With the rave reviews we decided to see if it can live up to the hype. It does not disappoint. We arrive at 9:30am on Saturday. Upon check in, they estimate the wait time would be 25-30 minutes. We are seated at 10:10am. The most impressive dish is the smoked salmon egg Benedict. We asked to serve the béarnaise sauce by the side. The blueberries pancake is soooooo fluffy. A must try. The hash brown is crispy on top and soft at bottom. We like it so much that we needed to order another one as a side dish. Chicken and waffles are good but not as great as the above three. Meat lovers omelette is normal. The most disappointing dish is the wontons. Traditional wontons have real prawn fillings. This one has a meatball texture which is quite off putting to me. While the restaurant decor and appearance can be improved, overall still an enjoyable experience. We definitely love the food here than OEB. read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Ambiance: 3/5 Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 This place is exactly what it promises to be! We had wanted to try this spot for so long and finally got the chance on a Saturday morning. The website says to get there by 8:30 if you want to grab a table without waiting which we thought was crazy, but when we showed up at 8:32 we managed to snag the last free table so they're spot on with their timing! Lots of parties showed up right after us and the waitlist was super long by the time we left. As for ambiance, it's meant to be a greasy spoon diner at the back of a lumber yard so that's exactly what it is. The only part I wasn't expecting and didn't enjoy was that every few minutes you got a waft of the washroom smell even though we were sitting far from it, mostly because there's not a ton of ventilation in a small spot. The staff were super friendly and attentive which was lovely! I got the veggie omelette which came with their shredded hash browns and bread and my partner got the burger and fries. Everything was delicious! Huge portions and well priced. I especially loved the hash browns which were crispy on the outside. Overall a great spot! Just make sure to get there early if you don't want to wait read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Burger & veggie omelette - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Really unique location in a lumber yard. Fortunately this means lots of parking is available. We came on a weekday and there was still a bit of a wait. The staff took our name and number and texted us around 20 minutes later once our table was ready. The hot chocolate was just okay, the breakfast food was good and what you'd expect from a diner, but what really stood out was the dumplings. They were so good, definitely get the spicy wontons! Really good restaurant but I'd recommend coming on a weekday if possible to avoid a long wait. read more

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We came on a Friday morning around 10am and it was busy, a few minutes wait until a table opened. My sister knew the owners and they were welcoming and accommodating since we had a 5 month old with us. Get the deep friend spicy wontons if available (feature special) and the pan fried dumplings! They were exceptional. The wontons especially had a generous filling of meat. The French toast reminded me of home but they were better! The breakfast sandwich was so simple but there was something that made it better than I could've. And the blackened chicken sandwich was also a featured item was juicy and beautifully seasoned. So good! The hash brown and Cesar sides were also great, what you'd want from a diner. The restaurant itself is super unique since it's in an industrial area and so hidden, you'd think you're at the wrong place. But once you're in, you're hit with a classic diner no frills spot. And you'll realize this great hidden gem. read more

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Great breakfast place. They have some asian twist. We tried the eggs benny, BLT, Breakfast Poutine, and wontons Great hidden gem. Good amount of seatings and parking. read more

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There's something stubbornly beautiful about a place like Northern Cafe--the kind of spot that doesn't just survive decades, it absorbs them. It started back in 1949, when post-war Vancouver was less glass and polish and more mud, muscle, and ambition. The people building the city--the ones hauling lumber, pouring concrete, grinding through rain-soaked days--needed somewhere warm. Somewhere honest to rest the calloused hands around a warm cup of coffee, and clear out the day's sawdust cuffs. Northern Cafe became that place: a refuge where boots could rest and plates came heavy with the kind of food that didn't ask questions, just filled you up and sent you back out to finish the job of shaping what would become one of Canada's crown jewels. Fast forward through the decades and the story only gets better. The Mah family took this thing and held onto it--not by chasing trends, but by doubling down on what mattered. For years, it was literally tucked away on the second floor of a lumber yard. Not metaphorically hidden--actually hidden. The kind of place you only found if someone you trusted told you where to look. That grit stuck. Now under Richard and Raymond Mah, Northern Cafe has stepped into the light without losing the shadows that made it special. It's earned national attention--Yelp, Vancouver Magazine, the whole chorus of praise--but it still feels like you've discovered something you weren't supposed to. Brunch might be what draws the crowds, but if you walk in and don't order the dumplings, you've missed the point. Same goes for the house-made hot sauce--sharp, punchy, addictive. You don't dab it, you commit to it. Slather it across everything on the table and suddenly the whole meal snaps into focus. I've been here more than a few times, and I'd go back more often if not for the line. 30 minutes on a good day. 90 mins if the city's feeling hungry--and it usually is. But that wait says something. People don't line up like that for hype. They line up for places that still mean something. SO if you are inside... hurry the (explicative) up! Northern Cafe isn't polished. It's not trying to be. It's earned, it's weathered, and it feeds you like it knows you've got somewhere to be--even if you don't. CHEERS!!! read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Chicken and French Toast - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Homestyle comfort food done well. The house hot sauce is free and worth trying, with a nice level of spice without being overwhelming. The chicken and French toast was a standout and a fun, unique take on a chicken and waffles style dish. The main downside is the wait. It can easily stretch to an hour or more for most of the day, so it is best to come early if you are set on trying it. Overall, I can see why people like it, but it felt a bit overrated to me. The food is solid and well executed, but the long wait makes it harder to justify. If this were more of a casual neighbourhood spot without the heavy lines, it would land better. A few dishes missed for me. The wontons were labeled as prawn, but tasted mostly like pork, which was a bit disappointing. The gyozas were also pretty average and not something I would order again. Glad I tried it, but likely a one and done for me. read more

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The hole in wall that you MUST go to! It's a ride from DT Vancouver but personally, it was worth every minute. The second time was the charm for me as it is first come first serve and space is limited. After finally being called up, I was greeted by one of the owners and he briefly shared the house favorites and specials. You know it's like walking into your kitchen when your table neighbors tell you they've been going for 15+ years and the same flavors are there every single time. I ordered the Wonton Soup, hot chocolate, and the French Toast combo. Everything was super delicious and fresh, the atmosphere was very lively and buzzing with life, and the service was phenomenal read more

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Northern Cafe - Hidden Comfort Food Gem in an Industrial Zone If you're willing to trade ambience for flavor, Northern Cafe is absolutely worth the detour. Tucked away in an industrial area, the setting isn't much to look at--think utilitarian rather than cozy--but once the food hits the table, all is forgiven. We showed up for brunch and had to wait about 30 minutes in line, which speaks volumes about its popularity. The staff were friendly and kept things moving, even with the crowd. Now, the food: pure comfort. The wonton soup was rich and satisfying, with plump dumplings and a flavorful broth. The bacon cheeseburger was juicy and indulgent, and the French toast combo hit that sweet-savory balance perfectly. Portions were generous, and everything tasted homemade in the best way. If you're after a brunch spot with gourmet vibes and Instagrammable decor, this isn't it. But if you want hearty, delicious food served with a smile, Northern Cafe delivers. read more

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Very cool location, located right in a lumber yard. Plenty of parking. Wait can be long but they're prompt with cleaning and clearing tables. The cafe is very rustic and cozy, and the servers very helpful. My favourite item was definitely the spicy wonton - not very spicy but so so juicy and flavourful. I would probably skip the hot chocolate though but will definitely come back! read more

I wish I took pictures of where this breakfast spot was at. It was a mission finding where it was located. It's like inside a yard and there's forklifts going left and right. Also it's upstairs in a pretty narrow hallway. The dining area itself wasn't too big and there was a long waitlist. The eggs were closer to over medium instead of over easy. The ham was good. Pancakes were good. Overall pretty standard breakfast. By the looks of how busy this place is, I probably didn't order the most popular item. read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Dining area - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I finally got a chance to try the place. We came here on a Saturday and waited for 1.5 hours for a table. The food was nothing special or mind blowing but what makes them stand out is their friendliness and welcoming service. The chef came over and asked us how we liked their food. He asked if this was our first time here. The owner wants to know his customer and it gives off this warm vibe that makes them stand out. Not many restaurant in Vancouver gives that kind of vibe. We got the wor wonton which came with wonton, bbq pork, noodles and veggies in soup and salmon egg benny. The food was ok but nothing special. Portion size isn't big. I recommend asking for their special in-house hot sauce. I heard the owner mention that he was not the original owner that started the place. The restaurant opened in 1949 and he took over later. It is a hole in the wall. The décor isn't the most prettiest but it does date back to the past which is quite unique. The restaurant is located inside a lumber yard. There are signs everything telling their customers to not park in the lumberyard or else your car would be towed away. I will be back but probably on a weekday and not a weekend. The wait was kind of long on a weekend. read more

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The owner spoke on his business being so popular, mainly because "...they are loved.". A different approach I suppose? I mean, it is poetic but the food was why many people are there. I found this place through IG. It was definitely remote, and luckily it was daytime. If it was darker, you'd think Dexter would be using this spot for his victims. Other than that- it's Vancouver, for crying out loud! Dexters do not exist there! Vancouverians are sweet folks! So for a weekday- it was packed. No parking- even on the streets. make sure you know to parallel park! The customers would Not stop coming in. The turnover with tables were crazy. I was too tempted and ordered wonton soup- what am I crazy!? It was that IG and "story" that made me do it. So what I want to point out is the power of influence with IG and yelp. If it got me to order a wonton soup at a former truck stop canteen for truckers serving brunch items--- then the impact of the internet is capable of anything! The last point that is worth mentioning is that in Vancouver esp in Richmond- 1 really has no need to go out to such remote areas for wonton soups and the like- Richmond is the capital of awesome wonton soups and its relevant cuisine. To get back to the real deal- the owner still encouraged all customers to do google reviews by making us scan a QR code, even though their business was nonstop on a random weekday! I guess it is good to always welcome feedback! Check IG for better visuals from other reviewers. read more

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First time back to Northern Cafe and Grill in 2025. A popular Yelp reviewed cafe tucked away in a lumber yard. Decided to go for the Denver Omelet (Ham, Peppers, Onions, Cheese, Shredded Hash, Toast). Lots of filling to make it a full brunch/breakfast. Always a busy place, so come early or be prepared to wait. read more

A hidden gem among hidden gems! I'm so glad I came across the Northern Cafe on my way to work. It's such a cute little spot and well-deserving of the hype. It reminded me of Bon's Off Broadway but the price point is quite different (Bon's being cheaper). The food was good, and the service was even better! read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Entrance - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

If you haven't been to Northern Cafe yet, you're seriously missing out on one of Vancouver's best-kept secrets--literally hidden above a hardware store since 1949! Voted Yelp's #1 Top Eat in Canada (2023) and #1 in Vancouver (2022), this cozy spot serves up comfort food with a twist that feels like a warm hug in every bite. From crispy bacon and fluffy pancakes to handcrafted wontons and premium gyozas, there's something for every craving--even hearty homemade burgers. We tried: Crispy Onion Ring Beef Burger - Juicy, flavourful, and stacked to perfection ($18) Pancake Combo - Subbed in chocolate chip pancakes for that extra indulgence (+$1.75) and OMG, worth it! Every bite tasted homemade--no oily, preservative-heavy vibes here, just good, honest food that hits the spot. If you're hunting for Vancouver's ultimate brunch + burger combo, this hidden gem should be at the top of your list! Food 5/5 Ambiance Service 5/5 Parking 4.5/5 read more

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With all of the social media hype around this spot, expect a solid wait for a table! Service was very personable and kind with a fun interior. The wontons and dumplings are home made and so delicate and tasty - wonton soup is a must order. Overall, their western items are solid diner fare with decent portions (not as big as influencers make them out to be). For the prices the breakfast and lunch items are average - I believe that prices likely increased with the increasing following. Definitely a fun experience given its location and dishes are good! Hot sauce is LEGIT. read more

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Located in an industrial area. Street parking only. Then you walk into a parking lot. There are signs out so easy to find. You have to walk up stairs and check in. The wait was 1 hr around 9 am arrival on a Saturday. They have QR code to see the menu while you wait. I thought this place was cash only but it's not. Ordered the classic eggs breakfast, eggs benny, pancakes and wonton noodle soup. It was a cool find. The food was ok but I wouldn't wait an hour to eat here. There are more places to check out in little time we had to spend here. read more

Nothing short of a feel good experience. Immediately when I entered to snag a spot on the waitlist, I was met with a welcoming smile and a server who remembered my name the entire dining experience! The wait was around 30 minutes for a party of 3 at 11:30 AM on a random Wednesday. Definitely not as bad as we expected, but I would be cautious about visiting on a weekend in terms of wait times. Food was absolutely amazing! We started with the wontons which were comforting and (as Raymond put it) life changing. We also had the pork gyoza which was probably my favorite menu item (we forgot to take a picture, it was gone in a second). The dumplings reminded me of dumplings I ate at my friend's house growing up whenever her grandma would cook for us. Super good stuff. Breakfast items were also great. The hasbrowns were so crispy and delicious. The bold flavor combination on the french toast was delicious. The pancakes were soft and perfectly sweet. The eggs benny was solid, but I think that impression was just an effect of the stellar dishes around it. My only complaint regarding the food was that the water kinda tasted like soap (from washing the cup I assume) but that's just me reaching for an issue. The service and ambiance were what really made this a 5 star spot for me. I loved the retro vibe and the music selection was absolutely terrific. The service was so personal and attentive, and I loved the casual, friendly, and family-run atmosphere. The servers truly seemed to want us to be there, constantly checking up on us but not rushing us at all to finish eating despite the busy surroundings. Really appreciated this part of the cafe, we felt like we were now a part of this warm family. Ultimate conclusion: if you want good brunch in Vancouver, come here. Best meal and overall experience of my trip here so far. Highly, highly recommend. P.S. They gave us free m&m cookies at the end! read more

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Great food. Cozy vibe and worth the wait. Definitely get mamas dumplings. They are amazing. The French toast was great too. The staff is awesome too. Super friendly. read more

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Had set alarm to wake up early to head to Northern Cafe & Grill to beat the line in. It's my first time and I had to try "this hidden spot everyone is talking about" and highly rated. We got the last available booth and didn't need to join a line, score! The staff are wonderful and friendly. It's breakfast so we both ordered bennys: Veggie Eggs Benny and Ham Eggs Benny. We will be back to try lunch! read more

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No one has an ugly baby ... as the saying goes. There's absolutely nothing mind blowing about the Northern Cafe & Grill, situated in a light industrial area of south Vancouver inside a lumberyard. Do not park in the lumberyard or you'll come back to find a load of lumber placed on the roof of your car! I've been hearing the chatter about the NCG & seen it pop up several times in my news feed on my cell. Is it for real - one of the top restaurants in Canada - or is it simply Big Brother AI listening to me via my cell & pumping out what it thinks is good for me? I asked a friend who knows Metro Vancouver like the back of his hand & he told me he ate here 20 years ago. Said it was good - but he couldn't quite recall why he never went back!? Well here I was with a coworker & we wanted to see what the fuss was all about & if it was really any good. After saying a prayer & asking for another day we went in. Walking into the NCG is like taking a step back in time. It feels like an old 50s diner - vinyl seats, old colour scheme, checkered floor pattern, what feels & appears to be like an angled floor - kinda unnerving. So in regards to the food at the NC, I'd say 'tag it' as one to try out, but definitely don't rush here! Romantics this is definitely not the spot to bring the 'twinkle' in your eye to - unless perhaps lumberyards are your type of vibe!? Please no details necessary. Come for the grub, not the romance. *Golden Age ALERT - I witnessed grandma with a walker & grandpa show up here & believe you me the walk up the stairs was not pretty! While waiting for them to pass by me, my heart stopped several times! Folks there's no escalator & zero elevator here! Be warned! As the saying goes - the early bird gets the best brekkie, so if you don't want to wait an hour or two, get here real early & chow down before everyone else gets here. My friend had the omelette, hash & a side of toast along with two pancakes. He enjoyed it but found the omelette to be a touch salty. I had the Pancake Combo - two blueberry Pancakes, two fried eggs & bacon. My order was on point tasty. Bravo. However, by coming to the NCG, you do get to taste one of the best versions of 'soulfood' in Metro Vancouver. There is a small Hong Kong style menu option (listed on the main menu) as well, if you're craving Asian cuisine. Sorry but although this baby is ugly - it is still much loved. read more

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This is a greasy spoon packed with nostalgia. The food was pretty good. Even with the greasy food, you could taste each element on your plate. It was well balanced. Service was terrific. The staff were so friendly and efficient. The main guy handling incoming guests came around a few times to check in and was super friendly. The ambiance is quaint. It gives old timey diner but is also home-y and warm. It's in an industrial area so it might not be glamourous but it's worth the trip! One thing to note is their hours. They operate from 7-3 on weekdays and 8-3 on Saturday. Saturdays have a waitlist and we ended up waiting 45-60 mins. If you're coming here on Saturdays, come early or plan around a wait. read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Instagram recommended this place. Food is good. Owners are so nice. They call you by name. It's a small place in a lumberyard. If you ever get a chance, stop by. I would do it again. And we even bought a couple of hoodies. read more

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Back again a year later and so happy to say that making the stop to dine is worth the detour. There was a wait and everyone in line made the comment " I'm not moving it's worth the wait" honestly I 100% agreed. Love the staff and tight net of the family. Friendly,attentiveness and outright delicious read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - BLT with an egg - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This place is a true hidden gem. It's actually located inside of a lumber yard. If that fact intrigues you at all, then this place is for you on that basis alone. With its warm, friendly staff, excellent food, and unpretentious decor, this place is like a magical little kingdom accessed through a secret passage. It has serious soul. I had the wonton soup with some of their house made hot sauce. Best wonton soup I've ever had. I'll be coming back here repeatedly. read more

Great place for food. But unfortunately, it doesn't worth 2 hours for waiting table. Their food is ok, but it was missing some flavour and spices. Dumplings soup is good and their salmon benny with avocado is great. Their ambience is cool, love their decor and they way the things seems to falling apart. Loved it!!!! They provide a great customer service and if it was not the waiting time, the experience will be better. read more

Oh my my!!! If you found this place you are an incredibly lucky person. You have unlocked the boss level of amazing home cooked food!!! Let's start with the staff. They are so welcoming and warm. We felt like we were joining family for brunch and the feeling never subsided throughout. Speaking of family, everyone that works here is exactly that. You can feel the love in the service and the food. Oh man, the food!!!! Make sure to come hungry because everything is scrumptious. The gyoza and wontons are ridiculous and by far (like marathon level far) the best thing we ate and we loved everything. I had the chicken and French toast and as weird as it sounds it works. Eat everything together and you will experience nirvana. The pancakes were fluffy and oh so good. The ham beny was good and had a bit of umami that I can't put my finger on. Some people be hating on the location but I thought the charm it provided was perfect. The old time music added to the vibe. Everything is run down but clean and well taken care of (I know that doesn't make sense but you will understand when you come). Some dude gave this place a 1 star because he fell down the stairs and I can see why that happened. The entry is narrow and the steps are uneven but that's just the path you need to take to get to heaven. Not sure if it's clear but we loved this place and will wait whatever time necessary to enjoy again!!! read more

Heard so much about this unique Cafe / Diner from various medias and friends ... its like stepping back in time when you enter into this tiny space which is on top of a lumber yard, location & decor itself is an experience! All the folks here are very friendly, family style through and through!! Dad, and Sons ... Service is fast & coffee is always filled! Food is very homey and not pretentious, true flavour without too much embellishments. Outstanding Egg Benny rich and creamy hollandaise cover a perfectly poached egg! With a cup of hot coffee, what more can you ask for!! Street parking is available, which can be an issue if you come during peak business hours! The restaurant will be closed for winter break from Nov 22, 2023 to Jan 4, 2023. ( Call to confirm if you wish to visit! ) Purely coincident to have a meal there before their break!! For sure we will re-visit again when we are in town!! read more

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My husband and I are visiting from Toronto, and a friend recommended Northern Cafe to us--what a hidden gem in Vancouver! The diner has a cozy, family-oriented vibe, and the owner, Richard, was so friendly and fun to chat with. We ordered the wontons, classic egg breakfast, and smoked salmon eggs Benedict--everything was fresh, delicious, and the portion sizes were great for the price. We're so glad we found this spot and would definitely come back next time we're in town! read more

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Been wanting to come here for awhile now but every time, there is a long line up. Guess it's best to go on a weekday. Got there around 11am and there were 3 booths left. It got busy after we sat down. They have booths in there so it has a diner feel to it. The ceiling is a little low so if you're tall, you will feel that you need to hunch. I'm 6' tall and my head almost touches the ceiling, to give you a perspective. I got the Denver omelet. It has ham, peppers, onions and cheese. It comes with shredded hash, a small potato salad and toast. They give you 3 little jams. It was good. They have a variety of items from breakfast, burgers and some Asian food. read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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This place is in a lumberyard. Fun quirky experience. Highly recommend the wonton soup and gyoza dumplings. Homemade. Excellent service. read more

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Terrible place to be. No parking just find your own out side. Place is very small. Price not cheap food is mediyoga only. Both quality and quality are lacking comparatively .Lot more places are much better. Will not advice to go there. read more

If you're looking for a hole in the wall type of spot, dinery vibes, this is for you. Just went for our first experience and solid breakfast, tasty wonton soup, quick service and the hash was super tasty (crispy bits ). Only downside is the wait (we waited an hour-exactly as they estimated) but heard them asking some people if they had a reservation, so I'm not sure if that's done via phone but if that is an option I'd recommend that route! read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Super fun diner located in the industrial area! There were so many awesome choices from the menu, and we decided to go with a Wonton Egg Noodle Soup ($14), and a Pancake Combo - 2 buttermilk pancake, 2 eggs, 2 bacon OR 2 pork sausage OR 2 ham ($14). We also chatted with our server, and he told us to check out an online article to learn more about them (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/24/vancouver-northern-cafe-best-place-to-eat-canada) - it was super cool learning about their origins and how they came to be! Everything was really delicious and the vibes were awesome! I would love to go back to try their sandwiches! read more

The Northern Cafe and Grill - Cafes Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Fantastic vibes. Perfect greasy spoon! Service was attentive. Highly recommend! They take cash, credit, debit. Parking is a little tricky, but well worth the effort. read more

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Great ambiance (what's better than a breakfast spot in a lumberyard. Super friendly staff. Excellent food. Loved the smoked salmon eggs benie read more

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Dirty restaurant with average food. The stairs to get into the restaurant are filthy. Wonton soup was bland and the hamburger was 50% breadcrumbs and weird seasoning. The sauce on the eggs Benedict says bearnaise. Bearnaise? Like tarragon reduction hollandaise that you put on roasted meats? WHY??? So odd.... The menu is a mish-mash of Asian and diner food. Friendly service but I don't get the hype surrounding this place. Disappointing. Won't be back. read more

Food ***** Customer service***** Ambiance priceless This place gives small town slightly run down, but very well loved diner in the best way. We were greeted by "Uncle Richard" upon entering and given a booth right away. We were checked on many times by multiple staff and Richard made sure to come by and say hi to us and our 3yrs son to make sure we were being cared for and built great repore with all of us. When we were leaving he even asked us(on the spy) if he could give our son a lollipop. We're very full and happy we came and will be coming back again. Also side note there's ample parking in the area which is always a bonus in Vancouver read more

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Second time at this diner and absolutely fabulous food! Great service and lovely cute cozy place and the best breakfasts! Pancakes are soooo good! Come early as line up fills fast but so worth it! read more