Wake up right at these Vancouver weekend brunch spots
After all that early-morning exercise and fresh air, a decadent weekend brunch is exactly what’s called for. Whether you’re craving bennies and strong coffee in a casual setting or seasonal crepes with a cup of Earl Grey, these Vancouver spots have you waking up on the right side of the bed.
Yew Restaurant & Bar
791 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T4Visions of stainless steel domes over lukewarm plates of rubbery eggs — often hallmarks of hotel breakfasts — are banished when you sit down for the first meal of the day at Yew. Housed in downtown’s posh Four Seasons, Yew does a sophisticated breakfast in its large, wood-filled dining room. Endless coffee from beautiful carafes, perfectly salty and rich smoked salmon benedict, and on Sundays dollar oysters and 50% off bottles of wine. Not a bad deal for such a high-end joint.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1This lovely greenhouse-like dining room is right out of your Grandmother’s 50s-style bungalow. Tucked away in VanDusen’s garden oasis, Shaughnessy Restaurant is just the place for a mother’s day brunch or the perfect start to a girls’ day out. Classic dishes run the gamut from benedicts to crepes, with country-club-chic crab & shrimp salad featured prominently in a few mainstays. Surrounded by greenery inside and out, this is a welcome Sunday refresher.
Red Wagon Cafe The
2128 Hastings St E, Vancouver, BC V5L 1V1Red Wagon’s pulled-pork pancakes with Jack Daniels-spiked maple syrup have become a thing of legend among Vancouver brunch devotees. This super-chill throw-back to old-school diners in Hastings-Sunrise encourages a slower pace and friendly conversation with strangers, as in days of yore. Though recipes have been modernized for contemporary palates such as the above-mentioned pancakes, a tofu scramble and crisp pork belly with eggs and salsa verde. Try to rouse yourself early on Sunday — the line-ups are epic after 10 am.
Forage
1300 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5Quietly gaining brunch supremacy in the West End, Forage at the Listel Hotel is a special treat on any weekend. As the name implies, the chef here is all about what is available locally and seasonally and does wonders with the abundance our province is blessed with. Their fresh, flavourful and free-range eggs are done to your liking and paired with friends like merguez sausage and spiced lentils or bison hash and sauerkraut. On the lunchier side are stunning displays of local produce like kale, mushrooms and beets and of course there’s plenty to satisfy the sweet tooth as well.
The Oakwood Canadian Bistro
2741 4th Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V6K 1P9Definitely the winner for most original brunch items, the Oakwood is quietly gaining popularity for being one of the better casual fine-dining, West Coast-focussed restaurants in the city. Certainly in Kitsilano. Aerated yogurt? Confit tuna benedict? Coconut-crusted French toast? Brunch is an inherently indulgent meal, so yes, feel free to go all out with these foodie-approved dishes and cozy in — this is upscale comfort at its Canadian best.
Café Medina
780 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4Medina goes on this list hesitantly, as the likelihood of getting a table here without waiting at least an hour is slim. And yet. Beautifully, imperfectly shaped Belgian-style waffles come plain or with your choice of delectable toppings: peach and Bourbon butterscotch, say, or white chocolate pistachio rose water. The rest of the menu is equally enticing. Their new location on Richards is much expanded — 65 seats plus two bars. Just don’t expect the line-up to be any shorter.
La Brasserie
1091 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1M5If the French had the concept of brunch, La Brasserie would be where they’d turn. Start your weekend right with half a dozen oysters, followed perhaps by some pâté de campagne, a lardon salad or a croque madame — the classic French sandwich of ham, fried egg and luscious béchamel sauce. Pair with a glass of bubbly or brunch favourite, the Caesar and you’ll be grateful you’re eating your petit déjeuner in Vancouver.
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