Restaurants in Nanaimo

“We were just at this place. Great staff. Friendly. Food is amazing. I recommend Ironworks Cafe. Special mention to Renee, really friendly Thank you Rico and Rona”

“Absolutely amazing food and service. Best food in Nanaimo. If you haven't tried it yet be sure you do, you will not be disappointed. Every time we go back, we are not disappointed. Yum”

“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!”

“Amazing service, delicious food !”

“We stumbled upon the Crow & Gate while visiting the island! Loved the atmosphere, everyone was friendly and the food was delicious! Highly recommend this place.”

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

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

“The best pizza on Vancouver Island and maybe the best I’ve ever had. Incredible and delicious menu and the crust especially is just amazing, they sell slices too!”

“Oh Happy Bake made four different vegan cakes for our event. Holy moly were the cakes delicious and beautiful! Not only that, but they were wonderful to deal with. I highly recommend.”

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

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

“🍕 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!”

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

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

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

“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 😋”

“Food and staff were amazing, highly recommend”

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

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

“Finally Nanaimo has the coveted 🍣 sushi.
This is a game changer 🙌. Was missing my prawn crunch rolls since moving from the mainland. Must try!!”

“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.”

“Dined here for Lunch on a Saturday around the lunch hour and were able to find a table for six right away. The counter service went quickly, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The food came out relatively quickly, and within the party I recall that the salmon burger was a hit, and I quite enjoyed the poke bowl.

The limeade was much more like green tea than expected, but otherwise we really enjoyed everything during the visit.

Would recommend.”

“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. ☆☆☆☆☆”

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

“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!”

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

“I wasnt really expecting much as this place looks very low key but my package of dynamite roll was amazing! The rice was just right! I will definitely be back. The price was great as well! Certainly some of the best sushi I have had in Nanaimo!”

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

“Absolutely amazing food & friendly staff!”

“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!”

“I need my java Ana espresso so why not !!!”

“Just had a great experience with the staff at this McDonald's! I made there life super hard today with a complex order for 13 people. And they treated me amazing and the food was great! Many years ago I left a 2* rating here but it seems life this store has done a great job! Thank you so much for taking care of me!”

“The staff at this McDonalds are some of the most kind and understanding workers I've interacted with at a fast food restaurant. They also were able to get through orders very quickly. The interior of the resteraunt is very clean and tidy. Definitely an above average McDonalds location.”

“Went thru the drive thru yesterday. Service was fast and efficient. Had to pull thru and wait for my food at the front of the building despite there being no one behind me. Made it kind of awkward for people trying to back out and leave. Other than that, everything was right and quickly brought to my car.”

“This location is like gambling, you never know if your experience will be bad or good unless you try the food. I became a regular at this location and as soon as they knew my regular order the quality seemed to improve. 4/5 stars because they tell everyone the ice cream machine doesn't work past 10pm everyday.”

“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.”

“I don't know how it took me so long to find this place! Friendly staff, good service, delicious food. I've tried the beef sausage roll, espresso cheesecake, and peanut butter cheesecake and all have been fantastic.”

“We had lunch at the Parksville location for the first time today but it definitely won't be our last. The food was delicious and the staff were wonderful!”

“⁣ Tucked just off the main strip at Departure Bay Beach is: Felice Cafe ⁣ There’s so much character inside you can’t help but grab a seat with a hot coffee (americano for me this time) and take in all the personalized touches. I had a chance to chat with the owner, who shared that from opening up the space with renovations, to the hand-drawn details and décor, he and his partner did it all themselves. ⁣ If you haven’t been yet, head over to Departure Bay Beach, pop into Felice Café, and treat yourself to a hot bevvy and a cozy spot to sit!”

“Such a great restraunt Everything is delicious 😋 highly recommend our favorite pho”

“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”

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

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

“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!”

“amazing food! we loved the freshly made salsa as well.”

“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.”

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

“Mat was our server! Been to this place several times and always glad to be back. Food was exceptional and Mat was personable, friendly and prompt. Excellent!”

“This is my kids favourite stop on road trips through Nanaimo. Fan faves include dinner and lunch combos, fresh sashimi, and the mango tango and candied yam rolls for something sweeter and unique.”

“Best fish and chips ever!! ❤️❤️❤️”

“very nice little cafe with lots of greenery.”

“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 Alberta and found Milton street pubic house kind of by accident, turns out it was one of the best restaurants my husband and I have been to. Such great food, amazing service you will not be disappointed. When we are back in the area again, we will definitely be stopping in there.”

“We visited twice the week of May 4-9; both times the food was excellent, fresh and flavorful; the drinks delicious; and the ambiance & service from Jordan and Nicki was outstanding - highly recommend, and if we ever visit Nanaimo again, we will be back to Bar Luna!”

“It's a fun place to eat and be merry!!”

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

“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.”

“Been trying these across Canada and this one was amazing customer service 🙌 the item I got was the taco bowl $17.72 came to with a drink. Location is in a mall and the vibe us usual mall noise but I was there mid afternoon so pretty low key. The food was okay 👍 thanks Taco Time for the great experience.”

“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.”

“Excellent customer service!”

“the Dim Sum here is amazing. Not too many options but they are great quality. I have not had soup dumplings this good since I was in Taiwan!”

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

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

“Love The Nanaimo Bar! The staff and owner are amazing! The vibe is 100% always. Tasty drinks at a very reasonable price. 🍻”

“Very nice restaurant to experience teriyaki meals.”

“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!”

“Great pizza here! Fresh ingredients and delicious crust. The mega thick crust is also thin but slightly thicker than tortilla thin. So many varieties and options for base sauce, cheeses, toppings, meat, spices and sauces.

Service is excellent. The staff are very welcoming, professional and friendly. They are community-focused and support local causes and schools as well.

The atmosphere is wonderful. I see all ages here. Comfortable seats, good lighting, and good music (not loud, good taste)

The cakes are good too!”

“LOVE the slapdown!!!! Always fast, always friendly, always kind when it comes to service. And always, always delicious when it comes to food!”

“Love a wee cupcake!! We get the vegan gluten free cupcake (chocolate/vanilla) it’s incredible. They do sell quickly we find so definitely great try to go early/near opening!”

“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!”

“This place is great!!! Food is awesome, service is great and reasonable prices! Highly recommended”

“Great food, friendly loved it.”

“We go there all the time when we're riding our bikes downtown or walking our dogs. Always fantastic customer service and delicious drinks, we either get the hot chocolate, specialty teas or Italian soda ...all very very good! :)”

“The roast beef and the lemon squares 🤤”

“extremely kind, and efficient workers ☺ every time i go through the drive thru, no matter how busy it is, they are always so sweet and quick with their service! this is my go-to tim’s for sure!”

“Enjoyed wonton soup really delicious”

“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”

“Usual poke to find on the island, the portions are a good size for the price, and staff is very accommodating for modifications. Fast and tasty meal, plus they are among the places that are still open at 8 around Nanaimo.”

“Today was our first time trying out Waffle🧇 Magic🪄and it was absolutely DELICIOUS😋 Definitely the first of many more🙂Hidden gem💯”

“The food was OK....but was not impressed with the dust on the rungs of the chairs and the dividing glass on the booths were pretty dirty...especially when the sun shines through the dirty windows.”

“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.”

“Coming from Ukrainian heritage, I can confirm the perogies are world-class. Forgive me, Auntie and Mom, but you would agree. They are delicious, tender, do not separate, and are a real deal for the money! The cabbage rolls were also very good. I hope people will come and support this kitchen. There are not a lot of Ukrainian options in Nanaimo and on Vancouver Island.”

“Absolutely amazing food and service. Best food in Nanaimo. If you haven't tried it yet be sure you do, you will not be disappointed. Every time we go back, we are not disappointed. Yum”

“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 don't know how it took me so long to find this place! Friendly staff, good service, delicious food. I've tried the beef sausage roll, espresso cheesecake, and peanut butter cheesecake and all have been fantastic.”

“Lovely and very accommodating waitress, Ashleigh! Delicious food too. Both my mother and myself have food restrictions (gluten for me and many things for my mom) and they were able to accommodate us perfectly. Great view too!”

“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.”

“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!”

“Excellent customer service!”

“First time trying Noodlebox. I tried their pad thai with chicken (I've eaten many pad thais in Thailand). The flavor was spot on, but the noodle was undercooked. Beansprouts were crispy but there was no chives. :(
The cashier was friendly and the service was quick. Next time I'd like to try their Cambodian jungle curry. Sounds interesting.”

“The food was OK....but was not impressed with the dust on the rungs of the chairs and the dividing glass on the booths were pretty dirty...especially when the sun shines through the dirty windows.”

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

“We were just at this place. Great staff. Friendly. Food is amazing. I recommend Ironworks Cafe. Special mention to Renee, really friendly Thank you Rico and Rona”

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

“We had lunch at the Parksville location for the first time today but it definitely won't be our last. The food was delicious and the staff were wonderful!”

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

“First time there this past Saturday. It was amazing. Thank you”

“Dined here for Lunch on a Saturday around the lunch hour and were able to find a table for six right away. The counter service went quickly, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The food came out relatively quickly, and within the party I recall that the salmon burger was a hit, and I quite enjoyed the poke bowl.

The limeade was much more like green tea than expected, but otherwise we really enjoyed everything during the visit.

Would recommend.”

“Great food, great service and friendly atmosphere. Especially love the garlic naan. aloo gobi, beef samosa”

“Kind staff, fresh from the oven gluten-free scone (!), great coffee. Thank you!!! 😊”

“The first thing you notice is how beautiful and unique the decor and menus are—so much thought went into the details. Luckily, the food and service live up to the atmosphere; our meals came out super fast and tasted amazing. Bonus points for the convenient Asian market right next door. It’s the perfect dinner-and-shopping combo!”

“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.”

“Absolutely loved the falafel platter at Donair Dude - Nanaimo! The falafels were perfectly crispy outside and soft, flavourful inside. Every item on the platter tasted fresh — from the creamy hummus and garlic sauce to the salad. Portion size was generous and filling, especially for the price. The staff were friendly, service was quick, and the restaurant was super clean. One of the best Middle Eastern meals I’ve had in Nanaimo. Highly recommend for anyone who loves authentic, fresh, and satisfying food!”

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

“absolutely delicious, everything was so fresh and beautiful, it was a wonderful start to a bday in the family. We will be back!”

“The food was so good I didnt offer my husband any!”

“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!”