Take a sweet self-guided adventure through the streets of Nanaimo & Region! Stretching the region from Lantzville in the north to Cedar in the south and now including a stop on Gabriola Island, The Nanaimo Bar Trail takes you to experience the many deliciously creative interpretations of our famous treat. Stop by the Visitor Centres or any of the participating locations and pick up a Nanaimo Bar Trail Brochure so you can map out your route along the many stops.

Classic Nanaimo Bar

A classic, homemade version, almost identical to the version on display in the museum is available at several coffee houses and café’s around Nanaimo. A few favourites are listed below, so you can decide which is your favourite! CLICK HERE for the “official” Nanaimo Bar recipe by Joyce Hardcastle.

  • A Wee Cupcakery – 407 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
  • Nanaimo Bakery – 2025 Bowen Rd
  • Serious Coffee Downtown – 300-60 Commercial Street (Downtown)
  • Serious Coffee North – 6357-B Hammond Bay Rd. (North)
  • Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
  • Mad Rona’s Coffee Bar – 500 North Road (Gabriola Island)
  • Red’s Bakery – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
  • Vault Cafe – 499 Wallace St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
  • Drip Coffee – 2835 Departure Bay Road and 1515 Dufferin Crescent 
  • La Isla Cafe – 250 Prideaux Street
Specialty Nanaimo Bars
  • Smokin’ George’s – Alternate between Maple Bacon Topped Nanaimo Bar & Dulche De Leche Nanaimo Bar, Unit 5- 4131 Mostar Rd. (North)
  • BOCCA Cafe – All Nanaimo Bars are Gluten Free – 7 kinds including Traditional, Peanut butter and salted caramel – 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
  • Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – Peanut Butter Crunch Nanaimo Bar – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
  • Red’s Bakery – Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
  • Nellie’s Dutch Deli – Nut Free – 500-2980 Rock City Road, Rock City Plaza
Organic/ Vegan/ Raw/ Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars
  • Nanaimo Bakery – Gluten Free traditional style and seasonal peppermint, 2025 Bowen Rd
  • Mon Petit Choux – Wheat Free, 120 Commercial St. (Downtown)
  • BOCCA Cafe – Gluten Free, Gluten and Dairy Free options – 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
  • White Rabbit Coffee Co. – Gluten and vegan friendly, 321 Selby Street
  • Eve Olive – Vegan, Gluten Free and Plant Based, #102 -5281 Rutherford Road
Nanaimo Bar Ice Cream Variations
  • Living Forest Cafe – Nanaimo Bar Milkshake (seasonal), 6 Maki Rd. (South)
  • The Bold Knight Restaurant – Death by Nanaimo Bar Martini, 1140 Trans Canada Hwy (South)
  • Waterfront Confections – come taste a delicious version of the Nanaimo Bar via GELATO. You can thank us later! (Downtown)
Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake
  • Minnoz Restaurant – 11 Bastion St. (Downtown)
  • Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant- 5775 Turner Rd. (North)
  • The Buzz Coffee House – 4890 Rutherford Rd
  • Red’s Bakery – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
Nanaimo Bar Cakes / Cupcakes
  • A Wee Cupcakery – 407 Fitzwilliam St. – Fridays & Saturdays & by chance (Old City Quarter)
  • Real Food Fast Cafe – Nanaimo Cake – 321 Wesley Street, Old City
  • Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – Nanaimo Bar Cakes and Cupcakes – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
Nanaimo Bar Macaron
  • Burnt Honey – French Macaron: A classic Nanaimo bar in macaron form (gluten-free) – 96-3200 North Island Hwy (Country Club Centre)
Nanaimo Bar Spring Roll
  • Noodlebox Nanaimo (Port Place) – 107-648 Terminal Avenue (Downtown) – call ahead for availability ( 778-441-4494)
Nanaimo Bar Fudge
  • Cabela’s – 6902 Island Highway (North)
Nanaimo Bar Waffle
  • Waffle Magic – come try a tasty, fresh waffle topped with Nanaimo Bar fixin’s. Gluten Free Available (Old City Quarter)

Nanaimo Bar COTTON CANDY
  • Sweet & Dandy Cotton Candy – Order at www.sweetdandy.ca or look out for the bright pink cotton candy truck at farmer’s markets and events around town.
Nanaimo Bar Cocktails/Alcoholic Drinks
  • The Grand Hotel – Nanaimo Bar Cocktail, 4898 Rutherford Rd. (North)
  • Modern Cafe – Nanaimo Bar Martini, 221 Commercial St. (Downtown)
  • Bold Knight Restaurant – Death by Nanaimo Bar Martini, 1140 Trans Canada Hwy (South)
  • The Nanaimo BAR – Nanaimo Bar Cocktail/Shot/Martini, #2, 75 Front Street (Downtown)
  • The Nanaimo Bar Porter – Vancouver Island Brewing, available at most liquor stores.
Nanaimo Bar Tea and Coffee
  • Nanaimo Bakery – Nanaimo Bar Cold Brew, 2025 Bowen Rd
  • BOCCA Cafe – Nanaimo Bar Latte, 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
Inedible Versions
  • WildPlay Element Parks – Nanaimo Bar-burning Triple Play Bundle, 35 Nanaimo River Road (South)
  • House of Kiyo Salon & Spa – Nanaimo Bar Pedicure, #2 -404 Stewart Ave. (Downtown)
  • Nanaimo Museum & Northfield Visitor Centre, 2450 Northfield Rd. (Central) – Nanaimo Bar Recipe Tea Towels, Nanaimo Bar History Exhibit, Nanaimo Bar Benches, Nanaimo Bar Socks, greeting cards, postcards – 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
  • Island-ish Lifestyle Boutique – Nanaimo Bar Soap, candles and mugs. Boxed Nanaimo Bars for gifting. 5299 B Rutherford Rd (North)
  • Nanaimo Museum – Nanaimo Bar History Exhibit, 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
  • Nanaimo Museum – Nanaimo Bar Benches, 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
  • Serge & Sew – Nanaimo Bar Table Runner Kit, 105 – 6750 n. Island Highway (North)
  • Nanaimo Bar Trail Run with GottaRun – run or walk followed by a Nanaimo Bar – available upon request via denise@gottarun.ca
  • Newfoundland to Nanaimo Souvenirs & Canadian Gifts –Nanaimo Bath Bar, Aprons, Tea Towels, Post Cards, and T-Shirts, decals, magnets – 90 Front Street (downtown)
  • Zen Revolution Yoga & Spin – Barre Workout – Upper Studio, 54 Victoria Cres (downtown)