49th Parallel Coffee Roasters (Main St)
There’s a pretty good chance that if you’ve lived in Vancouver for a while you’ve probably heard of 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters. They’re a dominant force in the city, and deservedly so. Creating some of the most accessible coffee from anyone here, their consistent roasting pleases a huge majority of the coffee drinking public, all whilst also creating some of the best damned donuts money can buy!
Coffee
You will find 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters coffee all over the world these days. I saw it in person at a Toronto cafe recently, it’s as far down as California and it’s even popped up on Instagram in UK coffee shops. The reason for this is that it’s a solid roastery and one of the most consistent beans I’ve ever come across. It’s my absolute goto recommendation for someone who is getting into specialty coffee.
8oz Cappucino – $4.00
10oz Latte – $4.25
Their typical lineup for beans are Epic Espresso (a complex and fruiter roast) as well as Old School Espresso (a more traditional roast). There’s usually an interesting option available on special and at the time of writing you can find their ‘Holiday Blend’, but it can vary from interesting single origins to unique and rare beans.
I’ve had many espresso drinks at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters and they’re all made perfectly; great espresso ratio, smooth as silk milk and always the perfect temperature. The baristas are always skilled at latte art, so get your phones ready because you’re going to want to Instagram them.
Food
Lemon Meringue Doughnut – $3.50
If you’re going to take on a dessert that dates back to Medieval times, you better be pretty confident you know what you’re doing! Well don’t fret – they definitely do; this doughnut is a masterpiece! The dough is soft and fluffy, the lemon filling isn’t too sweet and the meringue on top is fluffy and toasted perfectly!
If you don’t like lemon meringue (aside from the fact we can no longer be friends) there are loads of different flavours to chose from, as well as some fritters (one even has bacon on it!).
Staff
Firstly they always have comically large amounts of staff working every day. Seriously, they must be breeding them in the back or something because I always feel like there’s 15 people working there! It’s pretty impressive though, because that means you’re never waiting long for your drink and the place is always really well attended. It’s actually quite impressive that they can have this many staff and with all of them being so freindly. Great work!
Venue
It’s on Main St so it better be hip, or I’ll be hitching up my skinny jeans and going elsewhere! It’s a beautiful venue – exposed brick, loads of seating, including a big communal table with affixed seating that slides in and out. When the weather is nice you can sit outside on the patio.
Location
Main and 13th. Need I say more? OK well if you’re going to be that needy: it’s in the middle of the Main St strip, it’s surrounded by the coolest shopfronts of the area, there’s a ton of buses that stop close by but parking can be a bit of a nightmare at times due to the popularity of the area.
Bathrooms
Well appointed, stylish and always nice and clean. The only issue I’ve found here is that they can get somewhat busy on the weekends when the venue is full.
Conclusion
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters is arguably the cities most famous roasters and for good reason. Every part of their operation is professional, their drinks are great and their donuts are some of the best you’ll find in the city. If you consider yourself any form of a coffee fan, you should add this to your Vancouver bucket list.
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