Simonholt Restaurant — Restaurant in Nanaimo

What a wonderful experience to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We searched for somewhere in the local area to go for lunch for our anniversary on our way to the ferry. We found this restaurant, looked at the menu and reviews and decided we would like to give it a try. Well! Were we surprised by the amazing experience that we had! We were welcomed in and shown our seats. The restaurant was very nice, low music playing and we had an immediate sense of a welcoming atmosphere. Joe and Jenny were our servers and nothing was too much! The gave us menus, returned to see if we would like drinks. The iced lemon water was on the table in a matter of minutes. We found what we wanted on the menu. Service was fast and the food was not only beautifully presented, but was hot, fresh and delicious. I had the chicken wrap with a side salad. My husband had an order of the prawns and a "small " pecan and goat cheese salad. The food was a work of art! The portions were generous and tasted so fresh and tasty. The prices were very good. Lots of choices on the menu. A carefully and well prepared menu. The restaurant and washrooms were clean. We did order a dessert, the key lime pie. It was not quite what we wanted and we found it a little dense and not having a strong lime flavour. We mentioned it, we were offered a new slice. Much to our dismay, it was the same, too much of a cheesecake consistency. They asked if they could bring us something else, we declined as we had our minds set on the key lime pie. They immediately removed it from our bill. That truly impressed me that they tried to be so accommodating and willing to make it right. They certainly did that! We really appreciate your service and restaurant, thank you for being so accommodating and making our anniversary lunch date so special. We will be returning when in the area next time. I 100% recommend this restaurant for their food...

⭐️ A Memorable Dining Experience at SIMONHOLT I recently had the pleasure of dining at SIMONHOLT, and it was an experience to remember. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, setting the perfect backdrop for an evening out.

I started with the coconut prawns appetizer, and let me tell you, they were outstanding. Each prawn was perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful, complemented by a delightful dipping sauce that added just the right kick.

For the main course, I couldn't resist the Tomahawk steak dinner. The steak was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and seasoned just right. It was accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes and fresh seasonal vegetables, making for a hearty and satisfying meal.

On another visit, I tried the Pan-Seared Pacific Cod & Prawns, and it was equally impressive. The cod was flaky and flavorful, paired beautifully with succulent prawns. The dish was thoughtfully prepared, showcasing the freshness of the seafood.

What truly sets SIMONHOLT apart is the quality of the food combined with reasonable pricing. Every dish is prepared from scratch, and you can taste the difference. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff who made sure everything was just right. Whether you're a local or just passing through Nanaimo, I highly recommend stopping by SIMONHOLT for a meal that...

Overall: 4 Stars FOOD: 4.5 stars The food here is great, we ordered 2 drinks and they were both delicious, and we got a chowder which was not a traditional chowder, it is on the sweeter side. Very unique. And my partner ordered a chicken wrap which came with fries. He said it tastes awesome and hits his spot. I ordered a special which is a Chinese influenced stuffed Bao. My food was very over seasoned and spicy. So watch out if you plan on ordering that. ATMOSPHERE: 3 stars The restaurant decor could use an update. You can definitely tell that the furnishings have served for many years and the overall colour are dull. If partitions or dividers are added, it would make the big room look better. Currently there is not much privacy, I can see what others are eating and can hear all they were discussing too. SERVICE: 4 stars The service was good, food took about 20 minutes to come. We also had to wait awhile before our order was taken. The waitress made good recommendations for drinks which I loved. She was very friendly and professional. PRICE: 4 stars I have uploaded a picture of my bill which was over 70 dollars for 2 people. The portions are just enough for one meal. It could be cheaper of course. But they do claim that everything was handmade in the house so if that is true, then it is...