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:

I’ve spent far too long online googling the crepe menu for the Gypsy Rose Cafe and have decided to take matters into my own hands.

We’ve uploaded a picture of the Sweet and Savory crepe menu for your mouth watering pleasure here.

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/

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Vancouver is in dire need of more good bakeries. With everyone so busy out hiking and yoga-ing and working out like crazy, there’s a whole lot of disposable calories floating around out there. And while we may lack an over abundance of bakeries, our city does show strongly on the overall locally-made-cinnamon-bun charts.

What follows is a list based on many years and many calories worth of cinnamon investigative journalism. By no means have we tried every ooey, gooey bun out there – but we’ve given it a fair shot! With that, we give you: Vancouver Eats Out’s guide to The Best Cinnamon Buns in the City.

1. Grounds for Coffee: The Grounds for Coffee cinnamon buns clearly lead the pack as the best cinnamon buns in the city – a winner by a landslide. Devastatingly delicious, moist and gooey – we were shocked to discover that they do not contain hydrogenated oils or trans-fats (they are also nut, raisin, bleached flour, egg, shortening and preservative free). These sticky buns really are at their best when fresh from the oven or heated up ever so slightly – be sure to ask your server to warm them. *Note: the Grounds for Coffee buns are so good they are carried at coffee shops across town (including Kits Coffee).

2. Solly’s Bagelry: Layers of gooey, heavy dough trap a dark, flavorful cinnamon spread in what might be considered one of the city’s more complex cinnamon bun taste sensations. The spice mix on these buns is unique, and their consistency heavier and denser than most of the others we tried.

3. Terra Breads: The Pecan Cinnamon buns at Terra’s are very different than their doughy former competitors. Flakier and raisin and nut crusted, with a slightly salty bite, these buns easily make our list. Best served fresh from the Terra’s on Granville Island and accompanied by a warm cup of joe. Om!

Solly's dark, flavourful cinnamon roll.

We also have to give major props to the chains for serving up some mighty flavourful buns. Ikea, McDonalds, Cobs and the classic Cinnabon all hold their own against our local favorites.

Next up? More starch is on the horizon! We’re on the prowl to try any cinnamon buns we couldn’t cover for this post. Who did we miss? Which cinnamon buns should we hunt out next? Share your suggestions and we’ll volunteer our waistlines.

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:

Solly’s Bagelry on West 7th (and all locations for that matter) is a must-visit food stop in Vancouver. The bagels, the breakfasts, and the takeaway items – all are top notch.

Solly’s is a Jewish family Bakery and Deli; with their signature item being their boiled and baked bagels. All flavors of their dense, chewy bagels incredible. I always let them choose a mixed bag for me. As with all bagels, they are best if eaten as soon as possible (hard to resist anyway).

Aside from bagels, Solly’s also carries a wide assortment of Jewish pastries. Their cinnamon buns are the stuff that dreams are made of: heavy, rich, caramelly. I dare you to eat an entire one to yourself!

They also have tasty rugoleh, knish, huge sandwiches and soups, including their famous chicken matzo ball variety. The breakfast menu is also worth noting, and the sinful Eggel does not dissapoint.

There is ample seating room, with lots of tables, chairs and nooks and crannies to hole up in. In fact, this is one of my all time favourite places in Vancouver to study or get work done. Once they politely serve you your food they leave you alone in peace to work or chow down.

Tips: On Wednesday they host a stellar bagel deal – $7.50 for a dozen of any kind of bagel!

Or, if you are in the mood for something a little different, try their hot dog bagel. They wrap a tasty hot dog in chewy bagel dough and bake and boil. Strange, but good!

Address:
368 West 7th Ave
(Yukon & 7th-1 block East of Cambie)

Phone: (604) 675-9750

Website & Hours: http://www.sollysbagelry.com/

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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

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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/

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