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:

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 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/

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.

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

We have a tradition of eating a super greasy brunch each day on the weekend. Usually we hit up Denny’s because we are clearly uncreative and like love handles, but my favourite place to go is Melriches in Yaletown.

Anything with the word ‘Yaletown’ in it sort of automatically cancels out the possibility of it being cheap, but with Melriches it’s not the case. While it’s no hole in the wall dive, it’s a simple breakfast haunt with free wifi, good food (including ALL DAY breakfast), simple service, and owners who don’t care if you hang out all day.

Melriches is located at 1043 Mainland Street, right beside Section 3, and is usually packed early. They’ve got lots of spots to sit, from cozy booths to people-watching-window-stools, and it’s all seat yourself. Nothing is overpriced, the portions are big, and you can bring in your laptop and access their free wifi hotspot, though I never see anyone using it.

Another great thing about Melriches is the service, or lack there of. You pay at the cash and have your food brought out to you, but there aren’t any annoying servers hovering over you or trying to get you buy your bazillionth latte in order to just stay put.

There’s another Melriches in Vancouver, on Davie street, and it’s just as good. It attracts a differnt clientele and definitely feels more like a coffee shop than the Yaletown one.

I say, order a coffee (Melrich’s coffee comes from local roaster Bean Around the World), a big omelette, grab the paper, and watch the locals see and be seen. If you are going to eat out, you might as well make it a lazy brunch, the kind of meal that can really last all day.

All in all, Melriches is worth the trip out. It’s best in the morning when it’s jam packed and everyone is hopping on caffiene, but it’s still damn good on a quiet rainy day when you can curl up undisturbed with your laptop and a muffin.

Address:

1043 Mainland (beside Section 3)
Vancouver, BC