THE CAFE has been a neighbourhood staple in Burnaby for six years, known for its single-origin espresso and relaxed, bookable workspace. Walk in and you’ll notice the 1,200 square foot space filled with natural light, locally sourced artwork, and a long La Marzocco Linea Classic that the baristas use to pull espresso to order. They roast a house blend on site every month, and their coffee programme includes three single-origin options that rotate with the seasons.

On the menu you’ll find more than coffee. Expect signature drinks like the Burnaby Maple Latte, made with local maple syrup and 2 per cent milk, and the Cold Brew Nitro, steeped 18 hours for a smooth finish. They bake daily pastries from scratch, including almond croissants and a savoury cheddar-scallion scone. For lunch they offer sandwiches on house-baked sourdough, a vegan chickpea salad, and a rotating soup that changes weekly. They also stock Stumptown and a small selection of loose-leaf teas for non-coffee drinkers.

The team at THE CAFE are coffee professionals who train in-house for at least 40 hours before working the espresso bar. They calibrate grinders and shot times every morning and keep tasting notes on each roast, so what you order at 9 am tastes the same at 3 pm. Service is friendly and unhurried; staff will recommend a drink to match your taste, or set you up with a drip brewer for a weekend brew at home. Free Wi-Fi and several communal tables make it a good spot for remote work or casual meet-ups.

Locals choose THE CAFE because it feels like a living room that cares about coffee. They host monthly community nights with local musicians and a quarterly charity drive supporting Burnaby food programs. Drop by 7 days a week, or call to place an order: 604-420-0210.