The Best Nanaimo Bars in Nanaimo

Nanaimo bars come in a variety of shapes and forms, and—like any other baked good—many people have claimed to have “the best Nanaimo bar recipe ever.” Noah Cappe takes this claim to the test, and what better place to do it in than their namesake city? Noah’s first stop is Bocca Cafe in downtown Nanaimo, B.C.

Carmen Agatiello, Bocca’s morning baker, holds the first of many Nanaimo bars that Noah devours. Bocca specializes in making homemade healthful breakfasts and lunches, where all products are prepared in house and only the best whole foods are used for baking and cooking. This first Nanaimo bar Noah eats on his journey is made using a very traditional recipe.

Noah’s second stop is Pirate Chips, founded in 2003 by owner Angela Nodwell (pictured here). One of the most noteworthy items on their menu is the deep-fried Nanaimo bar.

By the looks of it, the deep-fried Nanaimo bar has Noah on cloud nine.

Medina Mayes opened up A Wee Cupcakery in 2010, where she promptly created a Nanaimo bar cupcake to incorporate Nanaimo’s history into her new shop.

Chomping down on a Nanaimo bar cupcake can get messy so Noah gets a hand cleaning up. This is Nanaimo’s one and only cupcake shop, located in the heart of the Old City Quarter.

What better way to learn about Nanaimo’s sweet history than with a trip to the Nanaimo Museum?

Sitting upon the most appropriate of cushions with Aimee Greenaway, Noah learns that the recipe we all know and love is credited to the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary’s 1952 cookbook.

To wrap up Noah’s sweet trip, it’s only fair to end at Nanaimo’s oldest restaurant, Modern Cafe—the go-to pub for locals and tourists alike since 1946.

The oldest restaurant in the city has an urban take on the classic Nanaimo bar—by turning it into a martini. Noah and owner Oliver Bailey raise their Nanaimo-like drinks, which are made with Coven vodka, Absolut Vanilia vodka, crème de cacao, coconut syrup, milk and a shot of espresso. Cheers!