Good places to eat in Nanaimo?

[riverrat]

And my name is AuliyA not Auliyah!!!

OMG I am SO embarrassed - I'm usually pretty careful about spelling, and then I go and misspell something as important as someone's name, like 3 times now.

But this is a restaurant thread, so:
Has anyone mentioned Taza yet? It's an awesome little cafe on Commercial St, just down from Tina's Diner (which is also great). Taza is run by Maritza (sp?), a supernice girl from ... Guatemala? Uh, oh, I'm so ignorant. Better finish the plug; the food's great and healthy, lots of tortillas, bean salads, samosas, big well-priced sandwiches, and tabouleh with tons of parsley. Mmm.

[Nick]

Has anyone mentioned Taza yet? It's an awesome little cafe on Commercial St.... Mmm.

I'll vouch for that. Good stuff. The prices are pretty low and the food is excellent. Too bad the restaurant is easy to miss... it's so tiny

[Meghan]

Hi there,

I am a mainlander travelling to the Island this week and we are looking for a great spot to have breakie in Nanaimo ( anywhere that has excellent pancakes?) that is good, and cheap. Can any helpful Nanaimo residents suggest? I have looked on the net and see that there is a lot of chains in Nan. (ABC, White spot). Last time we went to a place called MGM and it wasnt goos so we are hoping the locals will direct us to a good spot, or on the way up the HWY as we are headed for Courtney. Any other dining suggestions in the area are greatly appreciated.

Thanks soooo much!!!

Meghan

[dave]

Meghan,

Try Smitty's. If you are coming in from Duke Point, it's on the way, but if you come in from Departure Bay you're out of the way. It's just off the highway right once you enter Nanaimo (officially; after you pass the "Welcome to Nanaimo" sign), coming from Duke Point. You go through the first lights (under the bridge), through one more set, and take the next left into the little strip mall? area. Me and my friends go there for breakfast fairly often; I really like it.

I heard Earl's has good breakfast too. That's up the Island Highway on your way to Courtenay.

PS. Welcome to the forums

[riverrat]

The Granary Restaurant is at Terminal Park; it's a British place with bangers and mash, mushy peas, etc.
I used to work beside it, and got their breakfast all the time. I'd order a pancake (they're huge) with beans and some hashbrowns and an egg, and just mix it all. Good stuff.
And they're SOOPer-nice there.

Other than that, I'm having a hard time thinking of a pancake place. there's a Smitty's, but that's only relevant if you come on the Duke Point ferry. I'm sure there are pubs with good pancakes - anyone?

[Auliya]

If your out closer to rutherford and woodgrove mall there are a few places you can go. There is an ABC restaurant by woodgrove (behind chapters). I have never had the pancakes there, but the french toast is pretty nummy. There is also Ricky's that is out by woodgrove as well. French toast is good there too... i dont eat pancakes too much. If your looking for something a bit fancier for breakfast, i know the longwood pub out by rutherford is pretty nice. I have only ever been there for sunday brunches, but i think they have regular breakfasts.

[Meghan]

Wow, so many helpful people in the area! I really appreciate all of your suggestions- thanks so much! I will check out the Granery and if not then Smitty's and the ABC are always an option too. I was hoping Fast eddies would be open as someone reccomended them to me but I gues they are lunch and dinner only as with Mrs. rices which was the other reccomendation I had. Thanks again for your great help- any ideas for travel between Nanamo and Courtney? We will be stopping in Qualicum for sure...
Thanks again.
Meghan

[riverrat]

Thanks again for your great help- any ideas for travel between Nanamo and Courtney? We will be stopping in Qualicum for sure...
Meghan

One idea is to drive to the top of Little Mountain, which gives you an AWESOME view of the landscape and it's just a five minute drive from the highway to the top.
More info here: Little Mountain, Parksville

And if you're stopping in Qualicum, does that mean you already know about Little Qualicum Falls? The "Little" is a misnomer, I assure you.

[Rockclimber]

Moxies
Hong Kong House
Delicado's
The Keg
Acme

These are my favourites! I eat out a lot all over Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo but these are by far my favourites in Nanaimo

[corwin99]

The Macadamia Nut encrusted chicken at Moxies that is new on the menu for spring is REALLY good.