Due to the current restrictions, restaurants across BC are creating patio spaces so patrons can still dine at their establishments. Whether or not these patios stick around post-pandemic is yet to be determined, for now, however, they are a valuable asset. This article showcases patio restaurants in Nanaimo. Some of which, have had patios all along. And the best part is the majority of the restaurants mentioned below also offer takeout!
If you know of a restaurant in Nanaimo that has a patio not yet mentioned in this list, please let me know. As with everything lately, changes can frequently occur. So 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. With that being said, I will do my absolute best to keep this list up to date.
Bonus! If the restaurant has a menu posted online, the link is provided. Click on the name of the restaurant 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 – 8:00 pm. No minors. No reservations.
Mahle House – 2104 Hemer Road. The beautiful garden/patio at the Mahle House is available when weather permits. Please call ahead for information and reservations (250-722-3621). Take out options are available from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Wednesday to Sunday with pick up in the staff parking area.
Downtown Nanaimo
Harbour or Marina View Dining
Beefeater’s Chophouse & Grill – 1840 Stewart Avenue. Mediterranean style cuisine in a casual setting with beautiful harbour views. Open Sunday to Thursday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; and, Friday & Saturday from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm. Takeout service is also available.
Carlos O’ Bryan’s – 1724 Stewart Avenue. Located near the ferry’s and has a spectacular view of the marina. Expect neighbourhood, Irish-inspired pub food. Open Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm. 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. Currently, open Friday thru Sunday from noon until 7:00 pm. Open for takeout and patio service during dry weather. Don’t let the word pub scare you, for this establishment is definitely family-friendly.
Lighthouse Bistro – 50 Anchor Way. This heated patio restaurant has stellar harbour views and serves locally sourced market-fresh dishes. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 am – 8:00 pm. The Lighthouse Bistro also offers takeout.
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. Penny’s Palapa will open the week of April 18. At the time of this publication, the hours of operation aren’t yet set.
Sealand Pho – 1240 Stewart Avenue. Enjoy stunning views of the marina on the outdoor patio while eating the most authentic, fresh, and healthiest ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine. Takeout is also available. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Troller’s Fish and Chips – On the dock at Float F – 10 Wharf Street. For some of the freshest and finest seafood around, head to Troller’s! Whether you dine on their outdoor deck or take your food to another location, you won’t be disappointed. Open daily 11:00 am – 7:30 pm.
General Patio Dining
Gabriel’s Cafe – 39 A Commercial Street. Food inspired by the love of local farms and farmers and feature selections of fresh, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients. Take out and patio dining is available. Open daily 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Gina’s Mexican Café – 47 Skinner Street. A popular Mexican café featuring in house recipes made with fresh ingredients. Open daily for patio dining, takeout and delivery starting at noon. Open until 8:00 pm Sunday to Thursday and 9:00 pm Friday and Saturday.
Milton Street Public House – 247 Milton Street. Unique pub-style food that gets rave reviews. Operating Tuesday to Saturday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm. No minors. Reservations accepted.
The Modern Cafe – 221 Commercial Street. The Modern Cafe is available for patio seating and takeout and has many menu options. Their temporary hours are Thursday & Friday 11 am – 8 pm; Saturday & Sunday, brunch 9 am – 4 pm, and dinner 4 pm – 8 pm.
Mon Petit Choux – 120 Commercial Street. A wonderful breakfast and lunch spot offering organic café fare along with bread and pastries. Open daily from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.
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. Patio dining and takeout are available Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 – 9:00 pm.
Mid-Nanaimo Patio Restaurants
Drip Coffee Social – 100 – 283 Departure Bay Road. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat and sit and enjoy the views of Departure Bay beach. Open daily 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. No reservations required.
Huong Lan Restaurant – 19-1925 Bowen Road. Offering authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine on their outdoor patio or via takeout. Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Nanaimo Golf Club – 2800 Highland Blvd. Large outdoor patio serving a variety of good eats. Open to members and non-members alike. Reservations are highly recommended. Take out is also available. For operating hours, please head to the website for the Nanaimo Golf Club.
Original Joe’s – 3280 North Island Hwy (Country Club Centre). The patio is open at Original Joe’s and the drinks are still flowing! Take out and delivery are also available. Open daily from 11 am – 12 am.
Piccadilly Bistro – 2367 Arbot Road. Casual upscale dining on a beautiful patio with incredible views of Westwood Lake. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 am – 8:30 pm. Reservations are highly recommended: 250-591-5516. Takeout is also available.
Windward Pub – 1588 Boundary Crescent. You can’t beat good patio food with two patio choices and heaters for a great night out! Open Monday to Thursday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 11:30 – 11:00.
North Nanaimo Patio Restaurants
Pub Style Eats
Black Bear Pub – 6201 Doumont Road. Pub style food which you can enjoy on their large outdoor patio overlooking Brannen Lake. Take out and delivery are also available. Open daily 11:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Longwood Brew Pub – 5775 Turner Road. Known for their beer, the Longwood Brew Pub also sells great pub food. They also currently offer takeout. Open daily from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm (Friday & Saturday they stay open until 10:00).
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 Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 1:00 am; and, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am – 1:00 am.
General
Browns Socialhouse – Unit 6 – 6338 Metral Drive. This Nanaimo hot spot is open for patio dining as well as takeout and delivery. Open Monday – Friday from 11:00 am – 12:00 am, and Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 am. Reservations are highly recommended.
Cactus Club – 801 – 5800 Turner Road. Great outdoor patio accepting walk-ins on a first come first serve basis. Open daily 11:30 am – 10:00 pm. 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 a variety of gluten-free options too. Take out is also available. Open Wednesday & Thursday from 5:00 – 9:45 pm; Friday & Saturday 5:00 – 10:30 pm; and, Sunday 5:00 – 9:00 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, Wednesday – Saturday from 5:00 – 9:00 pm; Sunday for brunch from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm; and, Sunday for afternoon tea 11:30 am – 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 and pasta, as well as authentic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Their normally humungous menu has been scaled back, but the options are still great. Open Monday – Thursday 11:30 am – 8:30 pm; Friday & Saturday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm; and, Sunday 11:30 am – 8:00 pm. They offer takeout and delivery.
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 (Friday & Saturday’s open until 10:00 pm). Takeout is available.
SIMONHOLT – 6582 Applecross Road. Three patios to choose from, 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 11:00 am to midnight; and, Sunday from 10 am – 10 pm. Takeout is available, although please note, the takeout menu is much smaller than their regular menu.
Any More?
Please inform me if you know of any other Nanaimo restaurant with outdoor dining, so it can be added to this list. Which location mentioned is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
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12 Comments
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.