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Our Town Café
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
245 E BroadwayVancouver, BC V5T 1W4
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 879-1924
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 11 pm
Sat 8 am - 11 pm
Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Our Town Café
Review Highlights
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"Great loose leaf tea selection and delicious cinnamon buns." In 5 reviews -
"An eclectic space with a chill-out vibe." In 3 reviews -
"...for their sandwiches, their comfy chairs and their casual..." In 3 reviews
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42 reviews in English
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Review from George W.
Vancouver, BC
4/18/2012 73 Check-ins Here
I like this place. But it's not perfect.
Pro--Nice people work there.
Con--They are not always on top of their jobs.
Pro--They have very comfortable chairs.
Con--It's very often hard to get a chair.
Pro--They sell alcohol.
Con--They sell me alcohol when I should be doing work.
Pro--They have tasty treats in a variety of colour and flavours.
Con--there is no con.
I do like this place and I keep going back, so, I'm either a masochist or this place is pretty darn good. -
Review from Kristina C.
Vancouver, BC
12/19/2011
After reading the many reviews of how good the coffee is here, I had to try it for myself. I ordered a vanilla latte and I must say, the reviews here didn't lie. That was a pretty damn good latte! My 12 oz latte was around $4, so it was generally the same price as a chain coffee shop. The café itself was homey and inviting, with lots of plush armchairs (most, if not all, were occupied however, and the customers did not look like they had intentions of moving anytime soon). So, free space is limited, and its true about what has been said regarding laptops: they're everywhere here!
If you're one of the lucky few to snag a seat (with an accessible outlet!), get comfy, order a delicious coffee, and settle in for the rest of the afternoon in this laidback coffeeshop. -
Review from Simon K.
I do enjoy coming to this part of town, and sitting in this coffee shop/hangout from time to time. You have all walks of life in here, a very good vibe, and everytime I am here the staff is very happy to help in anyway they can and provide some talk while getting your beverage or something delightful to eat.
The prices for the food and coffee are affordable, and you do not have that uptightness from a block away where all the corporate-whores go to in terms of Starbucks. A sense of the old eastside Vancouver is in here, from the rustic like furniture, to the wooden floorboards, and railings, this place screams of yesterday, and that respect for this area that is today.
Either on a sunny, or cloudy day, this place has quite a bit of people, whether on their laptops, reading a paper, or just enjoying their time sitting there with their warm mug, a part of Vancouver, most definitely. -
Review from Sahra G.
7/28/2011
No walk of shame should be started without a good coffee. This place had just the right atmosphere where I didn't feel like a discheveled mess crawling in here to get some caffiene wearing something that I was obviously a night outfit walking in here with the dude who's house I crashed at the night before.
What a fine soy latte that was... comfy chairs to read the paper in and muster up the strength to retrace the steps to where I abandoned my bike for a cab.
I noticed this may some evenings have live music in it. Either way the coffee is solid, I didn't feel judged, therefore its a good coffee joint. -
Review from Katie S.
Vancouver, BC
6/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Decent coffee. Plenty of seating. Free wifi. Big windows to people watch, gaze into thin air thinking about future plans, hide from the rain, draw and write. The first time I went there, I found a box loaded with little pieces of paper with words printed on them, to inspire you to write. I got "zeitgeist".
Well, on that miserable day of non-stop rain, I ate a panini with a bowl of soup, indulged in a delicious mocha, and began to draw the first picture I've drawn in my life. Then I stuck my little paper Zeitgeist on my self-portrait using my lip gloss as an adhesive. I found a power outlet next to my comfy old chair and I charged my iPhone, took a photo of my creation and then uploaded it to Facebook. You may wonder what my point is?
Well, my point is that for place that is predominantly a coffee shop, that also effortlessly offers you a space to sit undisturbed, charge your iPhone, provide free WiFi and offer a little inspiration in a box is magnificent.
Good coffee, mental health spa and creative inspiration for under $10. -
Review from Kas D.
Vancouver, BC
9/18/2011
Great coffee, cozy, spacious. A great little coffee shop with a lovely, comfortable vibe.
There is also the occasional bit of live music.
Definitely worth checking out. -
Review from Tetsuo S.
Vancouver, BC
7/29/2011
The coffee here is great , and when it's not packed with open macbooks the ambience is even better. This CAN be the most awesome little chill out cafe in the whole neighborhood - but it's usually so busy that the chill factor flies right out the window...
As I mentioned - a whole lotta laptops - and for some reason they just let everyone drape their power chords across the floor - even on the steps. I'm not one to whine about little things like that - but some old lady is totally gonna eat it on those chords one day , just because someone wanted to update their facebook status and drink a latte from a mug at the same time.
the food here is great - even if everything is a dollar more than it really should be ( but a dollar over isn't so bad ). the peanut butter cookies are the best peanut butter cookies ever made. ever. i mean that. ever. ever.
ever.
Perhaps one evening you feel like a little chill out by a big window - and maybe you stroll down to Ourtown for a latte and some iphoning - but when you get there it's 'interpretive dance night' or 'trivia night'. The Ourtown frequently hosts events of this calibre during the evenings. These look like a lot of fun for the people in there - I guess - but it sucks when you just wanna grab a warm coffee and there's a horde of thespians blocking the way. This is nothing to complain about however - just one of the character building facets of the Ourtown Cafe.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Jon C.
Vancouver, BC
7/19/2011
Awesome decaf americano.
I wasn't sure about this place from the outside, but the coffee alone was worth it.
This was the best decaf americano I've ever had (even better than JJ, which was my current fav). hopefully, it wasn't just a one time accident.
Also, the atmosphere is quite cozy - i like the couches beside the window, though the tables are a bit high. -
Review from Daniel L.
11/23/2010 9 Check-ins Here
As a coffee cafe hound... It was time for Our Town, the relaxed and cool ambience of the low level soft jazz playing in background was just at right level to meet the buzz of the chillin computer clickin or chatting peeps. Old pianos and tvs as tables & counters in cozy corners, top notch for watchin the inner or outer world swirl by.
The old wood floors and country style railings gives it that saloon bar feel an hey they serve fresh cold ones on tap with wifi hmmm could cause long delays!!?? -
Review from Nicole J.
Vancouver, BC
12/12/2011
The coffee was excellent, and the price was very reasonable! Out of all the coffee shops I have been to, the prices at Our Town Cafe are the cheapest I have ever seen. ($3.73 - tax included - for a 12 oz mocha! Cannot get much cheaper than that.) I would give five stars if it was only for the coffee, but gave four stars because I was not able to get a seat. I have never seen a coffee shop so packed! Nevertheless, I highly recommend at least dropping by and trying out the coffee.
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Review from Leah M.
Vancouver, BC
6/7/2011
I haven't tried their food but I can't stop going back for the lattes and the atmosphere. I just love to hang out there and read, do a bit of work or people watch. So basically, good coffee! Friendly service! Great atmosphere! What else do you need?
I also love how this is not a paper cup by default place. It seems like everywhere else if I forget to add "for here" at the end of my order I need to be like "Oh Oh Oh, for here!!!" in a panic as the barista's grabbing a paper cup. -
Review from Elle G.
Vancouver, BC
9/8/2011
The staff here are so unnecessarily and intolerably rude that I don't think I'll ever come here again. I don't expect customer service employees to exude sunshine and lollipops but some of the staff here haven't reached a maturity that would allow professional interaction with other people.
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Review from Luke L.
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place has terrific coffee, and is a great place to sit and relax while enjoying it. If you're looking to grab one to go, save .25 cents and go one short block to Cuppa Joe, which is where Our Town purchases their beans, and help fight the crazy busy-ness and lineups at this pleasant local shop.
Little/none of the pretentiousness common to the bazillion other Main Street coffee shops is found here.
The SuperMuffin is delicious before the gym.
The Cinnamon bun is delicious all the time.
They have a big TV and used to show old films and documentaries on Sunday evenings which was a lot of fun, but then they stopped. I hope they revive the practise some day.Listed in: drink
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Review from Vimi S.
Vancouver, BC
2/1/2011
An eclectic space with a chill-out vibe. Multi shades of hardwood stylize this corner cafe along with window-side tables for two...Great for a date. The menu is simple and meets the needs of the average Vancouverite and includes beer on tap and wine.
Come by with a small group of friends or even alone with a good read and relax to the ol' skool jazz tunes playing in the background. Go ahead and laugh with your friends while your drink is being made...You won't bother anyone. ;) -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 3/29/2011 43 Check-ins Here
So I finally tried the vegan panini for myself and I was pretty impressed. The combination of vegetables was delicious and my fears about dry bread were unfounded. Of course, it would be improved with some Vegenaise, but so would everything. Even dog poo.
I will reiterate that I love Our Town for its atmosphere. It's not the best place to do schoolwork because outlets are in short supply, and sometimes there are no seats at all... but it just feels good to be in there. Also, great muffins, decent service, and often cute patrons. Except for staring lady. Well, maybe that's why staring lady goes there, too.
Also: if there's a better place in town to get a glass of red and read a book, I will eat my hat*.
*if by hat we mean "another of Our Town's vegan paninis".1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/3/2010
I go to Our Town at least once a week. Not because the coffee is good, because it's not particularly… Read more »
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Review from Tony E.
Vancouver, BC
11/25/2011
This place is awesome, great organic coffee, yummy food and nice baristas! They're not the stuck up self-righteous kind, just real nice people. The room is comfortable and warm and the scenery is top notch.
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Review from Megan S.
12/6/2008 ROTD 7/31/2009
Do you get the song stuck in your head too? Madness from the 80s- Our house...in the middle of the street. Our house... Well, I like that song, so I don't really mind.
Know what else I like? Our Town Cafe. It's not trying to hard to be anything, but it's cool anyway. There's no undisclosed hipster dress code. It's just relaxed. The furniture is a bit of a hodge podge- for a boho, yet clean and simple, vibe.
I like the way there's a small elevated section of plush armchairs and tables up by the window on the Broadway side. This what my choice of seating. It was really nice, albeit one complaint. Gnats. We first sat down, and I had a gnat flying around my eyes. I waved it a away a few times, before realizing that there were several of them. We ended up moving to another spot, just 2 tables away. Less gnats, but still some.
What on earth? That goes down as a new coffee shop problem. Usually it's like: bad music, grumpy people, no tables, weak drinks, etc. I've never had a bad experience involving any kind of bug.
Well- the gnats won't keep me from going back. This place is a diamond in the rough. But....I sincerely hope the gnats were a one time thing. Hopefully they were just vacationing at Our Town and will return to wherever they came from. -
Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
10/18/2009 1 photo
if i havent stressed enough how much i LOOve my neighbourhood for the fantastic good eats and abundant coffee shop options (thats NOT starbucks!!!!!)
this is no exception! My friend and I were originally going to hit rootdown cafe, but it opens @ 11am on saturdays!! i was SOO disappointed! so we walked down to rhizome cafe but there was a lineup! this was the next closest thing...we just wanted to get outta the rain!
When you walk in, it feels like you just stepped into your grandma's old cottage house way out in the boons... comfy...sweet...homey... it just feels right.
All the coffees are organic and they use a lot of organic ingredients for their food. The panninis looked extremely tempting and i have always wanted to try their cinnamon buns (thanks to their little sign outside).. but after careful deciding, i went for the raspberry chocolate banana muffin and the ginger spice latte.
the muffin was soft and perfect. the top layer had crunch but wasnt burnt and the bottom was moist but not soggy. perfect! my latte filled my belly with warmey liquid goodness and i was extremely content. i coulda wrapped myself in a blanket and nestled into my seat for a nap.
every person working looked happy and glad to be there. another very important factor to see in a coffee shop (or anywhere i guess!)... happy workers = happy food = happy customers = happy happy happy!Listed in: the 5 C's: Coffee,Caffiene &…
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Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
9/1/2008
This coffee shop plays hosts to tons of local events and meetups, but it's also just a really nice place to hang out by the window with a cup of tea. The coffee is organic and fair-trade (natch) and the goodies are fresh-baked. They're also licensed for beer and wine, and have free Wi-fi. So really, it's a popular place for groups to meet because there's something for everyone's taste, and it's pretty central for transit as well.
When there's an event on, such as the Word Whips series or the various open mikes, you might have to pay a cover, listen to stinky yet heartfelt poetry, and be unable to find a seat in what is otherwise a pretty spacious coffee shop. That's the price you pay for soaking up a bit of culture along with your muffin.Listed in: Pleasantville, Books and Coffee
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Review from Gina I.
5/2/2010
Pretentious. Dirty. Hipsters.
Good coffee, machiatto the way it should be made. Awesome lemon almond vegan muffin.
Dirty seats. Pointless old televisions. Oh well! -
Review from Dani H.
Vancouver, BC
7/5/2009
There is just something about Our Town that compels me to frequent it, although it is no longer my neighborhood cafe and I have to walk several blocks out of my way, past many other tempting coffee shops, to get there.
I think it is the ramshackle-ness of it. It doesn't have that smooth, generic polish of your regular chain cafe. Things are generally fairly broke-ass-looking, there's a ragtag pile of books and magazines you can sift through, laptops are out in full effect in front of people working on their novels (ie. checking Facebook), and seating arrangements are hodgepodge (and the stuffed chairs looking out on Broadway are downright sordid).
BUT! The Americanos put hair on my chest. (And dudes love that!) So I return. -
Review from Alex B.
East York, ON
9/25/2010
Our Town Cafe is a perfect example of someone "getting it right" without knowing what they heck they are doing.
OTC would be a cool place no matter what they did, the windows and chairs right at street level, the raised area along the windows, the comfy, snug chairs, the old piano no one uses, the cute pierced, tattooed girls behind the counter, the cheesy and odd mix of decorations.
This place cant decide if its a boring regular coffee shop or a hip cool coffee socializing experience. The more run down it gets the cooler it feels!, seriously, try it, im right!
The owner of this coffee shop should kiss every window when he/she walks in, because on a summer night, while is still sunny out, its the best place in the main area to sit, drink a coffee and people watch by the windows. -
Review from Kelsey P.
Vancouver, BC
One of the only places in the area thats actually open early enough for me to grab something to eat before work. Cozy little place with a good 'breakfast shake' although I opted out of the oatmeal as an add-in. It was mighty delish still!
Everytime I go to have one of their gooey cinnamon buns they advertise on their sandwich boards, they are sold out. That must mean they are exceptionally gooey and delicious. That must mean I should keep trying because it is worth the quest. -
Review from Vanessa S.
Vancouver, BC
3/11/2011
Our Town is my favourite coffee shop in Vancouver. It has delicious muffins and smoothies, yummy paninis, and, according to my friends, good coffee - I don't drink it myself.
The atmosphere here is very comfortable. Go in the winter when it's sunny out and you have a cold and sit in one of the comfy chairs by the window and let the sun pour in on you. Go in the evening for some good tango music or trivia night. Meet your friends (though sometimes it gets busy!) or go by yourself.
A bit of Main St. attitude here perhaps, but also lots of lovely folk. It just has this indescribable charm that makes you feel at home.
Ahhh. I want to go there now. -
Review from Dani B.
4/7/2009
I love this place for their sandwiches, their comfy chairs and their casual attitude. This place is pretty big so bring some study material and feel free to spend as much time as you need here.
Their panini's are super yummy and pretty well priced. They have a great selection of vegetarian types and I've heard their meat ones are delicious as well.
This is a great place to get out of the rain and hang out for a while. -
Review from Trudi C.
Wonderful coffee house! Feels so traditional, such an old style decor, with different elevated levels. Great place to relax (my favorite is up by the window!). And had a looooovely warm cinnamon bun with a creamy latte - perfect combo! Great place to read a book, or look online with the free wi fi :) Am glad it's a local cafe!
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Review from Mister S.
Vancouver, BC
7/18/2011 57 Check-ins Here
This is my favourite coffee shop in all of Vancouver. My favourite thing about Our Town is that they serve their americanos with the water on the side. The muffins are out of this world and the staff are generally kickass. There are often fun events in the evening, and they're licensed to boot!
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Review from Vanessa G.
5/12/2010 16 Check-ins Here
I love this place. I guess maybe it's because it's cozy, and friendly, and something about the name that just welcomes you. I have my americano and banana, raspberry, chocolate chip muffin and read my paper.
A great location to meet friends and chill out on there arms chairs too. Free wireless, jugs of water, papers, oh and a great selection of sandwiches and soups. They have beer and smoothies yahoo!
Staff is friendly and they have 10 stamp and get a free drink card!Listed in: Coffee Coffee Coffee
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Review from Corstian P.
Vancouver, BC
8/26/2010
If ever I was haunted by a sign it would be yours. You are a reminder of the sweet goodness my diet has keep my starved of. Cinnamon Buns; I find myself whispering the words as if they're some sort of secret.
The worst or if you like best part of it all is that the one time I somehow convinced myself to cheat and eat said cinnamon buns you sadly were out (possible not made yet ???) Someday....Someday.
Instead I went for the equally calorie rich and delicious frap..... at 8 in the morning no less. It was after all the summer and in the middle of our Van heatwave.
The place is at a great location for a chill coffee and some people watching. The staff are down to earth and make a wicked machiatto. The atmosphere too is great. The place is HUGE which leaves you both relaxed and with that oh-so-awesome leg room.
Look at that Our Town you got my 4-star without the cinnamon bun...props!!! -
Review from Fehkor M.
Victoria, BC
8/2/2011
Great loose leaf tea selection and delicious cinnamon buns. Definitely not your sanitized coffee chain store, which is why I came here. Wifi is a bit dodgy but I can't complain because it's free.
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Review from Silvia C.
Vancouver, BC
6/18/2010
I've passed this cafe numerous times, mostly while on the B-Line. I thought it was one of those beatnik-hodge-podge-knick-knack-share-a-dirty spoon kind of places.
And it is! Serves decent drip coffee and offers free WiFi.
Let me clarify that a "dirty spoon" is one that is used only to stir coffee and passed onto someone else to save using another. -
Review from Janine T.
11/28/2010
Best coffee in the hood and their vegan muffins are the best! Service can be a bit slow in the morning but all is forgiven once I have a latte in my paw. The atmosphere is laid back and the wood floors are cozy. It's busy here all the time and everything is super consistent.
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Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
12/19/2008 1 photo
Our town has a strangely huge reputation. It must exist due to its oh-so convenient location on broadway and kingsway, but still, everyone I know has been to Our Town and seems to claim to go there regularly.
Nothing is too surprising about Our Town. It's a cafe that offers a pretty solid menu of soups and sandwiches and focuses its drinks mostly on the usual coffee fare. It has a pretty good selection of baked goods and most of the food is fresh and up to main street standards.
The little surprises tend to be in the fact that they sell alcohol and have little events. I've seen everything from comedy nights to musical performances here and hosted a board game night myself as well. The fact that it serves alcohol and is open a little later gives it more of a late night charm compared with a lot of cafes in the area as well.
If you're looking for a relaxed place to sit with a couple of people on the Mainstreet area that won't cost an arm and a leg, definitely check out Our Town. -
Review from Juan R.
Vancouver, BC
3/12/2011
One of the few places that have gluten free desserts that taste amazing. I also had a latte that was delicious. The lighting is too bright but it is great if you want to sit and read a book while you are having your smoothies or coffee. There is also a lack of free parking close by. Overall really good coffee shop.
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Review from War C.
Edmonton, AB
4/7/2010
Hey you know what's fun?
What's fun is wanting to sit and enjoy a great coffee or smoothie only to see people with laptops taking up seating for two or more for hours and hours while paying customers stand and sip and go, "For fuck sakes. Get the fuck out of here and go home, you fucking momos!"
Management, please get more seating and move that fucking fridge in the middle of the fucking place. For god sakes, make some room. Also, your open mikes suck because everyone orders basmatis or whatever they're called that use steam and loud noise so it drowns out the reason we are there in the first place.
Mark makes the best smoothies but, honestly, make some fucking room so you can make some fucking money.
Bum! -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/27/2008
Our Town makes delicious lattes and they have those yummy, gooey cinnamon rolls. This is the perfect combination for a rainy day especially if you sit by the window in one of the many worn in, wing back chairs. Our Town isn't fancy, but it is comfy. Free wifi and free people watching out the window onto Kingsway and Broadway should keep you entertained while you get caffeinated.
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Review from Karen R.
Awesome cinnamon buns and even better coffee and coffee concoctions
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Review from Emily H.
Vancouver, BC
10/27/2008
Lovely. Everything a cafe should be. Food is superb, drinks are delicious, staff is friendly, vibe is pleasant.
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Review from Liv F.
West Vancouver, BC
7/31/2011
Beautiful, spacious café, though it doesn't look like much from the outside. I just had a cup of tea and a lemon square, and both were great (they tied loose leaf tea up in a disposable filter instead of a tea bag). I went to Our Town to meet someone, and we ended up having a four hour long conversation at our table by the window... I'll be coming here again.
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Review from Stacey E.
12/18/2008
This is a cozy, off-beat place that has great sandwiches and coffee. They have free wifi and lots of seating so you an your macbook can have a romantic morning together.
