How Northern Cafe Quietly Became Vancouver’s Best Brunch

When you think of “Best Brunch in Vancouver,” you might imagine a sleek downtown bistro with lineups out the door.
But in 2025, that title went to a little diner tucked above a lumber yard — a spot with mismatched chairs, hand-written specials, and gyoza on the same menu as pancakes.

Welcome to Northern Cafe: 80 years old, family-run, and proof that heart matters more than hype. Truly grateful and humbling. 

A Humble Beginning

Founded in 1949, Northern Cafe began as a no-frills kitchen serving workers in Vancouver’s industrial district.
No gimmicks. No influencers. Just hot coffee, hearty breakfasts, and homemade burgers and dumplings — long before “fusion” was cool.

Fast forward to today, and the same grill sizzles. The same coffee’s poured. And many of the same guests still walk in with stories that span generations.

So… How Did We Win Best Brunch?

In a city full of culinary trends and luxury cafes, how did this little old diner win over the critics?

Here’s what we believe made the difference:

1. Comfort Food with Soul

You can taste it — in our shredded hash browns, our homemade wontons and our signature pork gyoza. It’s not just about flavour.
It’s about feeling like you’ve come home.

2. Hospitality That’s Human

No scripts. No uniforms. Just a team that treats every guest like they’re walking into grandma’s house.
We refill coffee without asking. We try to remember your name. And we always say thank you.

3. Brunch Without Pretension

We don’t do avocado towers. But we’ll give you Fried Chicken on French toast, perfectly runny eggs, and fluffy pancakes made with fresh BC blueberries — every time.

4. Consistency Over Everything

Whether you came in years ago or this morning, the food still hits the same. Because consistency is the true secret ingredient.

What This Award Means to Us

When Vancouver Magazine named us “Best Brunch” in 2025, we were stunned. Grateful. Emotional.

A true local legend since 1949, this cozy diner above a lumberyard specializes in a beautiful marriage of home-style breakfasts and Asian flavours: fluffy pancakes share top billing with handmade wontons.

Because for us, it’s not about the award. It’s about what it represents:
Years of hard work. Early mornings. Generations of family showing up for each other.
And a community that believed in us — long before the world took notice.

A Seat at Our Table

We know we’re not easy to find.
We’re up a flight of stairs, hidden behind warehouse walls. But maybe that’s why it feels so special when you do find us.

You waited. You shared a table with strangers. And when your food came, you smiled — because it tastes like something real.

Thank You, From the Bottom of Our Hearts

To every guest who waited in line, told a friend, or just sat quietly sipping coffee:
Thank you. This award is yours, too.

We’ll keep the grill hot. The wontons fresh. And the brunch honest.
Because that’s what Northern Cafe has always been about.

Come See What Makes It Special

If you’ve never been, we’d love to welcome you. Just know this: it’s not fancy. There are no gimmicks.
Located at 1640 East Kent Ave South, upstairs above a lumber yard.
Open early, closed by 3pm — because we believe in family time after the rush.
This is what brunch tastes like when it’s made with love.

 

Keywords:
best brunch Vancouver, Vancouver Magazine restaurant awards, Northern Cafe diner, family-run restaurant, hidden gem brunch spot, Vancouver comfort food