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Café Calabria

3.6 (114 reviews)
Open • 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

Café Calabria Photos

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CAFÉ CALABRIA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Café Calabria

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Large hot chocolate milk with whipped cream (that I ruined before taking the picture lol)
Thu P.

Review based on hot chocolate only. Got a hot chocolate here since my partner was craving! It was $6 flat for a large hot milk chocolate. Cash only. The hot chocolate was okay--hit the spot enough. But it was way too milky and not very dense with chocolate flavour. Perhaps on the sweeter side as well (but not sweet with chocolate, sweet with sugar). Service was quick and friendly. It was a bustling café with all the seats filled up on a Sunday afternoon. They also serve gelato, which is neat!

Beautiful tasting desserts
Mitch R.

The second time was as good as the first. I went out of my norm and I induldged in a Rum & Raisin Gelato absolutely delicious.

Spumone & Rum Raisin Gelato
Dana S.

I'm so glad to have found this gem! The place is oozing Italian charm, from the gratuitous decoration to the music to the selection of Italian cookies and gelato. The owner is so nice and obviously has poured a lot of love into the place. I came around 7 for dinner and the shop was initially empty except for myself and one other person, which surprised me, but soon after I sat down, customers started trickling in, many of whom seemed to be regulars. Regular or not, everyone was given the same attention and amiability from the owner. I had a decaf almond milk latte, a vegetarian panini, and some gelato. The latte ($4) was simple and done just right, the espresso had a pleasant taste. The panini was great! Lots of vegetables, fresh and flavourful, and I loved the optional hot pepper relish. This was $10 but it was pretty big! I was also very happy with the gelato! I ordered 2 scoops, spumone and rum raisin, expecting the scoops to be about the same size as they are at most gelato shops in Vancouver (tiny), but the owner looked like he was actively trying to get as much gelato as possible onto the scoop when he served me, and the scoops were probably twice the size that I was expecting for about the same price ($7). The gelato was delicious and had a good consistency. It's super rare for me to be in the Commercial Drive/Little Italy area, but I really hope to be back here some day!

Latte Macchiato
Kira J.

Finally found a place where I can speak Italian! Be prepared, cash only but there are a ton of banks nearby. Coffee is really good and such good prices! They also have a ton of seating inside. I have to come back to try all the bakery items. They looked seclusion's. I got a latte macchiato and loved it.

Sandwich to died for
John L.

We had lunch here and it was a pleasant surprise. The sandwiches were huge and the bread was fresh and toasted. Frank was friendly and the service was quick and efficient. We will be back.

Rider on the Storm!
Duran B.

BONJOURNO! I scream like a little Italian kid every time I walk into this amazing place honestly. The Boys are always smiling and the customers are equally as pleasant. This is the real Italy of Vancouver folks! Eat & drink everything they offer & take some coffee home trust me - you'll be craving more! CIAO CIAO! Xo Duran

Perfect Italian espresso
Ronald H.

One of last true Italian coffee bars. I love this place and when I am I'm the area I always drop in. Great selection and true Italian espresso.

Yassir N.

I was brought to this cafe first by my Italian in-laws who kidnapped (oops! Invited) me to have some Italian experience while in vancouver! And they described the place as an authentic italian cafe. And since that first time I became a regular customer whenever I'm around the area! So I've been to this cafe many times now and what I like about the place is that you get good coffee, nice panini with flavourful cold-cuts and you can enjoy a clean sitting space! Also I think that the guys who run the cafe are funny and cool, but this is applies to them when I have my Italian in-laws with me! otherwise, I'm completely anther customers! What I don't like abou this cafe is that you need to get cash to pay for your coffee! come on that's far from being comfortable Cafe Calabira. I don't know who carries cash in his/her pocket! (no seriously who got cash in her/his pocket now?, I don't). So several times I had to go out of the shop, walk across the street to get some cash and come back! some other times I just went to another cafe in the cafe-full street! I aslo don't like the cafe when it is not that busy, because they shot the lights off on the unused side of the shop, and that turns the place into a haunted house, esp with the distinctive decoration and statues that have in place :S not always inviting! But during busy hours, this place has a special character that worth checking out while you're in commercial drive!

Heather M.

What a pleasant surprise. Didn't expect to see such rich culture just inside. When we walked inside we see the statues, the paintings on the ceiling, and Italian music as if you're in an Italian museum. I said this reminds me of Italy I traveled there in March and (I think he was) the owner told, "me you are in Italy!" I asked him where he's from, he said Calabria --which makes sense now why it's called the Café Calabria I asked for an espresso sized coffee but a larger size than just a single shot and it came in this perfect medium but still very Italian and still small size cup (it was double espresso) The kind of place where everybody knows your name and the gentleman drinking coffee there all seemed to be regulars who all know each other. Warm friendly feeling. When my boyfriend went to pay we realized it's cash only and he thought he only had a five dollar bill... the total came to nine dollars and believe it or not the owner told us to don't worry about it but luckily we had enough extra change between us to pay the bill. Be mindful that it's cash only !!! Do NOT count on the owner telling you it's OK even if he does haha

Wendee H.

My sister and I were walking along Commercial Drive and were hungry for lunch. Good thing we stopped inside of this place. The paninis are amazingly delicious. We were told The Frank Sandwich is a popular one so we had to try it. I understand why it is a popular sandwich. The meat slices are flavorful. The melted cheese and the toasted bread is like icing on the cake. My sister also had a cappuccino and was in love with it. If bold coffee is your liking, this hits the spot. The decor it wonderful too. Sculptures in the dinning area. The dinning area is a little tight, so don't fret if you are almost shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors =). Service was great. They were friendly and though there was a bit of a lunch rush, service was quick!

The ceiling
Kimmy P.

The Frank's Special is amazing, as is the Tasty Turkey. The crowd is diverse and the coffee is excellent, as is the service. We feel really comfortable here! 2 sandwiches and a large mocha was $20. That's a lil pricey but we were very satisfied.

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2 years ago

Amazing coffee, food, staff and ambiance! Be prepared to pay cash. Get there, grab a coffee then sit outside and people watch.

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4 years ago

Best place to go for dessert if you're craving gelato. Love the over the top decor and excellent service.

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14 years ago

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3 years ago

Excellent food, friendly owners. It feels like being in Italy. We always visit when we are in town (from Seattle).

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Café Calabria Reviews in Other Languages

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Zefferelli's

Zefferelli's

4.2(551 reviews)
4.4 km•West End
•$$

Tucked upstairs on a bustling downtown street, this place makes you feel in a different world than…read moredowntown Vancouver. It's quaint and charming and yes, it's hot as hell in the summer, but the big open windows help (if you reso definitely request a window seat). It's upscale but stripped down without the frills. Service is observant and efficient but not overbearing. The food is very generous, the spaghetti cooked perfect with a rich flavourful meat sauce with chunks of meat. Bread and marinara sauce as you're seated. Good food, great vibes, can't go wrong here. Classic spot.

The vibes here are impeccable! The cozy ambiance, lighting, and decor make it feel like a family…read morerestaurant, and it was the perfect location for our party of 8. The service was also great, with multiple people checking in on us. The corkage, at $20, is very reasonable and the restaurant even comp'ed our tiramisu! We will miss it once it is gone. The food was quite decent. I thought the prices were a bit inflated for just pasta, but the portion size was pretty massive -- most of us took leftovers to go. The sauces in general were a bit bland and the pasta was definitely cooked to beyond al dente, which isn't my preference for dried pasta. That said, the toppings were generous, especially for the linguine crab that I ordered (would highly recommend!). Come by before they close permanently!

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Zefferelli's - Pesto Seafood Fettucine

Pesto Seafood Fettucine

Zefferelli's - Linguine Vongole

Linguine Vongole

Zefferelli's - Ambiance

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Ambiance

Italian Kitchen - Seafood Linguine

Italian Kitchen

3.8(773 reviews)
4.2 km•Downtown
•$$$

Excellent food and wonderful service! Our family had a great experience and loved the ambiance.read more

My friends and I recently shared a few dishes here, and while the flavors were truly impressive,…read morethe portion sizes left us wanting more. We started with the complimentary bread, which was a total highlight. Each person gets a fresh slice that has an incredible crust and a soft, pillowy center--dipping it into the oil and vinegar was the perfect way to start the meal. For our mains, the Gnocchi Asparagi e Funghi was my favorite - the gnocchi themselves were clearly handmade and had a great texture that didn't feel heavy. The earthy mushrooms and asparagus worked really well with the parmesan cream, which was rich but didn't overpower the other flavors. The Squid Ink Linguine ai Frutti di Mare was also solid; the lobster bisque base gave it a deep, savory saltiness that coated the clams, prawns, and scallops perfectly without making the dish feel too "fishy." We also tried the Candele Al Ragù D'Anatra. The duck ragu was tender and savory, and the combination of the parmesan fondue and aged asiago added a nice, sharp saltiness that made every bite really satisfying. Everything we ate was seasoned perfectly and tasted fresh, it's just a shame the portions were so small because the flavors were definitely there. The service was excellent and very attentive; I especially appreciated that they were constantly on top of refilling my water throughout the night. The ambience also hit the right note, making it a great spot for a night out. However, the portions are definitely on the smaller side and aren't super filling. Even though every dish tasted amazing, we weren't full by the end of the meal, so it's something to keep in mind if you're arriving with a big appetite.

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Italian Kitchen
Italian Kitchen - Black Squid Ink Seafood Linguine

Black Squid Ink Seafood Linguine

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The risotto going into the cheese wheel!

Robba Da Matti

Robba Da Matti

4.6(34 reviews)
2.9 km•Gastown, Downtown

Decent Italian spot, though there are probably better spots in town…read more We had the bruschetta, seafood ravioli and pappardelle with chicken, sausage, and beef. The seafood ravioli was tasty and I'd have it again. The pappardelle was decent although didn't have as much depth or complexity of flavour as it could've. The bruschetta, which was kind of like an open faced sandwich - a spread on bread with some prosciutto on top (no tomatoes in case that's what you're expecting!), was pretty meh and I wouldn't order it again. Service was nice enough. It's a cute, cozy spot in Gastown. Overall, it was just fine but given the abundance of great Italian restaurants in town I probably would go elsewhere when craving pasta.

Husband and I were out for a Friday date night and wanted to try a new place while walking around…read moreGastown and walked by this place. The restaurant was cute, cozy, and could seat us right away so we decided to give it a try. We got the poached pear salad and enjoyed it! The pears were delicious and a very refreshing salad. It did come with burrata on top which was a bit disappointing since it wasn't gooey at all. For our mains, we split the pesto rigatoni and the special which was also a rigatoni with white wine, capers, shrimp and lemon. First off, the noodles are delicious on both dishes. They are clearly handmade in the best way possible. Very tender, delicate, and almost melt in your mouth. The pesto dish was perfect but again the burrata on top was disappointing since it was sort of tough/dry and not gooey. The special dish was very good but the lemon was quite strong. Initially it was a bit too much but it did grow on you over time and I did like the dish. We ended with a tiramisu and while it was delicious, there wasn't much of the bread/cake/cookie part as it was mostly cream. Overall, it was fun to try a new place but I expected a more for the price point. For $35 per plate plus salad and dessert it was a very expensive dinner and we weren't full.

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Robba Da Matti - Interior

Interior

Robba Da Matti - Arugula Salad

Arugula Salad

Robba Da Matti

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Acquafarina - I could eat this pizza every day

Acquafarina

4.1(59 reviews)
3.6 km•Downtown

I had dinner at Acquafarina recently and honestly, everything felt very intentional. We started…read morewith a few appetizers to share and you can tell the ingredients are high quality right away--nothing feels overcomplicated, just really well executed. The pasta was probably the highlight for me. Perfect texture, rich but still balanced, and not heavy at all. You can taste that it's made with attention to detail, not just thrown together. We also tried the branzino, which was super clean and fresh, cooked perfectly. What I liked most is that it feels like a proper dining experience without being pretentious. The room, the service, the pacing--it all comes together really well. Definitely a place I'd go back to, especially for a slower dinner with good wine and great food.

Went to Acquafarina for Dine Out. Yes, a bit of a late post but it's a spot I've always wanted to…read morecheck out. The decor and ambiance were beautiful, especially the raised pizza area and the artwork, which really added to the overall atmosphere. It definitely feels like a great place for a date night or gathering with friends and family. The food was good and we had an enjoyable experience overall, but nothing in particular stood out as especially memorable. With so many new Italian restaurants popping up locally and the competition being quite strong, I think at this price point there are other places you might also want to explore. That said, Acquafarina is still a solid choice with a great vibe, good food, and a welcoming atmosphere. I'd consider coming back, especially for a relaxed evening out.

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Acquafarina - Interior

Interior

Acquafarina - Octopus

Octopus

Acquafarina - Bolognese

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Bolognese

Ask For Luigi - rigatoni alla bolognese

Ask For Luigi

4.1(587 reviews)
2.6 km•Downtown Eastside
•$$

This might be one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to, and my first experience here was…read moreunforgettable. This was my first stop after having just landed in Vancouver. I had secured a weekday lunch reservation a few weeks prior in anticipation, which I highly recommend. The staff was incredibly friendly when we arrived, and we were seated moments later. The inside was quite full (a good sign), cozy, with all the tables in close proximity, but it provided a very inviting atmosphere. To start I ordered the Fried Cauliflower and Sourdough bread based on other recommendations I had seen, which both lived up to the hype. My wife and I had to stop ourselves before the main course, the rigatoni alla bolognese, arrived at our table. It was perfectly portioned, still steaming as we devoured the last few bites. Our waitress was even kind enough to provide us some other recommendations in the neighborhood to try during our trip, as it was our first time in the city. Prices were more than fair for quality of what we received. Though parking might not be the easiest, and reservations are in high demand, it's worth the wait. Whenever I find myself back in Vancouver, I'll always Ask For Luigi.

Insane. Still thinking about the ravioli. My boyfriend has celiac and they had plenty of amazing…read moreoptions including homemade gluten free pasta. I'm from Boston and this place blows nearly every Italian spot out of the water. Cocktails are premade in bottles. I do wish they had a full service bar.

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Ask For Luigi - Inside

Inside

Ask For Luigi - Radicchio Salad! IG - @bilalandjesseatfood

Radicchio Salad! IG - @bilalandjesseatfood

Ask For Luigi - Salad and foccacia bread.

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Salad and foccacia bread.

Bacaro - Moscardini
 baby octopus, white beans, saffron, olives, preserved tomato @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont, Vancouver)

Bacaro

3.9(42 reviews)
4.0 km•Downtown, Coal Harbour

I remembered to take pictures this time let me start by talking about Miriana, she explained the…read moremenu adequately talked about wine pairings and asked about preferences which would help us feel more confident when choosing our meals. When the food arrived the plates were beautiful the sauce on the pork chops my partner had was rich and balanced. My plate the steak rigatoni went was complemented by the Cabernet I received. The beef was tender and well seasoned and the carrots roasted in honey gave a sweet but delicious addition to the entree. For desert we had a gelato...forgot that picture...oops but it was rich smooth and creamy. The calm dimly lit atmosphere with smooth jazz in the background was a great environment that helped us celebrate our anniversary in style. We loved the experience. Thanks a million Miriana!!

Nice little Italian spot in walking distance from the Fairmount waterfront hotel. We sat on the…read morestreet / patio and enjoyed some wine and dinner with my two kids and friend. The tartar was second to none and the kids pasta was the surprise hit of the evening when My daughter couldn't finish it my son and I finished it off. I had the lamb, very good but wouldn't get it again at the price. The rigatoni was also lights out. The server was so friendly but the wait was long due to two waiters handling the entire restaurant. She explained they don't know how busy it gets sometimes and over staffs when cruise ships are scheduled but under staffs when they are not sometimes. Didn't bother us, wine and great company for the win

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Bacaro - Bar@GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

Bar@GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

Bacaro - Not a fan these tables @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver) #opinions

Not a fan these tables @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver) #opinions

Bacaro - Keep it Casual @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

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Keep it Casual @GiovaneBacaro (The Fairmont Vancouver)

Café Calabria - italian - Updated May 2026

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