A really bright, clean, welcoming space to get some work done or meet up with someone. My iced latte was refreshing and just right. I had no problem finding a place to plug in my phone, and found it very comfortable in general. read more

Baked goods kind of sad. My friend didn't finish her muffin but it looked a bit dry. Comfortable bench seating though. Nice that they offer water cups if you already had too much coffee for the day. read more

I have been a regular at Continental Coffee since I moved to the Drive in 2009. While no longer a "local", I continue to visit on occasion to get my beans and a great slip of espresso or mocha for my partner and son, I send pounds home to family in ON, and I also continue to get my beans shipped to me. Their attention to detail, ease of ordering, and the level of service that is provided (personal communications while owners are away likely on vacation) is simply beyond extraordinary. Truly grateful to have been recommended this independent family owned business a decade and a half ago! read more

Their Signature blend espresso is solid. Rich and smooth and perfectly pulled shot. Iced latte was also excellent. - my dad (VERY picky about his espresso) read more

At last, someone who knows an Iced Americano doesn't mean a Warm Americano. Will be my go to spot in Vancouver from here on for my caffeine fix. Great taste on the coffee, reasonable price, and yes it was just perfect. Thank you, thank you! read more

I ordered a decaf latte. They served me a caffeinated latte instead -- which I only realized when it was too late. Oh well, who needs to sleep? They don't seem to pay attention to what their customers ask for, or much care. And the latte was too bitter. read more

I grew up (and got down) in this neighbourhood. Went to both Elementary and High School here, and I.LOVE.CONTINENTAL.COFFEE. The walls are creamy and relaxing, the airflow is not pretentious but comfortable, and the storefront windows are always clean. Overall, just enough visual cowbell to be able to focus on why I'm there: for the coffee. Their coffee bean roasts are made for my taste buddies. If we're talking about the science of roasting, they mastered it. And I'd go as far to say that they've narrowed down the margin of error in, and for, the coffee roasting industry. I can vouch for this because throughout the years, the quality of their brews have remained consistent. If I want a lil' bit of punishment, I go to JJ. If I want to really hurt myself OpusDei style, I go to Starbucks. And when I'm really loving myself, I only go to Continental Coffee. Fuggetabout any unfair staff reviews you may have read. Have you seen yourself in the mirror when you're literally physically hurting and contorting for caffeine? Now that's a face only a mother could love, so please show some patience with the senti-pensante staff who are there to ensure that you get your dose. Questions? Just ask me. read more

I've been here in the past and thought they were okay, but I was also in a rush and had company, and I like the idea of trying out these smaller shops, so I decided to try them a few more times afterwards to pay a bit more attention to the food and drink itself. This last visit has really settled my opinion. And, sadly, it's not great. Their coffee drinks tend to be either kind of bland or poorly mixed, or a little burnt; one peppermint mocha I had tasted like unusually bitter coffee until I got to the bottom, which was a sudden layer of peppermint syrup. And the pastries are strange; I had a peanut butter cookie that mostly tasted like wheat? It doesn't help that the staff are minimally engaged with you - they don't always clearly address you when what you've ordered is ready, and they tend to spend a lot of time away from the counter fiddling with things before coming up to get your order. Maybe I've had bad luck and they've been understaffed? And the environment isn't very comfortable, sometimes overheated and often smelling a little odd. Sadly I think it's just not for me. Too bad! read more

Continental Coffee - Peanut Butter Cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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With its large plate glass windows and extremely comfortable seating, this is one of the best places on Commercial Drive to sit and watch the world go by. There are chairs and tables outside, and a cozy nook with couches on the inside, providing ample seating for both occasional drop-ins as well as the daily regulars. The coffee is not the best on the Drive, but it's still the preferred brew of many, with long line-ups sometimes stretching out the door. This is where many residents buy their beans as well, choosing from several roasts at reasonable prices. The feel here is friendly, though at times a little hectic, despite the fact that there are 2 other coffee shops that share the same intersection. Best for people looking to be seen reading books in public, and eavesdropping on the somewhat cramped people at the next table over. read more

Continental Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

M and I stared at the open till at the cashier -these colorful 20s and 10s and 5s and loads of loonies and toonies are all smiling at us. One Barista had his back turned against us counting the tips (it is 30mins to their closing), and the other Barista was chatting up another customer and busy making drinks by the machine. This scene would never happen in NYC or Chicago etc, but I guess this speaks to the easy-vibe in the hippy Commercial Drive. I was quite impressed with the coffee selection mounted on the wall, available in 100g or whole bag. The signature Champagne Blend sounds good to me, and Peruvian Dark Roast is calling. The baristas told us not to worry about rushing, and to enjoy our drinks here so we ordered a latte and iced coffee and parked ourselves in one of the sofas casually scattered around the shop. The latte is good and the vibe is good, I'd swing by next time. Cheerios~ read more

Continental Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

solid 3.5, if not a 4, just for the spaciousness of this wide, airy, natural light joint. Gotta give credit how these coffee owners snag the best corner locations lol. Not your typical Italian cafe in this part of the hood, still quite welcome and cozy. Good communal table seating on the right. A few action round tables at the front. Ordered the Americano coffee, my biggest mistake was to have this over ice due to the nice weather. They also sell macarons, and while it didn't quite have the same texture as my beloved Theirry's, I'd still come back and try the rest of the flavours. Tried the Bailey's, didn't taste anything like the actual liquor lol. But it's perfect for those who don't want it sweet. friendly staff for sure. some free parking along the side streets. read more

Continental Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Family owned and operated forever, best and most-affordable beans in town! Their Famiglia bean is unbeatable! This ain't no hipster flash in the pan. read more

Coffee is pretty good and the atmosphere is nice, but the staff is somewhat unhelpful. There are no menus posted anywhere, save for a small piece of paper on the counter, and they seemed annoyed that I didn't know what I wanted (even though I was the only one in line). After I was finished, I brought my cup and saucer up to the counter and thanked them but neither of the baristas even acknowledged me. Maybe they had a bad day, but I don't know if I'd try it again. read more

Continental Coffee - Nice place, very minimal. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

The best coffee on Commercial Drive. They roast their own beans. The best quality day in day out for over 40 years.

Continental Coffee is a nice little spot to get some work done. I've been here a few times now, and the experience has always been good. The staff are efficient, if not super chatty, but they get the job done. Their coffee is quite good - I've found their decaf to be smoother than most, and pleasant to drink, rather than something that wistfully makes me wish I could drink real coffee again! The seating is quite sparse, and the tables are a little small if you want to get work done - there's really only room for a laptop and a coffee. There is a larger table in the back, but it gets toasty back there on a summer day! This place always seems to be pretty busy, and there's usually a few people who take chairs down the side to smoke so if you're sitting outside watch out for cigarette smoke overwhelming your coffee. Prices are reasonable and they have an extensive selection of treats in the gluten/dairy/sugar free range! Certainly somewhere I'll come back and work once the weather cools down a bit. read more

It wasn't good, it wasn't bad the coffee was just uninspiring. Disinterested staff, mass confusion with a line-up to order and another to pay resulting in everyone congregating in the middle...something is wrong with this picture. Not the makings for a good coffee shop. Strange foam cups with no sleeves, just weird! No buzz of happy drinkers, just an awkward silence. One star for the heart art on top of the latte but minus 1 when staff don't even look up at you or thank you for a tip. Service is clearly lacking and what the real problem is the place probably did have heart at one point but it is now just worn down and it shows. read more

Unfortunately I have to give this place one star. The location is great BUT it is a far cry from the service and consistent quality of product it used to offer. I worked at the Starbucks across the street and would frequent Continental instead - if that's any indication of my former loyalty to this place. It feels like there's new management or old management that has lost it's enthusiasm. Slow service and bland coffee. read more

I loved this place so much that I take a bus from office to Nanaimo station get off at Commercial then either walk or take a bus again to come here, get my mocha and take a bus back home. I love the creamy texture, and it's actually cheaper than most other places, which is definite plus. The have some gluten-free, vegan treats for those who care. I once bumped into the owner, lovely lady, and she told me that coffee is roasted by her son, and how she visited Starbucks roasting unit, some 43 years back when she wanted to the open the shop. read more

Hmmm, another Commercial Drive coffee shop. How odd!!! I guess the service is slow but the staff are always doing a billion things. I like the people who work there and find them friendly. It seems to be a popular meeting spot. Always bustling. The coffee is really good. They make a delicious latte for less than what you pay across the street at Starbucks. Just sayin'.... read more

Had my first Continental Coffee espresso Americano today and it was pretty darn good. The service was good and coffee was tasty and hot. What more do you need from a coffee place? Well, if you do need more, it looked to me like Continental could do it - there were many many large containers of coffee to choose from for take-home beans. Went from 'A-Ok' to 'Yay! I'm a fan' when I realized they're big on the organic front. Yeehaw! read more

I really can't add much to what others have already said about Continental Coffee - its a Commerical Drive mainstay. Just a tip, Continental uses the same Tazo product as the Starbucks just across the street and sell its Chai Lattes for a dollar cheaper. Aces for this tea drinker! read more

My friends and I always enjoy trying new places, so when given the choice between the Starbucks across the street and Continental Coffee, we chose the latter. Perhaps we should have stuck with tried, tested, and true this time around though... The hipster barista was too involved in a conversation with another customer to barely glance my way as I approached the counter. I gave him my order, and without even asking what size I wanted, he proceeded to start my drink, while still carrying on the aforementioned conversation. Not wanting to be rude and interrupt them, I tried to wait for an appropriate time to butt in and ask for a smaller cup than the one the barista assumed I wanted. Not seeing an opportunity, I interrupted their discussion and asked for an 8 oz. The barista showed me the small cup, so I changed my mind and asked for a 12 oz. To that, he rolled his eyes and transferred the milk to a smaller cup. Gee, thanks... My friend got the same order as me, and since she didn't hear what the price of my drink was, she asked the barista how much she owed him. He simply held out his hand for the money. The coffee was nothing spectacular for the price. Even if you're against money-grubbing corporations like Starbucks, you might be better off going there than Continental Coffee, because at least you'll get coffee with a smile. Or better yet, try any other coffee shop on the Drive. read more

I've came here a few times, and it's usually so packed that I can't get a seat anywhere. But when I can, I always have a great time. They have lovely little spots to sit, lots of big windows, and it's definitely more suited towards catching up with friends than a place to get work done. It's quite loud. Their staff are always lovely, coffee is great, and they have some great wheat/gluten/dairy free snacks. Also have almond milk, which is always what will make or break my coffee shop experience due to my prehistoric digestive system not being able to handle dairy or soy. Lovely spot! read more

Continental Coffee on Commercial Drive is one of the cities best coffee shops, and a welcome break from the Starbucks and Blenz that dot most corners. Located at the corner of East 2nd and Commercial, Continental is full of locals and has been around since the late '70s. Floor to ceiling windows cover two sides of the cafe, and there are lots of tables and comfy chairs to do a little people watching. Bring your laptop and stay a while. They offer free wifi, and there are a few outlets free to power up. The espresso is thick and rich, and not overly acidic. It almost tastes a bit sweet. Their hot chocolates (ask for extra whipped cream) are amazing, and they have a few sweet treats available to enjoy with your drink or to take away. Try the chocolate covered espresso beans for a back-to-work pick me up! The drinks are priced right, slightly cheaper than Starbucks, and the quality of the beverage is always high. The baristas are talented and never rush. On sunny days they put out a few plastic chairs, and it seems like the whole neighbourhood comes to gather. Regulars are friendly, and it's a great place to meet some interesting characters. read more

This is my favorite coffee. Ever. My best Saturdays and Sundays start with a stroll to have one of their lovely, relaxed, and cheerful baristas make me a completely perfect soy latte. To get to Continental Coffee, I walk directly past at least 15 other coffee shops. Even on a rainy day. It's easy to resist the lewd offerings from the tarted-up chain shops, and even the well-meaning and sweet shop-next-door types knowing I have Continental to go to. Their coffee sings to me with its siren song and lifts me out of my bed, runs me through a shower and puts on my shoes. It knows what I'm thinking, and laughs at my jokes. Their coffee finishes my sentences. Me and Continental Coffee take long romantic walks around Trout Lake together regularly. When the sun is shining, and my hands are warmed in the winter or chilled in the summer by one of their simple cups, even a dog in the off-leash area almost peeing on my leg while I was blissfully staring off into space doesn't ruin my day. (It may have though had the dog succeeded. Let's not get too carried away.) read more

One of the darlings of the drive and many people's 'favorite coffee shop on the drive' with a fantastic location, great windows, outside tables... and some other stuff which you probably don't want at your coffee house... First, the place. Continental replaced a lot of their tables in the past year which dramatically improved the environment of the cafe - it still has this feel of a bunch of random tables chaotically floating around in a vast space but the new stone tables and benches add some stability to the arrangement. The coffee is fine, but the production is highly inconsistent. Even the baristas that can pull a decent espresso often will give you a cup splattered with crusted gunk that they haven't bothered to wipe off. I've been to Continental more often than I like and finally decided to write this review sitting in the cafe right now. Looking around me, 4 of the 5 cups I can see have dried crusted espresso splattered all over the rim - they're doing something wrong here. This is common at Continental - you either get a crappy pull or you get a dirty cup more often than not. If you want a perfect pull, go to Prado. The pastry selection is actually better than most coffee shops on the drive. They have the elusive savory pastry (ham and cheese croissants, Cornish pastries) which few shops other than Starbucks have deemed worthy of their shelves. Continental is a true neighborhood coffee house, it attracts quite a variety of people, but this is Commercial Dr, so for some reason this coffee shop in particular seems to have a strong pull for those who are going green by avoiding showers and soap. Literally every time I've been here the entire place reeks of stale BO, this is NOT a place to come to if you expect to sit among the rich coffee house smells of fresh baked pastries and fresh ground coffee (I don't think they bake their own pastries anyway - again if you want that: Prado). Continental is where you go if you want to be immersed in the seamy dank funk of unwashed humanity. Seriously even the rastas at JJ Bean on the Drive smell better than Continental on any day of the week. Continental is here to stay, so many people love this place that it is always busy, but with so many GREAT coffee houses on the Drive, it is hard to go to this one just because of its gritty, hippy, down home(less) feel. read more

Vancouver's Commercial Drive neighbourhood makes for a fantastic wander and one of my regular stops in the area is Continental Coffee, which has been roasting their own beans and serving brew for 30 years; quite an impressive accomplishment. Owner Anita Allen can regularly be seen putting her barista skills to work behind the counter. More often than not, Continental is pretty crowded. The vibe is pretty laid back (this is the Drive, after all) and people-watchers are likely to get their fill of the kind of local clientele who appreciate supporting a homegrown business that has survived and thrived in the area, despite several chain cafes that have sprouted up recently. The space itself is quite large, the main counter divided between those ordering fresh drinks on the left and Continental's own beans (to go) on the right. The atmosphere is actually rather sparse compared to other cafes, though the giant picture-windows offer a great deal of light for those looking for a comfortable space to relax with friends or with the company of a good book. There are more than a few tables and chairs and though there is free wifi (!) it may not be the most ideal spot for anyone looking to kill time on their laptop. Continental does have a limited number of fresh pastries available with a surprisingly large selection of gluten-free options. I've enjoyed my share of beverages at Continental but can't say for certain that I'd crown it Coffee Queen of the Drive: that's still up for debate. That being said I will say that their beans are really good and I am partial to the Champagne blend, which I have purchased on several occasions. Fresh-roasted beans are not the cheapest option but they do make a better brew. For anyone looking to refill their coffee canister with something hyper-local I would definitely recommend a visit. There's a reason they've been around as long as they have! read more

Continental makes some pretty amazing coffee! Also, the treat selection is awesome! Lots of healthy gluten free desserts. Yummy. No dried out Starbucks pastries here. Love this place. read more

The hot chocolate is PERFECT! I had a hot chocolate there about 2 months ago on one of the cooler summer nights. It was wonderful. I told everyone about it, and couldn't get over describing the mountain of chocolate whip cream on top. But then the weather was warmer, and I returned to my iced drinks. They're good and all.... But I started to think that maybe I had an overrated memory of how good the hot chocolate is at Continental Coffee. So yesterday I went back for another taste. The person in front of me got 2 hot chocolates, the person in front of them got a hot chocolate, and then I got 2 (not both for me- but actually, I could have drank both!). It was perfect. This is simply a wonderful drink. It's creamy, a great flavor, without being too sweet. The whip cream is wonderful, and I love the way they pile it up on top- no skimping here. And the price amazes me. A large is under 3 bucks. I always tip well here, because I feel like I'm getting such a deal. Wonderful drinks at a great price. There's at least 3 starbucks on the drive, a waves, and countless other coffee places- but this is the best. Make a point to stop here every time you're on the drive! read more

Home to several remarkable coffee establishments, Commercial Drive should be any coffee drinker's haven. Continental Coffee throws its coffee brewing hat into the ring and leaves a satisfactory impression on my palate. With only one standard drip coffee which is freshly brewed daily, there isn't much of a selection if you want just coffee. You could always choose to settle for a fancier latte or cappuccino which I heard are pretty good. The pros about Continental Coffee is that they offer a variety of light, medium, and dark roasted beans for your brewing pleasure in the comfort of your own abode. It's spacious, there's lots of seating room, and the coffee is consistent. Cons? Parking is tricky if you're driving and I only wish that there'd be more drip coffee available. Call me a traditionalist? read more

Pretty hipster/grungy... in a bad way. The service wasn't the best; I saw the employees talking to their friends super loudly and sharing jokes when there were people in line waiting to be served. Pretty sure the loudest people in the cafe was not any customer, but the employees. The Americano I ordered was definitely not the best. Tasted a bit burnt, which is saying a lot because I am not a coffee connoisseur at all, and my tastes are not yet refined nor sensitive to detect differences between the different cafes I've been to. This was the exception. The area to the right of the counter that leads to the hallway was where I sat, and obviously it's a lot closer to the bathroom than any other table. However, the smell from that section was not malodorous like you'd expect from the bathroom or trash. It was the smell that emanates from homes that have not been cleaned in a while. I looked up to see their counter that resembled a counter from an old-fashioned diner with streaks from dried drops (of likely coffee) that had not been wiped in... I don't know how long. Don't get me wrong; not the worst I've ever seen. Just definitely far from the best I've seen. read more

I seriously adore this place. And so many others do as well, considering you can hardly ever find seating on a casual day, between 10:00 - 17:00. I'm not a coffee expert but I know the basics of making a good espresso drink, as timing and the temperature. I don't remember ever getting a burnt coffee in this place. Breve is my drink of choice, and the consistency of the cream is always spot on! Service is casual, baristas are always fine, in fact, some of them recognize you and surprise you with a free refill. Cant speak for the food yet, as it's a coffee joint for me and serves that purpose just fine. Overall, a place I dont mind going pretty much every single day. read more

This cafe used to be very good. I used to frequent this cafe a lot. Their Latte's, cappuccinos, and brewed coffee were always consistent, aromatic and flavourful. However since they renovated, they've changed their espresso beans. It's no longer tastes as good as before. I am curious to know why because they are a coffee house and a roaster that supply their own beans. The baked goods at Continental tastes stale. This is very unacceptable especially in a coffee-loving city like Van. I guess it's the sign of the times where they can't keep up with their competitors. I rather go to Prado instead that uses 49th Parallel beans or JJ Bean, where they roast their own beans as well, have better coffee and baked goods. read more

I never actually sit here, but use it to reward myself for walking all the way to the drive. The whole way I deal with the crappy Vancouver weather by imagining the almond milk mocha waiting for me. And it is always so good. Would have given 5 stars except some times they forget to stir the chocolate syrup into the milk. Oh, and sometimes it's a total gong show inside. But love the drink I get! (Also feature some gf baked goods, the same line as a couple of the bean around the worlds etc - matcha rice crispie square, almond butter energy ball, lavendar chocolate orbs of goodness... all a bit intense at times, but great when you need 'em) read more

When we first discovered this coffee shop my wife and I would travel from UBC just to get a mocha, seriously. The bulk coffees are great, and the snacks are yummy. There's also a bulletin board with lots of local events posted. If you get a drink with whipped cream, ask for the chocolate stuff - well worth it read more

Awesome cafe with great drinks and even better staff! A big sense of community with always alot going on. Only issue is that it gets super toasty on hot days without A/C and can be unbearable to stand in. Can't imagine how the staff feel read more

so the staff were super friendly and the latte i had was amazing!!! the cafe is super cute and located in a great spot! HOWEVER, it was so unpleasant to be inside... it's like being in the tropics, minus the fun of being on vacation. it was so hot inside, i felt like i was melting and the air inside the cafe was heavy and humid. i would honestly not come back or recommend to a friend, unless it's winter or they get air con. i felt so bad for the staff!!!! i was there only for a short time, but they're there aaaall day suffering in the heat. i don't understand why the owners don't get AC when it's 25+ degrees out??? read more

I was way too early for an appointment, waiting on the side-walk when I saw this coffee place. Dropped by for a quick order. Asked for a light roast drip which they didn't have but server suggested the medium roast which hit the spot. They have comfy couches (great if you feel like getting out of your house to finish that book you've been setting aside for months) All in all I was satisfied. read more

The coffee is good. I found the ambience a bit forced and weird, although I guess that's par for Commercial Drive.

Great location. Unfortunately that is the best thing I can say about this place. They recently won the Georgia Straight Golden plate so I was expecting good things. I was disappointed. Uninterested baristas who were on their cell phones. Major confusion with the line up, Why are their two!?!? And why do I have to be in a certain place to order a certain thing? I'd give them a pass if the coffee was spectacular, but unfortunately it isn't anything to write home about. I ordered an espresso and a cappucino. I had to switch line ups AGAIN so I could pay and then went back to the other line to collect my drinks. The espresso was decent. The blend is good, but the barista pulled the shot far to long and the shot was somewhat bitter. Finished my shot at the bar without so much as a "how was it?" from the barista and moved to a table with my cappucino. Unfortunately the cappucino was lacklustre as well. Not bad but not on par with any of the top cafes in the city. Again I suspect the shot was pulled too long. A lot of other reviewers have mentioned the Chocolate whip cream, maybe that's why this place was full when I was there? It certainly wasn't for the coffee. read more