10 brunches with great Caesars

No other cocktail epitomizes brunch quite like the Bloody Caesar. In its purest form the hangover cure aid is made with vodka, Clamato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, and is served in a glass rimmed with celery salt and a celery or olive garnish.

With a distinct flavour profile, this ultimate Canadian brunch time libation is a filling, delicious, and often spicy way to begin the day, and luckily for Vancouverites it can be found on many menus around the city.

Here are 10 brunches in Vancouver with fantastic Caesars.

Tableau Bar Bistro

This French-inspired bistro offers brunch goers a wickedly good Bacon Caesar to sip on at the weekend. Topped off with a strip of crispy bacon, Tableau’s Caesar consists of house-made bacon infused vodka and Clamato juice. The brunch time staple can be made as spicy as diners want, so if you’re looking for a memorable kick just ask for a super spicy rendition. Complete your meal at Tableau with an order of the eatery’s popular chicken and waffles.

Address: 1181 Melville Street
Phone: 604-639-8692
Twitter: @TableauBistro

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Bao Down Gastropub + Raw Bar

Bloodsport is Bao Down Gastropub’s fiery take on a Caesar. Served in a glass jar this boozy concoction is made up of Walters Craft Caesar Mix and the choice of Stoli Vodka or Bombay Sapphire Gin. It sports a lava salt rim and is capped with a prawn, seared tuna, a bacon strip, and kimchi. With so much going on up top this drink is almost a meal on its own. Although Bao Down’s Caesar is a gratifying tipple all on its own, make sure you leave room for some of the eatery’s creative brunch fare. Chow down on breakfast-inspired bao buns and more.

Address: 115 West 2nd Avenue
Phone: 604-620-5226
Twitter: @baodowngastro

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Edible Canada

This Granville Island eatery has made quite a name for itself with its commitment to using locally-sourced ingredients, sizable patio, casual weekend brunch spread, and delicious Maple Bacon Caesar. A sweet twist on the Canadian classic, this late-morning libation features Iceberg Vodka, Clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, candied bacon, and an Amola Caesar salt rim.

Address: 1596 Johnston Street
Phone: 604-682-6681
Twitter: @EdibleCanada

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

Boulevard is where you’ll find a Cajun-inspired Caesar. Offered as part of Boulevard’s weekend brunch menu this peppery drink features Absolute Vodka, Louisiana Creole seasoning, and Walter All-Natural Caesar Mix (made with 100 per cent natural clam and tomato juice). Garnished with pickled okra, pair with Boulevard’s Caesar with one of their delectable brunch plates, like the Beef Short Rib ‘Croque Madame.’

Address: 845 Burrard Street (at the Sutton Place Hotel)
Phone: 604-642-2900

Twitter: @blvdyvr

Local Public Eatery

Brunch at Local is a wonderfully casual affair. Enjoy classic brunch time essentials, like Eggs Benedict, Banana Pancakes, and Huevos Rancheros out on the sun-drenched patio, while throwing back the eatery’s signature El Caesar. Served in a novelty glass boot, Local’s Caesar (comprised of Smirnoff Vodka, Mott’s Clamato Juice, very special Mexican hot sauce, other spices, and a pepperoni stick) is best described as The Wild West in a glass.

Address: 2210 Cornwall Avenue
Phone: 604-734-3589
Twitter: @LOCALPubEatery

The Union

The Union knocks out a playfully unique brunch Caesar, which combines the fresh flavours of Southeast Asia and blends them seamlessly into the traditional Canadian breakfast libation. Thai basil leaves are used along with calamansi (a small citrus fruit that can be thought of as a cross between a lime and a kumquat), Sriracha, Worcestershire sauce, and a generous pour of gin to create an intriguing spin on the beloved classic. A curry salt rim and fragrant Thai basil flower complete this boozy brunch beverage.

Address: 219 Union Street
Phone: 604-568-3230
Twitter: @TheUnionVan

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The Oakwood Canadian Bistro

Proudly dishing up an array of West Coast and Pacific Northwest cuisine, The Oakwood offers a stellar weekend brunch spread. While edible offerings include an open-face smoked brisket sandwich, crispy pork belly, and smoked ham hock Eggs Benedict, drinkable options include an Apple Ginger Pimms Cup, Mimosas, and two kinds of Caesars. Traditionalists will gravitate towards the “classic” version while those who enjoy spiced up varieties will appreciate the eatery’s Black Gin Caesar, a sodium-rich mix of gin, Worcestershire sauce, house-made hot sauce, organic Caesar mix, and Mill Street Stout.

Address: 2741 West 4th Avenue
Phone: 604-558-1965
Twitter: @theOakwoodKits

YEW seafood + bar

Set within the Four Seasons Hotel, YEW seafood + bar offers a brunch menu of eclectic and elegant seasonal fare and tempting mid-morning libations. Brunch goers will find three enticing Caesar options to choose from, including an Asian-inspired beverage featuring a topping of Kimchi pickled cucumber, Selva shrimp, Siracha, and Asian spices. If none of the three options tickle your fancy you can always build-your-own. There are a handful of ingredients available to build a delicious tailored Caesar.

Address: Four Seasons Vancouver, 791 West Georgia Street
Phone: 604-692-4YEW (939) or reserve online
Twitter: @FSVancouver

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Cafe Medina

Although this wildly popular downtown brunch spot is renowned for their Mediterranean-inspired bistro fare, excellent coffee, and delicious (and seemingly endless supply) of Liege waffles, it also offers a Mediterranean-inspired twist on the old Caesar classic. Bar Manager Trixie Blümel’s “Moroccan Maria” offers a fresh take on the Canadian favourite and features aged tequila, fresh tomato juice, celery bitters, fresh lime juice, and Blümel’s own special house spice mix. To finish, the cocktail is garnished with pickles and a smoked salt, paprika, and sumac rim.

Address: 780 Richards Street
Phone: 604-879-3114
Twitter: @CafeMedina

Score on Davie

Patrons making the most of Score on Davie’s sun laden patio on the weekend will be able to enjoy a laid-back brunch (find a variety of classic brunch time eats like Buttermilk Chicken Benny and Flapjacks on the menu) as well as a range of outlandish Caesars. Although the $60 Checkmate Caesar (think everything but the kitchen sink atop a Caesar) is not available at brunch, Caesars that are topped with mac and cheese balls, tempura prawns and onion rings, and grilled cheese triangles are.

Address: 1262 Davie Street
Phone: 604-632-1646
Twitter: @SCOREonDaVIE