Guidebook for Nanaimo
Food Scene
It is the best farm to table restaurant in Nanaimo. They start serving breakfast at 8am, and are open for dinner until 7pm. One of their favorite dishes is "a lemongrass beef sandwich with sriracha barbecue sauce, and pickled vegetables.
86 yerel halk öneriyor
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetIt is the best farm to table restaurant in Nanaimo. They start serving breakfast at 8am, and are open for dinner until 7pm. One of their favorite dishes is "a lemongrass beef sandwich with sriracha barbecue sauce, and pickled vegetables.
This is a quaint, but very popular English style country pub. "Pegged beam & plaster, exposed beams, massive stonework open fireplaces, heavy wood trestle tables throughout, and clad with authentic pub memorabilia from the U.K., all creating an ambiance only otherwise experienced if you take a trip to the South of England". My favorite meals from them are their beef dip and salad, or their amazing pan fried oysters. Add to the experience by enjoying your meal on their outdoor patio among the tree peonies (if you can get a table), and a pint of some of the incredible local beers they have on tap.
95 yerel halk öneriyor
The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point RdThis is a quaint, but very popular English style country pub. "Pegged beam & plaster, exposed beams, massive stonework open fireplaces, heavy wood trestle tables throughout, and clad with authentic pub memorabilia from the U.K., all creating an ambiance only otherwise experienced if you take a trip to the South of England". My favorite meals from them are their beef dip and salad, or their amazing pan fried oysters. Add to the experience by enjoying your meal on their outdoor patio among the tree peonies (if you can get a table), and a pint of some of the incredible local beers they have on tap.
Enjoy the gorgeous Nanaimo Harbour, on one of our few floating restaurants. The cuisine is Mexican, and my favorite dish there is the Halibut Taco's (which are out of this world), and one of the best Lime Margarita's I've tasted anywhere. If you don't want anything alcoholic, they also make an incredible homemade lime or lemonade.
37 yerel halk öneriyor
Penny's Palapa Restaurant
10 Wharf StEnjoy the gorgeous Nanaimo Harbour, on one of our few floating restaurants. The cuisine is Mexican, and my favorite dish there is the Halibut Taco's (which are out of this world), and one of the best Lime Margarita's I've tasted anywhere. If you don't want anything alcoholic, they also make an incredible homemade lime or lemonade.
This local pub is a short mini ferry ride over to Protection Island, and is a great location to enjoy a view of the Nanaimo Harbour and Downtown.
I found the service to be a little slow, but the ambience of the pub and it's views more than made up for it (if you're not in a hurry). It's also fun to sit and watch the variety of private boats that pull up to the restaurants docks for drinks and meals.
You can't go wrong ordering the fish and chips, and a local beer or wine.
86 yerel halk öneriyor
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnThis local pub is a short mini ferry ride over to Protection Island, and is a great location to enjoy a view of the Nanaimo Harbour and Downtown.
I found the service to be a little slow, but the ambience of the pub and it's views more than made up for it (if you're not in a hurry). It's also fun to sit and watch the variety of private boats that pull up to the restaurants docks for drinks and meals.
You can't go wrong ordering the fish and chips, and a local beer or wine.
Marina's is an amazing Greek restaurant near the downtown area of Nanaimo. They have an incredible hummus, served with warm pita as a starter, and their roast lamb is to die for.
Marina's Taverna & Pizza
215 Terminal Ave NMarina's is an amazing Greek restaurant near the downtown area of Nanaimo. They have an incredible hummus, served with warm pita as a starter, and their roast lamb is to die for.
Astera's is a popular Greek restaurant located in the heart of the charming old city quarter of Nanaimo. It is a heritage style home turned to restaurant, and has a wonderful ambiance, great food and amazing service."
84 yerel halk öneriyor
Asteras
347 Wesley StAstera's is a popular Greek restaurant located in the heart of the charming old city quarter of Nanaimo. It is a heritage style home turned to restaurant, and has a wonderful ambiance, great food and amazing service."
"Serving up locally sourced market fresh dishes, prepared by Chef Jason Harbo. Dine indoors overlooking the stunning Nanaimo harbour, or relax on the outdoor patio". They serve a an amazing Sunday brunch, and have a great 3 clam chowder, burgers and fries, as well as numerous other barbecued items.
Their upstairs pub features tasty craft beers and wines from around Vancouver Island and British Columbia, with a great view of the float planes and harbour.
22 yerel halk öneriyor
Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
50 Anchor Way"Serving up locally sourced market fresh dishes, prepared by Chef Jason Harbo. Dine indoors overlooking the stunning Nanaimo harbour, or relax on the outdoor patio". They serve a an amazing Sunday brunch, and have a great 3 clam chowder, burgers and fries, as well as numerous other barbecued items.
Their upstairs pub features tasty craft beers and wines from around Vancouver Island and British Columbia, with a great view of the float planes and harbour.
Located in the old city quarter of Nanaimo, Bocca has "wholesome food, great coffee, fabulous art and a great location!" Lots of cool shops to browse in the area, before or after relaxing with a great cup of locally roasted coffee or latte, and a piece of homemade carrot cake or pie. Try their big cookies as well...they're a meal on their own, and are very yummy.
15 yerel halk öneriyor
Bocca Café
427 Fitzwilliam StLocated in the old city quarter of Nanaimo, Bocca has "wholesome food, great coffee, fabulous art and a great location!" Lots of cool shops to browse in the area, before or after relaxing with a great cup of locally roasted coffee or latte, and a piece of homemade carrot cake or pie. Try their big cookies as well...they're a meal on their own, and are very yummy.
"A place to start your day and to savour the taste of an authentically baked French pastry and cappucino, and an answer to your craving for a lunch that is unique". Try their beef sandwich on a baguette with a bowl of their homemade soup or fresh salad...absolutely incredible.
26 yerel halk öneriyor
Mon Petit Choux
120 Commercial St"A place to start your day and to savour the taste of an authentically baked French pastry and cappucino, and an answer to your craving for a lunch that is unique". Try their beef sandwich on a baguette with a bowl of their homemade soup or fresh salad...absolutely incredible.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is actually a trendy licenced coffee shop with a twist. From lattes and desserts, to amazing soups, sandwiches, and hot entrees.
It is also a hip nightly spot for relaxing with a drink, and listening to local live music.
47 yerel halk öneriyor
The Vault
499 Wallace StThis is actually a trendy licenced coffee shop with a twist. From lattes and desserts, to amazing soups, sandwiches, and hot entrees.
It is also a hip nightly spot for relaxing with a drink, and listening to local live music.
The Queen's
34 Victoria CrescentThe Queens is a "raucous nightspot for live bands and grub".
Great nightclub for the younger crowds (or the young at heart) that like techno music and dancing .
Koncept Nightclub
240 Skinner StGreat nightclub for the younger crowds (or the young at heart) that like techno music and dancing .
Sightseeing
Take a stroll down Nanaimo's Harbourfront Walkway, and take in the beautiful harbour, with views of Newcastle Island and Protection Island.
You can grab some amazing homemade ice cream from Waterfront Confections, and relax on the boardwalk, while taking in the flurry of activity from float planes, boats, people, musicians, and native art.
22 yerel halk öneriyor
Nanaimo Harbour station
160 Front StTake a stroll down Nanaimo's Harbourfront Walkway, and take in the beautiful harbour, with views of Newcastle Island and Protection Island.
You can grab some amazing homemade ice cream from Waterfront Confections, and relax on the boardwalk, while taking in the flurry of activity from float planes, boats, people, musicians, and native art.
"The Bastion is an enduring local icon in the third oldest city in British Columbia.
Built in 1853, the three floors of the Bastion were skillfully crafted using traditional woodworking techniques by workers of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Over the years, politics and land deals saw this sturdy wooden fort moved twice. Today it is Nanaimo’s most recognizable landmark".
If you happen to be in the vicinity, check out the firing of the canon at noon every day during the summer months.
10 yerel halk öneriyor
The Bastion
98 Front St"The Bastion is an enduring local icon in the third oldest city in British Columbia.
Built in 1853, the three floors of the Bastion were skillfully crafted using traditional woodworking techniques by workers of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Over the years, politics and land deals saw this sturdy wooden fort moved twice. Today it is Nanaimo’s most recognizable landmark".
If you happen to be in the vicinity, check out the firing of the canon at noon every day during the summer months.
"The museum opened in 1967 as a legacy for Canada's Centennial. In 2008 the museum moved to a modern facility in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre".
Check out their website at nanaimomuseum.ca in order to find out about their current exhibits and collections.
49 yerel halk öneriyor
Nanaimo Museum
100 Museum Way"The museum opened in 1967 as a legacy for Canada's Centennial. In 2008 the museum moved to a modern facility in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre".
Check out their website at nanaimomuseum.ca in order to find out about their current exhibits and collections.
Parks & Nature
Morrell Sanctuary is 278 acres of beautiful forest with 11 km of trail systems. You can hike through this park to Westwood Lake
"Located in South Nanaimo near VIU and Colliery Dams Park, Morrell is a lush, forested park with a lot of life in it. There's a small lake where you can feed the birds, a picnic shelter by the lake, a beautiful rocky viewpoint above the forest, and a beaver pond with wooden viewing platforms – surrounded by Douglas firs. The Yew Loop trail is perfect for children, as it's a short hike with several "gnome houses" built into large stumps and trees. The entire park features trailside interpretive signs which add to the interest of the place, and its educational value.
21 yerel halk öneriyor
Morrell Sanctuary
787 Nanaimo Lakes RdMorrell Sanctuary is 278 acres of beautiful forest with 11 km of trail systems. You can hike through this park to Westwood Lake
"Located in South Nanaimo near VIU and Colliery Dams Park, Morrell is a lush, forested park with a lot of life in it. There's a small lake where you can feed the birds, a picnic shelter by the lake, a beautiful rocky viewpoint above the forest, and a beaver pond with wooden viewing platforms – surrounded by Douglas firs. The Yew Loop trail is perfect for children, as it's a short hike with several "gnome houses" built into large stumps and trees. The entire park features trailside interpretive signs which add to the interest of the place, and its educational value.
This is a nice walk on 5 kms of trail (about an 1 hour) that will take you out to a point with nice views of Nanaimo, Straight of Georgia, and Gabriola Island. The trails are well maintained.
There are some areas that are a bit steeper, and get the heart rate up, but over-all it is not a difficult hike.
30 yerel halk öneriyor
Jack Point and Biggs Park
This is a nice walk on 5 kms of trail (about an 1 hour) that will take you out to a point with nice views of Nanaimo, Straight of Georgia, and Gabriola Island. The trails are well maintained.
There are some areas that are a bit steeper, and get the heart rate up, but over-all it is not a difficult hike.
Spectacular sampling of old growth trees right in the heart of Nanaimo. Perfect spot to cool of on a hot day because the trees & the lakes cool the air. Paths are paved & dirt with roots helping to make steps on the hills so it's easy for pretty much any ability. A large part of the park had off leash dog walking area but they do warn you on the signs that dogs should be wearing a current licence tag. There's plenty of parking from access off Harewood Mines Rd, 6th or 7th st or pretty close by bus access from Harewood Ave.
34 yerel halk öneriyor
Colliery Dam Park
635 Wakesiah AveSpectacular sampling of old growth trees right in the heart of Nanaimo. Perfect spot to cool of on a hot day because the trees & the lakes cool the air. Paths are paved & dirt with roots helping to make steps on the hills so it's easy for pretty much any ability. A large part of the park had off leash dog walking area but they do warn you on the signs that dogs should be wearing a current licence tag. There's plenty of parking from access off Harewood Mines Rd, 6th or 7th st or pretty close by bus access from Harewood Ave.
WHAT CAN I DO ON NEWCASTLE ISLAND?
Camping, or hiking and biking the 22 km trail system.
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is part of Snuneymuxw First Nation Traditional Territory. The Snuneymuxw are a Coast Salish people who live on Vancouver Island.
There are great views of the Nanaimo Harbour, the Straight of Georgia and Coastal Mountains, as well as a view of Protection Island.
Newcastle island is rich in both the First Nations and the City of Nanaimo history.
There is also a bistro run by the Snuneymuxw First Nations, that offers a great assortment of fish and chips, burgers and fries, to feed the belly after expending your energy on the trails.
90 yerel halk öneriyor
Newcastle Island
WHAT CAN I DO ON NEWCASTLE ISLAND?
Camping, or hiking and biking the 22 km trail system.
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is part of Snuneymuxw First Nation Traditional Territory. The Snuneymuxw are a Coast Salish people who live on Vancouver Island.
There are great views of the Nanaimo Harbour, the Straight of Georgia and Coastal Mountains, as well as a view of Protection Island.
Newcastle island is rich in both the First Nations and the City of Nanaimo history.
There is also a bistro run by the Snuneymuxw First Nations, that offers a great assortment of fish and chips, burgers and fries, to feed the belly after expending your energy on the trails.