Shopping in Nanaimo ranges from major brand retailers to one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques. Nanaimo features several indoor and outdoor malls such as Woodgrove Centre, Port Place Shopping Centre, Country Club Centre and Nanaimo North Town Centre. In Downtown Nanaimo you will find three distinct shopping districts: Arts District, Old City Quarter, and Waterfront District each offering distinctive shops and services.

As for dining, it is said that ‘variety is the spice of life.’ You’ll find French-inspired, Vietnamese, Italian, Japanese, Greek, Canadian, and Mexican cuisine along with cafes and specialty foods within two blocks of each other in the Old City Quarter. On the waterfront and in the downtown core you’ll find Burgers, Steaks, Seafood, Thai, Mexican, Fusion, French, and Organic along with cafes, bars and clubs. Exploring the many nooks and crannies throughout the City, you will find brewpubs and breweries, distilleries offering cocktails on-site, chain and local restaurants, food trucks and cafes of every description.

Nanaimo is known as the home of the Nanaimo Bar, a Canadian classic with rich chocolate, filling and a nut and coconut base. Our iconic dessert can be sampled in traditional form, with variation and even as cocktails and coffees.(Link to tourism nanaimo nanaimo bar trail)

Stay local or venture along the Nanaimo & Comox BC Ale Trail or the Cowichan, Nanaimo & Parksville Qualicum trail to sample brews at three breweries in Nanaimo as well as at their neighbours on Vancouver Island. (in general throughout site, provide links when possible.)