Debra’s Complete Guide to Nanaimo 2024
Food Scene
Romantic & great value. Best Greek food in the city with ample portions and Ekmek you'll have dreams about. You'll be treated like royalty if you dress up a bit
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Asteras
347 Wesley StRomantic & great value. Best Greek food in the city with ample portions and Ekmek you'll have dreams about. You'll be treated like royalty if you dress up a bit
Breakfast & lunch spot offering organic cafe fare along with a bakery making breads & pastries. I love the quiche.
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Mon Petit Choux
120 Commercial StBreakfast & lunch spot offering organic cafe fare along with a bakery making breads & pastries. I love the quiche.
Closes early, so aim for lunch. Slow food, fusion dishes. Decent wraps and salads. Cafe style eatery with outdoor seating in the heart of the shopping district.
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Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetCloses early, so aim for lunch. Slow food, fusion dishes. Decent wraps and salads. Cafe style eatery with outdoor seating in the heart of the shopping district.
Authentic Thai. The lunch special is a great deal, if you can make it 11:30-2pm.
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SukkhoThai Restaurant
123 Commercial StAuthentic Thai. The lunch special is a great deal, if you can make it 11:30-2pm.
Bohemian style cafe with live music some nights and showcased local artists. Good, slow food.
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The Vault
499 Wallace StBohemian style cafe with live music some nights and showcased local artists. Good, slow food.
A must for fish-foodies. On the pier but only open in the summer months.
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Trollers Fish & Chips
A must for fish-foodies. On the pier but only open in the summer months.
A Wee Cupcakery
407 Fitzwilliam StCome to see why they call it "wee". But cupcakes!!! Need I say more?
Exotic gelato in plant-based or dairy flavours like lavender-vanilla, white chocolate raspberry, chocolate stout. Cups, lids and straws are all compostable and there are a few tables inside with a/c.
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Cold Front Gelato
60 Commercial StExotic gelato in plant-based or dairy flavours like lavender-vanilla, white chocolate raspberry, chocolate stout. Cups, lids and straws are all compostable and there are a few tables inside with a/c.
A local secret lunch spot for fantastic deli sandwiches, soups and specialty items. They've got over 150 specialties of cheese, plus truffle oils, aiolis, vinegars, chutneys, etc. Reasonable prices and friendly staff.
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McLean's Specialty Foods
426 Fitzwilliam StA local secret lunch spot for fantastic deli sandwiches, soups and specialty items. They've got over 150 specialties of cheese, plus truffle oils, aiolis, vinegars, chutneys, etc. Reasonable prices and friendly staff.
Kasira Fine Thai Cuisine
6-6404 Metral DrWorth the drive uptown.
Authentic street style tacos via a walk up window or sit on the pier and watch the boats.
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Penny's Palapa Restaurant
10 Wharf StAuthentic street style tacos via a walk up window or sit on the pier and watch the boats.
Hands down the best place to eat in Nanaimo. This is your place to try, Foodies.
The View Oceanside Grill
Hands down the best place to eat in Nanaimo. This is your place to try, Foodies.
Updated restaurant with a world class tasting menu for you foodies. A nice treat for a special occasion.
Black Rabbit Kitchen
Updated restaurant with a world class tasting menu for you foodies. A nice treat for a special occasion.
You'll feel cool just sitting in this place. Great place for drinks and people-watching, with an interesting menu. If you like wild game, this is the place to try something new.
The Modern Cafe Nanaimo
You'll feel cool just sitting in this place. Great place for drinks and people-watching, with an interesting menu. If you like wild game, this is the place to try something new.
This is an upscale restaurant with excellent food for special occasions. Reservations are necessary in the summer months! Right behind Goats on the Roof Country Market in Coombs.
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Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyThis is an upscale restaurant with excellent food for special occasions. Reservations are necessary in the summer months! Right behind Goats on the Roof Country Market in Coombs.
Brought to you by the owners of Nanaimo's best Sushi restaurant, Horang doesn't disappoint. Their Korean fried chicken is not to be missed. Great cocktails and a small Korean market, too!
Horang Korean inspired restaurant & bar
Brought to you by the owners of Nanaimo's best Sushi restaurant, Horang doesn't disappoint. Their Korean fried chicken is not to be missed. Great cocktails and a small Korean market, too!
THE BEST sushi restaurant in Nanaimo, with an amazing vibe and incredible flavours. You'll need a reservation for dinner or with a little luck, you can sit at the bar.
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Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island HwyTHE BEST sushi restaurant in Nanaimo, with an amazing vibe and incredible flavours. You'll need a reservation for dinner or with a little luck, you can sit at the bar.
Drinks & Nightlife
Best place to party in Nanaimo, with good music on the weekends.
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The Nanaimo Bar
2-75 Front StBest place to party in Nanaimo, with good music on the weekends.
Pool table, live music, amazing hair of the dog Cesars.
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Longwood Brew Pub
5775 Turner RdPool table, live music, amazing hair of the dog Cesars.
A western Canada staple with good food and a large selection of beer. Try the Grapefruit & Basil Martini! Get an extra fork to share the Warm Chocolate Brownie with Salted Walnuts.
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Browns Socialhouse Nanaimo North
6338 Metral DrA western Canada staple with good food and a large selection of beer. Try the Grapefruit & Basil Martini! Get an extra fork to share the Warm Chocolate Brownie with Salted Walnuts.
Get the paddle sampler. So much fun to try different local beer in mini sizes.
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White Sails Brewing
125 Comox RdGet the paddle sampler. So much fun to try different local beer in mini sizes.
Craft Distillery! Best cocktails in town. AND they serve Absinthe.
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Arbutus Distillery
1890 Boxwood RdCraft Distillery! Best cocktails in town. AND they serve Absinthe.
Iconic traditional English pub with beautiful grounds. It's packed after the Cedar Farmer's Market on Sundays so try another day if you want to drink your pint out in the garden.
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The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point RdIconic traditional English pub with beautiful grounds. It's packed after the Cedar Farmer's Market on Sundays so try another day if you want to drink your pint out in the garden.
THE bar where trouble starts. Start your night here and see where you end up. Comedy nights and live music, too.
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The Corner Lounge
121 Bastion StTHE bar where trouble starts. Start your night here and see where you end up. Comedy nights and live music, too.
Cool rocker club, live music venue with the odd burlesque show. Great chill vibe and a mixed crowd. Suitable for 40+ Close to everything downtown, instead of driving, take a cab back to our place for around $10.
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The Queen's
34 Victoria CrescentCool rocker club, live music venue with the odd burlesque show. Great chill vibe and a mixed crowd. Suitable for 40+ Close to everything downtown, instead of driving, take a cab back to our place for around $10.
Traditional Irish pub with a large, outdoor heated patio right in the marina. Near the ferry dock, not downtown. 5 minute drive from my place.
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Carlos O'Bryan's Neighbourhood Pub
1724 Stewart AvenueTraditional Irish pub with a large, outdoor heated patio right in the marina. Near the ferry dock, not downtown. 5 minute drive from my place.
Great, friendly spot for delicious cocktails and food. Cool outdoor patio for people watching right downtown. Amazing selection of wines. We love their charcuterie board.
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melange restaurant
223 Commercial StGreat, friendly spot for delicious cocktails and food. Cool outdoor patio for people watching right downtown. Amazing selection of wines. We love their charcuterie board.
Parks & Nature
6 different beaches- you can spend the whole day here. Bring a picnic!
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Parco Neck Point
1055 Morningside Dr6 different beaches- you can spend the whole day here. Bring a picnic!
Stunning views, feel Whale spirit in the wind. Early morning hikers may spot seals or sea lions!
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Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdStunning views, feel Whale spirit in the wind. Early morning hikers may spot seals or sea lions!
A runner's delight. Easy 5km loop around this man-made lake. Local family swimming hole in the summer. Stunning scenery on those rare days when there's SNOW in Nanaimo.
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Westwood Lake Park
381 Westwood RoadA runner's delight. Easy 5km loop around this man-made lake. Local family swimming hole in the summer. Stunning scenery on those rare days when there's SNOW in Nanaimo.
It's a 2 minute walk from our place. And the duck pond. Who doesn't love a well-populated duck pond?
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Parco Bowen
500 Bowen RdIt's a 2 minute walk from our place. And the duck pond. Who doesn't love a well-populated duck pond?
Views of Newcastle Island. Great serenity early weekday mornings.
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Departure Bay Centennial Park
1413 Wingrove StViews of Newcastle Island. Great serenity early weekday mornings.
Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle out to this nearby island famous for its white racoons and hiking trails.
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Isola di Newcastle
Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle out to this nearby island famous for its white racoons and hiking trails.
A challenging hike with stunning views and a waterfall. Park your car at Creekside Place for the best access.
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Ammonite Falls
A challenging hike with stunning views and a waterfall. Park your car at Creekside Place for the best access.
Sightseeing
Commercial Street
Commercial StreetThe "strip". Essentially, downtown Nanaimo.
Don't miss Nanaimo's historic quarter with its cobble stone walkways and quaint boutiques. The shops here close at 5 pm but a night stroll here is a lovely sight, with string lights and some of the city's finer dining. If you like historic buildings, a walk down Milton and Pine streets gives you that old world feel.
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Old City Quarter
418B Fitzwilliam StDon't miss Nanaimo's historic quarter with its cobble stone walkways and quaint boutiques. The shops here close at 5 pm but a night stroll here is a lovely sight, with string lights and some of the city's finer dining. If you like historic buildings, a walk down Milton and Pine streets gives you that old world feel.
If you get the chance, don't think just GO. You'll need a bike or a car once you're on the island- no transit. Aim for the Saturday farmer's market.
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Gabriola Island
If you get the chance, don't think just GO. You'll need a bike or a car once you're on the island- no transit. Aim for the Saturday farmer's market.
Must-see old growth forest just 45 minutes out of town and en route to Tofino.
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Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4Must-see old growth forest just 45 minutes out of town and en route to Tofino.
Local sustainable farmer's market with live music and food trucks.
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Cedar Farmer's Market
1984 Woobank RdLocal sustainable farmer's market with live music and food trucks.
Every Thursday night from May to September, downtown is closed to vehicles so you can mill about, visiting hundreds of local artisan stalls. Many food trucks and some live performances, too.
Commercial street night market
Every Thursday night from May to September, downtown is closed to vehicles so you can mill about, visiting hundreds of local artisan stalls. Many food trucks and some live performances, too.
Just a few minutes from our place, this is Nanaimo's signature park overlooking the harbour. People come here to walk the sea-wall, have picnics, join classes and watch the boats. Here's where you get the ferry to Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island.
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Maffeo Sutton Park
100 Comox RoadJust a few minutes from our place, this is Nanaimo's signature park overlooking the harbour. People come here to walk the sea-wall, have picnics, join classes and watch the boats. Here's where you get the ferry to Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island.
Floating Pub off Protection Island by Nanaimo, BC is a popular tourist destination with great pub fare and relaxing views. Ferry runs Friday to Sunday.
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Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnFloating Pub off Protection Island by Nanaimo, BC is a popular tourist destination with great pub fare and relaxing views. Ferry runs Friday to Sunday.
A must stop on the way to Tofino. Cheeses, freshly baked bread, foodie cafe, eclectic market wares. This is The Old Country Market. But really we go to see the goats on the roof. Yes, really;) Grab an ice-cream, gourmet coffee or fresh pastry and stroll around the market and grounds.
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Old Country Market - Capre sul Tetto
2326 Alberni HwyA must stop on the way to Tofino. Cheeses, freshly baked bread, foodie cafe, eclectic market wares. This is The Old Country Market. But really we go to see the goats on the roof. Yes, really;) Grab an ice-cream, gourmet coffee or fresh pastry and stroll around the market and grounds.
Shopping
Local bath-salts, herbal remedies, lotions, crystals, books. Locally crafted and well-tended shop.
Wild Woman Medicine Show
60 Commercial StLocal bath-salts, herbal remedies, lotions, crystals, books. Locally crafted and well-tended shop.
My favourite shop in Nanaimo. Stylish clothes and accessories, especially jewellery. There's always a decent sales rack.
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Quintessential
99 Commercial StMy favourite shop in Nanaimo. Stylish clothes and accessories, especially jewellery. There's always a decent sales rack.
A must stop on the way to Tofino. Cheeses, freshly baked bread, foodie cafe, eclectic market wares. This is The Old Country Market. But really we go to see the goats on the roof. Yes, really;)
Grab an ice-cream, gourmet coffee or fresh pastry and stroll around the market and grounds.
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Old Country Market - Capre sul Tetto
2326 Alberni HwyA must stop on the way to Tofino. Cheeses, freshly baked bread, foodie cafe, eclectic market wares. This is The Old Country Market. But really we go to see the goats on the roof. Yes, really;)
Grab an ice-cream, gourmet coffee or fresh pastry and stroll around the market and grounds.
Home of the OM Boys, Zen as f*ck. Funky apparel and iconic #vanisle tees. Staff are amazing.
Guava Apparel Inc
13 Commercial StHome of the OM Boys, Zen as f*ck. Funky apparel and iconic #vanisle tees. Staff are amazing.
Archer+Arrow
60 Commercial StreetSupport local at this chic boutique downtown. Best selection of unique apparel in town.
This is where locals go to buy their meat for grilling. Old-world style deli with a good selection of European specialty foods.
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Nesvog Meats And Sausage Company
1533 Estevan RdThis is where locals go to buy their meat for grilling. Old-world style deli with a good selection of European specialty foods.
Now called Aura Arcana Wellness, recently updated, this metaphysical shop and Tarot lounge has been in Nanaimo's old quarter for 17 years. Fabulous jewelry, gifts, crystals, incense, books, herbs and everything you need to get your Wicca on.
Lobelia's Lair Metaphysical Treasures
321 Wesley StNow called Aura Arcana Wellness, recently updated, this metaphysical shop and Tarot lounge has been in Nanaimo's old quarter for 17 years. Fabulous jewelry, gifts, crystals, incense, books, herbs and everything you need to get your Wicca on.
Getting Around
Two minute drive from where we live. They offer courtesy pick up from the ferry terminal.
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Budget Car Rental
33 Terminal AveTwo minute drive from where we live. They offer courtesy pick up from the ferry terminal.
Essentials
Support local by shopping for your road-trip here. Just a few minutes away from our place, on Bowen Road.
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Country Grocer
1800 Dufferin CrescentSupport local by shopping for your road-trip here. Just a few minutes away from our place, on Bowen Road.
5 mins from our place, it's easy to stop here for snacks and pre-made meals. The liquor store is just next-door, and there's a Tim Horton's, too.
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Save-On-Foods
2000 Island Hwy5 mins from our place, it's easy to stop here for snacks and pre-made meals. The liquor store is just next-door, and there's a Tim Horton's, too.