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)