356476 Wed Jan 03 02:31:37 -0800 2007 65 57 Western Canada 0 2147234 No deep fryed bacon,hash browns or margarine. I want real breakfast. Cook to order. Most places I've been to don't know how to cook an egg without turning it into some insult to the egg. No need for fancy but I'll try anywhere they can do it right. I'm heading on a roadtrip through western Canada and would like suggestions for best in the west. Seeking the good Breakfast Wed Jan 03 02:31:37 -0800 2007 60919 Magnapro 1 2147248 Whistler: -Wildwood (tennis club) -Fairmount Chateau Brunch Vancouver: -Hard as I have yet to find the perfect spot, but here are few good places. Paul's, Feenies Brunch Calgary: -1886 Cafe (Eau Clair Market) Wed Jan 03 02:35:50 -0800 2007 2147234 15845 JWh 2 5100622 I second Paul's in Granville Tue Oct 13 14:29:49 -0700 2009 2147248 1116076 urbanchowlover 2 5158301 ^^you've got to be kidding me about 1886 Cafe. IMO calgary doesn't have the best breakfast scene, but out of all the options, that's all you suggest???!?!? We tried 1886 once and will never go back again. It was a few years ago and I don't remember the details, but we thought it was perhaps the crappiest breakfast food we had ever been served. and IIRC it's hard to find a plate less than $15!!! gimme a break! business from the nearby hotel is the only thing keeping them in business. Thu Nov 05 10:14:20 -0800 2009 2147248 40013 nonlinear 3 5158349 JWh made the post almost three years ago. I used to hear good things about 1886 Cafe haven't been for years myself. Sorry to hear it's gone downhill. Thu Nov 05 10:25:38 -0800 2009 5158301 138472 maplesugar 1 2147373 if you come through edmonton, you have a few possibilities. culina cafe (www.culinacafe.ca) has great breakfast on weekdays and saturday. don't be scared by their non-traditional sounding menu- you'll walk out satisfied. their saturday brunch menu is online and the weekday one is similar. new york bagel cafe is also great... good luck. Wed Jan 03 03:25:51 -0800 2007 2147234 58200 steph76 1 2147681 Diner Deluxe in Calgary is good for so many different reasons at breakfast. The service is efficient and fun and the food is reliably creative and well made. It's on Edmonton trail just up past 7th ave. The Blackfoot Truck stop also probably cooks the best sunny and over easy eggs I have had in a restaurant anywhere.....it's weird in there though, but totally cool. You've been warned. I'd check it out if I were you! Good luck Wed Jan 03 05:34:55 -0800 2007 2147234 23349 formerlyfingers 2 2163574 In Calgary: I second Diner Deluxe. Great atmosphere and well-thought-out food. It's like a traditional diner breakfast done with a gourmet twist. But go early (i.e. before 9:00am) if you're visiting Diner Deluxe on weekends; it fills up very quickly. I'd also like to throw in votes for the Galaxie Diner at the corner of 14 Ave and 11 St SW and its sister diner, the Belmont Diner, in Marda Loop (33 Ave SW). A bit cheaper than Diner Deluxe, the two places offer similar all-day breakfast and lunch menus and awesome milkshakes. Like Diner Deluxe, get there early if you're going on a weekend day. Any Calgary chowhounds been to the Siding Café lately? Is it good? Mon Jan 08 01:48:24 -0800 2007 2147681 27032 aktivistin 3 2163991 Search on Siding Cafe. There was a very long discussion about how badly it has gone downhill since the renos. Mon Jan 08 04:15:50 -0800 2007 2163574 11206 yen 4 2164850 Thanks, yen! Looks like I'm not going there anytime soon. It's sad to lose such a great place. Mon Jan 08 15:42:36 -0800 2007 2163991 27032 aktivistin 5 2165305 It is. I loved it, but my last experience there was miserable, after a series of increasingly poor experiences. Ah well, hopefully at some point they get their act together, and someone is actually still around to try it :) Mon Jan 08 17:28:40 -0800 2007 2164850 11206 yen 3 2201189 Another vote for Diner Deluxe, great on so many levels...Can't say I've been to the Galaxie before, but I personally wouldn't rush back to the Belmont anytime soon. Way overpriced for what you get: poorly cooked eggs, way salty hashbrowns, and a pretty ho-hum menu (especially compared to Diner Deluxe)...IMO... Breakfast at the Coup on 17th can be really nice option. Great veggie and vegan stuff, tons of flavor, heavenly coffee (Oso Negro!) and not too pricey. Cadence Coffee in Bowness deserves a mention as well, nothing groundbreaking here, but good atmosphere, quality food and again, awesome coffee. Lastly, got to give a shout out to Take 10 cafe in Kensington. Spanish omelette w/ lotsa avocado, salsa and cheese!! Thu Jan 18 07:59:59 -0800 2007 2163574 11898 KcM 4 2254939 Belmont has almost comically huge portions, so I don't agree with what you say about its value. I just wish they where open for dinner as they were when they first opened- one of their "breakfast burritos" is great for a HUGE dinner but just too much food for breakfast. The Coup is just excellent all around, agree there completely and Oso Negro is a great bean and they pull very good espresos there too. If you like the Coup, have you tried breakfast at Koi? Even better coffee (Big Mountain, Calgary's closest thing to JJ Beans in Van) and vibe, lots of veg options too, www.cafekoi.com Fri Feb 02 16:34:16 -0800 2007 2201189 12135 John Manzo 3 2889932 we were just at siding cafe for a birthday brunch last weekend the service was so ridiculous we could only be amused i can't decide if my favourite moment was the blank stare when someone asked for a cafe au lait or when the server had to point and count the 5 of us (twice) before taking the orders the food, however, was quite good i just had fruit and yogurt - so tough to screw up, but the others seemed to be happy, 2 orders of bennie, one quiche, one grilled cheese and an order of mac and cheese; the mac and cheese was very good but be warned - they have a breakfast and a lunch menu but if your party is bigger than 4 or 5 you all have to order from the same menu Tue Aug 28 12:20:03 -0700 2007 2163574 115454 jamtart12 2 4609902 I love Diner Deluxe! The food tastes fresh and the place has some serious character. If you go to Diner Deluxe, head next door and grab a loaf of delicious chocolate cranberry sourdough bread. That stuff is hard to come by and soooo good! Sun Apr 19 18:01:06 -0700 2009 2147681 251688 mrsloquacious 1 2148055 In Edmonton, check out the Upper Crust Cafe (109 St., and 87/86 Ave.). They're open Saturdays for breakfast from 9 onwards (or at least those used to be their hours; you might want to double-check). No grease, lots of good options, although of course I'm drawing a blank on specifics right now. All I can think about is their sticky toffee pudding (and this at 8:30 in the morning!). There's also the High Level Diner (109 St., and 88 Ave.). The place is generally overhyped and overblown, but the breakfast is decent, and it's open at 8 in the morning. - Lea http://canada-eats.com Wed Jan 03 13:32:13 -0800 2007 2147234 60623 Canada Eats 1 2157187 I usually have the eggs benny, and the best I've had are at Jacqueline Suzanne in Inglewood Calgary. Also Chez Francois in Canmore, famous for their eggs benny, almost as good, and not a tub of margarine in sight. Fri Jan 05 19:57:43 -0800 2007 2147234 62232 sackman 2 3136609 I know this is an old thread but I didn't think I should make a new one - We ate at Chez Fracois in Canmore today for brunch. Had the eggs benny with back bacon and it was WONDERFUL!!!! The hollandaise sauce was the best I have ever had. Had a taste of lemon, butter and a touch of heat.....maybe white pepper?? The english muffins looked house made though could have been from a local baker (should have asked). They are served with fried potatoes and fruit. At $10.95 for two eggs it's not overly expensive either. We will definitely return.....how I wish they were in Calgary!! Sun Nov 18 15:02:17 -0800 2007 2157187 16737 Merry113 1 2157879 In Winnipeg -- try Stella's on Osborne or the one at corner of Kenaston and Grant. Great omelets. Great baked goods (Osborne location has more baked goodies). For Edmonton, I agree with all of the above postings. HighLevel Diner is overrated. The Sugar Cube next door has awesome cinnamon buns, and a very interesting brunch menu, though haven't tried anything but the CBs. Fri Jan 05 22:31:23 -0800 2007 2147234 16623 Dr. J 2 2158118 Oh no, please don't mention those cinnamon buns to me while I'm so far away in Toronto! That's just cruel. (BTW, I think you meant Sugar Bowl, not Cube :)). Actually, I think the cinnamon buns might be from High Level Diner, ironically, although I heard that years ago, so can't confirm it in any way. - Lea http://canada-eats.com Fri Jan 05 23:25:38 -0800 2007 2157879 60623 Canada Eats 3 2886269 The Sugar Bowl cinnamon buns are actually made at the Sugar Bowl. I saw it happen every morning When I worked there. Mon Aug 27 12:30:04 -0700 2007 2158118 122557 mims 1 2160000 Yes, I did mean the Sugar Bowl. I'm fairly new to Edmonton and the source of the CBs is unknown to me. I haven't had a CB at HLD. Happy travels and breakfast eating! Sat Jan 06 18:21:43 -0800 2007 2147234 16623 Dr. J 1 2169178 Sophie's on West 4th in Vancouver is the place to go for breakfast Tue Jan 09 16:04:57 -0800 2007 2147234 55386 JMHewer 1 2175928 Starting in Edmonton,I will try everyplace except the High Level diner(previous bad experiences). Then south to Red Deer and Calgary...... On to B.C. via (I'll decide at the time)Haven't heard about Rocky Mountain House or Red Deer. Thank You all so much. I'll plan my trip to include most of these great places and hopefully find a few more. Keep posting Please Feeling like a Maple glazed tenderloin Benny. MagP Thu Jan 11 03:18:58 -0800 2007 2147234 60919 Magnapro 1 2200776 The "Blue Fox" on Fort Street in Victoria, BC. You have to try it. Thu Jan 18 04:25:57 -0800 2007 2147234 54124 hagar4316 1 2200826 Slickity Jims on Main/Kingsway is a place to AVOID, due to their ludicrous seating policy... We were there on a busy morning over Xmas 2006, and waited for ten minutes before three parties in three booths (which seat four a-piece) almost simultaneously finished their brunch. Since we had three people, and were third in line, we thought the coffee would be flowin' soon. The couple who were seated in front, occupying a table for two, seemed like they were having coffee after brunch were then ushered to one of those booths. Strange we thought... Then the two couples ahead of us were both given the remaining booths. That left the table for two empty, and our party of three, and another two parties of four waiting even longer! Apparently, at this joint, you sign up for where you want to seat, regardless of how many in your party! Needless to say, we left. The seem to be doing their darndest to NOT run a business! Thu Jan 18 04:46:23 -0800 2007 2147234 40417 Mr Burns 1 2224732 Nelly's in Calgary. loved their periogies. Thu Jan 25 05:54:55 -0800 2007 2147234 68343 ceylont 1 2226192 For Calgary - definitely agree with Dinner Deluxe, and Galaxie. Another suggestion would be Dell's Cafe in Bowness - its a small family run cafe, and homestyle breakfast is made to order. They are opened at 8 and breakfast is served until 10:30. Thu Jan 25 11:53:44 -0800 2007 2147234 69040 tubtub 1 2231280 Vancouver - Nu and Fiddlehead Joe's If you are looking for good (quality) hangover breakfast Shineshine Diner is what it's alllll about Fri Jan 26 15:43:45 -0800 2007 2147234 69079 starlady 1 2232367 What's the verdict on Nellie's in Calgary these days? The last time I went it was less than memorable. Fri Jan 26 23:17:38 -0800 2007 2147234 45940 Shazam 2 2232409 I still find it less than memorable. Though some locations are better than others. Sat Jan 27 00:21:59 -0800 2007 2232367 11206 yen 3 2251504 Less than memorable... i used to go for their mini muffins but the last couple times i went in, i was told: 1) whomever made the batch messed it up... too bad - sorry. 2) whomever worked the night before forgot to seal the box... too bad - sorry. 3) whomever was SUPPOSE to make them forgot... too bad - sorry. and now... i remember not to go back... too bad... sorry Thu Feb 01 17:56:31 -0800 2007 2232409 70716 jkl 1 2232796 Cafe Barney, Vancouver, South Granville. Amazing Blueberry pancakes. Sat Jan 27 08:13:03 -0800 2007 2147234 14159 sherry f 1 2891369 Blue Plate Diner on 104th St. in Edmonton. The basics, but done well. Tue Aug 28 20:26:21 -0700 2007 2147234 32141 egon61 1 2893281 I also vote for Diner Deluxe, awesome awesome food if WAY too crowded on weekends. Other good spots in my opinion -Avenue Diner (11th St and 15th Ave SW) -Eat! Eat! (9th Ave SE in Inglewood) Wed Aug 29 11:42:29 -0700 2007 2147234 123136 geckogirl 2 4178728 I second the vote for Eat! Eat! I recently went there and had eggs benedict and it was wonderful. Best of all, the homefries were great! Those usually suck at most places I've gone to. Sun Nov 16 18:31:55 -0800 2008 2893281 99828 AriaDream 1 2896499 For Calgary, I must, must, must vote against Nellie's, Galaxie, and Belmont. Only go if you enjoy lining up for hours for 'trendy' and 'cool' places that serve mediocre food. Diner Deluxe is better, but just up the street in Country Kitchen. It usually gets the overflow from DD, which often has a queue, but I think it is better and tastier, as well as simpler. No frou-frou, just good breakfast. Thu Aug 30 09:27:56 -0700 2007 2147234 104847 feuerzeug 2 2897623 We tried to get into Deluxe Diner the other weekend and the wait was predicted to be an hour. This was an hour before the sign says they close so we had to wonder about that. We went down to Country Kitchen and it was plain decent food. Not sure it was good enough to drive across town for but we did get some good bread from the Urban Baker too. Thu Aug 30 13:25:04 -0700 2007 2896499 15832 sharonanne 3 2897663 Diner Deluxe is definitely good. Sometimes I just feel like having normal bacon and eggs, and Country Kitchen hits that spot. Maybe it is an exaggeration to call it better than DD, or maybe it is comparing apples to oranges. But unless you hit DD for breakfast on a weekday, your chances of getting in quickly are usually slim. Thu Aug 30 13:32:38 -0700 2007 2897623 104847 feuerzeug 1 2897687 Ugh, I hate deep fried bacon. I was told that DeDutch in Kelowna does a great breakfast if you're heading through the Okanagan. We used to have one in Calgary, but it is gone. I know they do Dutch pannekoek, which are really tasty, for breakfast or otherwise. They are very crepe-like, and I prefer them to the tasteless foam cakes you get at most breakfast places. Thu Aug 30 13:36:20 -0700 2007 2147234 104847 feuerzeug 1 2922581 In Winnipeg, The Toad in the Hole (a pub in Osborne Village) has an amazing greasy-style breakfast available on the weekends. Stella's is really good, but the best breakfast in the city might be available at Blaze Bistro (in the Delta downtown). Sat Sep 08 10:37:58 -0700 2007 2147234 125689 puck1337 1 2936666 I realize this is long past your trip, but I had to mention the daily breakfast buffet at the Hotel Fort Garry downtown Winnipeg. Eggs cooked to order. Fresh fruit and pastries. Absolutely delicious. It gets even fancier (and more expensive) on Sunday when they have a brunch buffet which is a Winnipeg institution and voted the best brunch in town by the Globe and Mail. Call ahead and make a reservation if you plan to go on a Sunday. Wed Sep 12 21:33:13 -0700 2007 2147234 48187 trixel 2 2938866 I must absolutely endorse the Fort Garry Hotel Sunday brunch. Amazing!! Variety! Freshness!! Thu Sep 13 13:38:46 -0700 2007 2936666 122802 emeraldeyes 1 2939935 Vancouver: Nu (Under Granville St. bridge, North side) Seb's (Fraser/Broadway) Diva at the Met (Met Hotel, downtown). Fiddlehead Joe's is good as well. Thu Sep 13 19:07:36 -0700 2007 2147234 127190 Cancuk 1 2943032 My faves and my favorite things there if I can remember what they are: Vancouver: Sophies: I usually have either the veggie omelet or one of their mexicanish eggs dishes and I steal part of hubby's pancakes (buckwheaty? with a little cinnamon flavor I think- awesome). We made sure to go when we were in town for the weekend. Elbow Room: any of the creatively named omelettes or egg dishes. DeDutch Pannekoek House: perogy pannekoek of some variety. Victoria: Olive Olio's (Cadboro Bay- below the UVic campus): best cinnamon buns ever. Many other tasty baked goods, as well as lovely coffee John's Place: nothings terribly fancy, but terrific service, excellent eggs benny (with delicious ham) and we haven't found a place we like as well in Edmonton or Vancouver. Edmonton: Still exploring Edmonton, but so far we've tried High Level Diner: good food, long wait, but good service once you get in. Love the fruit smoothies, omelets a little too much like I make at home- very free form. Blue Plate Diner: good food, good service, menu was small and heavily salsaed. Fri Sep 14 17:27:49 -0700 2007 2147234 126939 DezH 2 2943502 Thank you for the info I'm still travelling and sampling along the way. Doing another Northwest tour in a few weeks. I do read everyones input and have been trying to visit every recommended place possible. Keep em coming Thanks Fri Sep 14 21:33:43 -0700 2007 2943032 60919 Magnapro 1 3105875 Cora's in Winnipeg is great. There's a few locations, but I like the one in the French cultural centre best. And anyone who says they don't like the Giant Apple Pancake at the Original Pancake House is either on glue, lying to you, or has no tongue. Wed Nov 07 22:43:53 -0800 2007 2147234 141205 FashionDiva84 2 3137839 Edmonton: casual: sugarbowl, urban diner (went through some tough patches, but back to a fantastic breakfast, especially the bennies), bacon (new, small, 100 mile menu, homemade food), nicer: culina (have the bacon & eggs....braised succulent pork, mushroom frittata & hash) nicest: cafe de ville (by far the best mini croissants this far from Paris) Calgary: galaxie, diner delux, belmont, pfantistic pannakoek house (this place is apparently much better than de dutch, great experience....think thin crepe like pancake with toppings cooked like a pizza without the sauce or goopy mozza) Canmore: the summit cafe (big with the locals, off the main strip) Jasper: the black sheep cafe Mon Nov 19 05:26:19 -0800 2007 3105875 105701 cleopatra999 2 4177502 I second the vote for the Giant Apple pancake! If you can't tackle a whole plateful of sugary, doughy goodness, might I recommend the Baby Apple, which is just barely smaller than the size of a dinner plate. Sun Nov 16 07:35:03 -0800 2008 3105875 240541 blackpowdermorning 1 4177511 Whistler: Crepe Montagne (they make their own caramel sauce... oh gosh you'll kill for this!) Wildwood Elements (also a tapas bar in the evening, but it is rumoured that it's the same Wildwood breakfast, only fancied up and you get a smoothie shot with your meal) Winnipeg: Seine River Cafe Pancake House Stella's Sun Nov 16 07:37:56 -0800 2008 2147234 240541 blackpowdermorning 2 4177967 I wholeheartedly endorse Mo:Le in Victoria. A cut above, and using primarily organic ingredients. Blue Fox in Victoria is good but the lines are RIDICULOUS. Sunshine Cafe in Victoria also has very soild breakfasts (great omelettes). Sun Nov 16 12:02:11 -0800 2008 4177511 99971 anewton 1 4179235 If you are coming to red deer, Check out hubies. Its a 50s diner in a little strip mall in westpark. jukeboxes on the wall, lots of elvis paraphenalia, tasty omelettes, and massive pancakes. also friday is free extra patty on your burger day, and all the fries you can eat.. And the milkshake comes in the metal container. I miss that.. Mon Nov 17 02:08:28 -0800 2008 2147234 193715 retroville 2 4179670 Correction to my previous post; I meant to say that Shine Cafe in Victoria has very solid breakfasts (NOT Sunshine Cafe, which probably doesn't even exist!) Mon Nov 17 07:27:20 -0800 2008 4179235 99971 anewton 1 4329982 Elements in Whistler has pretty good breakfast, but really bad service. http://mcsearcher.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/elements-whistler-breakfast-dont-go-for-the-service/ Thu Jan 15 14:23:49 -0800 2009 2147234 257522 kits221 1 4330258 If you stop in Banff...make sure you hit up Bruno's. SO SO SO good. GO early to get a table because it's always packed...or go a little later after the breakfast rush is gone. It's a 'can't miss' Thu Jan 15 16:06:14 -0800 2009 2147234 255443 tamberb 2 4484345 It's still around eh? One of the best deals in Banff! Sun Mar 08 09:41:53 -0700 2009 4330258 12135 John Manzo 1 4483796 I am now seeking the best brunch in Edmonton. I am heading to the Fairmont Macdonald Hotel so far. But I would really like any alternatives. I still have yet to find a good breakfast spot in E-town. I am after superb cooking price is not the object. Ciao Sat Mar 07 22:57:41 -0800 2009 2147234 60919 Magnapro 2 4609948 Best brunch? For AYCE, we really like the Tom Goodchild's Moose Factory brunch. Another one (though maybe it has gone downhill since our visits) is the Atrium at the Radisson Edmonton South. Brunch - AYCE - at La Ronde is great for a view and tasty too, but expect to pay out the wazoo for it. My sister swears by the brunch (not AYCE) at Hulbert's Coffee House. We even like the brunch at Milestones, and of course Wildflower Grill is yummy. Best food (quality-wise) in Edm, IMHO, is at Hardware Grill, followed by Characters, Ric's Grill, and Jack's Grill. Maybe these places have brunch? Sun Apr 19 18:15:47 -0700 2009 4483796 251688 mrsloquacious 1 4609930 In Edmonton: - Wildflower Grill - tasty, pricier, but very good fare. - New York Bagel Cafe ~ pricier but good, and expect a line-up. - Barb & Ernie's ~ you can't get more authentic than this! Our Edmonton favourite. Character building with great breakfasts (including potato pancakes) that even my grampa loves!! In Vancouver: - Paul's Place ~ Our absolute favourite. The bennies come with real (not mix) hollandaise and the omelets are *amazing.* Jam is also homemade, and the servers are great folks (we know some of them personally). Affordable too, but again you may need to wait in line. - Sophie's Cosmic Cafe - spunky place, big plates. - Slicketty Jim's Chat and Chew - crazy name but another character place with some good food (though presentation is a little lacking). - Central Bistro - my favourite is the croissant French toast. Yum! - Joe's Grill - another local favourite with a line-up out the door. List is still growing as we continue exploring Van... Sun Apr 19 18:09:47 -0700 2009 2147234 251688 mrsloquacious 2 5073215 Try Zen Cafe on Arbutus. Good variety of eggs bennies, and fast, FAST service. Get in line though, or come early/late cause this is a busy place. Thu Oct 01 15:56:47 -0700 2009 4609930 240541 blackpowdermorning 3 5073289 What city is Zen Cafe in? Thu Oct 01 16:33:41 -0700 2009 5073215 169233 grayelf 4 5073321 I'm guessing they mean Cafe Zen on Yew, here in Vancouver? I could be wrong though! :-) Personally, I didn't like the eggs benny I tried there - once. Thu Oct 01 16:51:21 -0700 2009 5073289 156732 ck1234 2 5156971 I have been to Barb and Ernies in Edmonton and would never go again. The food was terrible. Not even close to what I want in brunch or breakfast. Wed Nov 04 19:18:22 -0800 2009 4609930 60919 Magnapro 1 4614157 A litle known place in Edmonton is Hathaway's Diner. Its small and homey and everything is homemade. There is usually a wait at the door, but its quick - and well worth it. Tue Apr 21 06:57:05 -0700 2009 2147234 273385 pennystock 1 5107890 Blue Toque Diner in Fernie. The best breakfast anywhere. Fri Oct 16 08:54:05 -0700 2009 2147234 1116754 foodie00bc 1 5159907 Whistler: - Definitely Wildwood Vancouver: - Joe's Grill: my fav Eggs Florentine - Dim sum at Garden City Hot Pot or a few of the Shanghai restaurants in Richmond Calgary: - Diner Deluxe - love the lemon curd fried oatmeal - The Coup Edmonton: - Culina's - Blue Plate Diner Winnipeg: - Stella's Montreal: - L'Avenue - mmmmmm the juicy omelettes and the carmelized banana crepes with vanilla creme anglaise. Thu Nov 05 19:51:00 -0800 2009 2147234 1117313 foodkarma