Let’s start by saying that this list was not created with any kind of scoring metric (we’ll leave that to our pal Justin McElroy and his crew). This list was, however, created based on real experience—multiple times visiting multiple cafes, drinking Americanos, eating treats, and generally being coffee-obsessed.

Here are, in our humble opinion, Vancouver’s best cafes by neighbourhood.

Chinatown/Strathcona: Hunnybee

For a great breakfast sandwich and a delicious espresso drink, cute and chic corner cafe Hunnybee is your spot. The vegan ginger cookie is nothing to kick out of bed, either.

Address: 789 Gore Avenue, Vancouver

For a guide to Chinatown and Strathcona’s other great cafes, go here.

Commercial Drive: Livia

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Little Italy’s Livia doubles as an intimate pasta joint by night, but during the day it’s an airy, cozy cafe with expertly prepared coffee, bread, and baked goods. Every corner feels intentional here.

Address: 1399 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

For a guide to Commercial Drive’s other great cafes, go here.

Downtown: Bel Cafe

Located in the bottom of downtown’s swish Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Bel Cafe is the perfect place to grab a cup to go, or to sit and have a power coffee meeting. The food’s great, too, meaning your only problem will be scoring a table.

Address: 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

For a guide to downtown’s other great cafes, go here.

East Vancouver: Prototype

Can a cafe be sexy? Because this cafe sure feels sexy. Prototype is a small roastery with an East Hastings tasting room that serves up 14 different beans and roasts at any given time. The point? To give us choice, and a sense of discovery. It works.

Address: 883 East Hastings Street, Vancouver 

For a guide to East Van’s other great cafes, go here.

Gastown: Nelson The Seagull

Most people might say Revolver is the best cafe in Gastown. It’s okay to be wrong sometimes! In all seriousness, we love Revolver, but it is definitely for the coffee aficionado. For a more relaxed experience without any pretension (but still a fabulous cuppa), Nelson the Seagull is just the place. Plus, that way you can also dig into their extremely satisfying Full Nelson Sandwich (crafted on house-made sourdough, of course).

Address: 315 Carrall Street, Vancouver

For a guide to Gastown’s other great cafes, go here.

Kitsilano: Their There

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The team behind Michelin-starred restaurant AnnaLena also have the so-hip-it-hurts cafe Their There: part cafe, part general store, part burger joint (at night, at least). Order a breakfast sandwich and a coffee (and, okay, maybe a treat, too).

Address: 2042 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

For a guide to Kitsilano’s other great cafes, go here.

Mount Pleasant: Milano

Milano has the world’s first 20-bean espresso blend, which might be reason enough for you to visit. But even if you don’t want to splurge on that offering, the award-winning roaster has plenty of other options that are all truly great.

Address: 156 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver 

For a guide to Mount Pleasant’s other great cafes, go here.

Riley Park: Coco et Olive

Coffee and French treats are the stars of the show here, along with a selection of excellent home goods that you’re extremely strong-willed if you avoid taking home.

Address: 3707 Main Street, Vancouver

For a guide to Riley Park’s other great cafes, go here.

South Granville: Small Victory

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The bread (the bread!), the baked goods (the baked goods!), the coffee (the coffee!), the stunning room (the stunning room!). We’re here for all of it.

Address: 3070 Granville Street, Vancouver

For a guide to South Granville’s other great cafes, go here.

West End: Greenhorn Cafe

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Go for the coffee, stay for the food. Greenhorn’s menu is delicious, from its sandwiches to its skillets. Hiding in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, it feels like a true community hub.

Address: 994 Nicola Street, Vancouver

For a guide to the West End’s other great cafes, go here.

Yaletown: Black Echo Coffee

Never heard of this place? You’re likely not alone. But Black Echo Coffee is quietly making some of the city’s best beans. Tucked away inside a clothing store, this cafe is worth a detour. 

Address: 1144 Mainland Street, Vancouver

For a guide to Yaletown’s other great cafes, go here.