Welcome to The Modern Cafe Nanaimo
At The Modern Cafe Nanaimo, nestled in the heart of downtown, culinary artistry meets warm, welcoming service. This beloved local gem prides itself on creatively crafted dishes, featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients and flavors that celebrate the Pacific Northwest. Signature offerings like the Wild Mushroom Pate and Crispy Humboldt Squid showcase the creativity of the kitchen, earning rave reviews from patrons. The cafe’s inviting atmosphere, coupled with attentive staff, enhances any dining experience, making it a must-visit destination. Whether navigating through construction or savoring a delightful meal, The Modern Cafe promises a memorable culinary journey in Nanaimo.
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221 Commercial St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G8, Canada Hotline: +1 250-754-5022
Welcome to The Modern Cafe Nanaimo, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of downtown Nanaimo, British Columbia. Located at 221 Commercial St, this charming restaurant has become a beloved destination for both locals and visitors alike. With its commitment to high-quality, fresh ingredients and inviting atmosphere, The Modern Cafe stands out as a must-visit dining experience in the area.
Stepping inside, you are greeted by an ambiance that strikes a perfect balance between cozy and contemporary. The friendly staff, led by the new manager Connor, create a welcoming environment where attention to detail is paramount. Recent patrons have highlighted the exceptional service, with reviews praising the staff for their hospitality and knowledge of the menu.
The menu at The Modern Cafe is a delightful exploration of flavors. From vibrant salads like the Turmeric Cauliflower Chickpeas to comforting entrees like the Korean Fried Chicken and Mushroom Risotto, there is something to satisfy every palate. A favorite among diners is the Rare Seared Tuna, expertly paired with goat cheese corn cakes and harissa aioli, illustrating the cafe's dedication to craft and quality.
- Appetizers: The Mezze Platter is a star, featuring a dance of diverse flavors with baba ghanoush, roasted yam hummus, and marinated feta.
- Salads: Indulge in the Roasted Beet Salad or the refreshing House Salad, both of which celebrate the beauty of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
- Baked Oysters: A must-try, topped with wild greens pesto cream and bacon for an indulgent twist.
What sets The Modern Cafe apart is not just the quality of its food but also the intent behind each dish. As several customers noted, the attention to detail in both flavor and presentation elevates the dining experience. Whether it’s a casual brunch or a celebratory dinner, the culinary team takes pride in crafting dishes that not only taste wonderful but also tell a story of freshness and creativity.
Every visit to The Modern Cafe is not just about the meal; it's about the experience. The cozy atmosphere allows for heartfelt conversations, while the sounds of curated music fill the air without overwhelming the dining experience. The cafe is more than just a restaurant; it's a place where community bonds are nourished through good food and great company.
Despite the ongoing roadwork nearby, as shared by loyal patrons, The Modern Cafe Nanaimo remains a beacon of comfort and flavor worth navigating to reach. So, if you find yourself in Nanaimo, don’t miss the chance to visit this delightful eatery. Your taste buds will thank you!
Please keep supporting this long time local restaurant! Don’t let the roadwork keep you away. It is a shame to see businesses struggling because the City takes so long to do these projects without compensation. It is worth the effort navigating through the construction to get to the restaurant. The quality of food at the Modern is still fantastic!! Great comfort food!! The atmosphere is very nice and the service is great considering the limited staff.
Ordered the steak sandwich and the salmon burger. The salmon burger was flavorful and soft and flaky, the bread was a nice soft tasty brioche bun. The steak sandwich was a tender high quality AAA top sirloin steak, cooked perfectly to medium rare, and was absolutely delicious; most definitely sous vide to perfection! I had a side of salad that had a nice house dressing, and attention to detail was paid! Don't know what the dressing was but probably a light raspberry dressing? Really don't know but it was great! I highly recommend this place if you're in Nanaimo! It's a gem. Keep up the great work here, amazing staff, friendly and hospitable. Top notch!
Classic Nanaimo restaurant with some wonderful food. We met Connor tonight who is the new manager and it looks like things are going to have some bright new changes . We had the prawn appetizer and it was presented delicious and the cook did a great job with presentation and favour. I ordered the Korean fried chicken and my wife ordered Mushroom risotto. I truly loved this fried chicken sandwich. I was quite surprised that I was going to love it that much and wow, I can’t wait to go back and have it again. The Mushroom risotto was also quite yummy. Great presentation on both. I can’t remember when I last had the Nanaimo bar martini, but it was definitely yummy to taste. But I have to say the Nanaimo bar cheesecake was done extremely well and something I would bring my friends to come taste. Our waiter, Brian was fabulous.Bravo! He was very engaging, offered lots of suggestions, Very respectful and joyful. And his honesty was a breath of fresh air. Great job, Brian I look forward to coming here again and bringing some of my family from other parts of the world here.
Thanks so much tonight for Connor and his wonderful staff for accommodating my staff party this evening. The ladies were all delighted (all 14 of us) that you were able to seat and serve last minute. The food was excellent, atmosphere a delight. Also a shout out to Grace for taking such good care of all of us. Awesome place to dine!
The service was great, food was delicious, and music wasn't too loud for conversation but was still fun. Someone came out and checked for a food sensitivity without any prompting, which isn't something I've encountered often. My wife and I stopped in on NYE and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner.
Four of us had brunch here on May 13/25. We all really liked the food. The service was pleasant and professional. The nearby street construction in downtown Nanaimo should be no deterant - this place is worth a visit!
Amazing little cafe in the corner of church street. The server was so kind throughout the meal. I got the mac and cheese Alfredo and modern iced tea. It was really good. We should have more cafes like this in Vancouver. 10/10 would go here again!
Amazing food and drinks. We highly recommend checking this out. The food was delicious and the drinks were amazing.