When it comes to brunch, Vancouverites take it seriously. Just look at the lines at some of the brunch spots!
As someone born and raised in Vancouver, I’ve had a lot of brunch around the city. From the hardest spots to get in to the hidden gems.
So if you’re looking to get a good hearty brunch meal that won’t disappoint, check our picks of the best Brunch spots in Vancouver below.
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1. Cafe Medina
Serving brunch 7 days a week, Café Medina offers hearty Mediterranean cuisine and is always packed with its loyal customers.
Get there early to avoid the queue, and get ready to enjoy a wholesome brunch in this trendy, stylish, and cheerful spot, ideal for friends and family gatherings.
You cannot visit Café Medina for brunch and not order Liège Style Waffle. Crispy on the outside, and warm, fluffy, and soft inside, these waffles taste good on their own, but you can make them taste dreamy with the White Chocolate Pistachio Rosewater topping.
If you’re a carnivore, the Wolves Breakfast is a MUST! From steaks to bacon to sausages to eggs, this plate has it all and is big enough for sharing as well.
The Middle Eastern-style Harissa “Burger” has grilled pita replacing burger buns and harissa spiced beef for the patty. Finished with hummus, baba ganoush, salsa, and cheese, you get to enjoy a symphony of flavours from this dish.
And, your brunch at this popular spot isn’t complete without a cup of their Chai Latte. You’re welcome!
What to order: Liège Style Waffle with White Chocolate Pistachio Rosewater, Wolves Breakfast, Harissa “Burger”, Chai Latte
Address: 780 Richards Street Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4
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2. OEB Breakfast Co.
With the belief that breakfast should be enhanced by creativity and zeal, Yaletown’s OEB Breakfast is one of the best downtown Vancouver restaurants that takes breakfast and brunch to new heights in innovation and passion.
With a beautiful view of False Creek, get a seat outside or a table near the windows and enjoy a wholesome meal and waterfront views at OEB.
Out of its massive menu, we recommend getting The Gold Digga (Poached eggs, duck fat fried herb potatoes, Saint Cyrille curds, Berkshire roast pork, black truffles, and brown butter hollandaise) and The One That Did Not Get Away (eggs, butter croissant, wilted spinach, and cold-smoked salmon), both which are extremely popular here.
The Canadian Lobster & Shrimp Crepes or the Pierogies & Duck are robust examples of why OEB is considered amongst the best breakfast and brunch restaurants to visit.
What to order: The Gold Digga, The One That Did Not Get Away, The Canadian Lobster
Address: 1137 Marinaside Crescent Vancouver, BC V6Z 2Y3
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3. Jam Cafe
Comfort food in a rustic-city atmosphere! Jam Cafe is a delightful family-run eatery, with lots of energy and mouth-watering food that makes it a favourite brunch spot for many Vancouverites.
If you’re looking to really dig into a generous portion of delicious fare on an easy Sunday morning, don’t think twice. Head down to Chinatown for Jam.
The Charlie Bowl – one of the most ordered items from the menu, this bowl has crumbled fresh, house-made biscuit, bacon, ham, hash browns, corn salsa, cheese, and pork sausage gravy, topped with two sunny side eggs.
The content of the bowl is likely to remind you of your favourite Thanksgiving stuffing, and it sure tastes exemplary.
The Later Tater Bowl is a killer too. This bowl has pulled pork (or pulled chipotle chicken), fried tater tots, buffalo sauce, and chimichurri for its content, and is spicy, hearty, and an instant winner!
FYI: The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so be prepared to wait in long-ish lines.
What to order: Chicken French Toast, The Charlie Bowl, The Later Tater Bowl
Address: 556 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
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4. Chambar Restaurant
A casual fine dining weekend brunch restaurant, Chambar boasts a spectacular menu with dishes made with fresh seasonal produce, a long Belgian beer list, amazing cocktails, and a great wine selection as well.
The chic, warm, and inviting environment makes the space perfect for brunch dates.
Chambar’s Moules Frites (mussels & fries) are the star of the menu. The dish is available in three different variations, and we suggest that you start with the Coquotte.
This has a white wine and cream base, along with fatty, smoky, and flavourful smoked bacon lardons.
The mussels are fresh and plump, the fries are perfectly crispy, and the broth is so delicious and super flavourful, that you should get a side order of bread to soak up all the deliciousness.
While the Waffles here are amazing, it’s the variety of toppings you get to choose from that makes the difference. People seem to be obsessed with the White Chocolate Pistachio Rosewater, while we also love the slightly salty and sweet Bacon Caramel.
Burger lovers, don’t miss the La Truite Fumée – an absolutely gorgeous and divine steelhead trout burger.
Protip: Fast-food enthusiasts should not miss out on the classy Burger du Chasseur et Frites.
What to order: Coquotte Moules Frites, Waffles with White Chocolate Pistachio Rosewater & Bacon Caramel toppings, La Truite Frumée
Address: 568 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
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5. Maxine’s Café & Bar
An elevated cafe, Maxine’s Cafe & Bar is a local hang, offering Vancouverites a bistro-style brunch menu, and also covering lunch and dinner.
The chef-curated menu features elevated classics, which you can enjoy with your double-double in the aesthetically pleasing and relaxing space.
A balanced combination of fried egg, shaved ham, and sauce mornay, the Dutch Baby is a crowd favourite for a reason. Served in a skillet, this beauty is just scrumptious!
The crispy, chewy, golden, and melt-in-the-mouth Smoked Salmon Rösti is Maxine’s way of serving smoked salmon; we think it’s the best way, and you’ll agree with us as soon as you have a taste of this dish.
Maxine’s Éclair is so puffy, crisp, and delicious, you’ll “d’eclair” your love for it instantly!
What to order: Dutch Baby, Smoked Salmon Rösti, Éclair
Address: 1325 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z7
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6. Botanist
“Where day blurs into night, summer into winter, and food and drink are plenty.”
We couldn’t help but steal that gorgeous tagline right off the Botanist’s Home Page. It really says everything about this fashionable eatery.
Call ahead for a reservation, or if you wake up late on a Sunday morning, show up for their ‘Late Rise’ brunch.
Sustainably sourced seafood along with organic produce, makes the menu at Botanist a delight to view. Order the Hand-Cut Beef Tartare, which comes with smoked egg yolk, caper berries, parmesan and sourdough.
If not that, then try the Steak and Eggs with potato, tomato and salsa verde.
The Botanist Benedict with Crab and Avocado is divine, and you can wash all that down with a couple of delightful Punch Cocktails. We recommend the Season’s Renewal Cocktail, perfectly blended with rye whiskey, cranberry juice and sage.
What to order: Hand-Cut Beef Tartare, Steak and Eggs, Botanist Benedict, Punch Cocktails, Season’s Renewal Cocktail
Address: 1038 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9
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7. Yolk’s
From its humble beginnings in a tiny trailer, to a full-scale restaurant, Yolk’s keeps going from strength to strength and never stops delighting its customers.
The menu here is perfectly suited for every kind of diner. It’s short, sweet and madly tempting.
We recommend you try the Maple-Smoked Ham, with their fresh spinach and Yolks-made Dijon, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken served on a half Belgian waffle is simply outstanding.
We also highly recommend the Buttermilk Fried Chicken benny. Served on a half buttery and fluffy Belgian waffle, the chicken is perfectly seasoned, crunchy, and juicy; the poached eggs are, again, perfectly prepared, and the chicken gravy you can drizzle on top adds immense flavour to the dish.
At Yolks, you also get to curate your own brunch plate – Yolks breakfast – by choosing from different proteins, sides, breads for your toast, and cooking methods for your eggs.
What to order: Maple-Smoked Ham benedict, Buttermilk Fried Chicken benedict, Yolks breakfast
Address:
-1598 E Hastings Street
-546 W Broadway – Vancouver
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8. Zarak
A sister establishment to Surrey’s well-known Afghan Kitchen, Zarak offers an elevated Afghan dining experience.
The menu here reflects the history and culture of Afghanistan, and the dishes, though refined, maintain the integrity of mum’s recipes.
Note: Brunch is only available on weekends
Their Lamb Benedict should definitely be a part of your brunch plan at Zarak. While the lamb is juicy, succulent, and flavour-packed, the chutney hollandaise adds a delightful twist to the rich and classic sauce by introducing an enjoyable level of spice to it.
The Kebab & Eggs Skillet is an ideal brunch plate. Surprisingly, it’s the spiced yogurt on the side that makes the whole dish shine.
Or, you could go full-on Afghan and order the Full Afghan breakfast, and finish your meal with the rich and earthy Turkish Coffee or the strong Afghan Tea.
What to order: Lamb Benedict, Kebab & Eggs Skillet, Full Afghan, Turkish Coffee, Afghan Tea
Address: 2102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 0K1
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9. Joe Fortes
An award-winning Vancouver restaurant, Joe Fortes allures not just the locals but people from across the globe as one of the best seafood and chops places in the city.
This legendary eatery takes you on a dynamic culinary experience in a well-lit, relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere.
Two dishes you HAVE TO order here without having to look into the menu are the Lobster & Shrimp Roll and Chicken & Waffles. Just try them, and you’ll know why!
You’ve probably had crab cakes, but how about Salmon Cakes? The wild sockeye Salmon Cakes here are delicate, and taste phenomenal with the house-made tartar sauce.
Joe’s Chop House Burger needs no introduction; simply put, this burger brings to life all your wildest burger dreams!
Finish with a slice of Joe’s Coffee Cake, of course. It’s soft, moist, and indulgent!
What to order: Lobster & Shrimp Roll, Chicken & Waffles, Salmon Cakes, Joe’s Chop House Burger, Joe’s Coffee Cake
Address: 777 Thurlow St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V5
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10. Provence Marinaside
Provence Marinaside is where French flavours meet West Coast’s seafood bounty. While the dining room is stylish, sophisticated, and elegant, you wouldn’t want to miss the striking waterfront views, so grab a seat on the sunny patio, and start with a glass of your favourite wine.
If you like to start your brunch with bennies, Provence’s Crab Cake Benedict and Smoked Salmon Benedict are the front runners.
The Seafood Crêpes, filled with good chunks of fish, scallops, and shrimp, will make the seafood lover in you extremely happy, and the Wild Mushroom Ravioli is spectacular.
When you’re at Provence, you got to try one of their French-style omelets, and the Ham and Cheese Omelet is our fave.
Packed with tiny pieces of ham and fresh herbs, this omelet is fragrant, herby, smooth, and sizable as well; it has a gooey gruyere center, which gives you the utmost satisfaction.
What to order: Crab Cake Benedict, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Seafood Crêpes, Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Ham and Cheese Omelet
Address: 1269 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6K3
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11. Palate Kitchen
Being known as one of Vancouver’s most visited all-day cafe-restaurant, Palette Kitchen on the West Hastings will have your attention for its exceptionally good coffee and food.
If you’re vegetarian (or for the love of avocados!), treat yourself to the smashed Avocado Toast. Topped with a poached egg on a sourdough toast, this one is pretty bomb, and quite likely to be one of the best you’ve ever tasted.
Vegan or not, the Mushroom Truffle Toast will make you weak in your knees, and we suspect the culprit to be the truffle hummus!
If you’re craving something hearty, go with the Sausage Skillet.
For something sweet, you cannot overlook the Famous French Toast. These deep-fried cinnamon toasts come wonderfully balanced, without being overwhelmingly sweet, and take your taste buds on a culinary adventure.
What to order: Avocado Toast, Mushroom Truffle Toast, Sausage Skillet, Famous French Toast, Iced Coffee
Address: 848 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1C8
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12. Brunch Vancouver
Located right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Brunch is a Mexican restaurant where you can find some of the most decadent Mexican-inspired brunch and breakfast all-time favourites.
Whether you’re an early bird and would love to enjoy your morning coffee; or prefer to start your day a bit later than usual, Brunch Vancouver is sure to have what you are looking for!
Their Monte Cristo Sandwich is something that will have you craving morning, noon, and night with a unique twist on the ham and cheese combination.
The sandwich has a golden crispy crust that gives way to the velvety inside, combined with gooey cheese, sweet, salty, cheesy, buttery. Perfection!
Or the Turkey & Cheese Torta can a good go-to with honey-smoked turkey, creamy avocado, lime, cilantro, and pickled onion. Stunning!
What to order: Monte Cristo Sandwich, Enmoladas, Turkey & Cheese Torta, Monte Cristo Sandwich
Address: 1147 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1
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13. Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe
Serving Vancouverites freshly made comfort food since 1988, Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe is a quirky place with an every day brunch menu featuring a variety of hearty and classic dishes.
Decorated with trinkets, vintage posters, and original art works, everything about this place is retro, charming, and nostalgic.
Brunch at Sophie’s isn’t complete without having one of their popular benedicts, and the Benedicts with Ham totally drool-worthy. Special mention to the breakfast potatoes with spring onions/scallions – super homey and delicious.
The “Smoked Salmon” Benedicts is served on a fresh, warm, and flaky croissant; along with the buttery salmon and silky homemade hollandaise, this benny is the scrummiest!
Sophie’s Oyster Burger comes with two fresh, chunky, deep-fried oysters – crispy, juicy, and yum. Tasting this burger will give you a whole new perspective on how oysters can be enjoyed.
What to order: Benedicts with Ham, Smoked Salmon Benedicts, Sophie’s Oyster Burger
Address: 2095 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M7
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14. Knight Street Cafe
A family-run place, Knight Street Cafe is a charming little restaurant serving exemplary Canadian cuisine with all-day breakfast/brunch. The space is simple, casual, and family-friendly, and the food is fabulous and filling.
The Knight Burger is the restaurant’s signature offering. The huge 7 oz flame-grilled patty is chunky and juicy and houses a mouthwatering smoky charred flavour. This is the kind of burger you’ll start craving for right after the first taste.
Knight Street Special is a classic breakfast plate that’s also available for brunch. Complete with two runny eggs and maple-cured bacon, along with homemade hash brown and toast, everything on the plate is made to order and utterly delectable.
Their large and fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes have a separate fan following, and if you have a big appetite, get yourself The Breakfast Burrito.
What to order: Knight Burger, Knight Street Special, Buttermilk Pancakes, The Breakfast Burrito
Address: 3911 Knight Street, Vancouver, BC V5N 3L8
So, that rounds up the best places we recommend for a perfect weekend brunch. We hope you enjoy spending time at one (or all) of the places we love so much. And, when you’re done, why not stop for a nice hot cup of coffee?
Looking for more food spots? Well, take a look at our picks of the best restaurants in Vancouver!
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How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.