Commercial Drive was Vancouver’s Little Italy, and the espresso bars that served its Italian community still set the tone. Old men argue over soccer at Caffè Calabria, students camp at Prado, and roasters like Moja sit a few blocks away. It’s the most fun street in the city to drink coffee on.
The Italian classics
- Café Calabria (1745 Commercial Drive): Opened in 1976 by an Italian immigrant family and still the Drive’s living room. Statues, chandeliers, strong cappuccino. An institution.
- Continental Coffee (1806 Commercial Drive): A family roaster on the Drive since 1979. Packed inside, and plenty of people come just to buy beans.
- Turk’s Coffee Bar (1276 Commercial Drive): A small, funky coffee bar run under Milano’s Brian Turko. Order the hedgehog mocha.
- Renzo Coffee Bar (1301 Commercial Drive): A neighbourhood espresso bar at Charles Street.
Modern Drive
- Moja Coffee (1102 Commercial Drive): The North Shore roaster’s Drive cafe, with brewing options from AeroPress to Chemex. Full profile.
- Prado (1938 Commercial Drive): A minimalist box near Broadway that’s always full of creative types and laptops.
- Livia (1399 Commercial Drive): An airy daytime cafe with expertly made coffee, bread and baking that becomes an intimate pasta spot at night.
- Bump n Grind (916 Commercial Drive): Coffee, tea and neighbourhood energy at the north end.
- The Bunny Cafe (1696 Venables Street): Our profile of this one-of-a-kind cafe just off the Drive.
Nearby: Clark Drive and East Hastings
- Agro Roasters (550 Clark Drive): Hard to miss with its black-and-white geometric exterior.
- Prototype (883 East Hastings): The city’s most experimental cafe. Full profile.
Local tips
- Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain is at the south end of the Drive. Walk north.
- Italian Day in June and big soccer matches turn the Drive into a party.
- Pick up Italian groceries and a sandwich at the Drive’s delis to go with your coffee.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the oldest cafe on Commercial Drive?
Caffè Calabria, opened in 1976, is the best-known historic espresso bar on the Drive.
Where’s the best specialty coffee on Commercial Drive?
Moja and Prado for modern specialty coffee, Continental for beans to take home.
Last checked November 2026. Cafes change hours, owners and addresses often, so check a cafe’s own Instagram or Google listing before making a special trip. Know a spot we missed? Tell us.
More Vancouver guides: Mount Pleasant · Commercial Drive · Kitsilano · All Vancouver
