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.

Loved this café--the vibe, antique interior, and food were all excellent. Portions were generous…read moreand well worth the price. We tried the Lox bagel, and Double-B, everything was delicious. and the staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely come back! Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5

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

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)

Quaint, cozy, so friendly and a fantastic mocha. The owner was super nice and carried on a good…read moreconversation. The Nanaimo bar was really good, I wish it was double the size. Wasn't much more than a bite or two. I could have stayed for more coffee but I already had three cups!

What a nice little cafe in North Nanaimo. The staff were so friendly and fun. They make everything…read morefrom scratch. I had the Yam Soup and Roasted Veggie sandwich and it was delicious. I would so go back!

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.

stopped into white rabbit coffee just before 1:00 pm on a thursday, that sweet spot when the lunch…read morerush has eased and the space feels fully alive. big windows, pale wood booths, white walls, and warm toned floors keep everything light and airy, even when it's busy. the vibe lands perfectly between polished and cozy. blonde wood booths offer both semi private corners and more open seating, with plants and colourful abstract art softening the clean lines. baristas move with easy assurance and a friendly, unhurried energy. this is clearly a neighbourhood hub. older couples lingering, solo laptop folks settled in, and small groups catching up without rushing. the room hums, but never feels hectic. the menu is refreshingly straightforward. coffee classics are clearly listed and fairly priced, with sensible milk options. sandos and salads run until mid afternoon and focus on familiar combinations done well, like a breakfast sando, pear and brie grilled cheese, smoked chicken with banh mi crunch, and a bright dill pickle slaw. vegan options are integrated naturally. the not coffee section is just as solid, with matcha, chai, london fogs, and hot chocolate that don't feel like afterthoughts. i ordered a matcha latte with oat milk, warm and grounding on a cold, clear day. signage around the café quietly reinforces the welcoming tone without feeling performative. the music playing soft, yet audible, michael jackson and paul mccartney drifting through the room was nostalgic, playful, and oddly perfect. white rabbit fits the old city quarter beautifully. bonus points for black rabbit kitchen next door if you want something more substantial. this is the kind of place that turns a simple coffee stop into an excuse to slow down and linger.

It's a coffee shop in a ferry terminal. The seating is the waiting room for the foot passengers…read more You are paying more due to location. As you are a captive audience. The snacks are ok. Sandwiches, muffins, Nanaimo bars, etc. but over priced. The coffee is good, I have no complaints and the service was friendly and fast. If nothing else you can get a hot cup of good coffee.

Unfortunately the coffee was incredibly watered down to the point where I thought I may have gotten…read morethe wrong order.

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!

Great coffee and a friendly team serving as well. There was a small incident where, during the…read moremaking of my latte, the barista had to jump around the counter to the front door to help a woman who was in the middle of a CRA tax scam call. The coffee shop hosts a bitcoin ATM and apparently they see quite a few victims come in to send money off to telephone confidence scammers. I jumped in to help explain the issue to the poor woman who was dealing with the callers (being in IT and dealing with business security as well). So I got a really nice latte *and we thwarted a virtual robbery attempt. I didn't get the barista names but she's worth a very very large tip.

Exactly what is needed in this little corner strip mall off Bowen. Delicious scones, fresh roasted…read moreorganic coffee (they roast in house), and extremely pleasant staff. They keep day olds (still yummy) for cheap and if you bring your own mug, they charge for a small cup. I like the homey feel and couches. Very unpretentious and friendly. Bonus- bitcoin atm that you can purchase bitcoin AND get cash for your bitcoin (harder to find). Love going after my workout at Driven:)

We tried 8 Nanaimo bars from different shops in Nanaimo and Serious coffee was our favorite hands…read moredown.

The sandwiches and baked goodies are consistently exceptional at this location, plus great customer…read moreservice. It's a smaller property but it's always packed so maybe that just makes it seem smaller. Easy access off island highway. I would recommend going out of your way to grab coffee and lunch at this location. There is patio seating so if the weather is nice you can sit outside! Nice.

I have gone to the Calico Cat for 30 years. The food is fantastic and Heather's readings are…read moreamazing. Every time I get back to Canada I go there for sure.

Love the experience of having my tea leaves read! Wonderful lunch to follow - will be back.read more