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Sawa Tea Lounge
Categories: Food Tea Rooms Food Coffee & Tea Tea Rooms, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
2nd Avenue WUnit 1538
Vancouver, BC V6J 1H2
Neighbourhoods: Granville Island/False Creek, Fairview Slopes
(604) 733-7900
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 7 pm
Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
13 reviews for Sawa Tea Lounge
13 reviews in English
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Review from E C.
Vancouver, BC
5/16/2012
Decided to visit this great little tea house after walking by it many times in the past. The green tea cakes taste good and they have a good selection of teas.
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Review from Brian S.
Updated - 5/25/2012
The tea Lounge has change hands. The new operators are trying to keep the old owners style of business. I had some soba and chicken and veggies today for lunch. It was good but a little less zen then former owner what can say.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2011
Today I walked by Sawa Tea Lounge and thought I give it a try. I was chilled from cycling a warm… Read more »
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Review from Robin M.
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like many people who live in high-tourist zones, I tend to slightly ignore the shops and restaurants around the main attractions. Not that there's anything wrong with them, far from it actually, it's just that they sometimes can be in some way a bit... touristy, if you know what I mean. But one rainy day, I noticed Sawa, a deceptively ordinary cafe that had, until then, been cloaked from my view. It called me in (not literally, of course. I'm more of a figurative kind of girl).
Concrete walls, wooden shelves, a sparse but lived-in warmth, this is like going to my imaginary good friend's cool aunt's house in Japan. Tiny cups, loose teas, matcha whisks, sensible soaps, classic donburi, perfect onigiri, the best miso soup I've ever had -- how did I miss this place?
It is a lounge, it is a gallery, it is most definitely Japanese. Quiet and calm, this could be my perfect work space. I'm going to be back, Sawa. Literally this time. -
Review from conrad y.
Vancouver, BC
10/15/2011
I'm struggling to find a word other than the oft used gem to describe this wonderful little place.
Charming, delicious, serene, cozy all apply to the food, the service and the staff-and of course the ever personable owner.
Very popular with locals I can't ever recall seeing a tourist in there although I imagine a few wash in from time to time after fleeing the Granville Island maelstrom. -
Review from Jacqueline T.
CUTE :)
If i had to pick one word to describe Sawa.
Had lunch there a few times, hoping that there would be more to it. They advertise that they are organic, so i'm sure quality is there. But I give the food a 3.5 star. As I've had better else where.. and at their price.. its not mind blowing.
I've ordered their vegetable curry, and soboro chicken donburi before. Both priced $8-9. You'd think you'll get a pretty good meal from a small japanese lunch place. Granted.. its good. But.. sadly.. its mostly rice. I tell you, they must make a lot of profit since.. its one big large bowl of rice, with probably a single egg.. scrambled/steamed, with a pinch of diced chicken. The rest is rice. But.. I have to mention again that.. the food is good. Even the rice must have been soaked or poured with some nice flavored broth.. but at that cost.. you'd think you could expect a little bit more than.. a bowl of simmered rice.
Would I go back again? Yes. haha Maybe its the price you pay for eating at a reasonally good Japanese place near Granville Island.. as there aren't many more. Plus.. Ambience is super cute! Service is friendly. Mochi's are delicious.. and everything is authentic tasting. I'll probably spring for something else besides.. their DON meals.
I'm itching to try their pudding :) -
Review from John O.
11/1/2011
Cute little tranquil refuge from the bustle of Granville Island. Wide range of quality teas. They serve great and unique donburi's. The Sawa special with salmon was delicious and healthy, too.
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Review from Roanna Z.
12/4/2010
We found this place in passing and I just had to stop in. This is only the second time I've tried a snack that I can only describe as a rice ball, with just a small bite of salmon.
Sawa is a sweet little place with a front take out area and then a downstairs that can accommodate a group for a Tea party. There are just a few small tables as well, and the room is quite serene, almost romantic!
I'd love to come for Tea next time with friends, as the selection looks to be extensive and that room is so inviting :) -
Review from Timothy D.
5/31/2010 3 photos
The simplicity of it all makes this place a must to start the day.
From the outside, the place looks just like another small coffee shop, but there specialty is not the java, but tea. All different types of teas are available, in all different types of tea pots. The tea menu is a bit daunting, but asks for a recommendation if you are looking for something specific.
The food menu is bare, but what choices you have will yield you a warm, nourishing flavorful meal. The dressing utilized in the small salad is very light but strong, and the salmon was fresh and clean tasting.
Depending on how busy it is, the service might be a bit slower, since all is made to order. It's a tea house, go relax and enjoy the serenity, now!Listed in: Vancouver BC... so many…
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Review from Alexander Bromley Clark D.
Vancouver, BC
I work half a block from this oasis of tea and Japanese comfort food, and it makes my day to support this great little cafe over the dreaded Starbucks, which lurks meretriciously at the end of the block.
Sawa offers a scintillating selection of teas, and these are best appreciated by sitting downstairs in the "tea room". I never have the time to enjoy my beverage in situ, and I am always jealous of the patrons down in the "tea room" with their "curly bamboo" and their "comfortable seating" and their and "mini chozubachi".
The food selections are limited, but prepared with care and fresh ingredients. Favourites include the Salmon Donburi and the Japanese Curry. The owner is so, so nice too. I ran into her at a Wen Wai performance last night actually...and this provided me with a sense of community that corporate coffee establishments could never be a part of. -
Review from devon t.
Vancouver, BC
10/12/2009
I love this little teashop.
The owner sells organic teas, organic meals, and a lot of lovely art. The shop is beautiful and creative, especially the downstairs, which is incredibly calming. One of my favorite spots in Vancouver. The food is tasty...I love the organic chicken with green salad over rice, and miso soup made with fish stock. The owner is supportive of local artists, so you can find lovely pieces...from pottery, cups and teapots, paintings and drawings, aprons, and just various kinds of artwork. It is great to even stop by and take a look around to see what new things she has. -
Review from Javi V.
4/5/2010
Yes, yes, yes!
A small Japan in Vancouver. The authenticity of the place is just out of question. All the people serving at the store is Japanese, and the charming old lady at the store was so friendly ...
My coffee was just as good at Philz in San Francisco, which is big words according to coffee. The selection of teas, candies, and japanese food is very good. -
Review from Isabel P.
Vancouver, BC
2/3/2011
I happened to be walking by this place and saw one their outdoor sandwich board that they have Honey Tea Lemonade. On this rainy day I felt it would be a perfect treat. When I walked into this immaculate fresh smelling organic lounge, I realized that I stumbled on a gem. I took a quick look at the menu and decided to have the miso soup instead. Let me tell you...this is the BEST miso soup I have ever had in my life and it was only $2.00 for a large serving! I'll definitely be back. The three Japanese ladies working in the kitchen are very lovely and kind too. The food and service get 5 stars from me today. I'll be back.
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Review from Ken I.
7/12/2011
Sawa serves one of the best donburi I've ever had. The soboro chicken donburi features a savory combination of minced chicken and egg atop perfectly cooked rice. Recipes I've looked up don't seem to use dashi as an ingredient, but its addition at Sawa is an inspiration. The scrambled egg is so moist, not dried out like at some restaurants. If you're a donburi fan, there are other kinds as well, including spicy chicken. One of the specials today was a green tea soba dressed in Sawa's signature ginger vinaigrette, served with seasonal vegetables and sliced age (fried tofu), that was extremely good. As some of the other reviews have stated, Sawa also serves Japanese teas that are organically grown as well as teas from other countries. This place beats all the other restaurants I've tried on Granville Island.
