Brunch in Vancouver is reason enough to get out of bed in the morning, even when you’re on vacation.
Every day in this vibrant West Coast seaport city in British Columbia was spent hiking, biking, and generally exhausting my poor pandemic-weary body. However, the alluring promise of stacks of pancakes, Hollandaise-smothered eggs benny, and effervescent mimosas had me dragging myself out of bed every morning instead of hitting the snooze button.
Not much is worth losing sleep over but brunch in a city deemed one of the best food cities in the world by Condé Nast Traveler definitely is.
RELATED READING:
➳ A Drool-Worthy Guide To The Best Brunch in Toronto
➳ Joffre Lakes Hike: How to Survive and Post-Hike Tips
➳ How Montreal Foodies Eat Their Way Into A MuuMuu in 40 Hours
Les Boulettes from Cafe Medina
The Best Brunch In Vancouver
After doing exhaustive research, these were the top breakfast and brunch restaurants in Vancouver(in no particular order) that kept popping up. Did you had a hidden gem that deserves to be added to the list?
Ask For Luigi
best brunch in vancouver for: carbs for breakfast
My stomach has no concept of time or limitations. I’ve been known to scarf down a cheeseburger, fish tacos, leftover meatball sub, pork bone stew — all well before 11am. Why should breakfast food be the only fare that’s great at any time of the day?
So obviously when I was researching where to eat brunch in Vancouver, the idea of twirlable bowls of pasta at Ask for Luigi was like a carb–filled dream for me.
Perched on a quiet corner in Vancouver’s Railtown, this cozy neighbourhood spot serves up Italian-inspired dishes that are as comforting as they are delicious.
Take a seat in the warm wood-panelled interior dotted with lush foliage and dig into hearty mains like the fan favourite, Carbonara di Luigi.
The handmade noodles are coated in a decadently creamy mixture made even more silky by the poached egg yolk (that makes it breakfast-y, right?) while the cured pork adds a hint of saltiness.
The Carbonara di Luigi of my dreams <3
As good as the pasta was, the side banana bread stole the MF show! This personal-sized mini loaf is moist was studded with ooey gooey chocolate chips and served with a fluffy whipped ricotta topped with a dusting of cinnamon.
Ask For Luigi | 305 Alexander St.
Cafe Medina
best brunch in vancouver for: omg Liège-style waffles
While I was compiling a list of places to eat in Vancouver, I kept my eye out for patterns. Which drool-worthy spots keep popping up in blog posts, articles, etc…? Cafe Medina was repeatedly deemed one of the best restaurants for brunch in Vancouver, garnering rave reviews by its residents and local chefs.
Waltzing into the bright space tucked away in the Liberty District, the bustling of hungry patrons and friendly servers reminded me of navigating the chaotic medinas in Marrakech while on the hunt for souvenirs.
However in this context, the name “Medina” was chosen for its connotation to “radiant or enlightened city” and hints at the Mediterranean-influenced cuisine that dominates the menu like the tagine with merguez sausage and the harissa-spiced burger.
I went for Les Boulettes, spicy Moroccan lamb meatballs resting in a tomato-based stew with red peppers and black olives, creamy raita (a yogurt sauce) and plump poached eggs, with a side of grilled sourdough bread for dipping.
Having passed a tempting display of freshly made Liège-style waffles, I ordered one on a whim. Lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, I drizzled my single gaufre with a vibrantly yellow creme de fruit de passion before taking a bite.
OH MY GAH! The lightness of the waffle and delicate sweetness paired with the tart passionfruit topping blew my mind. 10 out of 10 recommend.
There are different toppings available — salted caramel, fig orange marmalade, rosewater pistachio — but the creme de passionfruit is BOMB
Pro Tip: Cafe Medina have a certain number of reservation spots available two weeks in advance that can be booked online. Once those are full it’s on a first come, first serve basis so it’s imperative to arrive early especially if you’re aiming for a weekend brunch spot.
Café Medina | 780 Richards St.
The Birds & The Beets
best brunch in vancouver for: an IG-worthy setting
I’m not going to lie — sometimes I pick brunch spots based on the name and I love me a play on words.
View this post on Instagram
Whether you’re searching for a worthy vegan brunch in Vancouver or your dietary restrictions are non-existent, The Birds & The Beets will satisfy your morning cravings.
As one of Gastown’s most beloved cafes, this casual eatery offers a small but mighty menu jam-packed with fresh ingredients. Enjoy your meal outdoors on their charming terrace or within the oh-so Instagrammable space with exposed brick.
View this post on Instagram
Nosh on a thickly-cut sourdough toast covered with slices of avocado and topped with pickled red onions and a wobbly poached egg or soft scrambled eggs sandwiched in a ciabatta bun.
The Birds & The Beets | 55 Powell St.
Jam Cafe
best brunch in vancouver for: menu choices galore
Whether you wake up in time for breakfast or brunch in Vancouver, you’re guaranteed to be waiting in line at this popular, family-owned eatery… but it’ll be worth it!
With two locations in Vancouver (one in Kitsilano), Jam Cafe tops all of the must-eat lists with its extensive menu and rustic interior bedecked with wooden crates and vintage knick-knacks.
Start your weekend brunch (or weekday if you roll like that) off with a Jammer Mimosa — fizzy Prosecco sweetened with ginger syrup, peach and mango juice, topped with a thick citrus foam — before perusing the seemingly never-ending all-day breakfast items.
Despite being tempted by the peanut butter and banana combo of The Fat Elvis Waffle, I ultimately opted for savory over sweet (as per usual).
The Gravy Coops was a behemoth dish — crispy fried chicken topped with two sunny side-up eggs and shredded green onions sandwiched in a dense buttermilk biscuit and smothered with a heavenly mushroom gravy.
As if that wasn’t filling enough, it’s served with shredded hash browns and roasted tomatoes.
Jam Cafe | 556 Beatty St. | 2153 W 4th Ave.
MILA
best brunch in vancouver for: refined vegan breakfast
If you’re looking to do good for your body and for the planet, MILA is the restaurant for vegan brunch in Vancouver. They bring plant-based dining to the next level, blending comfort dishes with culinary innovation for a “premium casual restaurant concept.”
View this post on Instagram
Grab a seat in the high-ceilinged space situated in Vancouver’s Chinatown and browse the menu brimming with internationally-influenced flavour profiles. It is perfectly acceptable to treat yourself to a Mimosa Flight for some morning bubbly; Prosecco combined with various juices (strawberry and lychee, mango and peach, grapefruit, and orange juice).
Dig in to a vegan Eggs Benedict stacked layers of carrot lox, sourdough, red onion, capers and tofu egg smothered in Hollandaise sauce and accompanied by crispy smashed potatoes. For some Asian flair, sample the fluffy Breakfast Bao Buns filled with tofu scramble, bacon, cheddar, sambal aioli, pickled red onion and scallion.
View this post on Instagram
Do you have more of a sweet tooth in the morning? The mango curd and cheesecake cream topped waffle with honeycomb is right up your alley.
MILA | 185 Keefer St.
Fable Diner
best brunch in vancouver for: elevated diner fare
Located at the base of the historic Lee Building in Mount Pleasant, Fable Diner offers an inviting space to indulge in your favourite morning staples for weekend brunch in Vancouver.
Take a seat in one of the teal or caramel leather banquettes in the welcoming, white-washed interior and study the laminated placemat menu. You’ll find familiar diner items —steak and eggs, grilled cheese, milkshakes topped with a cloud of whipped cream — but with a creative twist to elevate the casual eats.
Fable Diner aims to use local suppliers, seasonal ingredients and aim to make as much as they can themselves on site to ensure high quality and taste at a diner prices.
You may be tempted to stick with your standard go-tos but trust me, order the Roast Duck Pancake. It’s not only a unique spin on a classic breakfast offering but a fiesta for the tastebuds!
A fluffy pancake is stacked high with shredded roast duck, kimchi (for a spicy, Asian kick!), green onion, cilantro, what they call “crispy business” (whatever that means…) and trades maple syrup for a duck mayo bursting with umami. Wash it all down with a naturally fizzy house-made kombucha.
Note: If you’re an avid fan of the Food Network then Fable Diner should look familiar to you. It was featured on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (season 29, episode 17) making it an iconic addition to your brunch in Vancouver list.
Fable Diner | 151 Broadway East (inside the Lee Building)
Havana
best brunch in vancouver for: a lively fiesta
🎶 Havana, ooh na-na 🎶 I canNOT think, say, or write “Havana” without this song getting stuck in my head…but I digress.
There are plenty of other reasons to shimmy your way over to this Commercial Drive mainstay for weekend brunch. Off the top of my head, those reasons include the stunning decor, fresh Cuban eats, buzzy atmosphere, energetic servers, epic cocktails…to name a few.
Taking inspiration from the culture and vibrancy of Old Havana, you can expect Latin-influenced flavours crafted with Pacific Northwest style and composed of fresh, local ingredients.
Settle amid lush greenery under twinkly lights and boho lamp shades and begin your feast with extra crispy tostones with avocado mousse for the table. As a boozy alternative to your daily caffeine hit, opt for the Churro Pick Me Up cocktail made with two shots of espresso, rum, Kahlua, cinnamon syrup and cinnamon leche whip.
Move on to the Enchilada Brunch Skillet, black bean and tomato enchiladas smothered in charred poblano cream sauce and made breakfast-appropriate with poached eggs, or a Little Havana Brunch Bowl for lighter morning fare.
I opted for the classic Cubano sandwich because when in Rome…It was the ideal meat-to-bread ratio with house porchetta and honey ham accompanied by melty cheese, briny pickles and yellow mustard pressed in a Cuban bun. Get some greens in there with the calle ocho salad as a side instead of fries.
Note: You want to know why Havana is THE venue to be if you’re looking to kick off brunch in Vancouver with a bang? Two words: Drag. Brunch. *mic drop*
Havana | 1212 Commercial Dr.
Botanist
best brunch in vancouver for: a fancy morning
Throw on your Sunday best and head over to the elegant Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in the heart of Coal Harbour for the fanciest of brunch places in Vancouver. Saunter through the pristine lobby and up the staircase to the second floor where you’ll find the on-site restaurant, Botanist.
The airy space is composed of four distinct areas that were inspired by the principals of botany (hence the name) — a bar, lounge, dining room, and the verdant outdoor terrace garden.
Luxuriate amid pastel hues and lush hanging plants and choose between a two or three-course brunch menu of dishes crafted with ingredients foraged from their natural landscapes in the northwest.
First, what’s a lavish brunch without a reviving cocktail? Delight in a bubbly Reverie Spritz, a twist on a summer go-to with grapefruit, rosewater, honey, sparkling wine, and bright and bitter Aperol.
Start off slow with freshly baked viennoiserie or granola parfait before moving on to the main event. Indulge in an elevated classic with the Crab and Avocado Benedict or the rich Wild Mushroom Risotto with a poached egg.
View this post on Instagram
Finish off the meal with one of the delicate desserts like the Okanagan Strawberry Rhubarb, tart and fruity sorbet atop a golden almond financier accompanied by strawberry cream and almond strawberry rochers.
Note: If you’re dropping by Botanist for their chemist-like experimental cocktails (think glasses fused into driftwood), save your visit for the evening as they’re not offered at brunch.
Botanist | 1038 Canada Pl. (Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel)
Other Note-Worthy Brunch Restaurants in Vancouver:
+ Chambar is known for their classy vibes and creative Belgian cuisine like waffles and moule frites, or mussels in broth, after 11:30am
+ While exploring the city, no doubt you’ll find your way to Granville Island in which case Brunch is your best bet for, well, brunch in the area, serving Mexican fare on a lovely terrace.
+ Head to OEB Breakfast Co. to enjoy your morning meal waterside. You may get overwhelmed by their extensive brunch menu but anything with lobster (like the crepe or the scramble) will be a win.
Despite my trip to the West Coast being a little over a week long, I still managed to cram in as many breakfast and brunch restaurants in Vancouver as humanly possible into my schedule. But that shouldn’t be surprising considering what a brunch connoisseur I am in the Toronto scene.
If you’re looking for a way to work off all the pancakes and eggs benny, check out the Joffre Lakes Hike for some epic BC views.
Keep your stalking game strong and follow me @teriaki if you aren’t already!
0 Comments