Meg’s guidebook
Food scene
From coffee to brunch, lunch and dinner. These are the local treasures that I recommend.
Drip Coffee | Social
2835 Departure Bay RdGreat coffee and a beautiful view of Departure Bay beach.
A lively social experience with the best Japanese fusion I've ever had. I highly recommend getting their BBQ tuna and perhaps some hot sake to go along.
64 locals recommend
Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island HwyA lively social experience with the best Japanese fusion I've ever had. I highly recommend getting their BBQ tuna and perhaps some hot sake to go along.
This restaurant has enough on the menu to satisfy every craving from short ribs to salads and sushi. The firehouse grill has a lively environment with great food in a historic building.
28 locals recommend
Firehouse Grill
75 Victoria RdThis restaurant has enough on the menu to satisfy every craving from short ribs to salads and sushi. The firehouse grill has a lively environment with great food in a historic building.
A great place to go for brunch in old town Nanaimo. Vegetarian, meat and gluten free options available, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients.
86 locals recommend
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetA great place to go for brunch in old town Nanaimo. Vegetarian, meat and gluten free options available, focusing on local, seasonal ingredients.
A cozy, low key Vietnamese restaurant with great food.
19 locals recommend
Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant
19-1925 Bowen RdA cozy, low key Vietnamese restaurant with great food.
Delicious wood fired pizzas and homemade and gluten free pasta in a classy environment.
37 locals recommend
La Stella Trattoria
321 Wesley StDelicious wood fired pizzas and homemade and gluten free pasta in a classy environment.
A fantastically delicious Italian restaurant in a beautiful location close to coombs market.
72 locals recommend
Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria
2310 Alberni HwyA fantastically delicious Italian restaurant in a beautiful location close to coombs market.
Modern Cafe
221 Commercial StA great place for breakfast food.
clothing and gift shops
These are the top places I would recommend if anyone needed to find unique gifts and fine clothing mostly produced on Vancouver Island.
An Island boutique shop that sells beautiful clothing, gifts and beachy accoutrements.
8 locals recommend
Island-ish Lifestyle Boutique
5299 Rutherford RdAn Island boutique shop that sells beautiful clothing, gifts and beachy accoutrements.
A magical shopping experience in the woods. Bamboozle sells loose leaf teas, fine clothing and gifts. Well worth checking out. Bamboozle is also close to the famous Coombs market. :)
10 locals recommend
Bamboozle
774 Shawn RdA magical shopping experience in the woods. Bamboozle sells loose leaf teas, fine clothing and gifts. Well worth checking out. Bamboozle is also close to the famous Coombs market. :)
Beer
Great place to grab a local beer, if you feel like going on a mini adventure, as you need to take a little boat to get to the pub. The beer is delicious and the atmosphere is super fun. The food is typical pub style.
86 locals recommend
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnGreat place to grab a local beer, if you feel like going on a mini adventure, as you need to take a little boat to get to the pub. The beer is delicious and the atmosphere is super fun. The food is typical pub style.
White Sails Brewing
125 Comox RdLongwood Brew Pub
5775 Turner Rdcharming neighbourhoods with shopping, food, coffee ex.
Old City Quarter
418B Fitzwilliam StOld Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni HwyOld Country Market - Goats on Roof
2326 Alberni HwyNature
Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdBeautiful spot to take a walk on the beach
Neck Point Park
1055 Morningside DrHalf an hour walk into the forest and around the beach.
Departure Bay
recreation
A great place to rent kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and backpacking equipment. Coastal expression also offers guided tours.
8 locals recommend
Coastal Expression
1840 Stewart AveA great place to rent kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and backpacking equipment. Coastal expression also offers guided tours.