This article showcases some wonderful patio restaurants in Nanaimo. Summer is the perfect time to dine on a patio. And the best part is that most restaurants mentioned below also offer takeout! So, if the patio is full, grab your food and wander to your favourite spot.
When using this list, please remember that restaurants may change their operating hours as they see fit. It's always best to contact them directly. That said, I will do my absolute best to keep this list current.
Bonus! If the restaurant has a menu posted online, the link is provided. Click on the restaurant's name to view the menu.
South Nanaimo Patio Restaurants
Crow & Gate Pub – Location: 2313 Yellow Point Road. Sit in an English garden and enjoy the Tudor-style architecture of the pub, as well as the British-inspired food. Open daily from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. No minors. No reservations (it's a first-come-first-serve restaurant).
Mahle House – 2104 Hemer Road. The beautiful garden/patio at the Mahle House is available from Thursday to Sunday when the weather permits. Wednesday evenings are devoted exclusively to their five-course chef's adventure. Take-out options are available from Thursday to Sunday. You can now make reservations online.
Downtown Nanaimo
Ocean View Restaurants in Nanaimo
Carlos O'Bryan's – 1724 Stewart Avenue. It is found near the ferry and has a spectacular view of the marina. Expect neighbourhood, Irish-inspired pub food. Open Monday – Wednesday from 11:00 am – 12:00 am; Thursday and Friday from 11:00 am – 1:00 am; Saturday from 10:00 am – 1:00 am; and Sunday from 10:00 am – midnight. Minors are allowed on the front patio.
Dinghy Dock Pub – Located in the Nanaimo Harbour. This is Canada's only registered floating pub and is accessible via a short ferry ride through the harbour. Ferry rates do apply. You are also able to dock your own boat at the site. It is open (currently) Fridays through Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 pm. Open for takeout and patio service during dry weather. Don't let the word pub scare you; this establishment is family-friendly.
Lighthouse Bistro – 50 Anchor Way. This heated patio restaurant has stellar harbour views and serves locally sourced market-fresh dishes. Open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 8:00 pm.
Penny's Palapa – Float H – 10 Wharf Street. Serving authentic Mexican dishes with a West Coast flair on a floating patio. Heaters are available. The Pioneer Plaza Parkade on Front Street is the closest location to park your vehicle. Open daily during the summer season only from 11:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Trollers Fish and Chips is on the dock at Float F—10 Wharf Street. Head to Trollers for some of the freshest and finest seafood around! If you love seafood, this is the place to go. It re-opens in April for the 2024 season daily, from 11:00 am—8:00 pm.
General Patio Dining
Gabriel's Cafe – 39 Commercial Street. Food is inspired by the love of local farms and farmers and features selections of fresh, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients. Take-out and patio dining is available. Open daily 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Gina's Mexican Café – 47 Skinner Street. A popular Mexican café featuring in-house recipes made with fresh ingredients. Open daily for indoor or patio dining, takeout and delivery starting at 11:30 a.m. Open until 8:00 pm Sunday to Thursday and 9:00 pm Friday and Saturday.
The Nest – 77 Skinner Street. Delicious made-from-scratch French and Italian-inspired cuisine using local fresh and organic ingredients. Reservations aren't required but definitely recommended. Open for dinner only Wednesday to Saturday, from 4:30 to 10:30 pm.
Mid-Nanaimo Patio Restaurants
Drip Coffee Social – 2835 Departure Bay Road. Grab a coffee or an alcoholic beverage and a bite to eat, sit, and enjoy the views of Departure Bay Beach. Open daily. Hours of operation are Sunday – Wednesday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Thursday to Saturday from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Huong Lan Restaurant – 19-1925 Bowen Road. Offering authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine with takeout, indoor dining or on their outdoor patio. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Nanaimo Golf Club—2800 Highland Blvd. This large outdoor patio serves a variety of good eats. Open to members and non-members alike, reservations are highly recommended. Takeout is also available. For operating hours, please head to the Nanaimo Golf Club's website.
Original Joe's is located at 3280 North Island Hwy (Country Club Centre). The patio is open at Original Joe's, and the drinks are always flowing. Takeout and delivery are also available. Open daily from 11 am – midnight.
North Nanaimo Patio Restaurants
Pub Style Eats
Black Bear Pub – 6201 Doumont Road. You can enjoy pub-style food on their large outdoor patio overlooking Brannen Lake. Takeout and delivery are also available. This is a no-minors pub. Open daily. Monday – Thursday, from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm and Friday – Sunday, from 11-11.
Longwood Brew Pub – 5775 Turner Road. Known for their beer, the Longwood Brew Pub also sells great pub food. They also offer takeout. Open daily from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Piper's Pub – 4700 Hammond Bay Road. Piper's brings you good food at affordable prices and offers a variety of selections, including breakfast items. They have a large outdoor seating area. Open Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday, from 11 am – 10 pm, and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 11 am-11 pm.
Browns Socialhouse is located at Unit 6 – 6338 Metral Drive. This Nanaimo hot spot is open for patio dining, takeout and delivery. Open Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 12:00 am, and Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am – 12:00 am. Reservations are highly recommended.
General: Nanaimo Restaurants with Great Patios
Cactus Club is 801 – 5800 Turner Road. It has a great outdoor patio that accepts walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. Their food is always delicious. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. Takeout is also available.
Eve Olive – 5281 Rutherford Road. Eve Olive is the first Nanaimo vegan restaurant to offer wine, beer and cocktails. They use 100% plant-based and locally sourced ingredients to create their dishes and have various gluten-free options too. Takeout is also available. Open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner from 3:00 – 9:00 pm (last kitchen call is at 8:30 pm).
Grand Cru Restaurant (at the Grand Hotel) – 4898 Rutherford Road. Offering West Coast fusion cuisine and home to Nanaimo's only Whisky Bar showcasing a selection of over 150 whiskies. Open for dinner, Tuesday – Saturday from 5:00 – 9:00 pm and Sunday for brunch from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm.
Heritage Indian Cuisine – 6671 Mary Ellen Drive. A family-style restaurant serving authentic Indian food rich with traditional hand-picked fresh herbs and spices. Open daily from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. Takeout and delivery are also available.
Milano's Ristorante – Suite 300-6551 Aulds Rd. Milano's specializes in pizza, pasta, and authentic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The humungous menu makes it hard to choose! Open daily. Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 am – 8:30 pm, and Sunday and Monday, from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. They offer takeout and delivery daily from 11:30 – 3:00 pm only.
Montana's – 4715 Rutherford Road. Specializing in BBQ grub, this patio is a hot spot for families. Open daily 11:00 am – 9:00 pm (Fridays & Saturdays open until 10:00 pm). Takeout is available.
SIMONHOLT – 6582 Applecross Road. There are three patios, including a rooftop deck featuring beautiful ocean and mountain views. And there are heaters! Open Monday – Thursday from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Friday & Saturday from 11:00 am to midnight; and Sunday from 10 am – 10 pm.
Best Patio Restaurants in Nanaimo Summary
As you can see, there are many amazing patio restaurants in Nanaimo to enjoy this summer. Often, the hardest part is choosing!
If you feel I've missed one of your favourites, let me know so that I can add it to this list. Which location mentioned is one you frequent? Let us know in the comments below.
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Do you need even more restaurant ideas?
Check out our top restaurant recommendations in other areas of Vancouver Island.
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Boston Pizza at Turner Road has a nice patio.
Thank you for the suggestion!
Looking for restaraunts that allow dogs to be with owners on patio is there a list?Company coming from northern bc at appxox 4 pm 4 to six adults and 2 dogs
Hi Ken, I may be too late in my reply, however, I don’t currently have a list of dog-friendly establishments. (That may be something I create in the future, so thank you for providing some writing inspiration!). Hopefully, you were able to find one that is accommodating to dogs.
Windward Pub has 2 Patios 1 in front/1 in back. Good pub food.
Wonderful, thank you!
Trollers on the waterfront.
Thank you!
I think Quality Foods (Longwood and Harewood locations) have outdoor areas to eat but not sure they’re set up right now?
Hmmm, I’m not sure either. I can’t find any information about it on their website. Hopefully, someone reading this will confirm. Thank you!
Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant and Sealand Pho
Thank you! I will add them in.