We found a great brunch spot before starting our trip!…read more We were in Nanaimo looking for a nice brunch spot before starting our Vancouver Island road trip, and Gabriel's Gourmet Cafe really hit the spot! We liked how easy the ordering system was. You pick up a menu, choose a table, decide what you want, and then order and pay at the counter. They give you a number, and they bring your food and drinks to your table. It's straightforward. The fresh, local ingredients stood out, and we would recommend this place if you want a tasty and filling meal. The portions were just right for our big appetites. The atmosphere was so relaxed we almost wanted to stay longer. We'd recommend starting the Nanaimo road trip here. Food: 5/5 Must Try! Service: 5/5 (hybrid-service) Kids: 3/5 Presentation: 2/5 Parking: Metered street parking is available throughout the surrounding neighbourhood. Tips: * Inside & outdoor seating available. * Great stop before heading out to explore Vancouver Island. * They have G/F and Vegan options. Would I Return: Yes

Yes, this is the place to eat. I had the hash, which did not appeal in writing but it was popular…read moreso....... Well, I loved it! In fact I spread it out more on the plate just for a good look to try and duplicate it. It was more attractive at serving but I had already dived into it

Hidden gem Very happy with food and service…read more Great place for brunch or lunch. Will be back my next trip to town

The best breakfast I've ever had. I first experienced it back in January 2023. Came back from…read moreAlberta to experience it again and I still stand by my review. All staff were very friendly and I definitely am satisfied with the service.

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.

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 :)

Such a cool, eclectic spot to enjoy breakfast and a coffee! The decor was spectacular and I loved…read morelooking around the cafe while we waited for our food. Service was extremely friendly, and although the food took quite a while because they were extremely busy, they were very transparent as to why. The homemade granola was delicious. If you're looking for a vibrant way to start your day, this is it!

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.

Will absolutely never return. The poor server was working the whole restaurant by himself. Left a…read moregood tip because he was very friendly but service was SO SLOW. I sent my breakfast back because the eggs were burnt. I had to wait 10 minutes to do that because the server was way too busy to do a quality check. After sending it back and asking for eggs that weren't burnt, I received (after another 10 minute wait), these eggs, which were clearly burnt, again. I just shut my mouth and ate because I could see the poor guy was doing his absolute best. So that's over 50 bucks and well over an hour of my life I'll never get back. Please don't go there for a good breakfast experience. I was in hospitality for 36 years before hanging up my apron (although I still own a catering company) and the experience at The Pantry is one I won't do again.

the food was okay however the server input on the card machine a 25% tip that i didnt notice or…read moreagree to give, till the payment went through as me and my partner were wanting to leave

Discovering another gem in downtown Nanaimo Modern café is nestled in a heritage site built in…read more1910. They bring a fresh twist to classic comfort food using locally sourced ingredients. We stopped by for brunch and indulged in the Modern Acai Berry Bowl ($16) and the Modern Breakfast ($18). Whether you're in the mood for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this all-day dining lounge has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this unique spot! The Modern Cafe 221 Commercial St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5GB 11:30-9pm (open till 10 on weekends) Food Parking 4.5/5 Service 4/5 Ambiance 5/5

I was visiting Nanaimo for the first time and had brunch here with a large group, it wasn't super…read morebusy and I appreciated the service. I thought it was a decent brunch place however felt that the dish was a bit heavy -- big portion though. The duck while there was a decent amount in the hash, didn't have anything special to it and tasted like a regular pulled meat. I did like the addition of pineapple as that was something I hadn't seen before and the potatoes were pretty good! Overall, for the price point ($26), it's definitely not a go-to for me if I lived in the area however it's a nice spot to visit if you're on the island for a getaway.

We stayed at Coast Bastion Hotel and after walking all day, it was nice to have a place to eat…read morewithout leaving the hotel. Yes, they were pricey but the food was delicious. We ordered crab cakes and top sirloin . Service was awesome.

Second time in this hotel restaurant inside of a week. Both nights had large crowds attending a…read moretheatre event around the corner. Not surprisingly they were very busy. That said, we were there for both "slammed" situations, and endured little, to no, service. Our server last night had no answers to our menu questions and spent entirely too much time leaving us to ask someone else. Specials, fish of the day, etc should be a part of the offering that is well known and sold by the wait staff. We find hotel chain restaurants to be sub-par in general, but this Coast hotel disappointed twice inside of a week. The space is nicely appointed, but we found the folks that followed us in were looking to watch the hockey playoffs at 8 PM. Should be prime dinner/date night out. Overall, so average, which you are not looking for out of a Coast hotel situated a few hundred meters from the ocean.

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)

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!