I love working from cafes, so I created a curated worldwide map and list of my favourite cafes in Vancouver to work or study from. To be on the list they have to have:
- Good WiFi
- Laptop friendly
- Seating/tables to work from
- Nicely designed, good vibe
- 90% of them I have visited, but if I haven’t yet I read through the reviews and they mention/have pics of these things.
If you are ever looking for a cafe then make sure to check these things!^
The top 10 best cafes to study or work in Vancouver
1. Matchstick Coffee
Location: 613 E 15th Ave, Vancouver, BC
This is my main go to. It has a lot of space, and the vibes are wonderful, it’s bright, the matcha and coffee is good. There are lots of wall plugs and the Wi-Fi is fast. There are multiple locations downtown and across Vancouver. To my demise, they recently added a “no tech section” which isn’t really enforced, yet.
2. Grounds for Coffee
Location: 2088 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4B2
The best cinnamon buns I’ve ever had, and I don’t even like cinnamon buns. They also have lots of fun drinks and fraps, and are super friendly. They have a small lovely patio to sit in the sun. It’s pretty crammed inside, but ample seating.
3. Forecast Coffee
Location: 2535 Main St, Vancouver, BC
Forecast Coffee offers a bright and inviting space for work or study. They have lots of good treats, and lots of against the wall seating, a good spot for meetings also.
4. 49th Parallel Coffee
Location: 2902 Main St, Vancouver, BC
A popular Vancouver spot, 49th Parallel is perfect for working on your laptop, you can get a delicious donut as well!
5. Honolulu Coffee
Location: 2396 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Honolulu Coffee serves up Hawaiian-inspired brews, and they have the best açai bowls I have found outside of Brazil (still not as good, but close enough).
6. Lumine
Location: 3383 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC
Lumine offers a peaceful environment, super hip, modern and minimalist.
7. Kafka's Coffee
Location: 577 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC
High ceiling, lot’s of space, very bright and feels super spacious to relax and focus on study or work.
8. Timbertrain Depot
Location: 311 W Cordova St, Vancouver, BC
I like the warehouse style of it, especially being the area it is in. It feels very Berlin. Timbertrain has my favourite coffee in the city.
9. Wicked Café
Location: 2690 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC
Very homely, very mom-and-pop vibes. Their food isn’t great so don’t recommend it. But the coziest spot.
10. Slo Coffee (Limited Seating)
Location: 4160 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4E8
Slo Coffee is super busy as it’s the most trendiest, popular, cafe in Vancouver at the moment. I’m hoping it slows down so I can visit it more, there isn’t usually seating unless you go early. Their Matcha’s are small but amazing, try the pistachio or cranberry matcha.
Here is the map of the 30+ best cafes to work in Vancouver:
FAQ’s: Common questions
Can I Sit in a Café and Work?
Yes, you can absolutely sit in a café and work, as long as you’re respectful of the café environment and other customers. If you plan to stay for a while, it’s best to order a drink or food, especially in busier spots. Try to keep your work session to around 1-2 hours to avoid taking up a table for too long.
How Much Should I Tip?
In Vancouver, tipping is typically 10-20% of your bill. For cafés, if you’re working and enjoying their space for a couple of hours, leaving a tip of 20% is a nice gesture, or around $2-$5. If you’re just grabbing a coffee to got, you can leave a smaller tip, like 10%. Always remember that service salaries are low in Vancouver, so tips are their salary.