Downtown Nanaimo, BC Dining
This Harbour City in W. Canada Has Many Options for a Food Vacation
Nov 2, 2008
The small harbour city of Nanaimo, BC is growing up in the most delicious way. Restaurants are popping up downtown that rival dining in the nearby big cities of Victoria and Vancouver.
Coast Bastion Hotel Restaurant
Newly renovated Minnoz Restaurant and Lounge (11 Bastion Street, 250-753-2977), within the Coast Bastion Hotel, is quickly gaining a reputation as a hotspot downtown. Perfect for an after work drink, the lounge is adorned with huge window views of the harbour, a modern west coast style and 3,200 square feet of dining space. Tapas and cocktails mingle well for those with a craving for dressing up and going out. A member of Ocean Wise.
Basque Restaurant
Stepping into Basque Restaurant (489 Wallace Street, 250-754-7354) is like strutting into a trendy bar in a big city. The difference, though, is that there’s no pretence here. Dining and dancing under the manmade (and historical) starry ceiling is a must. The focus is on Spanish tapas with a significant French influence. Ingredients are sourced locally and the restaurant is a member of Ocean Wise. They are also a part of the very promising Carbon Footprint Reduction Initiative. This program will measure food miles and production in order to identify ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Modern Café
A trip to Nanaimo isn’t complete without eating at the Modern Café (221 Commercial Street, 250-754-5022). This is where the locals hang out in the evening, surrounded by brick walls, funky art and jazz-inspired music. A highlight, on top of the creative dishes on the menu, is the signature Nanaimo Bar Martini: vodka, crème de cacao, chocolate and espresso. Less sweet than one would think, this cocktail is a definite winner.
Mon Petit Choux
Think that French bakeries don’t exist outside of their motherland? Think again. Mon Petit Choux (101- 120 Commercial Street, 250-753-6002) is a delightful café serving scrumptious baked good à la Française. The sweet smells, lovely service and tempting goodies all seem too good to be true. But they taste as delicious as they look and are made from real ingredients that are sourced locally, seasonally and organically. The coffee presentations are charming, too.
Other Downtown Nanaimo Dining Mentions
Fortunately for those on a foodie vacation in Nanaimo, there are plenty of other eateries with much to offer. The one of a kind Dinghy Dock Pub & Bistro (#8 Pirates Lane, 250-753-2373) actually has a fishing hole in the centre of the floating pub; the Crow & Gate Pub (2313 Yellow Point Road, 250-722-3731) is an English-style pub that transports diners to the English countryside. Although outside of the downtown core, it’s definitely worth the drive.
McLean’s Specialty Foods (246 Fitzwillian Street, 250-754-0100) is the place to pick up specialty food and premier cheese; the Mermaid’s Mug (357 Wesley Street, 250-754-6693) is a wild trip to a room chock full of gypsy knick knacks and creative decorations.
Head to CoCo Locos (2 Commercial Street), a healthy smoothie and snack bar located inside a hip retail store; smoothie cups and lids are made from compost-able materials. The Javawocky Coffee Shop (#8- 90 Front Street, 250-753-1688) is a great place to pick up a coffee before heading to the Nanaimo Downtown Farmers’ Market (Pioneer Waterfront Plaza), just outside it’s doors. Here, local farmers showcase their delectable produce and goodies that are as fresh as they can be.
Nanaimo Travel
The gracious folks at Tourism Nanaimo (1-800-663-7337) can help visitors plan their city trip. Or contact Tourism Vancouver Island (250-754-3400) for assistance getting around the island.
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