Top 5 coffee shops in Vancouver, chosen from local press

Vancouver Magazine named Nemesis the 2025 Readers' Choice Best Coffee Shop, writing that 'The coffee (from direct-trade sources) is strong, but the menu packs just as much of a punch.' Daily Hive reported in April 2026 that it ranked fourth among all coffee shops in North and Central America on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list. The Georgia Straight called it the home of the original 'dope brunch', with 'killer espresso, global teas, and imaginative pastries.'

• “The coffee (from direct-trade sources) is strong, but the menu packs just as much of a punch.”

  Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine · reader award · May 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• “Though Nemesis also has a location in Gastown (and others in North Van and Surrey), you can't miss this cafe's architecturally stunning GNW location beside Emily Carr University of Art and Design: it looks like a huge, red-tiled flower and is even more striking once you step inside.”

  Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “this spot serves up killer espresso, global teas, and imaginative pastries.”

  Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

• “Nemesis is a hospitality-driven, specialty coffee company composed of highly dedicated baristas, chefs, and creatives.”

  Daily Hive, Marco Ovies · best-of list · April 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Nemesis's website

Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list recommended cowdog for 'a strawberry matcha, cardamom bun or seasonal delight like the matcha-hojicha affogato.' The Georgia Straight covered the Kitsilano opening in April 2025, noting 'quality drinks, thoughtfully developed food items, and a welcoming team.' Daily Hive reported in April 2026 that the Kits location appeared on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops list.

• “Go for a strawberry matcha, cardamom bun or seasonal delight like the matcha-hojicha affogato with locally made Rain or Shine roasted strawberry ice cream.”

  Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “quality drinks, thoughtfully developed food items, and a welcoming team that customers say makes the space feel refreshingly inclusive”

  Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong · feature · April 15, 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• “Cowdog (Kits) is a minimalist specialty coffee destination located in the heart of the Kitsilano neighbourhood.”

  Daily Hive, Marco Ovies · best-of list · April 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Vancouver Magazine named Mishmish its 2026 Editors' Choice Best Bakery, and the September 2026 list described 'a nutty, foamy sesame-vanilla halva latte crafted with beans from local micro-roaster Modus.' The Georgia Straight covered it in June 2024 as a new Lebanese bakery and cafe serving 'Middle Eastern classics such as labneh, concha, and Jerusalem bagels.'

• “a sesame ka'ak bagel and a halva cornflake cookie”

  Vancouver Magazine, Vancouver Magazine · reader award · May 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “Take a seat in Mishmish's light, airy Fraserhood space with hanging greenery overhead to sip a nutty, foamy sesame-vanilla halva latte crafted with beans from local micro-roaster Modus.”

  Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “Fraser Street's Mishmish is a Lebanese bakery and cafe”

  Georgia Straight, Vicki Duong · news · June 17, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Mishmish's website

Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list described Revolver as a shoebox-sized café that serves both traditional and experimental coffee, including an espresso tonic, from roasters across North America, Europe and Japan. The Georgia Straight listed it in January 2024 as one of Gastown's best, noting 'the main attraction in this brick-lined cafe is the coffee.'

• “This shoebox-sized café serves up both traditional and ultra-experimental coffee (espresso tonic, anyone?) from world-class roasters near and far, across North America, Europe and Japan”

  Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “the main attraction in this brick-lined cafe is the coffee.”

  Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Revolver's website

Vancouver Magazine's September 2026 list called Timbertrain 'a unique aesthetic experience: the Gastown café is in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage.' The Georgia Straight listed it in January 2024 as one of Gastown's best, noting 'the sweet shop serves up mighty fine espressos, pour overs, and more.'

• “Both locations of Timbertrain are a unique aesthetic experience: the Gastown café is in a gorgeous heritage building with seats made from a train carriage; the east side depot is all industrial and offers tours and classes along with excellent brews.”

  Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose and Katie Nanton · best-of list · September 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• “This Cordova Street cafe went full steam ahead with its train motif. With booths lined up against the wall in a train-car formation, the sweet shop serves up mighty fine espressos, pour overs, and more.”

  Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · best-of list · January 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Timbertrain Coffee Roasters's website