I'm not a vegan. I'm about as close to being a vegan as a fish is to climbing a tree and eating a banana. I'm as carnivorous as it gets. This is my Vegan Story at Cafe Crema. Stepping into others' imprinted snow footsteps trying not to slip and fall onto the newly fallen snow, we made it into Cafe Crema in West Vancouver. The first thing with this place that gets you is the vibe. Mood lighting, lovely high tables and plenty of space. You can sit there, and daydreaming in this place is highly encouraged preferably with a glass of bold red and a slice of Margherita Pizza. I didn't really know what I wanted, which rarely happens, but this was one of those special occasions where you just let spontaneity take over. I was going to just have a coffee, but as I approached the register area to order my Americano, I kept seeing this glimmer in the corner of my eye. It was quite bright, but just a glimmer, so I looked over and it was just this muffin sitting there in the display. I asked the cashier what muffin that was, and I was told that it was the Vegan Banana Chocolate Muffin. "Vegan?" I asked. He said, "Yup." I almost walked away trying to find something else, but the damn thing looked so good. So, reluctantly I decided to try a Vegan Muffin. I said to myself, "well, what's the worst that could happen? I'll just throw it out if I don't like it." That winking-luring Vegan muffin was so good that it actually trumped many of the dairy based muffins I've had in the past. I'll tell you how and why. First, it was rich, creamy, dense, moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. You could taste the Cocoa and hint of Banana and nuts throughout. As much as all the ingredients together gave the muffin its wonderful taste, you could also taste each component individually. I don't have a sweet tooth at all, and it's rare to find me ordering desert or eating muffins. I ate this damn thing like I just discovered the taste of sweet for the first time. Between this awesome Vegan muffin, the great Americano and this cozy little lamp on the table and the beautiful glowing white snow on Bellevue Drive, this indeed was a memorable experience and a one time love affair with a Vegan Muffin. (No, I hadn't smoked anything that day.) read more

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To die for!! We ordered the coconut cream cake, apple pie croissant and an iced vanilla latte. The latte could've definitely been stronger but the pastries were out this world!! The coconut cream cake was fluffy, light and not too sweet. The apple pie croissant was so unique- apple pie filling inside a croissant with sugary crumble on top! The location is also pretty spacious and has some scenic outdoor seating facing the water. It does get busy but the customers cycle out fairly quickly. read more

Cafe Crema - apple pie croissant, coconut cream cake, iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

Great cafe to study or catch-up with friends. They have plenty of seating inside (including 2 seat tables by the window, high tables w/ 4 chairs, large communal tables with 8-10 chairs) and a few tables outside. They have a good variety of pastries, drinks, desserts, breakfast and light lunches, and they even serve wine. Just make sure you plan ahead because during their peak hours you will likely not be able to find a table. My favourite item from my recent visit: earl grey cheesecake read more

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Beautiful location along the waterfront at Ambleside Parking is available along the street Seating both inside and put Many food and beverage offerings My date had a Croissant sandwich which was delightfully toasted and delicious My iced matcha was excellent. I loved that it was unsweetened and available with oat milk. My date had an iced Chai latte that was good. Service very friendly. read more

Cafe Crema - Iced matcha latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

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I have been to Crema a lot over years since they opened. The quality of pastries has gone down a lot. I ordered a cheesecake and it was very dense, and not fresh, like it was frozen before or from days ago. I asked about it and they said it's because our fridge it too cold and our cheesecake is very dense. But I had to go second time and tell them I don't like this it's not fresh and not a good texture, they said we can change it but it's the same batch. Since I don't like to waste food and it was gonna be the same as they said I didn't change it. But the quality was not good at all! I don't think I'll go back for pastries anymore :( read more

This place has a lot of tables, even the small tables along the wall/window area have lamps so you can work on your laptop. They have pastries, a few desserts and pizza. There is also a long tall counter with stools however it is right where you line up and order that if someone sits on that side, there will not be enough room to line up. The other side of tht tll counter are tables so your butt will be close to those sitting down at table. The latte was decent although it is hard to hear the employees as it can get a little loud inside and they are behind plexiglass. If you're not near the area to pick up your coffee, you won't hear them as they don't say it out loud enough. Even if you are close, you may not hear or there would be so many people waiting, that you have to try to get to the counter. The chocolate croissant was flaky but not as buttery as some other places. It was just okay. read more

This has become my go to place for coffee and pastries in Ambleside area on Sunday mornings. It is a popular place for locals and cyclists. The flat white is decent and the eggs benny (available for weekend brunch) with prosciutto are yummy. With covid-19, everything is served in to go boxes. It is a great place for a bit of food, coffee and people watching if seated outside. It does not matter too if there is nowhere to dine in as the park is right outside and you can get an even better view of the water over there. read more

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Loved this cafe. 1) The Montreal sandwich was excellent. They heat it up and bring it to your table. 2) The pecan tart was very good. It was perfectly sweetened, not too sweet, just right. 3) The ambiance is great, only issue is - it is hard to find seats. read more

Food was served scorching hot (fresh from being overly microwaved) where I could not eat it for at least 15 minutes until it started to finally cool down. And once I was able to eat my sandwich, it was completely flavorless. Very disappointed. read more

A good menu and beverage choice. It has partial table service...you'll get your sandwich delivered to your table. But you grab your own drinks. Why? Swing one way or the other! Tables left dirty, but it's still one of the better coffee stood in West Vay...but the bar is very low! read more

I know, I know... when you think Crema, right away you think great coffee - but now you'll think great pizza as well!!! YES!!! The mushroom pizza was the best pizza I've ever had - and I've had the mushroom pizzas at Nook and Bufala. Sooo effin good! We had the mushroom pizza and the margarita pizza and both were deliciously amazing. The place looks great. The renos make sense. Staff still as friendly as before. And now they make great pizzas. So now Crema's not just a place to stop and get coffees, but a place to grab lunch as well. read more

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An excellent coffee shop frequented by locals in the Ambleside area. Great place to drop by after hitting the Sea Walk. Coffee, cakes and light lunch are all very good here. My favorite cake is the lemon tart which has just the right sweetness combined with a well balanced lemon flavor. Cappuccino is made just perfectly here. Sandwiches are small in portion or lady sized, but are fresh and tasty. Delightful atmosphere! read more

Cafe Crema - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

Beautiful space, lots of tables, very busy, and lots of options for food and drinks. Food and specialty descriptions were lacking on the menu, but would be helpful in discerning choices without holding up the line when ordering. Ended up getting a little buddy (americano) and a crema (since its their cafe name and specialty drink). Little buddy is an americano that has less water than their regular americano so is supposed to be stronger and have more flavor (all are the same price) but it tasted watery. Crema didnt have much flavor nor espresso in it - also tasted watery tho had pretty coffee art on it. Sandwich (duo) came toasted and was good. Great texture to the bread, blend of meat and fillings and enjoyed this but was still hungry afterwards. Wish I had tried the pizza (special 2 for $29). That looked really good - will skip the coffee next time and try the pizza. Drink prices seem to be rather high, but the food prices seem decent. read more

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3 stars for the cute layout and the outside tables. The attitude from the cashier it could of done without. The staff serving were friendly and helpful. read more

I've been here a number of times when I'm in the area. Great coffee & pastries. Its a nice little stop if you're walking down Ambleside seawall or doing a little shopping. Seating outside on a nice day or plenty of seats inside if you need warming up. Great for people watching! read more

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Yikes! Baked Sweeties. Servers need to be trained to check the pastries before serving them. No stars for this visit. Two days later I stopped by and found more of the same critters. read more

This place makes truly beautiful coffees! Chris and I flew in from Ontario (she from Toronto, me from Ottawa) to surprise my sister - "Beandar", aka Roanna - for her upcoming birthday. Roanna's husband, Rhett, helped to coordinate this event, by inviting friends to meet them there, giving them a good excuse to dawdle over coffee. This also gave us time to arrive, as the Lion's Gate bridge was closed yesterday. Although this was a long way to go for a coffee, it was worth the trip! My sister was greatly surprised. The staff at the restaurant was very good about allowing us to use their premises for our boisterous get together. Meanwhile, we feasted on great coffee and sandwiches and beautiful sweet treats. It was enjoyable also watching a professional Barrista pour a gorgeous looking coffee! Kudeos to Cafe Crema, PS: I also love that neighbourhood. It was a gorgeous day to be out and about with mild temperature and plenty of sunshine. There's loads to see and do in West Vancouver. Can hardly wait to go back! read more

Cafe Crema - Yummy! Turkey sandwich :-) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

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The pizza is *chef's kiss* The New York Four Cheese Pizza is to die for! I've only been there three times (after only hearing about Cafe Crema less than a month ago) so I haven't gone through the whole menu, but I intend to do so! The pizzas are made to perfection! The dough is thin but flavourful, the sauce is to die for, and the cheese pull is picture perfect! Even the olive oil on top is heavenly! The pizza was so good, I burnt my mouth because I couldn't wait to eat it. Coffee? Best iced mocha I've ever had (I'm very particular about those) The place has a lovely vibe, it is a very relaxed, low-key place that is so welcoming! My perfect day includes pizza and wine from Cafe Crema, and walking a few steps across the train tracks to the picnic table and enjoying a nice, sunny day! read more

Decent latte. Nice view from the high table tops. Tried the avocado toast and it was a disappointment. There was very little avocado on the toast. It literally had more onions on it than avocado. I'm curious to try the pizzas here, maybe next time! read more

Overpriced, terrible coffee, surly cashier, nice decor, great location but definitely not worth going back.others may like this place, but much better coffee and service at other shops on the north shore read more

Delicious latte. Haven't had one as smooth and tasty like this in ages. I'll let you know how the food is next time.

Two different evenings this week I walked down to Crema to get a nice soft serve ice cream. Both times, the woman behind the bar had shut down and cleaned out the machine over an hour before closing. For mid summer evenings i find this very shabby. Also, the girl serving us lied and said that they had run out of ice cream. Actually you didn't, you just shut down the machine an hour before closing time. Very frustrating, Crema. If you close at 9:00 pm, then please, actually close at 9:00...not 8:00. read more

Sunday regular for my coffee and blueberry muffin. Great coffee and pastries, I have yet to try the food out yet. Often quite packed inside, but the beach is close by to enjoy your beverage and snack at read more

The bakery items were plentiful with sweet or savory options. My latte was good, they put in the effort to do latte art on top but slightly annoying that even with our iced beverage no lid was provided even though cups were filled to brim...the lids are across the cafe where you a balancing and adventure in grace for 40ft....seriously bad layout! read more

Staff are great, product is nice. No chance table so I'm giving it a 2.5/3. It's easy to get a change table so easy fix but sucks that they didn't bother. I will say the bathroom was filthy... the floor was disgusting... I took note as I changed my baby on the floor on a mat I brought with me (I had no choice at the time... babies have impeccable timing) I guess some places don't want people with babies? However it's probably more profitable to have a mom and a baby in and out pretty quick (people with babies don't usually linger) rather than someone sitting for hours with a laptop using the free wifi and drinking one drip coffee taking up a whole table... read more

Wonderful stop for lunch. Ordered an almond milk cappuccino and vegan harvest pizza. Best I have ever had and the owner Adam came by and is super nice! read more

I've been here on two occasions now and I've grown quite fond of this adorable little cafe. They have a plethora of baked goodies that are made in house as well as an assortment of sandwiches. I would highly recommend the turkey club as it is the one with the most flavour. They press the sandwiches on a grill so the optimal time for consumption would be right after they come off the press. I've only ever had the lemon bar here but that's only because I'm kind of obsessed with tart things right now. The bars are sweet and slightly crumbly with a hint of tartness - perfection. I have a friend that can't get enough of their raspberry coffee bread. I'll have to try in on my next visit... if I can resist the bars. They also sell their own cookbook at the front of the store for $19.95. I'm probably going to cave and get it the next time I'm in the neighbourhood. This cafe is something I always look forward to when I am in the area. read more

Stopped by with a friend today to have a salad and we were very disappointed. We had the arugula with goat cheese. It was supposed to have strawberries and pecans. Instead it had 3 baby tomatoes and 3 tiny pcs of goat cheese and a ton of arugula. So expensive for what it was. read more

* Too long bitterness* When a very short line at a cafe takes TOO LONG, it makes me bitter. When it seems like the staff at a cafe has been working TOO LONG, it makes them bitter, which in turn makes me bitter. When a cafe is full, but customers are camping at tables TOO LONG after they have finished their purchases, it makes everyone bitter. When an espresso shot is TOO LONG with a light stop, it makes the espresso bitter. Sadly, all applied. Photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/Wm_YoF76Uy9th7ILXIaVlA?select=aFYTguOcupGilMHi9I5swA read more

Cafe Crema - Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

Crema, got to bump you up a star. Overall, one of the best shops in north and west Van. with consistent quality of product. Still loving that you have non gluten peanut butter cookies. Most of the pastries look fabulous. Grab a table outside and enjoy the sun. The people are friendly over here and there's usually a canine tail- wagger or two. The proximity to West Ambleside beach is the bomb though. Sitting on the sea wall and watching the ginormous cruise ships pass under the Lions Gate and then onward toward Alaska feeds my wanderlust addiction. read more

Love this place. Everything is tasty. Staff are great. Close to beach, which is a bonus. Perfect Ambleside spot

Sweet damn. That crema cappuccino is creamy as all hell. .. I am tempted to end my review there, as the Crema cappuccino is my sole reason for naming this my favourite cafe in the city. I don't know what they do to the bloody thing but it is some of the smoothest coffee I've encountered. It's like drinking velvet - there is no bitter note here. My friend, who loathes coffee, will drink their cappuccino without sweetener. What do you do to this coffee. What. I don't understand why this cappuccino is so smooth. So, so smooth. If i turn my attention away from that sweet, sweet foam, the staff bears mentioning. They're all genuinely smiley and kind. I generally find myself caught in a smile-circle with one of the barristas which makes me a bumbling fool tripping all over myself, but i just genuinely enjoy interacting with each of them. It's not as though I've become a regular, I'm a bit of an invisible girl. They're just equally buoyant with everyone who walks in. They're also quick and consistent - no matter who makes my drink, it turns out gorgeously textured. And they're all babes. Is that worth noting? It is now. You're babes. The whole lot of you. The star removal comes in two parts - food and SOMETIMES atmosphere. The food is meh. I've never been floored by an item on the menu. I've been underwhelmed by plain breakfasts, found the sandwiches OKAY but nothing to write home about. Upon giving up on menu items, I've found the pastries hit and miss. The carrot cake was great but the cheesecake dry. I tend to order based off how cute they're plated over any expectations of flavour. They do chocolate things really well, though. I'm just not much of a chocolate person. So when I want food, I tend to go to Mercato.. and then wander the few blocks back to Crema for that cappuccino. Have I mentioned that creamy as all hell cappuccino? Sweet damn. I will also admit I often avoid Crema for the simple fact it seems as though the worst of stereotypes of West Van tend to congregate there in waves. Soccer moms, ladies who lunch, men who check what sort of shoes I'm wearing with disdain - I often find the crowd off-putting and stuffy. I feel like I, an admittedly ragamuffin, stick out like a sore thumb some days, so I keep walking. But that's on me, not them, and I know that. So, in synopsis.. I'd marry that cappuccino. I'd marry it. read more

Cafe Crema - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

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Staff was friendly, but my latte wasn't particularly amazing and it's not a particularly good place to study. read more

Cafe Crema - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

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Nice cafe pretty busy and crowded usually. Really loud so not relaxing or peaceful at all but if you sit outside it's much better. Nice service and speed. Nice pastries and good coffee and drinks. Quite a few seats but do get really busy. Parking lot and street parking all at walking distance. Nice atmosphere and interior though. read more

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Oh my goodness, the view. The comfy chairs. The mocha (melted chocolate chips for the chocolate side of things!). The grain-free options! The staff! The vibe! The tiny tables! The mondo huge table! Yep, I love it here. A few things I wasn't thrilled with, but they're all minor. (a) leaky windows = a mess (b) strawberries in one of the meal-sized grain-free options (I'm allergic, they're pre-made) (c) few plugs for us hipster writers (I'm no hipster, but there were a few here) - I asked the staff where to sit, they were happy to share the best places". (d) a bit pricey. 12oz mocha (their small) was $5. Pre-made salad was $12.50 with about a quarter of a chicken breast and the rest greens. Mighty Leaf tea was (I think) $3. (e) They close at 6pm. Every day. Yes, I spent all afternoon here. I'd be there again if they were still open. Just the view and vibe alone are worth it. I'd call this a 4.5 star, mostly due to prices, so I'll give them the 5. Cuz I'm nice like that. And so was the staff. read more

Cafe Crema - If it weren't so Vancouver, you'd be able to see the water. ;) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

Good coffee, amazing pastries, ok sandwiches, very slow but friendly service, lot of space for seating,... but pretty expensive for a coffee shop! read more

Came here with my bf one day. This cafe was quite big but it was quite busy that day. Luckily, we managed to find seats at this big table where other customers were sitting as well. My bf had a iced cafe mocha with soy milk while I had an americano. My bf's iced mocha had lots of chocolate sauce at the bottom so I helped stir his drink for him while he was playing games on his phone. I was so determined to mix in all the chocolate sauce into his drink that I didn't notice that his drink became very brown in color. As I was done stirring, I took a sip and I completely ruin his drink! It tasted like chocolate milk!!!! LOL I couldn't taste the coffee at all! O_O When my bf took a sip, he made that face when you drink something too sweet! hahah He said I didn't had to mix in all that chocolate sauce because it was only there at the bottom so you can stir in how much chocolate you want to your preference. I didn't know!! I was so focus in mixing it all in ... Now it taste like cold chocolate milk haha oopsie! Anyways, I knew this cafe was famous for their tiramisu but I had to hold back! I was also tempted to get their gingerbread cake because I love the taste of gingerbread but I didn't get it. Overall, staff was super friendly and I like how it was near the water but the only downfall I had was that their bathroom was disgusting and when I was sitting at the table, I also noticed that behind the cafe counter, it was also not clean back there so I had to give them 3 stars. However, I would go back to try their pastries then I would re-rate them after I try them. read more

I really like the Cafe Crema, I have the cookbook and the food is really great. They make a good coffee and the staff is nice and friendly:). The outdoor seating is a plus read more

My favourite coffee shop in West Vancouver. The staff is soo friendly and kind. They make the BEST almond milk cappuccinos. My best friend and I love to come here on weekends when they serve the brunch - which you need to try the poached egg on toast. I personally don't eat dairy, and the staff always accommodates my taste and gives great recommendations. Crema is a great spot if you're looking for a coffee shop and baked good while walking along the water. read more

Our family loves this coffee shop. They are usually very busy and have a good selection of pastries and sandwiches. What's also great about this coffee shop is the location it is literally 20 steps away from Ambleside beach. You can grab your coffee and walk across and sit on a bench and enjoy the breath taking views of water. read more

Cafe Crema - Coffee & Tea Near Me - West Vancouver, British Columbia

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