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BEST RATED NANAIMO, BC CAFE

3 Best Cafes in Nanaimo, BC

Expert-recommended Top 3 Cafes in Nanaimo, BC. All of our cafe actually undergo a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes everything from checking reviews, ratings, reputation, history, complaints, satisfaction, trust and price - all to ensure overall excellence. You deserve only the best!

Gabriel's Cafe - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - Dish Image
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Nanaimo cafe Gabriel's Cafe video
3+ YEARS ON TBR
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GABRIEL'S CAFE

(5.0 Score)
39 Commercial Street,
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G3 Directions

Specialities:

✓Coffee ✓Tea ✓Flat White ✓Americano ✓Cappuccino ✓Latte ✓Mocha ✓Macchiato ✓Espresso ✓Hot Chocolate ✓Orange Juice ✓Grapefruit Juice ✓Limade ✓Sober Caesar ✓House Salad ✓Poke Bowl ✓Kimchi Salad Bowl ✓Black Bean ✓Brown Rice and Corn Burger ✓Roasted Sweet Potato ✓Lentil and Quinoa Burger ✓Wild Salmon Burger ✓Sesame-Marinated Albacore Tuna

"Gabriel's Cafe offers farm-to-fork cafe fare, including breakfast and vegan options, in a relaxed atmosphere. The Cafe sources its meat, eggs, and fresh seasonal vegetables from local farms. Gabriel's Cafe uses fresh local ingredients to create healthy, satisfying food. Their daily specials showcase their dedication, featuring locally sourced ingredients that ensure freshness and flavour in every bite. You can also benefit from their gift cards to enjoy savings on your dining experience. At Gabriel's Cafe, a love for local agriculture and a passion for quality cuisine come together to offer an exceptional dining experience, reflecting their commitment to customers and the community. Gabriel's Cafe offers free Wi-Fi and street parking. The cafe has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. They offer organic dishes, vegan options, quick bites, and healthy options.

2026 Highlights: Gabriel's Cafe emphasizes locally sourced meat, eggs and seasonal vegetables from regional farms."

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Menu:

Beverages;
Coffee $3.60
Tea $3.60
Flat White 8oz $5.40
Flat White 12oz $5.85
Americano $4.00
Cappuccino 8oz $5.40
Latte 12oz $5.85
Mocha $6.25
Espresso $4.00
Hot Chocolate $4.45
Fresh Orange Juice $6.50
Dishes:
House Salad $15.00
Chicken Add-On $5.75
Wild Salmon Add-On $8.00
Avocado Add-On $4.75
Feta Add-On $2.50
Organic Tofu Add-On $5.75
The Jinglepot $19.75
The Ian Staple $19.25
The Lucid $19.00
BREAKFAST:
The Jinglepot, Where It Goes No One Knows $19.75
The Ian Staple $22.50
Hey I'M A Vegan! $18.75
Green Eggs And Ham Yam I Am $19.50
The Left Coaster $21.00
Hauling Oats $14.50

Contact:

(250) 714-0271

Mon-Sun: 8am - 4pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

The Vault Cafe - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - Dish Image
The Vault Cafe - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - Restaurant Entrance Image
The Vault Cafe - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - collage image(highlights)
Nanaimo cafe The Vault Cafe video
9+ YEARS ON TBR
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THE VAULT CAFE

(5.0 Score)
499 Wallace Street,
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5B7 Directions

Specialities:

✓Brewed Coffee ✓Espresso ✓Americano ✓Latte Cappuccino ✓Mocha ✓Matcha Latte ✓Chai Latte ✓London Fog ✓Loose Leaf Tea ✓Double-B ✓Avocado Toast ✓Lox Bagel ✓Yogurt Granola ✓Ecold Drink Specials ✓Iced Vanilla Hibiscus Matcha ✓Iced Blackberry Fog ✓Byob ✓Two Eggs ✓Tofu Scramble ✓Local Bacon ✓Fruit ✓Sliced Tomato ✓Potato Wedges ✓Toast

"The Vault Cafe is a favourite spacious cafe in Nanaimo, known for its green-hued interior. They are offering breakfast fare and all-day vegan options in a warm atmosphere. The cafe has welcomed many loyal patrons to its restaurants, encouraging them to strive to be their best. Their offerings are guaranteed to satisfy your taste. They use raw ingredients without additives, preservatives, colourings, and other artificial ingredients. Their crews are professionals and provide attentive service. They provide a venue to create and cultivate their most meaningful relationships. They offer a place to share smiles and stories, have conversations and banter, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones. Free Wi-Fi, dine-in, takeout options and outdoor seating are also available at The Vault Cafe. They provide free street parking.The Vault Cafe is fully licensed and popular for solo dining and is good for working on a laptop. They accept payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards and NFC mobile payments

2026 Highlights: The Vault Cafe serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with Canadian-style cafe food, soups, coffee, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options."

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License #BC0988268

Menu:

DRINKS:
Brewed Coffee $3.00
Americano $3.50
Americano Misto $4.00
Latte $4.50
Cappuccino $4.50
Flat White $4.50
Cortado $4.50
Traditional Macchiato $4.00
Mocha $5.50
Caramel Macchiato $5.50
Espresso $3.50
Tea $3.00
Chai Latte $5.50
London Fog $5.50
Matcha Latte $5.75
Hot Chocolate $4.00
Italian Soda $4.50
ALL DAY BREAKFAST:
Double-B $19.50
Lox Bagel $19.75
Yogurt + Granola $12.75
Breakfast Wrap $18.75
Vegan Breakfast Wrap $18.75
Vegan French Toast $18.50

Contact:

(778) 441-2950

Mon-Wed: 8am - 6pm
Thu & Fri: 8am - 12am
Sat: 9am - 12am
Sun: 10am - 2pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Drip Coffee - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - Dish Image
Drip Coffee - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - Restaurant Entrance Image
Drip Coffee - Nanaimo, BC Cafe - collage image(highlights)
Nanaimo cafe Drip Coffee video
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DRIP COFFEE

(4.9 Score)
2835 Departure Bay Road,
Nanaimo, BC V9S 3X1 Directions

Since 2018

Specialities:

✓Cappuccino ✓Latte ✓Macchiato ✓Tea Latte ✓Tea ✓Mocha ✓Hot Chocolate ✓Espresso ✓Americano ✓Turkey Bacon ✓Roasted Veggie ✓Red Pepper Prosciutto ✓Breakfast Sandwich ✓Avocado Toast ✓Chicken Shawarma Bowl ✓Roast Chickpea Kale Salad ✓Harvest Salad

"Drip Coffee aims to be a vibrant gathering place for family and friends to catch up whilst enjoying the best quality coffee and food. With a dedication to serving premium coffee and delectable fare, this spot encapsulates the spirit of togetherness and culinary delight, making it a must-visit destination in the charming city of Nanaimo. Drip Coffee is a cozy spot that beckons both locals and visitors alike. Drip Coffee has wheelchair accessibility. They accept payment methods such as Credit cards, Debit cards and NFC mobile payments. The cafe offers gift cards and free parking, and Wi-Fi. Their Service options are outdoor seating, dine-in and takeout.

2026 Highlights: Drip Coffee offers indoor seating and a patio with views of Departure Bay Beach."

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License #BC1160837

Menu:

DRINKS:
Drip Coffee $2.50
Espresso 2oz $2.90
Americano 8oz $2.90
Cappuccino 8oz $4.75
Latte 8oz $4.75
Tea 8oz $2.50
Mocha 8oz $4.85
Smoothie $7.25
Frappe $6.60
DISHES:
Turkey Bacon Sandwich $12.00
Roasted Veggie Sandwich $11.00
Breakfast Sandwich $6.75
Avocado Toast $9.80
Chicken Shawarma Bowl $15.00
Harvest Salad $14.00
Cookies $3.50
Muffins $4.25
Scones $4.25
Gluten-Free Brownie $4.75

Contact:

(250) 585-7747

Sun-Thu: 8am - 5pm
Fri & Sat: 8am - 7pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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GABRIEL'S CAFE REVIEWS

Was in Nanaimo for a couple of days and busted this place twice! If I was there for a bit longer I would have gone everyday. Food was delish. Had the coconut pancakes Greek yogurt with fruit Poke bowl Butter chicken. SO GOOD! Service was very good, loved the atmosphere.

The first thing that struck me was the service, friendly staff, and how quickly the food was served. .The coconut curry rice with prawns was delicious. Oat milk latte topped it off. Good selection of the vegetarian and vegan options. A short walk from the marina.

Such a nice spot to spend your morning if you have some time to kill. Lovely staff, amazing food and very accommodating! Outside seating as well.

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THE VAULT CAFE REVIEWS

I’ve been an on and off Vaulter for many years, hadn’t been in a few, always felt I wasn’t hip enough to be a regular lol. Felt very welcoming, the treat case has changed since I was in last and I’m not sure I’ve ever had one of their sandwiches. Got the apple and brie sandwhich, a smarties cookie, and a black iced americano. Took everything home to eat, and wow!!! I can’t believe how good everything was. The sandwich had an awesome melty cheese pull without being greasy. I loved every bite and was doing a little dance while I ate. The cookie was the perfect size, consistency and amount of sweet. My americano was tasty and I love that they’ve got compostable cups with the sippy lids now. Will be back for more!!.

Amazing place to get coffee. The interior is so mesmerizing and full of "old, cool, character". The service was great and friendly staff. Parking is quite good, but it is in downtown, so take head to that. Table availability is quite ample inside.

I simply love this place! Just a wonderful ambiance! Great to work from, hangout with friends or come for their open mic and evening events. The coffee is excellent and I love the tofu wrap and their vegan banana bread. If you are in Nanaimo this is the cafe to go. If I miss a ferry and have to wait I go to Vault and hang out there until the next ferry time.

DRIP COFFEE REVIEWS

I ordered a tea and in error asked for a smaller size than I wished to get. When my tea was ready for me, I enquired about the size, thinking they had made an error with my order. Without questions asked they got me the larger tea…before I realized the error was actually mine. So friendly and the tea and muffin I enjoyed were delicious! Thank you.

It's a wonderful seaside café with an outdoor terrace shaded by a row of trees, providing a private escape from the noisy street. The service is excellent, making it perfect for meeting friends or enjoying a quiet afternoon alone.

Always fabulous! We were fortunate to get an inside table because the patio was packed on a hot sunny day. Go early for pastries because they often sell out before the afternoon. Food and drinks always excellent.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

GABRIEL'S CAFE Total Inspection Points: 120/120
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Videos: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

THE VAULT CAFE Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Current Evaluation: 9
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Videos: 10
Extensive Menu: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

DRIP COFFEE Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Acknowledgments: 8
Business Hours: 10
Menu Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Online Order: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy: 10
Videos: 10

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