NOTE: This is the 2021 list, to read the most recent 2022/2023 list, click here.
The 10 Best New Coffee Shops in Vancouver 2021
Day one of The Snobby awards is here and we start it off with the newest category: The 10 Best New Coffee Shops award.
There is only one criteria for this award: the coffee shop must have opened its doors in 2021.
This list is bought to you by Siply
You can use the Siply app you can find the best coffee shops in town (which you’ll see I’ve tagged below). Then you can use the app to buy coffee in those shops at amazing prices. I’m talking about an average saving of $1 off each order.
If you’re interested in learning more you can head to the Siply website.
Alternatively, go straight to the source and download the app on iOS here or Android here.
Well, without further ado, here’s the list of the 10 best new coffee shops in Vancouver 2021.
10. Lumine Coffee
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1965 W 4th Ave #103, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M8
On Siply? – No
In the heart of the 4th Ave drag in Kits, Lumine Coffee is a stunning and inviting cafe.
They have a selection of amazing pastries and a solid lineup of coffee featuring local legends Agro, as well as Detour and a rotating selection of other roasters.
Protip – there is comfy and quiet seating in the back of the venue.
9. Forecast Coffee
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2980 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G3
On Siply? – No
Forecast started life in Whistler and very quickly expanded into Vancouver, with their newest Main St location.
It’s inside the old Starbucks Reserve venue, so it’s large, well setup and has heaps of seating. It gets crazy busy though!
Their coffee is roasted in house and I’m particularly fond of their light roast, which has been on rotation in my house for several months now (hint – it’s probably closer to medium-light for us wanky coffee snobs).
8. AIYŌH CAFE
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3720 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 2M3
On Siply – No
If you look at their Instagram you’d be fooled into believing they are food only. But they have a subtle and incredible coffee program, featuring coffee from Harken (who incidentally were the best NEW coffee shop of 2020).
Their coffee game is small, but strong. Word on the street is that they’re going to be the first place in Canada to have an Osma Cold Brew maker.
7. Foglifter Coffee
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3590 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N4
On Siply – No
Foglifter opened subtly in the summer. But they have already secured themselves as a must-stop spot on the Main Street drag.
You can expect house-roasted coffee varying in intensity, from dark to light.
At the time of writing their lineup includes some incredible examples of Natural and Honey process coffee.
Interlude from The 10 Best New Coffee Shops in Vancouver 2020!
The 10 Best New Coffee Shops in Vancouver 2020 will continue after this quick ad break!
For the last couple of years, I’ve been working on a project called Siply. You might have noticed that throughout this article I reference whether a shop is part of the Siply network or not.
Siply is an app that gives you a curated list of the best coffee shops in Vancouver. Then it gives you amazing deals on drinks.
Simply put – you can’t get better prices on your drinks anywhere else than this app. I made a little calculator to show this. Have a play with it and see what you think:
If you’re keen to take it out for a whirl, you can download it by visiting the website here.
6. Soon Coffee
The Amazing Brentwood Food Hall, 4567 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z6
On Siply – No
I’m particularly fond of this coffee shop, as they’ve set it up exactly how I would.
By this, I mean loads of automation in the drink creation and a fairly basic menu of coffee.
There are only a couple of roast types available and the drinks are espresso, filter and ice-based.
They also have arguably the most competitive coffee pricing in the city.
5. Sunny M
4540 No. 3 Rd Unit 1345, Richmond, BC V6X 4E4
On Siply – Yes!
Sunny M only opened a couple of weeks ago, so it’s fantastic to see them so high on the list!
You can exect some very high-quality coffee available on espresso and pour over. Think natural process rare beans and the occasional Geisha.
All the coffee is roasted in-house, plus they have a small food menu that has been impeccably paired with the drinks.
4. General Strike Coffee
1965 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C1
On Siply – No
You may already know General Strike Coffee as Coffee Bus! They recently dropped the wheels, rebranded and built a cafe inside an art gallery.
All coffee is roasted in-house in tiny batches. You can expect micro lot beans, roasted impeccably, then served on espresso or pour over.
They’re very new, so keep an eye on their Instagram for more info on how they’re planning to grow.
3. Veille Cafe
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2547 Montvue Ave, Abbotsford, BC V2S 3V2
On Siply – No
Less of a cafe and more of a coffee shop on wheels! Veille Cafe is Abbotsford’s latest and greatest addition to their surprisingly fantastic coffee scene.
You can expect coffee from Road Coffee Roasters, served up from an ADORABLE van. Espresso and Filter coffee await you, along with some snacks.
I’ll admit I’ve actually not visited this cafe at the time of writing, but with a smiling mug like the one in the photo above, you can bet I’m getting my arse there ASAP in the new year!
2. Nemesis GNW
555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 1E1
On Siply – Yes!
Missing out on the top spot by only TWO votes comes the visual masterpiece that is Nemesis GNW.
This cafe is the first shop to score a perfect 100% on my blog.
You can expect impeccable house-roasted coffee. Service that matches any Michelin star restaurant with food to match the service.
But nothing will quite prepare you for how mind bendingly beautiful the inside of the venue is.
1. Smoking Gun
46168 Yale Rd #101, Chilliwack, BC V2T 0J6
On Siply – Soon!
It’s been a true honour to watch Brandon, the owner of Smoking Gun, grow this business from a small popup-esque couple of venues to this full brick and mortar shopfront (literally, it’s made of bricks).
You can expect house-roasted coffee, from dark to light (their Tanzania is amazing). A decent selection of sweet treats and some absolutely on-point sandwiches.
Yeah they’re in Chilliwack and yeah it takes several days to drive there from Vancouver, plus you’re definitely going to need a boat to get past Watcom road. But it’s SO worth the trip.
It’s a bloody awesome coffee shop and you should add it to your list of must-visits.
Coming tomorrow…
Tomorrow will be the Top 10 Best Coffee Roasters list. To be the first to read the list, make sure to sign up to my mailing list. I don’t mail often, but when I do it’s always good stuff.