The term ‘hidden gem’ is tossed around a lot, but it’s never been more true for this restaurant. Literally described as ‘hidden’ by its owners, this Vancouver brunch spot is nestled above a hardware store in a secretive location at 1640 E. Kent Avenue South.
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But its hiddenness hardly matters when word of mouth moves as fast as it does in Vancouver. 77 years after being established and 18 years after changing owners, Northern Café has become one of Vancouver’s most raved-about gems with food that people are willing to line up for hours for.
Northern Café
Northern Café is one of the best places to get breakfast classics with a twist of Asian-inspired flavours. It’s a stand-out spot with a unique mix of tastes from the East and the West, bringing together all the best parts of the breakfast from different parts of the world. Whether you’re looking for crispy bacon or premium gyoza, Northern Café will have it.
The restaurant is owned by husband and wife duo Jimmy and Connie Mah, and is operated with the help of their sons Raymond and Richard. These are the folks who truly make this restaurant special. With their amazing culinary skills and warm hospitality, Vancouverites are constantly raving about how amazing Northern Café is. It’s so popular that you could be waiting up to one to two hours just for lunch.
Major publications have noticed, too. The restaurant has earned accolades like Vancouver Magazine’s 2025 “Best Brunch” winner, Yelp’s #1 Top Eat in Canada 2023, and Yelp’s #1 Top Eat in Vancouver 2022. In a city (and country) packed with delicious cuisine, it’s no exaggeration to say that Northern Café is near the top of it all.
What’s On The Menu?
Breakfast, obviously. But beyond that, you can also get burgers and home-cooked Asian classics.
Northern Café themselves list their 7 must-try dishes on their website. This includes:
- Handmade Pork Gyoza
- Mama’s Wonton Soup
- Smoked-Salmon Eggs Benny
- Fried Chicken & French Toast
- Blueberry Pancakes
- Northern Deluxe Burger
- Meat-Lover’s Omelette
If all of this sounds delicious to you (and be honest, it does), then be sure to check out Northern Café at 1640 E Kent Avenue S, Vancouver.
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