We found a great brunch spot before starting our trip!…read more We were in Nanaimo looking for a nice brunch spot before starting our Vancouver Island road trip, and Gabriel's Gourmet Cafe really hit the spot! We liked how easy the ordering system was. You pick up a menu, choose a table, decide what you want, and then order and pay at the counter. They give you a number, and they bring your food and drinks to your table. It's straightforward. The fresh, local ingredients stood out, and we would recommend this place if you want a tasty and filling meal. The portions were just right for our big appetites. The atmosphere was so relaxed we almost wanted to stay longer. We'd recommend starting the Nanaimo road trip here. Food: 5/5 Must Try! Service: 5/5 (hybrid-service) Kids: 3/5 Presentation: 2/5 Parking: Metered street parking is available throughout the surrounding neighbourhood. Tips: * Inside & outdoor seating available. * Great stop before heading out to explore Vancouver Island. * They have G/F and Vegan options. Would I Return: Yes

Yes, this is the place to eat. I had the hash, which did not appeal in writing but it was popular…read moreso....... Well, I loved it! In fact I spread it out more on the plate just for a good look to try and duplicate it. It was more attractive at serving but I had already dived into it

The new owner at Nellie's European Deli is wonderful, kind and accommodating. He makes great…read moresandwiches and soups. This store now stocks many European items everything from sweets to European cheeses, meats and even Scandinavian pickled herring. I wish they had more lunchtime patio seating or even some indoor seating. Good fresh made food!

Terrible food! I ordered German potato salad for a Family Reunion and it was horrible with too…read moremuch salt taste. I also ordered the Almond cake which was dry and no one ate it as well. The apple cake was the only edible dish. I returned the food and $140.00 later, the owner tells me too bad!

A great selection of prepared snacks, lunches, salads, sandwiches, small meals, soups, etc…read more Not to mention the "sinful" baked goods (muffins, scones, pastries etc. And the friendly STAFF!

Great little store with delicious ice cream, baking, and more. Especially love the vegan options.read more

We have eaten here three times (so far) on our trip. Every day we have been happy with our food and…read moredrinks. The iced latte has been consistent, the lemonade sweet, the food fresh and hot, and the pastries delicious. All of the employees are friendly and smiling. The bakery is clean and has a welcoming atmosphere

The sandwiches were good, but we found them pricey for a sandwich on a plate. How about a couple of…read morepickles, or a few raw veggies?

The ham sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Food was fresh and delicious!…read moreFriendly, fast service and a relaxing environment!

Reasonably priced pies. Had the lemon meringue and it had a ton of meringue. The fritter bomb is a…read morebit pricey but yummy and not overly sweet or heavy. They had sold out of a lot of the bread varieties by the afternoon.

Nice casual atmosphere. Lady at the counter was super nice. I had the meatball sandwich, which was…read moregood. I'd prefer to not have the Parmesan cheese, as I think the sandwich would be better w/o it. Also, could have used more red sauce, and to be a little warmer. Good overall, though.

We stopped for sandwiches between ferry trips. We picked it as it was open Sundays and not a…read morechain. We were so happy with our decision. Our three sandwiches were absolutely delicious. Two of us had the roasted veggie and the third person had the Italian. All were fantastic. The service was great. The prices were more than reasonable. We will be back.

One of the Best smoked meat places outside Of montreal…read more Ran by Buzz and his wife...so always like supporting local. Buzz is one funny man. Met him couple times and we hit it off with good convo all over. He insults and mocks you in a funny way while waiting in line, and that simply adds to the experience. Small restaurant with a few tables and outside seating, but brimming with good food and good laughs all day. I visited 2x in 1 day. It was that good. Also tried the potato fritters, very good! Meat was tender and juicy and smoked to perfection. Sliced as you ordered. Perfection in such a simple dish. Also tried the hotdog and it was the bomb! I would repeat each and every time im in salt spring. You can tell coz the lines are always long and people actually take the time to savour their food. Cheers! Happy eating!

This smoked meat sandwich after a stroll of the Sunday market hits the spot! Amazing meat to bread…read moreratio. A bit of mustard to cut through the richness. I'd come back!

Absolutely outstanding deli sandwiches, perfect for a quick lunch stop while in Friday Harbor. I'm…read morenot usually a deli person, but I was blown away by this sandwich. Delicious, perfect ratios of ingredients, and very fresh quality. I got a "build your own" sandwich but they have a wide variety of pre selected sandwiches if you'd rather that they choose. I was here during a Saturday lunch rush so it was packed inside, but the employees moved FAST. Service was very quick and the employees were all super friendly. There are no tables inside, so I took my sandwich to a nearby bench. There are tons of places to sit and enjoy the views in Friday Harbor. I will absolutely come back here next time I come to FH.

Big beautiful sandwiches here! Build your own or pre selected choices. Our was on sour dough and…read moreeach half was like a whole sandwich. Just delicious and only $14.

Accidentally found myself in Little Italy and had to stop in to browse after smelling the air as I…read morewalked by and I'm so glad I did. I did a make your own sandwich with some meats, veggies, and the pesto and spicy chili sauce and WOW. SO flavorful and so delicious. I am a big eater and the half focaccia was more than sufficient. The server who made my sandwich was so rad and friendly. He was quick to help and offer so many great suggestions. I forget his name but he had great customer service skills. Would recommend to make the visit and would love to come back.

We ordered their Hot Manzo (roast beef) panini, and the sandwich was good, but I overhyped. It…read moremight also be our selection. We may come back and try another item instead. The service also took a while, ~30 minutes, so be prepared to wait a bit for the panini!

Stopped in at Reds in the old town on our last day in Nanaimo for a treat and boy was it ever!…read more Had to get a Nanaimo Bar and glad we did cause it's made with custard and those are the real ones not to sugary sweet just oh so good! Also got an apple pie cinnamon bun mmmmmm really good and once again real cream cheese on top Last but not least the peanut butter cheese cake It had to be my favourite I'll be trying some of the other cheesecakes next time You got to have some yourself believe me they are great!

A must-stop spot for anyone visiting Nanaimo! You can't go to Nanaimo without trying a classic…read moreNanaimo bar, and Red's Bakery is the perfect place to grab this iconic treat. We also picked up the banana cheesecake, and it was packed with banana flavour. It was definitely a great choice for banana lovers. Everything is ready to go and nicely packed, making it super convenient for a quick dessert stop. Service was fast and friendly. The bakery has a few tables inside, but if they are full, you can enjoy your treats outside or head across the street to the Vancouver Island Regional Library, where there are benches that make a nice little dessert break spot. A simple, convenient, and delicious stop to experience a true Nanaimo classic!