Richmond is famous for food, and the coffee follows suit. You’ll find serious specialty coffee, Hong Kong-style cafes where milk tea comes with a pineapple bun, Vietnamese drip coffee over condensed milk, and some of the region’s best dessert cafes, all within a short drive of each other. Here’s how a coffee lover approaches it.
Steveston Village
A fishing village turned weekend destination. Grab a coffee, walk the boardwalk, watch the boats unload at Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Steveston Coffee Company (3511 Moncton Street): A village staple right in the middle of the action, ideal before a walk to Garry Point Park.
- Village Books & Coffee House (12031 First Avenue): A bookshop and cafe in one. Bring a few extra dollars, because you won’t leave empty-handed.
- Moncton Street cafes: Several smaller spots line Moncton, some with house-roasted beans. Go early on weekends, when the village fills up.
London Landing and the riverfront
- Sanctuary Cafe (13020 No. 2 Road): A family-run, cycling-friendly cafe near the dyke trail, known for strong coffee, baked treats and Australian-style pies. Perfect after a ride along the river.
City Centre and the No. 3 Road corridor
Richmond Centre, Aberdeen, Parker Place and Lansdowne all sit along the Canada Line, making this the easiest part of Richmond to explore without a car.
- Lion & Fresh Press (6386 No. 3 Road): A city-centre cafe that goes beyond the usual flat white.
- Faebrew (near Parker Place): A small, personal cafe with careful drinks.
- Moving Coffee Roastery and Beanlytics Craft Coffee: Two of the names local specialty fans bring up when someone claims Richmond has no third-wave coffee.
- Matcha Cafe Maiko: Japanese-style matcha soft serve and drinks. Not coffee, but very much part of a Richmond cafe crawl.
Hong Kong-style cafes
A cha chaan teng isn’t a third-wave cafe, but it’s one of Richmond’s great coffee experiences. Order a Hong Kong milk tea or a yuenyeung (coffee and milk tea mixed), a baked pork chop rice or a pineapple bun with butter, and settle in. They’re everywhere along No. 3 Road and Alexandra Road (“Food Street”).
Vietnamese iced coffee
Richmond’s Vietnamese cafes and pho shops serve cà phê sữa đá: dark coffee dripped through a metal phin filter onto sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice. Strong, sweet and perfect on a hot day.
Other spots worth knowing
- River Road Café (11782 River Road): Brazilian snacks with your coffee. Try the pão de queijo.
- L’Aromas (Westminster Highway): A useful stop near Terra Nova Rural Park.
- Hy Tea Patisserie: Tea and pastries for when coffee isn’t the point.
Chains in Richmond
Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Blenz and Waves cluster around the malls, YVR, Ironwood and the Canada Line. The YVR area is busy with travellers. If you’re catching a flight, grab coffee at a Canada Line station cafe before you go through security.
Local tips
- Combine Steveston coffee with the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and a walk to Garry Point.
- Richmond’s summer Night Market season adds bubble tea and specialty drink vendors.
- Parking is easy at most plazas, unlike most of Vancouver.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I get coffee in Steveston?
Steveston Coffee Company and Village Books & Coffee House are reliable starting points in the village.
Does Richmond have specialty coffee?
Yes. Moving Coffee Roastery, Beanlytics, Sanctuary Cafe and several City Centre cafes serve specialty coffee.
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.
Nearby: Delta cafes and Vancouver cafes.
