VC09 - Best Breakfasts

Medina Café
556 Beatty St., Crosstown, Vancouver, BC
604-879-3114
There are only so many hash browns, orange slivers, and parsley bunches any late-riser can face in life. Open your world to the all-day brekkie at Café Medina, the Belgian/North African café next door to parent resto Chambar. The accent is on savoury, with plates of eggs mixed with smoked black cod (oeufs cocottes), duck sausage (cassoulet), or braised short ribs (fricassé) snugged up to arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, fennel-onion salad, and other creatures of the night. Perch an Americano alongside and — why not? — one of the specialty waffles: fig-orange marmalade and milk chocolate-lavender come highly recommended.

Caffé Barney
• 2975 Granville St., South Granville, Vancouver, BC, 604-731-6446
• 2526 Main St., South Main, Vancouver, BC, 604-568-0426
Weekend-brunch types are hyping laid-back Caffè Barney too much — please take yourselves off to Sophie’s Cosmic Café or Slickety Jim’s Chat ’n’ Chew instead. Weekdays, Barney’s all-day breakfasts (identical at both locations) belong to the regulars, in all their Benny, omelette, and frittata splendour. Bottomless coffee and a decent span of brews are on tap. Energy levels are decent midweek. Weekends? Forget it.

Provence Marinaside
21177 Marinaside Cres., Yaletown, Vancouver, BC
604-681-4144
Two words: French toast. Provence Marinaside makes a French toast — with soft baguette, cinnamon sugar, and whipping cream — so mind-flayingly splendid it’s worthy of its own religion. Bay windows and a wraparound patio offer striking Yaletown views; the warm pastry basket brims with croissants, good butter, and preserves.

Nu
1661 Granville St., False Creek, Vancouver, BC
604-646-4668
One of the city’s best brunches is served at this oceanside room overlooking False Creek. Savoury wild salmon and Dungeness crab Bennys are standouts; the Brie and black truffle omelette on warm brioche, topped with a port reduction, is ridiculously indulgent. Thoughtful touches like the mini scones served with a shot of drinking chocolate will have you floating out the door.