As this cafe seems to pop up on any tourist searches in Nanaimo, we decided to try it out as we…read morewere in the vicinity. When we arrived at about 3 pm, on a Friday, the place was packed. Only one open table and a couple of spaces at the counter. The line was short and we were able to order quickly. We ordered a soy latte, a chai tea latte with oat milk and a Nanaimo bar. When our drinks were made a second table opened up and we grabbed it as it actually had chairs! Our drinks were excellent and the Nanaimo bar was just as we expected it to be. Very tasty. Parking may be a problem here as there aren't a lot of spaces. I think all parking is on the street. The whole cafe experience made me think of the 60's in San Francisco (not that I experienced that!) Everyone there seemed quite laid back and enjoying a good experience. They do have live music on many evenings. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Nanaimo.

A cute cafe during a day trip to Nanaimo! The vibes are immaculate and felt so cozy. There was even…read morea live piano player and singer who started up in the afternoon. For brunch, I got eggs Benny with tomato and bacon. The texture of the eggs were pretty good! A little overcooked though. The side of potato wedges were really good for me. The London fog was delicious and had the perfect amount of sweetness! I'd come back :)

We visited Bocca Cafe as our second stop out of three for Nainaimo Bars. This is a pretty cozy…read morecafe, with only a couple of tables and seats for people to relax in. When we visited on a rainy Monday afternoon and there were a couple of people inside, sipping on coffee and working. Traditional Nanaimo ($5.99) - This Nanaimo Bar is very thin, about half the height as compared to Bar 1. It shears while cutting, causing pieces to break off in chunks rather than cleaning going through. This happens to both the icing in the middle and the top and I'm not sure what causes it. The top layer has a nice rich chocolatety taste. The bottom layer has finer coconut shreds and a nice cocoa flavor, mixed with crushed silvered almonds for nuttiness and crunch. The layer is able to easily shatter. It's dry and almost powdery in texture. The middle icing isn't that noteworthy other than being sweet. As a whole, the bar is hefty, hard and very dense. It's very sweet. (3/5) Salted Caramel Nanaimo ($5.99) - This is similar in texture to the traditional with the same shattering grittiness. The middle layer is caramel icing and top layer has some flaky salt sprinkled on top. Otherwise again it's very sweet and crumbly. (3/5) I can't say I was a huge fan of these Nanaimo bars. They are definitely higher quality than the last bakery we visited, but they are a bit too dry, gritty, and powdery for my tastes. Based on my enjoyment of the food, I would normally give Bocca Cafe a 3 star rating, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and raise them to a 4, especially because the employees were very nice. Maybe i just don't like Nanaimo bars that much! Washrooms - One unisex room.

Bocca Cafe was pretty empty when we stopped in, but the ambiance was cozy. The interior had…read morecolorful walls, covered in art for sale. They also had some cute holiday decorations. I ordered a Matcha Latte and my boyfriend got a Dirty Chai Latte, which were both tasty and came in large mugs. We also ordered a Caramel Brownie to share. The brownie was super decadent and rich, but delicious. I was glad we only ordered one for two people. Service was friendly and reasonably fast. Overall, cute cafe - would return!

This place continues to be my favourite chicken wrap location. Today it was the off-menu spicy…read morechicken wrap. It's off menu because it's **legit spicy** ;) Paired with the Grapefruit and Lemon Fizz drink...perfectly balanced. Ambiance continues to be excellent. I could curl up with a good book here.

Cute and affordable, lots of options and a large menu (both hot food, drinks, and bakery items)…read more Lots of seating and cute ambiance. A focus on reusable glassware and straws is a nice touch

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.

This place is bright and cheery, and we found the staff delightful and personable. This was a stop…read moreoff before grabbing the ferry but it was so good I imagine our family will return! They have hands down the best Nanaimo bars I have ever tasted! I didn't grab a picture of those because they were devoured, but we also enjoyed our cortados

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)

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

We LOVE Hanks!!!…read more When we arrived just a little before 9am on a Saturday morning, there were about 10 people ahead of us and about another 5 waiting for their order. The place is truly a bakery haven! They have so much stuff, from croissants, quiches, pies, sandwiches, sausage rolls, cookies, breads, danishes, scones, cakes, etc! We found it so difficult to choose but went with their sausage rolls, quiche and latte. The staff were so friendly and wearing their beautiful warm smiles. We drove out to Mill Bay and had our breakfast by the water, it was magical with the sunshine. LOVED the sausage roll; so moist and flavourful. The pastry was so flaky and I'm not even kidding when I say I wanna go back again tomorrow!!! The quiche was also delicious. It had lots of potatoes and was very filling. Again, the pastry was delicious. The latte was also nutty and velvety! Such a beautiful experience! Parking was tight but we found one shortly after we arrived. Hanks have parking stalls reserved for its customers, so be sure to check and park at the right spot. It is free.

This place makes good bread. They are located in Duncan. Highly recommend. Their cakes and pastries…read morewere good too. I ate them before taking a photo. shoot....