What Food To Try in Nanaimo and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Nanaimo for 2024.
National currency: Canadian Dollar, symbol — C$ (international currency code CAD).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Nanaimo cafes and restaurants
$18.1
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $13.58
$67.9
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $45.28
$9.8
Combo Meal
Starting from $9.06
What to Try in Nanaimo
Must-try Dishes
English Breakfast - Nanaimo Breakfast (classic morning platter) - A hearty mix of scrambled eggs, locally sourced bacon, and toasted sourdough, served with rich baked beans and roasted tomatoes. Many locals enjoy it on weekends, savoring the relaxed start to the day.Fish & Chips - Gilled Fish & Chips (crispy battered fish) - Freshly caught fish, typically Pacific cod, fried in a light batter and served with golden fries and tangy tartar sauce. You'll find this staple at casual waterfront eateries, perfect for grabbing a quick bite after a stroll by the harbor.
Rathtrevor Curry - Chicken Dal (flavorful stew) - A comforting blend of chicken, lentils, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked until tender and served with fluffy basmati rice. It’s the go-to dish for cozy group dinners at home, shared among family or friends.
Nanaimo Bar Burger - Cheeseburger Remix (creative twist) - A juicy beef patty topped with melted cheese and a surprising layer of creamy, nutty peanut butter, sandwiched between a toasted bun. This quirky offering is popular for those wanting to experience something truly unique in a casual dinner atmosphere.
Seafood Chowder - Coastal Chowder (creamy soup) - A rich and creamy blend of clams, fish, and potatoes, thickened and loaded with herbs for an Atlantic twist. It's a common lunch staple available at many seaside diners, especially during chilly fall afternoons.
Street Tacos - Baja Tacos (soft corn tortillas) - Soft corn tortillas filled with marinated fish or pork, topped with crunchy cabbage and zesty salsa. Locals often grab these on food truck nights, making it a fun social experience among friends.
Salmon Bowl - Bowl of Sunshine (refreshing seasonal dish) - A colorful mix of grilled local salmon served over sushi rice with seasonal veggies and a tangy dressing, changing with the harvest. Enjoyed during summer, it’s a fresh way to celebrate the abundant local seafood.
By the way, it’s common here to share dishes family-style; don’t be shy about doing it when dining out!
Desserts & Drinks
London Fog - London Fog (vanilla Earl Grey tea) - This comforting drink is made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup, creating a deliciously creamy beverage. Locals enjoy it year-round, often paired with a good book at cozy cafes on rainy afternoons (which are quite common here!).Nanaimo Bar - Nanaimo Bar (layered dessert) - A no-bake dessert bar with a crumbly base, custard-flavored middle, and a rich chocolate topping. These treats are a staple at local potlucks and family gatherings, and you can find them everywhere from bakeries to grocery stores around the holidays.
Caesar - Caesar (spicy cocktail) - A zesty cocktail made with vodka, Clamato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, garnished with celery and lime. It's a popular choice for brunch, often mistaken for just a Bloody Mary; trust me, it has its own unique twist that locals rave about.
Sorbet - Sorbet (frozen fruit treat) - A light and refreshing dessert made from pureed fruit, sugar, and water, served frozen. Perfect for those sunny summer days, you’ll find locals lining up for their favorite flavors at the waterfront docks during festivals.
Cookie - Rainbow Cookie (colorful treat) - A traditional sweet made from layers of almond-flavored sponge cake wrapped in a sweet, fondant icing. These are especially popular during local celebrations, and it’s common to see them being shared among family and friends during festive occasions.
By the way, if you ever find yourself unsure about flavors, always ask the locals; they love to share their favorites!
Food and Groceries in Nanaimo
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.52 |
| Bananas | $1.4 |
| Oranges | $3.57 |
| Potatoes | $3 |
| Apples | $4.03 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $1.87 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $3.14 |
| Imported Beer | $3.58 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $15.09 |
| Milk 1L | $2.26 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $16.69 |
| Chicken | $14.78 |
| Cigarettes | $13.58 |
| Rice | $2.6 |
| Local Cheese | $11.32 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The lunchtime hustle in Nanaimo is a spectacle to behold, filled with locals lining up at food trucks around the bustling downtown area, eager to grab a quick bite between meetings. With most folks taking lunch around noon to 1 PM, you’ll often find wait times stretching, especially at popular spots, so it's wise to plan ahead if you're craving a specific dish.
Price-wise, eating out here can vary significantly by neighborhood. In the downtown core, a filling meal from a food truck can run you around $12-15, whereas sit-down restaurants charge more—expect to pay between $20-30 for a full meal. Interestingly, if you venture to the North End, you might find some delightful hole-in-the-wall eateries where you can score a hearty meal for under $10. This makes it easy to adjust where you eat based on your budget and the sort of atmosphere you're after.
Speaking of budgets, locals are accustomed to tipping around 15-20%, though some places automatically add service charges for larger groups. Payment methods widely include cash and credit cards, but I’ve noticed that smaller vendors, like those at farmers' markets, often prefer cash, so keep some handy!
Nanaimo has some unique dining customs as well. For instance, many locals enjoy sharing a meal, often ordering several dishes to sample together. It’s a great way to experience the diverse flavors this city offers. However, a common tourist mistake is arriving late in the evening, expecting dinner options. Most restaurants start winding down around 9 PM, so plan for an earlier meal if you want to try the full menu.
If you’re aiming for the freshest local fare, the Nanaimo Harbourfront Farmers’ Market is a Saturday must, filled to the brim with seasonal produce and artisanal goods. Arriving just after it opens at 10 AM usually yields the best selection before the crowds descend.
As the seasons change, meal preferences also shift. During warmer months, al fresco dining becomes all the rage, with patios filling up quickly during evening hours. Expect the same rush during lunchtime, as locals flock to enjoy meals outdoors while they can.
Navigating Nanaimo’s culinary landscape can be as rewarding as it is delicious, with each neighborhood offering its own unique flavor and experience.
Price-wise, eating out here can vary significantly by neighborhood. In the downtown core, a filling meal from a food truck can run you around $12-15, whereas sit-down restaurants charge more—expect to pay between $20-30 for a full meal. Interestingly, if you venture to the North End, you might find some delightful hole-in-the-wall eateries where you can score a hearty meal for under $10. This makes it easy to adjust where you eat based on your budget and the sort of atmosphere you're after.
Speaking of budgets, locals are accustomed to tipping around 15-20%, though some places automatically add service charges for larger groups. Payment methods widely include cash and credit cards, but I’ve noticed that smaller vendors, like those at farmers' markets, often prefer cash, so keep some handy!
Nanaimo has some unique dining customs as well. For instance, many locals enjoy sharing a meal, often ordering several dishes to sample together. It’s a great way to experience the diverse flavors this city offers. However, a common tourist mistake is arriving late in the evening, expecting dinner options. Most restaurants start winding down around 9 PM, so plan for an earlier meal if you want to try the full menu.
If you’re aiming for the freshest local fare, the Nanaimo Harbourfront Farmers’ Market is a Saturday must, filled to the brim with seasonal produce and artisanal goods. Arriving just after it opens at 10 AM usually yields the best selection before the crowds descend.
As the seasons change, meal preferences also shift. During warmer months, al fresco dining becomes all the rage, with patios filling up quickly during evening hours. Expect the same rush during lunchtime, as locals flock to enjoy meals outdoors while they can.
Navigating Nanaimo’s culinary landscape can be as rewarding as it is delicious, with each neighborhood offering its own unique flavor and experience.