Best Brunch In Vancouver: The Definitive Guide

Vancouver’s cultural renaissance in the past several decades has not left the restaurant scene behind. This trending-upward town has experienced an explosion of hip restaurants, breweries, and cocktail bars in just about every neighborhood, and brunch is a huge part of this food scene. 

While hipster-hangouts are increasingly common in Vancouver, there are still family-friendly diners and salt-of-the-earth mainstays. Regardless of whether they’re trendy or classic, Vancouver brunch restaurants offer incredible social experiences along with some legitimately world-class food. Here are a few of the best restaurants for brunch in Vancouver: 

Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe

Kitsilano  ꘡  Weekends 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Located in Kitsilano, arguably, one of Vancouver’s coolest neighborhoods, this brunch institution serves breakfast classics in a lively setting. The retro diner decor is a novelty for kids and nostalgia-inducing for everyone else, and their patio is one of the best places to grab breakfast when the weather is right. Try the pastrami & eggs if you want a taste of New York in Vancouver. Their Jimmy Greek Benedict is another popular brunch dish, combining feta and a rich hollandaise sauce to make for one of Vancouver’s most interesting and delicious brunches. 

The Acorn Restaurant 

South Main  ꘡  Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

This is one of Vancouver’s best vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and they offer a can’t miss brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The colorful atmosphere and stylish interiors are just a few of the many reasons to hit up Acorn Cafe before perusing some of the best shopping in Vancouver on Main Street. The Breakfast Sandwich with miso brioche and a soft scramble is popular for a reason. The elderflower and hazelnut pancakes are the perfect brunch option for vegetarians with a sweet tooth. If you're meat-free, this is one of the best brunch spots in Vancouver.

Yolks

East Van  ꘡  Weekends 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Originally operating solely as one of Vancouver’s most popular food trucks, the team at Yolk’s has settled down in a brick and mortar space just east of downtown Vancouver. Now equipped with a full, though less mobile, kitchen and alcohol license, Yolk’s has turned into one of the best brunch spots in Vancouver. 

Yolk’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles are some of the best in the city. The Croque Madame, with maple-smoked ham, gruyere, and Mornay sauce is so satisfyingly rich that you’ll need to seek out Vancouver’s amazing trails to hike off the indulgent brunch calories. Want something fresh and hyper-local? The House-Cured Wild British Columbia-caught Salmon & Fresh Avocado will get you ready for an active afternoon. 

The menu of brunch cocktails is impressive, with everything from “Manmosas” to Breakfast Sangria, to Espresso Martinis, and even Appletinis. If you think you need something a little greener, their smoothies are outstanding, especially the Greens & Almonds. 

Belgard Kitchen

Downtown Eastside  ꘡  Weekends 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

This stylish tapas restaurant serves one of the best brunches in Vancouver, with a menu of high-end favorites and creative concoctions that have foodies lining up every weekend. Their breakfast skillets include ingredients like meatballs made with wagyu beef, so expect nothing but the best from this brunch menu. The Reuben Skillet, inspired by everyone’s favorite deli sandwich is another favorite. The Tiramisu Bread Pudding French Toast with housemade Anglaise sauce is so decadent it might be hard to classify the dish as brunch and not dessert. 

The Belgard Caesar (Bloody Mary, if you’re in town from the States) is made from premium ingredients and their housemade bloody mary mix. Like every great brunch spot, Belgard Kitchen is located in the mega-trendy Settlement Building next to both a winery and a brewery, so it’s easy to turn this brunch outing into an epic afternoon. 

The Red Wagon 

Grandview-Woodland   ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM 

This unassuming diner has turned into the brunch darling of Vancouver. With all-day breakfast served in a charming dining room becoming so popular among locals that there are almost always lines out the door on weekends, and even weekdays. 

The Red Wagon diner classics are generally made with a modern twist that local foodies hanker for with a Guy Fieri-esque enthusiasm. The Pulled Pork Pancakes drenched in Jack Daniel’s Maple Syrup might be the most popular thing on the menu, but the variety of eggs benedict creations are common sights on the plates of happy customers throughout the diner. 

There’s a surprising selection of vegan and vegetarian options here, with a tofu scramble that’s loaded with grilled veggies. The Breakfast Banh Mi is another tasty option that’s more than worth the trip to the up-and-coming Grandview-Woodland neighborhood. 

Buckstop 

Coal Harbour   ꘡  Everyday 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM 

The French-inspired brunch at this bistro is popular with Vancouver’s fashionable crowd. The Brioche Breakfast sandwich with back bacon, poached eggs, and decadent Gruyère cheese headlines the brunch menu. The Beef Short Rib hash is a meat lover’s dream, especially with their decadent mustard-based hollandaise. The Croque Madame and Brioche French Toast are indulgent classics that you’ll want to walk off after leaving this luxurious restaurant. 

The ultra-spicy Caesar is one of the best in the city, if that’s too much heat, the 1181 is made with Elderflower and Sparkling wine for a stylish brunch cocktail. If you’re with a group, split Le Grande Mimosa pitcher to get your weekend started off right. 

Cafe Medina

Gastown  ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

This Gastown café specializes in well-made lattès and combines interesting flavors to make truly decadent waffles and pancakes. White chocolate-rosewater-pistachio or orange-fig-marmalade in one dish? Medina Café’s team of chefs fit all of those flavors into one elegant dish. If you want savory, the Breakfast Paella combines chorizo, roasted veggies, Grano Padano, and avocado for a spicy but delicate dish. Les Boulettes are spicy Moroccan lamb meatballs cooked with peppers and black olives in a tomato stew. It’s one of the more interesting brunch dishes in all of Vancouver. 

Any savory brunch should end with one of Medina Cafe’s specialty Liege-style Belgian waffles, they're inexpensive and delicious treats to end an amazing meal. Foodies line up for good reason for this brunch every weekend, so planning ahead is well-advised. 

OEB Breakfast Company

Yaletown  ꘡  Weekends 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

This vibrant restaurant is known for its incredible seafood menu and unbeatable views, but their weekend brunch is certainly worth checking out. Being a proper Canadian restaurant, poutine is on the menu, and OEB has added all the best breakfast ingredients for a hearty brunch. The Confit de Canard is a sumptuous French-Canadian option, with poached eggs, duck fat herb potatoes, sous-vide duck confit, cranberry jam, and a brown butter hollandaise. This is a great option during the winter months. The A-Lott A-Laks takes its inspiration from your neighborhood Jewish deli, with dill salmon lox, fresh dill, capers, and cheese curds. There are so many incredible poutine options, it’s recommended to order a few for the table to share. 

Fable Kitchen

Kitsilano   ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Check this restaurant’s social media or website, because once a month, Fable Kitchen hosts a boozy bottomless brunch with half-price mimosas and Caesars. But the drinks are by no means the only reason to head to Kitsilano, your friends will probably drag you to this trendy neighborhood eventually, and the delicious food at Fable is outstanding. Their scrambled eggs are served in a glass jar with layers and layers of brioche, rosti, vegetables, bacon, and parmesan foam. It’s fun to look at and even more fun to consume. The Pulled Pork Johnny Cakes combine cornmeal pancakes, tomato jam, and jalapeños with slow-cooked pork belly for a barbecue-inspired brunch. 

Catch 122 Cafe Bistro

Gastown  ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

This trendy Gastown spot’s brunch is about as fashionable as the exposed brick and wood interior. What to order? The Croque Madame is a good start, or the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich if you’re feeling more like lunch and are craving spicy mayo and pickles. For anyone with a sweet tooth, the Tres Leches Dutch Baby Pancake or Hazelnut Babka French Toast crusted with corn flakes might just take the (pan)cake on this menu. 

The Chorizo Breakfast Sandwich combines all the best elements of the rest of the menu. Whichever incredible dish you order, split the churros banana cream with your crew to enjoy the dulce de leche-inspired dessert. With its prime location, Catch 122 is the perfect spot to meet before an afternoon bar-hopping in Gastown. 

Ask For Luigi Restaurant

Downtown Eastside  ꘡  Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

This Italian joint may specialize in pasta dinners, red wine, and negronis, they don’t slouch on brunch. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can order from their outstanding Italian-inspired brunch menu. The most popular item on their brunch menu has to be their breakfast Carbonara de Luigi with a poached egg. The Prosciutto Cotto, with truffle, mozzarella, pane bianco, and panko is another classic. If you want something simple, the Pappardelle alla bolognese with a fried egg hits the spot. Breakfast pasta is a thing, and Ask For Luigi has perfected it. 

Twisted Fork Bistro

Gastown  ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

While wait times at this Gastown eatery can vary between 30 minutes to an hour, it’s well worth it for this brunch menu. The Banana Stuffed Brioche French Toast alone is worth the trek. One of the most trendy and interesting brunch items sweeping the globe is Shakshuka, which is a North African breakfast dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato stew; Twisted Fork completely nails this one. Don’t sleep on the Gouda Baked Eggs or the asiago scones as a side order. Because of the clubby atmosphere, you can’t really get the full experience of this place without the Granddaddy Mimosa with Rum, or any of the other amazing brunch cocktails on offer. 

33 Acres Brewing

Mt. Pleasant  ꘡  Everyday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

Vancouver has no shortage of hipsters, foodies, and beer geeks. You’ll find all three of these groups happily eating weekend brunch at 33 Acres Brewing in Mt. Pleasant. Besides the stellar list of IPAs, saisons, lagers, and stouts, there is a truly impressive brunch menu on offer on weekends. The Avocado Smash on sourdough has both pickled shallots and feta for a briny, creamy breakfast. The Two Rivers Black Forest Ham Benedict comes on a butter biscuit and is topped with a hollandaise made with 33 Acres beer. 

This is the ideal place to meet for brunch because, once everyone finishes their benedicts and breakfast sandwiches, you can stick around for an afternoon of amazing Vancouver craft beer. 

Chambar

Chinatown ꘡  Everyday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

This cozy restaurant is inspired by the cafés of Belgium and France, yet it’s located in Chinatown. Expect amazing Belgian waffles, hearty Eggs Benedict, and an incredible coffee program served by their expert baristas. 

The Gaufre à la Truite pairs a sourdough waffle with smoked trout with a mustard yuzu hollandaise. This is one of the most interesting dishes in Vancouver, regardless of the time of day. The Chorizo Paella brings lighter flavors to the brunch menu with their curry orzo. Once you’re done eating, head out to explore Chinatown, which is another unique shopping area.

Jam Cafe 

Downtown  ꘡  Everyday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 

This downtown breakfast mainstay is famous for its breakfast bowls. These hearty dishes use crumbled biscuits and eggs to feature a variety of interesting ingredients like brisket and butternut squash. Like every proper diner set up to feed hungry commuters, the portions are massive. Brunch cocktails, perhaps not intended for commuters, are a prominent feature at this cafe. Caesars, mimosas, and Irish coffee are popular with the trendy diners that flock downtown from other neighborhoods and from out of town. The Brioche Fried Chicken French Toast is one of the most absurdly indulgent brunch dishes in Vancouver, and it’s advisable to split it among the table. The Banana Walnut Pancakes are also regularly ordered as dessert for the table. With their huge menu of eggs benedict options, Jam Cafe is absolutely a go-to brunch spot in Vancouver, especially if you’re exploring downtown or visiting one of the many world-class museums nearby. 

Conclusion

While these may be the best of the best for brunch in Vancouver, it’s important to remember just how good the restaurants are in this city. Just about every neighborhood has a restaurant that serves a stellar brunch. So plan your day around Sunday morning brunch with outstanding eggs benedict, avocado toast, and some bottomless mimosas, and let a Bounce storage facility take care of the luggage while you explore Vancouver!