Celebrate the reopening of the Canadian border to fully vaccinated American travelers with these sweet and savory treats at some of the city’s best spots for brunch.
Chef David Hawksworth gives morning classics an upscale spin at his award-winning restaurant in ... [+]
Good morning, Vancouver!
Oh, Canada, how we’ve missed you. Especially when it comes to waking up in one of the coolest cities on the planet.
Vancouver’s like the best of Seattle, Portland and San Francisco rolled into one spectacular city. Art, culture, natural beauty and so many incredible restaurants and bars and coffee shops combine to make it a magical destination. Oh, and hockey. Can’t forget the Canucks!
After getting fueled up on a memorable breakfast, head to Stanley Park and burn off those calories on the 7-mile loop trail along the seawall. Don’t feel like exercising? Hop on the water taxi and head to Granville Island for more grazing opportunities. (Get a load of the wild game charcuterie at Oyama Sausage Co., for instance.)
But first, let’s talk about the most important meal of the weekend... brunch!
Chicken and waffles at Hawksworth
Chef/owner David Hawksworth is best known for his stylish restaurant’s snazzy dinners, but he and his crew apply the same fine dining principles to brunch.
One bite of chicken and waffles should convince you. The crispy buttermilk coating worn by the juicy bird gets a lift from that spicy pepper relish and a maple glaze delivers the crave-worthy sweet note.
If you subscribe to the go-big-or-go-home approach to brunch, order the ever-changing three-course prix-fixe menu at this stellar restaurant, which recently marked its 10th anniversary. It’s located across from the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Mediterranean-inspired brunch is served until 3 p.m. daily at the popular Medina Cafe in Vancouver, ... [+]
Tagine at Medina Cafe
Go early or later or prepare for a wait at this wildly popular diner, where the kitchen takes a Mediterranean approach to brunch classics.
The tagine, for instance, is built on a spicy foundation of chickpea stew and Merguez sausage, a couple poached eggs on top. Grilled foccacia on the side is helpful in sopping up all that flavorful sauce and the cooling raita accompaniment.
Fans love shopping the restaurant’s grocery store so they can take a little Medina Cafe home with them.
Yolks in Vancouver, British Columbia, specializes in over-the-top eggs benedict with various ... [+]
Bennies at Yolks
Talk about egg porn! Nobody does Bennies better and here’s why: Yolks offers so many options.
Not only can you get the time-honored version with maple smoked ham, there are a dozen more possibilities from which to choose. Make it a house-cured wild B.C. salmon with fresh arugula and dill crème fraîche or a Florentine featuring garlicky sauteed spinach.
And the topper? Diners can go for the traditional Hollandaise or a white cheddar béchamel. All those Bennies can be ordered as half- or full-size portions. We’re dreaming about the day they add the one-of-everything option.
The Templeton in Vancouver, British Columbia, offers old-fashioned diner classics on its ... [+]
Diner classics at The Templeton
Come hungry to this charming cafe because you’re going to be well fed and then some.
Yeah, we’re looking at you Big Ass Breakfast: three eggs, a stack of flapjacks or French toast, a mess of breakfast meat — veggie option available — plus rosemary roasted potatoes and toast. Gasp! Polish that one off and it’s a guaranteed food coma.
This nostalgic diner has legit historic credentials, the space dating back to the early 1900s. Much of its decor — including the jukebox — goes back to its 1950s incarnation and that’s just neat-o.
Pastries at L'atelier Patisserie in Vancouver, British Columbia, are exceptional.
Pastries at L'atelier Patisserie
Bravo to Franck Buiron for taking devoted customers on a romp through the best of French pastries. Cases are full of tempting tarts, cakes showcasing seasonal fruit and some of the flakiest croissants ever baked.
What we love best are the clever twists on the croissant, especially the double chocolate. Oh, my.
Best strategy for a weekend visit? Order online and ring the bell out front to pick up your goodies.
Yeah, so, the bakery isn’t exactly offering brunch, but everything offered here is as satisfying as a belt-busting meal.
