16 places to eat breakfast near Vancouver's Santa Claus Parade route

Nov 20 2016, 9:40 am

Get out your mittens and toques – The Rogers Santa Clause Parade is almost here!

Santa is hitting the streets of Vancouver on Sunday, December 4 at noon, and we want you to be prepared.

Over 300,000 spectators are expected to crowd around the parade route this year, which starts at Broughton and Georgia and ends at Howe and Smithe.

This annual event is a joyous occasion to celebrate with friends and family – but let’s be real, if you’re hungry, chances are you may be taking off before you even get a glimpse of Old Saint Nick.

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To ensure your hanger doesn’t get the best of you, head to one of these open-early spots near the parade so you can grab a filling breakfast beforehand – because nothing puts you in the holiday spirit more than stuffing yourself with waffles and coffee.

Here are 16 spots near the parade route to head for breakfast before the Santa Claus Parade.

1. Nero Belgian Waffle Bar

Bruleed Banana Liege Waffle (Lindsay William-Ross/Daily Hive)

Bruleed Banana Liege Waffle (Lindsay William-Ross/Daily Hive)

Just a few blocks from the beginning of the parade, Nero Belgian Waffle bar is waiting for you. Fill up on waffles, coffee, and juice at the Robson location, or grab a box to-go if you’re running late.

Address: 1703 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 778-712-0694
Open: 9 am

2. Whole Foods Market 

A photo posted by David B. Steiner (@dbsvanbc) on

Whole Foods is a great place to grab a baked good, coffee, or smoothie on parade day. You can also hit the make-your-own oatmeal bar or order a hot breakfast from the prepared foods counter.

Address: 1675 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-687-5288
Open: 7:30 am

3. White Spot

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White Spot’s breakfast and brunch menus are served bright and early, which is ideal for those looking to get a head start and secure a prime spot for spectating. Head to the West Georgia location to really get ahead of the game.

Address: 1616 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-8034
Opens: 6:30 am

Address: 405 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-899-4581
Open: 8 am

4. Tableau


It’s a great idea to go to tableau for a filling brunch of bacon Caesars and Croque Monsieur and frites before heading out to watch the festivities.

Address: 1181 Melville Street Vancouver
Phone: 604-639-8692
Open: 10:30 am

5. Cora

A photo posted by パキちゃん (@pakichyan) on

For the early birds in YVR there’s Cora, a great place to go if you’re with a group or kids. The menu is extensive and bound to have something for everyone in your crew.

Address: 1368 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-2672
Open: 7 am

6. Forage

A photo posted by forage (@foragevancouver) on

Forage is a perfect pre-parade stop for those on a mission to get a great position in the crowd. If you go really early and stick around, you can try the breakfast and brunch menus – that way you’ll be ready for the hours of Christmas cheer that are sure to follow.

Address: 1300 Robson Street
Phone: 604-661-1400
Open: Breakfast at 7am, Brunch at 10am

7. Timber

Canadiana (Jess Fleming/Daily Hive)

Canadiana (Jess Fleming/Daily Hive)

Timber’s brunch is a meateaters dream – meaning this is the place to head if you really need to ensure hunger doesn’t creep up during the parade. We’d recommend the Canadiana to fill your tank.

Address: 1300 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-661-2166
Open: 10 am

8. Breka Bakery & Cafe

For those extremely dedicated to getting the best possible spot for the parade, open-24-hours Breka-on-Bute may be where you want to head for breakfast. Even if you’re up before the sun, you can grab a coffee, muffin, coissant, or a doughnut to prep for the guy in red.

Address: 818 Bute Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-620-8200
Open: 24/7

9. Hawksworth Restaurant 


Starting off your day with a brunch at Hawksworth Restaurant is never a bad idea. The breakfast menu here has all the classics, while the brunch offerings have that famous Hawksworth twist which makes them one-of-a-kind.

Address: 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-673-7000
Open: Breakfast 7 am, Brunch 10:30 am

10. YEW seafood + bar

A photo posted by Thadene (@thadenelee) on

In the heart of the Four Seasons Vancouver, YEW seafood + bar offers a stellar breakfast menu available before the parade takes place. Whether you get the quinoa brulee, the caramel banana pancakes, or any of the YEW’s fresh juices – you’ll be in a good mood when you brunch here before the festivities.

Address: 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-692-4939
Open: 7 am

11. Nosh

A photo posted by Rebecca Turbic (@relishreb) on


Nosh has a great menu for quick decisions: breakfast pizza, breakfast wraps, and waffles – we’ll take one of each.

Address: 101-510 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-449-6674
Open: 9 am

12. The Templeton

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The Templeton has a jukebox, free range egg omelettes, bacon, and even a little box of Kellogg’s cereal if you’re into something simple. This is the perfect place to cozy in for a breakfast of champions (the kind your mom used to make).

Address: 1087 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-685-4612
Open: 9 am

13. The Twisted Fork

A photo posted by siv (@sivajan) on

The Twisted Fork does brunch at 8am everyday of the week. So this makes it an ideal place to head for a bite before the parade. With all the brunch staples and a list of breakfast bubbly to choose from, this spot is on the top of our list for Parade day.

Address: 1147 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-0749
Open: 8 am

14. Medina Cafe

(Lindsay William-Ross/Daily Hive)

(Lindsay William-Ross/Daily Hive)

One of the most epic brunch locations in the city, if you land a table at Medina with enough time to make it to the parade, you’ll be spreading holiday cheer the rest of the day.

Address: 780 Richards Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-879-3114
Open: 9 am

15. Homer St. Cafe and Bar

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Comfort cooking and roasted meats for breakfast – what could be more perfect for a pre-parade meal? Head to Homer St. and you’ll be closer to the end of the parade route, which means you have ample time to brunch.

Address: 898 Homer Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-428-4299
Open: 10:30 am

16. Chambar

A photo posted by Christina Zhang (@cz_keli) on


Chambar’s brunch menu is just what you need to perk up before the North Pole takes over Vancouver’s Downtown core. With a selection of waffles, omlettes, fricassés, and brochette de porc – you’ll just have to remember to leave to get to the parade on time.

Address: 568 Beatty Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-879-7119
Opens: 8 am

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