LIMA CAFE DESSERT & COFFEE SHOP has been winning over Burnaby sweet-tooths since it opened in 2017, known for its Peruvian-inspired pastries and single-origin coffee. Walk in and you’ll notice the display case first: sixteen to twenty fresh items daily, from alfajores to tres leches squares, each clearly labelled with ingredients and allergy notes. It’s the kind of neighbourhood pastelería that feels like it was recommended by a friend.

Their menu blends Latin flavours with classic bakery favourites. Expect house-made churros filled to order, passionfruit tarts, and a signature lucuma cheesecake that often sells out by mid-afternoon. Savoury options include empanadas with slow-braised beef or vegetarian cheese and spinach, available in dozen orders for gatherings. Coffee is taken seriously here, with a La Marzocco espresso machine and beans from a Vancouver roaster, offered as single-origin pour-overs or creamy cortados. They also stock locally made gelato in rotating flavours and Colombian single-origin beans for retail purchase.

Service is friendly and efficient. The bakers start at 4:30 a.m. to ensure pastries are fresh for morning commuters, and the baristas will happily suggest a pastry and coffee pairing based on your preference. The team includes two certified pastry chefs, one with formal training from a culinary school in Lima, who develops seasonal recipes and trains junior staff. Orders for celebration cakes are customised, with options for gluten-sensitive cakes given 48 hours notice.

LIMA CAFE is rooted in Burnaby, catering to office catering, school bake sale orders, and weekend markets at the nearby outdoor community centre. Locals choose them for dependable quality, clear ingredient labels, and that warm, personal service that makes a quick coffee run feel like catching up with a neighbour. Phone: 672-966-7002.