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Agro Café
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1201 Hamilton StVancouver, BC V6B 6K3
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Yaletown
(604) 605-1292
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Agro Café
Review Highlights
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"It was my first Clover cup of coffee, and it was..." In 5 reviews -
"The guy behind the counter was super knowledgeable and..." In 3 reviews -
"I had a smooth, creamy latte, was very nice." In 4 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Gary M.
3/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Agro raspberry mocha is unique in this city.
It's not too sweet, or overwhelmingly heavy in chocolate or raspberry flavors. It's a rare balance of refinement. Like an exquisite wine or well crafted cocktail.
It's why I stop by Agro.
g -
Review from Joseph H.
Richmond, BC
5/7/2012
One of my fav cafes in the area. Their latte never lets me down. Customer service is kind of poor at the moment. I don't know what happened, but the current male barista seems antipathetic to everything. I recall the previous baristas were friendly and smiled.
Newly opened Artigiano's a stone's throw away must be stealing a lot of customers and attention. -
Review from Ben B.
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool spot with some hip cred in the middle of the Yaletown world that needs to be seen to be believed. Comfortable chairs and 'put a bird on it' art make you feel miles away from the oversized sunglasses and purse dogs just steps away in the outside world. The indie soundtrack certainly didn't hurt either.
The cappuccino was pretty good although not quite a favourite. The foam topper was frothed a little too bubbly for my liking rather than that smooth, creamy layer that I've come to love. Still, the taste was right on track with no bitterness in sight. Or taste. You know what I mean.
Wireless was smooth although it was a bit of a disappointment when we asked if it worked outside on the patio and the barista shrugged apathetically as if it wasn't his problem and he couldn't have cared less. On the plus side, it *did* work...so there.Listed in: Vancouver, BC
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Review from Laura P.
3/5/2012
Ended up here since we were staying nearby in Yaletown. Our barista was helpful and even concerned when we gave him a set of house keys we found on the ground. We described the young girls we saw earlier peering into the bushes in Opus half an hour before and figured they must have been looking for the keys. He was playing awesome music too! Wasn't even a jerk when we asked who it was (his girlfriend!).
Since other yelpers mentioned mochas, I inquired whether that was the popular drink. He steered me towards just a great coffee latte. Minutes later, I was glad he did.
Loved, loved, loved the energy balls! Funky little things made of walnuts, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and a bit of chocolate powder. Ate them two days in a row. Must replicate at home.
My favorite thing about Agro was their bathroom! It is an odd shape but what gets me is the privacy glass. The minute you turn the lock, the glass fogs up. Entertained me and the bug endlessly! -
Review from Peter B.
Vancouver, BC
5/20/2012
Better Americano than Starbucks. Good atmosphere and pricing too.
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Review from Mel L.
2/23/2012
This coffee shop is really cozy and friendly and brews good coffee. There was a good variety of choices; 3 bean choices of mild, medium, or dark, and all the regular milk/cream/soy choices, plus what impressed me the most was you could even get almond milk in your latte.
When I stopped in on a Saturday morning, there was one barista behind the counter, and though he was really helpful and knowledgeable - he gave me the exact number of minutes since he had made the brewed coffee (8 minutes) and the method of brewing (french press) - there were three people in line in front of me so I had to wait about 10 minutes before I got my coffee. I guess if you want a carefully crafted and individually brewed coffee then you should expect to wait, but I'm used to Starbucks speed so I found this a bit slow. There's a large patio outside though so a lazy weekend morning would be a good time to come to Agro. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 3/16/2012 7 Check-ins Here
It's all about the perfectly executed Americano. And this past weekend, I almost believed that the barista got my order wrong. What, is this? A latte? I pondered. And then I realized, it had been a looooooong time since I had been treated to a pour so creamy it could be mistaken for a latte. Thank you for your barista magicalness, Agro. You are a beacon of beautiful brew in a sea of Yaletown coffee chains.
Listed in: Vancouver's Coffee Culture: A…, Yaletown's Open for Business, Vancouver's Best Meeting Spots, A Canadian's Coffee Shop Guide
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/1/2010
I don't know how many times I've been here - I've lost track. This is my meeting place, my no fail,… Read more »
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Review from Sheryl D.
1/29/2012 4 Check-ins Here
I got some sweet mocha love at this place earlier this week...great coffee with the perfect cinnamon-y, vanilla-y hint to it. Very competent, friendly baristas, with one of Yaletown's most affordable patios to people-watch on.
If they came out with fresh desserts, would be a 5. They should team up with Ganache Patisserie maybe... -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
10/20/2011
I don't really have any complaints about the coffee or service itself. All solid (well actually the coffee was a little bitter but whatev). My main gripe is the soy...i opt for soy in my americano and there is nothing i hate more than curdling coffee. Not a good time. The constant stirring required to "uncurdle" the concoction is distracting and the visual, kinda unappealing.
If the soy was a good brand i probably would have given 4 stars....maybe next time.Listed in: Yelp's 30 day Challenge
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Review from Robin M.
8/17/2011 7 Check-ins Here
My go-to meeting spot, my first recommendation for a central location when in need of a decent cup of (perfectly-brewed) coffee, one of my favourite personal "offices" downtown - this is Agro.
Free wifi, baristas who live up to their title (read: know their coffee how-tos, how-comes and why-fors), an amazingly comfortable and sunny (without being too hot) patio, a never-bitter iced americano, a quiet enough spot to think but a loud enough spot to chat. Coffee with a conscience, Yaletown without pretension - a perfectly relaxing café that has yet to be beat. -
Review from Matthew B.
Vancouver, BC
11/26/2011 2 photos
I stopped in for an espresso and some free wi-fi, but I ended up trying out their Clover coffee machine - and I'm glad I did!
It was my first Clover cup of coffee, and it was wonderfully smooth. I prefer Cuban coffee (espresso), but in a taste test I think the Clover outperforms a normal French press. If you're a coffee nut, then you need to try it. If you're a true connoisseur, then this is all old news...
As for Agro, they have a great business model pushing sustainability and free trade. If you're in the area, why not buy coffee from one of the "good guys?" -
Review from Purdy J.
10/6/2011
Agro Cafe in Yaletown has quick, friendly service and free wireless internet. The cafe is small and cozy cafe in a convenient location.
Coffee is nice and strong with the bonus option of almond milk as an alternative to soy! Yay!
They also had a variety baked goods and sandwiches... muffins didn't quite jump out at me and scream "EAT ME" like the ones at JJ Bean but looked good. I was all over the vegan brownie option - it was light with a semi-sweet icing that helps you enjoy the not very chocolatey, cake-like brownie.
*Currently there's a lot of construction right outside the cafe but don't let that deter you from going in! They are open! -
Review from Dan J.
Vancouver, BC
If you're used to the coffee served by the big chains down the street and are expecting something comparable you will be disappointed.
Seriously, what's wrong with these people? They will make you a cup of coffee in their clover. What is that thing? It has like two buttons on it. Piece of junk.
Then they even grind the beans right before they brew it. What? This is going to take foreeeeeverrr.
And their beans? They were roasted as recently as 3 days ago. Beans should be aged to perfection. All things get better over time. Like wine and scotch. These people are total amateurs.
And the coffee is complex. Coffee should be simple. My taste buds can't figure out what's going on in there. One minute the coffee might be fruity and the next it might be sweet. It might even have hints of weird things like citrus or caramel, toffee or chocolate. Not even a hint of the charcoal briquette offered up by the big chains.
And it's not even scalding hot! I mean coffee is supposed to burn my tongue. The hotter the better. These people don't know what they're doing.Listed in: Coffee. The Good, The Brewed &…, my R's OTD.
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Review from Ramon V.
I`m trying to believe my fellow Yelpers and discover the magic that is promised at Agro. I have not found it yet.
Today, my Americano was (again) less than stellar, and the food options were limited to a half-empty display counter. See my picture for the complete lack of any crema in my coffee, and the taste was similar to that of the cheapo stove-top espresso maker I use at home. Most of the seating was taken up by people on laptops with empty dishes in front of them. It hurt a little inside because my favourite cafe is only a block west.
The food is ok. If you order a wrap, get it grilled, and get it to stay, with a soup for $1.50 more. The carrot/onion soup with turkey stock was quite good, and the wrap was served with a bit of salad on the side. Good presentation for a small cafe. An extra star for this, but a 2.5 on the coffee. -
Review from Jenna L.
11/15/2010
Woohoo! I am really happy about discovering Agro@Yaletown last weekend. I really love the decor and the coziness of this place. There were only three people other than myself on Saturday 4:30PM. It means quietness and tranquility.. em... I love the orange cups (one of my favorite color) and the wooden bark thing? that the barista puts the prepared cup of lattee to be picked up... (the pick up counter I guess).
It's rustic yet modern. Is it orangy all year around or for Fall/Winter? It suits the weather perfectly. I had their feature item, "Pumpkin spiced latte" it was good, sweet but not too sweet. My sister had a regular latte and it was good too. I didn't give 5 stars because I still love Elysian on Broadway. But this place is nearly up there!!!! -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here a few times. The looseleaf tea is nice, the coffee tasty (one of the first businesses in Van to use a Clover) and the location is a handy. In fact, for Yaletown java it's nice to have a 'non-big-chain' option.
The coolest thing though? The bathroom.
Ok, I'm sure I'll sound creepy saying this, but if you're sitting at the raised table beside the bathroom, you'll see the light blue panels of glass that seep light into the bathroom. And guess what? You can see straight through those panels. Scandalous, I know.
Once someone enters that bathroom and turns on the light BOOM! The glass frosts over and isn't transparent anymore. Pretty cool trick. I was caught up with that one. I'm not ten, but sometimes I feel like it...
Um but ya, the drinks are good..! -
Review from Jean S.
Vancouver, BC
2/25/2012
Awesome coffee. Buy it everyday. Weekday guy is really friendly And creates a consistent shot. Weekend guys are not very consistent but friendly too.ni think the owner buys his own beans fro accrosss the globe and roast them himself. Definitely a must try
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Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 11/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is still rocking the 5 stars for me.
I admit it - I'm a bit of a coffee snob. Especially when it comes to ordering a plain old "coffee of the day"... Most places would serve you just that: "plain and old" (and boring), but not Agro - OH NO! They make each coffee of the day fresh - that's right - FRESH. And they are just so damn nice!
I really can't get enough of this place... I mean, if I'm spending $2 a day on a coffee every morning - this is the place I want to be!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/13/2009
Agro Cafe makes me happy.
It's my fail safe spot for lunch/coffee/break from work/change of… Read more »
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Review from Luisa D.
7/1/2011 4 Check-ins Here
This is on the same block as my office so if I'm having a coffee meeting I go here. They make a mean cup of coffee and it's comfortable inside with a nice patio as well.
Listed in: My Yaletown
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Review from Kirk C.
Vancouver, BC
10/9/2011
Good coffee but I'd still rather JJ Bean around the corner.
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Review from Robyn H.
Vancouver, BC
3/25/2010
As a resident of Yaletown for 5 years now, I've seen coffee shops come and go. And strangely, despite it being there for a while, I never really ventured into the Agro Cafe... I always ended up elsewhere in the neighbourhood.
However, last weekend we were craving a quick sandwich, and after scouting out all the other nearby coffee shops for sandwiches and finding that they had all been picked over, I suggested we drop by the Agro Cafe.
Nestled unassumingly on the corner of Hamilton and Davie, when we entered the Agro Cafe, the first thing that popped into my mind was,
"Why didn't we do this sooner?"
The interior is small but very inviting. There's local artwork on the walls and outside is a spacious patio with outdoor seating. We had friendly and attentive service from the staff as we eyed all sorts of deliciousness behind the counter. There were no sad, neglected sandwiches or uninspired pastries. In fact, everything was displayed with thoughtfulness and care, and it was really nice to see that. It was nice to see a coffee shop that cares about all the details.
Everything looked appetizing, I had a hard time choosing. Each sandwich, for example, had a thorough explanation as to what was inside. I finally decided on their veggie sandwich (tomato, spinach, cucumber, thin slices of carrots, cheddar cheese, on multigrain) while my OH ordered the turkey, brie and cranberry on baguette. We drank a lot of coffee that morning so opted to have an organic fruit soda instead. The server toasted our sandwiches and told us to sit down and that she'd bring out our food when it was ready. We sat at a table outside and a few minutes later our sandwiches were presented on ceremic plates with a side of green salad. Better yet, the dressing on the salad was a fresh basil/Dijon mustard aioli, which was not only aromatic, but so tasty that we were dipping our sandwiches into it!
The sandwiches were certainly a hit - definitely some of the best pre-made in Yaletown. There's definitely a home-cooked quality to what they serve. They were so good, we came back a few days later and ordered more sandwiches to go. This time I tried to turkey, cranberry and brie on baguette. There was a subtle hint of sage, it tasted like I a sandwich made from a proper turkey dinner. Definitely the best turkey sandwich I've had in Vancouver.
Oh, and this time I had a coffee. Their Americano? It was superb.
Guess who's a newly converted Agro Cafe fan? -
Review from Trudi C.
7/8/2011 1 photo
Lovely wooden setting, very welcoming and cozy. I walked in and the lady immediately greeted me with a smile asking how I was :) Quick service, and some delicious looking homemade cookies! I had a smooth, creamy latte, was very nice! My one complaint would be the small latte really is small I comparison to other coffee shops, but for the same price. But when to ask for small, you get small I guess! I hope to return for a cookie :)
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Review from Victoria R.
Vancouver, BC
4/10/2010
Free wifi, cozy atmosphere and a bathroom that makes you feel like you're on a startrek space ship. Add to that some seriously knowledgeable barrista's, and the team at Agro Cafe are in business.
I never drank coffee black before. I'm a complete coffee wuss, and there is no way I can take it without milk and sugar. Until I met Blake. The owner and one-man-army behind Agro Cafe; he loves his coffee. He REALLY loves his coffee, and is also very passionate about sustainability. He paired those 2 loves and came up with a business model that offers fair wages to the farms where he buys his beans from, sustainable practices within his shops, and amazingly good coffee.
I can't drink my coffee black anywhere other than agro - he made me wait and try a light roast, promising me I'd be ok with it. He was right - it was amazing, I had never had a naturally sweet coffee before. He explained that because the light roast is roasted less, it's less bitter - the bitterness comes as you roast the bean.
I can only hope more coffee shops have people as passionate about coffee as the folk's at Agro. -
Review from Justin K.
4/9/2009
Its small but cute and on a warm day this place would be divine. I went in on a whim because my hotel was across the street. I ordered a doppio from the barista who happened to be the owner. We talked for a long while about coffee and my former job at Starbucks®. I noticed he had a Clover® Machine (AMAZING COFFEE) which got us talking more about coffee and eventually Starbucks® again.
Agro Cafe has good coffee, knowledgeable owner, and a great space. I hope they do very well for themselves. -
Review from Dave B.
Vancouver, BC
12/4/2008
Getting acquainted with Vancouver, I was amazed to see how many Starbucks coffee shops could co-exist in such close proximity. Seems like there would be a "turf war" here. Baristas battling it out with frothing cups? With so many unique and interesting cafe experiences to discover, I thought... "let's see how long I can exist here without going to Starbucks."
The journey began by asking co-workers where I should go to get a great cup of coffee in the Yaletown neighborhood... a coffee connoisseur suggested Agro Cafe. Needless to say I was not disappointed.
It's small, but very cute and a bit trendy in decor. The guy behind the counter was super knowledgeable and eager to explain the process of their custom drip coffee selection. All the beans are roasted "in house" and they offer a wide selection daily. After making your selection they grind and brew your choice in a "Clover" coffee brewing system. This appears to be the mother ship off all coffee makers. Hang tight, watch it work, and enjoy the results.
They serve bagel sandwiches that are made with organic eggs and various combination's of veggie or bacon / ham / cheese / etc. I grabbed one of these to take with me on my walk into the office. Nom, nom, nom.
The bagel was a bit plain, but probably due to its tremendously healthy ingredients. The drip coffee was delicious. All was a bit spendy, but probably worth it based on the quality.
Will be back to try another selection of bean. Although just had a bit of a buzz kill to find that the Starbucks corporation now owns Clover coffee makers. I guess no matter how hard I try... I just can't escape them!! -
Review from Jonathan F.
7/28/2011
Delicious espresso. Good place to camp out and work.
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Review from Megan S.
11/19/2008 2 photos
The Yaletown location is a little small (they also have a location on Grandville Island)- but it's nice place to stop on an afternoon for a sweet treat or a caffeine jolt. There are some plush comfy chairs inside, and several outside tables.
The biggest source of pride for Agro is their fair-trade beans. Talk to any of the baristas and they can tell you what a difference it makes to the coffee farmers. All of their beans are fair trade in comparison with one big coffee chain that only has one fair trade variety. I've had the cinnamon roast- as you can imagine, the aroma is wonderful and it has a very full body.
The dessert case is great fun. Twice I've had the almond cake. It's a dense cake- with a light chocolate shell around it. Very flavorful- the almond flavor is present in every bite.
This is definitely a great place to chill. Being in Yaletown- it's fresh and
modern- without being pretentious. And with the socially responsible beans- it's a win-win place to go. -
Review from adam b.
12/10/2010
Latte was good but the muffin was a bit stale. Breakfast items are better at Starbucks across the street but the coffee isnt as good.
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Review from Kat D.
11/9/2010
Agro Cafe lives up to its name in that the coffee and food tastes as if it recently came from the earth. I really like the logo and the liberal use of the colour orange is one of many factors that sets it apart. This is a cafe with personality. And a fairly transparent, cylindrical bathroom. If you can't stand to miss a moment of the conversation, this bathroom is for you. The first time I used it I wondered why my mother, waiting with her coffee at a table, was making panicked gestures at me. It turned out that not only can the bathroom user see outside but the window provides a great view to people enjoying their coffee- from a certain angle. So, be quick.
I like the atmosphere in the cafe which is somehow elegant without being pretentious. The coffee menu, written artfully on some kind of a glass sign behind the counter, is tempting. The coffee is smooth, occasionally citrusy or nutty and the staff members are people who take their work very seriously. No one here gives the impression of passing time until something better comes along. I asked for decaffeinated espresso "to go". Since I am a recent convert to espresso I didn't realize until later that asking for a shot of espresso " to go" is suggesting that a tiny amount of hot liquid is better consumed away from where it was ordered and therefore, cold. Now I understand why they didn't have any thimble-sized lids to go on the tiny, paper espresso cup. I look forward to sitting outside next year on the cobbled street under those nice umbrellas. -
Review from Susanne K.
3/7/2011
We were very pleased with the great taste of the coffee and the little snacks were simple and nice. We had cheese melt and a sausage wrap and afterwards a blueberry square. The latter was a little too hippie, however the people were nice and if they add a little more cozyness tothe place it would get5 stars.
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Review from Ryan G.
Richmond, BC
12/5/2011
5 stars for the drip coffee only. I haven't tried the food. Great drip coffee. As someone who drinks black coffee I really appreciate that they grind the beans and brew the coffee after you order, and quickly. Next time I will try their Cappuccino.
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Review from Anthony W.
5/20/2011
Just great... Super sweet espresso super sweet staff.
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Review from Erin I.
Vancouver, BC
Total hidden gem! Was so excited to discover this cozy, clean, modern caffe with great coffee, organic baked goods, and sandwiches. At Hamilton & Davie, it's a great people watching spot, too.
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Review from Whitney D.
Vancouver, BC
2/13/2011
I spent a fair bit of time here for a few months while studying for a big exam. The coffee and vibe are good. But what brings me back to this place is the awesome staff.
Also, who can't get behind sustainability and fair and ethical treatment? -
Review from Mohammad G.
8/5/2010
so maybe its not elysian or 49th but its really f'in good for free wifi, good music, and good good coffee. the girl that was working both days i went is also very very nice and friendly. easy to put you in a good mood. they actually play really good hip hop too which is a nice change from the typical emo grunge coffee shop music.
their bathroom with a revolving frost window is unreal too by the way! -
Review from Danny D.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2010
This place is great the coffee is amazing and I'm not one for saying that. Plus they got this machine that make one cup of coffee at a time.
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Review from Cathy Z.
1/16/2010
Oh Agro soy latte, I will remember our one-time affair for a very long time. The exhilarating aroma and smooth taste woke me up without giving me the jitters. I also like that Agro is socially responsible-in fact after reading their website, I found out that the owner founded a nonprofit fair trade organization before opening up the coffee shops. If you're just visiting Yaletown, don't settle for Starbucks down the street.
