Like the wide selection of Eastern Europeans goods here. Prices are above average, but not…read moreunreasonably expensive. Store layout is clear so it's easy to find things. Not everything has English labels so it's tougher to do exploratory shopping if you aren't familiar with the products. Store clerks were nice, but highly preferential towards the regulars who spoke Russian. Warning: carefully inspect packaging for Expiry/Packaged On dates. I found out that, after the fact, quite a bit of the stuff I bought wasn't very fresh. Threw away two out of four cheeses because they were pretty far gone. They were so bad that I did not feel it was worth holding onto it to bring back to the store for a refund, just wanted to be rid of it. I take responsibility that I should've checked better, but it's poor business practice for the store to be carrying inventory that isn't safe for patrons. Hope to see this improved on.

Place sells expired products. They've been doing it for years, so stay away for your own good…read more To the owner: your discounts for expired food and excuses are complete bs. You had years to make it right.

If you're looking for Caribbean, Latin or Indian food and ingredients this is the spot. If you're…read morelooking for bulk bags of grains, beans , spices they have slightly better prices than bulk barn that's across the parking lot and the quality is better. The staff is always pleasant and helpful. It's one of my go to spots when I'm looking for exotic ingredients.

Exotic is my go to place for for all spices plus any international food items. Fresh spices sold in…read moresturdy zip bags that stand up to repeated use so your spices stay fresh. I'm never disappointed in the quality and I especially like the variety of sizes available. Always friendly, helpful service!

The worst customer service. It is more than a month I am waiting for their response regarding…read moresending me a brand of onion which DOESN'T exist anywhere in their store or on internet.

Nothing too wow. It is just another Superstore. Basically same as any other Superstore or what you…read morewould expect to see inside. I did find that they have a lot of local island's products. Like the brand name Snack and Barrel. You won't be able to find it in Vancouver. Nice wide isle. Clean and well organized Superstore. Plenty of free parking outside too. It is not that busy when we went. Probably because it was a Thursday morning.

An incredible seafood paradise. Seafood sourced directly from locals by passionate, knowledgeable…read moreOwner Operators - and as specialists they are able to access some unique offerings. The smoked salmon is fantastic (and highly addictive, you have been warned) - I like the Mad Dog Mix smoked salmon. Do not hesitate!!!

This place sells the most amazing smoked salmon crack on the planet. You can get it plain or…read moresweetened with garlic. Small fish market conveniently off the highway. We buy several pounds at a time, freeze them, and savor them. Goes great with a little cream cheese or just plain. Always a hit as an appetizer at a dinner party. Maybe you shouldn't try them, just say no now and avoid the addition.

Best selection of cheese and specialty deli goods, hands down. Wonderful shop, helpful and…read moreinformative staff. My favourite store in town for gourmet snacks and nibbles (for everyday!). Special shout-out to the heavenly cheese selection and the cute and clean premises. They also have an Italian pork jowl that I can't find anywhere else in town. Considering the rising price of eating out (and junk food), I will get myself some fancy treats here every week instead.

Although the staff at McLean's was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and I did get hooked by…read morethe nostalgic story of the place, I was kind of unimpressed with McLean's. We got a LOT of stuff there, including crackers, pate, cheeses, jams, and a bunch of other items, all of which sort of flatlined. Now, in McLean's defense, the pate and cheeses were the only things they brought in specifically under their name. And the place was EXTREMELY cute, and they served sandwiches, and the owner was friendly and on premesis, and they'd let you bring wine if you wanted... ...but really, everything flatlined. The fig crackers tasted like prunes. The sheep's brie was overly strong in flavor, almost off-tasting. The porter cheddar tasted like...plain cheddar. The pate was bland. One standout was a cheese (I forget the name) which had a line of gorgonzola down the centre. Really, of everything we bought, this is the only thing I'd consider re-purchasing. Now I don't want to rule this place out based on one trip, but it *was* expensive (some of the crackers and jams were way over-priced) and I *was* disappointed, considering how it's touted around town as being wonderful. I like to support local businesses, so I will be back to purchase a significantly smaller portion of cheese. Till then...

This little gem is top notch! The service, the selection, and the reasonable prices. The proprietor…read more Ihsan, and his wife Glenda, are friendly, generous and very hard working. I've been shopping here since they started.

First, the good: Great selection for such a small place, and the prices were surprisingly low…read more So why the two-star review? I really want to give this place three or four stars, but... While I was sitting in the Starbucks next door to Ambrosio, I noticed a man walk in with bare feet, sit down, and proceed to rub and pick at the bottom of his absolutely filthy feet for the next half hour. Eventually he left, and when my nausea subsided enough to think about food again I headed over to Ambrosio to pick up ingredients for tonight's dinner. And who did I see working behind the counter? The barefoot foot-rubber himself. I don't care how well he might (or might not) have washed his hands before heading back to work, that's just disgusting. Cleanliness in any kind of establishment that deals with food is absolutely essential, and a place like this should screen their staff more thoroughly so they don't end up hiring people with utterly unhygienic habits to work in close contact with food. I don't think I'll be back here.

The kindest man in Nanaimo runs this shop. What a gift to the community. The feta and baked goods…read moreare sublime and he's got farm eggs - leave some for me ;)

This place is a real find. Lots of products from the med. They have real Turkish Delight! That…read morealone is worth a visit. Very nice owner. If you cook you need to visit this store.

A lot has changed since the last reviews! The meats are very…read moretough and not so fresh for the prices they charge! The employees act as if you're bothering them and make you feel rushed and uncomfortable--and that was the most important thing. Friends had warned me about the tough meat and bad service but I had to try it out for myself. They were right.

I love a meat market especially when it isn't part of the bar scene…read more Local sustainable is the way to go and the Meat Market knows how to play to this movement. Their product is top of the line. You walk in there and the meat options are endless! I have never scene so much bacon in my life. I am a huge lover of bacon and this was the perfect spot. The staff is very knowledgeable about their cuts of meat and when they are uncertain they will call an expert from the back. I was so impressed with the enthusiasm from the staff. They answered all my silly questions and knew how to dig information out of me to understand what I wanted in meat so they could provide the best product. I have yet to enjoy their prepared foods but one day I am going to make a meal out of it. They have somosas, kebabs, sweet spud fries etc. This is one amazing market and it appears the island has embraced it as well. If you find yourself coming to the island and needing supplies you will do yourself a disservice if you don't stop by the Cowichan Valley Meat Market.