Cambie Village is bustling with locals looking for good eats and strong coffee. These five cafés have heeded the call, all of them serving great food and drink in warm atmospheres. [Photo credit: Suzanne Rushton]
A favourite stop for the gluten-free set, Lemonade is a cheery bakery serving up its excellent tarts, breads, cakes and more, along with tea and coffee or – as should be expected – freshly squeezed lemonade. If their beautiful displays don’t tempt you, then one bite of these decadent treats will, without even realizing they’re wheat-free. Don’t have a sweet tooth? Try the impressive selection of savoury breads and buns, like Italian cheese or olive and rosemary.
Just off Cambie, lies a gem of a gathering spot. The Mighty Oak – at the corner of 18th and Columbia – serves as a coffee shop, small market and neighbourhood hub where locals stop in for an early morning cup of something warm or to pick up last-minute dinner ingredients on their way from collecting their kids from school. Warm, inviting and serving excellent espresso-based drinks, this hidden pocket is a Cambie Village favourite.
To the west of the main strip at Heather and 16th a unique café has taken root. The Tandem Café not only serves excellent coffee and some of the best (and best value) breakfast sandwiches around, it also doubles as a bike repair shop. Get your brakes tuned or pump your tires as you grab a bite. On the move? Pedal by their bike-only “ride-through” for your order to go.
Willow Café Bakery is a small, cozy neighbourhood café at Willow and 16th. The chai latte is a patron favourite, as are the croissants and coffee cake – however, they have plenty of yummy baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth! The prices here are affordable, the staff is friendly and the vibe is welcoming – perfect for an afternoon of reading, working and enjoying a cup of joe.
At Cambie and 17th, Trixi’s Crêpe Café is a definite must for coffee lovers and pastry fans alike. Settle in with a cup of coffee and one of their sweet or savoury crêpes. Yes, they taste as good as they look. They serve up everything from a strawberry cheesecake crêpe to a smoked salmon crêpe and beyond. There are also gluten-free options.