Some downtown cafés compete on beans. Mink competes on chocolate, and it wins. Founded in 2007 by Marc Liebermann, who studied chocolatiers in San Francisco, Montreal, New York and Tokyo before opening, the West Hastings café has become the place office workers, hotel guests and date-night couples go when coffee alone won’t do. Its Mermaid bar was named the best chocolate bar at the 2014 International Chocolate Salon in San Francisco.
At a glance
| Address | 863 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC (at Hornby) |
| Neighbourhood | Downtown, between the Financial District and Coal Harbour |
| Type | Chocolate café and bar |
| Known for | Artisan chocolate bars, drinking chocolate, fondue, table-side s’mores |
| Best for | Dates, gifts, a chocolate fix with your espresso |
| Price | $$–$$$ |
| Nearest SkyTrain | Waterfront or Burrard Station, about 5 minutes |
Location and getting there
Mink sits on West Hastings at Hornby, a short walk from Waterfront Station, Canada Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre. If you’re staying at a downtown hotel or finishing a day at the cruise terminal, it’s one of the closest serious treats.
What Mink offers
- Chocolate bars and bonbons: Small-batch bars and original-art bonbons made with Cacao Barry chocolate. Many are gluten-free.
- Drinking chocolate: Thick, rich and the house signature.
- Fondue and s’mores: Order the s’mores and toast your marshmallows at the table, a playful date idea.
- Coffee: Espresso drinks and drip, plus Mink-branded beans and mugs.
- Treats: Waffles, parfaits, toffee and spreads.
The vibe
A clean, minimalist café rather than a glass-counter chocolate shop, with the bars displayed to one side and tables for lingering. Weekdays bring office workers; evenings and weekends bring couples and visitors. It has a covered outdoor area that’s pleasant in cherry-blossom season.
What to order
- Cold day: A classic drinking chocolate.
- Date: Table-side s’mores to share.
- Gift: A Mermaid bar plus a couple of seasonal bars.
- Coffee lover: A mocha made with Mink chocolate.
Who it’s best for
Couples, anyone shopping for a gift with local roots, and visitors who want a sweet experience near Canada Place. It’s pricier than a regular café, and the focus is chocolate, so purists after a light-roast pour-over should look elsewhere.
How it compares
Vancouver has two great chocolate cafés near the downtown core with very different personalities. Mink is polished and playful; East Van Roasters in Gastown makes bean-to-bar chocolate as a social enterprise. For coffee and doughnuts instead, try 49th Parallel on Thurlow.
Tips
- Mink has had a second café at Morgan Crossing in South Surrey; see our Surrey guide.
- Bars travel well and make easy souvenirs for visitors.
- Prices add up quickly; sharing is a good strategy.
Find TC Mink Chocolate Café
- Address: 863 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
- Neighbourhood: Downtown
- Map: Open TC Mink Chocolate Café in Google Maps
- Website: minkchocolates.com
Hours change seasonally, so confirm on the café’s own channels before you visit.
Nearby cafes
- Bella Gelateria, a few minutes away in Coal Harbour.
- 49th Parallel Thurlow.
- Bel Café at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia.
Explore more
See the Downtown Vancouver cafe guide and Coal Harbour cafe guide. What’s a mocha exactly? Our espresso drinks guide explains.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mink Chocolates known for?
Award-winning artisan chocolate bars, drinking chocolate and table-side s’mores. Its Mermaid bar won best chocolate bar at the 2014 International Chocolate Salon.
Does Mink have gluten-free chocolate?
Yes, many of Mink’s chocolates are gluten-free. Ask staff for details.
Is Mink close to Canada Place?
Yes, it’s about a five-minute walk from Canada Place and Waterfront Station.
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.
