Regard Coffee Roasters

About

Coffee roasting on Metral Drive has earned genuine attention from Nanaimo residents, with Regard maintaining a 4.9-star rating across 335 reviews. Located in the Pleasant Valley neighbourhood, this operation combines the work of a dedicated roastery with a café experience, making it more than just another coffee stop. The moderate pricing keeps it accessible while they focus on quality rather than pretension.

What distinguishes Regard is the transparency built into their operation. You're visiting a place where coffee roasting actually happens, not a franchise location dispensing pre-packaged espresso. This approach matters if you're curious about where your coffee comes from or simply want to experience the craft involved. The business has clearly resonated with the local community, and that level of consistent positive feedback across hundreds of reviews suggests they deliver on their premise regularly.

The café itself operates weekdays from 8 AM to 3 PM, then shifts to 9 AM to 2 PM on weekends—timing worth noting if you're planning a weekend visit. The hours are more limited than some coffee shops, reflecting what appears to be a focused operation rather than an all-day café model. This schedule seems intentional, suggesting they prioritize consistency during specific hours rather than stretching thin across a longer day. If you're planning to visit from outside the immediate neighbourhood, checking their website at regardcoffee.com or calling (778) 268-2524 beforehand makes sense, particularly if you're coming on a weekend.

Regard sits within Nanaimo's café landscape alongside other local options like Calico Cat Tea House, Two Sparrows, and Real Food Café, each offering distinct approaches. Regard distinguishes itself through the roastery element and the focus on coffee as a primary product rather than one component of a larger food operation. If you're someone who thinks about coffee quality—how beans are roasted, what profile they develop, the difference this makes in your cup—this location warrants a visit during your weekday morning or weekend morning window.

The Pleasant Valley location on Metral Drive places it near commercial development while maintaining easy access for locals in that part of Nanaimo. Whether you're passing through the neighbourhood or making a specific trip, the combination of accessible pricing, strong community validation, and a transparent approach to coffee roasting makes Regard worth trying. Come expecting solid coffee from people who take roasting seriously, during hours that reflect their commitment to doing the work properly rather than simply staying open late.