Café Kitsuné is what happens when a Paris-Tokyo fashion and music label decides it also wants to serve you a flat white. The Franco-Japanese brand opened its first Canadian store and cafe side by side on Water Street in 2021, and the cafe has become one of Gastown’s most stylish places to sit with a coffee, especially if you like your latte with a side of design.
Café Kitsuné at a glance
| Address | 157 Water Street, Vancouver, BC (boutique next door at 159) |
| Neighbourhood | Gastown, on the main cobblestone stretch of Water Street |
| Type | Design-led cafe by day, wine and sake bar feel later |
| Known for | Fox-shaped shortbread, matcha, natural wine and sake, Kitsuné merch |
| Best for | Style-minded coffee dates, visitors, a treat between Gastown shops |
| Price | $$–$$$ |
| Nearest SkyTrain | Waterfront Station (about 5 minutes on foot) |
Location and getting there
The cafe sits in a rehabilitated heritage building on the busiest block of Water Street, a few doors from the steam clock and surrounded by Gastown’s design and fashion boutiques. The building’s upstairs tenants include tech offices, so weekday mornings bring a steady stream of workers. From Waterfront Station it’s a five-minute stroll east along Water.
What Café Kitsuné offers
- Coffee: Espresso drinks, filter and iced options, made carefully and served in branded cups that half the customers photograph.
- Matcha: A strong matcha program, hot or iced, plus seasonal specials that nod to Japanese flavours.
- Pastries: The fox-shaped shortbread cookie is the signature souvenir. Sweet and savoury pastries round out the case.
- Wine, sake and small plates: The Vancouver cafe launched with a menu of internationally influenced small plates and a curated list of natural wines, sakes and cocktails, a rare combination for a Gastown coffee shop.
- Retail: Café Kitsuné Objets (mugs, tote bags, apparel), coffee beans and pantry items, plus the full Maison Kitsuné boutique next door.
The vibe
The space was designed by Kitsuné co-founder Masaya Kuroki, who drew on mid-century Vancouver lakeside houses: oak panelling against raw concrete, walnut tables, a brushed stainless counter and flashes of orange leather that echo the brand’s fox logo. It’s calm, polished and photogenic without feeling cold. Expect a well-dressed crowd, visitors with shopping bags and the occasional DJ night tied to the brand’s music label.
What to order
- Classic pairing: A latte and a fox shortbread.
- Not a coffee person: Iced matcha latte.
- Late afternoon: A glass of natural wine or sake, if it’s on.
Who it’s best for
Café Kitsuné is ideal if you value atmosphere and design as much as the coffee itself: a stylish date, a treat while shopping Water Street, or a break with a visiting friend who loves fashion. Hard-core coffee hunters may prefer the roaster-driven bars a few blocks away, and budget-minded students will find better value elsewhere.
How it compares with nearby cafes
Compared with Timbertrain or Revolver, Kitsuné is less about the origin of the beans and more about the experience. Compared with Monaco Cafe down the street, it’s sleeker and more brand-driven, while Monaco feels more like a neighbourhood European cafe.
Tips from a regular
- Weekend afternoons are busiest with shoppers. Mornings are quieter.
- The shortbread makes a good small gift; buy a few to take home.
- Check the brand’s social channels for evening events.
Find Café Kitsuné Vancouver
- Address: 157 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
- Neighbourhood: Gastown
- Map: Open Café Kitsuné Vancouver in Google Maps
Hours change seasonally, so confirm on the café’s own channels before you visit.
Nearby cafes in Gastown
- WaffleLand Café at the other end of Water Street for waffles and hot chocolate.
- Monaco Cafe at the flatiron corner for pastries and gelato.
- Timbertrain Coffee Roasters on Cordova for house-roasted coffee.
Explore more
Plan a full morning with the Gastown cafe guide, browse the Vancouver cafe guide, or brush up on the difference between a cortado and a flat white in our espresso drinks guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Café Kitsuné Vancouver the first in Canada?
Yes. The Gastown cafe and boutique, opened in 2021, were the brand’s first in Canada.
What should I order at Café Kitsuné?
A latte or matcha with the signature fox-shaped shortbread.
Does Café Kitsuné serve alcohol?
The Vancouver cafe launched with natural wine, sake and cocktails. Check the current menu, as offerings can change.
Last checked November 2026. Hours and menus change, so check the cafe’s own website or Instagram before you go. Spot something out of date? Let us know.
