Brunch in Vancouver: where to go and how to beat the weekend lines

Weekend brunch is a serious business in Vancouver. The popular places have lines outside by mid-morning, rain or shine, and people are happy to wait. You do not have to. A bit of planning gets you a great brunch without spending half the morning on the sidewalk.

Where is the best brunch in Vancouver?

Brunch is spread across the city, but a few neighbourhoods are especially strong:

Neighbourhood	Brunch style
Kitsilano	Healthy bowls, eggs, coffee, near the beach
Main Street and Mount Pleasant	Independent cafés, bakeries, inventive plates
Gastown	Weekend brunch at restaurants that are dinner spots the rest of the week
Commercial Drive	Relaxed cafés and Italian-leaning breakfasts
The West End	Brunch near English Bay and Stanley Park
Chinatown and Richmond	Dim sum, the other great Vancouver weekend brunch

How do you avoid the brunch lines in Vancouver?

1. Go early. Arriving around opening time, often 8 or 9 a.m., beats the rush at most places.
2. Go on a weekday. Many cafés serve the same menu Monday to Friday with no wait.
3. Book if you can. Some brunch spots take reservations; many do not. Check before you go.
4. Join a waitlist remotely where a place offers one, then have a coffee nearby.
5. Go small. A party of two gets seated far faster than six.

If a place says "no reservations" and you are a big group, split up or pick somewhere that takes bookings. Six people rarely get a table quickly at a busy brunch spot.

What should you order for brunch in Vancouver?

Most menus cover the classics, so look for what a place does differently:

• Eggs Benedict variations, often with smoked salmon (sometimes called an Eggs Royale or a West Coast Benny)
• Breakfast hash with local vegetables
• Pancakes and French toast, sometimes with seasonal BC berries
• Plant-based plates, which are especially common in Kitsilano and on Main Street
• Asian-influenced brunch, such as congee, rice bowls or Korean-style dishes

Is dim sum a good alternative to brunch?

It is the other Vancouver weekend ritual, and many locals would choose it over eggs. Dim sum is served in the late morning and early afternoon, and Richmond has some of the best in North America. It is also built for groups, which solves the "table for six" problem.

Where can you get brunch near Stanley Park and English Bay?

The West End and Denman Street area, close to both Stanley Park and English Bay, has plenty of cafés and restaurants that serve weekend brunch. It pairs well with a walk or bike ride on the seawall before or after.

Is brunch expensive in Vancouver?

Brunch in Vancouver is usually cheaper than dinner, but coffee, juice and a brunch cocktail add up quickly. Remember that alcohol carries extra provincial sales tax in BC, so a mimosa raises the bill more than you might expect. At a sit-down brunch with a server, tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill.

What makes a good brunch spot?

• The eggs are cooked to order and properly. Poached eggs that are runny and set where they should be.
• The coffee is good. In a city this serious about coffee, it should be.
• The menu has a point of view, rather than every brunch dish ever invented.
• They take care with dietary requests. Gluten-free and vegan options that are dishes in their own right, not afterthoughts.

Where can you get brunch for a big group in Vancouver?

Big groups have a harder time at small brunch cafés, which often seat walk-ins only and have few large tables. Your best bets are restaurants that take brunch reservations, hotel restaurants, larger dining rooms in Gastown or Yaletown, and, of course, dim sum, where round tables for eight or ten are normal. Call ahead, give a firm number, and expect some places to add an automatic gratuity for a large party.

Is brunch good on a weekday in Vancouver?

It is often better. Many cafés serve the same brunch menu during the week, the kitchen is calmer, and you can linger without someone waiting for your table. If you are visiting, a Tuesday brunch can be the most relaxed meal of your trip.

Can you have brunch outside in Vancouver?

On dry days, yes. Many places have patios, and some keep them open year-round with heaters and covers. In summer, patio seats are the first to go, so arrive early if sitting outside matters to you.

Mosey is built around rating the specific dish. For brunch that matters: two places can serve eggs Benedict, and only one of them gets the hollandaise right.

More guides to read next:

• Holiday dining in Vancouver: the Christmas Market, festive menus and booking tips
• Cheap eats in Vancouver: how to eat well on a budget
• Coffee shops and bakeries in Vancouver: how to find a good one

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.