The best breakfast in Vancouver is up for debate.
Whether its simple fried eggs, pulled pork pancakes, or a luxurious mimosa brunch each local has their own hill to die on.
Me, I’m trying to be impartial in finding you the best breakfast restaurants in Vancouver – this list of Vancouver breakfast spots is going to cover everything from greasy spoons to five star favourites.
- Jam Cafe: Best breakfast in Vancouver BC overall
- Cafe Medina: Most unique breakfast place
- Nero Belgian Waffle Bar: Best waffle bar
- The Templeton: Best all day breakfast
- Chambar: Top breakfast for special occasions
- OEB Breakfast Co.: Creative spins on classics
- Catch 122 Bistro: Best vegetarian breakfast in Vancouver
- Cora Breakfast & Lunch: Best value breakfast in Vancouver
- Twisted Fork: Best for home ambiance
- Palate Kitchen: Best for brunch & mimosas
- Breakfast Table: Most sustainable Vancouver breakfast spot
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Vancouver
Jam Cafe
$$-$$$ | Area: Gastown | 556 Beatty St | Skytrain: Waterfront | Website
When people ask me for the best breakfast in downtown Vancouver it’s Jam that comes to mind first. Recipes here are inspired by southern comfort foods – think biscuits and gravy and buttermilk fried chicken.
Two of my favourites here are the fried chicken and waffles and their badass four egg omelette that can be stuffed with up to 13 toppings.
Being right on the edge of Chinatown, it’s also a great launching pad for visits to Science World or Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. If you’re visiting Victoria you’ll be happy to know they’ve got one there too.
Try: buffalo blue benny, tiramisu pancakes, old town breakfast.
Café Medina
$$ | Area: Library District | 780 Richards St | Skytrain: Stadium-Chinatown | Website
This hip place modeled after 1920’s Paris is the place to try French, Middle Eastern or North African inspired dishes. In other words, this is one of the most unique Vancouver breakfast spots around.
The harissa spiced beef burger is an underdog breakfast food, while the poached egg and sausage tagine is a great twist on a Moroccan classic.
What I truly love here though is their coffee spike, a coffee topped up with liquor – go for the creme de cacao.
Try: white chocolate pistachio rosewater waffles, hummus, Moroccan lamb meatballs
Related: Best Restaurants in Downtown Vancouver
Nero Belgian Waffle Bar
$$ | Area: Yaletown | 1002 Seymour St | Skytrain: Waterfront | Website
Vancouver is not short of breakfast places serving Belgian waffles but Nero Waffles just hits different.
The motto more waffles, less worries is fitting here. With two different base waffles to choose from (light and crispy, or soft and sweet) plus sweet or savory toppings, the possibilities are endless.
They are also famous for their takeaway boxes of mini waffles in different flavors, fillings, and glazes. Some of these flavors include vanilla custard, raspberry, and pecamocha.
They’re also one of the few great breakfast places in Vancouver with top quality espresso.
Try: matcha mini liege waffles, wild smoked sockeye eggs benedict.
The Templeton
$ | Area: Granville | 1087 Granville St | Skytrain: Yaletown-Roundhouse | Website
This retro-style diner offers that quintessential post-drinking downtown breakfast.
You might even play a song on their old jukebox. That said, people come here for the Big Ass Breakfast: a mound of three eggs, bacon, french toast or pancakes, rosemary potatoes, and toast.
Surprisingly, they also check the boxes with vegan and vegetarian options. Some of their alternative options include a tofu scramble and veggie bacon.
This is also one of the only all day breakfast spots in Vancouver – and even better, they’ve got $6.00 mimosas.
Try: huevos rancheros, buttermilk pancakes, vegetarian eggs benedict.
Chambar
$$$ | Area: Gastown | 568 Beatty St | Skytrain: Stadium-Chinatown | Website
This chic and timeless restaurant is famous for its intimate outside patio and exposed brick setting. Nevermind breakfast, this is one of the best restaurants in Vancouver.
This is the place to go if you and the breakfast club are looking for a fine dining experience in a casual setting. Each meal is delicately crafted and presented, creating a masterpiece out of every dish.
I love how their brunch menu extends all the way till 3:00 pm giving late risers a good shot.
Try: soft boiled egg with prosciutto and brie, brochette de porc, moules frites.
Related: Best Vancouver Food Tours
OEB Breakfast CO.
$$$ | Area: Yaletown | 1137 Marinaside Crescent | Skytrain: Yaletown-Roundhouse | Website
OEB meant it when they said they were “elevating the whole breakfast experiment” – there are just all sorts of creative spins here whether it’s gnocchi breakfast carbonara or banana cream pie french toast.
I also love how their farm to table approach matches taste and sustainability like no other Vancouver breakfast spots.
This is the place to be if you are looking to try something unique. There are also plenty of gluten-free breakfast choices here.
Try: classic breakfast with Canadian bacon, artisan bagels, breakfast poutine with asiago and duck confit.
Catch 122 Cafe Bistro
$$$ | Area: Gastown | 122 W. Hastings St | Skytrain: Stadium-Chinatown | Website
Even though Catch 122 is popular all around, this is one of the best vegetarian breakfast options in Vancouver.
Quite simply, they give vegetarians more options to choose from – the cauliflower benny is about 27x better than it sounds – though they’re not afraid to step up with a southern fried chicken sandwich either.
I recommend you go here if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Whether it’s a simple banana bread or legendary house made lemon meringue cruffins there are some first class baked goods here.
For a great downtown breakast try any of their ‘epic egg sandwiches’, tres leches baby pancakes.
Cora Breakfast and Lunch
$$ | Area: Robson | 1368 Robson St | Skytrain: Burrard | Website
This early riser cafe is known for giving bang for your buck.
With their enormous menu, no matter what you are craving, you are sure to find a delicious choice here – let’s call it a French-Canadian family-run Denny’s – right down to the milkshakes and meat skillets.
I suggest going here if you’re looking for a quick, casual breakfast in Vancouver while spending about $10-$12.
Try: triple chocolate pancakes, 10 star omelette (with five meats).
Related: What to Eat in Vancouver
Twisted Fork Bistro
$$$ | Area: Gastown | 213 Carrall St | Skytrain: Waterfront | Website
This highly rated breakfast spot should definitely be on your list of best breakfast places in Vancouver. The Twisted Fork has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that’s a bit like breakfast at mom’s – if she were a bangin’ cook.
This Vancouver breakfast place doesn’t take reservations. Hell, they don’t even have much of a website – we had to get a stock photo for this one because they’re laying kind of low.
Go here for generous portions, or if you need to fuel up before a big Vancouver itinerary day.
There are many major attractions nearby and it’s one of best breakfast places in Vancouver as a starting point for Vancouver sightseeing tours.
Try: croque monsieur, smoked gouda baked eggs with sourdough.
Palate Kitchen
$$$$ | Area: Gastown | 848 W. Hastings St | Skytrain: Waterfront | Website
Palate Kitchen has an open floor plan making it bright and airy and perfect for helping you wake up in the morning. Here, you’ll notice presentation is key as every meal is served beautifully, so expect the odd decorative flower.
I come to Palate Kitchen for their french toast, which is on another level. The way they replace ordinary butter with a mascarpone praliné, then top it with ginger crumble and caramel sauce is magic.
This is also a fine place for a mimosa. In fact, you can even get mimosa flights with three different juices – why didn’t I think of that? Palate Kitchen is right near the Vancouver Cruise Terminal as well.
Try: famous french toast, fjord toast with gravlax and crispy shallots.
Related: Best Restaurants in Chinatown
Breakfast Table
$$$$ | Area: South Granville | 3015 Granville St | Bus: 16th and Granville | Website
A cosy 30 seater just across the bridge from downtown in South Granville.
Unlike most Vancouver breakfast places this has a modern coffee shop vibe, but what I like about Breakfast Table is their successful jazzing up of classic breakfast dishes. The squid karaage benedict is a perfect example of this.
Most of the dishes are made only with seasonal veg, which makes this a fine choice for the environment as well.
Try: smoked salmon and avocado toast, beef bulgogi hash, housemade chocolate milk.
Best Breakfast Vancouver BC Map
Still Wondering Where to Have Breakfast in Vancouver?
There are so many good breakfast restaurants in Vancouver that it’s possible I missed something.
Let me know what you think – are there other Vancouver breakfast spots worthy of the crown? Or maybe you’re looking for something a little more custom?
Write me in the comments below and we’ll get into it even more 🙂
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