The food is nice, esp all the Benny, I ordered bacon Benny and my son salmon Benny, both are nice…read more My friends ordered sandwiches, they said it's nice as well, and it's really huge size! But the coffee could be improved, too dark roasted and too diluted

Solid French bakery and brunch spot in Nanaimo. We only mostly wanted to try a pastry for a quick…read morebite, as well as some coffee, to start the day. You order in front for pastries and coffee only, or sit down and someone will assist you if you want a full meal. We got the tomato pastry with salad add on since the salad was only 3 or so CAD extra for a more satisfying meal. We tried the drip coffee and red eye (basically drip coffee with extra espresso shot) and both are so strong that we barely finished them. The tomato pastry was good, very flaky and buttery. Water is self serve. Service could be better as they only gave a set of utensils and had trouble flagging someone down to get another set so I had to eat with a spoon. Restrooms are single stall which can be a huge wait when the restaurant is busy.

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!

The coffee shop has big windows and is located right across the beach. So the view here is excellet…read moreon a nice day. When we arrived at 2pm most food items were already sold out. We got an almond milk latte and it was very very good. Highly recommend to pop in for a coffee.

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

A must-stop spot for anyone visiting Nanaimo! You can't go to Nanaimo without trying a classic…read moreNanaimo bar, and Red's Bakery is the perfect place to grab this iconic treat. We also picked up the banana cheesecake, and it was packed with banana flavour. It was definitely a great choice for banana lovers. Everything is ready to go and nicely packed, making it super convenient for a quick dessert stop. Service was fast and friendly. The bakery has a few tables inside, but if they are full, you can enjoy your treats outside or head across the street to the Vancouver Island Regional Library, where there are benches that make a nice little dessert break spot. A simple, convenient, and delicious stop to experience a true Nanaimo classic!

The place typically recommended to get Nanaimo Bar! Despite the popularity, there was no line to…read moreorder, and because of limited seating and popularity, they prepare these bars in takeout containers, but it did not detract from the presentation. The Nanaimo Bar features a graham crust, custard filling, and chocolate ganache. Definitely on the sweeter side, so it was enough to share with 2 or more people just to try out this local specialty food.

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

Make sure you make a reservation if you want to eat here. Even at 10am for breakfast on a week day…read more They won't offer a wait list if wait time.

Looking for a cozy spot with family vibes and comforting food? I found a gem! With a 4.9-star…read morerating on Google, Amore Bistro Cafe is a must-visit for breakfast and lunch lovers. I tried their Club Sandwich ($18.5) loaded with chicken, bacon, tomato, lettuce, cheddar, and mayo between 3 slices of perfectly toasted bread, paired with homemade fries . It was so good, I'm not kidding, it brought tears to my eyes! If you're heading to Nanaimo, don't miss out on this incredible spot! Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Parking 5/5

This is a wonderful spot for a classic breakfast. Great staff, chill atmosphere and good food. My…read morefave place to hit after the gym.

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: Lavender Art Cafe is a cozy and artistic café in Nanaimo,…read moreoffering specialty coffee, homemade desserts, Persian-inspired treats, and unique lavender creations. Our signature Lavender Coffee and Lavender Cake are made with locally sourced Vancouver Island lavender. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing place to enjoy coffee, meet friends, or discover new flavors, Lavender Art Cafe provides a warm and welcoming.

I scream for ice cream!…read more On my trip to Nanaimo, I indulged (three times!) in their delicious ice cream. All the locals informed that it was THE spot for the BEST ice cream. And they were right! I had the Barnicle Swirl, Nanaimo Bar, and the Key Lime Pie. I would recommend sampling the ice cream flavours before you make a decision. It can be hit or miss depending on your palette. I sampled the root beer it was also scrumptious... next time perhaps. :)

This is the place to try the local food Nanaimo Bar in ice cream format! We got a single scoop with…read morea waffle cone, about $8.60 CAD which is fairly standard tourist pricing. The ice cream tastes quite similar to a Nanaimo Bar, just would wish a better distribution of the fillings in the ice cream as it felt like I was only eating one ingredient at a time, but otherwise the presentation was decent and it was a good experience. A plus is that the waffle cone is no extra charge, while other places it would cost more for it, so we might as well get it for a better aesthetic.

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.

Nice Nanaimo Bars (but not the best in town-- try Reds). Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff.read more