Until now I've never written a complaint about a restaurant or left without paying for the food, but his place was just terrible. Like other reviewers, I'd say the location and view were pretty ideal. The beer was a decent price (not exactly cold, but that's not the end of the world), and our server wasn't bad at all. Going here for just drinks would probably be alright. My boyfriend ordered a med-rare steak for $26 and got what you might expect from a Zellers cafeteria, if such a place existed and sold overpriced meat. It wasn't in-edible, but I tried a bite and it definitely wasn't delicious either- small, grey, tough, unflavourful and gristly. Granted I'm not a steak connoisseur. I've bought the discount streak from the grocery store before- the kind that's meant for stews. But that was hands down better than this. This one came with half a cob of corn and what seemed like from-a-box mashed potatoes. I got the Caprese salad (which basically consisted of one soggy sliced tomato and some slimy cheese) and grilled salmon (which was really, obviously undercooked). Our server agreed that it didnt' look done properly, and offered a side plate to get it out of the way, or if she could bring anything else. I actually felt sorry for her having to serve this shitty food. I was pretty grossed out by the fish, and the steak was definitely not worth $26. We asked to have these taken off the bill since we didin't actually eat them, which was done after a long wait. We left and went for second dinner at a pub that had twice-as-big-and-delicous steak for half the price. I guess we should've read some reviews before going here. Advising everyone to NOT go!! (unless you just want to look out over the water with a warm beer). read more

This is a tough one for me. The food was really great, I was so happy to have a gluten free pub menu. However, the service was not great. I was with a large group. I don't mind tipping by any means, however since we were a group of more than 8 we were required to pay 18%. This wouldn't have been an issue if I could say that we had good service. Our server was a female in a cowboy hat, and we rarely saw her. When we did see her, we had to repeatedly ask for drink refills as she continually came back without them. We had some appies and loved the food, but chose to leave to go elsewhere for dinner because some of us were frustrated with the lack of service. She actually missed myself and 4 others when we arrived, and we weren't served until after the other end of the table pointed us out... Basically, if an 18% tip is mandatory, it would be nice to see the server more often, or have an additional one assisting our table. What a shame, since the food was so good. read more

I had been looking forward to dining at the Lighthouse while planning our trip to Nanaimo, so we went there for dinner our first night. I'm sorry to say we were very disappointed in our meals. We ate out at on the outside patio and worried the whole time that the table might collapse. I wanted to order the crab, but they were out, having served the last one minutes earlier. :(. My husband ordered the seared tuna, which was over cooked. read more

I went here with my coworkers for lunch and sat outside in the pub. The food was good, but to say that the service was ATROCIOUS is an understatement. We pre-ordered our meals as we were on a lunch break, and one meal (a salad!) didn't even arrive until the entire table had already eaten and we had to leave. The order had been requested to have been cancelled about 5 minutes prior but the server brought it out anyway, and then acted incredibly annoyed when we turned it away. The servers didn't check in once to ask how the food was, to fill drinks, etc, and we actually had to flag someone down just to cancel the meal that never showed. After the meal I asked to speak to the manager, (Nick K.) who was incredibly apologetic about the entire situation. He gave me his business card and said to email him and he would send us a gift certificate or reimburse our meal (as the individual who paid for our meals had already left). I emailed him about half an hour later. And then 5 days later. And then 5 days later. And never got a response. Do. Not. Go. Here. This place is poorly run, the servers (and management) are rude and do not care if you leave unhappy. I have lived in Nanaimo my entire life and I will not go back here and would never recommend this place. Nick if you read this, I would still welcome you to make amends and follow through with your original promise. read more

My girlfriend had her birthday dinner with about 12 people. We weren't sure if this restaurant was going to be the greatest option because we hadn't been there for years but we were able to make a reservation with short notice around Christmas time so that's why she chose this place. It ended up exceeding expectations! We had a private table which was nice, and the food was delicious with really good presentation and great service. Definitely would recommend for any occasion, family dinner, nice date night or even a large group. read more

Went in for lunch earlier today. Service was prompt and friendly. Specifically wanted to find some clam chowder on a chilly, wet Nanaimo day and was not disappointed. The clam chowder is thick, creamy, and silky with perfectly cooked potatoes, a generous amount of clams and it was seasoned perfectly. The only complaint was that there wasn't enough of it served on the side with a very well made clubhouse and perfectly done calamari. The clubhouse itself had thick cut turkey, bacon cooked just right and a bit of peppery spice from the chipotle mayo which was a nice surprise. The calamari was cooked to perfection and lightly breaded with a generous amount of garnish in the form of red onions, tomatoes and lemon zest. This restaurant has improved drastically since the last time I went there several years ago. Thank you Lighthouse Bistro for being a future go to for clam chowder comfort on rainy days! read more

Excellent atmosphere on the patio and great service. I was a little underwhelmed by the seafood salad although the crispy salmon cake on it was delicious. Reasonably priced. My friend had the mussels and the broth was divine. read more

What a wonderful night out! Everything from the bacon lager mussels, seafood salad, linguini vongolese to trio cheesecake was beautifully presented and full of flavor. We were served attentively and pleasantly and were impressed to witness pride in their restaurant as great care was given to polishing every wine glass behind the bar. Lovely surroundings as it is situated at the Harbour, amazing scenery from the windows on all sides. The bistro is definitely perfect for a romantic dinner out for 2 or a special dinner at any time with adult family. We will be sure to be back the next time we are over from Vancouver! read more

Loved the location, so much potential, but the food and service leave something to be desired. Granted it was an extremely busy weekend, therefore I can forgive the tardiness of the waitress, but everything went downhill after that anyways. First, I loathe corn in a restaurant so I asked for a salad substitute, and the waitress informed me she would have to ask the manager. She never returned to inform me I'd get my request or not? I hate being left hanging with a menu in hand. My meal arrived with the requested sub and it was not tolerably great. A Bistro on the waterfront ought to know how to cook a salmon fillet. It shouldn't be dry as a desert. Lastly the bill, initially I was not only being charged extra for the baked potato the meal comes with, but full price for the meal and the substitution. After another "I'll have to ask the manger' wait time I had the bill straightened out and left with a memory to never return. read more

Tasteless and overpriced. Tourist trap. Items on the menu were unavailable. Ridiculously small portions. The tuna in the taco was so small All I tasted was the taco shell read more

Overlooking the dock it was pretty.:) fish n chips (cod) good..:) coconut prawn was delicious..:) chowder excellent!!:)

The Fish Tacos had hair in them and when sent back had hair in them still. I decided to not eat after that. My friend ate and his food was OK. We were not given an compensation for the disgusting hair in our food. We were charged fully for our drinks and his food. I made a Facebook post stating this and was contacted by a Manager of the Restaurant offering apologies and a gift card. This was the summer of 2016 and I am still waiting for the gift card to arrive. Lets just say if you have an issue while on premise speak to the manager as the wait staff are clueless. read more

I've been to the lighthouse on a number of occasions. The food is mostly good, although I would not recommend the fish tacos. When I had them they were made with ahi tuna and the fish was good, but they really weren't tacos. The tuna sat on top of coleslaw in a taco shell - very bland - not like an authentic taco at all. But the worst thing there is the service. The service has never been great, but on two occasions it's been terrible. I can accept that sometimes things go wrong, but when a customer has a valid complaint and it's shrugged off there really is no excuse for that. One time my husband and I had nachos and there was a piece of wood in them. We complained and showed our server the piece of wood (looked like part of a pencil!) and she just shrugged it off and said "I'll tell the chef" - and we were billed the full amount. Then recently I went with some friends at lunch time. I wanted mussels but the full order was $17 - a bit pricey for me for lunch, so we both ordered the appetizer mussels which came with soup, fries or salad for $12.50. We both ordered a salad and were asked if we wanted green or ceasar. We both ordered ceaser. It was a very small order of mussels and a tiny bowl of salad. Before tax the bill came to $18. When we queried it we were told that the appy mussels were $15, and the caesar was a surcharge of $3. We both said we were sure our menu said $12.50. I told the server that if I'd known there was only a $2 difference in price, I would have ordered the $17 one or had something else. We also said that we should have been told that the caesar was an extra $3 when she offered it to us. No matter - she shrugged her shoulders and charged us the full amount. Barring making a big fuss, we paid up, but I've vowed that twice is too many and I will not go there again. read more

The seafood pasta was superb! The server was awesome and so was the view. Not sure why there were so few customers when we were there, but I wouldn't hesitate to go back. read more

The only thing that's just ok is the service, the waitresses are friendly!. Had lunch here Sunday 24th, ordered the fish & chips and my wife had the chicken tacos. Food was just ok a bit bland, had better fish at local bars near my home (a long way from the ocean) went back again for dinner because they told us they had a different menu, it was the exact same menu only the the front page said Dinner and the prices were $5.00 more! Even the cocktails were were expensive! I ordered the Bison burger and it came with a rare centre. Had this not been a frozen patty (you could tell) medium rare might have been acceptable if I ordered it that way. Had them take it off the Manu and finished our undersized over priced drinks and left. Stayed in Nanaimo for a week and never went back! There are a ton of better places close by. read more

This is, by far, one of the best restaurants in Nanaimo. I eat here often. The service is exceptional, despite the recent management and menu changes. The patio is just awesome, upstairs and down. With a outdoor kitchen as well!! The view is beautiful. You can observe the seaplanes taking off, downtown Nanaimo, the island cliffs. \sometimes you might get lucky enough to see some marine wildlife. The food is delicious! and afforable. Some of the menu items are not as good as when it first opened, d/t new management changes. But still big serviings cooked perfectly. I would highly recommend this restaurant, be it the pub or bistro, to anyone. read more

A must try while in Nanaimo. The food is delicious, friendly staff, and beautiful views.

We had a wonderful view of the harbour and the servers were very helpful. I had the special for brunch. Meatlovers omelet. The hashbrown paddies were rock hard. The toast was dry. The fruit and omelet were good. My friend had cold soup that was sent back but never did reach the temperature soup should be. I probably won't eat there again. Too bad because they have the most wonderful setting. read more