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.

A cute cafe during a day trip to Nanaimo! The vibes are immaculate and felt so cozy. There was even…read morea live piano player and singer who started up in the afternoon. For brunch, I got eggs Benny with tomato and bacon. The texture of the eggs were pretty good! A little overcooked though. The side of potato wedges were really good for me. The London fog was delicious and had the perfect amount of sweetness! I'd come back :)

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!

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.

Red's is the best cheesecake period. I take everyone that visits from out of town here and have…read morenever been disappointed. Plus the owners are absolute gems of human beings. always a great selection of cheesecakes, too

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!

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

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.

Tim Hortons claims to be Canadas number one....IMPOSSIBLE when all I hear is Hindi accents while…read moreattempting to speak English to English speaking customers...they NEVER GET AN ORDER RIGHT...and I've heard about things like an employee putting his finger in his nose and rolling it around before touching the food while saying he's making special cheese...if that's the DISGUSTING things going on they should be shut down...I REFUSE TO EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING from time to time Hortons PERIOD...there's very clear discrimination against white English speaking people....its all over social media so you'd have to be living in a cave not to be aware...but it only takes a drive through the Drive Thru to get the Worst experience EVER! BOYCOTT THEM!

Drive thru people are nice and efficient deff good location for timmies went there 3 days in a row…read morein the morning

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

The best breakfast I've ever had. I first experienced it back in January 2023. Came back from…read moreAlberta to experience it again and I still stand by my review. All staff were very friendly and I definitely am satisfied with the service.