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Solstice Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Coffee & Tea, Music Venues [Edit]
529 Pandora AveVictoria, BC V8W 1N5
(250) 475-0477
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Solstice Cafe
9 reviews in English
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Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Solstice Cafe. I love absolutely everything about it. I love the staff, I love the decor, I love the food, the coffee and the location. I love it so much I have tried to move into it while working on projects and at school. Oh Solstice.
Solstice is great for many other things too:
Their Mayan hot chocolate
Their poetry slams
Their public space
Their open mind
Their cookies
Their love.
Yes, see, they are fabulous. They are located really centrally on Pandora, hold really good hours and while they can be quite busy, they are the perfect place to snuggle down on a rainy day with a cup of hot chocolate. -
Review from Gabrielle P.
Salt Spring Island, BC
2/3/2012
I've been going to Solstice for years, and it's never disappointed me. Sure, sometimes they change the menu slightly and it seems less vegan-friendly in terms of savoury options, but the vegan baked goods have greatly increased in quality and quantity over the years. That they have a pot of simmering Denman Island chocolate for hot chocolate (available with plenty of non-dairy milks--I recommend almond) at the ready is just the most charming thing. And the (always vegan) soup is generally excellent.
I wrote most of my undergrad papers at Solstice and a lot of my portfolio work for grad school. The music is always to my liking (Leonard Cohen, I cannot get enough), and I have fond memories of the Philosophy Cafe that was once held in Solstice's space. I like that they are hosting more music events, and on a sunny day, the picnic table out back is the most serene place to be. Get a huge pot of Silk Road tea and settle in for a lovely afternoon without a care in the world.
It's actually selfishly difficult to profess my love for this cafe, because I want it MINE ALL MINE, but there you go. Whenever I'm feeling down on Victoria, I opt for the quintessential Solstice experience and feel just fine about the city that never changes. -
Review from Robin S.
Edmonton, AB
4/14/2010
Pandora seems to be a street devoid of cafes in the early morning. I wound up waiting outside Solstice for their 7:30 a.m. opening so as to not be caught unbreakfasted and uncaffeinated for my 8:00 departure on Via Rail's Malahat train up to Courtenay.
At precisely 7:30 the owner unlocked the front door, put out his sandwich board, and served a large American family before turning his attention to me. I ordered a medium medium roast coffee and a cranberry scone, still warm and soft from the oven.
Upon first sip of my coffee I thought maybe the cream was sour but realized it was just a really complex, interestingly flavoured coffee. The 'notes of cherry' raved about on the sign really were there. Super tasty, and the scone was perfect, moist and packed with berries. A laid-back spot for a good start to the day. -
Review from Penelope F.
Vancouver, BC
11/23/2009
I recently started going to Solstice, and enjoy the comfortable, non pretentious atmosphere and the tasty smoked salmon bagels. The tea is served in a cute little pot too.
But (and there always is a but, it seems) as a germophobe I must complain about the bathroom situation. A few weeks ago I noticed that they were out of soap in the bathroom .. it seemed that the tiny bit of soap in the pump bottle had been watered down to the point where it was not enough to even lather in my hands and you had to pump the bottle repeatedly to get even a little tiny bit. I let them know behind the counter, but no one actually topped up the soap. They weren't busy or anything and I wasn't overly concerned because I figured they would get around to it eventually.
Two days later I was back and when I went to wash my hands before sitting down I was shocked to see the exact same container of soap - still empty! They have two bathrooms so I went to the other one and found the exact same situation - no soap. Not only that but one of the counter staff used the bathroom both times I was there! Gross. (To be fair my boyfriend assured me that they are required to have soap and running water in the kitchen so they probably washed their hands there - but still!)
I haven't been back since, so I can't attest to whether or not this is normal but I have to admit I was pretty grossed out. I give them three stars because the food is good and they must be washing their hands in the kitchen ..... right?? -
Review from Anirvan C.
12/8/2008
A friend of mine introduced me to Solstice Cafe. I wish I had a space like this in my neighborhood.
It's centrally located, owned and operated by a bunch of Nice Earnest People, green/organic/local/ethical-up-the-wazoo, featuring high ceilings and interesting local art -- and for all that, it's really unpretentious. It could have been an unapproachable Smarmy Hipster Space, but it somehow manages to stay down to earth (and free of hordes of laptop-toting freelancers).
The Cafe hosts a variety of events, including spoken word nights, folk/rock shows, and philosophy discussion groups. I just got back from a Tom Waits tribute show at the cafe, featuring a variety of local performers, including several cafe employees (all of whom were very good). It's that kind of a place. -
Review from A E.
Victoria, BC
11/11/2009
I had high expectations of this place and I will try it again, but their coffee (from Fernwood roasters) was awful and the Anarchist bookstore event they were showing was the very annoying.
My cappuccino tasted burnt, it was not a traditional size and the foam was light and floofy rather than thick and silky. I don't remember being impressed by their coffee machine either.
I expect this is more of an ambiance place than a food place on days where the anarchists aren't ranting and raving about how we ought to kill cops. -
Review from Caro W.
Victoria, BC
4/21/2010
Victoria is full of organic, coffee fresh from the bean to the organic seed muffins and baked goods. I was expecting a rich flavour from this cafe when I went with my sister and friend!
The orders:
Friend - herbal tea: too expensive and the smallest tea pot imaginable. Granted we could re-fill...
Sister - latte: average. There was too much foam and too little coffee! It was 3pm and the amount of coffee couldn't keep us awake from the monotonous atmosphere.
I thought I would order a London fog and the barista said she could make it easy! However, that was not the case. When my sister picked up the order, the girl said "I don't think your friend knew what I meant by 'I know how to make a London fog' so I've just put milk in the tea pot with hot water" and that's exactly what it was...milk-down water with leaves.
We were going to order a tasty treat, but there wasn't really anything that three hungry people wanted.
I forgot to mention how a door slammed and dust came falling down on all three of us...that and the box with straw bags on top was the highlight! I'd like to go back and give it a second chance since so many Victorians make it a regular pit-stop. -
Review from Stacey E.
11/1/2008
Good coffee, cozy atmosphere and tasty sandwiches to boot. Yet another high quality coffee shop to make you never need to go to a Starbucks in Victoria.
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Review from josey r.
Victoria, BC
4/20/2010
Good coffee, good food--the European style potato salad is a winner, and friendly service make this a favourite of mine for coffee dates and studying. Knowing it's one of the most ethical cafes in Victoria cements my allegiance. Fair trade coffee, lots of vegan food, organic and local when possible. All things I love to support!
Plus, it's a great venue for cozy concerts and readings.
