Crow & Gate Pub

Found this gem while we had sometime before our ferry departed. Will make this a stop every time we are on the island.
True English pub! The grounds are immaculate, we visited on a sunny winter day. I can only imagine how stunning this is on a warm summers afternoon.
The interior is full of things to look at. We sat near a window looking out with a wood fireplace near by.
You order your food and drink at the bar, just like in the UK. We had the fresh pan fried oysters and the steak and mushroom pie. Both were delicious, portions were very filling. We had a pint of Guinness and a pint of cider. I already know that next time we go back I will be ordering one of the ploughmans boards.

Great food and good service. Crab cakes are great had Roast Beef Dinner oh and Boston Clam Chowder. Every time we come here its packed.

Amazing pub!!! Out of the way, but so worth the drive. Great atmosphere! Felt like you were in England. Staff were extremely friendly.

First time visit for this pub, and we’ll definitely be back. Friendly service, really good food. I ordered the seafood lasgna and it was probably the best I’ve ever had. Drinks and a desert at a reasonable price.
Expect atypical british tudor style atmosphere with a casusl serve and request atmosphere. Menu’s on the chalk board, make your choice, well worth the trek into the midst of nowhere!

My favorite pub on the whole island. Great atmosphere, worth the drive. Kilkenny on tap and great pub fare, great place to spend an afternoon at.

I came here for lunch with our relatives. My husband had been here years ago and has told me about his visit and this was his late Grandfather’s favorite pub. The lush landscape greets you as you drive in and continues alongside either side of the walkway to the entrance. When you walk through the dark wood door and enter, you immediately feel the coziness of the English inspired pub, low ceilings with dark wood beams and lots of art with scenes of horses, hounds and Englishmen. I ordered a pint of Smithwick’s beer, what a treat with a large Brat, cooked veggies and a cup of comforting chowder. Outside there are more beautiful gardens. So glad we were able to visit

THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. A must visit when you’re at Nanaimo. However, its for 19+ only.
With that said, their food is above par but not THAT special.
The Beeeef dip (3.5÷5):
If the rating were for the bread only, it’d be ⁵⁄₅. Crispy, yummy bread. They give you lots of beef for sure, but I have some doubts about the flavor of the beef. It was almost flavorless. Without the dip, it tastes no different than bland chicken. With the dip, still, quite flavorless.
They offer an amazing beer selection and their beer is amazing. Service is attentive and friendly.

Sit outside, if you are lucky enough to find a spot, the grounds are really beautiful and a great treat from the everyday dining experience. The food is good, but really it is the people. So friendly, welcoming, and ready to laugh. The best part of our dinner was talking with the staff and locals. We had a wonderful time and we’re glad to make it our one stop in Nanaimo.

The amazing property is what first catches your eye, then you go inside and are stunned by the menu. What to eat? What to choose? What on earth is half of the stuff on that menu? We had the juicy, tasty, pan fried oysters and the very filling bratwurst pub plate. Nom, nom, nom. We kept stopping eating in order to take pictures and chat with the people sharing our picnic table in the middle of a flower-​filled, sunny garden. A little bit of paradise in an unexpected place.

We had our first of many to come meals at this pub. Very friendly staff, lovely setting and they readily informed us of what was gluten free. It’s a keeper!

Lovely place, very popular. Gardens and grounds are gorgeous — they are the real 4 star attraction here. The food is… well…nasty. It’s all pre made and just scooped out of containers onto plates… also I find they put a lot of dill or fennel in things which I don’t care for but it’s traditional british food. Dark little pub but it has that old world atmosphere. Always a favorite. But more for a drink or 2 and a nice walk than for food.

Must visit! You’re greeted by a country lane, and beautifully manicured grounds. The drive in feels like the entry to a country club.
The pub itself has an English pub atmosphere, look and fare. A big beautiful fireplace warms the bar side of the restaurant.
Delicious food, amazing atmosphere, and wonderful service. Highly recommended.

Loved the tap beers variety!
Nice curry and oysters!

Atmosphere was great and so was the garden! …ordering food at the bar was a little unorthodox and annoying… but the drinks took the edge off.

Great atmosphere– no TV’s so social interaction is enhanced. Food was wonderful– they even made a vegetarian option of a meat dish for us. Great selection of liquor, and atmosphere is unique and staff was polite and cheerful. Will definitely go back.

This is the place where I bring guests when I want them to have a truly unique experience. Unless you’ve spent some time in England, it’s unlikely you’ve been to a place quite like it.
The food is basic comfort-​food, and though excellent, is secondary to the pub experience itself. The building really feels as if it comes from a different era entirely … and you also have the option to eat (and drink) in their elegant garden. I just don’t understand why this is so unusual, because it is such a delight to eat outside on a warm afternoon. Which is to say, I wish there were more places like this.
That said, it was a tad expensive. My guest and I had two beer and two lunches (oysters for him, bratwurst for me), which cost approximately $ 40.00. But, I keep coming back because it’s just so good.

In the middle of freaking nowhere, a pub, just like the ones in the west country of England, no kidding.
Order at the bar and sit down in the genuine ambiance of the room. Oder at table, pick up at the bar. Thoroughly good food (albeit at BC prices)

Classic English-​style pub; this means that there isn’t waiter service (order at the bar, there are menus you can review at table) — food will be delivered to your table, drinks you may either haul yourself or, if the barmaid is a bit backed up, will be delivered shortly.
I had local oysters that were fantastic; my partner’s beef dip was overloaded with what appeared to be house-​roasted beef. Sides and garnishes were crisp and fresh, and I echo the sentiment about the salad dressing — it’s amazing.
The fireplaces, low ceilings, dark wood and floors contribute to the Very English™ vibe. More importantly, the bar is really well-​stocked in the British style — the selection of malt whiskeys is impressive to say the least. I had a local cider on draft that was really delicious; it’s a pity I didn’t catch the name.
I’m really glad I found out about this place; it turned a very grim winter evening into a convivial experience.

This is the best pub ever, hands down!
I love the fact they do not have, nor ever have had, a deep fat fryer.
All the food is made on the premises and the crab cakes are to die for! REAL crab, very little «filler» and no thick crumb coating like you get on crab cakes else where.
The salad dressing is yummy too — I have never had a bad salad, crisp yummy greens.
The staff do an amazing job considering this is a popular place in the summer.
My best memories of the Crow and Gate are going there in the winter when the fireplace is blazing and the crowds have disappeared.
Lovely garden and picnic tables outside.
Love the ambience.
Best nights I have checked Mon, Tue, Wed as the crowds are less then.

Coming from Nanaimo it’s still a long dark drive, but coming from the other side the rolling black backwoods hills might make you feel you’re lost in time and space. This is perhaps preferred, since arriving at the Crow & Gate should feel like a wrinkle in time, an old world haven dropped in the middle of the new wild one. This is a most authentic British pub, feels almost too old to be from here, tables of thick dark wood that look like they’ve seen centuries of use. Fireplace, friendly staff, order at the bar, enjoy your $ 7 pints. There are gardens but in the dark I didn’t see them. There is food but we didn’t eat. Nevertheless, a perfect moment. 5 stars.