Monaco Cafe — Restaurant in Vancouver

On Saturday, February 17th between 1845-1854, watched the girl behind the counter projectile-spray-sneeze (could visually see the spray from 6 feet away) directly into her hand and proceed to grab all those little white baggies you serve the pastries in, and touch every, single one. She proceeded to stamp them. She touched everything in between that and some back closet.

You can watch her on the security cameras you have.

She was wearing black fabric fishnet gloves that looped over her thumbs, very difficult for hand hygiene and high risk of transmission and contamination.

In the 10 minutes I was in the cafe, didn’t see her wash her hands once after that sneeze. Could see her even when she went to the back to rummage around that back store room. Disaster. She was climbing over whatever bags were all over the floor to crawl into a closet and back out.

Pastry shelves were a disaster, some cheese cake had fallen below into the drinks and was splat onto the soda cans. The individual diary containers were out on the counter in a clear dollar store tray. For how long? Who knows. No ice, no cold insulated containers. They didn’t feel cold or cool. Longer than 2 hours? Probably. The coffee grinds were piled 6-8 inches high under the grinder and falling all over the counter, caking down along the sides of everything beside it. This happens when it’s not cleaned between use.

The place was a disgusting disaster.

I was able to stand there and watch this train wreck go down for the time I did because the girl did at least 5 disorganized things and accumulated a short line of customers. Watch her on your cameras. She needed to stamp at least 10-15 of the white pastry bags and stare at me before acknowledging there was a line patiently waiting for her. From a workflow and operational perspective… it was odd.

It’s been reported to VCH for inspection and lack of compliance to safe food handing with the focus on the horrific lack of hand hygiene. It’s ultimately the responsibility of the owner and food establishment to support staff, train and educate, ensure signage and...

I should preface this by saying, the only reason I gave the food a 4/5 is simply because I don’t usually eat the baked goods here. However, I have tried a few items and they were perfectly fine. So, all that means is it would be disingenuous to give it a 5/5.

In terms of the atmosphere, it is cozy and the large windows make “people watching” a treat. As others have mentioned, it is a bit cramped, but I give them grace as the shape of the building is odd. For the angular lay out, I think they have fit as many seats for customers as they can. (And for good reason, it is often very busy)

But other than a bit of seat shuffling, the cafe itself is very welcoming. They regularly clean the restrooms, but it is downtown Vancouver, can’t always be spotless. And wifi here is pretty reliable, I wouldn’t use this cafe for any zoom meetings though.

And I have left service for last simply because it is the true reason I continue to return here often. I pay about $4 cad for a bag tea, which I know is expensive. However, I’m grateful to say as introverted as I am, everyone here is very welcoming. The service is why I gladly walk past two other shops and choose my seat here. I have quickly become familiar with the baristas and even the owner. I’m grateful they’re always open when I need a space to simply read and relax. At one point I was coming multiple times a day simply to decompress with a book. And I have never felt pressured to order more than my one tea, no matter the length of my stay. And no matter how busy the cafe has been. Everyone has been very kind and I’m happy to recommend Monaco as a regular customer.

The only improvement suggestions I might make, are to actually decrease the number of chairs simply to give a bit more walking space. For example, do away with the single seat chair and mini ledge beside the couch. And some of the chairs on the other side of the couch as they crowd the walk ways. As well as make it clear the cafe is actually open till midnight! Google still says 9pm.

Other than that, I look forward to coming back...

I recently spent a delightful afternoon at Monaco Cafe, a hidden gem in Vancouver, and was thoroughly impressed by my experience. After a full day of exploring the city on a warm summer day, this was exactly the oasis of calm I was looking for.

My choice of refreshment was an iced Americano, and it was nothing short of perfection. It was clear that Monaco Cafe understands their coffee. The balance between the ice, water, and espresso was just right - providing a refreshing, rich, and robust flavor that was a welcome treat after my day out in the sun. It was evident that the barista had taken great care in crafting this drink.

The atmosphere of Monaco Cafe was every bit as pleasing as the coffee. The space felt welcoming and comfortable, a place where one could easily lose track of time. The music was chill and unobtrusive, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxation or casual conversation.

What truly set Monaco Cafe apart, though, was the staff. They were not just friendly, they were genuinely warm and personable. They seemed to take a real pleasure in chatting with customers, adding a personal touch that's increasingly rare to find. It's the kind of place where you're not just a customer, but a valued guest.

In conclusion, Monaco Cafe offers more than just great coffee - it provides a delightful experience. If you're in Vancouver and in need of a coffee break or a place to unwind, I cannot recommend Monaco Cafe highly enough. It's a perfect blend of delicious drinks, a relaxing atmosphere, and friendly staff. I look forward to...