Alexandra's Bistro in Nanaimo

Food 5 StarService 0 StarThe food is generally great here, though the calamari seriously was missing flavour in the batter, but on our last trip the service was not even close. Struggling for staff obviously, we got a brand new server that didnt know the menu, forgot drink orders, never came to refill water glasses, and left us waiting for around 15 minutes after we finished eating before asking about the bill then another 15 before I had to flag down another server for our bill, we were genuinely about ready to walk out since obviously our server couldnt keep track of us and nobody else was supervising her despite clearly being too new to fly solo. When we have to ask 3 times for a glass of wine then tell the servers dont bother because we are clearly done or meal and then it gets dropped off anyway because of obvious communication issues, we will think twice before dining in again. Obviously the covid struggle hit them hard on staffing but this was obviously someone who was brand new to serving and should not have been on their own with tables, not to mention obvious issues with assignment of duties with FOH staff. There were a lot of red flags with service tonight that I could write 3x as much on after 12 years in the industry.Again, food is great for the most part, but the service right now at least, is far less so. I would tip the kitchen directly over leaving a tip with the server.

One of the best in Nanaimo!Great drink prices, incredible food, amazing service, & the owner/cook will often stop by the tables to check on his guests.Would highly recommend!

I am not a local but wanted to support locally when visiting and the food here was delicious and nice portions!On top of that, the prices are decent and the service was suburb. My group and I got checked on a few times, and even the owner came out to see how we were. You definitely get a "family feel" from here =)

We have enjoyed take out and Dining in. The food was delicious and hot! The service is Great, Friendly and knowledgeable of the dishes they offer which is plenty. A+++

It was my Son’s and daughter-in-law anniversary. My son was working out of town so I picked up dinner for her. The food was great! I would like to thank you for throwing in the cheesecake.

This place is the best! Tonights dinner was absolutely delicious as always! The only trouble we ever have ia deciding what to order. So many dishes have become our favorites! Tonight it was moussaka for me and prawn curry for my husband. So good!

The food was awesome, and I loved the service, they all had a smile on their face the whole night. It was a pleasure eating there.

This is one of my favs! Great food and good portions. Atmosphere is friendly. Never disappointed. If you have not tried it, you need to!❤️

We got food here for the first time this evening, very good first impression! We ordered take out and the portions were huge and so delicious, I think this is our new spot!

We chose this restaurant based on the reviews and we weren’t disappointed! The service was friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming and the food was plentiful and delicious! We shared the platter for two and everything was excellent. It was more than enough food for two people and we enjoyed the complimentary cheesecake that we took to go!

The food is always great and it’s one of my most favourite places to dine. I would recommend Alexandras Bistro without hesitation.The owner and the staff are always accommodating and gracious.Brent Doupe

Food was okay, nothing to rave about. Saganaki was way too lemony, souvlaki was mediocre. Cheap ingredients, don’t even think the oil used in the Greek salad was olive oil, it tasted like canola oil. Prawns were underdone and couldnt really eat them. Everyone at our table tried one and they agreed. The cook offered to re cook the remaining prawns but by that time it was too late and plus everyone had tried one so it looked like I ate them all myself which I didn’t. The cook thought I was trying to get something for free which I was not. Lastly the waitress really sucks. Couldn’t greet us when we came in, another waitress just dropped our utensils on the sticky filthy table … and was not happy to take our order. I don’t think I will return. This really isn’t very good “Greek” food. Asteras is so much better. Higher quality and way better wait staff.

Went back tonight 14/08/22 and everything was simply delicious and perfect. Great staff and price we had the dinner for two platter and highly recommend this place!👍👍👍👍👍 🥰

We ordered one souvlaki/calamari/spanakopita platter for 3 adults and it was just enough for us. Save for the lamb souvlaki (it was chewy tough), the rest of the items were good. Calamari was crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. Chicken souvlaki was juicy and easy on the bite. Our order came with a cheesecake that we opted to take home. Service was friendly and timely.

We are a family of 5 and we ordered the Greek platter for 2 (two of themand there was so much food, more then what we could finish for dinner. The food was absolutely amazing & we will definitely eat from here again! The staff are also super friendly.

Really good food. Souvlaki, ravioli, salads, moussaka all top notch. We dropped in without a reservation and were seated immediately and had excellent service.

What a wonderful little gem! We arrived to Vancouver island from a rather exausting trip but this restaurant ended our day on a positive note. Great food, portions and service! We absolutely loved the platter for two to share, everything on it was delicious! Weve had a lot of Greek food in our lifetime but this was something! We hope to be back in the near future! - From the Montreal family

Always a great experience when coming to Alexandras! The owner has always come by to ask us how our meals are doing and its an excellent experience 😄 one of our favorite restaurants to go to when were in town!

My Husband and I have ordered from here for years. Same great quality every time. We get the Greek platter for two. Great atmosphere and great food. The staff have all been wonderful, thank you for the amazing food.

We just had the big fat Greek platter for two again and it was incredible. A little bit of everything and more then we can eat. What a gem this restaurant and the people who work there are.

We moved back into town after a four year absence. The food tastes just as amazing as we remember, and the chef clearly pours his heart and soul into what he does. He just so happened to come into the dining room while we were having our meal and I had to compliment his work. The tzatziki and pita appy is our favorite, which we always follow up with a butter chicken. A beautiful fusion of flavors and worth the visit every single time!

We ordered take out recently and the food was unreal. It was the best Greek food Ive had in town and the service was amazing. They left a personal note and included a complimentary desert which was a pleasant and delicious surprise. We 100% be ordering from this local restaurant more often and highly recommend.

I cooked professionally for 10 years and dont often eat out but whenever Im on Vancouver Island I order takeout from Alexandras. I can solidly speak on the dishes Ive ordered and I always get the same dishes. I havent found another restaurant that has the same consistency with their food year after year.I thought that been on Vancouver Island I would be able to get a decent calamari anywhere but Ive only found one restaurant that understands the 30 second calamari cooking technique and that is Alexandras. The calamari fritti is tender and perfect. Everywhere else Ive tried it is chewy and overcooked. Tip, if getting calamari fritti take out, open the bag its in so the steam will escape and it stays crispy. The other appetizer I can speak on is the Gambretti con funghi, not the dish for you if you dont enjoy mushrooms. The main part to me is actually the warm bread and sauce, absolutely delicious. The cream, champagne sauce is thick, creamy and perfectly seasoned with 6 large prawns (cooked perfectand lots of mushrooms. (Big flavor)The main course I order is always the veal marsala with alfredo noodles. I go with the alfredo because mixing in a bit of the marsala demi glaze harmonizes the whole dish perfectly like one orchestra. The veal is tender, and the breading used is seasoned well. The marsala demi glaze is the rockstar of this meal and would make anything taste good.For dessert I tried the mango cheesecake, the mango sauce was sooooo good. The portions are well worth the price and if youre looking for delicious food at a fair price go to Alexandras. All around friendly staff, fair prices and great food. Awesome job, to Alexandras staff and ownership.

My wife and I went on Saturday night, It was my first time going out for Greek. Staff was supper friendly, generous and helpful, we got the Greek platter for 2, the portions we great and it was Delicious! ! 10/10 would recommend.

Incredible! Our group of 7 came in, ordered, and shared our dishes tapas style. Everything was so incredibly delicious! How can a restaurant do 3 different types of cuisines (Italian, Indian, and Greekfood so well? And the server was suuuuper friendly :highest recommendation I can give. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

One of our favorite places, love the food, the owner/chef always has a chat with the patrons to make sure everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. Photos are from Pasta night which happens every Monday starting in the new year. We also love Wednesday night for Curry night!! Bobby can give you as much heat as you want 👍Excellent Covid 19 protocols, very relaxing and enjoyable as always. 😁👏 Been coming here since it opened many years ago!!! Food is always amazing and the staff are great!!!Had an amazing time last night, my husband asked Bobby to chose what to have for dinner and he got a wonderful salmon dish that he said was the best ever!!! 😋

Been in Canada for almost 2 years. Best meal I’ve had here! Portion sizes are so big and sooooo good. It was a great touch that the cook (who I assume is the ownercame out to people to ask how the food was. If you’re in Nanaimo you have to check this place out you will not be disappointed. Thank you for an incredible meal!

We had an excellent family dinner . Great service and food despite our large table of 9 people and very full restaurant . The food is always great and continues to be one of our favourites in Nanaimo . They go the extra mile by taking photos , bringing the kids ice cream cones and of course the cheesecake! Fantastic !

Food is delicious, fresh and hot. Best calamari so far and they even gave us complimentary treats. The staffs are friendly and sufficient. Highly recommended

We ate here this evening for the first time and will absolutely go back. We came at their busy dinner hour and the waitress made an effort to find us a table even though we didn’t have a reservation. They had us in and out within an hour, which was a dream because we went with our 6 and 8 year old daughters who expire after an hour, HA! I had the spanakopita dinner, my husband had the chicken souvlaki and the kids had spaghetti and chicken with fries. Everything was very flavourful and we all left with very happy bellies. The chef came out after the meal to introduce himself and ask how our everything was. Very impressive. Highly highly recommend.

What a great experience! Great customer service and attention to the details that make a difference. Food was delicious and ready fast, the order was packed for take out hot foods in one bag cold food in another, and all the staff was helpful and friendly. We will be back. We ordered Greek Plater for 2, Bruschetta, and Fries and would order these items again. The Spanakopita was a real stand out. Thank you to all the staff at Alexandras Bistro for a great family meal my three toddlers give you 6 thumbs up!

Easily the best Greek experience in town. We brought home takeout of the dinner for two with calamari and baked spaghetti & my comment was “I wonder if this tastes as good as it smells!” It did. Perfect calamari - cooked through, but not overly done. The roast potatoes were probably the food highlight.The whole customer experience was fantastic. When picking up, the cook (perhaps the owner?greeted me by name while I waited. The quality of food and feeling of community brought together an amazing experience and we can’t wait to go back.

Friendly service, amazing food and relaxed atmosphere. Looking forward to returning to Alexandras just to try other dishes on the menu. Added bonus is the owner personally coming to your table to ensure customers are enjoying their meal. Highly recommend stopping by if youre on the Island

Our first time at this place was last night and I was so pleased. The Greek salad was fresh and perfectly dressed (which was exacy what i was craving), there is a baked cheese dish on the appetizers menu that you simply MUST try. Next time, and there will be a next time, I cannot wait for the platter for 2. The staff was wonderful and an extra special Thanks for the cheesecake!!!

Excellent Greek food. We ordered the greek platter for 2 and an order of shrimp souvlaki for take-out. Everything was delicious but I especially liked the shrimp, lamb, spanakopita, and the lemony potato. There was a nice surprise in the take-out bag, a complementary dessert. Will definitely be back to dine-in next time!

Very polite and professional service. The owner was welcoming and there was a good family atmosphere. The food is tasty and I will be coming back soon to try more items on the menu.Good job guys!

Amazing service and amazing food! Highly recommend!

Ordered for pick up & had an amazing feast. My moms go to is the skewers, I love their pasta, and my husband throughly enjoyed a salmon entree. The mango sauce for the cheese cake was an incredible surprise & now my favourite cheesecake. Such excellent flavours, Alexandras never disappoints. Would recommend.

AMAZING. I just had a baked meat lasagna and a chicken souvlaki. They gave us a piece of cheesecake with mango sauce as a complementary dessert for my first visit. Every thing we ordered was super tasty and we will definitely visit again soon. We are so glad we tried this restaurant today. Thanks for the tasty foods!

Experience was great from moment I walked in. Very friendly and helpful. I tried the special and got to try two different plates. Food was amazing for takeout. Could of had more salad, but there was enough food to feed 5 or 6 I had lots of leftovers. To top it off they gave me a free piece of cheesecake and 2 cans of pop...I will definitely be back to try other dishes.

Last night was my first time trying Alexandra’s Bistro and I already cannot wait to go back! Called for take out and ordered the platter for two. The staff were very welcoming and my order was being packed up as I paid. Such amazing variety and so much food. Everything was delicious.

Amazing food. The platter for two was a perfect option for those indecisive. Our server was fantastic and the chef even came out to ask how we’re doing. Highly recommend.

I have always had amazing food experiences when I have gone in person.Unfortunately, I cant recommend eating here for take out/pick up. I had ordered a single dish along with an appetizer for takeout, The total came out to about 70$, which would have been fine if the food wasnt so overcooked that I stopped eating after a few bites. So the 2 stars are in reference to how they treat take out orders with seemingly a lot less care, and considering the price is the same as if I were to dine in I expect the same quality of food.

This place is definitely one of my favorite go to places in Nanaimo. The service is impeccable, food is always fresh and delicious and the chef comes out to greet the guests and ask how your dining experience is going. I thought this was such a thoughtful gesture and a touch of class.They serve Greek and Indian food, we opted for the Greek. I had the prawn souvlaki and my partner had the chicken souvlaki. Each came with Greek salad, lemon potato, rice, pita bread and tzatziki sauce and was very plentiful. You will definitely leave there full and satisfied!I highly recommend this place for your next dining pleasure. Definitely worth the 5 stars!

The lamb I had was massive and very tasty. The wine they recommended was very good value and really nice to drink. If I cant find it in my neighbourhood then I will pick up some more from here the next time I am in Nanaimo.I also dropped a fork and the server was in the other room, heard it and quickly came over and replaced it before I could even say anything to anyone.Then the chef toured all the tables to check out how we are doing and even give us a free tasting of the cheesecake.Well recommended. I cant wait to go back

One of the best scampi’s I’ve ever had. And I’m in the food industry. Service was very personable and friendly. Must visit 10/10.

Never a bad meal have I had at Alexandra’s Bistro! Bobby and his Staff do an excellent job. We ordered the Special Greek Platter for 2 for our 25th Anniversary for take out, nice romantic evening with great food. Highly recommended! Anyone asks me where to go? I tell them the Alexandra’s Bistro.Thanks again Bobby!

We walk in and we’re greeted right away. Staff are very personable. You totally get the personal family-owned vibes here. The owner shared some really cool stories with us and made us feel so welcomed.The food and drinks are super good. The interior is friendly and artsy. I love all the murals and designs. The location is kind of hidden and store front may look a bit iffy as it’s at the busy Bowen corner, but definitely a must try!!!

Had dinner and ordered lamb souvlaki. The greek salad I got was dry so I had to ask for dressing. Portion is sufficient. Ordered an extra dip. Lamb is soft and tender. Taste can be better but it was good nonetheless. Rice was a little dry. The section where the lamb was sitting was fairly moist and good. I really like the enthusiasm of the servers as well Im assuming the chef who introduce himself. Overall the experience was good. If I ever come back to the area I will sure have my family try this place out

Very nice little place. Spacious, yet cozy. Cute interior, could use a little re-polishing, I could design it. They had suitable decor.The womans bathroom was really quite gross. ( Im so surprised how many restaurants dont keep their bathrooms properly.). It needs a good scrubbing, and an upgrade, Im sorry to say.The food was delicious. The Big Fat Greek Platter for 2 is really quite a generous size. I added a couple extra skewers of lamb as three of us shared it. (And we still couldnt finish it)The service was nice. Bubbly, friendly, and accommodating.We had an appetizer that had mushrooms, cream sauce, big prawns with pita and it was amazing.I would go there again to try other menu items.