-
$ | |
Locally run 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters sources and roasts their own coffees, which they feature at their flagship café on Main Street. It's always packed with neighborhood residents and shoppers enjoying the top-notch brews and the house-made Lucky's Doughnuts, which come in flavors from simple vanilla-glazed to salted caramel to decadent triple chocolate. Centered on a wood-framed counter, this large airy space has walls of windows on two sides. Its three other locations help keep the rest of the city caffeinated.
2902 Main St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3G3, Canada
Known For
- Direct-sourced coffee
- Exceptional doughnuts
- Neighborhood hangout
-
$ | |
Granville Island has several coffee places, but only the Blue Parrot provides sweeping views of False Creek. If you haven't eaten your fill elsewhere in the market, accompany your espresso with a sticky hot strudel or gooey cinnamon bun. Early birds, take note: you can perch at the Parrot starting at 7 am, before the rest of the market stalls open. There's a second location at Hillcrest Centre, near Queen Elizabeth Park.
1689 Johnston St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3R9, Canada
Known For
- Unbeatable views
- Good coffee
- Hearty sandwiches
-
$ | |
Stop for an espresso on the airy enclosed patio at the West 4th location of this local coffee roaster, where delicious doughnuts are made on-site.
2198 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 1N7, Canada
Known For
- C$6.50 coffee-and-doughnut combo
- Gluten-free and vegan options
- Lively and bright sunroom
-
$ | Kitsilano |
This local minichain, of the "Fuelled by Caffeine" slogan, runs a number of comfortable coffeehouses around town. If you like your cappuccino with no pretension (and perhaps with a muffin or slice of banana bread), head for "The Bean." In addition to this branch near Kitsilano Beach, their many Vancouver locations include 175 West Hastings Street (at Cambie) in Gastown, 1002 Mainland Street in Yaletown, 2977 Granville Street in South Granville, and on Main Street at No. 2528 and No. 3598.
1945 Cornwall Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1C8, Canada
Known For
- Great coffee
- Laid-back atmosphere
- Fresh baked goods
-
$ | |
This is where the culinary students of the adjoining Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts strut their stuff. Standards are high and the artisanal breads, soups, wraps, and gourmet desserts are outstanding.
1505 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3Y4, Canada
Known For
- Unique location at culinary school
- French-inspired baked goods
- Local favorite
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
This Vancouver institution is about 1 kilometer (½ mile) east of the main Commercial strip but is well worth the trek. Their famous breakfast—served with two eggs, toast, hash browns and meat—is just C$3. (And the price hasn't changed in years.) This place really showcases the East Side's gritty character: from the graffiti-covered walls to the no-frills, serve-yourself coffee bar. Weekend lines are long; get there as early as you can.
2451 Nanaimo St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5N 5E5, Canada
Known For
- C$3 breakfast
- Distinctly East Van vibe
- Unlimited coffee
-
$ | |
Some of Vancouver's best coffee is served at the several locations of Caffè Artigiano, where the baristas have won prizes for their latte art. Come for the java, and satisfy your hunger with a pastry or sandwich, too. In addition to locations further afield, other Downtown locales are at 763 Hornby St., 666 Burrard St., and 429 Howe St.
1101 W. Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2P4, Canada
Known For
- Excellent coffee
- Latte art
- Award-winning baristas
-
$ | |
A favorite with locals for their hearty pub fare and craft beers, it is also one of South Granville's best places for brunch or a late-night snack.
2975 Granville St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3J6, Canada
Known For
- Great for happy hour drinks and snacks
- Huge beer selection on tap
- Great breakfasts
-
$ | |
There might be other places in the world that sell Japanese-style hot dogs but the phenomenon is so very multiculti Vancouver, and this tiny storefront is the sit-down-at-cramped-counter spin-off of a wildly successful food cart with a loyal following. Bratwurst and wieners are topped with teriyaki sauce, nori, and other Asian condiments. You can still find the carts (usually) at two Burrard Street locations—one at the corner of West Pender Street between Robson Street and Smithe Street, and another near Waterfront Station on West Cordova Street at Granville. Keep an eye out for the JAPADOG food truck, which may be found in Kitsilano, South Granville, or the Olympic Village.
530 Robson St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Known For
- Japanese hot dogs
- Asian condiments
- A Vancouver icon
-
$ | West End |
The Japanese-style wooden furnishings here reveal some flair, and the menu offers noodle soup choices for patrons who don't eat pork. A popular specialty is smoky charcoal ramen (trust us, it tastes better than it sounds); the gyoza (dumplings) are a good choice for appetizer. Under the same ownership as the Kintaro ramen shop, Motomachi is also small and not great for lingering, but it's a bit more stylish. Motomachi also has chicken and vegetarian options, while Kintaro only has pork-based broth. It's a handy stop for a noodle fix en route to Stanley Park.
740 Denman St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 2L5, Canada
Known For
- Charcoal ramen
- Vegetarian options
- Fast service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
-
-
$ | |
Because Vancouverites don't live by coffee alone—they're also tea drinkers—look for this tiny Yaletown tea bar that serves 60 of its own blends, including rich, milky "Lat-Teas." If you're feeling under-the-weather, order the "Cold Blaster," a rejuvenating blend of tea, orange juice, honey, ginger, and cayenne pepper.
1116 Homer St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2X6, Canada
Known For
- Unique tea blends
- Cold teas
- Tea lattes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$ | |
One of the city's first bubble tea stalls makes for a refreshing break at the busy Richmond Public Market.
8260 Westminster Hwy., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6X 1A7, Canada
Known For
- Good prices
- Great flavors
- Taiwanese wheel cakes (che lung bing)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$ | |
This Whistler-based bakery offers its yummy handmade goodies and freshly baked bread at three locations in town, including this bright storefront café in Kits.
2887 W. Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6K 2G6, Canada
Known For
- Huge assortment of cakes and pastries
- Online pre-order available
- Friendly staff
-
$ | |
There are always lines out the door at this popular local family-run ice-cream parlor, one of three in the city (the others are on West 4th Avenue in Kits and at UBC—there is also a food truck at English Bay). The dairy products used to create the company's signature Philadelphia-style ice cream, using only 100 percent dairy and no eggs, are locally sourced from a farm in Abbotsford. Perfect for a pitstop—rain or shine.
3382 Cambie St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 2W5, Canada
Known For
- Lots of vegan and gluten-free options
- Locally produced
- Flavors change seasonally
-
$ | |
This casual eatery serves Mexican favorites like tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas, and more—all for less than C$12. Whatever you order, make sure to try one (or several) of their flavor-packed hot sauces. A great spot for a casual lunch or dinner, and if it's nice out, bring your eats to the nearby Robson Park for a picnic. The Kingsway location is full of Mexican artwork. There are three other locales across the city.
701 Kingsway #5, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3K6, Canada
Known For
- Mexican artwork
- Affordable eats
- Plenty of hot sauces
-
-
$ | |
Inspired by the street foods of Rome, this cafeteria-style Italian bakery-café (pronounced "shoe-eh") starts the day serving espresso and pastries, then moves to panini, soups, and pastas. One specialty is the pane romano, essentially a thick-crust pizza, sold by weight. There can be lines out the door at lunch, so try to visit early or late. (Not too late, though, as it's only open until 5 pm.) There are additional Downtown branches with varying hours. If you're in Yaletown, look for the location at 126 Davie St.; it's open every day.
110–800 W. Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2V6, Canada
Known For
- Thick-crust pizza
- Lunchtime crowds
- Fast service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends, Reservations not accepted
-
$ | |
It would be easy to miss this tiny luncheonette and grocer nestled off Main Street on a residential street, but locals know this is a place to go for pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and specialty groceries perfect for a picnic. Their cakes and cupcakes are particularly divine. There's a small area for seating, but if it's a busy afternoon, take your snacks to go, and head to a local park for a picnic.
2601 Quebec St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V5T 3A6, Canada
Known For
- Cakes and cupcakes
- Cozy neighborhood feel
- Local products to go
