The Thirsty Camel Cafe

Spécialités

Small, funky, community minded, family run Middle Eastern restaurant. We make everything from scratch. Falafel balls dropped to order into sunflower oil (no canola) that is changed daily. Free Range chicken grilled to order. Hummus made fresh daily. Plenty of gluten free options. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options (including desserts). We promote and accept Bitcoin and have a Bitcoin ATM in the restaurant. Winner of Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Nanaimo’s Best of the City Awards 4 out of the last 5 years (circa 2014). Alternative and organic drinks. French-​Press, Direct-​Trade Drumroaster coffee. Organic Teas. We peel our garlic in house, squeeze our lemon juice, wash and chop our veggies. We feature some local organic ingredients, depending on the season. We support Farmship Growers Co-​op Organic Farm. We have a wide selection of thought provoking reading material including the following magazines: AdBusters, The New Internationalist, Harper’s, Mother Earth News, The Oyster Catcher.

Historique

Fondé en 2004.

Started in July 2004 by cousins Ilan Goldenblatt and Yadin Shaikovitz, the Thirsty Camel quickly became a community hub for alternative minded Nanaimoites. In 2007 Yadin left the business, and in 2009 Ilan was joined by his then partner, now wife, Lynelle Goldenblatt. Over our 10 year history we have won Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Nanaimo’s Best of the City Awards 5 times. We have placed 2^nd or 3^rd another two times. We have also placed 2^nd or 3^rd place a few times in Best Lunches, Best Mediterranean, and Best Over All Restaurant categories. We were the first business in Nanaimo to build a cob bench on its patio. We were the first restaurant in Nanaimo to accept Bitcoin. We have an annual Barter-​Only Day on Buy Nothing Day (Black Friday), as a protest against mindless consumerism. We have opinions, values and beliefs. But we also believe in being friendly, nice and generous of heart and spirit.

Rencontrer le Gérant de commerce

Ilan G.

Gérant de commerce

Born and raised in Israel in 1974 to Canadian born parents. Moved to Canada in 1998. Travelled to many parts of the world. I love good food. Love to cook. Love to eat. Love to feed people! Love small businesses. Love community. I don’t trust governments. I trust people! I don’t take cues from the media, politicians or soldiers as to whom I should love or hate. I also manage a farmers market. I garden and raise egg laying chickens. Married to Lynelle Goldenblatt, who also works at the restaurant with me. I love my staff and my customers. Love downtown Nanaimo. It has a rich community that is important to me!