Archie MontroseThe 9 Best Cafes in Vancouver
Cafes are a great place to kill time, finish work, or just relax in general. As a result, these prolific establishments cater to a ton of different consumers on a daily basis, from busy bees and night owls to coffee lovers and passersby.
The downside to having so many cafes is the fact that choosing a favorite becomes near impossible. Not to worry though, cause we’re here to help with a list of the best cafes in Vancouver.
So you won’t have to rely on our word alone, this list also includes patron feedback, cafe breakdowns, pros & cons, and more! Let’s start with how much you can expect to shell out when visiting one, though.
How Much Do Cafes Cost in Vancouver
Unless you’ve got a thousand-dollar coffee machine sitting at home, you’ll probably want to visit a decent cafe for good coffee. So, to help you get the best balance of quality and affordability, we’ve included some basic price ranges for some of the cafes on our list:
| Nemesis Coffee Gastown | Coffee $3.25 – $5.25 Tea $3.50 Pourover bar $5.00 Brunch $6.00 – $23.00 |
| Trees Organic Coffee | Lattes $3.45 – $4.45 Cappuccinos $3.45 – $4.45 Mocha $4.00 – $5.00 Caramel Latte $4.00 – $5.00 Coffee $2.00 – $2.85 Cheesecakes $6.99 – $52.00 |
| New Amsterdam Cafe | Coffee $3.00 – $5.00 Sandwiches $8.00 – $11.00 Chips & Snacks $4.00 – $11.00 Slushies $5.50 Smoothies $7.00 Milkshakes $8.00 |
| JJ Bean Coffee Roasters | Coffee $2.00 – $2.65 Espressos $2.90 – $3.70 Tea $2.65 Cold drinks $2.30 – $5.25 |
| 49th Parallel Café & Lucky’s Doughnuts | Coffee $2.90 – $5.70 Box of coffee $36.00 Doughnuts $3.50 each Baker’s dozen $39.00 |
| That’s It Cafe | Coffee $3.00 – 5.00 Tea $3.00 Hot Chocolate $7.00 – $8.50 Sweets $4.50 – $7.50 |
| Our Town Cafe | Coffee $3.50 – $4.50 Tea $3.00 Hot Chocolate $4.25 |
| Plant Me | Coffee $3.50 – $4.50 Tea $3.00 Hot Chocolate $4.25 |
The entries on our list have various offerings at different price points. To make choosing a cafe easier, it would be wise to develop a broad idea of the coffee you enjoy, be it straight up iced coffee, lattes, or freshly brewed black gold.
The Best Cafes in Vancouver
With basic cafe prices covered, you’re now ready to meet the best cafes in Vancouver. If you just can’t wait to try one of the shops on our list, we’ve linked each entry’s website for quick and easy ordering.
1. Nemesis Coffee Gastown
| SERVICES | Coffee Pastries All-day brunch Tea Kombucha Takeout Delivery |
| WEBSITE | https://www.nemesis.coffee/ |
| ADDRESS | 302 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Email: INFO@NEMESIS.COFFEE |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 8 am – 4 pm Tuesday: 8 am – 4 pm Wednesday: 8 am – 4 pm Thursday: 8 am – 4 pm Friday: 8 am – 4 pm Saturday: 8 am – 4 pm Sunday: 8 am – 4 pm |
Nemesis is a neat modern cafe with excellent brews and a deliciously diverse all-day brunch offering. But don’t let the long brunch menu fool you, these folks put a premium on grinding and brewing top-class coffee.
Of course, a good cafe is nothing without a great atmosphere and even the best brew can be overlooked if the cafe serving it is less than inviting. Luckily, this place is always filled with friendly patrons, from what we’ve seen.
Moreover, it’s a pretty good hangout if you’re an artist. Why? Well, it’s always filled with a ton of natural light thanks to its glass-lined storefront design.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that this cafe not only specializes in coffee but also croissants, by the way. This delicious, crisp, buttery pastry is definitely among the best things to eat with a good cup of coffee.
As a second specialty, Nemesis has several croissant variations including black forest, smores, and classic creme cheese. When you pair these pastries with freshly brewed coffee it can be tough to beat this cafe
Pros
- Delicious croissants
- Serves all-day brunch
- Great atmosphere
Cons
- Can be packed during weekdays
- Closes relatively early
Customer Reviews
Many Vancouverites can’t get enough of Nemesis Coffee’s delicious brews and tasty croissants:
“The Nemesis Coffee Gastown offers a lot more than just coffee, and it’s conveniently located on Hastings street and my work. It gets pretty crowded but has indoor and outdoor seating. The service was fast, and the food is excellent and prolly one of the best brunch in the city. Two thumbs up for this place. Definitely worth going back to. Prices were decent. I can see why they have so many great reviews.” – Alex K.
“WOW. Absolutely love it here. Let me tell you why. First, the coffee is great. Second they have incredible food options – from yummy bacon egg sandwiches (vegetarian option available too), to delicious baked goods. I tried the cauliflower hash Next – the space is beautiful with lots of natural light. There’s patio seating. And lastly, great service. Super friendly staff. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you Nemesis!” – Amy C.
2. Trees Organic Coffee
| SERVICES | Organic Coffee Cafe fare Cheesecakes Takeout Delivery |
| WEBSITE | https://treescoffee.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 450 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (604) 684-5022 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 7 am – 7 pm Tuesday: 7 am – 7 pm Wednesday: 7 am – 7 pm Thursday: 7 am – 7 pm Friday: 7 am – 7 pm Saturday: 7 am – 7 pm Sunday: 7 am – 7 pm |
Trees Organic Coffee excels at producing two delicious products: the first is cheesecake and the second is obviously coffee. But these folks don’t use just any old coffee bean: this shop sources fully organic beans.
Now we know what you might be thinking. “Aren’t all beans technically organic?”
The answer is yes and no. While all beans are grown in coffee farms and are “organic material”, many varieties are subjected to harsh pesticides and artificial fertilizers that can stick to beans up until they are roasted and ground.
This place’s organic coffee is certified to be completely free of such additives, thereby resulting in a more wholesome flavor.
To go with their delicious coffee, by the way, Trees also serves a specialty cheesecake. Patrons can choose among tons of flavors from the classic New York and blueberry cheesecake, to more exotic flavors like raspberry white chocolate, and key lime.
These cakes can also be eaten by the slice or taken home to enjoy whenever you see fit. We opted to do both as we liked them so much!
Pros
- Amazing cheesecake
- Offers cake delivery for events/parties
- Fully organic coffee beans
Cons
- Lacks variety in pastry selection
- Organic coffee is more expensive
Customer Reviews
Whether you come for the cheesecake or the organic coffee, Trees is sure to find a place on your personal list of go-to cafes:
“I am a fanatic when it comes to cheesecakes. The cheesecake here WILL NOT let you down. They have a big variety too but I do recommend the Raspberry White chocolate over the mango. Oh and the Oreo, amazing” Shawn B.
“Came in for a drink and some place to work while hubby was getting his hair done across the street! Got a mocha, it’s quite good. Ambience is lovely, with great music choice in the background. Good to get some work done! Safe physical distancing measures are followed. Service was fast and friendly. I wish they had muffins/scones stocked up, they were all sold out. Will be back for baked goodies next time!” – Meghana R.
3. New Amsterdam Cafe
| SERVICES | Coffee Milkshakes Baked goods Sandwiches Finger foods Cannabis lounge |
| WEBSITE | https://newamsterdamcafe.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 301 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H6, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (604) 682-8955 Email: hi@newamsterdamcafe.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 12 pm – 10 pm Tuesday: 12 pm – 10 pm Wednesday: 12 pm – 10 pm Thursday: 12 pm – 10 pm Friday: 12 pm – 12 am Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm |
The New Amsterdam Cafe is one of the few places on our list that also doubles as a cannabis and vape lounge. When you combine these features with the cafe’s laid back atmosphere, it becomes an ideal spot to destress and let the day fall away.
If you’re not too wild about the idea of inhaling cannabis smoke while sipping on coffee, there’s no need to worry. The cafe’s owners designed this space with all patrons in mind, so the cannabis and vape lounge is separate from the actual cafe.
Given the effects that cannabis can have on some people, this cafe also offers a complete menu of finger foods, sandwiches, baked goods, and even pizza. Many patrons are particularly fond of New Amsterdam’s Vanilla Oat Milk Latte.
Overall this establishment is an extremely unique spot that differs from the majority of Vancouver’s cafes. If you’re up for a laidback adventure or you’d like to have a neat cup of coffee with your cannabis, the New Amsterdam Cafe is a prime choice
Pros
- Combination cafe/vape and cannabis lounge
- Offers a delicious selection of lattes
- Lounge and cafe are separated for convenience
- Extremely diverse menu
Cons
- Some may not enjoy the smell of cannabis
- Coffee selection is shorter than other cafes
Customer Reviews
The New Amsterdam Cafe is home to both coffee lovers and cannabis enthusiasts alike:
“What a gem of a spot! I was walking by and felt like a latte. The ambience is so cool, creative and welcoming. Service was super friendly and my vanilla oat milk latte was the best latte I can remember having! They do offer to add some other things appropriate to being a cannabis cafe; however I just had the latte. A very cool place that I will go back to for sure.” – Barb A.
“HIGHly recommend! It’s a great place to chill and get lit. The staff are friendly. They take the time to check in on each and every one of their customers. Unlike the coffee shops in Amsterdam they do not sell weed but they do have a great selection of cafe items such as coffee milkshakes sundaes sandwiches and desserts to top it off. It is a great place to chill with friends or go solo. Just remember Smoke Responsibly!” – Tay C.
4. JJ Bean Coffee Roasters
| SERVICES | Coffee Croissants Sandwiches Baked goods Tea |
| WEBSITE | https://jjbeancoffee.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 402 Davie Street, Vancouver |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: 604-684-9253 Email: yaletown@jjbeancoffee.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 6 am – 8 pm Tuesday: 6 am – 8 pm Wednesday: 6 am – 8 pm Thursday: 6 am – 8 pm Friday: 6 am – 8 pm Saturday: 6 am – 8 pm Sunday: 6 am – 8 pm |
Situated in the heart of Vancouver’s Yaletown, JJ Bean Coffee Roasters is a reliable option for a quick coffee fix. Along with a lengthy cafe menu and various pastries, this particular branch also has a convenient outdoor patio which is great for taking in the city.
Despite being one of the city’s larger cafe chains, these folks still put a premium on brewing delicious high-quality coffee. This emphasis on quality is evident in their house-brewed lattes which come topped with beautiful latte art.
Since this chain also caters to an extremely wide variety of clients, their coffee needs to be flavorful and palatable. To ensure this, JJ Bean roasts its coffee in a way that produces a good balance between acidity, complexity, and flavor
JJ Bean’s cafe fare consists of more common items like cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, and sandwiches. But despite having more common items, the quality is still relatively high with all the items being baked fresh in-house each day.
Pros
- Large chain with many branches
- Quick and efficient service
- Coffee is flavorful and easy to drink
Cons
- Lines can sometimes form in the mornings
- Not ideal for picky coffee drinkers
Customer Reviews
JJ Bean is a large brand that still retains the cozy, high-quality nature of smaller cafes. This has helped them earn and keep the trust of many Vancouverites over the years:
“I’ve been coming here for about 10 years on and off. I used to live across the street and come here every day. The people here are always super friendly and the coffee is always fresh and the food of course, like all JJ Bean, is fantastic. The patio is great and good for people watching” – Adam L.
“I love this place… We work on their coolers and ice machines and I am always happy to go there… The staff are amazingly outgoing and friendly and as far as I’m concerned the chocolate chip cookies are to die for… so much so I haven’t even had another one of the kinds of cookies they have yet. Fresh roasted coffee and fresh food…. And customers I see coming and going are always happy” – Chris D.
5. 49th Parallel Café & Lucky’s Doughnuts
| SERVICES | Coffee Espressos Pastries Doughnuts Tea Takeout Delivery |
| WEBSITE | https://49thcoffee.com/pages/main-st |
| ADDRESS | 2902 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G3, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone number: (604) 872-4901 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday: 7 am – 7 pm Tuesday: 7 am – 7 pm Wednesday: 7 am – 7 pm Thursday: 7 am – 7 pm Friday: 7 am – 7 pm Saturday: 7 am – 7 pm Sunday: 7 am – 7 pm |
There are certain combinations that just make sense, like butter & toast, pancakes & syrup, and one of the most iconic duos: coffee, and doughnuts. 49th Parallel has built its entire business around these two delectable products and it has worked wonders for them.
Today you can walk into any 49th Parallel Cafe and find a selection of doughnuts large enough to bring a tear to any pastry lover’s eye. These doughnuts are so good, it’s extremely common for certain flavors to sell out long before lunchtime.
Of course, to be the perfect pair, a great doughnut also needs to go with a great cup of coffee. The Cafe takes this to heart by using a variety of methods to produce rich, smooth brews time and time again.
As a result of their efforts, 49th Parallel is widely regarded as one of Vancouver’s best coffee roasters. Thus it’s no surprise that both the cafe’s coffee and doughnuts are on many patron’s lists of morning essentials.
Pros
- Wide variety of doughnut flavors
- Extremely good doughnuts and coffee
- Uses organic coffee beans
Cons
- Some doughnut flavors sell out quickly
- Long queues can form in the morning hours
Customer Reviews
By specializing in the time-tested combination of doughnuts and coffee, 49th Parallel has become a common morning stop for many Vancity patrons:
“What can I say, so good. Staff are awesome and friendly. The Venezuelan coffee is my go to beverage and one cannot forget to add a Lucky’s donut to the order. Best donuts ever. If you happen to be Lucky that day to get the Crueller you will not regret it. No other Crueller will live up to this one. One tip, do not cover your cup when you get the Venezuelan coffee, the foam is to die for.” – Paul A.
“I really love Lucky’s Donuts. My first two were the Long John and Peanut Butter & Jelly. Lucky’s fillings are on point. As good as those were, the Sourdough donut was an epiphany. It changed my idea of what a donut is. Their donut menu has changed a lot as they’re always trying new things, but I have noticed the past year they’ve kept to a group of core donuts with one or two seasonals. In winter the Eggnog Snowball (available now) is delish. They definitely sell out quickly so if you want to see the full spread I would go in the AM rather than the PM, or even call ahead to check what they have. I think the donut/coffee combo is a good deal. I’ve seen people say their donuts are expensive but I consider this more like pastry and for the quality I think it’s fair.” – Daniel N.
6. That’s It Cafe
| SERVICES | Grab and Go Frozen To-go |
| WEBSITE | https://thatsitcafe.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1612 W 1st Ave. |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 604-225-9398 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday-Friday from 10:30am-4:30pm Saturday-Sunday from 10am-2pm |
Want to have a coffee on a relaxed afternoon? Well, you are in luck because we have here That’s It Cafe that offers the only Organic Fairtrade Republica Coffee that is roasted in Fort Langley.
What’s great about them and their menu is how good it tastes knowing that they only use the freshest ingredients. With this, you will receive scrumptious food that still fits your budget.
Aside from these, they also have those farm-to-table frozen comfort food. This will allow you to store their ready-to-cook dishes for a longer period of time and eventually cook it at home and enjoy it as if you were at their restaurant.
With their easy website interface, you will be able to order from them in just a few minutes.
Pros
- Wide variety of consumables
- Budget-friendly items
- Do not lack in portion size
Cons
- Operating hours from Monday to Friday were not specified
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews from their previous customers:
“This is another little gem… it was such a rewarding day because it was a great discovery! It all started when I went follow a lead from Krause Berry Farms. The website listed that the berries could be found at That’s It Cafe on W. 1st. I decided to make a day of it and walked around all the amazing exotic cars they’re all clustered in that area but I digress! What we found was an adorable café where we had authentic handmade hot chocolate and a very well-made dry cappuccino for myself! We then tried tasty braised lamb and polished it off with delectable apple pie. Oh sweet and savoury were excellent and made with such care and love as the two owners took such care with food preparation. They specialize in having frozen packages so we also bought beef bourguignon and chicken cacciatore which I look forward to trying! And of course taking home a frozen strawberry rhubarb pie! very rarely do you find that amazing balance of sweet and savoury and love in the food… I will most certainly be back! Did I mention I there looking for strawberries!”
“I like them. Just went for the first time and had a sandwich. They are a mom and pop shop and have a charismatic front end gentleman who is social and salesy without being overbearing $12 for a sandwich that is house made with great fresh ingredients and a lovely crispy on the Outside and soft on the inside bun. And you are supporting a local run small business. I wish them all the best”
7. Our Town Cafe
| SERVICES | Order Ahead |
| WEBSITE | https://www.ourtowncafe.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 255 East Broadway Vancouver, BC V5T 1W4, CA |
| CONTACT DETAILS | info@ourtowncafe.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuseday to Sunday: 8AM to 5PM |
Our Town Cafe is located in the Gastown district of Vancouver, BC. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with comfortable interior.
This cafe is where you’ll find the perfect blend of coffee and culture. They offer a wide range of different coffees and hot chocolates, baked goods, vegan desserts, cold drinks, and more. You can even get snacks like sandwiches or salads if you’re in the mood for something savoury.
They even offer coffee beans that you can bring home if you want to create your own drink right at home!
“Our Town Cafe” is an appropriate name for this little cade because they provide warm service that makes you feel like you are visiting an old friend when you walk through their doors.
Pros
- Warm and cozy atmosphere
- Friendly staff
- Hosts live stages
- Has a loyalty card available
Cons
- Closed on Mondays
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews from their previous customers:
“Good ambient on a super busy intersection, good coffee with good servers. Coffee bean is Discovery from Victoria“
“Our town cafe is a wonderful cafe located on Broadway and Kingsway, staff were cheerful and friendly, coffee is affordable and really good, food excellent and very reasonably priced. A fabulous place for breakfast, too.“
8. Plant Me
| SERVICES | Order Ahead |
| WEBSITE | https://www.plantmefood.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 255 East Broadway Vancouver, BC V5T 1W4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (778) 222-5952 info@plantmefood.com info@ourtowncafe.com |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuseday to Sunday: 8AM to 5PM |
Plant Me is a restaurant that offers plant-based food in Vancouver, BC. They provide plant-based meals for people who want to eat healthy and save the environment at the same time.
They have expanded their business into franchising. Since there is a lack of plant-based food options in the area, they hope to be able to reach a wider audience and help them achieve their sustainable goals at the same time.
Whether you are looking for a healthy meal replacement or trying to reduce your meat intake, Plant Me has got your back!
Pros
- Only uses fresh ingredients
- All of their food is freshly made
- No preservatives are used
- Open and fresh decor
Cons
- Closed on Mondays
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews from their previous customers:
“What a cool spot for delicious vegan breakfast, lunch and coffee! This is inside the Our Town Cafe (same shop): clean, modern design, large windows, plenty of seating, and very friendly service. Get the BLT sandwich!“
“I really like the clean, fresh decor here. They have a big sign showing one their vegan meal and snack offerings. There is also a good selection of grab and go food items. I ordered the Mac and chiz cauliflower dish on top of greens. It was really delicious. I would recommend getting one of the combos in the future. You can get a salad and also taro chips with a dip. It would be a lot more filling for just a few dollars. I would come back for sure.“
9. Weirdo Cafe
| SERVICES | Menu |
| WEBSITE | https://weirdocafe.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 6459 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3X5 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 604.559.8836 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuesday — Sunday : 12PM — 9PM, Monday: CLOSED |
Weirdo Cafe has one of the most diverse cuisines in the area. With their exotic feast, your palate will be more than satisfied.
They are not just a cafe that serves pastries and drinks. Rather, they also serve a wide variety of appetizers, salads, rice, risotto, noodles, sandwiches, and even brunch!
If you are looking for a place to go on a date with your loved one or eat with your family or friends, we believe, you will enjoy yourself at this cafe as they offer a great menu for an affordable price.
Unfortunately, they only have limited opening hours and are closed on Mondays, so make sure to do a reservation first so that there would not be a problem once you arrive at the cafe.
Pros
- Can make a reservation online
- Offers numerous drinks
- Fine attention to detail when serving their food
Cons
- A few complaints about how blant their food is
Customer Reviews
Here are a few reviews from their previous customers:
“Free parking available, but very limited spaces shared with neighboring stores. Modern interior design. Pretty high quality dishes with impressive presentation. The dishes look very consistent with the pretty pictures on their menu. The fruit tea was really nice with reasonable price. (they use real ingredients and not fruit powder). Overall, out of all the dishes ordered, we like the Hawaiian Risotto the most. On my last visit I had also tried Sunset Bay Seafood Risotto, which is pretty good too. Very good and prompt service (probably because we arrived early during dinner hours). Value wise, I would say it’s (much) better than places like Earls Kitchen + Bar, in terms of food + prices. Will definitely return!”
“Another hidden gem in the core of the city. The cocktails here are amazing as is the fusion food. Keeps us coming back.”
FAQs About Coffee
Now that you’re armed with our list of the best cafes in Vancouver, it’s time to see which of our entries belong on your own personal list of go-to places. We wish you all the best as you embark on your caffeine-fueled journey.
If you happen to lean more towards alcoholic drinks, then perhaps our list of the best breweries in Vancouver can be of help. Along with standard contact information and business hours, we’ve also thrown in some patron reviews and brewery backgrounds for your convenience.
