Italian-immigrant strip turned multicultural eat street between Venables and Broadway. Lupo Mercato, Caffe Calabria espresso, Federico's Supper Club, Havana Cuban patios.
Prado Cafe on Commercial Drive is the Drive's reference espresso bar since 2008, 49th Parallel beans and a sun-trap south-facing patio with a community feel.
Signature drink: Cortado
Tip: Pour-overs from the slow bar at the counter; the patio takes laptops in the morning.
Moja Coffee's Drive branch is the Korean-roaster's second Vancouver location, North Van flagship since 2014, a Specialty Coffee Association certified roaster.
Signature drink: Drip filter
Tip: The cold-brew tap pours through the summer; benches on the sidewalk catch afternoon sun.
Caffe La Tana on Commercial Drive from chefs Paul Grunberg and Lucais Syme since 2019 is a Roman-style daytime cafe and evening wine bar with house-made.
Signature drink: Espresso macchiato
Tip: Daytime espresso bar turns into a natural-wine and amaro bar after 17:00; sit at the marble counter for the pasta of the day.
Moja Coffee on Commercial Drive is the Korean-roaster's Vancouver branch since 2018 plus the North Van flagship from 2014, a Specialty Coffee Association.
Tip: The Korean-influenced syrups (yuzu, condensed milk) are the bar's calling card; bean retail at the till.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Caffe La Tana from chefs Paul Grunberg and Lucais Syme runs as a Roman daytime cafe and evening wine bar since 2019, Italian deep cuts and an amaro program.
Signature pour: Amarone della Valpolicella by the glass
Wine focus: Italian, natural and classic, growers' Champagne
Food: Pasta, antipasti, amaro list
Tip: Counter walks in for the antipasti and a glass; the back room books for the pasta tasting on Tock.
Havana on Commercial Drive since 1996 is the city's reference Cuban-Caribbean cocktail bar, the patio strip's longest-running corner room with a back gallery.
Signature drink: Cuban mojito
Food: Cuban-Caribbean small plates
Tip: The patio takes walk-ins for the mojito and Cuban sandwich pairing; back gallery for late-night live music.
Trout Lake Farmers Market in East Van's John Hendry Park is Vancouver Farmers Markets' Saturday flagship since 1995, 60+ BC growers and bakers.
Tip: Cash and card accepted; arrive by 10:30 for the strongest produce selection. Live music plays through the morning.