Restaurants in Nanaimo

“First time having a bar burrito. It was excellent, good value for your money. Very friendly staff. I will be back!”

“Excellent friendly service paired with delicious food. This has become a regular spot for us. Delicious every time!!!!”

“the absolute best ! always fresh and always tasty !! our favorite go to.!”

“We’ve ordered multiple vegan cakes from Oh Happy Bake and they’ve all been phenomenal!! Incredibly moist and decadent. Presentation is perfection and taste is 10/10!!”

“Sushi was THE BEST we have ever had!! Staff are super friendly and helpful!! Prices were reasonable, atmosphere was busy, and fun!!”

“We had an amazing treat at Ironworks Cafe & Creperie. So many tempting choices, both sweet and savoury. Three of us wanted to share two crepes, and asked if our choices could be cut into thirds. Renee plated the thirds individually with full garnishes. 🌟🌟🌟 We had the ‘Four Berries and Cream” (sweet) and the ‘Spinach, Artichoke & Brie” (savoury). Hmmmmm. Latte was excellent. 🌟 Locally owned, caringly staffed, local ingredients. So impressed. Thank you.”

“Always great food. Fresh and hot and quite authentic :)”

“Excellent customer service!”

“The food was good overall. I’d rate it a 7.5, and my wife gave it an 8. The spicy pho soup I had was a bit too sour for my taste—something like a sate spicy soup would have been a better fit for me—but the spring rolls were fantastic. My wife had the vermicelli and really enjoyed it.”

“10/10 every time, whether you’re on a date or with a group, service is excellent & food is delicious. Cannot wait for their spring menu!”

“Gangsta sammich and truffle fries. ⭐️10/10”

“It is the best pub in the Island . The food are made to perfection 👌 Chef . the servers are nice and friendly.”

“I just called twice and got hung up on both times before someone even took my order! Extremely poor service!”

“food has always been great, the price is the best in town and the owners are lovely. Only place we will go for Sushi now.”

“Best pizza around 🤌🏻 the sweet garlic dip is to die for 😮‍💨”

“New Best Chicken Place Ever. We come from Parksville for this super tender and always juicy offerings of chicken greatness. I’m fussy, not gonna lie. Always served fresh and hot. Light crispy not greasy battered chicken. Fresh oil is obvious. 😁Breasts for sandwiches, tenders for tenders, Wings for wings. What’s nice is that for bone in chicken, what you get is juicy flavourful thighs and drumsticks. They have sides as well. We need to embrace Flamez Chicken. Check them out, won’t disappoint. These guys stay open till 3 am on Friday and Saturday, Midnight the rest of the week for the late night chicken cravings, or a late dinner. Thanks guys for thinking outside the box and staying open late night. I hope business only gets better for you.🤙💕🏝️”

“We always bring family and friends to Horang for celebrations and get together we absolutely love the food and service very friendly staff food is always fresh 😋”

“Had an amazing birthday dinner this past weekend. Awesome service and amazing food, very well presented! Will be back very soon!”

“Food and staff were amazing, highly recommend”

“I had the chicken tandoori and garlic naan takeout last night and it was delicious. Their food always exceeds expectations. I love it there”

“Stopped here for lunch and had a good experience. House made kimchi was delicious, nice portions, good seating indoor and outside. Would come again if I was in town.”

“The food was delicious and beautifully plated. Our hostess Mackenzie was a delight to deal with. She was prompt, knowledgeable, gracious and a real pleasure to deal with. We will be back again and again.”

“Ordered for the first time tonight , everything was so good. Highly recommend! Delivery was prompt and courteous.”

“Fish n Chips !!!?Got a smile.I told them i was use to eat Fish n Chips everywhere i seen sime to try.I am commercial Fisherman and High quality family oriented Fish market East Coast.Theses Fish and Chips are probably the BETTER ones i tried from Coast to coast of Canada.And the size worth it up. ☆☆☆☆☆”

“We were referred here by a contractor friend on the promise that the kimchi is SPICY. He was right; this is the most authentic and best priced Korean we have found so far and the spice level was absolutely satisfactory. The smoked duck, glass noodles, pork bulgogi, and kimchi stood out, but every dish was fantastic. Service was attentive, the location is quiet but central, and portions were ample.”

“Absolutely amazing food & friendly staff!”

“Sealand Pho offers an amazing Vietnamese dining experience with breathtaking Marina views. The staff was friendly, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. A must-visit for authentic pho enthusiasts and the perfect spot to enjoy delicious food with a stunning view. Highly recommended!”

“We were the last order of the night.
We were blown away at how delicious everything was. Made right in front of us.
I wish I ordered more! No complaints at all. Fairly priced too!
That bento was just bang on.
This Restaurant was clean and well decorated.
There is ample parking too!
Very friendly staff. Very fast at making orders.”

“Food was good. Service was good. Black Current Pale ale was tasty”

“Had the papaya salad and the lettuce wrap. The papaya salad was excellent, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The chicken in the lettuce wrap, however, was more like scrambled egg in texture, which was surprising and not what I expected. The interior was nice and welcoming, and the service was solid.”

“I came over to Nanaimo with some friends with the EXPRESS mission to taste the best Nanaimo bars ever. We drove in Saturday afternoon and found out that sickness had taken the bakery by storm. I made a comment on thier Facebook page just saying I had driven in to taste the best bars and was so sorry that sickness had taken them; the owner commented that they would be at the shop filling an order and to stop by and that I did..16 bars later 😂 I cannot thank them enough for thier hospitality and I can say with confidence that these are THE BEST bars EVER!! The cooler is full and now I truly understand the reason that they are #1. Many thanks again to the crew of Red's Bakery, you all are top tier!! ❤️”

“Rishu and Cassie are both wonderful in providing us a warm service this morning. These type of people who are cheerful to greet everyone are a total gem. Thank you!

Every time I am here we are treated well. Congratulations to the whole team. Special mention to the following: Edward(dynamic personality), Christian(always cheerful), Anne(so accommodating) Babelyn and Rowena are always wonderful. Thank you guys! Such a great team!”

“Honestly, this Tim Hortons is my go-to. I swing by most mornings for a coffee and a quick bite before work. The service is always fast, even when there's a line-up, and the staff actually seem like they enjoy their jobs. Plus, they make a mean Iced Capp! It's not just a coffee shop; it's a reliable part of my daily routine.”

“I recommend the food -but I really hate the fact that when I get A+W coupons in the mail and take them to your store, you won't accept them. I also dislike the fact that when I try to contact A+W Canada to complain, the "Contact Us" function NEVER actually works!”

“The staff here are always polite and serve with a smile. My order is usually ready quickly, and everything tastes fresh—especially the French Vanilla and breakfast wraps.The place is clean and has a calm vibe. It’s a nice spot to grab a coffee or relax for a bit. I always leave satisfied. Definitely one of the better Tim Hortons locations I’ve visited!”

“To whoever was working in the kitchen around 12pm noon on June 10th… I just ate the most perfectly put together, non messy big mac ive ever had in my life. I thought to take a photo but not until it was already eaten. I always avoiding ordering them because they are too messy to eat but I was craving one today.. & this ones veggie and sauce proportions were perfection 🥹”

“One of the best Mcdonalds in town. Staff were very accomodating even it's busy during our visit. Food was great, too. Special order in the sandwich was followed. Kudos to everyone working here.”

“I call it the BEST TH on the Island, friendly staff, the food and DD coffee is always fresh and to my expectations. I'd give an extra star for the team work. Hard working staff, specially Manpreet is amazing. Keep up the good spirits.”

“I was here after the restaurant was already closed, but they took my order at the drive through window although l was on foot. This kind of service just makes me happy!”

“Our meal was ok. The one thing that is rather disturbing is we watched them putting our burgers together in the back without food safe gloves on. They were doing it all bare handed which in this day an age is not widely acceptable especially after the world event known as the pandemic (covid).”

“We were a group of three for lunch yesterday. I had been going to Greek restaurants in Vancouver for 40 years before I moved back to Ucluelet. The wonderful experience surpassed all of the past ones with the best authentic lamb souvlaki and tzatziki, exceptional service and welcoming atmosphere I have ever experienced. Huge kudos to a truly destination restaurant.”

“Cold front is back open! While possibly on the pricey side for just a cone this isn’t regular ice cream! This hand made gourmet gelato with lots of interesting and unique flavours - even for those who are vegan! Definitely worth a stop! You can even get pints or have them delivered! I’d highly recommend! Or have a sit down in the warm store. It’s never too cold for ice cream!”

“This place is such a gem. Great service, amazing food and such a great vibe inside. Highly recommend ✨”

“Wow! Great eggs Benny! I’ll be back soon!”

“Delicious pizza with fresh ingredients and tons of topping choices! The atmosphere is fun and welcoming, and the staff is super friendly and helpful. MOD Pizza never disappoints!”

“it gets busy at around noon so get in early for brunch. eggs Bennie is really good”

“I last went here shortly after it opened, and before I moved to the mainland. I came back today and the food was phenomenal! They've really settled into their place in the community, I'm glad to see they are still open and the food was delicious!”

“The vault is the coolest location in Nanaimo and going there is an experience. This spot is popular with locals and with tourists, as one of the best venues in town as well as just the coolest spot. The staff are amazing and the food is awesome. If it's poppin in there will you wait a bit? Yes, but that's because it is well loved.”

“Aman was such a kind hearted person who made me smile. I just came in for some lunch and the entire time I felt like I was at home. My food was ready for me so fast and it was delicious. Give this man a raise!”

“A health care provider recommended this coffee shop while I was waiting for a friend at the hospital. Am so glad I tried it out! delicious muffin that was fresh out of the oven and a tasty iced vanilla latte! highly recommend”

“Food and service were outstanding owner was helpful and kind I recommend this place highly”

“Pretty much the best take out in Nanaimo. If you like perogies you will LOVE this place.”

“Tania's always serves up an excellent breakfast for us with phenomenal service too. We love this place and always stop by when we need brunch!”

“Very welcoming spot. The atmosphere is always relaxed and lively, and the staff are incredibly friendly. They make you feel like part of the place every time you visit. It’s the perfect mix of great beer and great people!”

“Great service. Amazing food. Would recommend the beetroot hummus appy.”

“came to this bistro for the first time on March 22, 2025 for a surprise 70th birthday for a family member. Found the setting comfortable, the staff knowledgeable, friendly and the service top notch. Ordered the platter for two and it was so good, the calamari was the best!! Our table numbered 15 people and all food arrived hot and all family was eating at the same time. This bistro is amazing!! As we travel to Gabriola Island fairly often, we will be stopping here for dinner again!!”

“On a brief trip to Nanaimo I was so pleased”

“We are from Red Deer and this restaurant is in my Son's neighbourhood. We dined there and had the bison ribeye and chicken club wrap. Both were truly delicious, the wine and the service was great. Can't wait for a return visit!”

“very nice little cafe with lots of greenery.”

“Mille Grazie! Your food is always magnificent! Not only did you fit us in without a reservation on a busy weekend night, after I called the wrong restaurant; but you gave us a wonderful table with amazing staff! Very special mention to the Ceaser I enjoyed before dinner! Highly recommend it! May you have a wonderful 2024! You always make your guests feel like part of the family!”

“The calabrese pizza. The onions. The sopresatta The crust is amazing. 1st time, and I’m so happy.”

“Best Indian food in Nanaimo. Meat, chicken, and vegetable curries with delicious naan bread. If you are lucky enough to get there when they have their homemade samosas, they are heavenly. My husband and I have traveled a lot and sampled curries around the world. This is up there with the best. Very reasonable prices ( low ) and delicious. Lovely owners, great service. Highly recommend.”

“I used A Wee Cupcakery for my wedding to provide vegan and gluten-free cupcakes. They made six of each of four flavors, and the chocolate coconut was absolutely to die for! Even guests without dietary restrictions couldn’t resist. Attached is a photo of a happy bride who sampled each flavour. 😄 Delicious treats and fantastic service—I highly recommend them!”

“🍕 I always buy pizza in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Honestly, it's one of the best pizzas I’ve had in a while! The crust is perfectly balanced—crispy yet soft at the same time. The toppings are fresh and bursting with flavor. I will definitely be coming back!”

“Feeling blue? Bar Luna has the answer to all your woes, with tacos and handhelds of the food in a blanket variety, I had the al pastor pork tacos with their spiciest offerings of in house hot sauce (hot enough to melt the tastebuds right off your tongue!) washed down with the Blue Island Iced Tea (with edible candied orange slice!) The perfect spot, nestled away in the quiet corners of Nanaimo BC 10/10 would recommend to anyone in the area, looking for a classy, comfortable, warm and inviting environment with all the tasty tacos and fixings for a spice aficionado like myself!”

“My "go to" restaurant. Last night had the Valentine's day special. Portions were generous and delicious. No room for dessert, so had to take the strawberry cheesecake home for later.”

“Honestly the healthiest, best fast meals you’ll get. Perfect for summers while on the road. We’ve been there quite a few times and the flavours are there, it’s colourful and fresh and so nutritious. You get an insane amount of food for a little over 20$, which is a very rare find nowadays. Definitely recommend!”

“Most delicious Indian food in Nanaimo. Reminds me of my Grandmothers cooking.”

“I was so pleased with out recent dinner (take out) from Flavours of India. The order was ready on time, it was correct and the food was definitely some of the best I've tasted! I kept saying 'this is so good!' Lots of left overs for lunch tomorrow. yumm”

“This is the best Korean food on Vancouver Island.”

“Food was great arrived promptly and was freshly made. We had the tempura prawns which were nicely crunchy but very tender inside. Then we had a vegetarian dragon roll and it was superb and beautifully prepared. Also fried tofu cubes. The menu is quite extensive and many diners were enjoying the bento boxes which sounded great! They also have a takeout cooler with preprepared sushi that you could grab and go. This is a must try approachable and friendly japanese restaurant. Recommended.
Went back a month later and due to my food preferences had almost the same meal. But this time ordered the yam and prawn tempura. Wow the yam rounds were huge with a very non greasy crunchy exterior and perfectly cooked yummy interior. They were giant coins of yam.. highly recommended. Also for the exams this time and the serving was quite large! A good counterpoint to the fried tempura.”

“Great food, friendly loved it.”

“Definitely one of my favourite coffee shops. I visit regularly- the staff are very friendly and attentive, the atmosphere is always relaxed and welcoming. The coffee is first class!”

“Enjoyed wonton soup really delicious”

“the best burger I have ever had ...”

“1PM Sunday Mary earned a new customer for life. The highly capable woman cashier 1000% must be rewarded. It was strong. + Reward the young man cooking the magic from the back of that cadillac. 1000% I felt vindicated and worthy leaving the establishment and I have a powerful young woman and chicken capable man and Real Farm Quality In House Fresh Cut Chicken to give thanks for that…….
🐓🐓🐓🍗🍗🍗🍗”

“Best hometown bar in Nanaimo with the very BEST beautiful soul of an owner. We love you and the special place you’ve made for ALL people!!”

“A health care provider recommended this coffee shop while I was waiting for a friend at the hospital. Am so glad I tried it out! delicious muffin that was fresh out of the oven and a tasty iced vanilla latte! highly recommend”

“Tried it from North Nanaimo for the first time. You’ve gained a new customer!”

“The best sandwiches in the world!! Don’t forget to try the carrot cake!”

“Nice location easily accessible by bus [route #1] and with many other shops in the same mall/area. Very friendly and helpful staff, you can clearly see all of their items on display in the shop and they slice your bread when you buy it. The baked goods are incredibly fresh, picked up a pack of apple cinnamon hot cross buns [multiple flavors/varieties available!] and a loaf of bread, both were baked earlier today. The hot cross buns are amazing! Will definitely be back again to explore more of their offerings.”

“I appreciate every single worker here, they are sweet, honest. The food tastes amazing!
I sure enjoy the teriyaki chicken bowl . I'll definitely be coming back. Fast service and very neat and tidy (clean) area.”

“This is our go to coffee shop! Great cinnamon buns and muffins! Lovely atmosphere and staff!”

“I buy their pastries in Duncan. I really like their take on stollen. The danishes are stellar.”

“I can honestly say that these were the best cod fish and chips I’ve ever had! Excellent quality and proportion of cod to batter. This will be my go to restaurant for fish and chips from now on! Thank you for a great meal.”

“i went to this a&w and their service was great and i had a great experience. i will come here again. Highly recomended”

“No service I know the food is good, but I was tired of waiting and left. Nice joke, folks.. You won’t be seeing me again anytime soon I really did like your food though.”

“The service is excellent and quality of the food preparation was very good with some vegetarian choices. Overall, a pleasurable dining experience. Would recommend this restaurant”

“came to this bistro for the first time on March 22, 2025 for a surprise 70th birthday for a family member. Found the setting comfortable, the staff knowledgeable, friendly and the service top notch. Ordered the platter for two and it was so good, the calamari was the best!! Our table numbered 15 people and all food arrived hot and all family was eating at the same time. This bistro is amazing!! As we travel to Gabriola Island fairly often, we will be stopping here for dinner again!!”

“On September 1st 2023 My friend and I went for lunch and sat out on the patio. The food was terrific and our waitress was amazing. We were reluctant to go there, but we decided to take a chance, and we are so glad that we did. This jewel of a pub will be our go to for our outings. I can't say enough about the great service we received. Thank you so much, it was a real treat.”

“I can honestly say that these were the best cod fish and chips I’ve ever had! Excellent quality and proportion of cod to batter. This will be my go to restaurant for fish and chips from now on! Thank you for a great meal.”

“Everything was spot on , Pho fabulous .Fair prices , quick Service. Will be back.”

“I did a review a couple of weeks ago that wasn't very good but since then I have re tried them and was pleasantly surprised that it was as good as I was used to before. I wish I could take back my old review but this one will hopefully make up for it. Tks Guys Ivan”

“Best teen burgers & onion rings in town! Beats the other A & W franchise hands down.”

“My daughter and I go there every morning to have breakfast, and we are treated with a great smile and service that we have not experienced anywhere else. The staff is amazing and so is the food! WE highly recommend this location !”

“Best Indian food in Nanaimo. Meat, chicken, and vegetable curries with delicious naan bread. If you are lucky enough to get there when they have their homemade samosas, they are heavenly. My husband and I have traveled a lot and sampled curries around the world. This is up there with the best. Very reasonable prices ( low ) and delicious. Lovely owners, great service. Highly recommend.”

“First time having a bar burrito. It was excellent, good value for your money. Very friendly staff. I will be back!”

“Always great food. Fresh and hot and quite authentic :)”

“Delicious food, waiters are very attentive, and super nice atmosphere. Plus it’s all at an affordable price. Can totally recommend it and will definitely come back again”

“I came over to Nanaimo with some friends with the EXPRESS mission to taste the best Nanaimo bars ever. We drove in Saturday afternoon and found out that sickness had taken the bakery by storm. I made a comment on thier Facebook page just saying I had driven in to taste the best bars and was so sorry that sickness had taken them; the owner commented that they would be at the shop filling an order and to stop by and that I did..16 bars later 😂 I cannot thank them enough for thier hospitality and I can say with confidence that these are THE BEST bars EVER!! The cooler is full and now I truly understand the reason that they are #1. Many thanks again to the crew of Red's Bakery, you all are top tier!! ❤️”

“A bit pricy but understandable for island vs mainland. And the food quality could have been better for the price.
The views is amazing and staff are nice. Overall food and drink is good. Lots of varieties.”

“We had an amazing treat at Ironworks Cafe & Creperie. So many tempting choices, both sweet and savoury. Three of us wanted to share two crepes, and asked if our choices could be cut into thirds. Renee plated the thirds individually with full garnishes. 🌟🌟🌟 We had the ‘Four Berries and Cream” (sweet) and the ‘Spinach, Artichoke & Brie” (savoury). Hmmmmm. Latte was excellent. 🌟 Locally owned, caringly staffed, local ingredients. So impressed. Thank you.”

“The vault is the coolest location in Nanaimo and going there is an experience. This spot is popular with locals and with tourists, as one of the best venues in town as well as just the coolest spot. The staff are amazing and the food is awesome. If it's poppin in there will you wait a bit? Yes, but that's because it is well loved.”

“Excellent value. Ordered Friday’s special Seafood Fettuccine. Server Ashley manages her section with skill and efficiency. The service is so well delivered that my entree delivered perfectly timed. I saw guests in my section received the same high quality from her and her trainee as well. The food? OUTSTANDING!

Value for food- Absolutely. This manager is making sure you get great food, great service and value for your dollar- congratulations. I will return again soon!”

“First time having a bar burrito. It was excellent, good value for your money. Very friendly staff. I will be back!”

“Excellent customer service!”

“Waitress ABBY : fabulous! friendly! and took all our concerns, complements and criticisms to the kitchen 1st the onion rings were overcooked so she brought us new ones and comped then. Then the new order was undercooked. Oh well. The yam fries were awesome!!!! The smash burgers were okay and the beer was COLD THANK YOU BIN4”

“Best pizza around 🤌🏻 the sweet garlic dip is to die for 😮‍💨”

“This is a good meal with a good balance between protein and carbs. The atmosphere is not really a dining atmosphere and it's more like a pit stop to eat. Generally a good value.”

“Arrived at 2 so had options from the regular and happy hour menu. The street corn dip was fantastic. Combo plates included enchiladas and our favourite dish - Chile Rellenos. Great staff, funky atmosphere and amazing food. Can't wait to come back!”

“Food was good. Service was good. Black Current Pale ale was tasty”

“The service is excellent and quality of the food preparation was very good with some vegetarian choices. Overall, a pleasurable dining experience. Would recommend this restaurant”

“Such a great restraunt my favorite in nanaimo. Great food reservations recommended due to it's popularity. Highly recommended”

“Wow! Great eggs Benny! I’ll be back soon!”

“Up there with one of the best pizzas I've ever had. A proper pizza, that tastes great and not heavy. I will eat from again if I'm ever in Nanaimo and they're open. 11/10 cheers!”

“I’m a meat eater but we went here for my wife who is a vegetarian and I was absolutely 100% satisfied. Even our 7 year old son ate every bite! I think that’s the first time I’ve felt I’ve indulged in Chinese food but felt like a healthy choice. DELICIOUS.”

“super cozy and amazing coffee- perfect place to warm up and reset after a day out!”

“The food is delicious and well served. The customer service is also excellent!
I totally recommend Truong Thanh 2 restaurant if you want to eat good Vietnamese food 😋”

“As a group of six we were delighted to find such a lovely place to stop for brunch. Dropping our son at university was the reason for our visit. Rick the manager went out of his way to chat with us and help explain what was available. Three of us had breakfast ciabatta, a ham/cheese panini and two lots of waffles. All delicious. Drinks were good, place was spotless. Staff not overly engaging but polite. Rick thanked us for visiting which was a really nice touch. We will return. Many thanks.”

“My favorite restaurant in all of Nanaimo. Amazing service, delicious food, I cant recommend it enough. 10/10”

“Had an amazing experience at Donire Dude! The pita was absolutely incredible—fresh, flavorful, and made to perfection. A big shoutout to Sahit, who went above and beyond with his customer service. He was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. The pita he made was hands down one of the best I’ve ever had. 10/10 — highly recommend!”

“First time ordering. The 5oz Cheeseburger, onion rings and strawberry milkshake were all excellent. I appreciated that my burger was wrapped in foil before putting in my take out box. Small detail went a long way. Recommend!”

“I love this place, and I feel they do a better job than anyone else with the brunch menu they offer. I have two beefs though, and for as small as they may seem, I think it makes the difference between good places and GREAT places.
1. The food and presentation is fantastic, but I need to ask…why am I eating food off of plastic plates? Everything else is so perfect, why a plastic plate? Do you have any idea how terrible it sounds to hear the person a table over cutting on a plastic plate? I think it detracts from your amazing food.
2. I love ordering an Americano at Pipers. The blood orange mug and saucer, cream and sugar on the side, and then the amazing bold flavour of the coffee! It’s amazing! But then I get a wooden stir stick instead of a spoon. Why? You’ve spent $5K on the machine, thought went into the mugs and how the coffee is to be presented. Why a wooden stir stick instead of a proper spoon?

I’ll be back! I’m not suggesting for one second I won’t be. These two things however are distracting from a damn near perfect dining experience. I know…first world problems!”

“Thank you for my new favourite spot to eat in Nanaimo. The food this morning was amazing. Love the people and the atmosphere. What a great find.”

“A great little get away from the hustle. A short ferry ride from Nanimo. It has a great cafe with delicious food. Beautiful hiking trails, tons of space to picnic and play and miles of quiet Beaches!”