In central Nanaimo there are two casual spots worth knowing about. Tina's Diner, 187 Commercial St. (tel. 205/753-5333), is a classic '50s diner for big eggy breakfasts and sandwiches for lunch. McClean's Specialty Foods, 426 Fitzwilliam St. (tel. 250/754-0100), offers over 150 varieties of cheese, including many from Vancouver Island, plus other picnic comestibles. This is also an excellent spot to savor a cup of tea and a Nanaimo Bar, the famed bar cookie invented here as a snack for local coal miners.
Two Popular Pubs--In summer, for a pint of ale and a burger in a marvelous location, take the 10-minute Protection Connection ferry ride to the Dinghy Dock Floating Marine Pub, on Protection Island (tel. 250/753-2373). It's exactly what its name says -- a floating pub -- and boasts spectacular sunset views of Nanaimo and the Vancouver Island mountains. The ferry leaves on the hour from the Commercial Inlet boat basin, below Pioneer Waterfront Plaza.
You'll get a wonderful view of the harbor from the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub, off Harbourside Walkway at 50 Anchor Way (tel. 250/754-3212; http://nanaimo.ark.com/~litehse). Open daily from 11am to midnight and until 1am in summer (the restaurant closes earlier), this floating pub is adjacent to the city's floatplane base -- watch these boats take off just beside your table.
