The cutest and coziest eateries in Vancouver, according to Alex Charters. We’re talking warm, jazzy, you’re taking pictures in the bathroom, kind of cute.
Cutest Spots to Dine in Vancouver
Read on for Alex Charter’s Guide to the cutest and tastiest eateries to dine in Vancouver, from coffee to breakfast to lunch to dinner, or for that night time snack and secret speakeasy.
Cutest Breakfast Eateries in Vancouver
Arbutus Coffee
I actually swoon when I pass Arbutus Coffee. And I pass it every morning on my way to work. I just LOVE it. I mean look at it? The antique looking sign, the striped awning – it’s exactly where you imagine yourself sitting in the window reading when an incredibly attractive stranger passes by, they stop in their tracks to take your photo, they have an accent, you get married outside the café, you name your first dog Arbutus.
Anyways, it’s nice. I don’t understand why there aren’t more neighbourhood cafes.
Mon Pitou
Mon Pitou is French (obviously), so you already know it’s going to be stylish. It’s all clean lines, gilded frames, and crispy little pastries.
When I was there for brunch I was completely enamoured with our server’s outfit. I had to physically restrain myself from reaching out to touch his trousers (when pants are this nice you have to call them trousers). Later, when I was looking through their website, I discovered our server was none other than one of the founders of the cafe! I implore you to go read their About page, it is so delightfully charming.
Cutest Lunch Eateries in Vancouver
The Red Accordion
The Red Accordion is reminiscent of a cozy English pub. You would think a lantern-lined cobblestone street would surround this place but no, instead, it’s nestled between some hideous grey buildings and across from a barren concrete parking lot. The little red house does not look like it should even be there and the inside is just as surprising.
When you enter the little gingerbread feeling house you go over uneven floorboards, up a crooked little staircase, to see a wild collection of art (which rotates as they are for sale!), leather armchairs, velvet couches and mismatched seating all over the delightfully curated second floor. It has farm-to-table fare (that slaps) and a selection of spectacular cocktails that are well worth the trip to the bizarre location.
They also serve brunch and dinner!
Cutest Dinner Eateries in Vancouver
The Acorn
The name, The Acorn, is vegan genius. It elicits images of the Bernstein bears tree house or a tiny toad and frog wearing acorns as hats while having tea.
The actual place is a little corner spot on Main Street with some of the best veggie food in the city! Earthy ceramic plates come out with gorgeous seasonal food that’s bursting with flavour. A lot of their dishes contain locally grown or “wild-crafted” ingredients. Foraging for your own food sounds cool, but having it foraged for you to then be served with a cocktail with tiny wild flowers floating in it? Yes. Absolutely yes.
And if my opinion doesn’t convince you, maybe Michelins will.
The Mackenzie Room
The Mackenzie Room just oozes cool. It’s a perfect combination of rustic and elegant. Think old-school brassy chandeliers and adorable fine china plates – some of which are from the chef’s grandmother’s collection.
The menu is meant for sharing and the sea urchin with squid ink brioche will change your life.
The two most apt reviews of this place: “like a cabin in the woods of central park” and “it’s funky, it’s buzzy, all the cool kids are talking about it.”
This spot should also be recognized for having insanely cute bathrooms. I actually waited outside the bathrooms so I could see how they decorated each one. I was not disappointed.
St. Lawrence
Okay, back to French food, because you can’t deny the French just know what they’re doing.
The food? The décor? Divine. It’s giving humble old money. Mr. Laurence would take the March girls here and spare no expense (go read Little Women if you don’t get the reference. Then watch the movie. Then watch the Greta Gerwig version. Feel free to call me to talk about this).
Cracked antique plates are hung on the wall and the St. Lawrence smells like caramelizing butter. You feel like an old movie star as you dine, as if paparazzi should be at the windows getting the perfect shot of you laughing elegantly with a glass of champagne in your hand.
But be warned, it is not for the light of wallet.
Pepino’s Spaghetti House
The French may have style, but the Italians understand COMFORT.
You can’t help but be deeply captivated as soon as you enter Pepino’s Spaghetti House. Dark wood, cushy seats, walls covered in beautiful Italian coast frescos. And unlike the French, there’s nothing pretentious about this place, it feels homey.
I came here in early December and it was like the Italian north pole. The place was decked out in red bows, green garlands, and holly. Holiday perfection. Oh, and the food is some of the best in the city. The gnocchi is like biting into a literal cloud (well not a literal cloud but you know what I mean). My friend Amy said, “This is the best gnocchi I’ve ever had in my life,” after one bite.
Cutest Drinks and Small Bites Eateries in Vancouver
Blnd Tger (Laowai)
A secret bar in Chinatown. Need I say more? Well, I will. Hidden behind a dumpling façade, you order a special off menu item (the #7) to be let in through the “freezer” door.
This narrow little bar is styled to look like a 1920’s Shanghai speakeasy. Live music (sultry jazz singer and piano vibes), dark green velvet booths, fringed lamps, and a cocktail menu that looks more like a book of art. Each cocktail gets its own two-page spread with a corresponding story/poem and illustration.
Even cooler, no phones allowed. No phones = no pictures! And even their bathrooms were worthy of photography. When I got home I googled blue crane wallpaper.
Also, fantastic dumplings.
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