Vancouver Coffee Scene

It’s obvious that Vancouver loves coffee—there’s no shortage of serious cafés pulling expert espresso shots, brewing amazing coffee and offering delicious fresh-roasted beans. For Canada-bound coffeephiles, here’s a list of Vancouver cafés you won’t want to miss.

49th Parallel Coffee Roasters

2152 W. 4th Ave.; 604-420-4901

This well-loved microroaster serves vacuum-pot and Clover coffee as well as cold-brewed iced coffee

Crema

1495 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver; 604-922-2294

Espresso from local roaster JJ Bean is crafted into velvety cappuccinos at this oceanfront café and bakery in West Vancouver.

Caffè Artigiano

Several locations; 604-990-0542

Try a Clover-brewed Cup of Excellence coffee poured by a number of award-winning baristas at this small chain of Italian-inspired cafés.

Elysian Coffee and Tea

590 W. Broadway; 604-874-5909

Fuel up in the Fairview Slopes neighborhood with Chemex- or Clover-brewed coffee, roasted for Elysian by 49th Parallel.

Finch’s Tea and Coffee House

353 W. Pender St.; 604-899-4040

Full of quirky charm, this downtown café serves organic, fair-trade coffees and proprietary chai alongside fresh baguettes, sandwiches and homemade soups.

JJ Bean

1689 Johnston St.; 604-685-0613

Get your cappuccino fix in the Granville Island Public Market at this teeny coffee stall, which is one of seven locations run by this beloved Vancouver roaster.

Medina Café

556 Beatty St.; 604-879-3114

More than just a coffee shop, this downtown café serves up serious food—homemade waffles, duck confit, lamb burgers—alongside 49th Parallel espresso and housemade syrups. Local craft beers and small-production wines are icing on the cake.

Re-entry Espresso

4363 Main St.; 604-872-0844

Sip ristretto-syle shots of Seattle-roasted Vivace espresso in this retro, space-themed Riley Park coffee shop. Also on the menu: Boylan’s Natural Colas, loose-leaf teas from T and warm Ovaltine.

Trees Coffee

450 Granville St.; 604-684-5060

Stop by this cozy, family-run café and roastery for shade-grown, organic espresso, and stay for a decadent slice of housemade cheesecake—flavors like banana-white chocolate, blueberry and chocolate swirl rotate daily.

Wicked Café

861 Hornby St.; 604-569-5480

Clover-brewed Intelligentsia coffee and grilled paninis—like the one oozing with ham, cranberries and brie—keep this downtown café packed from open to close. Thankfully, attentive service keeps the wait to a minimum.