Debra’s Complete Guide to Nanaimo 2024

Debra
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
84 yerel halk öneriyor
Asteras
347 Wesley St
84 yerel halk öneriyor
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
Breakfast & lunch spot offering organic cafe fare along with a bakery making breads & pastries. I love the quiche.
26 yerel halk öneriyor
Mon Petit Choux
120 Commercial St
26 yerel halk öneriyor
Breakfast & 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.
86 yerel halk öneriyor
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial Street
86 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
Authentic Thai. The lunch special is a great deal, if you can make it 11:30-2pm.
10 yerel halk öneriyor
SukkhoThai Restaurant
123 Commercial St
10 yerel halk öneriyor
Authentic 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.
47 yerel halk öneriyor
The Vault
499 Wallace St
47 yerel halk öneriyor
Bohemian 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.
29 yerel halk öneriyor
Trollers Fish & Chips
29 yerel halk öneriyor
A must for fish-foodies. On the pier but only open in the summer months.
Come to see why they call it "wee". But cupcakes!!! Need I say more?
A Wee Cupcakery
407 Fitzwilliam St
Come 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.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
Cold Front Gelato
60 Commercial St
11 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
6 yerel halk öneriyor
McLean's Specialty Foods
426 Fitzwilliam St
6 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
Worth the drive uptown.
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Kasira Fine Thai Cuisine
6-6404 Metral Dr
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Worth the drive uptown.
Authentic street style tacos via a walk up window or sit on the pier and watch the boats.
37 yerel halk öneriyor
Penny's Palapa Restaurant
10 Wharf St
37 yerel halk öneriyor
Authentic 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.
72 yerel halk öneriyor
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni Hwy
72 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
64 yerel halk öneriyor
Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island Hwy
64 yerel halk öneriyor
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.

Drinks & Nightlife

Best place to party in Nanaimo, with good music on the weekends.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
The Nanaimo Bar
2-75 Front St
11 yerel halk öneriyor
Best place to party in Nanaimo, with good music on the weekends.
Pool table, live music, amazing hair of the dog Cesars.
48 yerel halk öneriyor
Longwood Brew Pub
5775 Turner Rd
48 yerel halk öneriyor
Pool 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.
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Browns Socialhouse Nanaimo North
6338 Metral Dr
12 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
Get the paddle sampler. So much fun to try different local beer in mini sizes.
38 yerel halk öneriyor
White Sails Brewing
125 Comox Rd
38 yerel halk öneriyor
Get the paddle sampler. So much fun to try different local beer in mini sizes.
Craft Distillery! Best cocktails in town. AND they serve Absinthe.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Arbutus Distillery
1890 Boxwood Rd
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Craft 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.
95 yerel halk öneriyor
The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point Rd
95 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
THE bar where trouble starts. Start your night here and see where you end up. Comedy nights and live music, too.
8 yerel halk öneriyor
The Corner Lounge
121 Bastion St
8 yerel halk öneriyor
THE 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.
15 yerel halk öneriyor
The Queen's
34 Victoria Crescent
15 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
12 yerel halk öneriyor
Carlos O'Bryan's Neighbourhood Pub
1724 Stewart Avenue
12 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
11 yerel halk öneriyor
melange restaurant
223 Commercial St
11 yerel halk öneriyor
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.

Parks & Nature

6 different beaches- you can spend the whole day here. Bring a picnic!
143 yerel halk öneriyor
Boyun Noktası Parkı
1055 Morningside Dr
143 yerel halk öneriyor
6 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!
118 yerel halk öneriyor
Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place Rd
118 yerel halk öneriyor
Stunning 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.
35 yerel halk öneriyor
Westwood Lake Parkı
381 Westwood Road
35 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
It's a 2 minute walk from our place. And the duck pond. Who doesn't love a well-populated duck pond?
46 yerel halk öneriyor
Bowen Park
500 Bowen Rd
46 yerel halk öneriyor
It'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.
33 yerel halk öneriyor
Departure Bay Centennial Park
1413 Wingrove St
33 yerel halk öneriyor
Views 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.
90 yerel halk öneriyor
Newcastle Island
90 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
37 yerel halk öneriyor
Ammonite Falls
37 yerel halk öneriyor
A challenging hike with stunning views and a waterfall. Park your car at Creekside Place for the best access.

Sightseeing

The "strip". Essentially, downtown Nanaimo.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Commercial Street
Commercial Street
7 yerel halk öneriyor
The "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.
37 yerel halk öneriyor
Old City Quarter
418B Fitzwilliam St
37 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
20 yerel halk öneriyor
Gabriola Island
20 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
163 yerel halk öneriyor
Katedral Ormanı
British Columbia 4
163 yerel halk öneriyor
Must-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.
24 yerel halk öneriyor
Cedar Farmer's Market
1984 Woobank Rd
24 yerel halk öneriyor
Local 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.
80 yerel halk öneriyor
Maffeo Sutton Park
100 Comox Road
80 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
86 yerel halk öneriyor
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates Ln
86 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
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.
151 yerel halk öneriyor
Old Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni Hwy
151 yerel halk öneriyor
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.

Shopping

Local bath-salts, herbal remedies, lotions, crystals, books. Locally crafted and well-tended shop.
Wild Woman Medicine Show
60 Commercial St
Local 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.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Quintessential
99 Commercial St
7 yerel halk öneriyor
My 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.
151 yerel halk öneriyor
Old Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni Hwy
151 yerel halk öneriyor
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.
Home of the OM Boys, Zen as f*ck. Funky apparel and iconic #vanisle tees. Staff are amazing.
Guava Apparel Inc
13 Commercial St
Home of the OM Boys, Zen as f*ck. Funky apparel and iconic #vanisle tees. Staff are amazing.
Support local at this chic boutique downtown. Best selection of unique apparel in town.
Archer+Arrow
60 Commercial Street
Support 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.
7 yerel halk öneriyor
Nesvog Meats And Sausage Company
1533 Estevan Rd
7 yerel halk öneriyor
This 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 St
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.

Getting Around

Two minute drive from where we live. They offer courtesy pick up from the ferry terminal.
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Budget Car Rental
33 Terminal Ave
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Two 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.
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Country Grocer
1800 Dufferin Crescent
13 yerel halk öneriyor
Support 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.
21 yerel halk öneriyor
Save-On-Foods
2000 Island Hwy
21 yerel halk öneriyor
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.