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Caffe Cittadella
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
2310 Ash StVancouver, BC V5Z 3C2
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 568-5909
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 7 pm
Sat 9 am - 6 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
22 reviews for Caffe Cittadella
Review Highlights
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"Located in a renovated heritage house, the only word I can..." In 3 reviews -
"The coffee is beautiful: 49th Parallel beans and latte art." In 3 reviews -
"This is, as far as environment goes, my favourite cafe." In 10 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Mike P.
4/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Coffee delicious, ambience perfect, staff friendly, prices reasonable. What else could you want in a coffee joint? They are afterall only serving you a warm beverage.
I could definitely kill an hour here reading a paper and relaxing, or sitting out on their deck on a hot summery day.
Next time will check out upstairs. -
Review from Ramon V.
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I want to live in this house! Ok maybe not for real, but I kinda want to kick off my shoes, kick everyone out and turn up the stereo when I'm in here.
I think this cafe sums up the word quaint. Even the cups lids are in a little cupboard above cream and sugar. The patio / garden is perfect on a nice day, and there's even an upstairs.
My americano was good. 49th Parallel. I don't think it was amazing, but I'm going to give it another try. This one was a little weak, and slightly bitter.
Nice selection of sandwiches, muffins, cookies, tiramisu, croissants and other organic cookies and treats. I had a peanut butter stuffed chocolate cookie that I'll be having again. -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Coffee: As beautiful as the heritage home it inhabits, yet, a bit too strong for my liking. Quite similar to JJ Bean if you're a fan.
Was disappointed that I couldn't find anywhere to sit, tho, even alone, and the atmosphere was actually a bit sterile. But I sure looked longingly at the quaint, empty patio chairs that were covered in rain. The upstairs looked more inviting, yet full, and the downstairs did not seem conducive to enjoying the atmosphere. Maybe it would have been good if I'd brought a book?
Must return in the summer for the patio, though.
The chocolate cookie was too cakelike and just "meh", but I have high standards for my cookies! It just didn't taste that fresh.
Seems like this place is best suited for a meet-up--that is, if you can get a seat. Annoying to have to pay for parking, but that's the 'hood for you. -
Review from Amanda F.
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really, really want to give this place 4 and a half stars...but I can't. Damn!
Just pretend it's 4 1/2, okay? Ok!
I adore this place. I really do. It reminds me of my beloved cafes back in my hometown of Halifax. See, back east we're blessed with an abundant amount of cheap, wonderful character/heritage properties. We've got several cafes which are similar to Cafe Cittadella. But it goes without saying that on the west coast, they're fewer and further between. The ONLY reason this place loses half a star for me is that the interior decor is just a wee bit on the magazine-ish side. I think it could be amazing if it was more on the shabby-chic-mismatched side of things. I guess, basically, I want it to appeal a bit more to my hipster tastes, if y'know what I'm saying.
Anyway, The lovely Cafe Cittadella takes up 2 floors of a renovated heritage home, and has a massive patio, free wi-fi and a huge, wonderful selection of food. On my very first visit, I spent 4 hours in the little nook by the window, just enjoying my giant, delicious cafe mocha.
The staff are lovely, too. On my 2nd visit, the barista said "hey, thanks for tweeting about us!". Adorable.
I'll definitely be stopping into this place whenever I'm in the area from now on. -
Review from Faraaz J.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2011
It's really a 4.5 star.
Located in a renovated heritage house, the only word I can use to describe it is "cute". Neutral decor and just an awesome place to relax and unwind after or even during a stressful day.
If they'd let me, I'd have a hammock outside.
Pros:
- Amazing sandwiches, baked goods and TONS of vegan options (that actually taste delicious)
- 49th Parallel coffee, enough said.
- Friendly staff with a great memory.
- A true neighbourhood coffee shop
Cons:
- If you drink coffee at lunch you may not get a seat (which can be very disappointing if you've ordered their epic sandwiches). -
Review from Simon K.
10/7/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love how this little house on the corner has turned into a full blown coffee house. Character is what you feel, not just see when you come here, you probably wonder what is this place, and when you enter it is as charming a place as can be, rain or shine.
I worked in this area about 10 years ago, and just looking now at all the new buildings that have raised around the area, this place is quant, cute, something out of a scene form the Disney Pixar movie 'Up' as to what is around the area, then you get this little house that is not a home, but serves the brew. You have two floors and also outside seating.
The coffee is good here (taste and size for what you get), and the treats do the job. Trying to get away from the hip, urban type coffee shop, or the big box ones, come down here, and spend some time enjoying what Citadella has to offer. If your lucky you will also find a parking spot on 7th as well, as there are no meters, just 2 hour time limits! -
Review from Dan J.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011 6 Check-ins Here
What? Am I giving 5 stars to a cafe that serves 49th Parallel beans. You bet I am. I've been too hard on this roaster in my other reviews. I honestly thought their beans were bad. But I am big enough to admit I was wrong.
The first time I came to Cittadella it was near the end of the day. So I ordered my coffee to go. The owner said he had stopped brewing coffee but he could see I was eager to be impressed. He offered to make me a French Press. And he insisted I have at least the first few sips out of a ceramic mug.
Whoa. That was nice. Really balanced and sweet. I had the exact same beans at another shop yesterday and my coffee tasted sour. How the beans are extracted makes ALL the difference in the world. I bought a pound and had great success at home brewing these beans on my Melitta.
I chatted with the owner a bit. It's nice to have people in Vancouver who love coffee so much. We'll run those big chains and their crappy coffee out of town yet. I promised I'd be back next week with my sketchbook to have a coffee to stay.
When I showed up he recognized me. Poured me a good cup and grilled up a tasty ham & cheese croissant. The coffee wasn't as fresh as the first time of course but it was good.
This is, as far as environment goes, my favourite cafe. You have to check this place out. It reminds me of a little hotel I stayed in in Amsterdam. Set yourself down in any number of nooks or on one of the patios or in the courtyard.
I've been back often and even tried an Americano at his insistence. Turns out an Americano isn't just "watered down espresso" in the right hands but I still prefer drip coffee.
So I blamed the roaster for some bad coffees in my other reviews but it really was the cafe's fault.Listed in: Coffee. The Good, The Brewed &…
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Review from Jenna L.
What a quaint cafe on Ash and 7th. Lovely patio to sit outside watching traffic on the four way stop just outside (or looking at my parked car).
The procing is great I think. I was blown away with the cup size (ceramic) the smallest size looks like medium for another place - yes, they use 49th Parallel beans, and the latte was pretty good as there was only a faint taste of burnt-ness but overall a rounded, balanced cup. The array of goodies looks delectable and despite the fact that I already had a danish and two muffins during the day, i grabbed (not literally) a dried apricot biscotti. I love dried fruits so it was great. Overall, it is a lovely place to relax and I would definitely come back. -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2011
Dude. Could this place be any cuter? A charming character home-turned coffee shop. The coffee is beautiful: 49th Parallel beans and latte art. The space just oozes 'we know coffee'. Big fan of that.
Upstairs (yes, two levels) is a lovely hidden floor. Okay, perhaps not hidden, but it was empty of guests when I was there. I could have read and drank up there all day. Or danced around in my underwear. I wouldn't, but you know, sometimes it's nice to know that it could be an option. Points for that : ) .
If you're looking for an inspiring and quiet space to have your java, Cittadella is a great option! It's not hipster like the uber modern Innocent Coffee (my all-time fave) but it's a classy-cozy version that I love just the same. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
5/5/2011
I've wasted a LOT of time in cafes and I have to say that this might be my favourite cafe ever. Like- in life.
And I mean it- I've done my time loitering globally to find great spaces to drink espresso and read a book and this might just be the best place I've ever found.
This is the kind of place I'd keep as my little secret but it's such a genuine place that I'm actually EXCITED FOR the owners and the space.
Set up in a heritage home they have a great first floor with a few seats and bar.
The garden patio is nice- LOTS of seating and the kind of place I imagine [ideally] getting packed on a summer day with people lounging on the stairs when the seats fill up.
Garden seating is SPOT ON. Cept for the ants you'll get in your pants. meh..i'll deal with it.
Great setup- abso-f'ing-lutely love it!
Took some time to loiter upstairs with a book and hey- did you know it's BEAUTIFUL up there? Even has a deck with a couple chairs and a table for a romantic lookout.
Beyond the space, the espresso is fantastic. A good sweet espresso made with care. Likely top 10, and will probably would narrow into my top five if sam james (award winning toronto barista) didn't take up so many of those spots.
The case has exactly the right amount of fresh baked goods that willl eventually tempt me to try every single one of them. And yes, If i come here more often I do believe a panini will be necessary for my tummy.
These guys are lucky I don't live in Vancouver anymore or else I'd seriously live here.
It's the kind of place I always wished for growing up in the area and it brings a slight tear to my eye that they exist now but I'm not here most of the year to enjoy it. -
Review from Angela L.
4/16/2011
Now that I've officially become a 9-5er, I cherish my weekends like never before. Spring finally seems to have sprung in Vancouver, and this very welcome break from the endless rain meant that the great outdoors called my name. Unfortunately, my options were limited by the fact that I still have a number of bookish things to accomplish on weekends. I compromised by walking from my place in East Van to this cafe on the west side to study.
I have a crush on heritage houses turned anything, so I was smitten before I even stepped inside. Unfortunately, the London Fog that I had gotten myself all pumped up for on the walk over was a no-go, as the baristas informed me that they were all out of Earl Grey tea. I was a little thrown off by this unexpected turn of events, so I just ended up ordering a trusty Americano as a knee-jerk reflex.
I took my coffee (plus complimentary chocolate) upstairs and settled in. The room was bright and well-lit, but to my dismay, the music was a little louder than was comfortable for studying and the hardwood floors meant that the conversations that other patrons were engaging in were loud and echo-ey. The coffee was smooth albeit a bit weaker than I'm used to.
Staff were friendly and very Euro. The food on offer surprised me by actually looking appetizing, a welcome change from the usual dried out muffins and sandwiches that lie sadly in other coffee shop display cases. There was a wide variety of baked goods and more substantial items to choose from, including vegan options. There are lots of reasons I will come back to Caffe Cittadella, just not to study on a busy weekend.Listed in: Vancouver Favourites, Dates are Great, Liquid Lunch
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Review from Trudi C.
This place is so cute! I want to hug it, put it in my bag and carry it around everywhere with me!
Caffe Citadella is in one of those old style Vancouver character houses. It looks like an old house in my hometown of London, but somehow cuter! I ordered a small latte, but I'm not sure whether it was the deep cup, but it somehow felt much bigger. Excellent! Nice, not too strong, and not lukewarm like so many places do it.
As a side note, there was a nice mix of people and age groups (lunchtime on a Monday), not the usual clan of people trying to look cool ;) -
Review from Dayna S.
Vancouver, BC
6/10/2011
CC is my spot.
It's got all the makings of perfection.
-Location is near busy streets but feels hidden away.
-Baristas know and care about what they are doing.
-You can hide in a corner upstairs or bask on their patio space outside.
-It's a rare find for a cafe to have MANY dairy/wheat/sugar free snacks from which you can chose. What? I can have cafe food?
Between the quality espresso making, the friendliness, and the atmosphere, this IS my fave.
(Filip and Alex work too much though, tip them well.) -
Review from Tim S.
An exciting addition to the west-side Vancouver coffee scene. Visit at once!
Caffè Cittadella is a brand new shop (opened mid-August) in a carefully renovated heritage building in the Mount Pleasant side of Fairview. Cittadella has two bright, airy floors of seating and an expansive, greenery-lined patio.
For now, they're exclusively serving 49th Parallel -- the owner chatted me up a bit and told me he's friends with their founder, and that he was a GM for Artigiano before he decided to open up his own shop. Their espresso machine is apparently the only one of its make in Vancouver -- I didn't catch exactly which that was, but I enjoyed the competent caffè macchiato he made for me, served with a small gratis biscotti. I was caffeinated-out for the day (I was walking back to SkyTrain from Elysian when I found Cittadella...) and it was closing time so I didn't have a chance to delve deeper, but I look forward to sampling the rest of their menu!
Cittadella also offers an expansive arrays of cookies, pastries, and sandwiches. The owner said he was hoping for licensure soon, with an eye towards serving Tuscan wines and coffee with spirits, but for now, milk is the hardest beverage you'll find on offer.
If I had any complaints, it'd be that the very careful decor is almost too magazine-y -- a picture of some guy who looks like Ernest Hemingway on the wall, everything in the food display case has a small, logoed, laser-printed label, etc. It's immaculate and safe but about 0% edgy. Comfortable, though.
As of this writing, Cittadella is open until 7pm weekdays, 6pm Saturday, and 5pm Sunday. Bring a book and stop by for a while!Listed in: Coffee that doesn't suck
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
12/3/2010
Venturing in for the first time for this month's "Likemind," Caffe Cittadella played a gracious host. Grinding 49th Parallel roasts, offering bite size chocolates and handling the sizable crowd with ease and latte art, the staff here seem friendly (even during the early morning hours).
The homey space invites you to come in and sit down, or wander upstairs. It has that neighbourhood haunt feel - reminding me of a brighter, roomier Arbutus Coffee http://www.yelp.ca/biz..., with lots of parking and transit nearby. With lots of people it can really start to heat up inside, but a quick stand by the drafty door and you'll be chilled in no time!
Expect an update from me soon. There's a prosciutto funghi panini on the menu with my name on it!Listed in: Vancouver's Coffee Culture: A…
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Review from Jordan M.
Waterloo, ON
9/19/2011
This is actually a 4.5, but if forced to choose, 5.
The food is okay, the coffee is pretty darn good, but the space is one of the best I've ever experienced for coffee shops. A beautiful converted character home. I love it, and I want to come here every day because of it. 5 yelps. -
Review from fred e.
West Vancouver, BC
3/27/2011
I'm so happy to run into this cafe by chance. It is beautifully decorated and it feels like I'm escaping the everyday grind of life.
The coffee is stupendous and the food looks great! ( didn't get to try it because of having to catch up with friends)
It is also extremely clean! A rarity in coffeehouses.
So much better than the cafe up the street on Broadway and Ash. -
Review from Rob K.
Vancouver, BC
6/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
After two solid recommendations, I hit Citadella up for their espresso. The first time I went, I was still fighting a cold but I could tell (even with my reduced sense of taste) that the espresso was going to be magic. Went back today and voila! Not a hint of acidity and probably the only espresso that I have a chance of describing the flavours for!! No need to add any sugar or cream, its perfect as is. They use 49th Parallel, as an awesome starting point but the extra magic must come from the barista's talent. Well done guys, well done. You are my coffee.
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Review from Patrick H.
7/29/2011
Nice alternative to the chains. Tasty latte and blueberry scone this AM. Both were well made and quite large. Some noise from road construction outside was a little distracting.
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Review from Dawn L.
Vancouver, BC
4/22/2011 2 photos
I happened upon this cafe today when I parked on 7th avenue. It is the cutest little spot with a perfect little patio area for you to sip your coffee. The inside was just as quaint - with two floors and plenty of seating. I ordered a London Fog and it was made perfectly as well. And there was a little square of black chocolate to go with it. I haven't had their sweets yet but they all looked amazing. I can't wait to go back, it's definitely going to be my new haunt.
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Review from Angelo C.
Vancouver, BC
If you like your coffee strong, you cannot go wrong here. All the guys really care about the cup they put in front of you.
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Review from M S.
1/10/2011
Located in a Heritage House, this cafe has a genuine European feel. The coffee is outstanding and worthy of return visits. The food is freshly made and yummy. Child friendly and relaxed, in a great location. Nice unique addition to the neighborhood of chain stores
