not something i would order again. overall, this was a fun stop with creative drinks and a distinctive atmosphere. the chalkboard outside definitely did its job getting me through the door, and the café feels like a solid place to sit and hang out, especially if you enjoy trying something a little different.

We were hesitant to enter the restaurant upon seeing that it's situated in a hotel. Hotel…read morerestaurants are often over priced, in my opinion. However that was not the case. The Breakfast Nook was reasonably priced and we were very satisfied with our orders. We both chose the steel cut oats, mine with berry compote and hers with fruit. We were getting tired of bacon and eggs so this was just right. The service was well above average with servers who seemed to be pleased to greet and serve us. Our coffee cups were kept topped off. The cafe was full after we were seated. That may be because it's fairly close to the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Parking was free but on the street. It may be more of an issue to park on weekdays, but there were ample parking spaces for us on this Saturday. We would definitely recommend this restaurant for your breakfasts and lunches.

Hidden gem Very happy with food and service…read more Great place for brunch or lunch. Will be back my next trip to town