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!

Hidden Gem Alert! If you're in Nanaimo, you need to check out this cozy little bakery & cafe that's…read moreas cute as it is delicious! Bodhi's Artisan Bakery It is Locally owned and full of charm. They have a variety of Handcrafted pastries that melt in your mouth, Freshly baked bread you'll want to take home, and Coffee that feels like a warm hug. Whether you're craving a quick treat or looking for a spot to relax, this place is a total vibe! We got the cinnamon bun, strawberry and blueberry cheese danish, and almond croissant. Everything was truly delicious but the blueberry cheese danish stole the show. It was the best cheese danish I've ever had! Heads up, they only accept cash and debit. They also have limited seating available and tend to sell out fast. We went at 9:30am on a Saturday and of their items were gone and by the time we left at ~10:30 they were almost halfway sold out. Food 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 (very cozy and homey/local) Parking 4.5/5 Service 5/5

Excellent bread, rolls, danish, scones, etc. Multiple types of bread all from quality flour. You…read morewill not be disappointed!

Our trip to Canada had to include sampling a variety of Nanaimo bars as we passed through. We…read moretasted a few and Hearthstone was my favorite. Not only the classic, but the flavor of the month which was mango passionfruit. We loved those as much if not more than the classic. Sorry we live so far away!

I have ordered birthday cakes on two occasions so far. They were a Red Velvet and a German…read moreChocolate and were both excellent. The peanut butter Nanaimo bars are a must try.

Went in just to buy a Nanaimo Bar to take home. Service was fine as I just asked for the bar to…read moretake away. She took it out of a display case and put it in a cardboard takeout box. I went in mid afternoon so it wasn't busy. Restaurant has lots of seating with large windows. I really like this Nanaimo Bar! A little twist on the original. The centre is very light, whipped consistency. The base is very tasty; (reminded me of puff wheat square taste). Perfect amount of chocolate on top. Highly recommend if you want to try something different but not too different.

Solid French bakery and brunch spot in Nanaimo. We only mostly wanted to try a pastry for a quick…read morebite, as well as some coffee, to start the day. You order in front for pastries and coffee only, or sit down and someone will assist you if you want a full meal. We got the tomato pastry with salad add on since the salad was only 3 or so CAD extra for a more satisfying meal. We tried the drip coffee and red eye (basically drip coffee with extra espresso shot) and both are so strong that we barely finished them. The tomato pastry was good, very flaky and buttery. Water is self serve. Service could be better as they only gave a set of utensils and had trouble flagging someone down to get another set so I had to eat with a spoon. Restrooms are single stall which can be a huge wait when the restaurant is busy.

Staff is friendly and helpful and bread is the BEST in Nanaimo. Store is…read moreclean and smells awesome when you go inside. I'm hooked and will keep going back!

Nope... I will never buy my baked goods from Cobs again. The customer service is bizarre. Masks…read moreand visors and basically a hazmat suit? I want to see a smile from a cashier who does not still think that they are going to die from a cold. The baked goods are labeled "plant based".... common on? (eyes rolling.) Are you seriously going to virtue signal with a cinnamon bun? It's just pathetic. Pandering to the far left nutbars? I don't get it, you are just a bakery.... I don't need a side of politics with my bread so I will take my hard earned "bread" else where and vote with my cash and support a local business owner.

This is my favourite bakery on Vancouver island. This German bakery has amazing donuts, cheese…read moretwists, pretzels and cakes that are traditional and delicious. An added bonus, the prices are fantastic. This bakery is on my route to work, and I go at least twice a month. Definitely recommend!

Great bakery! If you are happy with self-service, I recommend this Bakery for lunch and anytime…read morecoffee breaks. You can't beat the price.

Discovering another gem in Nanaimo! Lavender Art Cafe in Country Club Mall is the perfect cozy…read morespot for hanging out with friends, diving into a good book, or getting some work done. With a 5.0-star rating on Google, it's no wonder! Indulge in their delicious pastries and savor a wide selection of teas and coffees. If you're looking for a new favorite cafe, this is it! Make sure to try their traditional Persian breakfast dish and the apple cake. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Parking 5/5

From the owner: Lavender Art Cafe is a cozy and artistic café in Nanaimo,…read moreoffering specialty coffee, homemade desserts, Persian-inspired treats, and unique lavender creations. Our signature Lavender Coffee and Lavender Cake are made with locally sourced Vancouver Island lavender. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing place to enjoy coffee, meet friends, or discover new flavors, Lavender Art Cafe provides a warm and welcoming.

Small cozy brunch spot in Nanaimo. We went around 8:45am and it was already quite busy but it…read moredidn't take too long to place the order and get food. Indoor seating is very limited - 3 to 4 seats total, mostly outdoor, but the food is served in takeout format for that reason. We got the smores monkey bread, flat white, and breakfast sandwich on brioche. The brioche do sell out really fast - there was none available when we went and had to already wait for the next batch, so be ready to go right at 8am or expect to wait a bit to get your hands on the brioche. I'd recommend it as it's more special than a bagel or any of the surcharge options. The monkey bread is quite buttery with a generous amount of chocolate filling inside. It's a bit on the sweeter side so it is definitely worthwhile to share it. The flat white drink was pretty standard. The breakfast sandwich is good, nothing super extraordinary, but good price with a good amount of eggs and bacon

Fantastic bagels! My veggie bagel sandwich was delicious. My husband had the cinnamon roll and…read morehe said "it was the best" he'd had in years. The owner really cares about her customers AND her food and how it's presented. Kudos!!!! And yum!!!