the sky had that washed out, endless grey, the kind that presses down on the city. the trees were still vibrant, their leaves scattered thick across the sidewalk. puddles gathered along the curbs, slick with light from passing cars. i tried to sidestep the biggest puddles, thankful for my boots and umbrella. typical vancouver weather. by the time i reached west 4th and trafalgar, 3:06 pm, i was ready for another caffeine break. i slipped into café lokal and was greeted warmly, the kind of place that feels like someone forgot to tell it the world outside is wet and miserable. inside: mismatched chairs, repurposed wood, the faint scent of coffee and something sweet. eclectic charm everywhere, nothing quite matches, but it just works. the fireplace in the corner wasn't turned on, though it didn't need to be, the place was warm and dry. gaetz and gilberto played soothingly and quietly in the background. the baristas moved with calm, unhurried ease, the kind of rhythm that only slow afternoons know. i ordered another matcha latte with oat milk, my second of the day. it came out too hot, the matcha powder scorched, the taste lost. but i didn't mind. through the window, the rain kept falling, steady and unrelenting. outside, the city moved on through the rain, people passed by, shoulders hunched, heads down. inside, it felt like time had decided to rest for a while. read more

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Love the vibe in this cozy cafe! The food and coffee are high quality and fresh. I had the butternut squash soup and flat white while my friend enjoyed an Americano and avocado salad. They gave each of us a piece of truffle with our coffee. We really enjoyed the atmosphere. Lots of parking on the street. We were lucky to get a table on Saturday noon. Busy place but so welcoming! read more

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Pablo: Best coffee shop in Vancouver, food is great, coffee, ambiance great to work or chat. Sandwiches are great. Dome: Sandwiches and vibes 5/5. The lattes aren't my favorite, not well balanced - more watery. Beyond that, I never doubt visiting. Great to work and study, amazing community of people, especially the owner! You won't regret visiting. read more

I came here because of the good reviews, and to be quite honest, I was a bit disappointed. When you walk in, it just looks like a regular cafe, but little did I know that they offer table service. I was just by myself, so I snatched a table by the coffee bar. I ordered the Boursin avocado toast, a flat white, and a cinnamon straw. The flat white was fabulous, and it even came with a piece of chocolate. The avocado toast was very average. Maybe it's me, but I think cherry tomatoes don't go well with avocado toast (imo, not very aesthetically pleasing). Toast was nothing fancy. My cinnamon straw wasn't good. I thought it was flakey, but it wasn't. I had one bite and didn't touch it. I'm not sure why people would rave about this place. There is way better cafe food in Vancouver. read more

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I love Café Lokal for the sense of community you have when you go there. I also love how family-friendly it is as they've got a high chair and even books to keep the kids entertained. It's perfect for a coffee with a bit of Italian charm. read more

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It's more like a 3.5 for me but I'm leaning up with this one on the basis of how nice the people are. I'd like to preface with Im not sure of the customs for Canada, though some of the things I didn't like about this place, I didn't see in other restaurants here. The positives: The atmosphere is really cute and nice. The drinks are quite good and the people are really really nice The indifferent: The food is fairly good. We tried the panini and breakfast sandwich. Couple of pastries. The negatives: This might be a customs thing like I said. But not a single person had their hair up. Including the women with quite long hair. They also don't dress what you would normally see for a coffee shop. Like I'm not saying they should wear fancy clothes but I was surprised to see the loooowww cut shirts and very short shorts. That and the hair kinda grossed me out but otherwise the place was nice read more

Shockingly good food for a cafe; better than most restaurants in the area. The prices aren't unreasonable for the neighborhood, although this definitely isn't the place to try if you're starving and looking to fill up. The prices on the menu aren't high, but the portions are small. The sandwiches taste very rich, as if they're doused in butter, but their menu says "everything is made by order and only dressed with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar". I wonder if they're skirting the letter of the law here by putting a ton of butter in the bread? Their salads are also quite tasty but, similarly, don't exactly taste like health food. Despite my caveats, I think this is one of the best places for a scrumptious salad or sandwich in the area; I'm just listing the caveats so you know what you're getting into and don't go here expecting something else. read more

Cafe Lokal - a plate of salad on a table - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Unfortunately had an uncomfortable experience here. First ordered an oat milk latte, but they brought a regular one - not an issue at all, mistakes happen and the waitress replaced it quickly. However, the oat one they brought out was undrinkable. It tasted really burned and bitter - my friends tried it and agreed (theirs were fine so it seems I got a bad one). I was embarrassed to do this but told the waitress about the issue and said don't worry about replacing it. She was apologetic. Then, when the food came out they brought a full portion of the avo toast when I had ordered the half portion. Again, not an issue - mistakes happen. I let the server know I'd ordered a half, but didn't want to have to send a third thing back, so said don't worry about making a new one, and the server said to just keep the full portion as they wouldn't do anything with the extra slice. Then, a few minutes later, a separate member of staff came over and said you cannot have the full portion if you're paying for the half. Before I had time to respond or say what I'd like to do, she picked up one of the slices off my plate with her hands (!) and carried it back to the kitchen, where she inevitably threw it away. I was a little taken aback - at least take the whole plate and bring back a fresh one?! This was petty and quite uncomfortable for the whole table. To top it off, half the egg I ordered and paid for was on the slice she took away... Honestly, I've never experienced service like this before. Taking food off someone's plate with your hands is unacceptable. I definitely would have just chosen to pay the extra $6 for the full portion or get a fresh one if she'd given me the option... read more

Cafe Lokal located on the West 4th Ave. We went there the first time with friends for Sunday brunch. Atmosphere is very nice. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Each table will be limited with one hour seating time. We ordered a medium latte, an avocado toast, and a blue cheese pear salad. Everything is reasonable price and amount. Only downside is the toast gets very dry and hard after they toasted it. Not sure because it was toasted too long? Overall, nice place to chill if you're in the neighborhood. read more

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Cafe Lokal in Kitsilano is a true hidden treasure! It's a place where good vibes flow, accompanied by welcoming staff, delectable cuisine, and delightful company. My wife and I absolutely love this place. read more

Great place on West 4th to get so e delicious food. Great vibe - mix of students and others (older people like me!). Sandwiches and salads are terrific. The club on homemade multi-grain bread is excellent. Arugula salad was a huge hit with my traveling companion. Super friendly folks...locally owned and everything is made fresh in house. Stop in for a coffee, a quick break from the day and a delicious bite to eat! read more

First of all, Cafe Lokal provides what we believe COVID safety protocol is seriously in place. Customer were enforced to wear masks when ordering and the the seats were spaced well organized. The 3 window seating has blockers in place between each seating. On to the food and coffee. The Spicy Salami Panini with salad is a delicacy to have for breakfast, brunch or lunch. The panini itself is well pressed and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. The Cappuccino we ordered was perfectly made. My husband and I ordered the same Cappuccino, and both came with exactly same fashion. Consistency is key to us! We like the fact that there are different type of seatings: high chairs, square tables, sofa with tables. It gave us a different look, made the place even special. Finally, the servers greeted us right from the start and also made sure we got a spot before letting us in. The staffs were keen on the Covid safety protocol and we love that! It made us feel comfortable to sit there for long. The staffs were very pleasant as well and smiling at all times. The only improvement we could say is that the sofa/tables we were assigned to had different height. So we had to bend over a bit in order to use the tables to have our food. Overall though, 2 trips to this joint and nice neighborhood have been very lovely so far. read more

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Viennoiseries to go. Stopped by to grab a few pain au chocolat and breakfast treats without being disappointed. Service was friendly and baked goods were tasty. Nothing blew my socks off but they were solid and good. I'll have to come back to try their other food items. read more

Found this place as I was in the area. When I first walked in, it was very hot inside, but that could be that I was walking outside for a bit. I took off my hoodie and it was fine after. I was lucky to find a table as it is very busy here. There are a bunch of different seating arrangements: high table, low tables, single couches, window counters, etc. The service was great, very personable, friendly and efficient. I ordered an americano and an avocado toast. They brought the items to where I was sitting and brought me a small container of milk. There is a small area that has the milk, cream, sugar, etc but they still brought me the milk. I told them I could get it myself but they insisted. The avocado was fresh and not mushy. There was just enough balsamic vinegar that added to the flavor but not so much that it overwhelmed the rest. If you are in the area, I recommend coming here with some friends to chat and enjoy the food and drinks. read more

Cafe Lokal - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Not only me. But many were shocked they give the good seats to their regulars and make new customers, sit on the high uncomfortable chairs with very small counter near the wall. When we objected they raised their voice and got hostile. I should also ad they have not one black staff which is reprehensible. Recently a middle-eastern man objected to their discriminatory acts which led them to threaten and harass that middle-eastern man. I have been their several times and agree 100% that this cafe is unprofessional and does discriminate. read more

Good vibes, good coffee, great service! If you're looking for a place to study, this is a good one! Their furniture and brick walls create a very homey and comfortable atmosphere. Their music is at the perfect level and its soothing as well. They also have wifi that works at a great speed if you're trying to get some work done. Its not loud so if you came here to meet up with friends, its a good place for that too. They have a limited amount of pastries but a big lunch and bites menu to get food from. I got an oatmilk latte and its perfect for those (like me) who prefer a nuttier / smoother blend of coffee (rather than the bright and fruity kind). It was a pleasant surprise to find that they served my coffee with a piece of truffle! The barista actually brought my coffee to my table AND with a glass of water! That really wowed me :) A+ service! Definitely will be back to study again since this is just so close to where I live! read more

Cafe Lokal - peep the lil truffle and they brought me a glass of water - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Long wait but immaculate ambiance They have rly good iced Americanos and give u a little chocolate on the side. read more

Everything about this Cafe is great! Flawless location and delicious food. They offer great coffee and even a good variety of teas and hot beverages. I love the designs and they bring a little chocolate with your order. Definitely recommend for the overall atmosphere. The bathroom offers tampons and sanitary products. That's what made the fifth star for me. Try the Iced Americano, the banana muffin and the hot chocolate. read more

Cafe Lokal - Coffee - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Love this cafe! Come here all the time with friends or with family. Great location and great coffee. You must try their iced americano (comes with a little chocolate), their pain au chocolat, or their banana muffin. The ambience is so comfy! Definitely come here if you want a cafe to go with friends or if you want to walk in the area with some coffee. read more

Cafe Lokal - Americano - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Cute corner cafe with retro yet cozy furniture. There's outdoor seating and plenty of tables and living room style seating inside. The flax muffin was moist and full of carrots and other ingredients inside. read more

Cafe Lokal - Latte, cinnamon stick, flax muffin - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

What an amazing cafe! I just found the cafe on Yelp and i went there with a friend today. I ordered a panini spicy salami,a medium hot chocolate and also got a piece of tiramisu for my dessert. The panini and hot chocolate were good.Artichokes inside paninis were too salty tho. But i really enjoyed their Tiramisu. It's moist,creamy and delicately bitter. And the ambience is cozy and very relaxing.So the place is perfect to chill,talk and sip a coffee with friends or family. Staffs are also friendly. So i'd definitely recommend. read more

Cafe Lokal - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Decent coffee, decent food nothing outstanding. Good place for studying as there are outlets and wifi available. Good for meetings as there is big tables and seating +++. Accommodating to families and toddlers etc. Staff is friendly and the owner is hands on. Would have to come back to experience the real vibe of this place but reminds me of a boutique Jj bean...? ‍ read more

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Very surprised how good their food was. I went out for a cup of coffee with my friend but was hungry so ordered some lunch items, it was freshly made and delicious! It's worth going there to eat. read more

We happened upon this shop one Sunday afternoon, and I'm so happy we did! The shop is beautiful and the food is amazing! We loved our sandwiches, and there was even something for our kids to eat. It is a great place for families with young kids (ours are 4 & 1). They have books and toys to play with while you wait for food. I can't wait to go back again soon. read more

The menu is quite limited although the food tastes good. For example: 4 sandwiches and 4 pannini. There's a terrific flax muffin. Various coffees. The space is small and noisy but there are tables outside. Parking is on the street. read more

A little bit of disappointed that "Homemade Tiramisu" wasn't available at the fist time we visiting the store. But I gave a five-starts rate to the Mocha!!! read more

Cafe Lokal - Mocha! - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Amazing café! The toast with avocado is delicious. Customer service is outstanding. They brought me water to the table in this spectacular cup. I haven't ever been to a coffee shop were they bring you water to your table. That small detail really surprised me. The coffee shop is beautiful, spacious, with big wooden tables, comfortable chairs, clean artsy washrooms. I really recommend it! read more

I have nothing even slightly negative to say about this cute cafe. This is a place for everyone! I came here to study on my way home from UBC but saw older couples, adults, and families with all different purposes for their stay. (my favorite was a little boy who asked if his dad could bring him again tomorrow) They seem to know they're a great place to study as there's plenty of seating- couches, low tables, high tables, bar style seats at the counter and at a window. They have cozy and characterizing decorations everywhere that make it feel homey and warm, perfect volume music for studying (soothing, jazzy music too), and good wifi and available plugs for charging. Fantastic service all around- all the drinks came with little truffles and the staff was very kind and accommodating. I got a London fog that was delicious and my friend got a latte with almond milk that was also amazing. Their food is high quality as well. I plan to come here as often as physically possible- if i could rate it 6/5 stars I would. :) read more

Super-cute cafe. I came here in between work meetings for a quick pick-me-up and I'm glad I didn't miss this gem. It was quite busy for the middle of the afternoon, with folks meeting or working on laptops. We grabbed a seat at the cafe counter because little else was available. I opted for a moka because I was in the mood for chocolate. It was clear that our barista not only took pride in making the drinks, but also wanted to make sure that we were satisfied with our drinks. My coworker just wanted drip coffee, but when she realized that wasn't an option here, the barista went out of his way to describe drinks to her so she could find something she would like. My moka was accompanied by a delicious dark chocolate truffle, and the beverage itself was perfectly balanced; rich, creamy, complex. The bitterness of the espresso and chocolate were cut perfectly with cream. To top it all off, there was espresso art! Mine was an adorable bear, hers was a beautiful mask. Very impressive. When we asked for cups to go, the staff happily obliged. I wish more cafes were like this one. read more

Cafe Lokal - Moka - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Last time I came to Cafe Lokal it was insanely busy at around 4pm. I had ordered the sundried tomato panini and an iced latte last time which I thought was okay. Got a lemon and berry muffin today and a cappuccino for less than $10. Place is super cute and has a very hipster vibe. They have a lot of espresso based drinks and pastries available to eat. You'll have to go up to the cashier and pay and somehow they'll bring the food to you even though you won't have a order number or anything. Only reason I'm giving it a 4 star is because both times I was waiting to place my order, the person on till would talk to their coworker(s) for a bit and I would have to wait until they were finished their conversation. Normally I wouldn't mind but since I had only 15 minutes today I was in a bit of a rush. I'd still come back here as it's nearby the salon I go to. read more

Great food and coffee. Great atmosphere and service. On a Saturday afternoon in the summer it was not so busy that we could not get a seat. Love it. Will be back read more

Cafe Lokal - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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My favorite cafe in Vancouver. Always love to have flat white and tiramisu there. Also this place never disappoints when I'm picking random things from the menu read more

Cafe Lokal - Flat white - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

cozy place to sit and have a chat, get work done, or just relax with a warm drink. there arent too many pastries available, just croissants and muffins and by the time i got there (after 3pm) the homemade tiramisu was sold out... i did get a pain au chocolate, which was nice and flaky. delicious! the cinnamon straw was delicious as well. theres plenty of seating to choose from, including bar seats. the service was good! read more

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Neighbourly ambience, quick, friendly service, good coffee, a simple selection of tasty pastries and sandwiches, time and space here to talk and sip and snack! read more

The best coffee shop in all of Vancouver, and one that lives up to its name. Since its opening, I've stopped in for a coffee or snack whenever I'm in the neighbourhood. It's clear the cafe has become a staple for many of the neighbours, and the owners work hard to create an environment that feels like a cozy, welcoming home. People study, families come for lunch, and friends meet up for coffee -- everyone is welcome. It seems like everyone is a regular here, because the owners are just so friendly. Not only is the environment lovely- they make amazing espresso drinks (no drip), interesting loose leaf teas, and delicious sandwiches. Please support this amazing business! read more

No matter what you have here, it's going to be an awesome experience. Have your drink be paired with a sweet treat for you. Sara, one of the owners, will lift up your day with her delicious Truly Italian tiramisù and her smile. Zoran, the other owner, will make it even more enjoyable with his friendly and very polite attitude. Try it to believe it! read more

Very nice local cafe. Comfortable with nice ambiance with good sandwiches. Latte art was superb. A gem of Kitsilano, my new favourite read more

Cafe Lokal - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The service here is amazing. I was having a very forgetful day. I won't go into the details but they bent over backwards to make everything right. This shows that they genuinely care about making their customers' experience as good as can be. This attention to service is unfortunately rare. Oh yeah, and the cappuccino was fantastic! Served with a chocolate and a sip of water. That's the way a cap is supposed to be. read more

Cafe Lokal - Desserts Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Came here with my bf one day. Quite a busy cafe but we were lucky to find seats. I had a black americano while my bf had a cappuccino with soy milk. I was tempted to try one of the cinnamon straws because they looked so appetizing and I love cinnamon but I had to resist since we were trying to save money. When we got our drinks, I liked how each drink came with a complimentary chocolate truffle. It goes very well when your having a nice cup of coffee. My bf melted his chocolate truffle in his cappuccino which made his drink so delicious. Overall, very cozy and nice atmosphere. Staff were super friendly. We wouldn't mind coming back here. Food also looked very yummy. read more

I love walking the neighbourhood-even on a rainy November day, and today found myself lured into Cafe Lokal even though I hadn't meant to stop. My second time here; resistance was futile when I saw the "home made Tiramisu " etched on the sandwich board. This is my perfect definition of an independent coffee shop. Bright, spacious, fireplace and eclectic furnishings. The coffee is fantastic and that Tiramisu - utterly delicious. Worthy of four stars just like that - but that 5th elusive star comes directly from the owners. A lovely couple, clearly hardworking yet still able to take care of the patron's every need. One of Vancouver's best!! read more