Best selection of cheese and specialty deli goods, hands down. Wonderful shop, helpful and…read moreinformative staff. My favourite store in town for gourmet snacks and nibbles (for everyday!). Special shout-out to the heavenly cheese selection and the cute and clean premises. They also have an Italian pork jowl that I can't find anywhere else in town. Considering the rising price of eating out (and junk food), I will get myself some fancy treats here every week instead.

Although the staff at McLean's was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and I did get hooked by…read morethe nostalgic story of the place, I was kind of unimpressed with McLean's. We got a LOT of stuff there, including crackers, pate, cheeses, jams, and a bunch of other items, all of which sort of flatlined. Now, in McLean's defense, the pate and cheeses were the only things they brought in specifically under their name. And the place was EXTREMELY cute, and they served sandwiches, and the owner was friendly and on premesis, and they'd let you bring wine if you wanted... ...but really, everything flatlined. The fig crackers tasted like prunes. The sheep's brie was overly strong in flavor, almost off-tasting. The porter cheddar tasted like...plain cheddar. The pate was bland. One standout was a cheese (I forget the name) which had a line of gorgonzola down the centre. Really, of everything we bought, this is the only thing I'd consider re-purchasing. Now I don't want to rule this place out based on one trip, but it *was* expensive (some of the crackers and jams were way over-priced) and I *was* disappointed, considering how it's touted around town as being wonderful. I like to support local businesses, so I will be back to purchase a significantly smaller portion of cheese. Till then...

Dropped by this week and there was a note on the door that said the restaurant had shut down…read moreoperations at that location. Sad day. The Parksville location is still open! Now I have to drive 20 miles to get my fix, but it's worth it. Hopefully they can find another place in Nanaimo to open again, but for now, Parksville it is!

For authentic Mexican Food experience come here otherwise go to Taco Bell. I had #17 and it was so…read morefilling and exactly what I had hoped for. My guest had #3 the Mexican plate and her only problem was she asked for mild not spicy. She did not request a change. We will be back.

Always an exceptional experience when I go into either location, they always have amazing food and…read moregood prices. Supporting local is my priority and they are just overall great people everyone who works there

We had the marinated kabobs (chicken and beef) for dinner tonight, with guests. The meat was…read moretender and delicious. The big chunks bbqued beautifully. We'll have these again, as they are as convenient as, but better than steaks.

I do not eat tomato soup and was told to try it WOW! It's more like a rich sauce. I also had the…read morekind of Blue sandwich and it was great. My husband had a different sandwich and both were AMAZING. We started with the warm mixed Mediterranean Olives, soooo tasty and NOT salty. The service was excellent and the restaurant was very chill. Loved this, we will be back. I wish I would have taken photos!

Worth a visit for sure…read more A talented couple bring their Ontario foodie experience to the island and create an awesome Bistro.

Very disappointing experience today. We went there specifically to pick up some black vinegar. When…read morewe opened the bottle at home, which had a plastic seal on it, we discovered the glass bottle was broken underneath. It had been sheared off at the top at the level of the screwtop. We took it straight back to swap it out for a new one and the man refused to exchange it for an unbroken one. He said he would lose money because the company wouldn't allow him to send it back. No refunds or exchanges because he couldn't sell it again. No concerns about selling a defective or dangerous item, and apparently no concerns about losing a customer over a $7 bottle, because after this dreadful customer service, we won't be back.

The closest location to get Indonesian products from Victoria, BC. They have some popular…read moreIndonesian products. They give good service also

I understand what the other reviewers are saying about some of the pricing or being a little run…read moredown inside. But, for me the shop gets 5 stars because, for what it is, it is perfect. It is a neighbourhood shop, offering a little of everything you might need. It isn't flashy or fancy but it is friendly, warm and clean. People forget what corner shops used to be. This place is determined to offer some good deals on healthy choices to the people of the Old City, and it does this without fail. I live nearby, so go there often and can always find something vegetarian, healthy(ish) and at a good price. The staff are warm and friendly, conversation is always flowing among the people there. It is always a pleasure to stop for a few things on my way home.

I was just here today and was surprised to find they have almost completely renovated the outside…read moreof the building. It looks absolutely fabulous. The inside is much the same as it was, but has been cleaned up quite a bit.

This place is absolutely a tourist trap, and that's okay, because if you are here, and you know…read morethat it is, and yes, there are Goats on the Roof, then you are going to love this place. Firstly, if you come here "late" like after 10am, then it might be a messy bit to find parking, but there is both parking behind and down along the drive into the property, or across the street also. Once you park, I recommend just heading to the Old Country Market itself, find a space a few meters back, and look on the roof, The roof has a rotating set of goats, which live up top. They are the attraction, and that is it. You got a place with Goats... on... the... roof. Once you have accomplished that, time to head inside and check out the offerings. First, if you are just rushing through, it's just going to feel like some random grocery market. Yes, lots of things are mass market, but when you SLOW down, and look around, you may start to find some lesser known, and okay, still Made in China, but local flair nevertheless. I recommend heading to the meat counter (assuming you like meat) and getting some Jerky, or other items.. because those are made locally. Then as you meander through the trinkets, you are going to find a mix between local and imported things. As you wonder back toward the baked products, you are going to see piles of loves of bread. I didn't try them, so can't recommend, however head past that, and you will find delicious case of based goods, including their house made Sausage Rolls, which are darn tasty. Go with their original one, then branch out. Again, meat lovers here. As you slowly, go around the store, being bumped by everyone around you, because there are too many people here, in this little shop, take in the fact that ABOVE YOUR HEAD, on the roof, are up there. So look, it's a trap, to be sure, and don't doubt it's going to be a mass of people, but honestly, you came here because it was a tourist trap, so go early, and take your time. Also, highly recommend the used book store nearby, once you free yourself of the money you are going to spend here in the market.

I did not see any Goats on the Roof. It may be too hot. The shop has plenty of goodies from…read morepastries to sandwiches. There were also home goods and kids toys that were sold here. It was super busy inside and there is back area for parking. Protip - buy some cheese and sandwiches and eat on the grassy area by the parking area.

Great wood fired italian pizza. I discovered this place by…read moreaccident looking for a honey farm that was nearby. As it turns out we were hungry so I stopped in and we had that vegetarian pizza.. It was remarkably good so it came back a couple weeks later and tried some of the other varieties. Well, worth it

Three different times I stopped for take out & all were lovely supper experiences. My friend & I…read morereally enjoyed the pizza from here (a first for both of us in 2025 during the Cowichan Valley Dine Out event meal features). I also ordered pick up for just myself another time. Lots of dessert & pre-made meal choices. Even if you're just stopping for something to drink, you'll enjoy browsing through the little shop. They're focused on Italian specialty items but have a mix of other goods there too. Staff are always friendly & are very patient with my packing logistics so I can carry everything myself while using my cane. There's seating inside & on the patio. I'm yet to go early enough in the day to enjoy the patio or on a nicer weather day but I do appreciate the very sturdy ramp up to the restaurant/shop doors & patio. Decent amount of parking too. Quick to drive to from Duncan & I first noticed this place when I took Lake Road for different views. Immediately off the main road but pay close attention to google maps (or whatever you use) when you're driving to the restaurant. As you see the sign & restaurant after you should be slowing down to turn into driveway. By my third visit, I knew what to look for & I didn't have to circle back. Looking forward to stopping here in 2026 & trying more items off the menu.

I ordered delivery one time and loved my meal! The pirogies and sausage were great. I love…read moresauerkraut. I love borscht. It was all really good! I have tried to order from there several times since and quite frankly I'm not sure if they really want any business. They are closed three days out of the week and only open minimal hours Tuesday to Friday. They are closed by 6 o'clock for this, I would like to give them zero stars, except that their food was really good. The other serious complaint I have is their borscht is way too expensive! $11 for one serving? For that price, you can get double the amount at most other places that have borscht. Costco has a really good borsch as well that you can get two containers (4 servings) for that price.

By far the best Polish food I've had in North America. We tried the sausage, all five flavors of…read moreperogies, sauerkraut, borscht, and slaw. I wish this place were closer to home. If we lived closer, I would have gone back and purchased one of their many frozen options like their perogies or soup (they even have kapusniak!!!!!). Alas, the frozen food wouldn't have survived our trip home. The combo plate comes with your choice of perogies (you can get one of each or all one flavor), two small rounds of bread, sour cream, a sausage link, small pieces of bacon, onions, sauerkraut, and slaw. One bite and I felt like my Polish ancestors were somewhere dancing to Polka. Everything was so well seasoned and tasty. The borscht was delicious, and I don't even like borscht. The perogies were better than any I've had in Seattle. They also have a small selection of sweets and other prepackaged food. We enjoyed a chocolate-covered plum candy for dessert. When I think about the most memorable meals I had on a recent trip to Victoria and Nanaimo, the Hungry Rooster is number 1 on my list.