The inside of Cafe Deux Soleils is big, breezy, and full of energy.

Cafe Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive is a neighborhood hot spot. Morning, noon, and night, this place is packed with a wild assortment of people – all looking for a dark, chill, friendly place to get some good quick grub. The atmosphere is laid back, the food is vegetarian, and the place is loud!

Families with kids, students studying, groups meeting, and lots of first dates keep this place packed and the energy high. There is ample seating here, with big booths, a huge communal table, window benches and lots of additional small sets of tables. Even on the busiest of days, tables turn quickly and you’ll be able to nab a prime spot in no time.

The vibe is dark and creative at Cafe Deux Soleils. The whole place has a very laid back feel and they open the big windows at the front on nice days to keep the breeze blowing through. It’s a bit messy, but that’s all a part of the vibe.

Overall the food at Cafe Deux Soleils is great. They have food inspired from around the world and portion sizes to please every hunger level. They do breakfast and brunch particularly well and serve it up until 3pm 7 days a week. All menu options are vegetarian. They are also fully licensed!

Best Menu Item: The thick, hearty, vegetarian chili with warm, butter drenched toast! Even the tiny “cup” sized portion hits the spot! Burgers are great, and anything from the breakfast menu is greasy and good.

Note: The bathrooms are not good. They kind of feel like the bathrooms of a college dive bar. Avoid if possible.

Hours: Open at 8am every day. They close around midnight. Events start at 9pm (cover is $5).

More Information: http://www.cafedeuxsoleils.com/

Urbanspoon Says:

The Commercial Drive area is jam packed with some of the most amazing coffee that this city has to offer. Authentic Italian joints like Cafe Roma or Joe’s pepper the street and serve up some rich, thick, crema topped goodness. Places like Prado Cafe, Continental Coffee and JJ Bean have not only great coffee, but also awesome ambiance. Suffice it to say, if you love coffee – Commercial Drive has got your back. That said, like almost all streets in Vancouver, Commercial Drive is home to three very different Starbucks. Despite my sick sort of love for this chain, I’m glad there aren’t more.

Location #1: East 2nd at Commercial
1752 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5N 4A3
(604) 251-5397

At East 2nd, right on Commercial Drive, is the area’s best and biggest ‘Bucks. There are lots of comfy chairs and sofas to loiter on, and the location, a big old heritage house, offers up beautiful views of the street. The staff is friendly, young, and not quite as intimidatingly hip as the other Commerical Drive baristas. This is probably the only Starbucks on the Drive that’s really worth lingering in.

Location #2: Broadway Station
2517 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC V5N 4C1
(604) 875-6065

Commercial and Broadway can be a bit sketchy at times, but the Starbucks across from the skytrain does a great job of keeping the ruffians at bay. This is a busy commuter Starbucks, and while there are a few great spots to sit and sip, it lacks the lazy coffee shop ambiance that a lot of other Starbucks offer.

Location #3: Safeway – Vancouver #189
1780 E Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5N 1W3

Desperate for a short, non-fat, half sweet peppermint mocha, with sugarfree vanilla and no whip, but pressed for time? As in most Safeways, there is a small Starbucks in the Broadway and Commercial location. They don’t have the biggest selection of baked goods or takeaway items, and have been franchised out, so the service and drinks can be a bit shotty – but the convenience can’t be beat.

http://www.starbucks.com/

Continental Coffee on Commercial Drive is one of the city’s best coffee shops, and a welcome break from the Starbucks and Blenz that dot most corners. Located at the corner of East 2nd and Commercial, Continental is full of locals and has been around since the late ’70s.

Floor to ceiling windows cover two sides of the cafe, and there are lots of tables and comfy chairs to do a little people watching. Bring your laptop and stay a while. They offer free wifi, and there are a few outlets free to power up.

The espresso is thick and rich, and not overly acidic. It almost tastes a bit sweet. Their hot chocolates (ask for extra whipped cream) are amazing, and they have a few sweet treats available to enjoy with your drink or to take away. Try the chocolate covered espresso beans for a back-to-work pick me up! The drinks are priced right, slightly cheaper than Starbucks, and the quality of the beverage is always high. The baristas are talented and never rush.

On sunny days they put out a few plastic chairs, and it seems like the whole neighbourhood comes to gather. Regulars are friendly, and it’s a great place to meet some interesting characters.

Location:
1806 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC
(604) 255-0712