7 Must-Try Dishes at Vancouver’s Award-Winning Northern Cafe

Introduction to Northern Cafe

Step into Northern Cafe and you’ll discover why it’s a cornerstone of Vancouver’s comfort food scene. Since opening its doors in 1949, this beloved cafe has been serving up the best brunch and breakfast in town, blending classic Canadian favorites with inspired Asian comfort food. The menu is a testament to decades of perfecting recipes, offering unique dishes that keep guests coming back week after week. More than just a place to eat, Northern Cafe is a warm, welcoming hub for the community—where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy hearty food, friendly service, and a truly unique dining experience. Recognized as Vancouver’s “Best Brunch” and celebrated for its inviting atmosphere, Northern Cafe continues to set the standard for what a great cafe should be.

Location and Ambiance

Tucked away above a working lumberyard in South Vancouver, Northern Cafe & Grill is a hidden gem that offers a cozy retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle. The restaurant’s retro decor and nostalgic charm create a warm, inviting space where guests instantly feel at home. Whether you’re gathering with family, catching up with friends, or meeting new faces from the community, Northern Cafe is the perfect choice for any occasion. 

Why Locals & Critics Call Us the City’s Top Brunch Spot

Named Vancouver Magazine’s “Best Brunch” (2025), and Yelp’s #1 Top Eat in Canada (2023), Northern Cafe has comfort-food classics that keep guests—and food writers—coming back. Here are some dishes that showcase what makes Northern Cafe a top brunch spot. These are the top picks everyone raves about, starting with the dumplings that built a cult following.

1️⃣ Handmade Pork Gyoza ⭐ Crowd Favourite

• Crispy-bottom, juicy-center dumplings, packed with umami – folded by hand with care. The crunch from the bite hit first. Then the juice. Then the feeling.

• Hint: Don’t miss out on these and get some of these homemade gyozas on the side with your meal. Perfect for Sharing! 

• Take it home: Don’t forget to stock up on Frozen Pork Gyoza—ready in 10 minutes. Convenient and easy. Taste why these sell out regularly and folks line up and keep coming back for these tasty morsels. Ask your server!

• Pair our gyozas with our homemade hotsauce!

  

2️⃣ Mama’s Wonton Soup

Plump pork-shrimp wontons floating in clear, soul-soothing umami broth—find out why these wontons are comfort that you will remember years later. Hint: Order a side of our wontons with your meal.

3️⃣ Smoked-Salmon Eggs Benny

Fresh Canadian smoked wild sockeye salmon, perfectly poached eggs, fried capers, creamy béarnaise, and golden hashbrowns—a West-Coast spin on a brunch icon. Learn more about our other Eggs Benedicts.

4️⃣ Fried Chicken & French Toast

Crispy Fried chicken stacked on thick-cut French toast with maple syrup, pickles and pico de gallo: sweet, savory, unforgettable.

5️⃣ Blueberry Pancakes

Fluffy, pillowy golden, and packed with Fresh BC local blueberries—served with syrup and a pat of butter.
A grown man once said it tasted like clouds and it feels like a hug from grandma!

6️⃣ Northern Deluxe Burger

Homemade juicy AAA sirloin patty, bacon, cheddar, sautéed mushrooms & onions—and comes with your choice of sides. Add an egg for extra creaminess. Try our other burgers as well!

7️⃣Meat-Lover’s Omelette

Sauteed veggies, Ham, bacon, sausage, and cheddar folded into a two-egg pillow, accompanied by hashbrowns and toast. Full of protein to fuel your day!

Visiting Soon? Here’s What to Know

• Where: 1640 East Kent Ave South, Vancouver
• When: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Northern Cafe is open during these hours, providing a welcoming atmosphere for brunch enthusiasts.
• Must-Try Items:
• Eggs Benny with béarnaise
• Pork gyoza
• Blueberry pancakes
• Mamas Wonton soup

Get here early — brunch lines are part of the story.

Pick up a bag of our Frozen Gyoza home before they sell out!

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