Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
d), set on the edge of beautiful Westwood Lake. Amenities include a sandy beach with ca-
noe rentals, a barbecue area, game room, laundry facility, and hot showers.
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground
(6 Maki Rd., 250/755-1755,
www.campingbc.com
,
$26-48) is on 20 hectares (49 acres) of coastal forest at the braided
mouth of the Nanaimo River south of downtown. The location is delightful and facilities
modern, including a laundry room, general store, game room, and coin showers.
Cafés
If you're wandering along the harbor and looking for a spot to relax with a hot drink,
you won't do better than
Javawocky
(90 Front St., 250/753-1688, from 7am daily), over-
looking the harbor. It offers all of the usual coffee drinks, great milkshakes, inexpensive
cakes and pastries, and light lunchtime snacks. Back up in downtown,
Serious Coffee
(60Commercial St.,250/591-1065,7am-6pm daily), intheNanaimo Museumcomplex, is
a gathering spot for serious coffee lovers;
Mon Petit Choux
(120 Commercial St., 250/
753-6002, 8am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm Sun., lunches $6-8) seems to attract a slightly
older crowd for in-house-baking, such as delicious cheesecake brownie; and nearby
Per-
kins
(234 Commercial St., 250/753-2582, 6:30am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 7am-5pm Sat.) serves
up coffee and muffins to all types.
Up Fitzwilliam Street from the center of town, in the Old Quarter, is a concentration
of quality eateries, including
Bocca Café
(427 Fitzwilliam St., 250/753-1797, 7am-6pm
Mon.-Fri., 8am-6pm Sat., 8am-5pm Sun., lunches $8-12), an inviting little space that is
a favorite with locals looking for a little style. From the delicious coffee and muffins in
the morning to freshly made sandwiches at lunch, everything is delightful. Tables lining a
covered walkway are especially popular.
Gourmet Goodies
M
McLeans Specialty Foods
(426 Fitzwilliam St., 250/754-0100, 9:30am-5:30pm Mon.-
Fri., 10am-5pm Sat., noon-4pm Sun.), is chock-full of local produce, including an incred-
ible selection of local cheeses, as well as gourmet foods from around the world.
Casual
Dinghy Dock Marine Pub
(Protection Island, 250/753-2373, 11am-11pm daily, later on
weekends, $11-29) offers a unique dining experience; the floating restaurant is moored at
nearby Protection Island. Well known for great food and plenty of seagoing atmosphere,
