This Vancouver brunch restaurant is my go-to in the city that I always recommend to visitors
This Vancouver restaurant is a place where brunch is done right. The bistro is filled with the sound of coffees being brewed and people chatting about their weeks, as the smell of waffles wafts through the air. It's lively and vibrant, and just where you want to be on a weekend morning.
You're guaranteed to have that classic brunch experience at Medina Cafe, which is always bustling with activity as one of the most popular spots in the city. Its claim to fame is well-earned, with its inviting vibe, Belgian waffles you'll dream about for weeks to come, and perfectly foamed lattes.
This is the spot I recommend time and time again to people visiting Vancouver looking for good food. After living in the city for a couple of years, it became a quick favourite of mine that never fell out of my ranking of the best restaurants in Vancouver.
Now I spend many Sunday mornings daydreaming about the little waffles and good vibes that are signatures of Medina Cafe.
Whether you're visiting the city or are a local who hasn't tried this spot (doubtful), this is your sign to go.
Achieving that might not be as easy as you think, but fear not – it's worth waiting for a table here. Walk up to Medina on a weekend morning (or mid-morning, or afternoon) and you'll be greeted with every hungry customer's worst nightmare — a line that's long enough to make you both groan and somehow want to eat there even more.
You can also make a reservation here, but it requires a $10 per person donation to a charity (which the restaurant partners with for a quarter). Walk-ins are first-come, first-served here, so if you want to guarantee a spot, then donation is the way to go.
Walking in, you'll be greeted by the bright and spacious bistro, which is open, comfortable, and airy. It has a classic coffeehouse feel with an eclectic twist that keeps it feeling charming.
On the menu, you've got a delicious blend of classic brunch with a Mediterranean-inspired twist. The dishes are flavourful and filling, with thick Medina Bacon as a must-try add-on to any breakfast.
The Liège Style Waffles are also a must, and you can pick from a bunch of different toppings for them, like "milk chocolate lavender" and "white chocolate pistachio rosewater".
The paella is a stand-out here with chorizo sausage, egg, and roasted veggies. It's the kind of place where it's hard to order wrong, though.
This spot is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
