Guide to Nanaimo and surrounding areas
Food scene
La Stella Trattoria
321 Wesley StBest Italian on the Island
Black Rabbit Kitchen
321 Selby StreetNew and trendy - French inspired
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial StreetCasual place for breakfast
Sushi Wara
370 Trans-Canada HighwayFresh and delicious sushi
The Nest Bistro
77 Skinner StGood Italian
Asteras
347 Wesley StGood Greek food in an old historic building
White Sails Brewing
125 Comox RdFantastic local brewery, gorgeous interior
Craft Fare
153 Commercial StSmall menu with a good beer list
Eclectic place - coffee shop in the day, licensed for liquor in the evenings. Good breakfast, and often has live music in the evenings
47 locals recommend
The Vault
499 Wallace StEclectic place - coffee shop in the day, licensed for liquor in the evenings. Good breakfast, and often has live music in the evenings
Great coffee shop with a view - make sure it's the Departure Bay location, not Dufferin
30 locals recommend
Drip Coffee | Social
2835 Departure Bay RdGreat coffee shop with a view - make sure it's the Departure Bay location, not Dufferin
White Rabbit Coffee Co.
321 Selby StGreat coffee shop, plenty of GF/DF items
Cold Front Gelato
60 Commercial StBest gelato in Nanaimo
Mon Petit Choux
120 Commercial StGreat local bakery
Modern Cafe
221 Commercial StGreat spot for food/drinks and a nice patio
melange restaurant
223 Commercial StTrendy spot for food and cocktails
Bar Luna
Great taco place just down the street from the Airbnb
Activities
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters
2205 Northfield RdBest spot to rent scuba/snorkel gear and/or get certified as a diver
Take a short ferry to Protection Island and have a meal at the floating Dinghy Dock Pub
15 locals recommend
Protection Island
Take a short ferry to Protection Island and have a meal at the floating Dinghy Dock Pub
Coastal Blue Adventures
I DockNanaimo's best fishing and marine charter
Amazing tour guide who can create a custom experience for you depending on what you want to see/do
Explore Vancouver Island
404 Stewart AvenueAmazing tour guide who can create a custom experience for you depending on what you want to see/do
WildPlay Nanaimo
35 Nanaimo River RdZip-lining and adventure park
Axe & Grind, axe throwing club
225 Terminal AveAxe throwing, right downtown Nanaimo
Sightseeing
Take a short ferry to Newcastle Island to explore the beaches and trails
90 locals recommend
Newcastle Island
Take a short ferry to Newcastle Island to explore the beaches and trails
Neck Point Park
1055 Morningside DrGreat views, easy access (parking lot and gravel trails)
Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdBeautiful beach and lagoon
Sugarloaf Mountain Park
3160 Marion Way5 minute hike to see the best view of Departure Bay
Morrell Sanctuary
787 Nanaimo Lakes RdBeautiful nature sanctuary with several trails to explore
Jack Point and Biggs Park
Great walk near Duke Point
Ammonite Falls
60 foot waterfall
Mount Benson
4-6 hour hike
A bit farther out
Coombs
Shops, restaurants, goats on the roof!
Terrific local cider in an idyllic setting, as well as great food
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdTerrific local cider in an idyllic setting, as well as great food
Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4Old growth forest with some trees estimated at 800 years old
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
3905 Horne Lake Caves RdGuided tours of the mid-island's cave systems
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
1240 Rath RdBeautiful sandy beach
Pacific Northwest Raptors
1877 Herd RdRaptor tours and experiences
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
2245 Errington RoadAmazing waterfalls
Gabriola Island
A favourite among artists