While an increasing number of restaurants in Metro Vancouver proudly advertise themselves as LGBTQ+ friendly, there remains a noticeable scarcity of LGBTQ+-owned establishments. Discrimination, whether subtle or overt, has long posed significant challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals aiming to establish themselves in entrepreneurship. These obstacles, spanning financial disparities to enduring social stigma, highlight the resilience needed to launch and sustain openly LGBTQ+-owned restaurants. Moreover, many of these businesses choose not to openly promote their LGBTQ+ identities, wary of potential backlash or loss of clientele. Join us as we celebrate the pioneering eateries in Metro Vancouver that proudly celebrate their LGBTQ+ ownership.
Article by: Mithalee Rawat
Tall Shadow Bakery
2474 E Hastings St, Vancouver
Tall Shadow Bakery began by showcasing their organic sourdough, artisanal loaves, and pastries at farmers’ markets and fulfilling custom orders for beloved Vancouver restaurants and food trucks. The enthusiastic reception prompted them to establish a bustling bakery and café in East Vancouver. Visitors can now enjoy sourdough pizza nights, delectable breakfast toasts adorned with toppings like avocado and ricotta, and lunch sandwiches featuring crispy smoked tofu and fresh seasonal vegetables. Don’t miss their renowned bagels and pretzels while exploring their offerings.
Cantina Norte
3246 Connaught Crescent #108, North Vancouver
The brother-and-sister team behind Cantina Norte are seasoned in the art of running a bustling Mexican restaurant on the North Shore, having grown up alongside their parents who operated the acclaimed Cafe Norte for 11 successful years. Building on this legacy, Cantina Norte has swiftly become one of the top foodie spots of the area, earning numerous accolades. This upscale yet relaxed Mexican eatery showcases vibrant dishes crafted with sustainable ingredients sourced from the West Coast, including Ocean Wise seafood and Fraser Valley duck. Their inventive brunch menu features classics like Eggs Benedict elevated with Poblano Hollandaise and served alongside masa tortillas. Guests savour complex sauces and moles in signature dishes such as Barbacoa (beer-braised beef brisket) and Chicken Enchiladas with Ancho Chile sauce.
Moodswing
655 Front St, New Westminster
Just a short stroll from New Westminster SkyTrain Station, Moodswing Coffee + Bar beckons with its lively, art-filled atmosphere. What began in 2018 as occasional cocktail and dinner pop-ups by staff members filling a community need has blossomed into a beloved dinner destination over the past three years. Emblazoned inside with their motto, “Don’t be mean,” Moodswing embodies a dedication to inclusivity. Their daytime “plant forward” café menu features inventive dishes like the Smoked Cauli and Tofu Bowl, Ramen Egg Sando, and the Grilled Chez loaded with vegan mozzarella, feta, caramelized onions, and house-made vegan mac and cheese sauce. In the evening, their bar menu delights with a variety of tacos, loaded “Notchos” and a take on the classic ballpark hotdog made vegan.
Spent Ground Coffee Roasters
108-19140 28 Ave, Surrey
For those requiring gluten-free options, this establishment caters to both your treats and grocery needs. Their bakery menu, which changes regularly, features exquisite gluten-free and vegan versions of beloved classics such as lemon poppyseed loaf, cinnamon buns, and pop tarts. Additionally, indulge in whimsical creations like the ‘Crownie’ (a delightful fusion of brownie and croissant) and chocolate-stuffed hazelnut cookies. Owner Karen Lopez and her wife roast their coffee beans weekly, ensuring exceptional quality in their espresso and pour-over offerings. Enjoy your treats or one of their grab-and-go style entrees as you relax at the communal table, spacious bar area, or in the kid-friendly ‘chill-out lounge’ with a cozy sofa.
Melt Confectionery
4895 Main St, Vancouver
Self-proclaimed as a ‘small business with big plans,’ Melt Confectionery owner Kate Mathewson thrives on the freedom of small batch production, allowing her to experiment with techniques and ingredients often overlooked by larger chocolate manufacturers constrained by time and logistics. Fortunately for us, this means indulging in ice cream flavours such as Matcha Black Sesame, Cinnamon French Toast, and S’mores Dip (complete with house-made marshmallows). This queer chocolatier goes beyond the ordinary with inventive specials like the Tira-Gato – a tiramisu-affogato hybrid – and ice cream nachos. As if that weren’t enticing enough, they also offer stunning hot cocoa bombs, artisanal chocolate honeycomb, and decadent truffles to further tempt your taste buds.
Bar Sodalite
Pop-up, several locations in Metro Vancouver
Top Chef Canada runner-up Billy Nguyen and wine enthusiast Tadia Rosen present a dynamic culinary concept with Bar Sodalite, doing kitchen and bar takeovers at the trendiest local restaurants (including past hosts Dachi, Pizza Coming Soon, and It’s Okay) for lively, exclusive dining experiences. Chef Billy’s creative flair in the kitchen promises surprises and delights at every restaurant takeover. Standout dishes so far include drunken chicken charsu with ginger scallion chimichurri, miso caesar wedge salad with wasabi pea furikake, and hearty sausage spaetzle. Fans eagerly anticipate the return of his sweet-and-savoury milk buns with cultured anchovy butter and aonori at future pop-ups. Follow @barsodalite on Instagram to learn about their next collaboration.
Cowdog
3720 Oak Street, Vancouver
Cowdog, a darling among social media influencers and matcha enthusiasts alike, has finally settled into a permanent location following several wildly popular pop-ups that drew long lines around the block. In a café market that some might say is already crowded, Cowdog has managed to distinguish itself with savvy marketing, a unique no-tipping policy, and the uncommon practice of not charging extra for oat milk. Of course, their standout offerings of matcha and coffee play a big role too. And let’s not forget their delectable in-house creations like lemon pistachio caneles filled with lemon curd, white chocolate hojicha walnut cookies, and cinnamon speculoos cookies (which they ingeniously turned into a cookie butter syrup for their lattes!).
There are many ways to get to each of these spots in Metro Vancouver by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.
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