There’s a small cafe on Carrall Street where you can watch cacao beans turn into chocolate bars, drink coffee roasted on site, and know that every dollar you spend supports women in the Downtown Eastside. East Van Roasters has been doing exactly that since April 2013, and it’s one of the most meaningful, and delicious, stops in Gastown.
East Van Roasters at a glance
| Address | 319 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC (in the historic Rainier Hotel) |
| Neighbourhood | Gastown, between Cordova and Hastings |
| Type | Chocolate maker, coffee roaster and cafe; registered charity and social enterprise |
| Known for | Bean-to-bar chocolate, drinking chocolate, house-roasted coffee |
| Best for | Chocolate lovers, meaningful gifts, a small sweet coffee stop |
| Price | $$ |
| Nearest SkyTrain | Waterfront Station (about 10 minutes on foot) |
Location and getting there
You’ll find East Van Roasters on the ground floor of the Rainier Hotel on Carrall Street, right next door to Nelson the Seagull. It’s a short walk from Maple Tree Square and the eastern end of Water Street. Seating is limited (the cafe opened with about 20 seats), so think of it as a stop rather than a hangout.
What East Van Roasters offers
- Bean-to-bar chocolate: Single-origin bars made from direct and fair-trade cacao, roasted, winnowed and ground on site. The shop’s chocolate won silver and bronze at the International Chocolate Awards World Final in 2019.
- Drinking chocolate: Rich, house-made and the signature order, especially on a cold day.
- Coffee: Specialty coffee roasted in house and served as espresso drinks and drip.
- Truffles, baking and gifts: Hand-rolled truffles, cookies, seasonal gift boxes and merch.
- Pay it forward: A suspended-coffee program lets you buy a drink for a community member.
The mission
East Van Roasters is operated by PHS Community Services Society, a non-profit housing and health agency. It provides flexible, supportive training and employment for women who have faced challenges living in the Downtown Eastside, and proceeds go back into that work. It’s a rare case where the good cause and the good product are equally strong reasons to visit.
The vibe
Small, warm and personal, with reclaimed church pews and vintage chairs in its early fit-out and windows into the chocolate-making process. Staff are proud of what they make and happy to explain how a bar goes from bean to wrapper.
What to order
- Cold day: A drinking chocolate.
- Coffee and sweet: An espresso drink with a truffle.
- Take-home: A couple of single-origin bars to taste side by side.
Who it’s best for
Anyone shopping for a gift with meaning, chocolate lovers, and visitors who want to support the neighbourhood they’re exploring. It’s not a laptop cafe and not ideal for groups.
How it compares with nearby cafes
Next door, Nelson the Seagull is the place for a sit-down breakfast; East Van Roasters is the sweet stop before or after. For a different chocolate experience, compare it with Mink downtown, a chocolate bar-and-cafe concept near Waterfront.
Tips
- Hours are daytime and may not include every day of the week. Check before you go.
- Gift boxes sell well around Valentine’s Day, Easter and the holidays.
Find East Van Roasters
- Address: 319 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC
- Neighbourhood: Gastown
- Map: Open East Van Roasters in Google Maps
- Website: eastvanroasters.com
Hours change seasonally, so confirm on the café’s own channels before you visit.
Nearby cafes
- Nelson the Seagull, next door.
- Milano Espresso Lounge and The Birds & The Beets on Powell.
- Sadacci Cafe on East Cordova.
Explore more
Plan your route with our Gastown cafe guide or explore the whole city in the Vancouver cafe guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is East Van Roasters a charity?
Yes. It’s a registered charity and social enterprise operated by PHS Community Services Society.
Does East Van Roasters make its own chocolate?
Yes, bean to bar, on site in Gastown.
Does East Van Roasters serve coffee?
Yes, specialty coffee roasted in house, along with drinking chocolate.
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.
