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Prado Café
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
1938 Commercial DrVancouver, BC V5N 4A7
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 255-5537
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am - 8 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
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$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for Prado Café
Review Highlights
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"A small-ish selection of baked goods." In 4 reviews -
"...light and outstanding people watching as they stroll by on..." In 5 reviews -
"I like the brightness and huge windows to let the natural..." In 15 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Roanna Z.
Prado got a facelift, in case you didn't notice. It's subtle, but -WOW -- SHABANG !
The benches out front = um --fkyeah! Much better than two, imbalanced tables that spilled your coffee and were seldom available. Now you can grab any spot where your tush will fit. It's more 'friendly' he-heh.
Inside; Well helloooo...! Is it a Mirage?! Well, it IS a Mirage but it's actually there too ;) Also noticed some gluten free thingy's. Yup! Prado you're back in my cafe @beandar!
*Congrat's S.P!Listed in: Connect the dots on a coffee…
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/18/2009
Another Winter is upon us and Prado's windows are steaming up again. The seats are all being warmed… Read more »
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Review from Rebecca C.
Vancouver, BC
2/27/2012
With its beautiful cream-coloured walls and high ceilings, Prado is one of those Vancouver hot-spots that attracts a steady stream of gorgeous hipsters. The 49th Parallel coffee is quite good (not as good as the offerings at Revolver, though). I wish that they would serve a better variety of snacks -- maybe something with a little protein? -- but that's just a chronic problem with the coffee joints in town.
Prado seems to be popular with students and self-employed folks who need a space to get work done. Unlike some other cafes, I've never felt pressure to leave within a certain time-frame. A lot of the cafes on Commercial don't have wifi (I assume this is to increase turnover), but Prado seems to pride itself on being available as temporary work-space and meeting-hub. It's a service that I appreciate. -
Review from Realtor Darius D.
Vancouver, BC
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
A bit trendier than I expected for a Commercial Drive cafe, but not bad.
Great place to do some studying and watch "The Drive" activity. Lots of natural light from the huge windows. -
Review from Robespierre R.
Vancouver, BC
12/27/2011
Great atmosphere, lousy coffee. Stop burning it!
Update! New owners=great espresso...finally. -
Review from Timothy M.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2012
Before I moved into the neighbourhood I'd never been to Prado but it's become an almost daily ritual. Even though I'm a coffee fiend they've got an herbal tea selection which is a great second choice for the over-caffeinated. There's a limited pastry selection but the Nutella muffin is killer. The location is perfect for people watching, and being situated on a north-east corner means the sun (when it makes an appearance) bathes the place in light. Decor-wise it's minimal....lots of wood and brick and a high ceiling with massive windows. They've just brought in benches and a long wooden table for groups large and small. The music's all over the place but that's a personal preference right? I haven't heard any black-metal or fake punk/emo crap so far...knock on wood. (The occasional Slayer track wouldn't be bad though) All in all it's a great place to hang out/people watch/sip/knosh/work/flirt etc. Oh yeah....great staff....good times.
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Review from Eva B.
10/23/2011
Prado Cafe is located in a heritage building with high ceilings and huge windows. The decor is simple, modern and clean. I don't drink coffee as it doesn't agree with me, but I go here with a coffee aficionado whose cup always has a thick crema on top and smells divine. My tea isn't anything to shake a stick at either. They use good quality loose leaves and piping hot water. The condiment bar carries a variety of milks including soy, sugars and honey.
They offer a good selection of baked goods to go along with your hot beverage. I have had the fruit squares. They are tasty and a good sized portion.
They also have wireless internet for their customers. If you can't get a seat inside they have a few benches outside where you can sit and people watch. -
Review from Kimberley D.
5/17/2011
Liked:
Clean, minimal interior
Good music choices
Wifi name is OMGLOL or something like that
Disliked:
Burned soy latte
Lack of outlets -
Review from Jasmine O.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've never tried any of their food but it looks pretty tempting. I think the only coffee place I'm willing to grab a snack from is the ones like JJ Bean where the muffins are actually still warm when you get them..
Anywho, there's not too much to say about this plain little spot. My friends are always in there though so I never forget to take a peak when I walk by. The windows are nice and big. I think I've only actually sat inside once.
I like their coffee and since I drink it black it has to be good or I won't have it again (unless to throw some whiskey in and hang out with some buddies in the near by park...)
It feels clean inside. It's hipster-esque I guess which doesn't even faze me..
I live on the drive and I think it's a cute spot. The staff always seem pretty rad except for when their friends come in and they chat too long with them and ignore me (only happened twice..) hahah..Listed in: Alive on the Drive, COFFEEFEEFEE
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Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
7/25/2011
Stars are for FOOD only:
Came here at 8am to grab a quick coffee and bite on the go.The delcious apple crostada was so buttery and the filling was soft and a good amount of sweetness. There are a variety of baked goods including large freshly baked muffins ready for you to indulge in if the apply crostada is not your cup of tea... but I'm telling you to try it because you will not regret it.
For a drink - I got an indian chai - not too sweet and nice hints of spice.
(and this is where my four star rating ends...)
They make their drinks at 140 degrees, so don't expect it hot because it's not.... luke warm at best. Warn them if you want something hotter because if you say something afterwards like I did, they'll give you a snooty answer and basically tell you that you're SOL in not so many words.
I thought that in a service world, the customer is always right. I just wanted a hot drink to taste...well... hot. -
Review from Linzi M.
I'm convinced this place is a performance art gallery, the display entitled 'If Apple Made Coffee Shops'.
The work, disillusioned looking 20something hipsters arranged in grey hues and oversized sweaters. They are poised over identical MacBook Pros displaying screenplays, illustrations and 'their art'. Looking for the Facebooker collection? Eh maybe you need Waves, down the street.
People flock to observe the changing shift of 'creations' drinking bad coffee and squirming on uncomfortable, minimalist furniture. For the price of an americano you can sit amongst them and be a part of the performance. Lucky you! But please dressed appropriately so as not to disturb the aesthetic, neutral colours, essence of Muji, please. -
Review from Shawn C.
Vancouver, BC
1/4/2012
Prado used to be my favourite cafe on the Drive - in fact the only one I'd go to on a daily basis - but new ownership (as of Dec 29 2011) means a way different ambiance. Before, it was funky and unique, but now it's been branded with Forty Ninth Parallel, a local roaster with a location in the West Side. Bags of 49P beans, 49P mugs and even the 49P roaster make it look and feel like a franchise. Oh, and now all the drinks are timed. It didn't help that there were new baristas, my Americano took a long time, and they were playing really bad rawk. What happened to Band of Horses? Oh well, this helps with my NY's resolution to save money by making coffee at home instead.
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Review from Sarah D.
2/13/2011
This is a perfectly nice little coffee shop that gal pal and I happened upon one day after work. We were looking for a coffee shop that wasn't Starbucks, and as JJ Bean was PACKED, we gave Prado a try. I had their regular drip coffee, which was perfectly acceptable, and my friend had a latté, which was presented gorgeously.
By the time we got there (around 5pm) the place was still busy, but starting to thin out, so we snagged a table without a problem. The crowd was mostly made up of students and hipsters, which is A-OK with me, since I love hipsters. (Why do they get such a bad rap, anyway?) I liked the decor of the shop, which was very simple and almost Scandinavian. Kind of like an Ikea coffee shop. As I recall, the bathroom was a little scary, though.
Will I go back? Sure, but it isn't a place that I would specifically seek out. It doesn't hurt that this place is next door to my favourite clothing store in the city -Barefoot Contessa. -
Review from Cyndi H.
Vancouver, BC
10/31/2010
Woo doggie, this place is packed!
Ty and I are here on a 'work date'. How romantic.
We've been able to snag a table in this busy joint, right by the giant windows. I'm scorching from heat. But I'm no martyr, it's gorgeous out.
Ok, the good: Ty's mocha was beautifully smooth, with a decadent foam on top. I use past tense because it disappeared rather quickly.
My almond milk latte on the other hand tastes bitter, sour and... well, unpleasant. I blame it on the almond milk. The brand is 'Pacific', and I'm taking note from now on because some soy/almond milk really enhances the flavour for me while others take away. Pacific is organic and FDALKJFDS approved (whatever the anachronism is) so I'm sure it's a good product, it just doesn't taste good in my coffee... but I'm a finisher so I'll drink it. I will be fat someday.
The other drawback for me: There's no decaf available today. Now I know that for the coffee aficionado decaf is blasphemy, but unfortunately for me, caffeine turns me into a crazy person (I get jittery, lose my ability to concentrate etc.,). And I'm drinking caffeine now... whahahahaha! Poor Ty.Listed in: The Drive
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Review from Robyn H.
Vancouver, BC
5/23/2011
If I find myself on Commercial Drive, which I do quite frequently, I'll often pop into Prado for an Americano and a muffin.
While Commercial Drive is famous for its old-school Italian coffee shops, I visit the modern-looking minimalist Prado because it's bright and airy and the wall-to-ceiling windows make for great people-watching.
Prado's also a place I can bring my laptop to and get a lot of work done. In many ways, Prado's a hub of the neighbourhood, especially for people who work from home and want a change of scenery. Many people come here with their laptops or reading material. It's not unusual to see 8 or 9 tables covered in MacBooks!
The service is always friendly, efficient, and the coffee's great. Oh, and the muffins are fantastic. While I find the chocolate chip Nutella muffins to be sweetness overkill, the lemon poppyseed is great, and the cranberry, oatmeal, candied ginger muffins are amazing. -
Review from Mira S.
Surrey, BC
12/17/2010
I love this place! I used to live and work across the street from there so I was quite spoiled being so close! I now live in Surrey so I can only go there once in a while.
I like the brightness and huge windows to let the natural light in. Most of the staff are friendly, however sometimes the person behind the counter is grumpy and act as if the customers are an interruption to them. It can also be frustrating sometimes when you can't get a table or even a seat for that matter as there are single people with their laptop computers hogging a table and two chairs nursing the same coffee for hours!
Owned by a nice, hardworking, young woman who is very dedicated to her business. Great lattes and yummy baked goods. The raspberry squares are to die for! -
Review from Southern C.
Richmond, BC
5/13/2010
This place carries excellent coffee beans but totally butchers them. They espresso is sour and bitter and the service is terribly slow.
I find the atmosphere to be stale and boring. There are much better places for coffee on the drive. -
Review from Kyrsten J.
New Westminster, BC
7/26/2010
Hands-down favorite coffee shop in all of Vancouver. I could (and have) spent hours looking out at the windows at the passerbys, in between chapters of my book and good conversation. The coffee, chai lattes and tea are always excellent.
Reminds me of a lovely coffee shop that i used to frequent in Montreal. Similar vibe, similar decor.
The *only* complaint I have is that the chairs aren't very comfortable. however, if they were, you'd never get a seat. -
Review from Simon R.
BC
11/22/2008 1 photo
Minimalist and bland, Prado is nearly avant-garde in its rejection of decorations and image. Very popular with the apathetic younger generation, it's also a good place to study or work without fear of distraction from say colors, or art.
With its eggshell white walls and Helvetica menu board, the only thing hanging on the walls is a clock, and even that is placed conspicuously near the ceiling. There is a hanging mobile that singularly stands out as decorative, but true to the café's theme it is made from nothing but blank squares of white paper.
The coffee is very good, and the treats are served in large portions and are delicious. The only problem with Prado is that it tries so hard to not be pretentious that it becomes pretentious in the process. Kind of like the kids in high school who would only wear black clothing, even in the summer heat. -
Review from Elvis A.
11/17/2010 1 photo
In a word terrible. For such a highly rated place it was just down right awful. Espresso was burnt and the milk was almost scalded. The place was packed and I guess they are better for Lattes and normal coffee. Big Thumbs down. The Drink looked downright horrible as well.
I am surprised how they are surviving in Vancouver as it has a very high standard for coffee/espresso drinks.Listed in: Cappuccino Face Off Vancouver
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Review from Justin K.
4/11/2009
I heard so many good things about this cafe that I just had to make the effort when I was in Vancouver. My first impression was "wow, what an awesome space for a cafe". I liked the woodwork, the minimalist look and the white espresso machine, aesthetically it was well done.
I ordered a soy chai, it was watered down and not very good. My boyfriend ordered an ICED soy latte what he got was a HOT soy latte with a few ice cubes... If that were milk it would have been a SERIOUS health code violation.
I am sorely disappointed in Prado, I hope they get their shit straight. -
Review from Jack S.
Vancouver, BC
5/16/2009 3 Check-ins Here
The highlights of Prado have been praised by the many reviews listed here already.
WINDOWS WINDOWS WINDOWS - this is really the main reason to come to Prado. Really fantastic light and outstanding people watching as they stroll by on the Drive.
Baked Goodies - Rasberry Bars... need I say more!? They make their own baked goods and the results are delicious.
Coffee - fantastic coffee, the majority of the baristas can do it right. Apparently from other reviews you don't want to order a soy latte, but wtf!? What did you expect!?
WiFi & Power - Ok, this is where it starts getting a bit rough. The WiFi is free, but a bit spotty. For years I've been going here and it always seems to hiccup and cough and go down and need a kick start nearly every time I've been here. As far as power goes... good luck. There is ONE PLUG in the SW corner. As you can imagine those tables are a premium. This is actually not a bad thing. It discourages folks from camping out here all day with their laptops.
Decor, Vibe, Music - This place is always mellow. The music is never too loud and usually matches the vibe in the place very well. The folks are also pretty chill and the openness of the space prevents it from being too loud from lots of conversation. The decor is sparse and not distracting. Note, since they're baking things in the back, they get hot and often open the back door which means it can get cold for patrons in the front. Bring a hat. -
Review from James E.
4/9/2009
Prado was blessed by the café gods with a fantastic location: windows facing South and West which allow for glorious sunlight and all the people watching you desire.
But what the gods can bless, they can also curse. The staff, attractive as they may be, prepare drinks with little understanding of coffee. Take, for example, my request for an iced soy latte. The barista added ice cubes to a beverage prepared hot and intended as such.
Stick with hot beverages and enjoy the free WiFi. Everything else is a gift from the gods. -
Review from Daniella F.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2009
I stopped in here to grab a bite, coffee, and do some reading. The windows are lovely! Perhaps a bit hot on a sunny day, but much appreciated nonetheless. The raspberry bar was to die for! I also got a chai tea latte, and it was ok. It probably tasted funny to me because it was made from scratch rather than the boxed stuff other coffee places use. But, I would have preferred it to be a bit more flavorful and creamier.
Also! Free Wifi!!!! I wished I lived around here so I could grab coffee here ALL THE TIME. -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
1/9/2009
When anyone first sees Prado they tend to avoid it. As much as the interiors are quite alluring they tend to reek of a certain pretension that is actually absent within the cafe itself. Everything is so white, minimalist and sleek you think it's likely the snootiest place on the drive when, in reality, I've had some of the friendliest service there from any cafe in Vancouver period.
I'm not much of a coffee drinker but my java loving compatriots assure me the stuff is up to snuff. The other options are just the same, bakery and juice-wise with some actually quite scrumptious and fresh baking that stands out.
What I really enjoyed though was the atmosphere. As much as it seems kind of externally cold and clinical , the inside is quite warm and the lack of crazy music or crap on the walls makes it a wonderful place to sit and chat or get some work done. Also, maybe I'm a nitpicker, but this place always seems to be the perfect temperature. I've gone in on warm days and been cool and cold days and been just toasty. so yeah plus points.
It's not the best coffee or drinks on the drive but it is a great place if you want to sit and have a chat , read a book or do some work. -
Review from Ingrid D.
Vancouver, BC
9/21/2009 1 Check-in Here
Aaaaahhhh.... Cafe Prado.......
For the longest time, I couldn't even figure out its name !
Between us it was "THE" cafe... "you know the one at the corner of 4th..."; cause I guess that they had lost their mini sign, or that putting the sign out wasn't on the task list of the employees at that time ;-)
And then it was "Cafe PradA"... hum... too much shopping I guess !! ;-)
Eventually we figured out its real name...
But really, who cares ?!?!
Cause what's most important is how good their coffee is !!!
I just LOVE it !
It's my saturday morning spot... you know... first day of the week-end... would SO much love to sleep in...
BUT little monsters wake you up BEFORE 7:00am (how on earth do they know it's the week-end, so that they can wake up EARLIER than usual ?!?!?!).
So, you dress with the first thing that come under your hand, you fill the double stroller with mini-monsters in pyjamas, so excited to go out, you start zombi-walking toward Commercial Drive.... All this with your eyes half open.
And then you enter you wonderful cafe Prada...mmmm.... the smell !!!!
You order your tall cafe latte... AND the raspberry bar (don't tell me you've never tasted it ! that would be a crime !!!)....
You wish you could stay in this great clean, bear, tranquil space.
But NO. Remember ? You have your mini-pyjamas-monsters... So you bobble your way to the nearest park (luckily just half a block from there).
And then it's HEAVEN !!!
You sit on a bench and start sipping your perfect cafe latte. not too hot. not too warm. coffee taste perfect. not too strong, not too weak. AND not burnt !!
Bon. you still need to share your delicious, scrumptious raspberry bar with your mini-monster... but hey. that's a small price to pay for this really nice moment to wake-up and be ready to start your week-end ! :-) -
Review from Diesel Y.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2009
Prado is the MINIMALIST coffee shop located on the Drive.
It's decor is ultra plain - white walls, wooden floors, and big windows.
A nice place to sit and watch a group of "clones" gazing into their Apple Laptop Computers. The staff are very casual and friendly.
The Good - The Espresso is good, the homemade baked goods are great - especially the blueberry cream cheese muffins :) Nice place to relax, check your emails, and watch the interesting crowd strolling by...outside.
The Bad - Service can be inconsistant - depending on who is working!! Sometimes it can be slow. Vanilla flavour used for Espresso Drinks is horrible. -
Review from Megan S.
1/19/2009 1 photo
This is the best part of my review, so instead of putting it at the end, I'm putting it at the top. I just went to the Prado website- it is incredibly minimalist, perhaps even more so than the cafe itself. And the name for the email address is "whitewalls." Love it!
Like others have already stated, it's easy to walk by this place and notice that absence of things. The decor is quite stark. The big windows facing out to the Drive, gave me many opportunities to peer inside and wonder about this place.
So I finally went. In the spirit of things (the boring decor) I ordered a boring drink- plain latte. It was quite good. Not sure what type of espresso bean they use, but it has a rich full flavor. The cup was a little small compared to what I can get elsewhere.
I enjoyed sitting in here reading, and occasionally peeking out at the pedestrians who were peeking in. While I would not claim this to be the best place on the drag, it's a place that I will return. -
Review from James P.
Surrey, BC
They use 49th Parallel coffee! (thats very good) and i think there the only ones to do so on the Drive. The place it's self is very plain but a lot of window for sunlight.
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Review from c w.
Burnaby, BC
12/5/2011
love that this place is not a "brand name" and is clean and clear.... good place to have a business meeting...
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Review from Es T.
Vancouver, BC
5/17/2009
Prado is the rare Vancouver space that I can sit in and pretend that I am in SOHO. The outlook is urban, the people watching a rich experience and, oh yeah, the coffee is pretty good too.
The clean aesthetic of the space combined with oodles of light provide plenty of room for your thoughts and reflections. The music is interesting, but doesn't interfere with your conversation or your navel gazing and the crowd is laid back and pretty unpretentious.
The coffee is good. They can almost duplicate the mind blowing toasted marshmallow flavors that define the Caffe Artigiano coffee experience. They also have a selection of baked goods so that you can enjoy a light snack with your coffee and conversation.
Whether to read, meet with friends or just for coffee, Prado is a great destination. There are few tables and Prado has been discovered by many; if you don't find space on your first pass, give it another try. -
Review from Ramon V.
8/6/2010 9 Check-ins Here
I can't resist Prado sometimes. A cool little spot on the quieter stretch of the Drive. It's not the best coffee in town, but it does stand up well. The Americano is rich, strong and satisfying. A small-ish selection of baked goods. And free wifi, which seems to be well taken advantage of.
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Review from Liz M.
5/17/2011
It has a good vibe and a super-friendly staff. The Genmaicha Tea is perfect for the people-watching opportunities. If you are already suffering from hipster-overload, it's probably best to stay indoors. Commercial drive is hipster-heavy which is sometimes good and sometimes the nucleus of all irks.
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Review from Raza M.
10/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great cappuccino. The building old, with exposed wooden pillar and beams, minimalistic decoration but each piece carefully selected to give that feel. Lot of sunlight because of large glass windows. They also have free Wi-Fi. Definitely earned a second visit.
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Review from Kate S.
Vancouver, BC
5/14/2009
Unlike all of the budding novelists on here I'll just say that Prado is nice. I liked it very much and plan on returning many times. The staff are pleasant and the coffee is good. You should go.
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Review from Sarah O.
12/15/2009
I have to admit, this cafe oozes with kitschy decor and screams at meddling pedestrians to come inside. The workers are friendly enough and the finger food is edible looking but I've been disappointed with their chai and coffee one too many times. Prado Cafe, remember the golden rule? You may be good looking on the outside and all... but it's always what's inside that counts.
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Review from Adam G.
Edmonton, AB
9/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Been here twice now, and the coffee and food has been excellent both times. There are lots of Italian (or at least Italian-sounding) places on the Drive, but this palace actually makes legit espresso. Also, best date bars ever! Put the two together, add in a relaxed, hip, yet unpretentious atmosphere, and you've got a winning coffee-shop combination.
Listed in: Coffee time
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Review from TOMICA D.
Vancouver, BC
9/23/2010
Best coffee in town. Hands down. I think they serve 49th parallel coffee. I had the pleasure of living across the street from this place on Commercial drive and loved going there on weekends to get some amazing coffee to go and walk through the hood. The ambiance is very minimalistic - but it works! Hardwood floors, metal chairs and lamps hanging that look like paper planes or sails. C'est tout. I guess you could call it hipsterish due of the amount of people in beanies with their macbooks but it's small and cute and you will get hooked on their coffee. I want some. NOW.
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Review from Daniel L.
3/2/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Yes the room feels like a cafe named Prado should feel, warm old world, well used wooden floors, large windows, giant old water heater on one wall, its a cafe on its own. The fact they offer wifi helps keep the sort of library feel about it . Oh and the coffee hits the oh-so fickle spot for me.
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Review from Danielle M.
Vancouver, BC
6/11/2010
There's rarely a seat as chances are some tight-jeaned, lap-top toting twenty-something has snagged one first BUT the coffee, matcha lattes and fresh muffins are worth stopping in for.
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Review from Dick J.
Vancouver, BC
9/10/2009
Good Cafe. . .
Their is a reason why they only have one plug in. . . It keep the internet Scavangers to a minimum.
