We were glad we had a one-sailing ferry wait

Having arrived for a by now sold-out 7:30 pm ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, we walked over to the Beefeater and were tempted by the menu. It was a warm summer evening and we chose the waterfront patio. Three of us had the fresh wild snapper, one the wild salmon, all enjoyed the nicely-chilled Pinot Grigio. Lovely dessert (special... more

not too bad

We have been here for lunch and dinner a couple of times. We have always had good service. The only bad thing I saw once was when a waitress dropped a spoon on the floor. She picked it up and put it on the table she was setting. A huge NO NO !! They are not air conditioned so it... more

Gorgeous marine views here and a marine railway right beside you

We just enjoyed a nice dinner at Beefeaters this past weekend, it was delicious. We even sat outside, it is located right beside a marina with the marine ways running down to the sea, so at most times the view is lovely, and often interesting, too.
It is right across from Newcastle Island, which is very close, and the selection... more

Great group experience

Beefeaters Chop House and Grill is the place my daughter's boyfriend chose for a get-together after watching my nephew's baseball game in Nanaimo.
Based on the name, I wondered what it would be like for those of us in the group who eat neither meat nor anything with gluten in it, but my worries were unfounded.
Our party of eight... more

Nothing like I thought

We heard a lot of people say that the restaurant was upscale and a must visit.
Our visit was not over the top and did not 'wow' us. Found it to be average and a bit pricey for what we got.

Breakfast

Don't go for their breakfast/brunch menu. Food pre-packaged AND then toasted / re-heated, first coffee and ONE refill- free and after that you will PAY for refills (not noted on menu) and what floored me was the muffins- if not eaten and LOOK untouched - they will RE-SERVE to another table!!! (I could have sneezed on them!! When asked about... more

Pure honk

If you like frozen/toasted waffles, old muffins that you don't know who else has touched or handled, liquid carton scrambled eggs, beef jerkey bacon or almost raw bacon, 4-5 pieces of uber greasy potato hashbrowns, canned "fresh fruit", and to have a waitress drop a dirty fork covered in hollandaise sauce down your back and apologize but not tell you... more

Pleasantly surprised

I haven't been in this restaurant for years, but recently they advertised a Sunday special of fish and chips. They also have a prime rib special I believe every day. Last Sunday we went and tried the fish and chip special, and I can tell you that it was very good, not expensive and very nicely presented. I will try... more

Eat here don't even bother with The Keg

This is the only steakhouse in Nanaimo ! Keg is a joke compared to this place so don't even bother ! It's always consistent with great food ! Oysters Diablo are the best in BC

New Years Eve

I had the stuffed chicken breast & it was lip smacking good. My wife had the rib eye & it was very tasty, too. The service was excellent, even though the place was packed. The price was good for New Years Eve. My Mum has a hard time walking & the owner helped my Mum. Very nice experience. Thank You,... more

Nice View, below average lunch

Brought clients for lunch and while the service was OK the food wasn't. I tried to order Thursday's lunch special or prime rib sandwich and it was sold out. It was 12:30. So, instead I ordered a salmon burger which turned up slightly undercooked and smelled like fish. I ate some of it and left the rest. We were never... more

Good food but felt a tad pricy for what you got

We arrived mid afternoon, Sunday very quiet indeed, friendly staff. Hubby had the clam chowder to start...very tasty. We both had the 6oz Petit fillet which was very flavousome. A tad over cooked. Salad was very very basic with it. When we ordered the chowder we were asked if we'd like one of two bread options (no mention of additional... more

A delicious surprise

Stayed at the buccaneer motel and found our way to the beefeater. Delicious. Delicious. Delicious. We had a spicy pesto and a chicken parmigiana and were so happy with our choice. Lovely setting, no pretension- just good food at a good price. Wish I lived closer so I could go back!

good food, great view

We went to the Beefeater in 2012 and had a great meal. The food was excellent, the service was outstanding, and the views were incredible. We sat and watched the boats go by in the harbour while we ate our dinner. We were very happy with the quality and quantity of the food. so I was a little surprised by... more

Best steak and frites in Nanaimo

One if our favourite restaurants in Nanaimo in summer and winter. The food is consistent good and fairly priced. We usually order the lamb, filet mignon, or the kebabs. The filet also comes with teriyaki or a peppercorn sauce. Beefeater fries are the best I have ever eaten and that is high praise from a person who knows their fries.... more

Lose the owner and I'd give it 5 stars

I would have rated my experience tonight at Beefeaters at least 4 stars if not for one thing - the owner! The food was great and the staff were so nice. But I was completely appalled by the owner - a horrible little man walking around scowling at everyone. Then he did something so rude I couldn't believe it.
An... more

Disappointing

Definitely many better places to eat in Nanaimo. we got off to a poor start with just 2 tiny slices of stale bread in the basket, then the recommended glass of wine was bad, and finally the entrees were mediocre at best.

Good food

We had steaks which were perfectly done with crips vegetables and really good salads. Nice view on the harbour!

Not that hungry? Have too much money? Then Beefeater is the place for you

When asked if we wanted to sit outside we said yes and were seated on rickety plastic chairs and table.
$20 minimum entree restaurants shouldn't have anything plastic in it. And the experience only got worse from there.
We ordered the salmon Oscar expecting larger BC prawns and crab but were very disappointed to find it covered with about six... more

A nice surprise

Went to dinner after the Snowbirds Airshow. Although the outside looks like a pub, I was surprised the restaurant and washrooms were nicely decorated. We had the prime rib 3 course dinner which was very good and definitely good value. Barry our server was great. It may be a little hard to find if not from the area, but worth... more

Very nice waterfront dining spot

We have eaten at Beefeaters twice in the last month or two, both times friendly efficient service, and delicious food. The location is so attractive in the summer, there is a marine shipyard ways that runs right beside the restaurant, and it's so fascinating to see boats of different sizes get lifted up out of the ocean and onto the... more

Nice restaurant, but hard to find

We were staying on Deparure Bay road and saw this place was within walking distance, but it is badly sign posted, that we had to ask a local where it was. The setting is lovely down at the docks and we sat outside. Pasta, burgers etc were all good and I had a lovely chicken dish. Would recommend but hope... more

Great!!! On the WatEr

Dungeness Crab and Avocado SaLad is awesome
The ferry is only a 5 min walk
The patio is in a marina on the water .we arrived at 4pm and could order from the full menu

The evening was lovely on the patio

However the food was pretty good, but the filet, was a bit tough, I don't know how you cook a tough filet, but they did. The price was very high for the meal, and usually I don't care that much. The Caesar salad was very small and the chicken tasteless. Come on 3 small slices of a bagel, really? I... more

Love This Restaurant

Talk about great food and service! The prime rib and rack of lamb are both so yummy and very inexpensive for the portions you get. I love the unique "aioli" dip that the calamari comes with also. Our server was very accommodating regarding gluten free options, and she seemed very knowledgeable about the menu items as well. Delicious food, great... more

Marina side out of town - a gem

We were staying at the Buccaneer Motel, north of Nanaimo, close to the Departure Bay ferry terminal. It was Canada Day and we discovered this restaurant on a local walk, no more than 5 minutes away. There is a pub next door, which serves excellent Granville Island beer, with an outdoor area. After two pints of lager, my wife and... more

Group lunch

Our group of eight recently lunched at the Beefeater. We found the hostess unhelpful when we asked for a table to accommodate two extra people. Although the restaurant was empty,she said they could eat at a separate table! While two of our group's meals were fine, the spanokapita lunch portion, at $12, was the size of a smallish egg roll... more

The Tale of Two Brunches

"It was the best of meals, it was the worst of meals." By pure coincidence, my husband and I had the chance to go out for Sunday brunch at two different resturarnts over the past two weekends. One meal was great and one was dissatisfing. This is the story of the second one.
We decide to both order omelettes. Two... more

Above Average Dinner

We walked here from our B & B. The location was good and the view was very nice. The service was excellent. We had the special which was halibut stuffed manicotti and bay shrimp. It was two manicotti shells. No veggies, no salad and we had to ask for extra bread as they only brought out two very small slices.... more

One of our Fav's

This family run restaurant is one of our favourites, we have eaten here countless times and never had a poor meal or anything but great service. Since it is close to the Departure Bay ferry terminal it has been a convenient spot for celebrating special occasion when family come over from the mainland, we'll have a great gathering, super meal... more

Friendly efficient service

Both waiters and waitresses, although very busy, always had a smile and made time for a quick chat. We had lunch there when the sun was quite warm and were given a table with a light breeze coming through a window opposite so that we could enjoy the view without the draft. We enjoyed the culinary creations of both the... more

Wonderful, Unique Restaurant

Upon walking into this establishment you can tell that it is different than most restaurants. All of the servers collaborated and were working together for their tips, which was a nice change. We had three different servers come to our table. Also, the views were spectacular! The decor could use a little upgrading, but overall we had a great experience.

Surprising

Located by the docks, an unassuming metal building turns into a nice but casual restaurant. Our food was quite good.

Great food, Good service but time for a Renovation

We really used to love going hear for lunch or dinner, the staff are always friendly and have been their for years, the food tasty but it really is looking tired and old fashioned, with other places closed around it now, i really think they could take a lot more business if they did a complete reno.

Great food

The food was excellent and the service was great as well. Great place for scallops :) The view made it even more special.

Great view

The view is wonderful. Located on the water and there is always something to look at. The food is excellent and the staff are friendly and helpful. They don't encourage children and that is fine by me. A quiet place for adults.

Really good food and service

For visitors and newcomers to Nanaimo Beefeaters is a sure bet.
I have lived here most of my life, and am rather picky.
They have good daily lunch and dinner specials, and the sunday brunch is amazing. Home-made hollindase sauce etc.
It isn't cheap, but moderate, i think. The wine selection is really good too. For lunch i would reccomend... more

Great dinner

Recommended by our B&B. Great selection of food, decent prices, good service. A solid mix of food, but the greek items on the menu are particularly nice.

Small servings

Had a party there, small servings on a set menu we arranged, very disappointing for the price. Service was slow and actually unfriendly, won't be returning.

Eating with a view

Class A view, food, atmosphere, parking (free), close to ferry. Why wait parked in a ferry lineup when you can sit at the Beefeaters and enjoy a drink or a meal. Service was excellent and the food delicious. If you aren't taking the ferry it is a nice spot to enjoy a meal.

Enjoyed it so much, we went back the 2nd night too

reasonably priced, plenty of menu choices for everyone, welcoming staff, very professional, excellent clam chowder!

Food was OK

Could not believe they serve farmed salmon! So I tried the scallop dinner - which was OK. Service was just terrible the night we were there - they gave us a $5 off coupon for our next visit, but we left it on the table because we won't be going back.

Best steak in town

My family and I always go there when we feel like steak because they have the best steak in town... especially with the peppercorn sauce :) Also, it is really nice that you can get a salad before your entree (which are also very good) for only $3 more. The view is beautiful and the staff are always very friendly.... more

Nice place food could be better

Very nice place on the water, friendly staff, nice selection on menu however food came cold, bacon on scallops was raw and portions were quite small, u might want to grab a burger after

Nice view, food was just ok

The cocktail was great, the steak was good, and the service great.

Trying to be fancy but a very stale feeling

Poor service...not very friendly, food was good but not great.... owner seems angry and mean to the servers.

Pleasant suprize lunch spot near to the Ferry Terminal

Instead of heading back into town after checking ferry timetables, we found this restaurant right next to the parking lot. At first we suspected it was part of a 'dockers' bar right next door so were very pleased to find such an upscale spot. The view can't be seen from the entrance and is really spectacular. The place overlooks the... more

Not Bad, Not Great

This restaurant had been recommended to us by friends. But I guess one should be careful about recommending a restaurant based on a single visit. The restaurant pretends to provide fine dining, but the staff have not been trained accordingly. The food was somewhat bland and the pace of service was erratic.
The wine list is quite limited, and the... more

Good food

We were recommended this by the owners of the Buccaneer Inn and they did not steer us wrong. The view and location are great and the food and service was very good!

Great place for lunch or dinner

Great location on the water, close to ferry terminal, great food, nice atmosphere and good prices.

We had a wonderful time here. We came without notice with a large party and were accommodated quickly at a very nice table right by the water. I was surprised at how quick everything moved even though they seemed quite busy.

Beefeater's Chop House & Grill was great, all our food was served promptly and it was a very busy night. The food was well cooked, well presented and tasted amazing. The servers were very nice and checked on us frequently to ensure our evening was top notch. Atmosphere really suited the place and the location was beautiful.

Really great place. We have been going there for YEARS and YEARS and have never had any problems.

great food, great service :)

We have been going to beefeaters for years. We always have great service and great food. One of our favorites in Nanaimo.

Would need improvement before I would try again...

The food was not terrible, but for prices similar to mid-high end food this is not what I expect. As a former chef in training, I noticed that food presentation did not seem a priority (at all), which is half the meal! The flavour was not bad, however "prime rib sunday" ended up being Rib Eye steaks (undercooked).