East Van Roasters

East Van Roasters is one of my favourite coffeehouses in the city. The dark roast never fails to brighten my day, and the chocolate chip cookies are delicious—though I do try to limit how many I get. Staff are attentive, making the service enjoyable. I do wish the atmosphere were a bit brighter, as it can feel quite dark inside. Additionally, the seating isn't as comfortable as I would like. Nonetheless, it's a place I enjoy visiting.

The chocolate is the best or close to the best we've ever had... and we are fairly well travelled. Highly recommend the spiced hot chocolate. Yes... it's in the sketchy downtown East Side. If you're uncomfortable with that... it is worth ordering from their website.

Small but mighty. The coffee was made with love and I could tell. My oat latte had perfect texture and the espresso was very well balanced. Decaf espresso also had a very nice taste on its own. Great prices, friendly staff and free period products in the restrooms! Very thoughtful

Today it is raining heavily, and it's cold and wet outside. I happened to pass by here and urgently wanted to have a hot drink. This place looks very small from the outside, but upon entering, passing through the narrow passage , there is a row of tables and warm pendant lights inside, which is surprisingly delightful because you can't tell from the exterior at all. The shelf in the shop displays many of their own roasted coffees and various dark chocolates. I ordered a cup of jasmine tea, and the staff was very friendly, bringing it on a beautiful tray with a small hourglass, which was quite interesting. The quality of the tea leaves is also good, with a strong aroma. The atmosphere in the whole shop is very peaceful. I hope to come back and try their various chocolates and coffees. I'm delighted to have accidentally discovered this place today; it's definitely worth recommending.

Super cute little venue, the vibes are immaculate Vancouver. The hot chocolate is amazing, and the service really nice. Gave me a chance to try some really good mint chocolate!

Oh me, oh my. What a gem! They really care about their craft here. A chocolatey and wine-like (according to the barista — I’m simply not savvy enough to detect that one but I believe her, and whatever the notes were, it was delicious) espresso that really made my morning ☕️ Plenty of seating and a friendly, serene vibe. Good wifi too if you’re in wfh mode 👩‍💻 Thank you for having me!

A variety of Decadent chocolate drinks and chocolate. This is a special place that you'll want to visit if you're in downtown Vancouver. They do lots for the community. You can work here as well. The seating is good and the WiFi was above 10. Good coffee too!

Coffee and chocolates in an intimate space. It's perfect. The java is impeccable. The chocolate truffles are so delicious with a beautiful display. And the service was great. 5 x ☕☕☕☕☕

Reasonably priced coffee and chocolates (we didn't try the chocolates because we were already on sugar highs). Main reason for the 5 star review is the amazing baristas. They were very eager to share knowledge and discuss coffee with us. They gave great recommendations and were happy to hear our opinions on the coffee. They explained why they extracted the espresso the way they did, and even showed us this cool diagram of the tongue and where your taste buds taste what. Will definitely be back to hang out at this warm and welcoming cafe. Thanks for a great experience!

(Migrating old reviews from my account on another review site to here) Tried out their Sour vs Sour for the Hot Chocolate festival. So this rating is solely based on that drink. I was worried about my hot chocolate being sour since that sounded weird but they said it wasn't actually sour. When I had it, it came with a piece of chocolate, which was so good. The drink itself didn't sit well with me because it kept reminding me of sour milk. The baristas were really nice and the place had a really cute vibe to it. They also roast their beans fresh every Monday. I'm sure their other drinks are good (and would've gotten a way higher rating), it's just that I was a little disappointed coming in for the HCF.

A very cute coffee shop with excellent interior! Stepped into it on a rainy Saturday afternoon. There are three tables and the space isn't very big, but the tables are large and it's not too loud so it's good for studying or catching up with friends. The menu is chocolate focused - I didn't get to try it but there was a wide variety of house made chocolate as well as hit chocolate (that I will have to come by next time to try). I got the French press coffee and it was decently strong and under $3. It came with a timer so that I would know when to 'press'! The place is amazing as it is part of the downtown East side housing initiative to provide employment - I would love to support more of these causes! The interior was super cute and cozy, and I'm so glad I stepped into the place! I would really like to come back to this place and try their chocolate next time!

This is a fantastic little cafe in Gastown. They make their own chocolate and coffee, from bean to bar/cup, in their little store and you can watch them working through the glass windows throughout the cafe. East Van Roasters hires individuals at-risk so it is a great place to go to support the local community. For that reason alone, I would come back. I have purchased a few bags of coffee from them over the years, from their Peruvian blends to their Ethiopian beans. I thought their coffees have always been excellent. Now, I do have to say that what I absolutely used to love about the place was how they sold I believe 250g bags of coffee for around $8 - It allowed you to try a few of the different blends. Last time when I went though, they started selling only the 445g bags and the roast I found was from a couple weeks ago. This has made it harder to differentiate East Van Roasters from many of the other coffee shops that operate within Vancouver, in my humble opinion. That said, still love the location and will definitely return due to the positivity in their mission.

I came here for their hot chocolate festival. They had a sour for sour flavor at this time which is a cherry base in 70% cocoa. I absolutely loved it! You'll enjoy this particular flavor if you like sour things. What I'm most impressed with is how frothy the hot chocolate is! There is no doubt this is the best hot chocolate I've ever had! I also tried their the Queen chocolate with red peppercorn and dried pineapple pieces. I personally love dark chocolate and pepper. It's not too sweet and with a hint of savory. I love it too. Definitely recommend anyone looking a good chocolatier!

I enjoy exploring different coffee shops but this one is by far the most unique. I ordered the mayan spiced drinking chocolate and I was blown away. I usually don't order hot chocolates but this spicy chilli drink is beyond my expectations. I also ordered the chocolate tasting flight which had 3 squares of 75% dark chocolate sourced from cocoa beans from the Dominican, Madagascar and Peru. I enjoyed the Peru chocolate the most because I picked up the perfect balance of bitter, sweet and sour. The chocolates were creamy even though they were 75% dark chocolate. The bill came down to $5.50 which is an extremely reasonable price. There are limited seats but I enjoy the single booths in the hallway

I actually came here for a pastry school field trip and the history behind EastVan Roasters is rich in social justice and humility. Considering the chocolate here is truly bean to bar, is really admirable. The chocolate is so delicious, and it's so cool that it's made from scratch right in house. From humble beginnings to a booming reputation - EastVan Roasters is chocolate company you can really get behind. They're products are worth the price not only in taste, but in the mission they have set out to promote the sustainability and economic equality in the chocolate industry!

"East Van Roasters is the newest social enterprise to come out of the PHS Community Services Society. Designed to provide training and employment to the women residents of the Rainier Hotel and other downtown Eastside housing initiatives" Wow..that's a quote from their website which is extremely respectable and impressive. The area that East Van Roasters is in might scare people away BUT it actually seems to be a spot where a lot of little businesses are opening so if it's not out of your way I'd suggest checking out this little shop. It's really small, cute, clean and comforting with a few seats inside to enjoy your drinks and sweets. I sent them a facebook message asking about some products before checking the store out and they were very helpful, along with the polite cashier I had a nice experience. They have coffees, teas, drinking chocolates, little sweet treats and even specially made chocolates. You can see them making everything behind the counter through the glass walls, which I love. Okay..now if you read my profile you'll see that I LOVE brownies...and I mean LOVE!!!! So the one thing that's still on my mind is the gluten free almond brownie, not that I really care about the whole gluten craze like so many others seem to these days but my lord was this brownie amazing. It's pretty simple but the texture and taste made this one of the best I've had in the city....ever! and at $2 it's something I'll get again for sure.

I enjoyed their salted chocolate chip cookie as it was very chewy and satisfying, and I loved how it wasn't overly sweet. It was just a bit dry but a cold glass of milk went extremely well with the dessert! As for their hand-rolled truffles, I really don't know how to judge because for some strange reason, I found my truffle a bit sour? I'm not sure if they're supposed to be sour but the chocolate itself was of extremely high quality and there was no unpleasant cheap chocolate taste lingering in my mouth after. The cafe itself is small and quaint so I'll probably come back to try their baked goods and a hot drink someday!

They have just opened but everything from service to food quality has been seamed up very nicely. The cashier was readily informative and helpful when I didn't know what was what. I ordered both the single origin and the mayan spiced drinking chocolate (I adored the former) and was very surprised that they used Avalon whole milk! The result was a creamy, marshmallowy, and rich drinking chocolate that knocked out my favourite at Thomas Haas. Truffles, mendiants, and peppercorn squares were well crafted and the quality of the chocolate really shone through. I wonder what the previous experience of the owner is to have such passionate approach towards organic chocolates and chocolate making! The space is very refreshing. Vibrant, green, and open. I wish them the best of luck and appreciate their approach to operating a small business in the DTES My only criticism would be to add less pearl sugar to the brioche. That pushed it a little over the edge with sweetness.

It was hard to get to this place because of the hours but I finally did and grabbed a 70% single origin Madagascar chocolate bar. All of the notes I tasted in the chocolate were spot on with what the roaster said that bar contained (and as printed on the packaging). Very smooth and fresh!

I love artisan, small batch chocolate. Also love business with heart so the fact they are so community minded makes me all the more a fan. I tried their bar and their Pangua Peru

This review is going to be completely biased as my mother used to work here. She was a resident of the Ranier Hotel and had a great sense of pride that she was able to work again. I love that there is a place to help the women of the downtown east-side to gain valuable skills to build their resume to seek future employment. Plus they're so delightful to visit, I always enjoy stopping by! As for their coffee, I like to buy their espresso beans by the pound to make my coffee at home. It's roasted to perfection, no ashy, burnt, bitter taste like some other those corporate coffee shops. I would also recommend their little honey caramels, they're perfect when you want to treat yourself to something sweet.

Not only does East Van Roasters make incredible chocolate from bean to finished product but it is all for a good cause for the PHS Community Services Society. They employ women and provide job training for the women in the Rainier Hotel upstairs. Great design & ambience, lots of theatre with an open kitchen/chocolate lab and amazing chocolate. I highly recommend checking them out and buy me an extra piece to share.

As a frequent coffee goer, I'm always on the look out for new cozy spots to sip good coffee and draw. As of now, this is my favorite place in Vancouver. My past favorite, Our Town, though still good, has become so busy I often find myself going to a different spot just so I can have a spot to sit. To be expected though. Even through busy spurts, however, I am more than willing to wait for this place. The americano (my go-to test drink) is the best I've had (apart from the ones in Italy), and their chocolate is amazing! Quickest way to my heart? Good chocolate. So the fact that you can see them making it in house is beyond amazing. Not only that, but they have dairy free options as well (heck yes!). Breakdown: COFFEE/CHOCOLATE/FOODSTUFFS : 5/5 Chocolate, espresso drinks, tea; all top notch. Everything is made with care, and they even have a community hot chocolate option for those who don't have the money. Pay what you will, and allow others less fortunate to have a cup! ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 Warm, comfortable, clean, friendly, though a little cramped. They do what they can to make the space work, and it's very cute how it is. I do suggest going early to snag a seat though, it can fill up easily. SERVICE: 5/5 Very friendly and helpful staff. I've never had a bad experience. I think once they gave me the wrong chocolate I ordered with my coffee, but it was very busy, and after mentioning it to them they immediately swapped it out for me.

I made a quick stop in to try the coffee at this new place. I did not realize from the outside that it was also a specialty chocolate artisan, and that was a nice surprise upon seeing the treats on offer. I had a sampling of a truffle. It was delicious and very unique. On to the coffee. They roast their own. The beans are organic, fair trade. That all sounds good. The Americano though... not so good. It could be the machine, but it was a little bitter, weak, and only a slight hint of crema. It wasn't terrible, but there are far better options close by, and I lost interest in it halfway through.

The concept of this shop is creative and intriguing. The open kitchen concept lets you see step-by-step the process of crafting chocolate, starting with the husking of a cacao. I went in on a whim to check it out, and the woman I spoke with walked me through everything about the shop. She was so knowledgable and passionate, and you can see this in all the staff. You can buy chocolate by the piece, bar, or as gifts. They also have a great collection of whole beans to take home. The size of the packaging is great to ensure your beans don't go stale. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee and some chocolate, or other deliciously baked treats in-store. The space is small, but cozy. Beautiful exposed brick, and what looks like reclaimed pews from a church or school that make an excellent bench. If you are looking for fine crafted, fresh chocolate this is a great start. They also practice direct trade, which means that they are buying directly from producers and able to by-pass middle-men and give farmers are fair price, while building connections with the community.

Used to work on water st, and I would walk there every days for coffee (sometimes twice a day)... The office has moved and now I'm working even farther on Granville St. There are closer coffee shops around, but this place has such good coffee, I enjoy walking the extra 5 blocks to get there. Their chocolate is amazing too!

I am a coffee snob and I like their coffee a lot, it is good. I don't like chocolate but I like their chocolate a lot so it must be good. The fact that they are a social enterprise founded by the PHS giving back to the community they are located in is a bonus, but even if you don't care about that part, the coffee and the chocolate are still among the best in the city.

I had never noticed or even heard of East Van Roasters before the Hot Chocolate Festival this year. It's a tiny little place without much seating but the staff are very friendly and welcoming. It's great that you can actually see the beans being roasted on site and I love that they are a non-profit enterprise - very cool! I also had the High Society, which was Earl Grey drinking chocolate served with a brownie topped with candied orange. Both the drink and brownie were delicious! I think the Earl Grey and orange flavours really complimented each other. I would definitely like to come back to this place.

Friendly service with super knowledgeable staff. They customize your drink order very well to your mood and requests

Stopped in here to grab an Americano and get out of the cold for a bit. Ended up also buying a truffle and a bag of coffee beans. The service is friendly and the beans are roasted on site. You can watch them making chocolate through a big window as you drink your coffee. Definitely recommend.

Would have gotten 5 stars but they're closed on Mondays! Mondays, really?? Handmade chocolates are quite pricey.

Perfectly delicious. Well arranged spacious white room, comfy and welcoming, friendly well educated staff, and the most incredible hand made chocolates in the city, and I mean real chocolate, not candy, not pastries, not chocolate covered mousses and nuts and fillings ( not that's anything wrong with that tasty stuff ), I mean good true chocolate. My fav, toffee Black Sea salt & single origin dairy hot drinking chocolate. If you would enjoy re-educating yourself about chocolate, this is the place to check out.

Great coffee shop...even has a "pay what you can"...community coffee...great to see businesses that support the community....great environment to just hang out in...retro music from the big band era...

Love the chocolate Love their seats Love being able to see what happens in the kitchen as one makes chocolate over the glass They are usually pretty quiet, so bring a book and enjoy a cup of coffee/ tea

There's a glut of coffee shops in this area, most of them decent at least. East Van Roasters manages to compete with the best of the coffee offerings, with well balanced roasts (tending towards bright without being overly acidic) and excellent espresso tenders. Bait-and-switch: they're a chocolatier, with single origin chocolates that are divine. Get a tasting of three to see the differences. More: the salted chocolate chip cookie is amazing. They actually know how to prepare a cortado. There's more seating than you'd think, looking through the glass door of the original location on Carral, next to Nelson the Seagull. What looks like a narrow hallway with only 2 tiny, wall-mounted bar-height tables opens up to a charming little room, with cute but not-super-comfy church pews and real tables, enough to seat another, say, 10-12 people.

Excellent Coffee, friendly service, socially positive. We came here by accident and thought it was so good we ended up stopping here everyday.

I bought a package of the Bodum Blend beans and made a pot this morning. So delicious. My new favourite coffee. And I love their business model as an ethical social enterprise. Great place.

I'm really fond of this place. Love the open concept, and love the staff. There are a lot of great, determined women working here, and the chocolate is great! There are gluten-free and dairy free options. Since I don't drink coffee, I generally get the single origin hot chocolate with almond milk. There is generally a gluten-free brownie, and if memory serves, it's amazing. Often, I will try the chocolate bars, or whatever other little delectable treats they have on display. The space is small but there is lots of natural light. It's a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. As you enter, you're able to see a large portion of the kitchen and it's really neat to see what's happening any given day.

Incredible service at a coffee & chocolate cafe. The staff are wonderful and this reflects their unique story. Try the Mayan spiced hot chocolate, and they have the best chocolate chip cookie in Vancouver.

Some of the finest coffee in Gastown. A relaxed, take your jacket off, open your notebook, write about the intricacies of life, sip coffee slowly kinda atmosphere. For all the times I have gone, have only been a couple other people here at most. I was asked what way I wanted my coffee to be made. When I inquired if they used the pour-over method, the woman said no therefore I picked the French press way. A few minutes later, my coffee was finished. I drink it black so I hoped that it wouldn't be burnt/sour and everything in between...and it wasn't! They roast their own beans and the cookies are well-executed. I dislike chocolate (yes, I did just say that) but this cookie had a great (not overpowering) chocolate flavour.

Great chocolate. Makes a nice gift. A little oasis in the fray. I would rate it among the best in Vancouver.

Lovely staff, great coffee and amazing chocolate treats. Don't visit Gastown without stopping by here.

Sure, there's coffee, but the real win here is the amazing artisanal chocolate. Great value, and these bars show up fancier names that cost 2x for bean-to-bar.

Hidden away in one of the most unassuming part of Gastown this tiny shop is part chocolate shop and part coffee house. You walk down a very narrow pathway before hitting the seating area hidden around the corner. The combined smell of coffee and chocolate is a sensory wet dream. The chocolate selections are minimal, however, of great quality. The minute you walk in you're greeted with a great smile. I had the "HIGH SOCIETY" Earl Grey drinking chocolate. Served with East Van Roasters' signature gluten-free brownie and candied orange. The drink wasn't overly sweet. Both flavor notes although strong, we're detected and appreciated in an excellent balance combination. The drink cost was $5.50 (taxes included).

Best mocha in the city. In fact, best a lot of things. There's always room to have a quiet cup in the back, room for about a dozen people. Benefits nearby women's shelters. Their chocolate is to die for delicious, make sure you get a few bars to go.

My new go-to coffee joint in Gastown. I really don't how chocolate chip cookies could get any more delicious. I dream about these cookies. Relaxing and comforting vibe. Great place for meetings and calm quiet conversations.

I stopped in with my family on a cold, wet day. Immediately upon entering, you're greeted with an impressive wave of cold and delicious-smelling air; the chocolate and coffee notes are there from the moment you take your first whiff. behind several windows, you can see cooks preparing various chocolate confectionery. The restaurant's aesthetic is typical of Gastown style; think exposed brick, high ceilings, white walls. I had the Mayan Spice drinking chocolate, and I shared a cookie with my sister. Sublime is the word to describe this drink. Undoubtedly the best drinking chocolate I have ever had, I was blown away by the consistency with which every sip provided a notable bite of spice joined with an insistent but not overly strong taste of chocolate. The water provided with the drink is much appreciated: a palate cleanser is necessary to properly appreciate the drink all the way through. I was not overly impressed by the cookie, as it was somewhat dry and lacked flavour; this was definitely influenced by drinking the chocolate at the same time. I bought a bar of 70% Madagascar chocolate before leaving. It was excellent as well, a great flavour profile with notes of berry sweetness and a great bitter finish. If you're in the area, make sure to give it a try.

The girls making Chocolate do something special here. It's a stop to make. There Cocao beans are just crazy goos. Hard to fine so keep looking and be sure to buy more than you need because it's worth it.

Needed an espresso (ok - needed to taste their chocolate)... Staff is The perfect blend of knowledgeable and friendly. The place is also a perfect blend of quaint and modern. I love businesses run by young people who are really excited about what they're doing.

The baked goods are amazing! The truffles are incredible! The coffee - so good! The space is a beautiful place to while away an afternoon enveloped in the incredible smell of roasting chocolate and filtered sunshine from the skylights. That chocolate - delicious. Lots of different types to try. It reminds me a bit of Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco. And then, to top it all off, it is a non-profit organization that gives skills and jobs to women in the area. Go!

LOVE THIS PLACE! Had walked by a few times, both alone & with my partner & had always known that I wanted to check it out. East Van Roasters is definitely on my radar now that I've been in. Super helpful, lovely women all wanting our experience to be amazing. Gluten free yumminess abounds. My partner & I had the BEST caramels that we've ever tasted in our collective lives. Spec-frickin-tacular. Thank you for being in our 'hood! We will most definitely be back. I am looking forward to coming & having a coffee soon!