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Sunshine Diner
Category: Restaurants Diners Diners [Edit]
2649 Broadway WVancouver, BC V6K 2G2
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 733-7717
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
28 reviews for Sunshine Diner
Review Highlights
28 reviews in English
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Review from Deniz T.
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Saturday morning.... Had a late night, hungover, cranky, desperate need of some eggs and bacon, line-ups everywhere.... Riding my Vespa looking for a joint... Almost a city tour by now, maybe I should just pull over to Denny's.... No, maybe have another cup of joe to straighten out, 5th... Tic toc, tic toc...
Just saw a topless old woman, pushing a shopping car with a giant teddy bear in it... Is that, statues of Elvis, Monroe and Dean on the sidewalk... I trust these guys, let's see what they got...
Sunshine is a sleek diner. Well polished and decorated. Very clean indeed. However I am ready to nitpick due to my state of mind. I got a table right away. Menu, was dropped right away. Coffee, arrived right away. Nothing to complain yet, not even a single piece of dust. Yes, they have wi-fi. I have ordered a Benny with mushrooms, bacon, cream cheese and what not. This way I get to complain about the hollandaise. For some reason this city has an impediment for this beautiful sauce. Very rare joints can get it right, and I mean right. Either seasoning of texture lacks.
My eggs arrives just on time, considering they are jam packed. First impression very good plating. No fluff, or unnecessary garnishing. The sauce looks good. To be honest, this was the best hollandaise I had in Vancouver. Silky, lighter than air texture, just clings the eggs very gently, strongly seasoned, wonderful balance of acid and salt, great buttery finish. Perfectly poached eggs, yolk is slightly thickened with heat, not raw and running all over the place, completely coagulated whites with no vinegar notes to it. Perfectly cooked bacon. Or am I still drunk? No, everything is perfect. The home fries on my plate, wonderfully crispy and meaty, beautifully seasoned. Wait, a ha! one round of potato has a rotten edge to it. Maybe I should complain and make a scene... No, these guys made my day, got me back to life...
And one last impressive note; their service is like a well choreographed play. Everybody is Zen calm and moving in a perfect harmony, considering the full seating, no signs of stress or even rushing. The dishwasher comes out with a giant tray of dishes and drops them very quietly on the counter, even the blenders, whoppin up various milk shakes are very quiet.
Well done boys and girls, truly impressed. -
Review from John G.
Vancouver, BC
4/9/2012 1 photo
I've been to this diner twice, and each time I go, it seems to get a little better.
My first trip, last summer, saw me wander in, mainly attracted by the more-or-less life-sized statues of Elvis and Marilyn outside the diner. Well, that - plus I was hungry, and, quite frankly, I like diners.
I opted for their speciality, the Sunshine Burger. It had the usual ingredients one might expect on a signature burger - cheese, bacon, tomato, etc. It was nice and juicy. I also had a green salad with it.
I really liked the fact they offered orange milkshakes (my fav) and they're REAL milkshakes, that is, they come in those big steel drum-like containers used for the old-style milkshake mixers.
Speaking of old-style, they really did this up nice with decorations, lots of 1950's memorabilia featured inside and out, including the aforementioned statues on the sidewalk outside the diner.
I thought at the time, this could potentially become a go-to burger place for me, except, well, it's not as close as some of my other favourite burger joints, and parking is more of an issue. And the burgers were not quite as good as a few of my other fav's.
But if you're in that part of Kitsilano, you can't beat it.
The second time I went, I was accompanied by my other half, the Divine Ms. K., for brunch one Saturday. She order the eggs benny with home fries. She said they were both topnotch (I'll second that on the home fries).
Me, I was like a rebel without a clue - I ordered the James Dean Burger, complete with a fried egg, split roasted sausage, tomato and lettuce. Again, I had the salad ... mainly because I knew I'd end up eating half my partner's home fries.
I enjoyed this trip to the Sunshine even more than my first. Even the coffee was good - something many restaurants do not often get right, these days.
I just wish their website was up right now, so I could peruse the rest of the menu and point out some other tidbits for you - but it's not, so I won't.
So if you're over at that end of Vancouver, check out the menu for yourself, I'm sure you'll find something tempting for your taste buds.Listed in: Restaurants Where I LOVE to…
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Review from Trish R.
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I like the concept and the place runs well. We went for weekend brunch and were served promptly even though there was a lineup -- it moved fast.
IMHO, the Bennies are here okay. The hollandaise is really rich but it lacks punch. I'm not convinced it's made from scratch using a traditional recipe. Too rich, not enough flavour for me. But that's me.
Interestingly, when I inquired whether or not the extra price for the potatoes was worth it, the waitress recommended that it would be too much food to add on to a full order, which, I found out later, isn't any different in quantity to all other places that don't charge you for the side of potatoes or fruit or salad.
Anyway, I opted to get the potatoes because I didn't want to miss out on something special. But I now think the real reason they don't recommend the potatoes is because they're not that good! They're deep fried thick slices of potato and nothing else, not even a sprinkling of salt. Sort of well-done, greasy, hefty potato chips, which are okay if you've got nothing else to eat, but not the grill-top-grilled crispy and soft (with a kick of something special) that I was craving. Hmm.
The service was rapid and friendly (but don't sit near the kitchen door or you might be distracted by staff who have nowhere else to decompress but at the open serving station there). -
Review from Danielle B.
Vancouver, BC
3/4/2012
They fit in a party of two within 5 minutes as promised, on a Sat. afternoon - not bad at all, as the place appeared busy and we almost kept walking, thinking that it would take too long and we were hungry. Very glad we went inside to ask! Friendly fast service and delicious sandwiches (I had the black forest ham and Swiss on sourdough with butter subbed for mayo - they did it right and a lot of places don't), and my friend had the grilled cheese with fries. My sandwich wasn't terribly generous on the ham, but it was tasty nonetheless, and my friend was happywitty her grilled cheese as well.
The place was nice for a conversation until a party with 5 young children arrived and was seated near us (I love kids, but it's difficult to be heard over the din of 5 of them at once - not the restaurant's fault by any means - just a report on the clientele this afternoon).
Would definitely go back and try some of the burgers ... Went here once last summer and sat outside and enjoyed the ambiance, so I'll probably head back once the weather warms up and try the outdoor seating area again. -
Review from Don B.
Vancouver, BC
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Loved the eggs Benny, who would have thought cream cheese would work with avocado and tomato. And the eggs perfectly cooked. The home fries tasty as well. Love the 50's decor and ambiance.
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Review from Stephene C.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome throwback diner with a vintage feel. Accidentally walked by this restaurant with the intention of going somewhere else. Show's me some accidents are great! When I walked by with a friend, we saw that it was packed full of people, so it must be good!
We were starving so decided to stop in to eat lunch. There was a bit of a wait, about 15 minutes, but the place was full of people. When we finally got sat down, I had a chance to look around, there was Elvis and Marylin Monroe pictures everywhere, and they had a big screen playing bugs bunny and tweetie show cartoons!
The menu is fairly extensive. I ordered the sunshine benny which was good. It came with sauteed mushrooms and bacon with a lot of hollandaise sauce. I opted for the home fries instead of the regular fries. They were ok, seemed kind of over cooked, they were practically burnt.
I seem to be going through some benny faze, if I see it on a menu, I want to order it. Strange I know.
I have to say the highlight though, was the almond milkshake, it was soooooooo good! I'll have to have another for sure!
St3Fin -
Review from Rodger B.
Victoria, BC
2/5/2012
Hands down, my favorite breakfast spot in Vancouver.
Every time I visit Vancouver I have to stop in to the Sunshine Diner for breakfast. I can't really comment on all the food because I always order the Eggs Benny (with home fries), but it's the best I've ever had.
The sneaky good thing about Sunshine Diner though, is the service. We usually get our food about 5 minutes after ordering. I always expect to be at the diner for an hour or so, but am usually out in half an hour.
Just make sure you get there before 10. It tends to gather quite a line afterwards. -
Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
1/13/2012
Okay so I want to like Sunshine Diner and EVERY time I think "ooohh breakfast" I think "oohhh Sunshine Diner" and then we all pile on the bus and are hella hung over and we all get in line and then we order and then the coffee comes and then the food comes and then the bill comes and then i go "god, why did we haul across town for this"
I don't care for Sunshine Diner, it's not as greasy and nasty and Bon's and it's not as creative as Sebs so I'm not entirely sure why I keep going back.
Now the food isn't that bad, it's actually quite good. The staff are all very nice and while you have to wait a bit in line the service is really nice. They are accommodating for large groups or reservations or what have you. But even despite all that it just doesn't turn my crank. -
Review from Kenneth E.
Vancouver, BC
12/29/2011
In terms of food, nothing to knock your socks off your feet. But for fun, atmosphere, and a bit of the throwback 70s, or 80s, sure, what the hay. It's got nice memorabilia, black/white pics, music jukebox, you get the drift.
I ordered the French toast, friend ordered regular eggs/toast but the eggs benedict was good. But stay away from the cappachino or espresso milkshake, it sucks... -
Review from Carmen C.
The Sunshine Diner is a regular brunch destination for my friends and I. Why? Because the food and malts are AMAZING! So here's the skinny on the Sunshine Diner:
~Long line ups. Seriously. They're super long. Be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes for a table on the weekend.
~Kitschy and cool 50's style diner. It's a sea of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and James Dean inspired decor.
~ Order a malt. You won't regret it. My favourite is the Butterscotch malt.
~ Order an eggs benny of some sort. They're soooo delicious. My favourite is the Mmmmarvelous mushroom eggs benny. Sauce is a bit on the heavy side, but still very yummy.
~Now here's the deal. The reason this place doesn't get the full 5 stars is due to the service there. The waitresses are usually swamped and run off their feet. They're usually very friendly, but sometimes forgetful. The service there also takes quite a long time and you might have to wave down your waitress when you need a top up on your coffee/tea/water.
So why do I keep going back? The prices aren't bad and the food and atmosphere are the bees knees :D -
Review from Jeannette G.
Vancouver, BC
12/18/2011
Damn. We go out for breaky almost every weekend. We just ordered 2 omelettes and a side of the famous potatoes. YUCk.
Eggs shiny with oil. Potatoes shiny and soft slices. Cheapest excuse for brown bread ever. Soggy and under toasted and lacking in all flavor. We took a cple bites and then told the waitress what we thought of the food and left. Will never go back. Some people have no taste. Try Lucy's is you want real food. Cannot believe this place is still around. -
Review from Sunshine M.
Coquitlam, BC
12/10/2011
We were looking for breakfast before driving our gang to the airport. Some wanted breakfast and some desired lunch. A sign outside the "Sunshine Diner" promised the best eggs Benny in BC. We had some serious eggs Benedict lovers in our group so I was a bit nervous, but we headed inside. The back of the diner had a large u-shaped booth perfect for our needs.
The decor kept us busy while we waited for our orders, debating what movies the celebrities were portraying in the portraits. The vintage auto seats provided photo opps. There were a great variety of eggs benny and they did live up to the hype. Yes -it is a pricier breakfast- but even the most frugal member of our party was won over by the hollandaise sauce. Those who had lunch sandwiches felt they were good but they could have made the same thing at home. Everyone however, was head over heels in love with the home fries.
The servers had an air of "having seen it all" but they were gracious and accomodating to our large, somewhat raucous group and I found them good sports. I will gladly return and would not hesitate to take more out of town guests here for breakfast or "brunch". -
Review from L. K.
Vancouver, BC
2/28/2012
I had a mushroom and cheese ( I substituted Swiss for cheddar) hamburger & fries. My friend had sausage and eggs.
The mushrooms were caramelized perfectly and the fries were overflowing. But I didn't like the herb in the hamburger, just a personal preference is all.
My friend said the sausages were ok, the fried potatoes were golden and delicious. Eggs cooked perfectly.
The staff were friendly and quick.
I have no complaints. I'll go back but won't have a hamburger. The decor is 50's retro and fun! -
Review from Victoria R.
Vancouver, BC
6/16/2011 ROTD 11/29/2011
I just realised i've never reviewed this place and I don't know how it slipped past my radar, I LOOOOOVE the sunshine diner.
A friend took me here when I was having a big fight with my boyfriend, promising me a burger that would distract me for as long as it took to eat it. He wasn't kidding. The "Fat Elvis" burger was something out of this world. It arrived in all it's glory, a giant half-of-avocado resting over the beef patty with all the fixings. I was skeptical, I had never had avocado on a burger, and I wasn't sure how that would pan out.
I piled it up and took a bite..
Oh Fat-Elvis, I'm so sorry I ever doubted your wonder and glory for even a moment. This burger melted away all my angries and I honestly couldn't think straight, it was just bite after delicious bite. I was actually sad when I finished it, that's how amazing the flavour was.
I tell everyone to go there, and not just for that burger. They do all-day breakfasts that are good, hearty portions, for reasonable prices. I'm a big fan of the 'diner' concept and this place has all the retro kitsch you could hope for.
On weekends the line is always out the door, that's how good it is for brunch. It's worth the wait for sure. And if you aren't in the mood for lunch, take a moment with Elvis, you won't be sorry.Listed in: Brunch Love, The Best Burgers in Vancouver
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Review from David Z.
Calgary, AB
9/8/2011
What can I say about this place? The service stinks.
You pretty much can't screw up diner food. Well you can, but your cook is an idiot if you do. But while the food is ok, I just can't justify going here again beacause the service we got is horrendous.
Avoid avoid avoid. -
Review from Juliana B.
Vancouver, BC
2/20/2011
I've noticed a lot of people on here saying that the sunshine diner is over priced, is it? Yeah a little bit. But you know, I'm alright with that. It's not like I'm eating there twice a week, in fact, I probably go in there three time a month. I'm alright forking over a little extra for a number of reasons; the eggs are organic free-range and you can REALLY taste the difference, in my 4+ years of eating there I've always had really awesome service, and also it's not a franchise - Denny's can afford to give you a $2 grand slam, family owned places really can't do that.
Brunch is by FAR the best meal of the day, even when I'm dragging my hungover butt over to sunshine I know that by the end of my eggs benny I'll feel slightly better, and much less grumpy. I mean really, who's grumpy after brunch? No one. That's who.
I would give it five stars if it weren't for the oldies constantly blaring, I love brunch, but I'm also hung over 90% of the time I go in so I can't in good conscience say that I'm completely head over heals with the place. -
Review from Carmella V.
Vancouver, BC
1/10/2011
Wasn't impressed with the Sunshine:(
The food was just mediocre, and I felt it was a bit over-priced for what you get. You have to add on the french fries, they weren't included. I could make a better milkshake at home. The service wasn't great either.
If you are looking to be surrounded by 1950's decor, than you might want to pop in for brunch. I prefer to stand in the vintage section of Walmart to get my 1950's decor fix. -
Review from Dayna B.
Vancouver, BC
8/25/2009
Now this is something I cross a bridge for. And a bridge without a skytrain nonetheless. Does anyone understand how many different buses I have to take to get here?
I first discovered this place when it was a block and a half down in a smaller and more charming location, and the move didn't seem to compromise anything, which is rare and awesome.
While in University I would come here for breakfast just to enjoy the french toast and study by myself. It's just one of those places where you don't even care if you have anyone to go with. And why do you ask? Well, here's a list...
Sausages
Eggs Benny
French Toast with Strawberries
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
It may look like a short list but there a ton of different kinds of Eggs Benny here and they are all mouth watering. The french toast is moist and mouth watering, and you can get them with strawberries. French toast is another one of those things that I think has to be done just right, and they do it right. Do yourself a big favour and get a side of sausage, its that great kind of sausage. Perfectly flavoured, cut in half and grilled in a ton of butter. You just can't get enough of it.
The atmosphere is great with tons of large booths and the 50s decor. They have nice servers and in this new location they also have something resembling a patio, but more resembling the street, where they have a few tables if you want to eat outside.
The only downside to this place is it ends up adding up. Especially considering its breakfast, so I don't frequent it as much as I would if it was a great deal. All things aside this is where I go for my birthday breakfast yearly.Listed in: Breakfast Worth Eating for…
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Review from Dana B.
Vancouver, BC
4/3/2011
The good: One of the best bennys in town (the other is at MIlestone's). I have actually gone from the east to the west side for their bennys when I've had a craving. Good service.
The bad: Overpriced. Homefries cost extra, WTH? Tacky '50s decor and music. Mediocre coffee. -
Review from Pei K.
1/8/2010 1 photo
24 hours in Vancouver, one opportunity for brunch, and this it the place our friends chose to take us. They are wise, indeed.
This place had fantastic breakfast/brunch options, including a multitude of variations on my breakfast of choice: eggs benedict. They all had clever names that I don't remember, but I ordered the variation that had tomatoes and avocado in place of canadian bacon, and it was mighty tasty. I ordered it with a side of their home fries, which were essentially fried thin-sliced potatoes.
What really pushed this place to 5 stars, though, were the milkshakes. Milkshakes! Something like 8 flavors that they will mix any way you want. I started out my morning with a chocolate butterscotch milkshake. A milkshake for breakfast - there's no better way to start your day! -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2008
Oh Sunshine Diner you are no light in my life.
This place is always packed and the service and food is consistently decent. But apparently, in my experience, so are the hairs in your food.
My penultimate visit to the diner featured a black hair underneath my fries. On my most recent visit I found another curly one--this time under my grilled sandwich.
Both times the server was apologetic, offered a new breakfast, and removed the menu item from the bill. Good handling of the situation. "But the cook is Greek," she told me. Not sure what that meant...
Oh well. With Nemoto's gone and Sunshine Diner firmly crossed off my west-Broadway-brunch list, like a breakfast orphan my search (and reviews) will continue. -
Review from Kal B.
12/13/2010
cool place inside.. great 50s diner atmosphere with your classic offerings of betty boop, elvis and marilyn pieces of decor throughout
was in the mood for breakfast at around 11am on a thurs morning so this place definitely hit the spot
offered your classic breakfast fare.. opted for the benny's.. you can mix and match as well.. one had shrimp and asparagus.. the other was a veggie one with nice big slices of avocado. also had the 'big' pancake on the side which was really just 2 small pancakes?? that was weird but tasted good!
they also have milkshakes that come in like 12 different flavours and you mix and match.. will defo have to try one next time!
service was great as well! -
Review from Alice L.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 7/9/2010
I was utterly let down on one of my recent visits back to Sunshine Diner. We were seated closest to the kitchen yet we got our food almost 2 hours later. I am not exaggerating. The waitress would only "check" on our order every 20 minutes or so only to find out an hour in that the cooks "lost" our order. The table next to us that came half an hour after us got their food probably 15 minutes after they sat down. I was really angry but I'm not the type to cause a scene so was just going to mention it when the bill came. Before I could say anything, the waitress said our orange juices were on the house (mind you, there were only 2 of us). Really? just our $3 or so OJs? This will be the last breakfast place I am coming back to in a while.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/3/2009
I came across this diner when walking down Broadway trying to look for a breakfast place. I… Read more »
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Review from Raven Z.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2011
I love eating here. The atmosphere is so fun, the staff is always pleasant and the food is great!!!
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Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2008
This is 1950s-style diner is my favourite place for bennys. I think their secret is the delicious, high quality Born 3 eggs that they use. Those bright, sunny yellow yolks put the sunshine in this diner. Plus the service is good and the decor is kitschy cute.
Listed in: Drool Inducing Vancouver Eats
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Review from Brett C.
Toronto, ON
4/4/2009
Food is good and service is good, but for me personally, the music and decor are just annoying.
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Review from Fossil H.
Vancouver, BC
2/1/2009
Sweet little 1950's diner. Great breakfasts. Their Benny has slipped over the years. Good as a pitch hitter when Sophie's is packed.
Listed in: Best Breakfasts
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Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
5/11/2010
a very good friend texts me at 7am to ask if i was up and wanted to go for breakfast..lucky for him, i was awake since 6am and had food on the brain!
i had a client at 10am so i wanted to head somewhere close to the area so i could get there right after. and this place seemed decent enough.
from the outside, it was so cute looking! loved the hip 50's retro style.. kinda like sophies, but much cleaner looking.
they had a lot of different benny's..and i was quite overwhelmed with all the choices! i can't even remember the name of the one i ended up with...but it sure was yummy!! loved the potatoes that it came with. the gooey hollandaise sauce was good..not the greatest i've had, but definitely good on that rainy saturday morning we met up.
id like to say i'll be back for more, but unfortunately not anytime soon. not because of the food..but because i really should stick to my proper dietary restrictions which i have completely ignored for a little while now.... =P
totally awesome place for breaky!Listed in: Breaky & Brunch Bliss!!
