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Breakfast and Brunch in Vancouver
On the quest for the perfect benny, hashbrown and bacon ...
- 2204
- 1030
30 Places
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Crystal’s 5-star review: "For the Love of Medina" Oh your lavender latte was unexpectedly lovely But your raspberry version took my breath away... The murmurings of those sipping and chatting Melted me into my chair while my heart fell for The waffles, of which I Partook in two, Crispy and buttery On the outside soft and moist on the inside Dipped in milk chocolate lavender sauce Swept me away to a mythical Parisian Cafe I once sat in for hours and loved Oh my new love.... -
Crystal’s 5-star review: What? Us, only one of two tables here on a beautiful Sat morning? Alright, I'll drink a beautifully large americano to that and chase it with a perfectly accompanied Benny, no problem. Sunlight streaming through the windows, paintings lining the walls, linen napkins and fresh flowers-- dare I stand and clap my hands in a standing "o" for a perfectly poached steamed egg and a flavourful, yet not filling, hollandaise? Yes, yes, yes, I say! And an encore for roasted potatoes, a tangy dressed salad and well ripened cantelope and strawberries. Hello new brunch lover! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Brunch at Barney's didn't disappoint! Just beating the lunch rush, I settled into a table (they're tightly packed) and very easily discerned what I wanted off of the menu- a Commando Benny. Perfect choice! The hollandaise was spot on; finally a benny without thick and tasteless goop on it! The only negative: one of my eggs was cooked to runny perfection - while the other was overdone . I can't give too much grief about it - the overdone one still tasted pretty good, and the brie on my commando made up for the softness I wanted on my english muffin. The coffee was fresh and kept coming, thanks to the attentive and really hip server I had! Next time, I'll be trying one of the girlie-looking cocktails the table of guys were drinking at the table next to me! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: They have BOILED EGGS and SOLDIERS! Yes, yes, I know I'm screaming. I hadn't had these since I was a little one. It deserves a shout! For anyone that doesn't know the term - it's a soft boiled egg with buttered toast cut into long strips for dipping into the egg. Okay - maturity meter back on. This was a fabulous place to drop in for a quick breakie bite and coffee. The windows were a bit steamy and the floor boards creaked making me feel like I stepped back into a Vancouver my grandmother would know (she worked at Woodwards, down the street, in the 1950's). I'll definitely be back for something lunchtime! -
Crystal’s 3-star review: When a pregnant friend texts you on a Saturday morning and says she's craving a tomato and avocado eggs benny from Joe's Grill --you go with her! Knowing it would be busy inside on a weekend, we bundled up and prepared to sit on the patio. Which is great because you get seated right away on a cold morning and there are heat lamps that warm you up rather quick. Having been to Joe's a few times, I've decided that the benny's are the way to go. The poached eggs are always done well, the avocado (if you're into that!) is always the perfect amount of ripeness and the hash browns are nicely browned up! The only part that needs some flavor-saving is the hollandaise. (And I love my hollandaise). Service can be slow or forgetful, but for the most part it's decent. Coffee keeps coming pretty regularly. Oh, and if you're sitting outside, prepare to eat quickly or it will get cold :) -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Lunch time craving + an event to plan = Benny's Bagels. It isn't that these are the best bagels in town (I heart Solly's) or that its the most conducive to finding a plug in for the laptop, it is because when you are hanging out upstairs at Benny's, surrounded by everyone else on their laptops, you just can't help but get down to work. And once you've justified that you've done enough work, you can reward yourself with a beer. Mmmm, coffee + a stacked bagel + coffee = a regular Sunday afternoon. -
Crystal’s 4-star review: It would be hard not to have a soft spot for a coffee shop where the server (maybe the owner?) comes over and takes your order... The overstuffed chairs in the back made me want to curl up and read, but alas, this was not the time! I watched as my coffee mates enjoyed a freshly made crepe and wished that I hadn't just eaten breakfast! My americano was good, but not the best I've had it had a bit of bitterness to it-even after i was a little overzealous with the sugar. My companions were enjoying tea which looked pretty in their individual bodums. (I would have totally gone for the tea - but you know, I was in need of a caffeine slam!) I will totally be back to cozy up with a good book and savour something sweet...and then maybe stay for something savoury. -
Crystal’s 4-star review: On my quest for the perfect hollandaise sauce to complement my taste for the perfectly poached egg, I tried out Café Zen. They nailed the poached eggs in my benji-mushroom benny, but the hollandaise still lacks something. Perhaps it was the thickness or the sheer quantity. Next time (and there will be a next time for me) I will ask for sauce on the side. The real surprise was the hashbrowns. They don't look like anything special - but they're somehow perfectly crisp on the outside and mushy on the inside. My friend had the waffles - which I was pleasantly surprised with too. I'd suggest ordering a half order of waffles and something else if you're really hungry. 4 waffles, with butter, syrup and fruit is a lot o' bread-i-ness. Looks like Sunday's are for Spicy Ceasar: standard looking, but likely perfect for a hair of the dog moment. The service was pretty good, especially for such a busy Sunday morning. Turnover was lightening quick. But we felt welcomed to linger: enjoying the random pics of people's holidays on the walls, old school Mariah Carey and Elton John on the radio, and the yum coffee. -
Crystal’s 3-star review: I was awoken when a friend threw stones at my window at an early morning hour to go for breakfast (okay, it was a phone call, and lots of people are up at 9 on a Sunday...I'm just not one of them) We wanted a no-line-up spot so enter Juliet's Cafe, stage left: Oh Romeo, Romeo, where fore art thou Romeo? (Oh, you've been renamed to Juliet) Perhaps the Montague's seized the English muffins and hollandaise for the Eggs Benny, leaving the Capulet's with only sourdough and Parmesan sauce to make a breakfast with (Oh dear!) It was good, not great, but I didn't feel compelled to add any additional seasoning to the dish - so bravo on hitting the salt to sauce ratio well! For the price, I would have expected a little more on my plate - like a third act. A fruit cup perhaps? And without an encore for coffee - this definitely isn't a palace to linger at - unless you want to pay for all of your refills. I could be swayed to go back to try the french toast - it looked delish with strawberries and little glimpses of icing sugar floating all over the plate. (PS. My apologies for the cheesy Shakespeare references...I just couldn't resist!) -
Crystal’s 3-star review: Good place for comfort food. It was late-ish night time and it was quiet inside. I like the decor, the juke box and, most of all, the french fries. I had a grilled veggie (zucchini + eggplant) and cheese open face sandwich on foccacia. The veggies and hummus were okay. The melted asiago, was okay too, but the foccacia wasn't up to snuff. I ordered it with the soup of the day - cream of tomato - that was definitely yummy and worth a trip back for. I couldn't stop mowing down on my friend's fries. They were soooooo good. Perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and delightfully melty on the inside. I felt a little weird using the washroom, that was located through the kitchen - like right through the kitchen. As I was leaving, I could already sense that I would be back - for poutine with mushroom gravy! -
Crystal’s 3-star review: So what do you do when you have to meet someone half way and you're both coming from opposite ends of Metro Vancouver? You choose a place that's right near a freeway exit. Moxies is a nostalgic place for me: it was one of my first jobs. Back in the day they served up big breakfasts (reminiscent of Dennys...they're all owned by the Sandman Group), even bigger kids menus (with dry ice under ice cream or jello that posed as volcanoes), and a mouthful of starchy sides, "Would you like green salad, Caesar salad, fries, baked potato, mashed potato or soup?" Moxies has still retained some of its goodie-roots: banana bread served on the side of salads, broccoli cheddar soup, and the every gooey white chocolate brownie; however, it has "grown up" quite a bit. Now it feels like a compilation of Joeys, Cactus Club, Earls. Milestones. A selection of multi ethnic inspired choices, servers wearing tight black shirts and short black skirts, and a forno oven. Last time I was there I had a tandoori chicken pizza while my friend enjoyed the seasonal beet salad with pine nuts and goat cheese. You know what you're going to get: consistent food with lots of selection. Its a good place to go when you need to entertain a big group. The Lounge looked lively as we were leaving, but I had a long drive home. -
Crystal’s 5-star review: You like Salt Tasting Room? You like cheese? Wine? Cool peeps? You'll fit right in. Hidden amongst the tourist-esque seafood restaurants with their nautical themes, fish and chips and clam chowders, lives this trendy, laid back space that pulls you into it's gray lair like a magnet. Thinking there was not-so-much to do in Steveston when the sun went down, I was exploring by the light of high noon. **Luckily on Sunday's they serve brunch!** The fight between the mimosa and organic Steveston Coffee was a toughie, but as (almost) always, caffeine trumps liquor. Had I not been so taken aback by this wicked gem of a place, I would have remembered to order the Godiva Liqueur shot for my java. Of course, I had the benny. But this was like no other I've had! First off, the hollandaise was exquisite--hitting the mark for me in all categories: thickness, flavour and colour. The eggs were perfectly soft poached. No squeamish look from me as I decided if they needed to rest for a few minutes to finish cooking or a pouty lip signifying they'd been overcooked. Paired with a Camembert and tomato and sitting atop a VERY fresh croissant, I was undeniably smitten with my brekkie! Even the garnish of salad was perfectly dressed with a sweet mustard vinaigrette. At first, I had flinched about the price. $12 for a benny? But when I took my first bite, I knew instantly, that every cent of that $12 was sooooo worth it! I didn't want my meal to end; it was heavenly! For Gudrun, I'd run all the way to Steveston again and again and again! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: I couldn't resist (2x in one week!) Hungry for brunch, I stopped in this morning and was pleasantly surprised (and pretty sad) that it was dead - like we were the only people on the 3 table patio. All the while people crowded across the street at Nice Cafe. "Come over!" I wanted to shout - "The benny's are only $7.50-8.50 and the handmade sausage is made with R&B Red Devlil Ale (duh! beer for breakfast!)." The eggs were perfectly poached - and definitely had the look of free range (bright yellowy/orange yolks), the english muffin tasted like it came right out of the oven and the rosemary potatoes were golden. The only picky thing I would suggest would be to spruce up the plate with a wedge of fruit. If others want to continue crowding up the regular brekkie places around, that's fine with me - means I don't have to wait in line here. -
Crystal’s 5-star review: I love me some tarts, tarts, tarts. I need those tarts, tarts, tarts. Give me those tarts, tarts, tarts. Tartine bread has become a staple in my kitchen (not sliced, thanks!), and every week or so, I skip out to "grocery shop" and give myself a wee tarty treat - a cherry tart to be exact! Trust me, it's the stuff addictions are made of... Also, don't forget that a whole pie for a dinner party will be a welcome by all, and a guarantee that you'll be invited back. Pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream? Now that I wish was the staple in my kitchen! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Yum and yum! On my must-try brunch list for some time, I was excited to get some girlfriend catch up time this morning along with a benny. The menu might be small selection wise, but it will sure give your diner-style appetite quite a feast! Flavourful choices included omelettes, Croque Monsiers and Madames. My Italian benny was rich with it's very softly poached eggs (poached in tomato sauce), sausage and cheese a top of a crisp English muffin. A decent sized salad and a hash and I was stuffed! Be warned though, they really, really want you to go all out with a mimosa - no matter how many times you resist the temptation, they'll persist! In a no-booze-Sunday mode, I coddled my caffeine and sweetly declined! -
Crystal’s 3-star review: Marmalade, I don't mind that you charge a little extra for that kind of water view real estate, skimped on the seasoning for the hashbrowns, used conventional eggs in your benny and housed your meh ketchup in Marmalade branded glass water bottles. Your Florentine Benny was pretty impressive and loaded with spinach. The soft poached wobbled a little when they arrived at the table, a sure fire way to know that they're done just right. The hollandaise was well seasoned, not quite sure what with, but it had a distinctively taste that was rich in consistency. I don't mind, Marmalade because your lightening quick turnaround time for meals and a decent latte kept me complacent by feeding my growling tummy right away. You can assure that I'll come just to avoiding weekend brunch lineups. It doesn't hurt that you're interior is pretty to look at and cozy up in too! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: I wish I could say that Abigail's was a neighbourhood spot for me. It's just far enough away that on a cold and rainy day, I must drive and endure the parking blunders that are inevitable where permit parking exists. But that doesn't stop me from absorbing the cushy, comfy yet cool interior. Service is bland, but the food is tasty. The autumn lasagna was the highlight of my feast with it's roasted squash and hazelnut sauce. This was followed closely by the foccacia bruschetta, in all of its goat cheese glory. I'd skip over the turkey pot pie. Sounds great in print, but the flaky crust to gooey interior ratio is way off. Likely better served as a soup, this would be a meal best eaten with a spork, of which I had none. -
Crystal’s 4-star review: It's not just Wednesday's bagel deal ($7.50 for a dozen) that lures me in, it's the chicken and matzah ball (singular) soup. When I am feeling under the weather a bowl of soup and a bagel perks me right up. But, hmmmph, show up at lunch time and you're likely sitting outside in the cold or grabbing your feed to go. If you are so compelled to buy a dozen make sure you know what kinds you want b/c the pressure to choose with a long queue behind you can rattle the nerves a little! But I've got no qualms going for 12 "Mish Mashs." And I'll probably eat you under the table in a bagel bite contest :-p Yes, that's a challenge! -
Crystal’s 5-star review: Step inside this enchanted neighbourhood bistro with aqua (leather?) chairs in a Queen Anne (maybe?) style set a whimsical tone. You might be thinking this review will be all about the dinner and drinks, but no, that's next time; this was all about brunch, and how divine it was! With an impressive looking espresso machine that screams to be percolated, I ordered my standard americano and delighted in the cane sugar cubes and steamed cream that accompanied the strong and smooth shot. Could I be sitting in a Peruvian cafe? Je pense que oui! A well appointed brunch menu featured a flavour for every palate: granola and yogurt, a smoothie, eggs and bacon, waffles and eggs Benedict. Lucky for me, I got to share the waffles and eggs benny. Magnificent! The eggs were just slightly undercooked when they arrived at the table, and by the time we dug in, were perfect. The hollandaise-light, a touch of tang and set upon a piece of brioche with fingerling (love these!) potatoes on the side winning the meal top spot in my brekkie loving heart! The waffles were the perfect consistency - crunchy and sweet outside and soft and crumbly on the inside. Topped with warm maple syrup, vanilla sour cream and preserved pears, they definitely are giving Medina's some competition. I knew that I was truly starting to fall in love with other touches throughout the space.They've really thought things through: tables with hooks in the centre for purses, bathroom stalls have two hooks with "purse" and "jacket" photo frames, our water constantly filled and the billfold was crested with the Corner Suite logo, instead of the standard Visa jackets you see so often. Mais attendez il ya plus (means something like "but wait, there's more," thanks google translator) Corner Suite has not only raised the bar high for foodies, but behind the bar is a range of spirits set to impress. Steve Da Cruz saw us looking up at the bar and came over to ask if we had any questions about the spirits - another great touch. I can already feel those plump bar stools tempting me back for a caesar (with a bacon wrapped quail's egg). Perhaps I'll sample the cocktail list while testing out their 24/7, kitchen special, which looks like it costs $24 and 7cents. -
Crystal’s 3-star review: Rewind back in time: After nights filled with binge drinking, a kid in Coquitlam has few choices for a decent breakfast--De Dutch happened to be one of them. Whether you were part of a hockey, soccer or church going family, multiple generations cram in next to hungover youths, still wearing the last night's best. Pannekoek (pancakes), omlettes and bennys were served from morning to mid afternoon. They were offering something a little different, and dare I say, classier than the greasy diner. Fast forward to today: De Dutch looks exactly the same. Ketchup, HP, Jiff peanut butter accompany factory produced hashbrowns and processed bread. There's no fooling anyone that anything here is homemade, no matter how many apple "sculptures" sit atop the plate. The eggs benny said "basted" eggs on the menu - we dined on sunny side up. Hollandaise sauce from a package, a hard as a rock and tasteless rusk, and a standard piece of ham... wasn't there supposed to be some edam cheese on this? Thank goodness the triple berry and whip cream pannekoek tasted as good as it did. It saved the meal, even with it's leaning tower of aresol whip. Definitely not the best, but when you're hungry, it'll still win over IHOP across the street. -
Crystal’s 4-star review: I will only go to Deacon's Corner when James is working! He made a sandwich suggestion that's not on the menu and is so delish! Ready for it? A BLT with fried egg, cheese and avocado... oh my, oh my! I ate all of it without any hesitation! Request James and ask him for the sandwich he always makes for himself. *Had the fries this time instead of hashbrowns, they're delish too! -
Crystal’s 3-star review: It's like Foundation, but with fewer choices and the ability to make any sound like a child when they first try to order at the bar. What's this? What's that? What's that? What's this? What's in this? What's on that? What does that come with? What's in the eggs of the day? The questions continue but could easily be avoided with a simple description of the menu items. It doesn't have to be a paper menu, but perhaps a picture? Or just a few choice words? I opted for the eggs of the day. The sauerkraut was extremely gingery, the slaw was bland, yam hash was decent but lukewarm and the eggs... well they were decent. As was the "garlic bread" they sat on. But organic or not, it wasn't worth $9.50. Service was melancholy but all of our questions were answered without hesitation and our food was brought out pretty quickly. They even came and cleared away our plates. "Granola" to the fullest, it's definitely a place I'd take my uber eco-loving friends. And I give them 3 stars for lightly treading on the planet. Extra star for not having to-go cups. -
Crystal’s 5-star review: Thank you Twisted Fork. You saved a bland-food-night that was quickly going sour at another establishment. Lucky for me and a yelper's quick tip, I found out that there was no wait and we quickly changed our plans to include Twisted Fork. Belly so-so full of yawn-food, I finally got a chance to appreciate the Caramel Napoleon for its true worth. And OMG - you did it! There was crunch, there was maple, there was mousse. There was heaven, with the exact right amount of sweet. And a sixth star for having the most worn out "People Love Us On Yelp" decal I've ever seen on your door! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: -Quiche with turkey, cranberry and almond -Tomato corn (and something else yummy sounding) soup -Roast Beef sammie served open faced with gravy, peas, mashed potatoes and a rocky mountain bar Yup, you guessed it, that's what I had for lunch :p Just kidding - I only had room in my tummy for the third special on the list. But I must congratulate Acme Cafe -- I couldn't even look at the regular menu, I was so excited by the specials. The roast beef sammie reminded me of my childhood... and the rocky mountain bar that came with was big enough for two to share! Definitely a hit! This time seated at the bar, the only thing I wish I had room for was a shake! My dining buddy's looked so calorific! I wonder if turkey and cranberry are ever served open faced with mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy... wink wink, nudge nudge, I'll eat to that! -
Crystal’s 5-star review: Papas Benedict? Who would have thunk that a Benny on a potato skin would be that good? The "fine" folks at jethros that's who! Plus they serve this dish with a generous side of fruit, fresh! This is the stuff worth leaving dream land for and you can, 7 days a week... Which means, no need to fight a weekend lines to get a decent hollandaise! The boss lady/server definitely knows how to ham it up... With pens in her bun and diner like sass (or was it southern like charm?) she was in top of everything... Taking orders, filing coffees, clearing plates... I even get the sense she knows me better than I know myself. She brought over 3 spreads for my toast (rye, whole wheat or white) and I chose peanut butter... Her response "Really? I would have taken you for a marmalade girl." and you know what ? She was right... How I wish I had gone with marmalade! Oh dang food envy! No need to worry though, with corn muffins on the menu I plan on multiple visits! -
Crystal’s 3-star review: As a hungover unit on a Saturday afternoon, I knew I couldn't really be choosy. I wanted grease. I wanted diner fare. And I wanted it then and there. And for that, I thank you Nice Cafe for being there and for me always following the golden rule - Never travel in groups of more than 2 for weekend brunch. I get it. It's supposed to be a hole in the wall. The PC brand hot sauce, the suspect creamer that have likely been sitting out at room temp for a while, the dirty ketchup spouts... it all fits. But if there's one thing that a greasy diner should nail, it would be hashbrowns. From the outside, mine looked crispy and golden, but the moment the first layer of shredded fried starch was removed, sad strands of white, barely cooked flesh are exposed. How disappointing. I still powered through and ate them up, with heaps of ketchup and a douse of salt and my meh-blackstone-benny piled on top and the sad-soggy-store-bought english muffins abandoned on the side of my plate. Cheaper than most but worth the underwhelming flavour? Meh. *Cash and debit only* -
Crystal’s 3-star review: Benny, you definitely are working the unique angle with "medallion of elk" as the first in a series of options ranging from tomato and spinach to black forest ham. And no one can deny that you're working hard to bring something different to our brunch routine with 3 kinds of sauces - none of which are traditional hollandaise. But sold, I'm not. The grilled tomato and spinach was lifeless. The spinach was chopped up, much like what you'd see coming from a freezer. The havarti sauce was bland. Saving graces? Homefries and the savoury biscuit the benny sat upon. PS. Thanks for all of the coffee refills. JJ Bean never tasted to good! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Porchetta hash. Oh yes, a brunch spot -- that's also a dinner spot, of course -- that delivers real, wholesome brunches -- like chicken and waffles. Mmmmmm, yeah. Allow me to deconstruct my amazing brunch: runny, perfectly poached eggs; hollandaise sauce; roasted potatoes, porchetta, zucchini, onions, toast. For $10. Say what? That's reasonable! Throw in French pressed coffee, light streaming in the large windows, reflecting off of the vintage-esque chandeliers, and well, it's just a perfect place for a Sunday afternoon. Some things to keep in mind about Two Chefs: It's TINY. Like, there's nowhere to wait inside. And since it is popular, there's likely going to a wait. And you're going to be waiting outside. Make sure your whole party is with you, or they'll bypass you for the next group. And if by whole group, you were thinking a large party of 6, think again, I'd suggest Two Chefs when it's just you and your closest crew. "Table for 2 please." They also stop taking tables at 2:15ish. We got there at 1, and it was enough time. Servers and hostessing staff seem to be run off of their feet. It's fair, it's busy. But it's also really small, so their put-off attitudes feel amplified. It's noticeable and detracts from the magical feel of the space. A little smile, some banter, maybe even a water refill or a quick check in during our meal. I'd smile back :) None of this put me off enough to not come back. No, Two Chefs, I feel a little too fluttery around your menu! I love you, regardless. Je t'aime! -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Worth the hour wait on a Saturday at 11:30am? Yes. But I was mentally prepared thanks to all of you yeeps. May this be a lesson to us all - waiting for a good thing is a-ok - when you're ready. BE READY. What I wasn't prepared for (and what I'm sure staff weren't expecting)... the freakishly frequent electrical failures that plagued my dining experience. Everyone from the servers to the customers were in good spirits about the ordeal, but I did have to be on my best behaviour about it. The electrical failure meant no coffee. An hour wait, coffeeless, and a coffeeless breakfast? Draw a sad face in my yolks :( It could have gotten really, really ugly... But none of that really mattered after the first few bites of the daily special: pastrami hash topped with poached eggs and hollandaise. Oh, hells yes. I won't go into every mouthwatering detail, because who knows when it will grace the menu again, but I ordered wisely. Pulled pork pancakes and Jack Daniels maple syrup are standard fare at The Red Wagon and with that you can mark my words, I'm heading back. And next time, I'll be more prepared: 1) coffee run 2) a sweater - it gets cold by the door 3) a headlamp - just in case the power goes out again. Kudos to our server who smiled the whole way through the ordeal. -
Crystal’s 4-star review: Green my burger for 75¢? Don't mind if I do. Greening meaning wrapping it in lettuce that is. A couple of years later and I still think you make one fine, juicy burger. A bit on the pricy side, but whatever, at least your beers are of the local and craft variety and you have ample seating. And now, a little known fact, until this past weekend. Romers does an alright brunch on the weekends. I got the chance to order me some short rib hash, and while I've had better hash's overall, I was really impressed with the short rib itself. It was so moist, tender and flavourful. I would suggest steering clear of the pepper jelly topped onto the eggs as I thought it really didn't do anything but clutter up the good flavours. Plus, it's not that busy around these parts at lunch on a Sunday. In case your first choices have a mega wait and you're getting hangry.
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