Vancouver

Aphrodite's Cafe and Pie Shop

A friendly cafe that uses locally-grown and organic ingredients with a first-class menu that's long on vegetarian and vegan dishes. The brunch on Saturday and Sunday is delicious or try the pie and chai combination. Service is sometimes slow, so expect a wait, particularly when crowded. Lunch and dinner on weekdays; no reservations. Pies to go can be purchased at the pie shop next door.

Blue Water Cafe

Arguably Vancouver's premier upscale destination for seafood, Blue Water offers fine dining, drinking, and a raw bar. The seafood preparations are direct, emphasizing fresh, flavorful ingredients over showy virtuoso techniques, and many are Japanese-influenced. The wine and cocktail lists are also exceptional. A few non-seafood items (including a couple of vegetarian friendly options) make it possible to bring a group that includes some who may not love what the ocean has to offer.

5PM-11PM (dinner); 4:30PM-1AM (bar)

Caffè Artigiano

Excellent coffee shop featuring "latte art," but it's still great. IntelligentsiA coffee available. Great espresso. This small chain has a total of four locations in this district, plus other locations in the Lower Mainland and Calgary.

Mon-Fri 6AM–6PM, Sat Sun 6:30AM–5PM

Cartems Donuterie

They modestly claim the title of "best donuts in Vancouver". They certainly have some of the most interesting flavours. Try the "whiskey bacon" donut. Also coffee and tea, served with a friendly smile in a hip setting.

Mon-Thu 8AM-8PM, Fri 8AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-6PM·$3 each, $30/dozen

Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Pub

Upstairs is a funky little coffee house with lots of comfy seating, downstairs is a friendly pub, popular with a lot of local sports teams. There is a patio adjoining, with heat lamps for those cooler evenings. Friday nights are almost always packed.

Sun-Thu 11AM-midnight, Fri-Sat 11AM-1AM·$10-16 mains

Cheesecake, etc.

Vancouver's first late-night dessert cafe. Opened in 1979, it is an authentic Vancouver cultural experience. Featuring the original "Vancouver-style", it is a light cheesecake with various toppings added.

Daily 7PM-1AM·Cheesecake slices $6-7

Heartwood Community Cafe

Successor to the popular Rhizome Cafe, serves bistro food, organic coffee, and alcoholic drinks. They seek to build community, and offer a meeting room for events.

Tue-Fri 11AM–6PM, Sat Sun 10AM–4PM, Mon closed

Kerrisdale

A busy neighbourhood commercial district. Located on West 41st Avenue between Larch and Maple Street, there are multiple coffee shops and restaurants that serve great food. It has a small town feel, but busy city traffic.

Mink, A Chocolate Café

The coffee is strong, the hot chocolate is rich and the chocolate is plentiful. Dairy-free available. Waffles and fruit parfaits. The chocolate fondue with pound cake and seasonal fruit for dipping is excellent (just make sure there's at least two of you to share!). As a chocolate maker, they use their own chocolate in everything. Large selection of house-made chocolate bars, bonbons, & confections for retail.

Mon-Fri 7:30AM-6PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM (closed holidays)·$5-10

Red Wagon Cafe

Small neighbourhood restaurant kind of like a country diner serving hearty portions of sandwiches, burgers and all day breakfast. It's probably best known for its pulled pork pancakes and sandwiches. Popular over lunch, so expect to wait for a table if arriving between noon and 1PM.

Mon 8AM-3PM, Tue-Fri 8AM-9PM, Sat 9AM-9PM, Sun 9AM-4PM (brunch)·$7-15

Terra Breads Cafe

Bakery and cafe known for its artisan breads baked in a stone hearth oven. Serves a selection of salads, sandwiches and hot plates for lunch, plus a small breakfast menu. Sandwiches/paninis are made with their own bread, and include tasty options like roast lamb on fig and anise bread and roast turkey on cranberry pistachio bread.

Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-7PM·$6-10

The Railway Stage & Beer Cafe

Popular bar that frequently features live music. The crowd is a mix of ages, although probably more over 30. It's not a big place, so it gets packed easily. There are more tables at the other end of the long bar if you want to sit down and talk.

Sun-Thu 4PM-2AM, Fri Sat 11AM-3AM·Drinks $6-12, food $7-12

Tree's Organic Coffee & Roasting House

A coffeehouse featuring carefully selected, 100% certified organic, coffee. Justifiably proud of its reaaaally good cheesecake. This is the flagship of a small local chain; there are other locations in Yaletown, Gastown and Richmond.

Mon-Fri 6AM-10PM, Sat Sun and holidays 8:30AM-10PM

University Village

Has a number of service stores including a Staples office supply store, photocopying services, several restaurants (including a subterranean food court), a grocery, coffee shops, a liquor store, and a newsstand.

Main Street

South Main

Located in Mt Pleasant. South of Broadway stretching to around 30th Avenue, has a vibrant and expanding collection of independent restaurants, cafés, high-end niche clothing stores and small boutiques.

University Village

It has a full-service Starbucks Coffee as well as a Blenz, Omio Japanese Restaurant, Pita Pit, McDonald's, and a number of smaller cafes etc. An underground food court has about nine Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Persian buffets, with lunch or dinner. See listing under "Buy" for further information.

Water Street Cafe

Elegant restaurant known for its pasta and seafood dishes.

Sun-Thu 11:30AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11:30AM-10PM·Appetizers $5.50-13, mains $14-30