Photo: Enjoying an Americano in Vancouver. Photo by Robyn Hanson.
In a city that seems to have a coffee shop on every corner, we thought it would be interesting to uncover the most quirkiest of cafes in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Our definition of cafe is indeed coffee-centric, although we do have a few exceptions. As for our definition of quirky? You be the judge…
1. Holy Smoke Coffee – Surrey
This may be the only cafe in the region that’s located in a gigantic stucco teepee. You’d almost expect Holy Smoke Coffee to be all about the gimmick, but they’re arguably one of the best places in South Surrey for coffee. Just ask Jasmine Bradley of The Surrey Now who finally decided to see what the fuss was about. Her findings? “They serve coffee. Really good coffee”. And it makes sense; owner Al Nemeth only uses organic, fair trade coffee which he roasts on site every morning. Be sure to time your visits accordingly though as Holy Smoke is only open Monday to Friday from 6am until 1pm.
2. The Yellow Deli – Chilliwack
Formerly the Preserved Seed Cafe, The Yellow Deli is probably not what you’re expecting to find in the Fraser Valley: a hippy cafe run by a Chilliwack commune who serve some of the tastiest organic food and drinks this side of Vancouver, all in one rustic, cozy cottage that wouldn’t look out of place on Salt Spring Island in the 70s. They even have a storehouse where you can purchase local, sustainable food to bring home with you. And if these photos by photographer Theresa Le’s anything to go by, then this has to be one of the quirkiest cafes in the region. Come for the coffee, stay for the food!
3. The Back Porch – Harrison Hot Springs
The next time you’re craving an afternoon drive through the countryside, head out and do the Agassiz-Harrison Circle Farm Tour, making sure you stop off at The Back Porch. It’s on this Harrison Hot Springs farm where owners Dan and Lynda run a pottery studio, antique barn and a coffee roasting facility. Taste their coffee which is roasted in house in a 1919-era Flame Roaster, and buy some coffee to bring home with you. Note that The Back Porch is only open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am until 5pm, so plan your trip accordingly.
4. Cafe Savoureux – Richmond
There’s something just so wonderfully quirky about Cafe Savoureux. Maybe it’s because it’s an unusual mix of a French-inspired Chinese coffee shop. Maybe it’s because they serve all their coffee in beautiful fine bone China cups. Perhaps it’s that they have a great selection of coffee varieties which are all made to order and made using a siphon. Oh yes, and they also serve the coveted (and extraordinarily expensive) civet coffee. What’s civet coffee, you ask? Well, it may sound gross if I explain it, so it’s probably better if you Google it. In any case, this quirky Richmond cafe isn’t all hype. It’s currently rated 5 out of 5 stars (out of 5 reviews) on Yelp, so you know this local’s secret won’t be secret for much longer.
5. Elvis Rocks The Canyon Cafe – Hell’s Gate
Although it’s more of a roadside diner than a coffee shop, if you’re driving along the Fraser Canyon toward Hell’s Gate, you’ll definitely want to make a pit stop at the famous Elvis Rocks The Canyon Cafe. Imagine a roadside cafe where the owners are such die hard Elvis fans, they own the entire Elvis discography on vinyl which they display proudly on the walls. And believe me, the Elvis albums are just part of their Elvis shrine. It’s really quite impressive and a must-see. The husband and wife owners even look the part, him with the Elvis hairdo and her with the Elvis bicep tattoo. I am not joking. I love this place. A total quirky cafe in the most unexpected of places – sitting alongside the edge of the Fraser Canyon between Yale and Boston Bar.
6. The Prophouse Cafe – Vancouver
I remember when I first visited the Prophouse Cafe in early 2011. I was told that it would be like discovering a secret attic where dozens of lanterns hung from the rafters; where a record player with a stash of vinyl was available for anyone who wished to play it. All the furniture is mismatched, and the place is full of the weird, the wonderful and the obscure: ceramic tigers, an old dentist chair, a velvet painting of a topless Polynesian. You get the picture…
Photo: Watching a concert during the Olio Festival at the Prophouse Cafe. Photo by Robyn Hanson.
But what’s cool about the Prophouse is that it gets its name because it is an actual prop house for movies and TV shows filmed in Vancouver. They also host a variety of shows in the evening, from music and comedy to burlesque. And what’s even cooler is that despite all the crazy decor and the fun events, the coffee and the food is amazing. In fact, my sister swears it’s the best value in town if you’re seeking an Americano and a large, fluffy scone. I completely agree. And that’s saying something, given its proximity to Commercial Drive.
7. Galileo Coffee Company – Britannia Beach
The tiny town of Britannia Beach is probably best known for the Britannia Mine Museum – a national historic site and fabulous day trip destination from Vancouver. But this former mining community has another treasure: it’s home to some of the best coffee along the Sea to Sky. The next time you’re driving up to Whistler, make a pit stop at the Galileo Coffee Company. All their coffee is roasted in house – a process you can watch from inside the cafe as you try to decide what coffee you’re going to have. The coffee’s so popular, many businesses in nearby Squamish and Whistler have begun to serve it as well!
8. Breakwater Cafe – Powell River
Imagine wandering into a charming bookstore only to discover a quaint little cafe nestled within. This is the
Breakwater Cafe. Situated in Breakwater Books, Powell River’s only independent bookstore, this cafe is a must for any book lovers, especially those who enjoy reading local, west coast authors. Enjoy some homemade baking with your coffee, get comfy with your favourite book, or simply admire the waterfront view. If you visit on Saturdays at 2pm, you might even be able to take in some storytelling!
9. The Copper Sky Gallery and Cafe – Madeira Park
When I visited Madeira Park during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl last October, I spent a leisurely lunch at the the Copper Sky Gallery and Cafe and absolutely loved it. Acting as the hub of the community, this whimsical cafe and art gallery hybrid features the beautiful paintings, sculptures, and jewellery of Cindy Cantelon and Marshall Mar. But the food here – made with fresh, seasonal produce – is equally spectacular. Grab a coffee and a bite to eat, admire the art, and watch the community spirit of the Sunshine Coast come alive.
10. Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe – Langley
Photo: Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe in downtown Fort Langley. Source: Robyn Hanson
The book nerd in me loves Wendel’s Bookstore & Cafe. This carefully curated selection of books, stationery and gifts sits in the same heritage building as the cafe, where you can grab an espresso, a dessert bar, or even grab a proper meal… even pizza! I personally love coming here after spending the afternoon touring nearby Langley wineries. It makes for a perfect post-dinner destination and a wonderful place to grab a coffee for the drive back home.
