Stopped in for a mid-afternoon snack. Enjoyed the beef nachos and some beers. Delicious food and great service. Loved the atmosphere and the vibe. Very authentic. I'll be sure to come back when I'm in the area. Already recommended you to a few others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chen Heffetz
The food wasn't so good. It looked like it was warmed in a microwav. The place is owned by a family which is very nice but it wasn't enough. The temperature inside the restaurant was hot and the wind was not helpful.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
Sanju Sukul
The food was very good. I have not been here in about 10 years. Fajitas and Chimichanga were great. So were the chips and salsa to start and the churro with ice cream to finish. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will definitely return qhen I am back in Nanaimo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Yushin Park
Nanaimo was our last destination for our road trip from Vancouver to Vancouver island. We have visited quiet lot of Mexican restaurants during our trip. But definitely Gina was the best! We just found it from Google map and it has so many Google reviews. Atmosphere was way better than we expected and food was excellent!! I ordered Baja and my husband ordered Enchilada with beef. Both were really good. But we both agreed that Baja was the perfect choice. Serving time was quite longer than our expected but it totally worth to wait! 👏👏👏
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Wagner
Awesome experience, me and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the food, service and quaint atmosphere....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle Laidlaw
I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience at Gina’s Mexican in Nanaimo yesterday was very disappointing.
The food itself was extremely underwhelming. The rice, beans, and corn tasted like they had been reheated multiple times, so dry and overall everything lacked freshness and flavour. We left more than we ate :(
Service was a mixed experience. Our main server (younger lady) was kind and attentive, but another staff member who helped deliver our food was extremely rude. At one point, prawns were mistakenly brought to our table even though no one had ordered them. When my mom reasonably asked if her meal was indeed the fish (we cannot eat shellfish), the server snapped back in a condescending tone: “Well, you ordered the fish didn’t you? That’s what you got.” Not only was this unnecessarily rude, but it made for an uncomfortable dining experience. When I dropped my fork and looked up at her like “did you really just speak to a guest that way?” Her tone very quickly changed. I have been in the customer service industry for over 20 years and have owned my own business. To say that this type of customer service when paying for a “service” was disappointing, would be an understatement.
Between the disappointing food quality and the unprofessional attitude from one of the staff, I can’t recommend Gina’s Mexican based on this visit.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Shawn Allison
Excellent spot some delicious Mexican fare. The restaurant is very charming, and the staff was incredibly accommodating when requesting that something be made vegan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Owen Prior
Always great food here, a family favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
jf paquette
Great place and great food. Would definitely recommend calling before going to see what wait times are or to book in advance, the restaurant was definitely busy. Despite the heat the staff did their best to keep everyone hydrated and I have nothing bad to say, 35 degree weather is enough to make anyone cranky. We had the nachos, burrito and tacos, it was all good I would recommend all of them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Plath
Their food is super authentic, had their enchiladas they were delicious! Would highly recommend!!
If you’re craving authentic Mexican cuisine with a side of breathtaking views, GINA’s Mexican Café in Nanaimo is the place to be! Perched on a charming hill overlooking the water, this vibrant spot offers not just great food but a true taste of Mexican culture right in the heart of downtown.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this November 2025, GINA’s has been a beloved local gem for decades—and it’s easy to see why. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with colorful décor, lively energy, and a menu bursting with flavor.
The food selection is fantastic, with a range of traditional Mexican dishes that cater to every craving. Each bite tells a story of heritage and spice, yet the prices remain surprisingly reasonable. Whether you’re a taco lover or enchilada enthusiast, you’ll find something to love here.
Adding to the experience is the warm, welcoming service—often from the owner herself—who goes above and beyond to make every guest feel at home.
Don’t miss flipping through their photo-filled menus featuring vibrant drinks and dishes that are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the palate.
GINA’s Mexican Café is more than just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and 40 years of sharing Mexico’s heart with Vancouver Island.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mehak kaur
Amazing mexican food in the town
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Taryn Jonsson
The food was amazing! So many gluten free options! The service was outstanding too! We loved it so much we took 2 extra meals to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mayank kapoor
Amazing food and service with great passion and love.
Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cindy Elliott
What a wonderful place! Googled for a mexican restaurant with vegetarian options... no disappointments. Great food (everything made fresh with gredients) , great service and a quirky Mexican atmosphere.
Stopped in for a mid-afternoon snack. Enjoyed the beef nachos and some beers. Delicious food and great service. Loved the atmosphere and the vibe. Very authentic. I'll be sure to come back when I'm in the area. Already recommended you to a few others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food wasn't so good. It looked like it was warmed in a microwav. The place is owned by a family which is very nice but it wasn't enough.
The temperature inside the restaurant was hot and the wind was not helpful.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4
The food was very good. I have not been here in about 10 years.
Fajitas and Chimichanga were great. So were the chips and salsa to start and the churro with ice cream to finish. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will definitely return qhen I am back in Nanaimo.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nanaimo was our last destination for our road trip from Vancouver to Vancouver island. We have visited quiet lot of Mexican restaurants during our trip. But definitely Gina was the best! We just found it from Google map and it has so many Google reviews. Atmosphere was way better than we expected and food was excellent!! I ordered Baja and my husband ordered Enchilada with beef. Both were really good. But we both agreed that Baja was the perfect choice. Serving time was quite longer than our expected but it totally worth to wait! 👏👏👏
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome experience, me and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the food, service and quaint atmosphere....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience at Gina’s Mexican in Nanaimo yesterday was very disappointing.
The food itself was extremely underwhelming. The rice, beans, and corn tasted like they had been reheated multiple times, so dry and overall everything lacked freshness and flavour. We left more than we ate :(
Service was a mixed experience. Our main server (younger lady) was kind and attentive, but another staff member who helped deliver our food was extremely rude. At one point, prawns were mistakenly brought to our table even though no one had ordered them. When my mom reasonably asked if her meal was indeed the fish (we cannot eat shellfish), the server snapped back in a condescending tone: “Well, you ordered the fish didn’t you? That’s what you got.” Not only was this unnecessarily rude, but it made for an uncomfortable dining experience. When I dropped my fork and looked up at her like “did you really just speak to a guest that way?” Her tone very quickly changed.
I have been in the customer service industry for over 20 years and have owned my own business. To say that this type of customer service when paying for a “service” was disappointing, would be an understatement.
Between the disappointing food quality and the unprofessional attitude from one of the staff, I can’t recommend Gina’s Mexican based on this visit.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Excellent spot some delicious Mexican fare. The restaurant is very charming, and the staff was incredibly accommodating when requesting that something be made vegan.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Always great food here, a family favorite!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place and great food. Would definitely recommend calling before going to see what wait times are or to book in advance, the restaurant was definitely busy. Despite the heat the staff did their best to keep everyone hydrated and I have nothing bad to say, 35 degree weather is enough to make anyone cranky. We had the nachos, burrito and tacos, it was all good I would recommend all of them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their food is super authentic, had their enchiladas they were delicious! Would highly recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
If you’re craving authentic Mexican cuisine with a side of breathtaking views, GINA’s Mexican Café in Nanaimo is the place to be! Perched on a charming hill overlooking the water, this vibrant spot offers not just great food but a true taste of Mexican culture right in the heart of downtown.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this November 2025, GINA’s has been a beloved local gem for decades—and it’s easy to see why. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with colorful décor, lively energy, and a menu bursting with flavor.
The food selection is fantastic, with a range of traditional Mexican dishes that cater to every craving. Each bite tells a story of heritage and spice, yet the prices remain surprisingly reasonable. Whether you’re a taco lover or enchilada enthusiast, you’ll find something to love here.
Adding to the experience is the warm, welcoming service—often from the owner herself—who goes above and beyond to make every guest feel at home.
Don’t miss flipping through their photo-filled menus featuring vibrant drinks and dishes that are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the palate.
GINA’s Mexican Café is more than just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and 40 years of sharing Mexico’s heart with Vancouver Island.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing mexican food in the town
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The food was amazing! So many gluten free options! The service was outstanding too! We loved it so much we took 2 extra meals to go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and service with great passion and love.
Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a wonderful place! Googled for a mexican restaurant with vegetarian options... no disappointments. Great food (everything made fresh with gredients) , great service and a quirky Mexican atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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