Elysian Coffee Broadway — Restaurant in Vancouver

I've been meaning to come here because I love the coffee at places that use their beans, but when I saw they had a rooibos chai and ended up getting that instead of anything bean. Pretty good chai latte, unsweetened (which is my preference) but very smooth. I also had the Rosemary Egg Muffin and a Friand. Egg muffin was really nice with the layer of melted cheese on top and made a light but surprisingly satisfying lunch. It was my first time seeing a friand and it sounded neat so I wanted to try, and really liked it! It's kind of like a cross between a poundcake and almond cookie - very dense, but soft and moist. They have a small assortment of other baked goods and 3 sandwiches (two meat sandwiches that I can't remember the details of and a grilled cheese). The food is priced pretty reasonably. They apparently have complimentary sparkling water but the friend I went with and I weren't offered any and I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, I only gathered this from watching other customers get it from the barista when they ordered. Very cool that they have it and I wish I'd known about it to take advantage when I ordered. The front facade of the building is really pretty. The interior is basically a run-of-the-mill Vancouver coffee shop: clean and bright, lots of plants, lots of natural light. It's on the smaller side, but laid-out well so that it doesn't feel cramped or get congested. Baristas were nice and approachable. From my perspective, it's a good place to try if you're in the area often, but it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way for. Even though it was my first time there I feel like I've basically been to this same shop dozens of times... Nothing really wrong with it, the food and drink was very good and the environment pleasant, just lacking character. But maybe I'm just...

Elysian Coffee on Broadway is a standout in Vancouver’s specialty coffee scene, offering a thoughtful blend of quality, comfort, and community. Located near the heart of the city, this café is known for its clean, minimalist design—featuring light wood, concrete, and plenty of natural light—which creates a calm and inviting atmosphere. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick caffeine fix or settling down to work or read, the space feels both relaxed and intentional.

The real highlight, of course, is the coffee. Elysian roasts its own beans with a focus on ethical sourcing and seasonality, showcasing single-origin varieties and carefully curated blends. Each drink—from the velvety lattes to precise pour-overs—is expertly prepared by knowledgeable baristas who clearly take pride in their craft. A small but well-chosen selection of pastries and snacks rounds out the menu, perfect for a light bite alongside your drink.

What sets Elysian apart is its consistency and care. The staff are friendly without being intrusive, the ambiance strikes a rare balance between stylish and unpretentious, and the coffee is reliably excellent. Elysian Coffee on Broadway isn’t just a great café—it’s a place that reflects Vancouver’s evolving, thoughtful...

I happened to be in the neighbourhood for a few hours and decided to stop in to Elysian. I was excited by all the rave reviews and it had been some time since I'd had a good cappuccino.

I didn't have a 'good' cappuccino, but an excellent one. With my cafe-partner, we also got a mochachino, pair of muffins, and shortbread. Both of the drinks were excellent and met the expectations that were raised by online' reviews. The muffins (oat-blueberry and cranberry walnut) were terrific, but the Scottish Shortbread really stole the show. It was, hands down, the best shortbread I've ever had. When you're there, get it!

That said, there were a few things that took away from the experience. First, my partner was lactose intolerant and there was no lactose-free milk. Perhaps we've just been spoiled by places we frequent locally and in Toronto but the lack did take away from the experience. Soy milk, rather than lactose free milk, is the substitute at Elysian. Also, where we sat (towards the back of the establishment) was uncomfortably warm. I'd be concerned about just how hot it would get on a hot day.

On the whole, I'd strongly recommend checking out Elysian Coffee. If I were a local in the area, I'm sure that I'd be a regular...