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    Red's Bakery

    4.4 (51 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Red's Bakery Photos

    RED'S BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Red's Bakery

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    Reviews With Photos - Red's Bakery

    Red's Nanaimo Bar (Left)
    Albert T.

    I heard from multiple sources that Red's Bakery serves the most mediocre Nanaimo Bars in Nanaimo, but since we were in the area (and a couple of other places were closed the day we were in town), we decided to walk on over. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Red's has a kind of small town bakery feel, with old-fashioned almost eclectic decor, perhaps 60s/70s retro.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Unlike some of the other bakeries, they prepackage some of their desserts in plastic, so it's difficult to tell how fresh they are. I suppose Nanaimo Bars keep well in the first place. We ended up trying Nanaimo bars from three different places, with my notes for Red's as below: Nanaimo Bar ($6) - This Nanaimo bar is much taller than the other two, probably around 50% taller than bar 3 and a full double of bar 2. It cuts very smoothly without much flaking off. The crumb base underneath is smooth, indicating that the coconut fibers are well blended to reduce strand length. It's almost like an Oreo base, with heavy Dutch processed cocoa flavor. There should be nuts mixed in, but they are crushed so finely that I can't really tell what nut is used. People on social media complain about the bottom layer, but I actually love it. For the other layers, the top icing is really sweet. It has a heavily roasted chocolate flavor and by far the darkest in color. The middle layer just tastes like standard icing. It's sweet but I think less so than the other bars. (4/5) Interestingly enough, I enjoyed the Nanaimo Bar from Red's more than both other bakeries. I think it's pretty good in quality and while sweet, has the heavy cocoa elements of the cookie base to help balance things out a bit. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Washroom - I didn't see any available for customers.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Mollee C.

    Red's came highly recommended by the locals, It did not disappoint! The Nanaimo Bar was delicious and to die for! We also got the turtle Cheesecake Mmmmm SO goood Must stop for for wonderful fare

    Nanaimo bars.
    John D.

    Ferry'd into Nanaimo to try my very first Nanaimo bar. I planned a whole gauntlet of places to try Nanaimo bars. Stopped off at Red's. Taylor was just as excited as she found out it was our first time in Nanaimo trying Nanaimo bars. Got the original, peanut butter, and cheese cake Nanaimo bars. All three were amazing!! Favourite was peanut butter. There was so much that our Nanaimo gauntlet was cancelled since we were so fulfilled haha. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Inside had antique decor! It added character!![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Shoutout to Taylor! Thanks for making our visit memorable!

    09.03.23
    May A.

    "Best Place to get a Nanaimo Bar" [Nanaimo BC] ... as proven by awards they've received for "Best Bakery" and the best place to get a Nanaimo bar so naturally I had to try this Canadian treat. What is a Nanaimo bar? First, it was named after the Canadian city of Nanaimo in British Columbia. Secondly, it is a layered bar cookie treat that required no baking. There are three layers as was explained to me by the gal behind the counter: The base: crunchy and nutty The middle: creamy custard The top: rich chocolate layer Nanaimo bar... a real beauty, eh! Oh, and yes, they sold cheesecakes as well. There were so many to choose from and I wanted to buy more desserts but they needed to be stored in a cool place. We were just starting our day and we weren't heading back home just yet so I just bought an Oreo cheesecake along with the Nanaimo Bar. I can't compare the Nanaimo bars to other bakery's since this was my first time but I found the treat a bit too sweet for me. Red's Bakery is located in Downtown Nanaimo. Review #3158

    Cynthia S.

    When in Nanaimo you need to try out Nanaimo bars! Tried out the original one which had a firm base, sweet sugary middle and dark chocolate top. Sweet for my liking so maybe some of the cheesecake varieties would be less sweet. Overall great service and was super busy!

    Nanaimo Bar
    Allie G.

    I stopped into Red's Bakery to try a Nanaimo Bar for the first time, since they had "Best Place to get a Nanaimo Bar" signage all over the door. The bakery was cozy and the lady working there was very friendly. We got a Nanaimo Bar to share, and she even cut it in half for us. While it was tasty, it was extremely sweet, so I don't think I'd be able to finish an entire bar. Definitely glad I tried it though!

    Nanaimo Bar
    Chuck H.

    An option for a famous Nanaimo Bar which is 3 layers of goodness: granola, cheesecake and dark chocolate. Red's also has sandwich selection for heating. Very nice and friendly staff.

    Oreo Cheesecake is always a good decision :P
    Emily S.

    Haven't been around in a very long time. It's good to know Red's still has a killer Oreo cheese cake and patient friendly service! Love the owner, such a sweet lady! So so happy to find a veggie stuffed pastry this time round :) & now they have milkshakes!!! Such a treat!

    Good portion. So good.

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    2 years ago

    The best Carrot cake ever! The taco pockets are a must try so delicious. My favorite cheesecake is the Nanaimo cheesecake.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Everything is amazing and wonderful tasty treats ! Out of town company needs to stop in for a treat ! Amazing service every time i go in !

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    3 years ago

    Quiches and triple berry muffin were very tasty. Staff member was friendly and helpful in explaining about the food.

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    3 years ago

    Nanaimo bars were big and very tasty. We couldn't stay inside due to Covid but that's ok

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    Page 1 of 2

    Mon Petit Choux

    Mon Petit Choux

    4.0
    (93 reviews)
    0.0 km
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Mon Petit Choux
    Salmon on scrambled eggs, hash browns, baguette, house preserves and a bit of fruit - $13
    Salmon on scrambled eggs, hash browns, baguette, house preserves and a bit of fruit - $13
    Mon Petit Choux

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    Bocca Cafe

    Bocca Cafe

    3.9
    (33 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $

    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!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Matcha Latte & Caramel Brownie
    Matcha Latte & Caramel Brownie
    Matcha Latte & Dirty Chai Latte

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    Matcha Latte & Dirty Chai Latte
    Serious Coffee Vancouver Island Conference Centre

    Serious Coffee Vancouver Island Conference Centre

    3.3
    (18 reviews)
    0.1 km
    $

    i made a point to stop in at serious coffee after spotting their chalkboard advertising a black…read moresesame matcha latte, because curiosity absolutely won. i arrived before noon on a friday and the café was nearly empty, with only one table occupied, which gave the visit a calm, unhurried feel. the space itself is cozy, relaxed, and slightly mysterious, with high ceilings, exposed beams, chandeliers, and warm lighting paired with dark wood. it feels very much like a place that had a previous life, likely as a pub, and that history adds character. at the same time, the room feels visually busy. the walls are lined with menus, chalkboards, printed signs, and notices, and the pastry case is packed with labels and options. it all creates a sense of abundance and activity, even when the café is quiet, almost like there is a lot competing for your attention at once. i ordered the black sesame matcha latte with oat milk, unsweetened, along with a strawberry iced chai with oat milk, also unsweetened. the black sesame completely overpowered the matcha. the matcha was there, but very subtle, more of a background note than a distinct presence. if you love black sesame, this drink might work well for you, but matcha lovers may find it lacking balance. the strawberry iced chai, even without sweetener, it somehow tasted too sweet for my preference, and the flavour combination felt slightly off. it was not terrible, just not something i would order again. overall, this was a fun stop with creative drinks and a distinctive atmosphere. the chalkboard outside definitely did its job getting me through the door, and the café feels like a solid place to sit and hang out, especially if you enjoy trying something a little different.

    Nice Nanaimo Bars (but not the best in town-- try Reds). Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff.read more

    Photos
    Serious Coffee Vancouver Island Conference Centre
    Serious Coffee Vancouver Island Conference Centre
    Serious Coffee Vancouver Island Conference Centre

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    Red's Bakery - bakeries - Updated August 2026

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