Thursday, September 2 2010 | Vancouver smart city living magazine: events, lifestyle, restaurants, shopping, fashion, arts and more

Coffee Talk: Vancouver's Best

By Melissa Fraser | Image: Adam Blasberg | Published: February 12, 2009
best cafe in vancouver?

Maybe you’re a morning regular. You make a quick stop during the morning commute and get the same thing everyday. The baristas know you’re coming and your drink is at the counter before you are.

Or you’re an afternoon person. You bring a book and you try something new every once in a while. The baristas know your name and how old your dog is.

Or you could be someone who "goes for coffee" in the evenings and on the weekends. When circumstances call for nothing more than a chat and chai, you know the perfect place.

But, what is it about your local café that makes it so special? It can’t just be the coffee. If that were the case we’d all be brewing our dark roast at home.

Is it the baristas you see every day? Is it the jazz music, the comfy chairs and the dim lighting? Maybe you don’t know why you love it but it’s just around the corner, so you’re there all the time.
 

We’re looking for answers to a question most Vancouverites are passionate about: What is Vancouver’s best coffee house, and what makes it so great?

Nominate your favourites and check back for the results.


 

Read more...


Just coffee – Meet several members of B.C.'s growing ranks of fair-trade coffee entrepenuers.

Becoming Fair Trade – Learn about the steps coffee producers must take to become fair-trade certified.



 

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Comments

Bean Around The World in

Comment by Anonymous - 02/09/2010 - 02:06
Bean Around The World in West Van!! Hands down

Melriches on Davie is a

Comment by Anonymous - 10/06/2009 - 22:01
Melriches on Davie is a great spot for coffee!

Cafe Vancouver

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 20:32
Cafe Vancouver

My vote goes to Delany's at

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 19:29
My vote goes to Delany's at Denman close to English Bay. That's where I am every morning.They're serving the best medium roast in my opinion and it's located right in between my home and the bus stop i'm using. Perfect! :)

'cito' - right across from

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 19:18
'cito' - right across from urban fare in yaletown. i pride myself in being a 'coffee connoisseur' and i can honestly say that everyone i have brought to this caffe agrees that it is the best. i usually get an american misto, but even their french press (they dont do drip) is so delicious, i can barely resist taking my time and savouring it. it's a great morning people watching spot, too - the sun comes up facing marinaside crescent making it a true 'happy place'.

Re-entry on Main! Gotta try

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 19:12
Re-entry on Main! Gotta try em. Ze Best.

I don't have a favourite

Comment by BernicePaul - 09/28/2009 - 19:10
I don't have a favourite coffee house per se, but I feel peeved when ceramic mugs are not an option for customers who want to actually sit down and drink their coffee - you know, have the "coffee house" experience.

You don't mention this, but

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 19:07
You don't mention this, but in my opinion the best coffee house needs to have free wifi, and the space to sit and work for awhile. My current favourite place is Cafe Vancouver, on Hamilton just N of the firehall (& at the N end of Yaletown - I think the intersection is Smithe?) One of their specialties is Turkish coffee. The owners Solomon & Naz are incredibly friendly, there's free wifi, lots of space including a bunch of really comfy chairs, and a mission statement on the S wall that says they want people to gather, discuss ideas, or work, to build community, and to take their time. My top vote.

My vote goes to Trees

Comment by Anonymous - 09/28/2009 - 18:51
My vote goes to Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House in Yaletown and on Granville St. the Organic coffee and cheesecake are awesome

My Yelp list for cafes that

Comment by Anonymous - 09/25/2009 - 21:26
My Yelp list for cafes that serve the best and are FRIENDLY. http://www.yelp.ca/list/my-cafes-list-vancouver

Brazza on Lonsdale!

Comment by Anonymous - 08/31/2009 - 22:41
Brazza on Lonsdale!

Petit Ami is not a coffee

Comment by abundantsink - 08/31/2009 - 19:24
Petit Ami is not a coffee "house" per se but the market stall at Granville Island has excellent coffee, fun staff and the market locale is always an enjoyable vibe. (Ethical beans, too)

Gene on Main or Turks on the

Comment by Anonymous - 08/31/2009 - 19:13
Gene on Main or Turks on the Drive

The Elysian Room at 5th &

Comment by Anonymous - 08/31/2009 - 18:10
The Elysian Room at 5th & Burrard. Sometimes newer baristas mess it up, but usually they have incredibly high coffee/latte standards. They use organic milk too. After 10 years of searching for the authentic Italian cup, this is my pick.

#Starbies

Comment by Anonymous - 08/31/2009 - 17:33
#Starbies

Cafe for Contemporary art at

Comment by Anonymous - 08/29/2009 - 19:18
Cafe for Contemporary art at Lonsdale & Esplanade in North Van makes amazing lattes and offers a huge selection of other coffee (many beans to choose from).

Best coffee ever is

Comment by Anonymous - 05/18/2009 - 18:15
Best coffee ever is Medina'son Beatty street beside Chambar....and I know my coffees

Ethical Bean and keep your

Comment by Anonymous - 05/12/2009 - 20:03
Ethical Bean and keep your eyes open for Budda Kind Coffee

You have to check out Prado

Comment by ktremills - 03/08/2009 - 02:43
You have to check out Prado on the Drive. Amazing coffee. Cool minimalist decor that's reminiscent of an NYC cafe. And the servers don't give attitude.

The coffee isn't the

Comment by greengirl - 03/04/2009 - 01:23
The coffee isn't the greatest, but Calabria on the Drive is one of my favourite places to hang out. The decor -- Roman statues and fountains blended with photos of Italian celebrities and posters for B-movies that one of the owners starred in -- is simply too fabulous for words.

I vote for La Fontana Caffe

Comment by Anonymous - 02/26/2009 - 18:19
I vote for La Fontana Caffe on the corner of Boundary and Hastings, i haven't had espresso this good since I've been to Italy and the Americanos are to die for

49th Parallel in Kits makes

Comment by Anonymous - 02/25/2009 - 01:01
49th Parallel in Kits makes sublime coffee.

I work at Tartine on Beach

Comment by Anonymous - 02/19/2009 - 17:23
I work at Tartine on Beach almost under the Granville street bridge. It's a bakery/ coffee house, so if you want a snack we have the best around. We love our regulars and the owner is often around and enjoys chatting with customers. I make awesome cappuccino's too. I'm not a coffee expert, but I love our regulars and the atmosphere.

Continental on "The Drive"

Comment by DeeZone - 02/17/2009 - 17:19
Continental on "The Drive" as they certainly make a point of knowing your name plus they make one of the best Chais in the neighbourhood. I have to confess that I'm still on a quest to find the perfect Chai as most use the premixed syrupy stuff that 's way too sweet. I guess this makes me a bit of a snob??

I like JJ Bean at Park and

Comment by Anonymous - 02/17/2009 - 17:14
I like JJ Bean at Park and Tilford in North Vancouver. I like the people, I like the comfortable vibe, they know my how I like my 1% latte (large and extra hot) and they take a moment to make hearts or leaves in my foam - they also have fresh baking that comes from the ovens in the back. If you have time to stay for your coffee there's a cozy fireplace in the middle.

The Canada Wide Media coffee

Comment by Anonymous - 02/17/2009 - 15:04
The Canada Wide Media coffee machine on Lougheed Hwy. The thin, watery texture is perfectly balanced by the sock-like aroma. Mmmm.

The Laughing Bean on

Comment by Anonymous - 02/17/2009 - 01:24
The Laughing Bean on Hastings & Slocan. Great service and rich espresso. Great selection of teas too in case you're popping by with someone who doesn't drink coffee.

wicked cafe - either

Comment by mojave - 02/17/2009 - 01:16
wicked cafe - either location - horby or on hemlock. clover machines that they actually put great coffee beans into. paul, blog.mojavemusic.ca

My fave is Bean Around the

Comment by Anonymous - 02/17/2009 - 01:09
My fave is Bean Around the World in Kits (1945 Cornwall). They have plenty of fair trade organic options - the fair trade Aztec organic is the best! If you buy beans there, and recycle your "bean bag" you get a 10 per cent discount. Other perks: - free wi-fi; great magazines and the daily horoscope is taped to the counter - dog-friendly (outside, of course) - they get free treats too! - low-key gallery-esque space featuring local art and photography

The JJ Bean on 6th and

Comment by Anonymous - 02/17/2009 - 00:45
The JJ Bean on 6th and Commercial. Excellent coffee, excellent vibe, nothing shiny. Grungy East Van hip at its finest.

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