Best scones I've ever had…read more Great coffee and snacks, perfect for the sometimes long ferry wait.

From the owner: Great take away breakfast read more

As this cafe seems to pop up on any tourist searches in Nanaimo, we decided to try it out as we…read morewere in the vicinity. When we arrived at about 3 pm, on a Friday, the place was packed. Only one open table and a couple of spaces at the counter. The line was short and we were able to order quickly. We ordered a soy latte, a chai tea latte with oat milk and a Nanaimo bar. When our drinks were made a second table opened up and we grabbed it as it actually had chairs! Our drinks were excellent and the Nanaimo bar was just as we expected it to be. Very tasty. Parking may be a problem here as there aren't a lot of spaces. I think all parking is on the street. The whole cafe experience made me think of the 60's in San Francisco (not that I experienced that!) Everyone there seemed quite laid back and enjoying a good experience. They do have live music on many evenings. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Nanaimo.

Loved this café--the vibe, antique interior, and food were all excellent. Portions were generous…read moreand well worth the price. We tried the Lox bagel, and Double-B, everything was delicious. and the staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely come back! Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5

Perfect spot to enjoy a meal before heading to the ferry. The food was excellent. The service was…read morequick. A great little café.

A cozy cafe that employs people with developmental disabilities, which is so great! COCO Cafe was…read morepretty busy on a Saturday (late) morning, but we were able to order right away. I chose an Iced Matcha Latte, Berry Bar, and West Coast Benedict, and my boyfriend got a Dirty Chai Latte, Maple Nut Bar, and Breakfast Wrap. The interior had plenty of seating, and mostly signage as decor. My Iced Matcha Latte was a bit watered down, but the flavor was decent. The West Coast Benedict was tasty and very filling, with perfectly poached eggs. The salmon was a little on the salty side, but overall I enjoyed it. The Berry Bar was probably my favorite part of the meal - great flavor, ideal level of sweetness! I tried a bite of the Maple Nut Bar, and that was fantastic, too. Would return to try more items!

When in Nanaimo…read more.. We decided to check out several spots to taste Nanaimo bars while in town, and Javawoki was by far our favorite. Rich, creamy and not overly sweet. Truly a 5 star bar (though wish it had been a little larger)

Quaint, cozy, so friendly and a fantastic mocha. The owner was super nice and carried on a good…read moreconversation. The Nanaimo bar was really good, I wish it was double the size. Wasn't much more than a bite or two. I could have stayed for more coffee but I already had three cups!

1. I went here over the course of several days on vacation and enjoyed it…read more 2. They make a solid macchiato which I had several of. 3. It's in a cool old train station building and has both indoor and outdoor seating.

stopped into white rabbit coffee just before 1:00 pm on a thursday, that sweet spot when the lunch…read morerush has eased and the space feels fully alive. big windows, pale wood booths, white walls, and warm toned floors keep everything light and airy, even when it's busy. the vibe lands perfectly between polished and cozy. blonde wood booths offer both semi private corners and more open seating, with plants and colourful abstract art softening the clean lines. baristas move with easy assurance and a friendly, unhurried energy. this is clearly a neighbourhood hub. older couples lingering, solo laptop folks settled in, and small groups catching up without rushing. the room hums, but never feels hectic. the menu is refreshingly straightforward. coffee classics are clearly listed and fairly priced, with sensible milk options. sandos and salads run until mid afternoon and focus on familiar combinations done well, like a breakfast sando, pear and brie grilled cheese, smoked chicken with banh mi crunch, and a bright dill pickle slaw. vegan options are integrated naturally. the not coffee section is just as solid, with matcha, chai, london fogs, and hot chocolate that don't feel like afterthoughts. i ordered a matcha latte with oat milk, warm and grounding on a cold, clear day. signage around the café quietly reinforces the welcoming tone without feeling performative. the music playing soft, yet audible, michael jackson and paul mccartney drifting through the room was nostalgic, playful, and oddly perfect. white rabbit fits the old city quarter beautifully. bonus points for black rabbit kitchen next door if you want something more substantial. this is the kind of place that turns a simple coffee stop into an excuse to slow down and linger.

Didn't expect much from the food here as the servers seem hot and annoyed... BUT…read moreOrdered tomato soup which was absolutely fantastic tasty spicy beautiful served with great baquette. Ordered salad Nicole's - another rave! Lovingly chopped potatoes,cucumber,boiled egg,tuna, with a lovely lemon dressing. Best food ate all weekend in Nanaimo.

arriving at mon petit choux around 2:30 pm, i noticed a handwritten note on the front door: the…read morekitchen was closed for the day, but drinks and pastries were still available. exactly what i wanted anyway. stepping inside, the comforting scent of freshly baked bread wrapped around me like a warm hug. the interior immediately draws you in, robin's egg blue banquettes curve around small marble tables, paired with dark wood chairs and deep red flooring. charcoal walls trimmed with subtle gold details give the space a slightly vintage, old world charm feel, softened by leafy plants and framed artwork. it's cozy without being fussy, elegant without ever feeling stiff. the barista greeted me with a genuinely warm smile, answering my questions with patience and ease. there was no rush, no performative cheer, just the kind of friendly, attentive presence that makes you feel comfortable settling in. it's a small thing, but it set the tone for the entire visit. by mid afternoon, the pastry case was understandably a little sparse, with the almond croissants already gone. i grabbed the last chocolate croissant and ordered a matcha latte with oat milk. after paying, the barista offered to warm the croissant and bring it over to my table, a thoughtful, relaxed touch that matched the gentle pace of the room. when my order arrived, the matcha latte carried a subtle, unexpected peachy note, light and refreshing, though not quite to my taste. the chocolate croissant, lightly warmed, had a slight crunch exterior that gave way to soft layers, and a rich dark chocolate filling. it wasn't ultra flaky, nor chewy, but it was baked in house with care. as i prepared to leave, i was offered a baguette or focaccia to take home, another generous gesture that left a lasting impression. even though the latte wasn't a personal favourite, mon petit choux is a genuinely welcoming, quietly charming spot i'm already looking forward to returning to, especially for brunch. it's the kind of café where you linger a little longer than planned, where the space itself encourages you to slow down, and where the city outside feels momentarily hushed.

We were hesitant to enter the restaurant upon seeing that it's situated in a hotel. Hotel…read morerestaurants are often over priced, in my opinion. However that was not the case. The Breakfast Nook was reasonably priced and we were very satisfied with our orders. We both chose the steel cut oats, mine with berry compote and hers with fruit. We were getting tired of bacon and eggs so this was just right. The service was well above average with servers who seemed to be pleased to greet and serve us. Our coffee cups were kept topped off. The cafe was full after we were seated. That may be because it's fairly close to the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Parking was free but on the street. It may be more of an issue to park on weekdays, but there were ample parking spaces for us on this Saturday. We would definitely recommend this restaurant for your breakfasts and lunches.

Hidden gem Very happy with food and service…read more Great place for brunch or lunch. Will be back my next trip to town

We visited Bocca Cafe as our second stop out of three for Nainaimo Bars. This is a pretty cozy…read morecafe, with only a couple of tables and seats for people to relax in. When we visited on a rainy Monday afternoon and there were a couple of people inside, sipping on coffee and working. Traditional Nanaimo ($5.99) - This Nanaimo Bar is very thin, about half the height as compared to Bar 1. It shears while cutting, causing pieces to break off in chunks rather than cleaning going through. This happens to both the icing in the middle and the top and I'm not sure what causes it. The top layer has a nice rich chocolatety taste. The bottom layer has finer coconut shreds and a nice cocoa flavor, mixed with crushed silvered almonds for nuttiness and crunch. The layer is able to easily shatter. It's dry and almost powdery in texture. The middle icing isn't that noteworthy other than being sweet. As a whole, the bar is hefty, hard and very dense. It's very sweet. (3/5) Salted Caramel Nanaimo ($5.99) - This is similar in texture to the traditional with the same shattering grittiness. The middle layer is caramel icing and top layer has some flaky salt sprinkled on top. Otherwise again it's very sweet and crumbly. (3/5) I can't say I was a huge fan of these Nanaimo bars. They are definitely higher quality than the last bakery we visited, but they are a bit too dry, gritty, and powdery for my tastes. Based on my enjoyment of the food, I would normally give Bocca Cafe a 3 star rating, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and raise them to a 4, especially because the employees were very nice. Maybe i just don't like Nanaimo bars that much! Washrooms - One unisex room.

Bocca Cafe was pretty empty when we stopped in, but the ambiance was cozy. The interior had…read morecolorful walls, covered in art for sale. They also had some cute holiday decorations. I ordered a Matcha Latte and my boyfriend got a Dirty Chai Latte, which were both tasty and came in large mugs. We also ordered a Caramel Brownie to share. The brownie was super decadent and rich, but delicious. I was glad we only ordered one for two people. Service was friendly and reasonably fast. Overall, cute cafe - would return!

Good, fresh, healthy food with gluten free chowder as a BONUS! Love it!! I can never find a gluten…read morefree chowder in my locality.

Perfect spot to stop in Nanaimo. Great menu selection. Food came hot and fast. Server was…read morefriendly. Nice outside seating for a sunny day.