Vancouver has a lot to offer when it comes to great eats and drinks. With fantastic coffee shops popping up almost on the daily, it’s just so hard to keep up with the latest and greatest. When I’m on a search for some quality caffeine, these are my definite go-tos and recommendations.
Updated March 7, 2015
1. Revolver Coffee
325 Cambie St
Gastown is in no short supply of great places to have a cup of coffee – but no one does it better than Revolver Coffee. I want to say that they were really on the forefront of the quality and conscious coffee movement in Vancouver (not sure if it’s accurate, but I feel like they were). The beautiful thing about Revolver (other than it’s charming narrow space)? Their rotating menu of coffees throughout North America. So to my absolute joy they carry Ritual from San Francisco and another one of my faves: Bows & Arrows. They also make a mean cold brew during the summer months. They offer coffee flights and take the time to walk you through the different coffee offerings they have. I love this place so much.
2. Timbertrain Coffee Roasters
311 W Cordova St
Another Gastown great that opened up within the last year is Timbertrain Coffee Roasters. A local and obviously passionate company, they bring excellence to every cup of coffee they serve. They are micro roasters and although it is quite labour intensive, they would not have it any other way. The setting is very Gastown with high ceilings, warm wooden elements, but their seating area is where they gain points in super coolness. They’ve also partnered up with Chez Christophe to offer baked goods (which sell out quite quick every day it seems!).
3. Elysian Coffee
Multiple locations
Elysian Coffee has been around for a while now – but only recently have been expanding their coffee shops. I remember visiting their Broadway and Ash location and admiring the art on the wall and having a great cup of coffee that gave a young (and inexperienced coffee drinker at the time) Dee quite the buzz. Elysian roasts their coffee beans in house as well but they do so many things great – their baked goods are also fantastic. It’s hard to find a coffee shop that does both well! Their cozy setting is perfect for getting some work done or just catching up with a friend. The location I love the most right now is on Fifth and Burrard – it’s warmth from the live edge wooden tables and cozy seating makes it the perfect place for me to catch up on my reviews!
4. Bump N Grind Cafe
Multiple locations
Although Bump n Grind Cafe has been around for quite a while in it’s Commercial Drive location – it’s only recently I was introduced to the marvelous flavours of Bump N Grind at their newest location on Granville + 14th. A small independent coffee shop, they utilize small roasters’ beans that are from across our great country. What I really love is the fact that not only do they make a damn good cup of coffee, they make equally damn good pastries to enjoy. Their Matcha Green tea brownie and Earl Grey shortbreads are two of my favourites (although it’s hard to pick just a couple at Bump N Grind). The Granville location is beautiful, airy and already building quite the following!
5. Lucky’s Doughnuts & 49th Parallel Coffee
Multiple locations
Coffee and doughnuts – is there anything more perfectly paired than this? Perhaps, but when it comes to two businesses that do exceedingly well in what they do, you can’t argue. 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters have really made a name for themselves and it’s apparent when you travel to other great cities and see it being served there. Their beans are an easy recommend and go-to when looking for a present, serving out of town friends or just having a quiet breakfast at home. It is also helpful that they’ve partnered up with Lucky’s Doughnuts – one of the best gourmet doughnut shops in Vancouver. A local favourite? The Maple Bacon Apple Fritter – it’s everything that you can imagine in a doughnut – sweet, savoury and swoonworthy.
