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    Yama Cafe

    4.4 (109 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    YAMA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Yama Cafe

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    Robert C.

    Return or Not return? Likely. Odd user experience and loss of one star immediately. I absolutely get offended when I get asked to prepay/tip and when I've had no service (and haven't tasted the food). That's what they did. And forgot to mention it's 11:15am, 2 other tables all of whom have their food, and yet I'm still waiting and waiting. Slow slow. And another btw, sign on the table that limits to "1 hour seating limit when we get busy". How can that be? All you really sell is pork belly and tuna tataki? Are customers enamored bc they are Japanese? If so, let's stop the nonsense that you have to be Japanese to make Japanese food well. Now the food? I had the tataki and it was very delicate, with a vinaigrette type sauce on the rice. Pleasant and arguably "created with love". It's not over the top, but likable. I would not pay the extra $6 for the mushroom soup and "muffin". Soup is meh and muffin nothing special (and small). I'd more inclined to order 2 entrees next time.

    Pork belly bento set
    Cristina L.

    This pork belly was delicious. Small shop owned by a couple. You can tell they took care into making this meal. Not pretentious like many ramen places. A hidden gem with friendly service.

    Cynthia S.

    A nice little cafe that serves Japanese food and treats! They have great lunch sets and they also offer omakase meals at night if you book in advance. I highly recommend this because not only does Yama make your menu based on your request but you also get to have the cafe to yourself so it's such an intimate setting! I'm not impressed very often but I certainly was on my visit. Here is the menu we enjoyed: Cream cheese saikyo yaki, wagyu nigiri, squid and cucumber umeoroshiae, deep fried lotus root, satoimo kawariage, BC spot prawn sunomono Smoked sashimi (toro, aburi shime sawara, salmon, squid, scallop) Black code miso yaki Yuzu shoyu mini ramen Matcha Zenkai The smoked sashimi was our favourite of the night because we never had smoked sashimi before and we loved that it was smoked right in front of us! How fun!

    Small, quaint, and simple. All the food comes out on crafted dishes. We ordered a matcha latte and typical breakfast plate. Matcha was delicious and the food was also good. Very clean simple eating.

    Audrey T.

    Was looking for a Christmas cake for a holiday party and stumbled upon Yama Cafe! Was super easy to fill out their form online to inquire availability and they responded very promptly. I got the strawberry shortcake 7 inch for $45 plus tax. Pickup was so quick and easy. The decorations and attention to detail was incredible! Taste was delicious and not too sweet.

    Tuna Tataki Bowl
    Andrea M.

    Tried this place after seeing a video about the café and my partner also loves going to cafes. It was a cozy place and was busy when we went for lunch. A bit on the messy side (we were seated at the back), but overall a nice little family run Japanese café. We ordered the Pork Belly Bowl + lunch set and Tuna Tataki Bowl. The Pork Belly Bowl was quite flavourful (and more saucier) and my partner loved the Tuna Tataki Bowl she ordered. We also ordered the Matcha Cafe Latte which was delicious.

    Morning Set (CAD $16.95)
    Sharon L.

    The morning set included miso soup, a bowl of rice, Japanese pickles, a small salad, onsen tamago, fruits and a choice of protein. You can pick between sockeye salmon and mackerel and I got the sockeye salmon. Honestly this was a fairly simple meal but it was so delicious and I absolutely loved it. The salmon was marinated so it's on the saltier side but it's perfect to pair it with the rice. I personally love mixing the onsen egg to the rice, because the rice can absorb all the runny yolk. I couldn't leave without getting their bake goods! Their mochi muffin was as good as how I remembered, super soft and chewy. The monaka was something new that I tried, it was sooo cute and I couldn't resist. I really enjoyed everything I had and I love their vibe and wooden furnishings. I am definitely coming back in the future. P.S: They serve the morning set until 11:00am, so make sure the time before visiting!

    Mochi Muffins
    Kyle C.

    Yama Cafe is phenomenal! The place is small, they're not open for long hours, but you definitely have to give them a chance. Their mochi muffins were awesome coffee snacks, and their matcha cafe latte was incredibly yummy. Tuna tataki bowl was also really good though perhaps not as outstanding as their cafe fares. Overall, it is maybe slightly pricier but it's worth what you pay for. Their kitchen was also incredibly accommodating at my last-minute request to prepare half my order as takeout. 5 stars and will definitely be back!

    Steven L.

    Delicious cake! Very local and authentic. Great service and parking available on the street.

    Azuki (red bean paste) muffin and black sesame muffin (both vegan)
    Matt B.

    Nice little Japanese cafe with a homey feel with lots of vegan options. They're only open for lunch (Tue-Sat: 9am-3pm), so I stopped in for lunch one day and ordered their vegan bowl ($13) with 8-grain rice ($1), and added a small miso soup ($2), and a couple of mini-"muffins" since they are all vegan ($1 each; I got azuki [red bean] and black sesame). They brought my food out in about 10 minutes. The presentation is very colourful and aesthetically pleasing, with creative items on there. You get all sorts of interesting stuff in there, though what's listed on their website didn't exactly match what I got. One of the nicest things in there was the bok choy covered in this interesting black dressing (black sesame maybe?). Everything works harmoniously and feels pretty healthy (not oily or anything). Reasonable portion, though I could've done with a little more substance. The mini-muffins were both really tasty: not too sweet, with nice texture. Overall, I really liked the food and will likely return. Recommended. Good spot for healthy Japanese eats.

    Black sesame latte with almond milk, hojicha moffin, earl grey yuzu moffin, matcha moffin, and manju
    Wennie H.

    Super cute shop with a lot of good looking sweets. Service was really friendly and the breakfast set came out quickly, there was a lot of attention to detail put in to it. I ordered the black sesame latte with almond milk, earl grey yuzu moffin, matcha moffin and manju. Everything was subtle in flavor/taste and not overwhelming with sweetness. The moffins had great texture.

    Pork belly bowl - its really good
    Jayson A.

    Amazing authentic japanese family own cafe. The pork belly bowl is out of this world, taste somewhat like chicken or turkey except really soft!! We also had muffin, green tea latte and royal Milk tea, same quality and reminded us what we had in Japan. Note - we are from Toronto, and only stayed in Vancouver for 3 days and we went to Yama Cafe for 2nd straight day!

    Toast with black Sesame butter
    Kristie W.

    Delicious homestyle Japanese food and beverages! Small but cute cafe owned and operated by a lovely young Japanese couple. Although their meal items are limited and your order might take a while to be served, everything is prepared thoughtfully and with care. The traditional Japanese breakfast, which is balanced and nutritious, is a must try if you like grilled fish. Best grilled mackerel I've ever had. The pork belly bowl, which is available all day, is also delicious. Generous portion of ultra tender pork belly and a generous serving of rice and a fresh green salad. You must sample their drink menu, too! Their royal milk tea has a complex tea flavour and perfect amount of creaminess and foam, with a hint of sweetness. I hope they stick around and continue to add to their menu!

    Mochi muffins

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    8 months ago

    A nice little authentic Japanese cafe. Food and coffee were good. The service was also good.

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    3 years ago

    Children were running around in the restaurant. I don't like. Service is not good either.

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    Yama Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Thistledown House

    Thistledown House

    4.6
    (13 reviews)
    7.8 km
    $$$

    Got a minute? Let me tell you about this charming Bed and Breakfast on N shore. It's just across…read morefrom the Capilano Suspension Tourist Trap but don't let that cloud your judgement. Before I start grab a complimentary port or scotch or sherry. Then let's take a tour. Ok. It will be short tour. They just have a few rooms. But first well stop at the little side kitchen where you can help yourself to coffee, tea, soda and water. For a charge they also have wine and beer available. This is also where you hang your key when you leave the house so they know who is here. We got the Under the Apple Tree Room which was spacious and nicely decorated. It even had its own private yard. Also has gas fireplace, jacuzzi style tub and stand up shower. The heated bathroom floor was a nice touch. If you get tired of your room you can also enjoy sitting outside on a deck or the living room. We really enjoyed relaxing on the couch back in our room in front of the fire place. Morning came a bit too soon. Was hard to get up out of the super comfortable down blankets on the King bed. The breakfast was ready though and included three delicious courses. Polenta with almonds, banana kirsch, and smoked salmon with poached egg on toasted croissant. Yum. Virginia's breakfast was all the better by Brian's entertaining stories of 5 years in the service business now.

    Spent an amazing weekend in North Vancouver at the Thistledown House bed and breakfast. Near the…read moresuspension bridge. The house is very comfortable and accommodating. Our room was big and comfy with a remote control fireplace that adds real heat into the room and a large old school bathtub. Big enough for two.... Breakfast was delicious! Three courses, one of the fanciest I've had and the daytime butler service around breakfast time was a real treat. Fantastic time! I highly recommend the Thistledown house.

    Photos
    Looking out...
    Looking out...
    Thistledown at night
    Thistledown at night
    Thistledown House

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    Jam Cafe on Beatty

    Jam Cafe on Beatty

    4.4
    (1.6k reviews)
    3.4 km
    $$

    This one is fun because your enthusiasm feels genuine. I'd lean into that instead of trying to…read moresound like a traditional reviewer. That's what makes it memorable. Jam Cafe, Vancouver Jam Cafe is my favorite brunch spot. Anywhere. That sounds like an exaggeration. It isn't. I've been traveling to Vancouver for work for almost a decade, and every single trip includes a stop at Jam. If I'm lucky, two. I've also become that coworker who convinces everyone to meet outside at 7:45 in the morning so we can be part of the first seating at 8:00. Thankfully, we're all from the East Coast and have been awake since 5:00 anyway. Over the years I've successfully JAMfluenced more business travelers than I'd like to admit. And yes, it's still worth the wait even if you're not first in line. The restaurant itself is tiny. Cozy farmhouse vibes, mismatched decorations covering the walls, and maybe 15 tables between the dining room and patio. It feels more like someone's favorite neighborhood breakfast spot than one of Vancouver's brunch institutions. The menu is comfort food turned up to eleven. Everything is indulgent, creative, and somehow still balanced. You can tell the kitchen starts with great ingredients because every component tastes like it could stand on its own. I try to branch out every visit... and then usually end up ordering the Tater Tot Bowl anyway. Crispy tater tots, buffalo sauce, Mexican street corn relish, and ridiculously good pulled pork. It's the kind of dish that sounds like it shouldn't work, but every bite somehow gets better than the last. And then there are the cinnamon roll pancakes. They are enormous. They're also one of the best brunch dishes I've ever eaten. Birdfluencer Lorraine M. declared them the best pancakes she's ever had, and after several visits, I don't have much of an argument. Service is exactly what it needs to be. Friendly, efficient, and quick. The staff knows there's a line forming outside before the doors even open, but you never feel rushed. Overall, Jam Cafe has officially become part of my Vancouver tradition. At this point, a work trip to the city doesn't really start until I've had breakfast here. If you're visiting Vancouver and only have time for one brunch, this would be my pick without a second thought.

    First off, came on a Sunday and oh my was there a line out the door. We were recommended this place…read moreby a local. And as I soon as I walked in I noticed the portions people were receiving, holy cow! Are we in Texas? I ordered a chai latte and it smelt so good. And tasted even better, best chai I've ever had. It tasted like a cinnamon fall festival in my mouth. Brought me right back to my childhood and all the falls I spent in New England. I also got the huevos rancheros and it was so good. I hardly made a dent in my food though. There was a bit of a wait for the bathrooms. I loved the decor too. Honestly I see the hype for this place, but I believe it's mainly for their HUGE portions. Dont get me wrong the food was delicious! But I don't think waiting in a line is necessary for this place.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Eggs in Purgatory
    Eggs in Purgatory
    Apple Cinnamon French Toast

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    Apple Cinnamon French Toast
    Notch8 Restaurant & Bar

    Notch8 Restaurant & Bar

    3.6
    (223 reviews)
    8.6 km
    $$$

    This place was absolutely worth it…read more We stayed at the Fairmont which made this super convenient. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. The menu selection for adults and kids was excellent. And the food was just fine right and at a good quality. The star is the high tea. If you've never done high tea before definitely do it here. We go regularly and experienced some of the best one's in the US. This i think is the best or second best I've ever had. The value is there. The ambience was exquisite. The charm was there. And the food was excellent. Every bite was executed well. We even had vegetarians with us which sometimes get short changed and they got as good of an experience as we did.

    I have to say, I was seriously impressed with this Sakura-themed high tea…read more Came here for a birthday treat thanks to a friend, and it ended up being such a great experience from start to finish. The service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and the food? So much of it. We actually had to take some home, which almost never happens with high tea. The pastries and sandwiches were not only beautifully presented, but also creative and well-executed--nothing felt like filler. You can tell there was real thought put into the menu. The space itself is elegant and charming, making it perfect for a pre-spring outing, a catch-up with friends, or a low-key celebration. Would I come back? Absolutely--especially for a themed menu like this.

    Photos
    Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
    Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
    Notch8 Restaurant & Bar

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    Nero Waffles

    Nero Waffles

    4.4
    (617 reviews)
    4.3 km
    $$

    After grabbing dinner with some friends, we wanted to grab dessert. I knew Nero Waffle was nearby,…read moreso I suggested it. I've only been to the original location on Robson years ago, so wasn't sure if the quality had stayed the same, but we thought it was worth trying. We ordered a Tiramisu and a Bresilienne to share between four people. It came out it in relatively short time. And wow, they were both even better than I remember. Their waffles are incredibly crisp and light, despite the amount of toppings on them. I don't know how they make them so they stay so resistant to going soggy. And despite the amount of whipped cream, ice cream and sauce on them, the waffle was always able to balance out the sweetness. Their waffles are just perfect balance of flavour and texture. Service was also quite impressive. Our server was very pleasant and attentive, and brought share plates with out being asked. Overall, a great dessert. I don't know why I haven't returned earlier.

    Here's my hot-take about Nero Waffles...the BRUSSELS square waffle are 100% must-try, whereas their…read moreLIÈGE circular waffles was a hard pass. My friend & I tried: -Smashed avocado BRUSSELS savoury waffle (4/5) really enjoyed the taste of the cheese infused crispy, airy, but melt-in-your-mouth waffle on its own. I wished there were 2 poached eggs rather than just the 1. I'd also rather the salad and avocado on the side instead. -Ham & Cheese LIÈGE stuffed waffle (3.5/5) the waffle itself wasn't too impressive, liked the stuffing though -Pistachio & Vanilla custard mini LIÈGE waffles (2.5/5) again, the waffle texture was unimpressive, dense & softer, not crispy. Vanilla custard was nice and you can see vanilla bean flecks. Pistachio flavour was ok Overall, I would come back just for their BRUSSELS waffle and during brunch time as they have the Benedict option!

    Photos
    Kitchen area
    Kitchen area
    Eggs benedict with whole haas avocado
    Eggs benedict with whole haas avocado
    Bailey's Tiramisu hot latte (double)

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    Bailey's Tiramisu hot latte (double)
    Yolks

    Yolks

    4.5
    (57 reviews)
    4.8 km
    $$

    Tasty!! We just got…read moreoff of a cruise and were looking for somewhere close for breakfast and stumbled across this place near our hotel. We were having gorgeous weather in Vancouver so we decided to eat on the covered patio. The place is pretty cozy, but was only moderately busy when we went. They have a pretty good menu with lots a Benedict's and a build your own breakfast option that seemed pretty nice. I took the recommendation from our server and got the bacon benny. It did not disappoint. I think I have recently discovered that I love poached eggs and these were perfect. The yolk was nice and runny and the white was firm but not hard. I like to cut in to my egg and have it run down and get messy on the plate. The hollandaise was excellent. So many breakfast places will serve it broken, but not here. It had the perfect amount of lemon, butter ratio for my taste and I really enjoyed it. The bacon was good, not to salty, and the english muffin was, well, an English muffin from a package that they toasted and out on the plate. I did splurge and paid the extra dollar for the truffle potatoes and they were very good. I love truffle oil on potatoes so I am a sucker for it whenever its on a menu. You just cant mess it up. Fried potatoes, truffle oil, and a lemon squeeze to bring it all together. My wife got the brunch burger and she loved it. It was a messy breakfast burger that a lot of places have but this one was done right. A poached oozy egg, on a burger patty with american cheese, the best burger cheese in my opinion, bacon, hollandaise and arugula on a brioche bun! It came with tater tots and they were nice and crispy just like she likes them. Well, why didn't I give it five stars you may be asking? Great question. Here it is, each plate came with a side that was just awful. Mine had some "fresh" fruit that nearly made me laugh. It consisted of the saddest, limpest piece of watermelon I have ever seen this side of a trash can. I also had an old crusty orange wedge and a single grape. My wife got a slimy side salad that I think was holding on for dear life. Both, we deemed inedible and moved on immediately. I think there is a rule, or at least there should be one, in restaurants that if you wouldn't eat it then don't serve it. There might be another one that says if you eat rotten food maybe get a different job and see rule one. Overall, we liked the place and would go back. We would just avoid the salads and fresh fruit and stick to the food they cook.

    Second time here, and while the food is very good, the fantastic service is what stands out the…read moremost. But first, the food - I ordered scrambled eggs, chicken apple sausage and paid an extra $1 for truffled lemon potatoes. The verdict? 4 out of 5. I'd ordered the eggs "very soft" and they verged on medium-firm. They still tasted good. I'll gladly pay extra for the truffled potatoes next time. My husband ordered the salmon avocado benny. While he loved the tomato soup he chose on the side, he was less enamoured by the benny itself. I had a taste and was underwhelmed by a forkful of overripe avocado and slightly fishy-tasting salmon. We finished with an order of beignets which despite being freshly-fried, were bland; although the accompanying strawberry sauce was deliciously tangy-sweet. Onto the service. This place spins like a top, and I mean that in a good way. Although we came at a peak time, all front of the house staff we encountered -- from the hostess to our bubbly server, to the smooth manager -- struck a perfect balance of being in flow, working flawlessly together, and maintaining light conversation with us. Exemplary. 5 stars out of 5.

    Photos
    Table and booths- they are playing Taylor
    Table and booths- they are playing Taylor
    Yolks
    The new patio

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    The new patio

    Yama Cafe - cafes - Updated August 2026

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