Vancouver is a city that does so many things well, but if there is one thing it really excels at, it's brunch. Vancouverites are passionate about their weekend egg sessions and the race to get a prime seat at some of the city’s hippest brunch spots is a tough one. Thankfully to save you running all over town, we’ve done some of the research for you and pulled our list of top brunch spots in this beautiful Canadian city. It’s was tough to whittle it down to just 10 but these are the cream of the crop that pass the taste test as far as we’re concerned.
For reasonably-priced organic, local food, you can’t beat Aphrodite’s. From their stuffed French toast and breakfast burritos to their generous selection of vegetarian dishes, the menu is a tasty look at what’s in-season in the city. All their produce is locally sourced meaning that the menu regularly changes to showcase the best of in-season Canadian cuisine. The pies they serve up here for dessert are pretty delicious too. Try the pumpkin pie for a true regional classic, or the cherry one when it’s available.
A classic brunch spot in the city, Medina Café takes its cue from the flavours of the Mediterranean and North Africa, with the dishes like paella, ras-el-hanout tuna, and Moroccan meatballs to whet your appetite. The desserts and sweet coffees with flavours such as lavender and rosewater are something truly unique to this place and unsurprisingly there are queues out the door most weekends for this spot. The food you receive however will most definitely make up for the wait. Trust us.
For high quality, sustainable dining, Farmer’s Apprentice in Kitsilano is the only option. From the Scandinavian-style smørrebørd, to the octopus and poached eggs, there is a distinctive fish theme to the menu, but don't let that put you off, bacon lovers will also be able to get their fix. The food at Farmer’s Apprentice is based so much around experience that it’s worth setting aside some time to enjoy yourself here rather than rushing down their frankly delicious food. The tasting menu here for dinner is also a must-try if you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself.
Another classic in the Kitsilano area, Au Comptoir is a French-style restaurant that serves up classics like the croquet monsieur, steak frites and delicious waffles that hark back to the French way of cooking. Like many spots here, Au Comptoir doesn’t take reservations so make sure you get there early or else bring a friend so you don’t have to wait alone for a table. The dinners here are also a delight although unsurprisingly, they come in at a higher price point than the brunch.
If someone doesn’t like Mexican food, I become suspicious; if they don’t like Mexican breakfast food, even more so and if they don’t like Mexican drinks, forget about it. That description pretty much sums up my love of La Mezcaleria: the food, the breakfasts and the drinks are all so good and there’s not a soggy burrito in sight. The huevos con chorizo are my own favourite but if you prefer a sweeter breakfast, try the pan francés. Obviously it goes without saying that the cocktails here are second to none, but if you need a recommendation, try the cherry mescal negroni or the pisco sour.
Vancouver excels at so many different styles of cooking, but the one that really stands out is Asian. Asian fusion and influences can be found in restaurants throughout the city but try The Union for a wonderful mashup of banh mi breakfast rolls, Bangalore hash and pandesal French toast. The beer selection here is pretty decent too.
For the brunch traditionalists amongst us, Yolk’s is where you need to go. The menu is basic, poached eggs, pancakes, French toast and pancakes but the food is good, with only free range eggs used in any of the dishes. The smoothies or indeed the morning cocktails here are also pretty decent and if you need your brunch fix on the go, Yolk’s also have a street food truck on Burrard Street by West Pender. You could say, it’s eggcellent.
Vegan visitors to Vancouver need not despair at the list of meat and egg-based breakfasts listed here: The Wallflower in Mount Pleasant has a menu with extensive options for vegans and vegetarians alike. Their website states that “Like any great host, we want you to feel at home,” which is certainly a mantra that we at Homestay.com live by. Try the vegan poutine (yes really) or the vegan peanut butter banana French toast. And for the meat eaters among us, there is still plenty on offer to fill you up for the day.
If it’s a boozy brunch you are after, look no further than this gem of a bar, located right on the waterfront by across from the train station. Steam Works is a pub that brews its own selection of beers with a hearty food menu that will help you polish off your pint. With thin crust pizzas, gourmet burgers, fish tacos and some delicious rotisserie chicken, Steam Works is a brilliant all-rounder of a bar that works by day or by night. And if you fancy a weekday brunch, bellinis are only $5.99 on Wednesdays.
A veritable brunch institution in Vancouver, Red Wagon is a café where portions are generous and the pancakes are as fluffy as you could wish. A sneaky star here is the pulled pork which comes with the delectable pancakes, in a sandwich with fries or as part of the trucker breakfast. Personally, I prefer the sandwich but if this doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can order something else and ask for a side of pulled pork so you can still taste this home run of a dish. It may not be the most glamorous place on our list, but the food is so good you won’t even notice.
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