Vancouver is brimming with exceptional coffee destinations.
As someone born and raised in the city, I’ve spent a lot of time in coffee shops to get through my 20s and post-secondary period.
But if you’re leaning towards aesthetic and specialty coffee shops, then you’ll find many great options below.
Quick recommendations: don’t miss out on the unique experiences offered by Revolver and Timbertrain Coffee Roasters.
Explore our picks of the 13 most outstanding coffee shops in Vancouver to elevate your caffeine journey in 2023.
1. Revolver
A standout in Vancouver’s coffee scene, Revolver is a haven for coffee enthusiasts. Here, they meticulously select and rotate their North American roasts, ensuring a unique experience on each visit.
Their Espresso Flight is a must-try, offering an exciting exploration of coffee flavours. Besides coffee, they sell beans and brewing equipment, making it a great spot for those keen on brewing at home.
What to order: Espresso Flight
Address: 325 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2N4
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2. Timbertrain Coffee Roasters
Situated in Gastown, Timbertrain is a must-visit coffee spot. With a train-themed setting, it brings a vibrant atmosphere. Known for serving the creamiest cold brew in Vancouver, they also excel in pour-overs, made right at their impressive brew station.
Their popularity extends beyond their cafe, as many other coffee shops in Vancouver source beans from them.
What to order: Cold Brew, pour over
Address: 311 W Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 4K2, Gastown, Downtown
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3. Nemesis Coffee
Nestled in Gastown, Nemesis offers a relaxed setting with exceptional pastries. Their coffee menu, featuring a rotating selection of beans for pour-over or espresso, is complemented by delicious food options.
The classic chocolate cookie, French Toast, Avocado Toast, and Pistachio Kouign Amann pair wonderfully with their coffees. It’s a bustling place on weekends, perfect for early birds seeking a cozy spot.
What to order: French Toast, Avocado Toast, Pistachio Kouign Amann
Address:
-302 W Hastings Street, Gastown
-555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 1E1
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4. Prototype Coffee
In Strathcona, Prototype Coffee stands out with its striking interior and sophisticated equipment. The cafe offers a diverse coffee menu, with a variety of beans influencing the price of each cup.
Their Codex Guatemala Candeleria, boasting flavours of macadamia, vanilla, and fruit, is a highlight. The friendly staff is always ready to help patrons navigate their extensive coffee selection.
What to order: Codex Guatemala Candeleria
Address: 883 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A
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5. Milano Coffee Roaster
Milano, a family-owned coffee shop in Vancouver since the 1980s, brings Italian coffee culture to the city. As Vancouver’s only espresso tasting bar, they offer a unique experience with eight espresso samples to try.
Their standout blend, La Futura, features toffee, spice, and floral notes. They also excel in pour-overs, Turk Island drip, French press blends, and an indulgent Iced latte.
What to order: La Futura, Turk Island drip, French press blends, Iced latte, raspberry mocha
Address:
-156 8th Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1N2
-36 Powell Street, Vancouver BC, V6A 1E7
-849 Denman Street, Vancouver BC, V6G 2L9
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6. Modus Coffee Roasters
At Mount Pleasant, Modus Coffee Roasters is a paradise for coffee lovers. It’s an ideal spot for brunch or lunch, offering a variety of dishes like Double Mushroom Toast and Baguette Sandwich, along with fresh pastries. Their coffee range, from espresso to lattes, is highly acclaimed and pairs perfectly with their food offerings.
What to order: Double Mushroom Toast, Baguette Sandwich, kouign-amann
Address: 112 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P1
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7. Birds & Beets
The Birds & The Beets in Gastown is a popular destination for those seeking quality food and coffee in a stylish setting. This cafe is visually appealing, making it a great spot for a relaxed hangout or solo visits. Their menu includes a delightful Breakfast Sandwich, Vegan Coconut-Cinnamon Roll, Turkey Sandwich, and a variety of coffees and teas.
What to order: Breakfast Sandwich, Vegan Coconut-Cinnamon Roll, Turkey Sandwich, Toast & Jam
Address: 55 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9
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8. Platform 7
Unique for its train station theme, Platform 7 offers a distinct coffee experience in Vancouver. With two locations, each with its unique atmosphere, they serve a wide range of coffee styles including Cold Brew, Espresso, and Brew Bar selections. Their Nitro Brew, Mocha, Hot Chocolate, and Brew Flight are particularly noteworthy.
What to order: Cold Bar, Brew Bar, Espresso Bar, Nitro Brew, Stumptown Tasting Flight, Brew Flight
Address:
-2300 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2E5
-2331 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1V6
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9. Small Victory Cafe
This aesthetically pleasing cafe in Vancouver is perfect for Instagram enthusiasts, offering excellent coffee, breakfast, brunch, and desserts. Their Breakfast Croissant and Avocado Toast are highly recommended, along with a choice of Espresso or Latte for a complete meal experience.
What to order: Breakfast Croissant, Avocado Toast, Cortado, Espresso, Latte, Pour-Over
Address:
-1088 Homer St Vancouver, BC V6B 2W9
-3070 Granville St Vancouver, BC V6H 3J8
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10. Batard Bakery Cafe
Located on Vancouver’s East Side, Batard Bakery Cafe is a charming, French-inspired family-run boulangerie and cafe. Their Pain au Chocolat and Cinnamon Orange Morning Bun are must-tries, showcasing their mastery in creating laminated butter dough with rich, layered textures.
What to order: Pain Au Chocolat, Cinnamon Orange Morning Bun, Tarte au Citron, Almond Financier
Address: 3958 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4E4
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11. Le Marche St. George
In Mount Pleasant, Le Marche St. George offers a rustic ambiance with outstanding coffee and an array of French, Italian, and Western treats. Their Latte and Macchiato are top choices, complemented by their legendary Crepes and Classic Butter Tart.
What to order: Crepe, Macchiato, Lavender & Chamomile Tea, Classic Butter Tart, Walnut Misch
Address: 4393 St George St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4A3
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12. The Garden Strathcona
This versatile space serves as an event venue, an online store, and a cafe, providing a diverse selection of fresh baked goods, smoothies, breakfast, and lunch bowls. The Soba Noodle Bowl and vegan cookies are particular highlights for a health-conscious and satisfying meal.
Tip: Don’t forget to check out their online store for some cool gifts!
What to order: lunch bowls, Soba Noodle Bowl, vegan cookies
Address: 868 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R6
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13. Cafe La Foret
In Burnaby, La Foret is a spacious, modern cafe with a jungle-like ambiance. They offer a variety of coffees from different roasters, along with tasty food options. The Vanilla Lavender latte paired with an almond croissant or the Spanish Latte with squid ink toast are standout combinations.
Expect a wait on weekends due to its popularity.
Pro-tip: grab the middle seat directly across from the cake cabinet if you need an outlet.
What to order: Vanilla Lavender latte, almond croissant, Spanish Latte, squid ink toast, Caramel Macchiato, crispy waffle
Address: 6848 Jubilee Ave, Burnaby, BC V5J 4B3
You may be randomly checking coffee shops or always returning to the same spot close to your place, but that’s not how you’ll bump into the best cafe in Vancouver.
This city has so much to offer in terms of coffee, so if you are really a cafe lover, you’ll find this guide pretty handy. 🙂
Looking for some food now? Well check out our picks of the best restaurants in Vancouver.
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.