Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.pradocafe.com
;
1938 Commercial Dr; 7am-8pm; ; 20)
Eschewing the kitsch-
heavy interiors of some Commercial Dr coffee shops, the comparatively austere Prado
is the kind of place where minimalists sup in peace. But it's not just about aesthetics:
the baristas here are serious about their fair-trade coffee, which - don't tell the Italians
down the street - may be the best on the Drive.
Recent new owners have altered very little here and this is still the hippest coffee
spot on the Drive, beloved of MacBook-wielding regulars quietly updating their Face-
book status.
BUMP N GRIND
COFFEE
(
www.bumpngrindcafe.com
;
916 Commercial Dr; 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm Sat & Sun; ;
20)
Showing that Drive locals can never get enough good java, this more recent ad-
dition to Commercial's coffeehouse culture deploys a comfy modern lounge approach.
But there's still a strong commitment to great brews - which is not always the case
among the area's highly competitive scene. It also uses beans from popular 49th Paral-
lel: the current Vancouver 'it' roaster.
Friendly service is a byword here and there's also an array of good-value cakes,
cookies, wraps and sandwiches if you can't live by coffee alone.
JJ BEAN
COFFEE
(
www.jjbeancoffee.com
;
2206 Commercial Dr; 6am-10pm; Commercial-Broadway)
Many
Vancouver coffee bars close their doors too early for those who want to hang out at
night but don't want to drink booze. This JJ Bean, one of the oldest outlets of a popular
citywide minichain, subverts that by opening into the wee hours (of 10pm). There's a
cozy, almost neighborhood-pub, feel to this friendly joint and, befitting its Drive loca-
tion, there's a chatty patio for summertime sipping.
With quality house-roasted beans on sale, consider picking up an apposite souvenir
for coffee-loving friends back home: a bag of rich, earthy Eastside Blend. No wi-fi.
CAFFE ROMA
COFFEE
(1510 Commercial Dr; 8am-8pm; 20)
The best place to be in Vancouver when the
FIFA World Cup tournament is on, this grungy neighborhood coffee spot is like a social
club for old Italian dudes, who sit scanning the TVs and watching sports all day. It
