Inside Vancouver's new dual cafe and bar serving up standout sips in a former art gallery

Vancouver takes its cafes very seriously, and rightfully so. We’re a coffee-loving city after all, so choosing from the many cafes in and around the city can be quite a challenge. So, when a new spot opens around town, it can be hard to venture away from your reliable favourites.

But we’re here to tell you that Ellipsis, the latest cafe and bar to open in Vancouver, is well worth the visit.

This new cafe/bar is situated in the Waterfall Building, a space designed in 1996 by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson in collaboration with Nick Milkovich, originally intended to serve as an art gallery.

If you’re a fan of minimalist spaces with intentional decor, this space is for you. Think concrete walls and stainless steel counters contrasted by burnt orange seats and dark wood tables. Plus, a gorgeous orange light illuminates the back wall, which becomes more visible as day turns into night. Plus, who doesn’t love giant windows letting in plenty of natural light?

The way this space transitions from day to night is reflected not only in the changing scenery, but also in its menu.

As we mentioned before, Ellipsis is both a cafe and bar, meaning you can hang out here to grab your morning latte or matcha to a cocktail in the evening.

The cafe drink menu is broken up into three simple categories: classic, special, and brew. Under Classics, you’ll find your traditional Americano, flat white, latte, and matcha latte. Meanwhile, under Brew, you’ll find both cold brew and hand-brewed specialty coffees.

However, for those looking for something more out of the ordinary, under Special, you’ll find drinks such as a Strawberry Basil Jasmine Tea Fizz and a Mango Jam Matcha Latte. We were told these drinks will change with the seasons, meaning there will always be something new and exciting.

As for cocktails, each one is both cleverly named and carefully crafted. We enjoyed a selection of these sips, including our personal favourite: What’s The Tea.

You won’t find many indicators as to what this drink is based on its description on the menu, which coyly says “today’s secret. You’ll have to ask.” We don’t want to spoil too much for you, but this drink is refreshingly light, perfect for those hot summer days, and served with a house-made tea bag. Be sure to ask about this one when you visit.

If you’re feeling the fruity and floral vibe, another great option is the So What Are We. This drink features Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, St. Germain, lemon, grapefruit, basil, and strawberry cordial, along with “rose air” (a.k.a. the bubbles on top, a secret recipe that bartenders refused to disclose). If you’re someone who likes to draw a crowd with your drink order, this is the one for you. We had many eyes on us as we watched our bartender prepare this bubble-filled drink.

But the true intersection of cafe and bar can be found in the Ça Va: a mix of butter-washed brandy, croissant syrup (made from the same croissants you’ll find in-house), calvados, and a mini croissant on top. We’ll warn you, this drink is quite boozy, but it also tastes oh so good. 

While it’s easy to get hung up on the drinks, with there being so many great options, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention some of the food as well. Duck and Potato was a hit at our table, featuring braised duck leg with Chinese spices and a side of crispy potato and salad. Simple yet delicious, the tenderness of the duck perfectly complemented the crispiness of the potato, which had a satisfying crunch.

For the plant lovers, the Panzanella Salad is an easy recommendation, especially since we’re in the height of tomato season. Heirloom tomatoes, both red and green, are served with sourdough bread croutons, olive oil, and basil. Another deceptively simple dish that is executed perfectly.

While you can grab a coffee or cocktail at any time, brunch options like the panzanella and duck and potato are available until 3 p.m. Afterwards, the menu transitions to offer bar snacks and other bites like puffed taro with braised duck and pickled mustard and toasted brioche with liver mousse, boozy cherries, and dark chocolate.

You might also like:
• From permanently closed to closed for renovations: Here's what's happening with Milestones Coquitlam location
• Vancouver's Rio Theatre to launch new cafe and bar concept — and it's right next door
• Vancouver vegan restaurant to remain open after closure announcement — here's what we know

Whether you’re looking to grab a quick sip or sit and pause for a while with some crafted cocktails and dishes, Ellipsis is the place to do so. The cafe and bar is currently open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ellipsis

Address: 1540 W 2nd Ave. #205, Vancouver

Instagram

Still hungry? Discover Dished Vancouver on TikTok