Ava GabourySo, you’re in Vancouver and need a coffee that’ll actually wake up your taste buds and not just your brain. Lucky for you, this city takes its coffee as seriously as its mountain views, which means finding a truly great cup isn’t just a dream—it’s practically a local rite of passage.
Now, I’ve had my fair share of caffeine adventures (trust me, it’s a personal mission), and after braving all the cold brews, the meticulously weighed pour-overs, and a few too many pastries, I’m ready to spill the beans.
This list covers everything from hidden gems you’d miss if you blinked to Instagram-famous spots that live up to the hype. These cafés make you want to savor every sip, linger just a bit longer, and probably buy that second pastry, so let’s get started already!
Nemesis Coffee
– Media from nemesis.coffee
Address: 302 W Hastings St
Contact details: +1 604-423-4498
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 8AM-5PM
Pricing: $$$
Website
Nemesis Coffee is practically royalty in Vancouver’s café scene, and they’ve done everything to keep that crown this year. For starters, their roasting game is on another level – they’re sourcing beans from new farms and even offer a subscription service now, so you can sip their brews in your jammies.
And if coffee artistry isn’t enough, they’ve added Word, an exclusive night that brings Michelin star-level food and entertainment to your table. Not to mention Dope, their bakery, which is churning out treats with trendy brands like Dank Mart.
If you’re hitting up the GNW location, treat yourself to their Ratnagiri – an Indian coffee that’s so smooth, that you’ll wonder if it’s even coffee. And don’t get us started on the breakfast sandwiches – Nemesis isn’t just serving sandwiches; they’re serving experiences.
| Pro tip: Swing by Dope for the bakery goodies, they’re about as fresh and trendy as you’ll find in Vancouver. |
Prototype Coffee
– Media from prototypecoffee.ca
Address: 883 E Hastings St
Contact details: +1 604-423-4244
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7:30AM-4:30PM
- Sat – Sun 8AM-5PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Prototype Coffee has about 16 coffee options ready to go at any time, so you could visit every day for two weeks and still not have the same thing twice. The space is sleek, modern, and all about the coffee – exactly how it should be.
Baristas here know their stuff and will gladly guide you through your options if you’re stumped. Their steamed nitro cold brew is a fun pick if you’re looking to shake things up a bit – think cold, smooth, and a bit of a fizz.
They keep the experience fresh without frills, making it easy to focus on what’s in your cup. If you’re feeling generous, drop a kind word or tip; it’s been a rough few years for them, and a little kindness goes a long way.
| Pro tip: Get a coffee flight to sample the latest beans. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure that ends in caffeine bliss. |
Modus Coffee Roasters
– Media from moduscoffee
Address: 112 W Broadway
Contact details: +1 604-423-4884
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7AM-4PM
- Sat – Sun 8AM-4PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Modus Coffee Roasters keeps it simple and sleek, with a Scandinavian-style setup that’s as laid-back as it is stylish. Here, coffee’s the star, and their LATIF and HIRO roasts are favorites for a reason – bright, fruity, and packed with flavor.
Sharif and the team didn’t just make a coffee shop as they made a spot where each cup hits just right. Brunch is a solid move here too.
Grab a pour-over with avocado toast and settle in – it’s one of those places where you’ll want to linger. You’ll often find regulars here, comfortably camped out with a good book or catching up with friends.
Pour-over fans, flat white seekers, and everyone in between will find a reason to keep coming back.
| Pro tip: Order a single-origin pour-over, take your time, and soak up the vibe – it’s the Modus way. |
Smoking Gun Coffee
– Media from smokingguncoffee
Address: 46168 Yale Rd #101, Chilliwack
Contact details: +1 604-846-1673
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 8AM-5PM
- Sat – Sun 9AM-4PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Smoking Gun Coffee might just be the “Best Roaster” you’ve yet to visit – and for good reason, considering it’s a bit of a trek out to Chilliwack. But if you’re willing to make the trip (or as we like to say, commit to the journey), you’ll find an absolute gem of a café waiting for you.
Picture this: a Gastown-style setup with that rustic-chic, muted pastel vibe, only with a warm, small-town feel. Their Tanzania on the filter is a must, delivering a flavour punch that’ll make your taste buds do a little happy dance.
If that’s too bold, grab a latte and a breakfast sando for a perfectly cozy pairing.
| Pro tip: Try the filter options whenever they have them, you’ll find yourself tasting some rare, top-tier roasts without the Gastown price tag. |
Craft Cafe
– Media from craftcafe.ca
Address: 960 Quayside Dr Unit 115, New Westminster
Contact details: +1 604-553-0080
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7AM-5PM
- Sat – Sun 8AM-5PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Craft Cafe is the kind of hidden treasure that makes you feel like you’ve discovered Vancouver’s best-kept coffee secret. Nestled in New West, this café is all about quality. With beans sourced from all corners of the globe, you’re in for a worldwide coffee tour without ever leaving BC.
Their breakfast sandos and grilled cheeses are worth every bite, transforming a simple snack into a downright culinary experience.
And if you’re after something truly special, ask what’s “under the counter” for pour-overs – you might just snag a rare brew worth more than your ticket to New West.
| Pro tip: Order a pour-over from their secret stash, it’s a hidden gem within a hidden gem! |
Pallet Coffee Roasters
– Media from palletcoffee
Address: 980 Howe St
Contact details: +1 604-255-2017
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7:30AM-4PM
- Sat – Sun 8AM-4PM
Pricing: $$
Website
With six locations sprinkled around Vancouver, Pallet Coffee Roasters is a love letter to the art of coffee. Their HQ on Alexander Street isn’t just a café; it’s a warehouse, roastery, and café in one, crafted by the design mastermind Alice D’Andrea.
You’ll find all the classic espresso options here, but the real treat is their single-origin espresso flight – it’s like a wine tasting but for coffee lovers. Pallet has nailed it with their industrial-chic aesthetic and welcoming vibe, making each sip feel like an experience.
And if you’re up for a cortado, their HQ has one that’s as smooth as it gets.
| Pro tip: Order the single-origin espresso flight if you’re up for a flavour adventure, it’s a journey in a cup. |
Kafka’s
Address: 577 Great Northern Way
Contact details: +1 604-839-3344
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 8AM-6PM
- Sat – Sun 9AM-5PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Kafka’s has had its ups and downs, and in 2022, that was especially true. They said goodbye to their beloved Main Street spot but opened a Downtown café that’s quickly becoming one of Vancouver’s coolest spots to be seen in.
If you’re all about a refined, no-fuss coffee experience, Kafka’s has it down to a science, from their expertly roasted beans to the vibe that screams “laid-back but seriously good coffee.”
Their Americano in Yaletown? Unforgettable – bold, balanced, and quite possibly one of the best you’ll have in Vancouver.
| Pro tip: Grab an Americano at the Yaletown location, it’s a game-changer, even for seasoned coffee lovers. |
Soon Coffee Co
– Media from sooncoffeeco
Address: The Amazing Brentwood, 4567 Lougheed Hwy
Contact details: +1 604-423-4238
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 9AM-8PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Soon Coffee Co is what you’d get if a coffee genius streamlined a café down to only what’s essential and did it with style. The choices are delightfully simple: medium roast, decaf, filter, or espresso – each one expertly brewed to hit that coffee sweet spot.
Everything’s automated to precision, which means you’re getting the best out of each cup, every single time. Oh, and don’t leave without trying their Americano – it’s smooth, with a pop of currant flavor that’s about as addictive as it gets.
For a bit of indulgence, pair your coffee with one of their treats from local legends like Lee’s Donuts.
| Pro tip: The Americano here is a standout. Full-bodied and easy-drinking, it’s a winner, so grab one and thank us later. |
Sunny M Specialty
– Media from sunnymspecialty
Address: 4540 No. 3 Rd Unit 1345, Richmond
Contact details: +1 604-282-2828
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10AM-7PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Sunny M Specialty may be tiny and a bit hidden (pro tip: the door’s outside the mall), but once you find it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. This spot is all about nano-batch roasting, which means you’re tasting some of the finest small-batch brews around.
With coffee beans sourced globally and a rotating menu that keeps things fresh, you’re in for a treat no matter what you choose. If you’re unsure where to start, have a chat with the owner, Mark.
He knows his coffee inside out and can pair a brew with just the right sweet treat. Sunny M isn’t just about coffee; it’s about the whole experience. You should try the pour-over for a taste of their nano-batch roasting at its best, ideally paired with one of their locally sourced treats.
| Pro tip: Let Mark recommend a pairing for you, he’ll turn your coffee experience up a notch with his insider picks. |
Isetta Cafe Bistro
– Media from isettacafebistro
Address: 4360 Marine Dr
Contact details: +1 604-926-9350
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 8AM-5PM
Pricing: $$
Website
A fresh face in Vancouver’s coffee scene, Isetta Cafe Bistro has barely been open a year, but it’s already made a name for itself. Tucked into one of West Van’s prettiest neighborhoods, this hidden gem is ideal for those days when you need a little escape.
Think specialty coffees paired with acai bowls and light bites, all in a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes you want to stay for “just one more cup.” Their coffee menu features beans from local favorite Nemesis, so you know the quality is top-notch.
If there’s an Indian coffee option, go for the filter – it’s a special treat that takes you on a flavour journey from start to finish.
| Pro tip: Try their filter coffee if there’s an Indian option, it’s like a trip to the coffee fields, no passport required. |
Analog Coffee
Address: 338 Helmcken St
Contact details: +1 604-620-3454
Operating Hours: Mon – Fri 6:30AM-5PM; Sat – Sun 8AM-5PM
Pricing: $$
Website
Analog Coffee is a bit of Calgary legend that’s planted roots in Vancouver, and they’ve brought their reputation for quality coffee along with them. The vibe here? Think cozy brickwork, comfy seating, and a relaxed, no-rush atmosphere.
You can enjoy your cup inside on a plush couch, or, if the weather cooperates, grab a spot on their cornerside patio for a bit of fresh air with your caffeine fix.
First-timers should try their classic pour-over – it’s what made them famous back in Calgary. And if you’re in a rush, their drip coffee is quick but doesn’t compromise on taste.
| Pro tip: Snag a seat on the patio, it’s perfect for people-watching and soaking up the neighborhood vibe. |
