Vancouver breakfast spots for tasty oatmeal bowls
When it comes to comforting breakfast foods, it doesn’t get much better than digging into a warm bowl of oatmeal. This healthful morning meal gets the gourmet treatment at these Vancouver eateries, with the addition of sweet fruit slices, crunchy nuts and other tasty toppings.
MARKET by Jean-Georges
1128 Georgia St W, Vancouver, BC V6E 0A8Sure, it might be a bit excessive to spend hundreds of dollars on a staycation at this ultra swanky hotel, but you can definitely justify an indulgent breakfast bowl at the on-site restaurant. The MARKET by Jean Georges is an airy, modern space that’s sure to wow with its floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary glass chandeliers, stellar service and five-star cuisine. The classic steel-cut oatmeal arrives topped with a sprinkling of brown sugar and fresh berries. For a fruitier variation, try the traditional Bircher muesli, made with green apple, almonds and heavy cream.
Yolks Restaurant
546 Broadway W, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E9Yolks might be known for its perfectly poached eggs and design-your-own breakfast menu, but if you feel like taking a break from les oeufs, you can’t go wrong with a bowl of oatmeal. These sweet and smooth oats are cooked in spiced apple cider served with regular or almond milk. There’s also the option to top off this rib-sticking bowl of oats with a dollop of yogurt or sliced banana. Oatmeal bowls are available at the Yolks food truck (usually parked at Burrard and West Pender), the commissary location in East Van, and the new outpost at Broadway and Cambie.
La Pentola
350 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5Z6You might not expect to find a nourishing bowl of oatmeal on the menu at one of Yaletown’s swankiest dining destinations, but La Pentola is full of surprises. Housed inside the oh-so-hip Opus Hotel, this upscale trattoria serves up elegant pasta dishes and Italian wines by night and a diverse selection of breakfast dishes when the sun rises. Satisfy your oatmeal cravings with a bowl of nutty steel-cut oats adorned with caramelized apples and crème fraīche. Pair it with a cup of Matchstick coffee or a bubbly Bellini, depending on how you’d like the rest of the day to unfold.
Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6Classic oatmeal bowls are executed with epicurean excellence at Notch8, an upscale spot nestled within the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Hotel guests and downtown denizens alike can pop in for a nourishing bowl of Irish steel-cut oatmeal with dried sultanas, blueberries, cranberries, muscovado sugar (a molasses-like brown sugar) and Spanish marcona almonds. The restaurant’s chic dining room, quiet atmosphere and prime downtown location make this a convenient venue for an early-morning business meeting.
The Birds & The Beets
100-55 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9A relative newcomer to Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood, The Birds and The Beets has already earned a loyal following among in-the-know foodies. And while you might come for the Instagram-worthy interior and fresh flower bouquets, you’ll return time and time again after you sample the wholesome daytime menu selections. Stop in for breakfast to sample a fruity twist on the classic hot porridge. Rolled oat and chia seed Bircher muesli is sprinkled with nuts, raisins and fresh apple slices. Served cold, this refreshing dish makes an ideal oatmeal alternative in the warm summer months.
L'Abattoir Office
242-209 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2Best known for its carnivorous delights and innovative cocktail program, L’Abbatoir even manages to excel at simple breakfast fare. Visit for Saturday and Sunday brunch and enjoy a range of fresh baked pastries, daytime cocktails and a true can’t-replicate-this-at-home oatmeal experience. The house-made porridge has a nutty quality thanks to the steel-cut oats and sprinkling of seeds, but the use of cultured cream gives it a smooth texture. Order up a hearty bowl and you’ll be well fuelled for an afternoon of shopping and touring through Gastown.
Heirloom Restaurant
1509 12th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 2E2Need to fuel up before perusing the fashion boutiques and decor emporiums along South Granville? Turn down West 12th and steal away an hour or so inside this light-filled restaurant just off the main shopping strip. Offering vegetarian and vegan fare, the menu is packed with (almost) guilt-free indulgences that look as good as they taste. For something sweet and nourishing, try the chia coconut muesli; this Swiss-style cold cereal dish features goji berries, organic hemp hearts, dates, dried cherries, steel-cut oats, fresh seasonal fruit and Heirloom’s signature cashew coconut cream.
Fable Kitchens Ltd
1944 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M5It’s not hard to see how Fable – a name that cleverly riffs on the “farm-to-table” concept – has been drawing crowds daily since 2012. Owner and chef Trevor Bird is a former Top Chef competitor renowned for his fresh approach to farmhouse fare. Everything about this Kitsilano spot feels cozy, from the Canadiana comfort food to the rustic wooden beams and hand-carved signage. Stop in during weekend brunch service to enjoy a bowl of overnight oats, which are smooth and creamy without tasting too mushy. Topped with banana, trail mix and fresh berries, this light-yet-filling breakfast is a hit.
Sophie's Cosmic Cafe
2095 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3Kitschy and nostalgic without feeling over-the-top cheesy, Sophie’s is the daytime destination of choice for Kitsilano residents who are craving that old school diner ambiance. The retro restaurant shines with a wide range of breakfast dishes for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, and the brightly coloured decor is sure to keep you amused while you wait for your meal. For a hearty start to the day, order a bowl of organic hot oatmeal. Made with rolled oats and served with pure maple syrup and a fresh fruit cup, this is a breakfast that’s definitely worth waking up for.
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