Well, this is an unusual list isn’t it? What use would you have to read about the best breakfast buffet in Vancouver?
Personally, I’m a huge sucker for breakfast buffets. It combines being Singaporean where food is culturally celebrated and enjoying hotel breakfast buffets growing up. I figured if it’s such an experience and enjoyment, you would too…or maybe not. Regardless, what better motivation to wake up early on the weekend than to indulge yourself with some delicious eggs, bacon, and coffee?
Most brunch and breakfast buffets you find in Vancouver today are founded within hotel restaurants. Now, this won’t do by Anthony’s Bourdain standards (who apparently avoids hotel buffets) and unfortunately the hotel buffets in Vancouver are not liken to the Grand Hyatt in Singapore…still, I’m hopeful these five suggestions will pass the grade.
Here are five of the best breakfast/brunch buffet in Vancouver (that still exists; it’s getting rarer to find brunch buffets in Vancouver these days).
1) Globe @ YVR – Fairmont YVR: The Globe @ YVR has found it’s way back onto our lists again. This time, we’re giving it the #1 spot for the best breakfast buffet in Vancouver.
The spread for breakfast at Globe includes smoke salmon, fruit, frittatas, breakfast meats, waffles and an omelet station among other things. Fairly ordinary fare for an extraordinary breakfast however what really edges Globe @ YVR to the top for the best Vancouver breakfast/brunch buffet is their floor to ceiling runway views.
Globe @ YVR is an award winning restaurant where you can enjoy your breakfast at YVR airport in elegance while you catch views of planes landing and taking off behind the backdrop of the sea (and a little bit of mountain).
The Fairmont always tries to outdo their breakfast experience. The Globe@YVR makes for a great breakfast buffet option in Vancouver.
Hours – 6:00 AM to 11:00 (M-F) & 12:00 (Sat-Sun)
Price – $32.00 per person
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/globeyvr-the-fairmont-vancouver-airport-vancouver-airport-richmond
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g181716-d684941-Reviews-Globe_YVR-Richmond_British_Columbia.html
Address: 3111 Grant McConachie Way, Vancouver, BC V7B 0A6
2) Oru – Fairmont Pacific Rim: The Fairmont hotels are infamous for their decked out breakfast buffets. It’s like the Grand Hyatt buffets of Vancouver.
The best part being, most of their hotel bookings, specifically at Fairmont Pacific Rim, includes free breakfast with your stay; however, if you’re not planning on shelling hundreds for a stay at Fairmont hotels, you can still enjoy their breakfast spread for $36 per person. ($38 per person for brunch).
It seems a lot for breakfast but it’s well worth the price tag. The spread includes house-made breakfast sausage, house-made turkey sausage, house-made BACON, eggs, fresh pastries, cold spread like smoke salmon, and fruits.
Add on to that a Benny Bar and you got a five star breakfast buffet. Most places have an omelet station but Oru at the Fairmont Pacific Rim takes it further with a Benny Bar. A chef will freshly craft you a egg Benedict made to order. Not just any eggs Benedict either, you got selections like Pac Rim “Benny” with real dungeness crab meat, better than your California roll. (which despite it’s name, was actually invented in Vancouver by Tojo’s).
Hours – 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM Monday to Fridays, 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays (Brunch Buffet starts at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM)
Price – $36 per person for breakfast, $38 per person for brunch
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/oru-fairmont-pacific-rim-coal-harbour
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g154943-d1880310-Reviews-Oru_Cuisine-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
Address: 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9
3) Oceans 999 – Pan Pacific Hotel:
As far as buffet goes, Oceans 999 is better known for their Sunday brunch or Opera buffet although it’s also worth a visit for their breakfast buffet.
Oceans 999 makes it onto the #3 best breakfast/brunch buffets for good reason. Their spread of high quality breakfast foods will fuel your day right. You have eggs Benedict, made to order omelets, big sausages, bacon, smoke salmon, waffles, a variety of juice, smoothies, and fresh fruits among other things. While the pricing at Oceans 999 may be high, the restaurant really emphasizes on quality ingredients and great service.
This Canadian themed restaurant sits right by the waterfront at Canada Place in the Pan Pacific Hotel; enjoy great sea views with your breakfast. It is well worth the experience placing Oceans 999 breakfast and brunch buffets #3.
(Oceans 999 was formally known as Cafe Pacifica before its recent re-branding. The food, views, and service remain equally phenomenal – if not better. Go try it out for yourself.)
Hours – 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM Mondays to Sundays, Brunch on Sundays at 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
Price – $29.50 per person
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/cafe-pacifica-pan-pacific-vancouver-downtown-vancouver
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g154943-d683100-Reviews-Cafe_Pacifica-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
Address: 999 Canada Pl #300, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B5
4) Arc Restaurant – Fairmont Waterfront: We’re back with another Fairmont brand hotel at #4. The Arc Restaurant is pricey but it has some incredible options for a breakfast or brunch buffet.
While the Arc Restaurant may not have the views like Cafe Pacifica (Oceans 999) or Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant, it does have good breakfast spread and even better service for a breakfast buffet.
You’ll find fresh honey comb from their own bee keeping operations to go with your freshly baked bread. This goes along with your standard spread for a breakfast buffet of fresh fruits, pastries, eggs, and meats.
It’s well worth the visit even if to taste the fresh honey!
Price – $32.00 per person
Hours – 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM Saturday and Sunday.
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/arc-bar-fairmont-waterfront-downtown
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g154943-d6510624-Reviews-ARC-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
Address: 900 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L5
5) Notch8 – Fairmont Hotel Vancouver: Well, there are already three Fairmont Hotel breakfast buffets on the article, why not make it four. Notch8 is well deserving of the recommendation just as they are known as well for their annual Valentine’s Day chocolate buffet (yum!). It seems to be the perfect replacement to Cloud 9 (next best brunch buffet restaurant will be Ground 7. ? Kidding, we may actually jump from 8 to 2… that is, H2 Rotisserie & Bar. It is too new a place at the moment to recommend as well, Westin Bayshore may also be slated for redevelopment but we’ll see how it goes.)
Notch8 has one of the BEST food quality you will find at buffets especially if you’re coming for their weekend brunch buffets. There are many chef stations where you can get your food customized to your liking, a stark contrast to most buffet food. Named after a train’s top speed, the restaurant is also conveniently located in the heart of downtown Vancouver at 900 West Georgia Street.
The spread at Notch8 Restaurant & Bar is very diverse for a breakfast buffet but quality is where it counts at Notch8. If you’re looking for a weekday breakfast buffet to treat yourself or a weekend brunch buffet to unwind and enjoy the finer things of life then Notch8 Restaurant & Bar should be considered for it’s delicious breakfast buffet in downtown Vancouver. The location as mentioned is especially convenient. The interior design of Notch8 is set matching to its name’s origin with artifacts of a train (train booths and painting). Unfortunately, despite its unique interior design, there is no spectacular views to be had as at Oceans 999. Here’s a tip, the desserts (while exceptionally good) don’t often get replenished in the buffet so help yourself to desserts early. Check out their brunch buffet as well especially for one-time events like Father’s or Mother’s day. On Valentine’s Day, Notch8 Restaurant & Bar will host a chocolate room buffet which is a unique experience (floor to ceiling chocolate – even the walls are chocolate).
Price – $34.00 per person
Hours – 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM Saturday and Sunday.
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/notch8-restaurant-bar-the-fairmont-hotel-vancouver-downtown
Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g154943-d8114031-Reviews-Notch8_Restaurant_Bar-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html
Address: 900 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6
More Brunch/Breakfast buffet in Vancouver:
There are several other great breakfast and brunch buffet that are worth mentioning.
Dockside Vancouver
YEW Seafood + Bar
Hendrick’s Restaurant
H2 Rotisserie & Bar
Updates: Occasionally, we update the article for one reason or another to maintain relevancy ensuring we always find the best of Vancouver. Here you’ll find a short catalog of any changes for transparency and curiosity.
~ May 10, 2018…
- Added Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 to our best breakfast buffet content in replacement of Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant (sad it’s no longer in Vancouver – probably the only breakfast buffet with a view in the sky) which was closed as the Empire Landmark Hotel (where Cloud 9 was located) is being demolished to build new condos.
Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant – Empire Landmark Hotel: Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant is located on the 42nd floor of the Empire Landmark Hotel. While the breakfast spread may not be spectacular, dining on the 42nd floor for $19.95 is an experience in itself.
The Empire Landmark Hotel is in the West End with an unmistakable rounded top. This is where the Cloud 9 Revolving Restaurant sits.
As far as the breakfast buffet goes, you have your standard fare for hotel breakfast buffet with a variety of meats (bacon & sausage), scrambled eggs, french toast, pastries, fresh fruits, and coffee.
Enjoy great view of Vancouver downtown from the 42nd floor with your breakfast or brunch. Note that while the restaurant will not be revolving during breakfast times, you’ll still enjoy a magnificent experience (if it’s sunny in Vancouver).
Hours – 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM Monday to Sunday (from May 3rd)
Price – $19.95 per person
Zomato: https://www.zomato.com/vancouver/cloud-nine-west-end-vancouver
Address: 1400 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1B9