Take a sweet self-guided adventure through the streets of Nanaimo & Region! Stretching up and down the entire city, the Nanaimo Bar Trail takes you to experience the many deliciously creative interpretations of our famous treat.
Classic Nanaimo Bar
A classic, homemade version, almost identical to the version on display in the museum is available at several coffee houses and café’s around Nanaimo. A few favourites are listed below, so you can decide which is your favourite! CLICK HERE for the “official” Nanaimo Bar recipe by Joyce Hardcastle.
- A Wee Cupcakery – 407 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
- Serious Coffee Downtown – 300-60 Commercial Street (Downtown)
- Serious Coffee North – 6357-B Hammond Bay Rd. (North)
- Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
- Mad Rona’s Coffee Bar – 500 North Road (Gabriola Island)
- Red’s Bakery – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
- Vault Cafe – 499 Wallace St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
- Drip Coffee – 2835 Departure Bay Road and 1515 Dufferin Crescent
- La Isla Cafe – 250 Prideaux Street
Specialty Nanaimo Bars
- Smokin’ George’s – Alternate between Maple Bacon Topped Nanaimo Bar & Dulche De Leche Nanaimo Bar, Unit 5- 4131 Mostar Rd. (North)
- BOCCA Cafe – All Nanaimo Bars are Gluten Free – 7 kinds including Traditional, Peanut butter and salted caramel – 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
- Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – Peanut Butter Crunch Nanaimo Bar – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
- Red’s Bakery – Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bar – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
- Nellie’s Dutch Deli – Nut Free – 500-2980 Rock City Road, Rock City Plaza
Organic/ Vegan/ Raw/ Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars
- Mon Petit Choux – Wheat Free, 120 Commercial St. (Downtown)
- BOCCA Cafe – Gluten Free, Gluten and Dairy Free options – 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
- White Rabbit Coffee Co. – Gluten and vegan friendly, 321 Selby Street
- Eve Olive – Vegan, Gluten Free and Plant Based, #102 -5281 Rutherford Road
Nanaimo Bar Ice Cream Variations
- Living Forest Cafe – Nanaimo Bar Milkshake (seasonal), 6 Maki Rd. (South)
- The Bold Knight Restaurant – Death by Nanaimo Bar Martini, 1140 Trans Canada Hwy (South)
- Waterfront Confections – come taste a delicious version of the Nanaimo Bar via GELATO. You can thank us later! (Downtown)
Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake
- Minnoz Restaurant – 11 Bastion St. (Downtown)
- Modern Cafe – 221 Commercial St. (Downtown)
- Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant- 5775 Turner Rd. (North)
- Red’s Bakery – 101 Commercial St, Nanaimo (Downtown)
Nanaimo Bar Cakes / Cupcakes
- A Wee Cupcakery – 407 Fitzwilliam St. – Fridays & Saturdays & by chance (Old City Quarter)
- Real Food Fast Cafe – Nanaimo Cake – 321 Wesley Street, Old City
- Hearthstone Artisan Bakery – Nanaimo Bar Cakes and Cupcakes – 115A 50 Tenth Street (South)
Nanaimo Bar Macaron
- Burnt Honey – French Macaron: A classic Nanaimo bar in macaron form (gluten-free) – 96-3200 North Island Hwy (Country Club Centre)
Nanaimo Bar Spring Roll
- Noodlebox Nanaimo (Port Place) – 107-648 Terminal Avenue (Downtown) – call ahead for availability ( 778-441-4494)
Nanaimo Bar Fudge
- Cabela’s – 6902 Island Highway (North)
Nanaimo Bar Waffle
- Waffle Magic – come try a tasty, fresh waffle topped with Nanaimo Bar fixin’s. Gluten Free Available (Old City Quarter)
Nanaimo Bar COTTON CANDY
- Sweet & Dandy Cotton Candy – Order at www.sweetdandy.ca or look out for the bright pink cotton candy truck at farmer’s markets and events around town.
Nanaimo Bar Cocktails/Alcoholic Drinks
- The Grand Hotel – Nanaimo Bar Cocktail, 4898 Rutherford Rd. (North)
- Bold Knight Restaurant – Death by Nanaimo Bar Martini, 1140 Trans Canada Hwy (South)
- The Nanaimo BAR – Nanaimo Bar Cocktail/Shot/Martini, #2, 75 Front Street (Downtown)
- The Nanaimo Bar Porter – Vancouver Island Brewing, available at most liquor stores.
Nanaimo Bar Tea and Coffee
- BOCCA Cafe – Nanaimo Bar Latte, 427 Fitzwilliam St. (Old City Quarter)
Inedible Versions
- WildPlay Element Parks – Nanaimo Bar-burning Triple Play Bundle, 35 Nanaimo River Road (South)
- House of Kiyo Salon & Spa – Nanaimo Bar Pedicure, #110-256 Wallace Street
- Nanaimo Museum & Northfield Visitor Centre, 2450 Northfield Rd. (Central) – Nanaimo Bar Recipe Tea Towels, Nanaimo Bar History Exhibit, Nanaimo Bar Benches, Nanaimo Bar Socks, greeting cards, postcards – 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
- Island-ish Lifestyle Boutique – Nanaimo Bar Soap, candles and mugs. Boxed Nanaimo Bars for gifting. 5299 B Rutherford Rd (North)
- Nanaimo Museum – Nanaimo Bar History Exhibit, 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
- Nanaimo Museum – Nanaimo Bar Benches, 100 Museum Way (Downtown)
- Serge & Sew – Nanaimo Bar Table Runner Kit, 105 – 6750 n. Island Highway (North)
- Nanaimo Bar Trail Run with GottaRun – run or walk followed by a Nanaimo Bar – available upon request via denise@gottarun.ca
- Newfoundland to Nanaimo Souvenirs & Canadian Gifts –Nanaimo Bath Bar, Aprons, Tea Towels, Post Cards, and T-Shirts, decals, magnets – 90 Front Street (downtown)
- Zen Revolution Yoga & Spin – Barre Workout – Upper Studio, 54 Victoria Cres (downtown)