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.

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

Red's is the best cheesecake period. I take everyone that visits from out of town here and have…read morenever been disappointed. Plus the owners are absolute gems of human beings. always a great selection of cheesecakes, too

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!

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.

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.

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.