There is an abundance of wonderful and freshly roasted coffee to be explored across Vancouver. Dozens of coffee roasters are using their craft to serve Vancouver with some of the best coffee in the world.
Here are the five best coffee roasters in Vancouver that offer the best selection of specialty third wave coffee. We’ve taken into consideration the roaster’s selection variety and overall customer satisfaction.
| Coffee roaster | No. of single origin coffees | No. of cultivars | No. of origin countries |
| Prototype Coffee | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Pallet Coffee Roasters | 15 | 13 | 8 |
| Foglifter Coffee Roasters Ltd. | 7 | 11 | 9 |
| Agro Roasters | 9 | 5 | 8 |
| Nemesis | 8 | 9 | 6 |
1. Prototype Coffee
Prototype Coffee is an absolute must-visit in Vancouver for any third wave coffee enthusiast. They offer 18 single origin coffees from a dozen origin countries, which is one of the largest specialty coffee selections you will find in Vancouver, possibly in all of Canada.
We love that 8 of their single origin roasts are naturally processed, which is uncommon and great news for coffee drinkers who love tropical, floral and fermented flavours in their morning cup.
Prototype has exceptional reviews with many customers specifically mentioning the variety of quality of their freshly roasted beans.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying Concordia, an anaerobic natural processed Gesha coffee from Mexico. This coffee is sourced from producers who won first place in the Mexico Cup of Excellence competition.
It’s from the rare and highly sought-after Gesha bean varietal and is processed in a unique manner. First, the beans are harvested and then rested and oxidized for 12 hours. Next, they undergo a 72-hour anaerobic fermentation using ale yeast.
This combination of a moderately high growing elevation and unique processing method result in this coffee popping with strong floral and tropical flavours like you’ve never tasted before. This coffee is truly one of a kind.
| Average rating | 4.7 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee bag sizes | 100g, 250g |
| Price range | $18.00-$25.00 CAD |
| Processing methods | Natural Anaerobic, Natural, Cold Anaerobic Natural, Washed, Pulped Natural |
| Bean cultivars | Gesha, Kurume, 74110, 74112, Laurina, Yellow Pacamara, Yellow Caturra, Yellow Catuai, SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, Batian, Chiang Mai, Castillo, Yellow Bourbon, Typica Mejorado, Bourbon |
| Number of cultivars | 17 |
| Bean origins | Mexico, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, Thailand, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras |
| Number of origins | 12 |
| Number of single origins | 18 total (8 natural, 10 washed) |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $30.00 CAD |
| Address | 883 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8 |
| coffee@prototypecoffee.ca | |
| Phone | 604-251-6451 |
| Website | https://www.prototypecoffee.ca/ |
| Operating hours | Weekdays: 8am-4pm Weekends: 9am-5pm |
Reviews
There’s this feeling when you walk into a coffee shop for the first time, and you instantly think, “your incoming cup of coffee is in good hands.” I got that feeling at Prototype. They provide the most extensive coffee lineup in the city (a great wide selection of beans for your pour-over choice); they also did right with the simple-designed place. It just takes you back to the essential thing: The coffee drinking experience. I went with Panama Esmeralda Gesha & tried their cinnamon sugar waffle. Oh, I also bought Flat White with oat milk. Best decisions of the day.
Lydia, from Google
Unreal coffee and amazing bean selection. Definitely the place to go if your a coffee connoisseur ☕
Kurt, from Google
2. Pallet Coffee Roasters Inc.
Pallet Coffee Roasters offers an exceptional selection of single origin coffees from a wide variety of origin countries. Coffee drinkers of every kind will find something they love.
Specialty coffee lovers are especially in for a treat due to the range of cultivars and processing methods. It’s one of Vancouver’s highest rated coffee roasters and is sure not to disappoint.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the Diego Robelo, which is a Costa Rican coffee that is processed using a washed molasses fermentation method.
After milling the cherries, the coffee is moved into a stainless steel tank with water and cane sugar molasses. It ferments here for 2-4 days before being depulped and washed.
This unique processing method brings out sweet fruity aromatics that are less common among washed coffees.
| Average rating | 4.8 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee bag sizes | 340g, 5lb |
| Price range | $19.00-$130.00 CAD |
| Processing methods | Washed, Natural, Anaerobic Natural, Molasses Fermentation Washed |
| Bean cultivars | Heirloom, Sidra, Catuai, Yellow Bourbon, Java, Centroamericano, Bourboncito, Kenya, Ruiru 11, SL 28, K7, Batian, Caturra |
| Number of cultivars | 13 |
| Bean origins | Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Honduras |
| Number of origins | 8 |
| Number of single origins | 15 total (10 natural, 5 washed) |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting from $17.10 CAD |
| Address | 395 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1C4 |
| info@palletcoffeeroasters.com | |
| Phone | 604-336-9422 |
| Website | https://palletcoffeeroasters.com/ |
| Operating hours | Monday-Friday: 8am-3pm |
Reviews
I’m a big fan of all locations but this review is specific to the coffee subscription service you all offer. It’s simply amazing – it’s super customizable, deliveries are super flexible and it’s always on time. Your coffee is the best, hands down, here in BC and that subscription service is the cherry on top. Love it 🙂 Keep up, you all rock.
Nicholas, from Google
Fresh, great tasting coffee on the go, as well as a huge selection of roasts to take home! Friendly and helpful staff who are happy to answer any questions and help pick a roast best suited for you!
Jordan, from Google
3. Foglifter Coffee Roasters Ltd.
Foglifter Coffee Roasters is an excellent Vancouver-based roastery that offers a good variety of specialty bean selection. They focus primarily on roasting single origin varieties, with a total of 7 to choose from.
They do not offer naturally processed coffees, which may be a deal breaker for some third wave coffee connoisseurs. However, they do offer two honey processed coffees, which offer similar characteristics are not commonly offered by coffee roasters in Vancouver.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the Ricardo Zelaya Santa Clara, which is a honey processed Borboncito from Guatemala. The honey processing, which is when the coffee bean femrents with its sticky mucilage intact, results in a more fruity and sweeter coffee.
These beans are grown at between 1,550-1,890 MASL, which is a moderately high altitude. This means the coffee plant grows more slowly and the beans grow more densely. This creates a really tasty coffee experience.
| Average rating | 4.7 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee bag sizes | 340g, 2lb, 5lb |
| Price range | $19.25-$99.00 CAD |
| Processing methods | Traditional Giling, Fully Washed, Honey Process |
| Bean cultivars | Catimor, Typica, Caturra, Catuai, Pache San Ramon, Borboncito, Parainema, Bourbon, Villa Sarchi, Pacas, Heirloom |
| Number of cultivars | 11 |
| Bean origins | Indonesia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, Rwanda, Mexico, Colombia, Ethiopia |
| Number of origins | 9 |
| Number of single origins | 7 total (5 washed, 2 honey) |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $45.00 CAD |
| Address | 3590 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3N3 |
| hello@fogliftercoffee.com | |
| Phone | 604-428-9022 |
| Website | https://www.fogliftercoffee.com/ |
| Operating hours | Weekdays: 6am-6pm Weekends: 7am-6pm |
Reviews
Very impressed with their coffee. Had the americano. Note the small and medium have two shots espresso while the large has three shots. Very nice coffee shop on Main Street with pastries and small sandwiches. Would definitely go here again.
Mehr, from Google
Their coffee beans are exceptionally good. Besides their freshness, they are full of aroma, flavorful and balanced. I’ve tried a lot of different beans for my coffee machine, and foglifter by far are my favourite.
Daniel, from Google
4. Agro Roasters
Agro Roasters is a great local roastery for Vancouver specialty coffee lovers. They offer 9 single origin coffees sourced from 8 origin countries.
Those seeking a diversity of flavour profiles might be a little disappointed because 6/9 of their single origin coffees are washed processed and are from just 5 cultivar varieties. However, their customers would agree that the coffee they do offer is exceptionally roasted and absolutely worth the visit.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying Ubaldo Gonzales from Honduras. It’s a black honey processed single origin that pops with nice fruity characteristics and good acidity.
| Average rating | 4.8 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee bag sizes | 340g, 2lb, 5lb |
| Price range | $15.00-$90.00 CAD |
| Processing methods | Washed, Black Honey, Natural, Wet Hulled |
| Bean cultivars | Catuai, Caturra, Bourbon, Pacas, Pache |
| Number of cultivars | 5 |
| Bean origins | Bolivia, Kenya, Honduras, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Indonesia |
| Number of origins | 8 |
| Number of single origins | 9 total (1 natural, 6 washed, 1 honey, 1 wet hulled) |
| Subscription available | No |
| Address | 1359 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1G8 |
| info@agroroasters.com | |
| Phone | 604-785-5447 |
| Website | https://agroroasters.shipsbeans.com/ |
| Operating hours | Monday-Thursday: 8am-3pm Friday: 8am-12pm Weekends: Closed |
Reviews
The value you get buying beans from Agro is absolutely unmatched in Canada. Best taste to price ratio there is. Period. Great tastes, lots of variety, well roasted and very reasonably priced. What more can you want?
Eric, from Google
Favourite local roaster in Vancouver! Their equilibrium espresso is fantastic with or without milk and one of my go to beans. Great customer service as well.
Kevin, from Google
5. Nemesis
Nemesis is a very popular and growing Vancouver roaster that every coffee lover should check out.
What we love most is the appreciation and respect they show to their partner producers. On their website you will find detailed information about the producers they source from, including farm gate prices, partner duration and free on board prices.Coffee recommendation
They don’t offer the biggest selection of coffees. But what they do offer is unique and expertly roasted.
Coffee recommendation
We recommend trying the Ashok Patre from India. It’s made using an aerobic honey processing method, which brings out a unique combination of fresh and funky fruit flavours, such as grape and peach.
| Average rating | 4.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee bag sizes | 250g |
| Price range | $23.00-$26.00 CAD |
| Processing methods | Honey, Semi Washed, Aerobic Honey |
| Bean cultivars | SL28, Catuai, Cauvery, SLN9, Castillo, Wolisho, Dega, Pacas, Maracaturra |
| Number of cultivars | 9 |
| Bean origins | India, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Nicaragua |
| Number of origins | 6 |
| Number of single origins | 8 total (6 washed, 2 honey) |
| Subscription available | Yes, starting at $41.99 CAD |
| Address | Gastown: 302 W Hastings St, Vancouver GNW: 555 Great Northern Way, Vancouver Polygon: 101 Carrie Cates Ct, North Vancouver |
| webstore@nemesis.coffee | |
| Phone | Unknown |
| Website | https://www.nemesis.coffee/ |
| Operating hours | Varies by location |
Reviews
Literally my favorite coffee chain in Vancouver. Their beans are phenomenal, and Dope Bakery really knows what they’re doing. Just tried some of their beans from India. It’s a party in my mouth, and I’m not sure where the party started! So. Good.
Sylvia Google
Great croissants, nice vibes, and atmosphere. Buy their coffee beans as well – delicious and packaged in a nice box. A must-visit when you’re in North Van.
Derrick, from Google
