A wave of independent coffee shops has spilled across Metro Vancouver in recent years. And while Richmond might be better known for its multitudinous bubble tea shops, the city is also home to some intriguing coffee shops, each with their own dedicated followings.
We’ve taken the stress out of hunting down your next caffeinated beverage with the following list of must-try local coffee shops. Read on for details, then head out on your own citywide coffee crawl!
Rocanini Coffee Roasters
#115 - 3900 Moncton Street
Steveston Village isn’t just about great fish and chips; you’ll also find several inviting coffee shops to satisfy your caffeine cravings. Perhaps the hippest of the bunch, Rocanini Coffee Roasters serves drinks crafted from beans processed in its own Vancouver roastery. From espresso to cold brew and from lattes to siphon coffees, there’s an extensive menu of options (plus pastries and sandwiches) to dive into. Snag a window seat and watch over the bustling Moncton Street and No.1 Road intersection, or grab a drink to go—their beautifully designed cups are very photogenic.
Rocanini is one of Richmond's hippest coffee shops. | Photo: Tourism Richmond
Sanctuary Cafe
#160 - 13020 No. 2 Road
You don’t have to be a bike fan to check out Sanctuary Cafe. But this cycling-themed coffee shop, located not far from the riverfront in London Landing, is the perfect pit stop if you’re planning a scenic shoreline ride. With its faux brick walls and rustic chic feel—as well as a handful of cool bicycle frames mounted on the walls as artwork—there’s a European café ambiance here that invites laid-back chats over great coffee and baked treats. It's the kind of friendly place you wish was in your neighbourhood.
Village Books & Coffee House
#130 – 12031 First Avenue
This is probably one of the coziest spots in historic Steveston to get a cup of coffee—even more so if you’re also a bookworm at heart. Filled to the ceiling with well-priced books, Village Books & Coffee House has been serving locals for over 30 years and is a wonderful spot to get lost in the thousands of books available on the shelves. The coffee here is brewed with locally-roasted beans from 49th Parallel, ensuring a velvety smooth beverage. We suggest trying the Canuck Latte, along with one of the delicious baked goods they serve.
Steveston Coffee Company
3511 Moncton Street
A stalwart of the Richmond coffee scene from the days when artisan java was barely on the menu in Metro Vancouver, this Steveston Village charmer has a loyal following in the village and beyond. Drop by Steveston Coffee Company for all the standard coffee classics plus a hearty menu of bagels, breakfast items, and fortifying sandwiches. Sunny day? Grab a coffee to go and head over to Garry Point Park for a scenic walk, or spend dome time exploring the many cool shops dotted throughout the village.
Faebrew
#140 - 4328 No. 3 Road
Like no other Lower Mainland coffee shop, this warm and welcoming hangout is as much about communing with owner Vincent Wong as it is about sampling the amazing coffee he prepares. As soon as you arrive at Faebrew, he’ll start chatting with you about the kind of coffee you like or the mood you’re in, aiming to ascertain the perfect beverage for you. There’s no price list, but your coffee—made from a personally-ground batch of fine beans from regions such as Kenya or Guatemala—typically costs around $15. For that, you’ll get to slow down, sip an amazing brew, and chat with Vincent about coffee and life in what feels like his living room. Looking for a unique Richmond coffee experience? You just found it.
Vincent working his magic at Faebrew. | Photo: John Lee
Fresh Press
#121 - 4940 No. 3 Road
A hidden gem not far from the Canada Line’s Lansdowne Station, this white-tiled corner coffee bar is a warming oasis on dull, rainy days. Step inside Fresh Press for the smiling staff, jazzy soundtrack, and boutique array of treats and pastries—ranging from matcha shortbread cookies to dainty macrons and rich chocolate mousse cakes. Grab one of the tiny tables so you can stay a while, sipping your well-made beverage and flicking through a book. It’s the kind of place you’ll easily find yourself settling into for far longer than you anticipated.
The Story Café
2800 Sexsmith Road
Converting a garage into a new concept restaurant space is no easy feat, and opening it during a pandemic made things even harder. Despite this, The Story Café has been able to consistently draw (appropriately distanced) visitors throughout these past few months. Originally envisioned as a live music venue with a bustling nightlife, the owners pivoted and focused on their brunch, lunch, dinner, pastries, and coffee offerings. We’re partial to the flat white, paired with a freshly baked almond croissant and their fried chicken bennies—a great combination for brunch!
R Ki Coffee Lab
#110 – 8280 Lansdowne Road
R Ki Coffee Lab is tucked away next to Spa Versante on Lansdowne Road. Offering house-made desserts alongside an excellent selection of coffee beans from around the world, this is one charming café you won’t want to miss. Their menu of espresso-based drinks includes the usual lattes and cappuccinos, but the secret is in their house blend. Made from a mix of beans from Columbia, Brazil, Rwanda, and Guatemala, these beans are roasted in-house and create an extremely smooth cup of coffee. Try their original latte to get the full experience of this special blend.
Banh Mi Tres Bon
If a regular cup of coffee just isn’t doing it for you, why not try a Vietnamese iced coffee? Made with a drip filter, hot water is added to coarsely ground espresso beans, which then drips down into a glass with some sweetened condensed milk at the bottom. Once the coffee is done brewing, you simply mix it up and pour it over ice to enjoy a deliciously strong cup of iced coffee. Though you could order this at just about any Vietnamese restaurant, Banh Mi Tres Bon uses a unique blend of Robusta and Arabica dark roast beans to create the perfect flavour profile required for this strong cup of coffee. Taking care to use only organic beans, the restaurant spent six months searching for the right blend of whole beans to create their signature Vietnamese iced coffee. Pair it with a house-made macaron for an afternoon treat!
Origo Club
#110 - 6888 River Road
Please note that Origo Club is currently only open for table d’hôte meal pickup and delivery, but we'd be remiss to leave it off this list.
Origo Club's ‘pour over’ option is the perfect way to test your coffee connoisseurship: amazing single origin beans ground for your order and prepared in a pure, flavour-revealing manner. Like sampling fine wine, the trick is to slow down, read the tasting notes and savour the subtle, often fruity nuances. Pour over prices start at $7 but the experience is a revelation: you’ll never drink coffee in the same way again.
A perfectly prepared pour over at Origo Club. | Photo: John Lee
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