Kitsilano Coffee blog did a post the other day about our all time favourite Vancouver Starbucks – the one at the corner of 3rd and Burrard. And we have to agree, this is easily the friendliest Starbucks in the city. Located in a non-descript strip mall Starbucks (located alongside a vacuum dealer and a Subway) this Sbux makes up what it lacks in Feng Shui or charm with downright rad customer service:

One of our favorite Starbucks in Vancouver; at the corner of West 3rd and Burrard.

The Starbucks at the corner of West 3rd and Burrard is one of the friendliest and best run Starbucks we’ve ever encountered. If they mess up your drink you’ll get a free drink coupon (easier said than done at some Starbucks). They don’t mind if you stay and work for hours. They’ll heat up any food items on the menu, and even make insider’s suggestions to improve the food. And, as if this wasn’t enough to put us over-the-moon with this ‘bucks, you’ll find the staff here some of the most chipper around.

The coffee speaks for itself, this is Starbucks after all. And, as with all Starbucks locations in Canada, if you have a Starbucks account you can access their free wifi (we suggest creating a few accounts, in case 2 hours isn’t enough).

Thanks to the barista's suggestion we tried the turkey sandwich toasted. Ah-mazing!

They really don’t seem to mind you spending the entire day hunkered down over your laptop working. Lots of students and WFH types seem to work here (myself included) and they’ll leave you alone, even while they close up the store.

There is ample seating in this location – with about 8 or 9 high tables, and a big comfy couch with a lower table. There are plenty of power outlets along the far wall (and beside the handicapped table) and there are a couple of smaller tables with chairs outside along 3rd.

Washrooms are exceptionally clean, milk / sugar kept restocked, and the chalk drawings are some of the finest we’ve seen at any Starbucks. There is plenty of free parking out front.

I can’t say this enough – the service here is exceptional, and the staff is really some of the friendliest around. This Starbucks feels like one big, happy living room – and even though the location and decor couldn’t scream strip-mall-Starbucks any louder, they’ve still captured that magical feeling of the Third Place.

Of note: this place is always brimming with cops. I’m starting to think that cops really must know the best Starbucks locations to frequent.

Address:1855 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3G9
(604) 733-4205

Hours: Open at 6am daily.

Urbanspoon Says:

Jitters is a true community coffee shop. The same regular characters populate this place morning, noon and night – and spending a great deal of time here means getting to know a part of Kitsilano.

The actual café space is small – with no more than 6 or 7 small tables with chairs – along with a small seating area outside. Business is steady, but you are generally always able to find a place to settle in and the staff don’t mind if you linger for hours. It’s hard to spread out with too much “stuff” as most tables are small or oddly positioned, but you’ll do well with a small laptop. There is also free wifi.

At night Jitters really comes alive. They are licensed and host live music a few nights a week. The regulars come out to drink, smoke on the sidewalk, and use Jitters like one big living room. It’s true community at it’s finest.

The prosciutto breakfast bagel (cheese, egg, prosciutto & tomato) is exceptional. Pair with a cup of Jitters java and you are set up for the day!

The coffee at Jitters is the standard smooth, watery stuff that will please any palate. It’s not too bold or aromatic – just good, old fashioned joe. Every espresso based concoction under the sun is also available.

Along with coffee, Jitters offers a good selection of baked goods. Cookies, scones, biscotti, loafs, cakes – they have something for your sweet tooth. They also serve a good host of lunch or light dinner fare – sandwiches, soups, smoothies.

Jitters offers a great light breakfast menu. Their breakfast sandwich (with prosciutto) is exceptional, and they toast up a mean bagel and cream cheese. The bagels they use are light and chewy, and they slather on the smear without holding back.

Overall Jitters is a great community coffee shop. It feels as like an extension of your own living room – a simple, cozy place that you feel comfortable just being yourself in. There are no bells and whistles or strong marketing gimmicks here. Just all around good food, free wifi, and a place to sit and enjoy a cup of java.

Address:
1966 4th Avenue W
Vancouver, BC

Hours: Su, M: 7am-7pm; T, W, F, Sa: 7am-10pm; Th: 7am-9pm

Phone: (604) 731-0222

Yelp Review: http://www.yelp.ca/biz/jitters-cafe-vancouver

Urbanspoon Says:

I have a newly re-formed love affair with Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe in Kitsilano. For years Sophie’s was that staple place I’d take guests from out of town. We’d brave the long weekend waits and fill our bellies with fresh diner coffee and huge plates of bacon and eggs. From the eccentric decor to the sassy servers, this was always a place of conversation.

Lately I’m seeing a whole side of Sophies that I’ve never seen before. I’ve started having early morning work meetings here, before the tourists can cross the bridge and anyone with a hangover has even thought about getting out of bed. This is the magical Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe that I really shouldn’t be telling anyone about.

Sophies opens surprisingly bright and early (8am, 7 days a week). Aside from the coffee shops, this stretch of West 4th remains fairly sleepy until 9 or 10. And on weekday mornings you can usually get a full booth without a wait; something that’s next to impossible later in the day and on weekends.

Before it starts getting busy for lunch, a weekday morning is the perfect time for holing up, having a quick nosh, and getting some serious caffeine and carb fueled work done.

New Menu Favorite: The Ashura Wheat dish. The serving was so hearty it will fill and fuel you all day long. The dish is served cold, along with yogurt and fruit - and is a healthful and energizing breaky. You can't put hot sauce on it, but it still tops my breakfast list.

Up until this morning I had never discovered the delights of Elysian Coffee. I’m an early bird, and usually demand my Saturday morning coffee at an unreasonably early hour. Elysian Coffee in Kits opens at 10am on Saturdays, and while this may be a painfully long wait for your first cup of the day, it’s well worth it.

Nestled along a quiet stretch of West 5th (near the Fifth Avenue Cinemas) The Elysian Room. This place is most certainly a destination; and is consistently packed with discerning neighborhood coffee drinkers who expect the most from their coffee experience.

The Elysian room does not disappoint, and it actually holds its own as one of Vancouver’s best, albeit underhyped coffee shops. They pay careful attention to crafting delicious and beautiful drinks, and the service and attention to detail was top notch. Their mocha – made with “dark chocolate sauce” – was topped with thick, velvety art adorned foam.

The coffee most certainly stands on its own, but their selection of baked goods is also great; with something for every diet and tastebud. Oat free, wheat free, gluten free, butter laden, low calorie, high calorie – you name it they have it.

I was especially delighted by their tinier treats. There were lots of options for those who wanted something rich and decadent, albeit in smaller portions.

Long story short – Elysian Coffee in Kits is well worth sleeping in for. On that note, I’m off to indulge in a big, creamy Elysian cappucino.

Tip:
While clover coffee is becoming hyped beyond belief with the recent Starbucks acquisition; this is undoubtedly the best cup of coffee you have ever had. The Elysian Room still stands as one of the only locations in the city that you can try a cup of this magical stuff. One cup will set you back a couple of dollars (the machine alone costs over $10,000) and be warned that you may just get hooked on this stuff.

Address:
1778 5th Avenue W
Vancouver, BC

Website: http://www.elysiancoffee.com/
Yelp Review: http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-elysian-room-vancouver-2

Urbanspoon Says:

Another post we loved from the Kitsilano Coffee blog. Arbutus Coffee on the corner of 6th and Arbutus in Kits is also one of our neighborhood favorites. If you haven’t had their giant berry muffins and a maple latte, you really haven’t lived. Go now!

Arbutus Coffee is my new favorite coffee place in Kits. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of West 4th and Broadway, and feels just like what a neighborhood coffee shop should. Located on the tree lined corner of 6th and Arbutus, this cafe is a definite local gem.They serve a wide variety of food and drink, both breakfast staples (cinnamon buns, scones) and lunch items (their paninis are spectacular). Their homemade banana bread is definitely work writing home about: gooey, sweet, and addictive. I’d come back for this alone. They also have some decadent desert treats: brownies, cake, pies … all tasty! The coffee itself is perfect, nothing too memorable or robust, but it’s always hot and it always hits the spot.

Dark and rustic, Arbutus Coffee is the kind of coffee shop that feels like it’s been there forever. In fact, it probably has. There is a thin layer of dust and coffee dust that covers everything, and I’m half certain that they leave it there on purpose. It feels like a part of the decor. The floors are wood. The tables and chairs mismatched. There are photos and paintings and chalkboards covering the walls. And the whole place always smells delightful. This place has ambience in spades.

The coffee shop is fairly small, meaning seating can be hard to find – especially on busier mornings. During fairer weather, there are a few tables and chairs located outside. Power outlets inside can be difficult to track down, so it’s best to come with your laptop pre powered. Wifi is complimentary.

The Gypsy Rose cafe is located right in the heart of busy West 4th. On weekend mornings this place is hopping with more couples, jogging strollers, and savvy locals than you can shake a stick at. This is the good stuff folks – giant, hearty crepes stuffed to the brim with whatever you can dream up.

There is nothing particularly special about the way this place looks or feels. There are only a few tables inside and out, though a fair amount of their business is takeout so you’ll usually be able to grab a spot. It’s not the place that invites you to linger, but you are here for the food after all.

Top Pick: Order the crepes, of course! They offer an assortment of other breakfast items that are decent, but the crepes are where the magic happens. I’m particularly fond of a good banana and nutella number, and I’m slowly working my way through the menu. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Address:
2017 West 4th
Vancouver, BC V6J1M9
Tel: (604) 738-3844

Crepe Menu: http://vancouvereatsout.com/gypsy-rose-cafe-menu/

Urbanspoon says:

The Aphrodite Organic Café and Pie Shop on West West 4th is one of Kitsilano’s finest brunch spots. If you haven’t made the trek out in that neighborhood yet, now you’ve got a mighty fine reason to visit. Their pies are outstanding, their breakfast menu exceptional (albeit a bit tough on the wallet) and as Kitsilano Coffee suggests below, they have some of the greatest breakfast pairing java on this side of Burrard. Read on:

Aphrodite Organic Café and Pie Shop is one part country café, one part pie shop, all parts amazing. Despite the fact that prices are quite high, and the service is notoriously slow, this remains one of our favorite places for noshing in the city. We chalk it up to some freaking rad ambiance.

This is the kind of place you just want to stay at all day.

The food at Aphrodite’s doesn’t disappoint and they serve up a great range of organic meals. Breakfast/brunch is clearly their raison d’être, but they also have dinner, lunch and takeout options. If you haven’t tasted one of their pies, you really haven’t lived. Our pick is the Strawberry Rhubarb pie – or the bafflingly incredible Chocolate Beet Cake (I’m getting heart palpitations just thinking about it!).

Alright, enough yammering about their food, let’s talk coffee. The coffee at Aphrodite’s is thick, the stuff is rich, and it’s definitely better and stronger than your average diner coffee cup of joe.

Refills can be hard to come by (service is very slow, on a good day) so it’s worth upgrading to the good stuff (be patient, even the drinks take a while to arrive). Their americanos are robust, and the blend they are using really pairs nicely with a big hearty breakfast – or a piece of pie!

Note: They don’t carry fake-o sweeteners like Splenda as they are an organic cafe, but they have honey or agave if you really have a sweet tooth.

Website: http://www.organiccafe.ca/

Urbanspoon Says:

Siegel’s Bagels on Cornwall in Kits offers one of Vancouver’s only options for the Montreal style bagel enthusiast. They have a big wood fire burning oven, and serve up the routine poppy / sesame seed selection, along with an assortment of other wild and wonderful treats (rugella, Montreal smoked meat, lox, homemade cream cheese etc). They serve breakfast all day, and have a great selection of full meals. Nothing is cheap, in fact the place is downright pricey, and the service leaves a little something to be desired – but c’mon, you’re there for the bagels!

On Tuesday the bagels are cheap – $6.50 a dozen. Other days they are just over $9 for 12. They also usually have a few bags of day old bagels in the far corner. For just 5 bucks these are ready to pop in your freezer. While they aren’t quite as chewy as when they come fresh from the oven, they are cheap, quick, and still darn good!

Siegels, while no longer open 24 hours, is still open late each night, and opens early in the morning. Be forewarned, weekdays during prime commuting time can be BUSY. Be prepared to wait in line for your schmear.

UPDATE: Siegel’s in Kit’s is now open 24 hours again! Kitsilano’s late night carb cravings have found a cure.

Try: the rosemary rock salt bagels.

Address:

1883 Cornwall Ave.
Tel: 604 737 8151
Fax: 604 737 2180

(They are also available on Granville Island at 1698 Johnston St.)

http://www.siegelsbagels.com/

Las Margaritas on West 4th is an awesome place for a night of fun food and drinks – but it’s never exactly cheap. Add up a few pitchers of sangria, a round of tequila shots, and a platter or two of chimichangas, and you’ve racked up a hefty bill.

Living in the neighbourhood, we seem to visit almost once a week, and have become seasoned in the art of ordering cheaply at Las Margaritas.

The Taco Platter is one of Vancouver’s best kept cheap dining secrets. This is no longer on the menu, but ask for it by name. For under $20 you receive a large platter of fixin’s to make enough tacos (soft or hard) to feed two to absolute fullness, or to share with four with a few other appetizers on the table. You can have beef, chicken (or both) along with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, rice, and lettuce. Likely there will be enough to take a little home! The experience of making your own tacos is fun, a bit messy, and perfect for the picky eater.

Las Margaritas knows how to do side dishes! For under $2 you can make your own basic vegetarian burritos. Order a side of either black or refried beans and a stack of 3 or 4 fresh tortillas and you are good to go! Add a little hot sauce or free salsa from the table and you ate for less than a meal at a homeless shelter. Classy! Pretty much anything they have on the menu is available as a side dish. Ask nicely. The price is right.

Keep in mind that they often charge you extra for refills of the chips and salsa, this ain’t no Lonestar. So avoid chowing down on three or four bowls of this before your meal.

Margaritas at Las Margaritas are great, but they aren’t cheap. Why not try a virgin drink? They are made with natural fruit nectars, and taste just as good as their boozy counterparts – for a third of the price.

They also have a few great desserts. While their churros are incredible, few people can down a plate of fried dough after a big meal. If you order their hot chocolate it comes with two sweet fatty churros on the side, and it’s half the price of the dough-only dessert.

Address:

1999 West 4th Avenue (4th and Maple)
Vancouver, BC
604-734-7117

http://www.lasmargaritas.com/

Enjoying a satisfyingly large Kits coffee on the way in to work.

Kits Coffee Co on West 4th is a big, bright coffee shop in the heart of Kitsilano. More importantly, it is home to some of the best cinnamon buns in the entire city. Grounds for Coffee delivers them warm and gooey each morning and along with a fresh cup of joe, this can be a very dangerous little addiction.

Located at the corner of 4th and Yew, Kits Coffee has more to offer than just cinnamon buns. It sits on a prime location with ample parking (street &/or paid), loads of tables and chairs, and a large west facing patio. There is free wifi and there is always a big stack of local and national newspapers on hand.

A good selection of pastries and wraps are available, although most are overpriced and somewhat bland. If you want anything heated, be prepared to wait. I’m not sure what sort of ancient device they use to warm up their wraps or sandwiches, but it certainly takes a while. A toasted bagel with cream cheese is my morning staple, and I’d advise you to make the short crawl down the street to Jitters or Siegel’s if you are really in the mood. The bagels they serve are fluffy and dry, and they come with a package of Philadelphia cream cheese on the side. Nothing special.

That said, the coffee is actually quite good and it’s always fresh. While you won’t find the artisanal coffee of 49th Parallel here – it’s fresh, hot, and smooth!

Though there is nothing especially cozy about Kits Coffee, the floor to ceiling windows provide some of the best people watching in the city, and it’s a great spot to settle in for an hour or so. Count the number of lululemon clad, Starbucks carrying, dog walking couples that pass in the amount of time it takes to devour a cinnamon bun. I often make it into the double digits.

Address:

2198 4th Avenue West
Vancouver, BC
(604) 739-0139

Open at 7am Monday to Saturday, 7:30 on Sundays.