Nanaimo’s food scene? It’s doing more than holding its own. From locally loved staples to spots that might just surprise you, this city serves up a mix of bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and places you’ll want to linger a little longer than planned. Whether you’re after a laid-back bite, a…
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Serving up a menu that spans Canadian, Continental, Asian, Spanish, Tex-Mex, and Southwestern flavours, Mrs. Riches Restaurant doesn’t believe in sticking to just one lane, and honestly, we respect that. What ties it all together? Fresh, quality ingredients and over 30 years of doing things right…
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Handcrafted. Small-batch. Actually worth the hype. Located right on Commercial Street, Milk Jam Donuts is a must-stop on any downtown Nanaimo wander. Their 24-hour-raised brioche dough is stuffed to the brim with house-made fillings. Think fresh raspberry jam, tart lemon curd, and rich crème…
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About the author: Lauren Semple (she/they) is a strategist, storyteller, lover of leisure, and the voice behind the queer travel blog, Sounds Gay Let’s Go. Nanaimo has always been called the “Hub City,” and that fits. Nanaimo really is the sturdy part of the wheel, the home base that holds…
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About the author: Lauren Semple (she/they) is a strategist, storyteller, lover of leisure, and the voice behind the queer travel blog, Sounds Gay Let’s Go. You've heard about Nanaimo's famous sprawl, but that just means there's more to explore! Our city is home to a tapestry of distinctive…
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When Fiona and Kara Shedden, a wife-and-wife team, began Burnt Honey Dessert Company in Nanaimo over six years ago, they dreamed of a shop where people could enjoy sweet treats and be their true selves. What started in a farmers' market stall has become one of Nanaimo’s favourite small businesses…
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Winter here? Oh, we have the goods. While the rest of Canada is hiding under electric blankets, shovelling driveways, and scraping ice off windshields with expired debit cards, Nanaimo is out here living its best flannel life. Rain? That’s just free ambience. Steam rising from a mug, sea lions…
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The days are darker, the drinks are hotter, and suddenly “staying in” feels like a luxury lifestyle choice. In Nanaimo, winter isn’t something we survive; it’s something we romanticize. Think storm watching with a blanket burrito, lazy mornings with fog on the harbour, coastal cabins that smell…
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Nanaimo isn’t just a pass-through on the parkway; it’s a destination that deserves your whole weekend. Sure, people love to jet off to vineyard valleys or chase waves up island, but don’t sleep on what’s right here. If you plan your belly, body and soul nourishing escape in Nanaimo, you’ll find a…
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We don’t know if you knew it, but Nanaimo is home to a big food truck scene. Like, BIG. We’re talking “you’ll need a bingo card to keep track of them all” big. Turns out, we seriously love a restaurant on wheels. From fully loaded hot dogs to New Zealand–style ice cream, authentic Caribbean…
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