Jerk and teriyaki chicken combo on rice. Excellent! Sat outside on the lone table and shaded a bit by the trees. Family run restaurant excellent and personable service. You can tell she was extremely busy but she was organized and timely. read more

The Lion's Den Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Their Jerk Chicken (served with rice and cornbread) was fall-off-the-bone and tasty. Would definitely have that again. But the main reason I'll go back to The Lion's Den is not just for its food and quirkiness, but for its people. Getting to meet Junko and Ken was a delight, as were the other people that I had the pleasure of talking to. You really get a sense of chosen family and the care, love, and pride they have for this little neighbourhood gem. read more

Jamaican patties were excellent - we tried both chicken and beef, and they were well flavored and hefty. Overall, great value and go for the Jamaican dishes. The jerk chicken has a nice spicy kick, and the meat was very tender. Serving portion was very generous, and the breakfast special was only $9 !? You cannot find that price at a restaurant in 2023 anywhere in Vancouver as a regular price! PLEASE NOTE: - service will be slow because it is ONE lady who is the cook/server/cashier/dishwasher/DJ/caretaker. Be patient and only go if you have time to spare - pour your own water and clean up the table as much as you can before leaving - help the lady out! - tip generously for a local gem :) Having read the reviews ahead of time, we called ahead to put in our order and informed the lady owner of our arrival time. Even though she was visibly stressed out about juggling so many tasks, she was still very polite and kindly got our food out quickly. Super grateful for that! If my spouse had a stroke and became disabled, I would not be able to handle running a restaurant literally all by myself (probably will burn it down within the first day...) So it is amazing what the owner is able to do on her own, day in and day out. read more

Another place that is near where i live 2-3 blocks,I went to check this place after walking by the park which is just after this building,not busy when i came,late lunch. Small place lessthan 20 heads when its full plus few tables outside. The owner is always there he is Jamaican named Al and the wife is the queen in the kitchen named junko,both of the very friendly..now i understand where they got the word 'JAPARIBBEAN". They have this calendar and after eating they will ask ask every clients to sign, As per Junko they survived almost 2 years now. simple menu,only few choices,i tried the jerky chicken. it comes with veggie salad and rice,it was spicy,the chicken was so tender that the meat is falling from the bones. Decors are jamaican inspired plus there was really a lion inside.i beleived they bought it from the zoo,it was a huge stuffed lion by the upper portion,positioned like looking outside from a den.pretty neat,i like it. Parking is always hard in this area,although it is free but firstcome first serve or you park by the street or a bit far. Small place so i dont know if it is good for group,there were 2 kids inside with their mom so that shows that this lions den is good for kids, There is TV but since im so hungry i forgot to checkl if they have wifi,even the wash room i wasnt able to peep on. For so long i wanted to try this place,but i would say this is not really the best spotto get an authentic jamaican dishes,maybe next time i will try Junko's special pizza. Accept cash/credit/debit Noise level is average. Friendly owners i even have a soveinir picture from both of them. Mabuhay!!!! read more

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Fall of the bone chicken, nicely spiced rice. Ken was super nice, along with Junko. The place is small, but cozy. Def coming again to try the oxtail and other dishes as well. read more

Japarribean? What's that? Definitely a new one. Parking is quite awful here, as both Fraser and Kingsway fill up. A short walk is in order. The name of the place comes from the giant (real) stuffed lion, on a shelf near the ceiling. This can be seen from the outside as well, if one looks up. The lion (his name is Junior) once lived in a zoo in Ontario. The interior is definitely a bit confusing - it honestly reminded me of an old pawn shop, with all these random knick-knacks everywhere. There's even a vintage coin-op Pac-Man table arcade game. Don't let the multiple joysticks fool you though - only 1 player plays at a time, even for a 2P game. The owner (Al, Jamaican guy) was friendly, but we didn't all get his (deadpan) Carribbean humour. I was okay with it, but his jokes took a couple of seconds to register. I can see his humour confusing customers who aren't used to it. The lady working there (Junko) is Japanese, and does the cooking. Hence the Japarribean. I had the jerk & teriyaki combo. Really wasn't sure what to expect. Sure enough, it was jerk chicken with teriyaki sauce thrown in, with a side of rice. This was definitely different, but I'm not user if it would impress everyone. Original, yes. Tasty? Unfortunately, not really. I couldn't really tell what I was eating. Maybe the strict Japanese or strict Caribbean items are better. With that said, our combos came with Jamaican patties. They're not made in house, but are sourced from places such as the Patty Shop (Arbutus) and Hibiscus (Surrey). Can't go wrong with these. These were served with a sweet chili sauce that had a nice kick. Special mention. The owner Al does care about his customers, and had us all sign a calendar (he does this to every single customer). Pretty neat when you flip through the pages and see all those signatures. I probably won't be back for a while, but when I do, it'll probably be to try the Caribbean or the Japanese dishes. read more

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Small and intimate store and a hilarious owner who truly makes you feel welcome and part his restaurant. I won't ruin that moment for you if you've never been though. From the beginning Ken was welcoming and friendly. He even gave up a box of Halloween chocolates to munch from while we waited for our orders (couple days after Halloween). The entire box! not just a couple pieces. Knows how to spoil a bunch of girls. The store will only fit about 12-15 people so you might want to make a reservation and be prepared to wait like most authentic restaurants since they make food from scratch. Totally worth it. Good pricing too. We had: Goat curry http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/lions-den-cafe-vancouver-3?select=T8cIvuradClu54F6S-BiEA#h0f_CSKHUNSMOnyT3UhaVQ Oxtail stew, http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/lions-den-cafe-vancouver-3?select=T8cIvuradClu54F6S-BiEA#Iauc7bkyT2WEUEVxxendyA Jerk & Teriyaki Chicken http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/lions-den-cafe-vancouver-3?select=T8cIvuradClu54F6S-BiEA#PT9eJTpFs0V6LRLVLBmH_A Vegetarian sandwich. http://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/lions-den-cafe-vancouver-3?select=T8cIvuradClu54F6S-BiEA#9-Ey7fOkTLrOPMV8FSQ_Pg The dishes were large, and each with their own unique Caribbean flavours. Can't wait to try it again. read more

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I've been looking for authentic Jamaican food in Vancouver for a decade and I'm not sure why I never knew of this place. The oxtail stew and jerk chicken was perfect - moist and flavourful and generous and went well with the champagne soda. I'm literally committed to trying every dish on their menu with ackee and salt fish up next. The owners Junko and Ken were there and despite suffering a stroke a few years ago Ken was there smiling and listening. Junko told us about themselves, their food, and the story of the restaurant's name. Do yourself a favour and go there and eat heartily and listen to their story - it'll be worth it. read more

The Lion's Den Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Our second visit and it Did not disappoint the curry goat is off the hook and my wife chose the big breakfast which she enjoyed very much. Also recommend you ask about the story of the stuff lying yes it's a real lion with a rather tragicomic story read more

Like Shannon B said. It's not for everyone. And though Ken kept thinkin that I was from Jamaica and he was probably going to tell me his story of the Lion, i was spared the details and sat down to a good meal of Big Als Cajun food. Saturday night Big Al (from the old Big Al's restaurant) comes here and performs his take on the southern charm cooking. Fried chicken, Gumbo, Cat Fish. etc. On Saturday nights, don't expect to eat "any tin else" but Big Als cookin. It's a special event. Now, when you come here, don't expect fancy, expect hole in the wall with some character and a bit zaniness. "Itsa goo tin mahn" We've been here twice and the first time was by accident. We went to check it out last night and ended up having a Red Stripe beer. Yas talked to the Japanese lady "Junko" which is Kens wife. Her and some other girls are usually working in the Kitchen while Ken hangs around and "manages" the place. It's a bit hectic and yet also Jamaican. If you've been there or have Jamaican friends, you'll know what I mean. I had the southern fried chicken with greens and rice. Actually it was almost like what I used to eat back in Toronto and of course Actually Junko is friendly and so is Ken, but you have to understand that their way is a different way and not for everyone. Junko mentioned that I should bring my kids here for breakfast and we can have a homecooked Jamaican breakfast with Ackee and saltfish and even dumplings (the latter are not on the menu but if you ask for them, they just might have some!) 8 am they open. I'm going there next Sunday morning for a Jamiacan breaky!! Just like I used to get at home when Pearl used to make me plantain and saltfish and hot sauce! When you come, plan to spend some time cause it will take some time. For me. I don't mind bringing my dishes into the kitchen and saying hi to the folks. Think of it as a way of life and just be easy. read more

Big Al Soul Saturday cooking!!! We got a few classics the fried chicken and catfish plates serves with collard greens and rice and beans and cornbread. Delish. read more

The Lion's Den Cafe - Big Al Soul Saturday cookup. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Creative and genuine East Van joint with lots of regulars and local support, thought Junko and co make it a welcoming place for newcomers as well. You go here for the authenticity and vibes. The food - Big Al's cooking days, held about every other month, is recommended. On the regular menu, the Jamaican stuff is decent. On the Japanese side I've tried okonomiyaki, which is too sauced over imo. Hope this stays a part of the community for years to come ! read more

This would be ZERO stars! Can you believe that? OMG. This place takes a prize. I've been wanting to try this strange little place out because I thought it had Island food. I thought about Currie Chicken Roti, I thought about Jerk Pork, I thought about Jamaican Patty's. I was dreaming.... SNAP! The reality was like a slap in the toosh! We did not last ONE minute in this place. Walked in, looked at the dirty floor, sniffed the air for something enticing... nada. It was all dark, with some crappy radio station on (not island music atmosphere), and we wondered if maybe they were closing, but it was only 3:30. We were greeted by an extremely surly Asian woman from the kitchen, I asked if they have some curry. (Like, what is on special.) She says, and I quote "Like what? I don't understand, just look at the menu" No thanks we said walking out. She was the rudest, meanest person I have EVER seen working at a cafe. We actually LAUGHED at how perfectly rude she was. I could not stop laughing as we walked back to the car. To think I have been wanting to come here for months. This place should not even exist. period. What a let down. read more

* 4th of July in Vancouver * Where else but in Vancouver would you find a bunch of Americans celebrating the 4th of July by eating Louisiana style cooking in a Japanese Caribbean (or as they call it a Japaribbean) cafe? Yes, normally this place offers jerk chicken, curry lamb, oxtail stew, curry goat, ackee & saltfish, as well as okonomiyaki, miso soup, and the ultimate Japaribbean dish "Jerk & Teriyaki combo." But I haven't tried either their Japanese or Caribbean food. Do you remember Big Al from Big Al's Soulfood? (http://www.yelp.ca/biz/big-als-soulfood-vancouver#hrid:LOH-On1Wxa5NSWaZ_GTZZw) Well he has resurfaced again - but just for today at the Lion's Den Cafe. Apparently Al has been working as a cook at one of the UBC fraternity houses since he closed up his restaurant. Lucky frat boys. I've always liked his fried chicken. Today it was on offer (along with his gumbo, jambalaya, and fried catfish). The side dishes have improved since his restaurant (no more frozen veggies and instant rice - hooray!). The fried chicken was good as ever staying entirely moist on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. The fresh corn on the cob was a nice touch, and the beans on rice had an amazingly smoky porky flavour to them. The corn bread was served in muffin form and was a tad on the dry side. I would give the chicken 4 stars, for sure. Service was totally hectic, with the owner Ken yelling at his helpers way too much. A little tip to Ken - if you want people to like working there don't say things like, "Don't do anything at all unless I tell you to." WAAAY too much micromanagement. But I digress. Guess the popularity of Big Al's cooking overwhelmed what appears to normally be a fairly quiet cafe. I do hope Big Al opens up a restaurant again so his fried chicken isn't just a one day deal in an odd setting...... read more

Ive been to lions den a bunch of times in the past 6 or so years. Its close and cozy. Ive had breakfast a lot and a few items on the menu for lunch. Id say it was ok, and the prices are reasonable. But every time Ive been, the food takes so long to arrive. Was there for breakfast today and it took over an hour. Ken was kinda rude when we first got in and self served ourselves coffee (there was no coffee and there was no cream to which we were ordered to 'wait your turn' (??) and 'sit down!!' ) Junko or whatever her name is had a black eye- not the first time Ive seen bruises on her face, and as I said, I dont go there often. Its ok to go there if you just want to have a chat with a friend, and are not hungry (at all) There is outdoor seating and its in a nice sunny/shady corner of Fraser and Kingsway. Today though, I realized why I dont go often, and why I probably wont ever go again. Over an hour for breakfast. Frighteningly slow service. Could have gone to Bon's and back and we still wouldn't have been served. To top it off after we paid my friend was ordered to 'not go anywhere' as Ken was going to give his 'first time in Lions Den' story to all the newcomers. So this is my farewell to The Lions Den Cafe. Sorry guys. read more

Haiku Review: Uptight Vancouver doesn't understand this place. Cherry blossoms fall. Relaxed old lion laughs, wanders out to serve you just take it slow. Slow. Take the whole morning Sit in the sun with Ken, find some rest and new friends. This place is it's own. It is it's own, friend, not yours. Just enjoy it. Slow. read more

After years I finally gave this a try. I would see this all the time in the little Triangle of shops just off Kingsway and Fraser area. I was kinda disappointed. I heard that this place had some Caribbean food, however, was introduced to a new genre (self proclaimed) Japarribean, however, there was nothing authentic about the two or a fusion that would suggest such cultural blending. Instead we did the all day breakfast off two friend eggs, pan friend potatoes, toast and bacon for $9 which seems to be the average for the area. The waitress didn't seem all there with my questions which was disconcerting. I asked her a few times about the soup and she was unclear as to whether they had it, it was being made and then she changed her mind about the answer and said that they don't have soup at all. I came here 'cause I was with a girlfriend of mine who swore by this place and she is in love with it. I didn't fall in with it as much as I wanted to mainly 'cause it of the genre of food blend that was misrepresented, the questionable customer service. The waitress made a big deal about us wanting a window seat in an empty place which was strange. The place is small with limited seating. They get two extra stars as the meal was made to order and came out in a timely manner. read more

*Are you there jah? It's me - Ras-John.* A tiny, shanty hole-in-the-wall 'Japaribbean' restaurant just off Kingsway serving Japanese and Caribbean food via home style cooking. The place has its charms, but may be grating for some. Walk in and you're greeted by the owner, Ken, and he introduces you to Junior, the stuffed lion overhead for which the cafe is named after. His wife, Junko, toils in the kitchen - hence the odd combination of Japanese teriyaki/okonomiyaki with Carribean dishes. He also asked us if it was our first time there and where we heard about the place. This is the same spiel he gives to everyone that comes in. I wanted to try the oxtail stew but ended up ordering the jerk chicken (large is $9) and the curry goat (large is $12) as my buddy wanted something quasi-familiar. To be honest, it was a bit disconcerting to overhear Ken in the kitchen telling somebody how to make the chicken as we ate our complimentary salads. However, after a long wait, both dishes were alright - the meat was pretty tender and spicy but the rice was pretty dry though. It's homestyle so you'll chewing on the bones - the food was good but not great. Wish I had better tasting notes but you'll have to excuse I, for me be a bombaclot baldhead when it comes to Caribbean food. To be honest, given the fact we ordered the more expensive large dishes and the homely decor, I was hoping for exceptional value and huge portions for the price. The 'large' dishes didn't seem all that large for $2 more compared to the regular portions. Both of us added Jamaican patties ($2.25 each) to 'top up' our meal. This was probably the best part - the crust was pretty flaky and the spicy beef was flavourful. If I'm in the area, I would gladly pop by for a patty or two for takeout or out on the outdoor seating. Bottles of Red Stripe are $5 each and our 'bill' (we never got one, Ken just punched it up on the calculator and yelled it to us from the back) came to about $30 excluding the beers we had. I wouldn't spoil the speech that Ken (presumably) gives every evening about the cafe and the stuffed lion. But the building is over 100 years old and he's been in business for over 10. The history is pretty nifty, but it must be annoying for his regulars to keep hearing the same story. My buddy really didn't like this joint and complained about having a stomachache afterward - but I felt fine. I looked up the health inspection reports and they seem a-ok (despite the appearance of this place). It was probably just the combination of spicy food and the beers - so be wary if you have a sensitive stomach. I thought value/quality for the money could be better and I can see it being a hit for the inexpensive breakfast options and the dope Jamaican patties. 2.5 stars from me, but I'll round up since the place is one-of-a-kind. read more

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Ken and Junko have got a good thing going here. I've frequented this place for breakfast, mostly, just about since they opened. it's got great atmosphere, the food is good, and the folks who run it are super friendly. not everybody is gonna like this place, but unfortunately not everybody is cool either; what can you do? have a creative day B-) read more

Remember that time we went for weekend brunch at the Lions Den and we had to wait TWO HOURS for our food to arrive? Ya, I try to block that one out of my mind. The owner was nice and gave us complementary Jamaican pies while we were waiting but STILL, it was ridiculous. (How is it even possible for a kitchen to be that back-logged??) The food was average, once it came, but at that point anything would have tasted good. Would not recommend based solely on the negative experience with the service. read more

Best Jamaican patties! I ordered a take out here today and had Jerk chicken with a Jamaican patty (Really good). Great portion of jerk chicken and it comes with salad, rice, beans and jerk sauce. I ordered the large jerk chicken but couldn't finish it so next time small with a Jamaican patty or I might try their Oxtail Stew. This place is all about the food and Ken (Owner) is really friendly guy and told me this place has been in business for over 10 years. I will try breakfast here someday as some Yelpers have mentioned that it is also good and I will update this review. read more

I always envied those shows like Friends and Cheers where the characters all had a local hangout where they felt at home. Well I think I've found my Vancouver version of this. I had such an amazing experience at Lion's Den cafe. As has been previously mentioned, Ken is so friendly and hilarious. I enjoyed him calling me "Sister from Another Mister." His son even came to visit and said hi to the entire restaurant. It felt like such a welcoming experience. As for the food, my omelette was so delicious. The cheese oozed out of it and it was cooked to perfection. Plus, it's probably one of the cheapest breakfast places in town. If you want to feel all warm and fuzzy, you have to check this place out. read more

This is a regular breaky spot for my beau and I. Its a laid back chill place to grab a satisfying and affordable breakfast or lunch. They acclaim to be a Japparibbean Restaurant (owner Ken is Carribean and his wife is Japanease) and they have delicious home style recipes. The first time I went there I ate my breakfast on an old pacman video game table and I liked how you just walk in grab a cup and help your self to coffee and water. Anther time I brought by brother and sister here and they thought the huge stuffed lion was pretty cool, Ken told the whole story (which i've heard about 20 times now, ha ha) and then we all signed the calendar which celebrates everyday the den has been open. This place is cool and unpretentious and tucked in behind big trees on a busy east van corner. The jerk sauce Ken makes is KILLER! 18 herbs and spices from scratch, I order it on the side and put it on my eggs or dip a Jamaican patty in it. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is cause service is not quick, however if your not in a rush its all good. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place out for ages... finally got the chance and what a let down. From an owner who thinks it's kitschy and homey to be rude to his customers and berate his staff in the middle of the dining area (it happened midway through our meal... so embarrassing) to breakfast that was "ok" at best... so disappointed. Frankly, it only earned a second star because the jerk chicken was really good. The waffles were meh, the eggs, bacon, toast breakfast was meh. I really wanted to try the okonomiyaki, but when I tried to order it the waitress got really distressed and said, "please, no. It takes a long time, at least 45 minutes." It was my main reason for wanting to try this place. When I said I would need more time to decide then, she stood there sheepishly and I had to shoo her away to give me a moment. When we were ready to order again, the female owner came to take our order and seemed really annoyed about having to deal with us (maybe the waitress said we were being difficult because of the okonomiyaki?). When I tried to order the jerk/teriyaki combo I was told abruptly that it could not be made fast and I better not be in a rush. I asked how long and she ROLLED HER EYES AT ME and said "at least 10 minutes," like that would be MUCH too long for me. I said, "ok, that's ok." and she huffed at me in exasperation. I've never felt chastised for ordering an item that was clearly on the menu. Well, I'm glad I stuck with my order, because the jerk chicken was really good (the teriyaki was ok) and everything else at our table was pretty meh. My latte was undrinkable, but no one ever checked with us about the food or drink once it arrived. When I tried to get the bill and some left over waffles packed up, I was thrown a styrofoam container and never brought my bill. It took two more requests to pay before I was told to pay at the counter at which point nobody knew which bill was ours. Definitely never returning... just can not put up with such awful service no matter how good the jerk chicken. read more

I don't care what other peeps say about this place. I love it. Always a chill/relaxing place. Never go here if you're on a time crunch. And although they call themselves a "japaribbean" cafe, there's only one item on the menu that's a mix of Japanese and caribbean food... WHICH IS AMAZING! The sweetness of teriyaki sauce and the spiciness of jerk makes the chicken worth trying! They have a real Canadian lion in the place! And Ken will definitely give you a little explanation. He's amazing, not only for the cafe, but he's responsible for reviving the Fraser triangle (or Ken's corner, as my roommate calls it) via small business loans and discussions with the city to clean up the small Kingsway/Fraser intersection. And with the cherry blossom in bloom, it's pretty much paradise. The portions are generous, especially the Okonomiyaki! It fed two hungry men for two meals! That's how BIG it is. And the serve coffee in big cups, and apparently its great, though I don't drink coffee so I don't know. And they have $4.75 breakfast all day long. Best value in the restaurant by far. read more

I still think about their breakfast sandwich years later. The owner is one of the most welcoming and lovely humans and the chef (who I believe is his partner) is a total joy and a fabulous cook! Hear the story of the lion. Sign the calendar. Join the club of folks you ate great food in a great spot! 10/10 read more

A rare little gem in Vancouver. The curried lamb is always tender and delicious, and the portions are generous. There is also a home made ginger beer which is a delight. I think what really makes this place is the people that run it though. Ken and Junko have an amazing skill for remembering people and coming there feels like being greeted by old friends. The friendly, laid back atmosphere is what makes this place a standout in a city of so many restaurants. read more

16 year-old family owned restaurant on a fun block in Vancouver. Owner Ken is from the Bahamas and his wife is from Japan. There are a couple dishes that are 'Japaribbean'. The jerk teriyaki chicken was really good. Flavorful and spicy with the chicken meat falling off the bone. Most memorable experience is the owner coming outside to where we were sitting to help us kill off the wasps that were flying around our table. Would come again for the jerk chicken! read more

The Lions Den is a really friendly neighborhood place and a few friends and nearby business owners dropped by and said hi to the owner as he sat outside at a nearby table. The owner chatted with us and told us the story of the real lion that was stuffed and mounted on the wall of the restaurant and we passed the time, used the free wi-fi, and soaked in the unhurried and laidback atmosphere of the place. The menu had a selection of Jamaican food, breakfasts, coffee and drinks. I ordered the jerk chicken with rice and beans. Chicken fell off the bone and was plenty tasty, the rice and beans were spicy, the portions were large, and the price was around $6-7. read more

Food: This might be the only Japanese-Caribbean (Japaribbean) fusion restaurant in the Lower Mainland. I ordered the signature dish: the Jerk Teriyaki Chicken Combo. Coming with a garden salad, the two chicken thighs were interesting. One thigh is smothered in a spicy jerk sauce while the other is drenched in a sweet teriyaki paste. An interesting combination to say the least, and it was cooked very well through. I also had the Lemonade Ting which was a carbonated lemon soda. The bottle was cute and it came with a separate glass to pour into. In terms of food, this was good but not the highlight of the restaurant. Features: A giant lion by the name of Junior watches over the restaurant which seats about 20. Try not to come with more than 4 guests. The restaurant owner gets every new customer to sign a calendar of his which he has updated for over 30 years. The building the restaurant resides in is over 100 years old so the whole place is positively screaming with Vancouver heritage. Service: This is the special part. I've never had such a kind and chill restaurant owner go over to every group in the restaurant and start a conversation with them. Small talk or not, this is a guy who really loves putting on a good time for his customers. The owner is a Jamaican fella. He and his Japanese wife have really kept it together for a long time. If not for the food, the longevity and perseverance of these two have kept the restaurant experience going strong for a very long time. One-liner: Lions, Caribbean, and Japanese flavours under one roof. Highlight: The owner. Recommended for: Guests looking for a great meal and interaction. Would I go back? Yes. read more

Caribbean/Japanese cuisine with all day breakfast? Check. 100 year old location? Check. Canadian-born taxidermy lion? Check. Ridiculously friendly owner? Check. This place is a no-brainer if you want to leave with a story and a satisfied appetite. Ken is the man. read more

Quirky, eclectic, and unconventional all seem to be a bit of understatement when it comes to describe the vibe of this little cafe. Its a mesh of Rasta-Bob Marley+Caribbean+Asian+Vegetarian served up the most hilarious and chill owner known as: Ken. He served us diners up a story about how the cafe came to be and how he acquired the infamous taxidermy lion that rests above the ceiling as you eat. The waitstaff is friendly right upon entering, most of the people who came in seem to be regulars. Breakfast is served all day on the menu, with that you also get a really nice variety of foods to your liking. I was most proud to see that they are veg-friendly with lots of curries and tofu. I ordered up a rather yellowish egg white omelet that I wasn't too happy about while my boyfriend got the jerk chicken and noted that the meat was tender it was falling off the bones. Certainly a fun stop in if your looking for a welcoming and chill place to eat in the area. read more

Don't let the Japanese/Jamaican fusion and the really relaxed atmosphere throw you off. Ken and Junko are two of the most unique characters in the Vancouver restaurant business. They've proven it by keeping the Lions Den open for this long and all their happy customers who keep returning year after year is a true testimony to their great homestyle establishment. Absolutely delicious Jamaican Patties. I'll usually get a hot Beef Pattie while I'm there and then I'll get about 15-20 frozen ones to bring home and live off those for lunches and midnight snacks for about a week! It took me this long to review them for 2 reasons: 1) I don't want my Jamaican Pattie supply to be affected in any way 2) I don't want everyone to know how I manage to keep my girlish frame If you are in the neighborhood, it really is your loss if you don't give them a try! read more

First off, this isn't the place for you if you are in a hurry. Trust. I like to take my time when I eat, and when I do, I go to the Lion's Den. ... I go to the Lion's Den for 2.5 things (don't worry, I'll explain): 1. The brunch. It is by no means an impressive brunch menu, especially in a brunch-mad place like Vancouver. It is, however, consistent. Sometimes you just want some eggs with bacon and toast, or a waffle with potatoes, and that's that. Also, it's still funny after several times to have someone ask you if you want your toast with 'jam, marmalade, strawberry, or Halle Berry'. 2. Big Al's specials. On the occasional Saturday (usually no more than twice a month), the Lion's Den hosts Chef Big Al, who really gets down with dinner -- southern cooking of catfish, ribs, fried chicken, okra, jambalaya, greens cornbread, rice and beans ... the works. You can get a main plate of a meat item, or you can get a variety plate which comes with a little bit of e v e r y t h i n g. You'll want to come to these Saturday night events hungry, but you won't leave hungry, believe me. 2.5. Ken, Junko, and MJ. (People are important, but let's face it -- most of the time you go to a restaurant for the food.) Ken is the guy playing the music. The guy with the jokes (see aforementioned 'Halle Berry' reference above in point 1), and probably taking your order. Ken tells the stories. Ken is not for everyone, especially the ones who are in a hurry. If you are new to the Lion's Den, he will tell you the story of the Lion's Den. I won't spoil it, because it's a pretty nice story and Ken tells it well. He has a huge heart, a somewhat offbeat sense of humour, and a huge personality, so be prepared. Junko is the gal most likely making your food, if it's not a Big Al evening. She's awesome during the rare moments you see / talk to her, and she works super hard. Junko is married to Ken, and together they are the Japarribean couple bringing you a unique dining experience. MJ is the son of Ken and Junko. You're very likely to see him on a Big Al evening (see point 2), because it is a very huge event where everyone shows up. He's fun, and likes to make sure other folks are having fun, even if they're new to him. That's a quality I wish I could see at more resturants, honestly. ... The Lion's Den isn't perfect, but it's great if you want to pick out a new regular place where people will learn your name if you go there a few times. It feels getting together with old friends. read more

Been while since my last review. So long, in fact, that I've moved cities in the interim, and am now back in my hometown of Vancouver. With some new-found free time, the moment is ripe to explore and enjoy the incredible and diverse cuisine Vancity has to offer! First stop: Lions Den Cafe. Now, this was a complete and total stumble-upon. I had originally planned on sitting down at a nearby cafe, but upon arriving, was boxed out by a small garrison of hipsters. The options were bleak, but, fortunately, I found the LDC! AMBIANCE: This place describes itself as "Japaribbean." As such, the decor is influenced accordingly, although is largely Caribbean-predominant. Lots of cool, kitschy items litter the walls and ceilings, the focal point being , of course, Junior - a Canadian-born, real stuffed lion! Quite cozy and intimate, and you get a sense that you're actually sitting in Ken, the owner's,, kitchen! DRINK: No hard bar for me today, but the coffee I was served was sensationally jagnormous! Menu also lists fruit juice, ginger beer, and other sunny, summertime favourites. FOOD: I was boring and had the standard breakfast special, which came with eggs, bacon, toast, and potatoes. It was actually quite well done, balanced, and (again) screamed "home-made." Beautifully accompanied by Grace Hot Pepper Sauce! They have a whole assortment of jerk and curry dishes, which will have to wait for next time. Also, the "japa" items in Japarribbean include Okonomiyaki (japanese pizza) - which I've had elsewhere, but am intrigued to try this version. COST: Completely and totally reasonable. This will not be your concern. Most expensive item is around $11. SERVICE: Top notch. They set the table outside for me, and checked in frequently. Ken and his staff have a fantastic welcoming, jovial demeanour, and their authenticity shows through. All said and done, this place deserves a visit. It's a great, genuine neighbourhood joint that's been up and running since 1999, and for good reason: they're doing it right. This Thursday, May 23, marks their 5000th day in business, and it's gonna be a party (with deals, too!). Check out their FB page for more details (https://www.facebook.com/TheLionsDen604?fref=ts). - B read more

Great place to eat if you like authentic and cozy cafes with its own atmosphere! Its also cool that you can try both Japanese and Jamaican eats there. The owners are a very friendly couple, the service was very fast and everything was very delicious and quite spicy. This is a unique place with its own history, and there s also a figure of a lion inside! We tried jerk chicken and spicy beef Jamaican patty. Totally recommend to try those two :) read more

i love this place! go for brunch or curry or some jerk goods or, if you're lucky, for ken's birthday for some soul food. grab a patty if you're in a hurry. read more

Can't go wrong visiting when Big Al is in the house. Delicious fried chicken with collard greens, corn bread, potatoes and corn on the cob. Tried catfish for the first time in my life tonight and it was amazing! Lions den has been in this quaint location coming up on 15 years.... read more

The owner is super nice. We didn't get to try the food there because his wife was sick but we ended up hanging out for 2 hours taking over almost his entire restaurant but he was nice about it and made sure that we had drinks, water, and everything else. He even gave us his little story about the restaurant and asked us to sign his calendar. The food's decent and honestly I just like a local little place. I wouldn't go out of your way to it but if you're in the area stop by! read more

Nice comfort food. Good to support local business. Got the curry, jerk chicken and roti :)