Vancouver's tucked-away destination for chai and Indian coffee is now open
Mount Pleasant has long been a destination for foodies to try the latest and greatest sips and bites in the city. Whether you’re dining along Vancouver’s Michelin Mile, participating in a cafe crawl, or visiting one of the best new restaurants in Canada, the neighbourhood is bursting with culinary talent.
However, tucked away just past ELEM and beside an auto body shop is a new takeout-only cafe that’s serving standout chai and Indian coffee called Sula Cafe.
Walking in feels nothing short of an escape from the dreary Vancouver weather. Warm lighting, plenty of wood, and the occasional plant strategically placed throughout the space. However, it’s important to note that aside from a single bench inside and one on the outside of the restaurant, there’s no seating. Think of this more as a place to catch a quick, relaxing moment during your busy day.
Interior of Sula Cafe (Marco Ovies/Dished)
The name Sula might be familiar to you already, as the cafe is brought to us in partnership with the much-loved (and celebrity-approved) Indian restaurant by the same name. So it’s safe to say you’ll find the same all-star service here as you would at any of its restaurant locations.
Originally, the team shared with us that it planned to be a chai primary cafe, evident from the flavour and spices the team packs into each drink. During our visit, we sampled the Spicy Ginger Chai, a ginger-forward concoction that not only tastes good but will definitely clear your sinuses.
Chai (Marco Ovies/Dished)
And while it’s easy to get caught up in all things chai here (especially with its selection of chai-inspired baked goods as well), there’s also the coffee side of things that we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about.
Kareena Fagwani from Alai is helming the coffee program at Sula Cafe, with plenty of intriguing beverages landing on the menu.
Fans of the viral Dubai chocolate craze will be happy to discover taht Sula has its own version of the drink: the Malai Pista Mocha. White chocolate and pistachios are combined with a shot of espresso and frothed milk to create this warming (and addictive) drink. Plus, it’s topped with a decent serving of crumbled pistachios on top.
Other items that caught our eye include the Coastal Coconut Cappuccino and Masala Monsoon Misto.
Malai Pista Mocha (Marco Ovies/Dished)
Additionally, Sula is home to a giant bakery in the back, where the team is whipping up plenty of tasty treats like Pear and Chai Croissants. The cafe is also working with To Live For Bakery to offer a selection of vegan treats.
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Sula Cafe is currently open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sula Cafe
Address:Ā 260 E. 5th Ave., Vancouver
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