Wow! One of the best bakeries I've been to. The pastries are all very flavourful and the lamination…read moreis perfection. It's small inside so plan to grab and go or sit outside. We went early in the morning and was able to snag a mystery bag with day old patsteries. I highly recommend the mushroom pastry with its rich filling. I can't wait to try out more!

Stopped in on a weekday morning for a treat and so glad we did! The pastries were so buttery and…read moreflaky. We tried the bacon, mushroom and gruyere pain suisse. It was super savoury and one of our favourites. Also had the lemon blueberry danish. Again a flaky pastry with sour lemon curd balanced with the blueberries. The sourdough was also tasty. The crust wasn't too thick and the overall flavour was nice. We also were able to get mystery day old bags of pastries and those were still delicious. Honestly these pastries were very reasonably priced for the quality. I hiiiiighly recommend checking them out if you're in the neighbourhood (or even if you're not cause it's worth the trip!). I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in town!

In the Beantime initially seemed promising, but our experience fell short. We arrived more than 30…read moreminutes before closing and waited without being greeted. The hostess was in the kitchen having a causal conversation with the staff. When we requested a bread pudding to-go, we were told the kitchen had just closed 2 mins prior to her coming out to talk to us, even though we were in the restaurant and she was distracted elsewhere. Despite explaining that we had arrived earlier and asking if an exception could be made since it is a to-go order, the staff declined. It was a disappointing end to what we had hoped would be a positive visit.

Was excited to try In the Beantime at their new location at 431 High Street. Same great coffees…read moreand same great breakfasts. Their egg dishes are my go-to. Great new ambience and always nice to see familiar faces behind the counter serving up their delicious food.

Perfect spot to enjoy a meal before heading to the ferry. The food was excellent. The service was…read morequick. A great little café.

A cozy cafe that employs people with developmental disabilities, which is so great! COCO Cafe was…read morepretty busy on a Saturday (late) morning, but we were able to order right away. I chose an Iced Matcha Latte, Berry Bar, and West Coast Benedict, and my boyfriend got a Dirty Chai Latte, Maple Nut Bar, and Breakfast Wrap. The interior had plenty of seating, and mostly signage as decor. My Iced Matcha Latte was a bit watered down, but the flavor was decent. The West Coast Benedict was tasty and very filling, with perfectly poached eggs. The salmon was a little on the salty side, but overall I enjoyed it. The Berry Bar was probably my favorite part of the meal - great flavor, ideal level of sweetness! I tried a bite of the Maple Nut Bar, and that was fantastic, too. Would return to try more items!

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.

Had a wonderful Flat White here, probably the best one I've had all year. Great, friendly service.read more

When in Nanaimo…read more.. We decided to check out several spots to taste Nanaimo bars while in town, and Javawoki was by far our favorite. Rich, creamy and not overly sweet. Truly a 5 star bar (though wish it had been a little larger)

For our trip back with the Hullo ferry, we ordered their Savoury Crepes…read more Maple Ham & Swiss Cheese Crepe and Maple Ham & Swiss Cheese Crepe, so yummy, and the packaging was amazing. I highly recommend

My partner and I shared two crepes. We got the breakfast crepe which definitely is delicious and…read moregood - I think I'd like to try a different savoury crepe next time. My partner really wanted the banana peanut butter crepe as he loves those two things. He really enjoyed that crepe, in my opinion the peanut butter is too much and I find it super sticky - I think adding fresh berries to this crepe would elevate it even more and help the sticky factor. To each their own as I just prefer more freshness but if you like banana and pb you'll love it on its own. Next time I'd like to try their berry compote one. Thought the coffee mugs they used were super cute! Our friends got the coffee flight which was super interesting but my drip coffee was exactly what I needed that morning.

Excellent lattes, fast service, comfortable atmosphere. The skim milk was perfectly foamed and the…read morecoffee was smooth. Cool place to sit and enjoy a drink. The food looked good as well.

One of the more highly rated coffee spots in the immediate area, but can't say it was memorable…read more Maybe I visited on an off day, but the mocha was watery and had no flavor, while the caramel macchiato fared a bit better, but couldn't say it was any more special than a large chain like Starbucks. Aside from an inviting outdoor spot in town to sit down and relax, the only thing this place has going for it is the selection of baked goods. The apple fritter was probably the best thing in the menu, while honorable mention goes to the lemon loaf.

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.

Easily one of the most popular spots on Vancouver Island…read more The sun peaked out in January and everyone and their mom visited Shirley Delicious Cafe. To be honest, I completely understand why. This cafe is a step above the rest. The inside is cozy, with a cabin-esque vibe and clear ceilings in their dining room for an indoor-outdoor feel. Despite the line of 20+ people, Shirley Delicious worked like a well oiled machine. Their menu included breakfast, lunch, and even a flight of soup (which I so desperately wanted). I ordered their date pastry, a hot caramel latte, and breakfast sandwich with avo. Each item was absolutely delicious. This is also a great location to shop for island goodies. Their storefront is filled with jams, sauces, metal working artwork, etc. Can't believe they can pack so much goodness into four little walls!

This was truly an amazing find! Tucked in the forest, this cafe is definitely delicious!…read more Definitely get here early as there could be a line out the door! We lucked out, thankfully. You order and pay first, then find a seat inside or outside. Ample seating options. For drinks, they'll call your name and you pick it up at the counter, while they will bring you your entrée. We came for breakfast, so I had a croissant BLT Harvati sandwich and a latte. My friend had a vegan wrap and a latte as well. The whole indoor feels like a greenhouse once before and transformed to indoor cafe. There are tons of metal welding artwork around and many little retail shopping corners inside. My croissant did not let me know, it was so delicious! They also have a small coffee/ice cream/grab-n-go trailer outside. Overall it's a nice place for breakfast or lunch! We tried coming back again, but the power went out so we weren't able to order anything AND have cash. Guess I'll have to come back to visit!

The selection of tasty, gluten free pastries was great. Customer service was very friendly and…read moreaccommodating.

Very nice and clean, popular for certain. Staff was knowledgeable and helpful and brought ordered…read moredrinks to our table. The ice cream shop was open next door and connected for seating but idk if that is a constant or just an occasional thing. Not a ton of orderable food options but lots of packaged ready-to-go items and a few bakery goods. I got a raspberry cheesecake fir around $6 and enjoyed throughly. Water in reusable cups was provided, everything seemed to be reusable or compostable aside from saran wrap which is a nice touch and always appreciated. Nice to pop into and look around at the local goods (lake cowichan milk and Shanti chai for example sold here).