A Starbucks has stood across the street from Continental Coffee for decades, and Continental has never needed to worry. The family business at Commercial and East 2nd has been roasting and pouring since 1979, when Anita, the Canadian-born daughter of Italian immigrants, left her job at a bank on the Drive and returned to the family trade. The family describes six generations of coffee roasting, the first three in Italy, and you can taste that continuity in every cup.
At a glance
| Address | 1806 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A5 (at East 2nd Avenue) |
| Neighbourhood | Commercial Drive / Little Italy |
| Type | Family-run roaster café |
| Known for | House-roasted beans, lattes, loyal locals |
| Best for | A great everyday coffee, buying beans, people-watching |
| Price | $ |
| Transit | Commercial–Broadway Station, about 6 minutes on foot |
Location and getting there
Continental sits on a busy corner of the Drive’s Italian stretch, with floor-to-ceiling windows onto the street. Café Calabria is a block north, Prado is two blocks south, and Commercial–Broadway Station is an easy walk.
What Continental offers
- House-roasted coffee: The family roasts its own beans, and the shop started with a strong wholesale business supplying local restaurants.
- Espresso drinks: Lattes are a local favourite; regulars describe them as “not fancy, just really good.”
- Beans to go: Many customers come just for bags of coffee.
- Pastries: A small selection to go with your cup.
The vibe
Unpretentious, busy and neighbourly, with steady local regulars and soft music. It’s packed at peak times, when the line is half people ordering drinks and half buying beans. The big windows make it a good people-watching perch.
What to order
- Everyday: A latte.
- Purist: A double espresso.
- Take-home: A pound of the house blend, ground for your brewer.
Who it’s best for
Locals who want a dependable, affordable cup, home brewers buying beans, and anyone curious about the family businesses that built the Drive’s coffee culture.
How it compares
Compared with Café Calabria, Continental is calmer and more focused on the coffee and beans. Compared with Turk’s, it’s more traditional. For modern light roasts, try Moja.
Find Continental Coffee
- Address: 1806 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A5
- Neighbourhood: Commercial Drive
- Map: Open Continental Coffee in Google Maps
- Website: continental-coffee.ca
Hours change seasonally, so confirm on the café’s own channels before you visit.
Nearby cafes on the Drive
Explore more
See the Commercial Drive cafe guide and our brewing methods guide for getting the most out of those beans.
Frequently asked questions
Does Continental Coffee roast its own beans?
Yes, the family roasts its own coffee and sells it by the bag.
How long has Continental Coffee been on Commercial Drive?
Since 1979.
Where is Continental Coffee?
At 1806 Commercial Drive, at East 2nd Avenue.
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.
