26 Best Coffee Shops in Nanaimo

“very nice little cafe with lots of greenery.“

“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“

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

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

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

“As coffee shops go, one may be tempted to imagine that all Tim Horton’s are the same. They are not.

My 5 star review of this particular location on Northfield is due to many factors: the generously long drive-thru lane; the quality hockey-themed dark wood tables and chairs; the availability of the double chocolate donut (not available at all locations); the overall cleanliness and easy accessibility of washrooms - WITHOUT having to get an access key from staff; the option to enjoy your coffee break with authentic mugs and saucers; and of course…the wonderful staff; including the lovely AMANDA, who is always dressed professionally and colourfully, putting a daily smile on customers’ faces.

Winter time is here, and for most drivers, a hot cup of something at Tim’s is in order. This particular Tim’s would be my top choice in all of Nanaimo.“

“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.“

“Javawocky Coffee House is absolutely amazing! The coffee is rich and flavorful, and every cup tastes perfect. The place has a warm and welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay longer. Definitely one of the best coffee spots I’ve been to—highly recommended!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cozy and relaxing spot to unwind for about an hour. I really enjoyed the cappuccino — rich and perfectly made — along with a delicious dessert. The atmosphere is calm and comfortable, with friendly staff and pleasant seating.

The only downside was the washroom cleanliness, which could use some attention. Overall, a lovely experience and definitely worth stopping by for a coffee break in Nanaimo.“

“Had an americano and delicious gluten-free almond blueberry tart, and my mom had a pot of tea with raspberry cheesecake she said was to die for :) great ambience, very accommodating staff and I’d definitely go again soon!“

“Just your average Starbucks, the coffee may not be as great as some cafe’s in town, but it’s still good and consistent! Service was great, kind staff, and a clean store.

Vegetarian options: Limited but some options

Dietary restrictions: One GF sandwich option

Parking: It’s Vancouver, parking is always a struggle

Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible“

“Nice staff,friendly almost immediate acknowledgment“

“They went to a lot of trouble to make it an enjoyable experience The tea was brewed to perfection This place is really a good tea shop!“

“My family visited Nanaimo during recent trip to Vancouver. Before checking out of our hotel, we stopped by this café for coffee, an egg salad sandwich, and a bagel, and everything was delicious. More than anything, we loved the warm and cozy atmosphere with beautiful Christmas decorations. The staff were very friendly, and thank you so much for giving the kids jelly as well.“

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

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

“Thankyou to all the staff. We visit at least twice a week and love all the staff. They are fun friendly and pays attention to detail and pleasant. We always come around 11am and the staff knows us. A huge thankyou to them all.
From Lonna and Elva“

“Thanks for my Birthday gift. Tried your breakfast bacon Gouda sandwich, delicious😘👌 Can’t afford it too often though. Just a special treat:-) My daughter treated me to an Almond Chai Tea Latte, that also was delicious!“

“The chocolate croissant was incredible; warm with a gooey chocolate center, perfectly fresh and flaky. The matcha latte was also excellent, not overly sweet (which I really appreciated). When my drink was made in the wrong size by accident, the staff were so friendly and accommodating, fixing it right away without hesitation.

We also tried the chicken club sandwich, which was delicious! It was juicy, fresh chicken with bread that tied everything together perfectly.

Overall, a great spot for tasty food and drinks, especially convenient for travelers waiting long hours for the BC Ferries.“

“super good, huge servings, great service, and great atmosphere. We would go back there again.“

“Coyote’s Coffee Rotisserie – Nanaimo Port

As we waited for the barge, we stumbled upon this little gem right at the Nanaimo port—Coyote’s Coffee Rotisserie. We ordered an iced cappuccino, beautifully topped with whipped cream and a touch of chocolate along the inside of the cup. It was absolutely delicious—a real treat on a summer day by the water.

What stood out even more was the incredible service. One friendly lady was running the entire operation solo, serving a steady flow of customers with a smile and grace under pressure. She’s doing a fantastic job, and we’re genuinely grateful for her hard work and kind spirit.

It’s places like this that make travel memorable—not just the drinks, but the people behind the counter. If you’re catching a ferry or just passing through the port, make sure to stop by. You’ll be glad you did.“

“Good location for when I go for my walks plus friendly staff...😎“

“Bocca is a simply darling little shop. I ordered the strawberry matcha iced latte and it was super delicious and photo worthy. May gave me wonderful service. She was super friendly and knowledgeable, running the cash and making the drinks quickly. There is all sorts of local art and jewellery for sale in there which makes it feel extra homey and cute.“

“I had a gluten free vegan cupcake and it was delicious! The icing was light and creamy. I will definitely be going back for more!“