Do Vancouverites love their breakfast? Of course they do! It’s an ongoing love affair that’s lasted longer than most celebrity marriages.
Foodies in Vancouver take the first meal of the day very, very seriously. We’re devoted to it like Harry is to Meghan, and that’s a fact! But, where do you go for breakfast if you’re in Downtown Vancouver? Well, there’s no shortage of amazing spots where you can get your Bennys and breakfast poutines.
Check out our list of the 13 Best Downtown Vancouver Breakfast spots you simply gotta try!
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13. New Town Bakery & Restaurant
Since their opening in 1980, New Town Bakery & Restaurant has been a staple for locals. New Town specializes in delicious Chinese and Filipino baked goods and pastries. So, if you’re looking for some comforting Cantonese cafe-style breakfast treats, drop by New Town in Chinatown area.
Known for the steamed buns with stuffing, their BBQ Pulled Pork (Char Siu Bao) and Chicken Deluxe (Bola Bola) are always in demand as are their freshly baked Apple Tarts. A must-try is their Mango Pudding that is fresh and light, yet still feels like comfort food.
What to order: Char Siu Bao, Bola Bola, Apple Tart
Address: 148 Pender Street E Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3
12. Provence Marinaside
Experience the true charm of French cuisine, coupled with West Coast flare at the Provence Marinaside. Located at an ideal spot where you can sit on the outdoor patio and view the Marina whilst ordering elegant breakfast items, or sipping a cup of freshly brewed aromatic coffee. Swanky and graceful, Provence Marinaside is the place for breakfast when you really feel like treating yourself to luxury.
In keeping with the fresh seafood theme at Provence, order the classic Crab Cake Benedict, Crab and Lobster Omelet or the popular Smoked Salmon Benny. You can also try the Prawn and Scallop Spaghettini or the Seafood Crepes.
What to order: Crab Cake Benedict, Smoked Salmon Benny, Seafood Crepe
Address: 1177 Marinaside Crescent Vancouver, BC V6Z 2Y3
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11. The Basic
With three locations in Vancouver, and popular, simple but exquisite breakfast, the Basic is quickly becoming downtown Vancouver’s spot to stop. Their breakfast is made from locally sourced products and they offer good value for their servings. The no-fuss diner-like ambiance and excellent waiting staff are a few reasons why The Basic is so popular.
You have to try the Corned Beef Hash served with crispy fried potatoes, fried eggs and onions. If you feel adventurous then order The Mess, a popular dish here with three eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, tomato, green peppers, onion, cheddar cheese in pan-fried potatoes.
An excellent option would be to finish off with the Blueberry Pancakes or the Belgian Waffles, served with fresh fruit.
What to order: Corned Beef Hash, The Mess, Blueberry Pancakes, Belgian Waffles
Address:
-1031 Davie Street Vancouver
-948 Denman Street Vancouver
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10. Brioche Urban Eatery
Time-honoured classical Italian with a Canadian twist. Start off the morning with breakfast at Brioche Urban Eatery, a family business that combines the old world charm of Italian cooking with innovative creations in the kitchen. Like any traditional Italian run cafe, you can be sure that warm and hearty welcomes, personal attention and friendly staff are to be expected when you visit. And, of course, amazing food!
Try their Traditional Breakfast that is served with your choice of ham or smoked bacon, eggs any style, fresh-cut fruits, and house-baked toast. Their french toast has a nice Italian twist to it and their Eggs Benny and Scrambled Specials are out of this world.
What to order: Traditional Breakfast, Simple French Toast, Egg Bennys
Address: 401 W Cordova Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1E5
9. The Templeton
If you like old school diners, complete with chequered floors, jazzy lights, funky decor and a real jukebox blasting hits from the 80’s and 90’s then head on over to Templeton. With a funky vibe and food like momma used to make, Templeton has its fair share of loyal customers that you can find enjoying a hot breakfast or stopping by for a cup of coffee.
Get the Big Ass Breakfast. (Yes, you read that right) it’s truly gigantic, with eggs, bacon, sausages, french toast, pancakes and roast potatoes. Their Pulled Pork Pancakes is a huge serving of slow roast delicious pork on top of a stack of buttermilk pancakes.
Order up a big glass of their thick chocolate milkshake that just hits the right nostalgic spot.
What to order: Big Ass Breakfast, Pulled Pork Pancakes, a milkshake
Address: 1087 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L4
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8. Le Petit Belge
Located at two convenient spots in Vancouver, Le Petit Belge is an eclectic restaurant that serves authentic Belgian Brussel-style waffles and breakfast in a stylish atmosphere. They make truly amazing waffles that are both airy and light, and we just can’t resist the smell of freshly baked waffles wafting in from their kitchen. They have other great breakfast options and seem to take great pride in serving their customers.
You have to order the Majesty Waffle with fresh banana or strawberries, vanilla ice cream, hazelnuts, caramel and whipped cream. The Lords is huge too, with cookie crumble, whipped cream, homemade vanilla ice cream and Belgian chocolate.
If you’re really hungry or have a friend to share, then go all out and get the English Hot Breakfast, complete with bacon, pork sausage, eggs, whole wheat toast, smashed potatoes, beans in tomato sauce, baked tomato and mushrooms.
What to order: Majesty Waffle, The Lords, English Hot Breakfast
Address: 340 Robson Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2B2
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7. Brunch Vancouver
Aptly named Brunch, this local favourite serves amazing Mexican-inspired breakfast and brunch. Made from the freshest ingredients that are locally sourced and carefully selected, Brunch Vancouver believes in quality and shared experiences. Brunch is an amiable, cozy, cordial spot where you can bring your friends and family to a truly welcoming environment.
At Brunch they have some wonderful fusions of Mexican cuisine. A good example is the Tecolotes Molletes, the perfect combination of Molletes and Chilaquiles, consisting of refried beans, cheese, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, and chicken or eggs. We recommend the Turkey & Cheese Torta, with a generous serving of turkey, candied bacon, Havarti cheese, avocado, pickled jalapeño, mayonnaise and served with roasted potatoes or salad.
What to order: Molletes, Chilaquiles, Enchiladas Suizas, Turkey & Cheese Torta,
Address: 1147 Granville Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1
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6. Palate Kitchen
Enter Palate Kitchen and get engulfed in an elite, classy and premium cafe! With a welcoming atmosphere and highly skilled staff this spot will put you right at ease from the minute you walk in, till you leave. Located in the famous Georgian style heritage building, Palate is all about top-of-the-line food and service.
Try their Kefta Skillet which includes Moroccan meatballs, two perfectly poached eggs on a bed of house made tomato sauce, olives, and a side of toasted sourdough bread. The perfect vegetarian option, their famous Avocado Toast is made with fresh smashed avocado, goat cheese, pickled cabbage, with a roasted tomato on sourdough topped with a poached egg.
Also try the Fjord Toast with salmon, and the Marscapone Hotcake that are delish!
What to order: Kefta Skillet, Avocado Toast, Fjord Toast, Pretty French Toast
Address: 848 W Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1C8
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5. Chambar
We love Chambar because it’s fine dining at its simplest. No pretensions, no hassles. Just dignified and delicious food, served in elegant plate settings in a cordial and relaxed atmosphere. The ambience is contrasted in the sense that even though the decor is pretty upscale, the general atmosphere is quite casual and mellow. Perfect place to stop for breakfast with a friend.
The Gaufre aux Champignons (Sourdough waffle, mushroom ragoût, two poached eggs, bacon, tomato béarnaise) and L’assiette Marocaine (Seared halloumi, baba ganoush, du Puy lentils & mint pistou, grilled kabocha squash, turmeric marinated egg, romesco sauce, and pita chips)are two of the more popular breakfast items.
We highly recommend their Fricassée with two fried eggs, braised short ribs, balsamic cipollini onions, potatoes, watercress, topped with applewood smoked cheddar.
What to order: The Gaufre aux Champignons, L’assiette Marocaine, Fricassée
Address: 568 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
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4. Twisted Fork
Starting the day with a healthy balanced breakfast is important. Even more important is that it tastes really good. This is where Gastown’s Twisted Fork comes in. Serving scrumptious and appetizing continental cuisine in a tastefully decorated restaurant is what the Twisted Fork has come to represent. The only downside is they don’t take reservations, so make sure you get your name on the list when you visit.
To beat the heat in true Twisted Fork style, try their Summerland Peach Cobbler with Sour Cream Ice Cream. You can find really generous servings in the Croque Monsieur (brioche, smoked gouda, cheddar and ham served with fresh greens) or the Shakshuka (eggs cooked in eggplant,served with tahini, tomato cucumber salad, corn salsa, parsley, labneh, olives and house made pita bread).
Don’t forget to order their signature Asiago Scone with butter and raspberry jam.
What to order: Summerland Peach Cobbler, Croque Monsieur, Shakshuka, Banana Stuffed French Toast
Address: 213 Carral Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2
3. Jam Cafe
In the mood for some great comfort breakfast in the early hours of the morning? Head on over to Jam Cafe for some delicious, mouth-watering rustic fare in a posh yet relaxed ambiance. With excellent serving staff, quality chefs and fresh locally sourced produce, Jam Cafe is a shoo-in for one of the best breakfast and brunch restaurants in Vancouver.
The Chicken French Toast made from thick-cut brioche, with buttermilk fried chicken is a firm favourite here along with the Charlie Bowl. For the sweet tooths out there, try their Reese’s Stuffed Brownie Chocolate Waffle Special and the classic Cinnamon Bun Pancakes that just melt in your mouth with goodness.
What to order: Chicken French Toast, The Charlie Bowl, Classic Cinnamon Bun Pancakes
Address: 556 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
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2. OEB Breakfast
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 wonderful service at OEB.
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) 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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1. Cafe Medina
A down-to-earth, picturesque, charming bistro, that serves gourmet coffee, a diverse Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and some of the most mouthwatering Belgian waffles you could dream of. Welcome to Cafe Medina, the brainchild of owner Robbie Keene’s vision of a friendly welcoming cafe with unique and charismatic food served. With natural light pouring through their high ceilings, local artwork and great music adding to the ambience, Medina is the perfect place to grab a spot of breakfast.
The perfect breakfast accompaniment is their fresh Coca, consisting of blistered woodstone flatbread, whipped goat cheese, grilled eggplant, arugula, aleppo honey, organic greens, and a sunny side up egg. For a full sized breakfast order the Fricassée, with two sunny eggs, braised short ribs, roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, smoked cheddar, arugula, and grilled focaccia.
What to order: Fricassee, Coca, and some Belgian waffles
Address: 780 Richards St. (between Robson & Georgia) Library District, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4
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That rounds up our list of the 15 Best Vancouver Breakfast spots! We hope you try as many of them as you can, and enjoy the amazing food, service and ambiance of each spot.
If you’re looking for lunch or dinner options while you’re exploring vibrant downtown, check out our list of the 20 Best Downtown Vancouver Restaurants you should try at least once.
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.