Outpost Cafe

I didn’t realize this little place was here until my friend suggested we grab coffee and some food. I used to live in the neighbourhood and Outpost opened shortly after I moved neighbourhoods.
The food was all quite pricy, but they had a good mixture of made-​to-​order and ready-​to-​go foodstuffs. I opted for a readymade quinoa salad and my friend opted for a mac ‘n cheese that they reheated. The tea was good, loose leaf, and came in a small individual pot. We had a nice spot by the window and most of the other patrons were on their laptops (2 of 3).
Sad to hear it’s closing as I think this neighbourhood has great potential. A bit further north on Fraser Street is really picking up.

Closed, as of this weekend. The one time I was in here, I found it cozy and welcoming.

Good coffee, Nice selection of loose leaf teas, lots of tasting looking baked goods (muffins, cookies, energy balls… none of which were dairy or gluten fee… Tear), and a nice selection of breakfast and lunch items. There aren’t many vegan options but the staff are accommodating and happy to make substitutions for you.
I had poached eggs with a simple spinach salad and fruit salad (sub for the baguette). Simple, not overly flavorful but good. I love greens with my breakfast. My companion enjoyed her biscuit (jam is $ 0.50 extra!).
Lovely space with bright windows, high ceilings, high chairs and a comfy staff room with toys for the little people. Seating for about 15 – 20 people.

When I think of Fraser Street, outstanding Café’s don’t traditionally come to mind. Perhaps the awesome and often sold out cassava cake of Pin Pin’s, but good Café’s seem more of a preserve of Main Street or Gastown. That all changed with our visit to Outpost Café. I had the Breakfast Salad: two eggs with avocado, pesto on a bed of greens. Awesome. Great family atmosphere, interesting décor and lots of customers just passing time in this welcoming neighbourhood meeting spot. Definitely worth a repeat visit and next time with a good book because I think I’ll stay a little longer.

Drove past a few times and couldn’t spot it — only a sign on the sidewalk marks this wood-​clad café.
Wood floors, wood panels, chalk boards, and delicious food. Emphasis on the delicious food. I am really just generalizing because my granola w/​fresh fruit and raspberry yogurt was so delicious.
I would definitely come back and recommend this place to others.

Definitely a hidden gem. I don’t usually venture to Fraser but ill definitely be back. Service was genuine and friendly to point of even making a recommendation and the ambience is inviting and unpretentious… Plus they have a staff room with a huge chalk board that you can use!. I had the breakfest sandwich on a biscuit and could easily become addicted. Americano was perfect as well. Menu itself was neither underwhelming nor overwhelming and they have a nice mix of options for.veg. atrians and vegans. Needless to say I’ll be making the trip over just for this place.

Being 1 block away from this spot is amazing. The coffee is hit and miss but the in house baked goods and food are something else! The presentation may seem over the top but the food speaks for itself.
Awesome breakfast and brunch options you can‘t find anywhere else in the area.

Although I can’t do it all the time, I am a big supporter of the owner-​operated, mom+pop operations, particularly when it comes to coffee. With the number of Starbucks, Blenz and other franchised coffee places, there’s a certain gratification to buying a coffee at a place that doesn’t have corporate branded paper cups.
The Outpost Café is one of those great little coffee and more places. It is located on Fraser St. near 24^th, but if you blink you will miss it. Upon entering you will notice the lovely plank floors which give it a warm rustic feeling. The menu must be ever-​changing as it is written on a blackboard. Walk through the places and you will enjoy an uncrowded feel because they don’t cram the place full of tables, chairs and displays of coffee mugs. There’s a room for moms and kids, a small library and various sofas placed for your sitting and dining pleasure. Do take the time to enjoy some of the art.
Although we we not here for breakfast or lunch, I could see an interesting and unique menu of healthy choice sandwiches and salads. I was just here to grab a coffee. The selection of pastries looked tempting but I chose a «healthy cookie». It was the best I ever had, chocked full of healthy grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
You can get a good cuppa joe here and the prices are reasonable. My Americano was very smooth. I think they employ the 49^th parallel roasting techniques here as there seems to be a similar taste in the beans. Not those cheap Mcbeans.
A good place to visit when you’re in the hood.

* Good coffee — needy woman *
Characters: Post-​lunch Unilocaler in need of espresso ( UnilocalER), Mother in her late 30’s who is a needy woman (more later) (NW), NW’s young child (CHILD), Counter staff woman #1 (CW1), Counter staff woman #2 (CW2)
Scene: UnilocalER enters the café he hasn’t noticed before in search of a post-​lunch espresso fix. Classic comfortable café with chalkboard menu, comfortable banquette of seats and a few tables. NW and CHILD are at counter just getting ready to order from CW1.
NW: «Do you have ham sandwiches?»
CW1: (pointing to chalk board) Yes.
NW: «Not those, the other ones.»
CW1: (confused look) «Do you mean the ham and cheese croissants?»
CW2: (looks on with a confused look as well)
NW: «Yes, those.»
CW1: «Would you like one of those?»
NW: «I’m not sure.»
CW1: (patiently waits)
CW2: (turns to try to avoid laughing)
UnilocalER: (getting fidgety in need of espresso)
NW: «What is today’s soup?»
CW1: (explains the soup of the day)
NW: «In that case, I’ll have a half caf/​half decaf americano
UnilocalER: (wonders what the soup of the day has to do with the beverage order)
CW2: (Smiles at UnilocalER sharing a silent understanding of the ridiculousness of NW)
CW1: «Would you like anything else?»
NW: «I’m not sure.»
UnilocalER: (fidgets)
CW2: (Smiles again)
CW1: «Did you want the ham and cheese croissant?»
NW: «Oh, ok.»
CW1: (gives price)
NW: (moves backward without looking bumping into and almost knocking over UnilocalER, doesn’t say anything — no apology, nothing — and goes towards a series of three tables where she spread out a bag, a jacket, and a set of keys like she was reserving it for a group of 6 – 8 people even though there were no other empty tables)
UnilocalER: (steam leaves ears)
NW: (grabs wallet from bag on middle table and finally pays)
CW1: «Sorry about that, what would you like?»
UnilocalER: «Just an espresso please.»
CW1: «Sure. That will be…»
UnilocalER: (pays quickly) «Thank you.»
UnilocalER: (scans room looking for table, and only available one is the one that NW has now removed her keys from, although her jacket still is covering half of the seat)
UnilocalER: (notices another table emptying and silently screams «hooray»)
NW: «What did you do there today?»
CHILD: «Nothing.»
NW: «Didn’t you do the exercise where you say what you love about your mother?»
CHILD: «No.»
NW: «Well, tell me what you love about me anyway.»
CHILD: (Fidgets and tries to get up)
NW: «Come on. Tell me why you love me.»
CHILD: (Silent)
NW: «Please…»
CHILD: «You are my mommy.»
NW: «And what else?»
CHILD: (Fidgets and tries to escape again)
NW: «Sit down, and tell me why you love me.»
CHILD: «Because you are my mommy.»
NW: «Andddd?»
CHILD: «Mommy, I don’t understand what you want me to say.»
NW: «Never mind. Eat your ham sandwich.»
UnilocalER: (Cries inside)
At least the espresso was good. It had a nice crema, was pulled slightly short (like I like), and was a good quality bean. Photo:
I’ll definitely be back, and just hope NW isn’t there with her hogging of 3 tables for her and her child, her indecisive ordering tying up the line behind her, and her demanding emotional validation from her poor child!

Cute spot with relaxing décor. Good place to come and study or just read a book. I tried the breakfast special with poached eggs and prosciutto and it was very tasty. The eggs tasted a tad like vinegar, which I assume was in the water they were cooking in. Also, the portions were on the smaller side, but for the price, it is still a good deal. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience and I will definitely return.

love the coffee here!
Just came here for the second time in as many weeks. First time for
for brunch with friends and this time just for coffee… Because it
was worth the return trip!
Baked goods are excellent — even the day-​old today was fresher than
other supposed «fresh» I’ve had elsewhere, but FWIW I did have the fresh baked goods last time and they were even better!

Love that my work is so close to Main and Fraser. So many good spots in East Van!
I popped by here on my way to Spool of Thread. Desperately needed some caffeine before my sewing class. Outpost Café is a little hidden oasis of awesome on that strip of Fraser. Beautiful spot with a gorgeous green couch, lovely banquette seating, and fantastic wall-​mounted lamps above the tables along the north wall — this place is built for reading.
I only had a latte, but it was a great latte with beautiful latte art. For food options, I was pleasantly surprised that there was one gluten-​free baked good and several lunch options I could eat, like the frittata. They seem to have a number of vegan options as well.
Bonus points for mini library over by the couch. There were definitely some books I’d like to come back and read…
I loved the staff lounge at the back of the café — looks like they take care of their staff. Too bad they’re still a bit hipstery and sullen.

Freebie food! That alone should have you running ;) A lovely little café along Fraser (tough old cycle up that steep hill before it if you’re coming from Broadway direction).
They charge the same price for a normal latte and a Spanish latte — why didn’t I notice that before I ordered the regular *sob*??
Nice big range of cookies, sandwiches, soups, breakfasts — and freebie chunks of muffin at the counter. Oh and free wi fi, always good! I’m not sure what’s happening, but 3 separate women with newborn babies have come in — starting them young on the caffeine: P

The moment I stepped inside this hard-​to-​find space, I felt like I had been transported to another city. The décor is minimalist but not pretentious. It’s comfortable. A team of staff are busy and friendly. The food is beautiful and handmade; the kitchen is open and clean. The Outpost combines the perfect amounts of rustic and classy.
When I asked for a vegan sandwich, I was answered quickly and eagerly. Yes, they’d do a veggie sandwich on housemade whole wheat bread, and without complaint. I was charged the same as a regular sandwich. Their sundried tomato pesto is vegan. The sandwich was huge and came with delicious chips; it was more than satisfying for the price.
The coffee was excellent. This was the type of coffee you don’t need to put sugar in. That’s the mark of a quality brew, for me.
I enjoyed the hour and a half I spent in this space and I will be back whenever I am in the area. No complaints.

A jem of a find on Fraser Street! This is my new favorite spot to stop for a cup of morning americano or sit down for a bowl of chili and catch up with friends. The décor is open and inviting and the staff is friendly and helpful. They even have a separate play room for kids in the back — which is a very thoughtful bonus for both adults with and without children

You know how sometimes you have to each lunch out, but what you really want to do is get a bunch of ingredients from you local deli, sit outside on your patio and just eat them off the cutting board? That’s what dining at the Outpost Café is like, and that’s a good thing. You can get a freaking BOILED EGG on its own. You can also get high quality avocado, meat, bread and cheese and make your own little combinations. Great coffee, lovely fresh baking and cucumber water make me and everyone else I saw there want to linger on a lazy sunny Sunday. I heart the Outpost Café.

My brunch buddy and I dropped in to the Outpost Café on a Sunday, in that sweet spot of day between morning and afternoon. We hadn’t eaten yet, so we were itching for some food as well as a nice cozy place to sit and read with a warm beverage for a while.
I was delighted to see matcha on the menu, so I ordered one to go with my breakfast. The cheerful girl at the counter informed us that the breakfast special for that day was two poached eggs with buttered baguette and salad, so feeling adventurous, I sprang for that even while not being the biggest runny egg enthusiastic (here, they get bonus points for asking how I like my poached eggs so I could specify that I liked them on the harder side). My companion couldn’t pass up one of the delicious sounding baguette sandwiches and ordered the turkey sandwich with an Americano. The menu had a good selection of vegetarian options, both breakfasty and lunchy.
We sat down with our books, and our beverages were brought out to us shortly after. Both were deemed satisfactory. Then we waited… and waited… and waited. It wasn’t exceptionally busy, so we were a bit perplexed as to why our food took so long to come out. When it did, it was clear that it was all freshly made, which served as some justification to the long wait time. My eggs were perfectly done to my liking, and everything was nicely arranged on the plate. However, tastewise, it was somewhat average, especially given the price. We couldn’t help but feel that the value just wasn’t there, especially for the sandwiches (think Finch’s sized sandwiches and Finch’s sized prices, without the Finch’s factor).
The ambiance is very pleasant, and the staff were friendly, but I don’t know if I would return to eat a substantial meal. Perhaps this is a good excuse to spring for one of their biscuits next time I feel like having tea + book time in my neighbourhood.

Beautiful sunlit spot with wooden floors, tall ceilings and home made baked goods. A new favourite. It smelled like freshly baked cheese bread. What’s not to love?
Oh and let’s not forget the oatmeal… is there anything more crunchy, tasty (dare I say even healthy) fruity and decadent to eat on a weekday morning? With in-​house made granola sandwiched between fresh bananas and grapes organic yogurt, it was a big treat. Yum.
My soy decaf mocha came in a bowl of a cup that I could hug with both hands. I love drinking like that. The staff were warm and informative without going over the top. I felt like I was in Paris… it’s a special space.
If you have work to do, you’ll have no problem finding an outlet for your laptop (free wifi) and if you get tired of sitting, move to the bar. Standing desk!

On a day working from home I decided to get some lunch. I didn’t want to wander too far and needed somewhere reasonably quiet that I could eat some food, drink a drink and work on my laptop. Living at 23^rd and Windsor, my options used to be «walk to Main» or «take the 19» or «stay home». It was pretty bleak. I mean, Gene isn’t THAT far away but sometimes, when it’s raining and you’re lazy, you just end up microwaving some hot chocolate and staying on the couch. Like a jerk.
Enter the Outpost. I noticed this place on 24^th and Fraser the other day and made the offhand remark to my girlfriend that we’d have to «check it out» (much like promises made to oneself to visit the gym or go to a show, these kinds of things often drift off into the ether before being resolved and then, like a movie you wanted to see in the theatre but didn’t — it’s too late). So, what better opportunity to go than when I’m by myself and have nobody to drag along with me?
I had the macaroni and cheese w/​a side salad and a coffee. The macaroni was good — nice and subtle, not too strong. A big portion for the dollar amount. Comparable, maybe, to the same at Urban Fare. It was good — not OMG I’M DYING THIS IS AMAZING good but tasty and filling. The salad was a pleasant surprise — the dressing was a raspberry something or other (what? I’m not a salad expert or anything) and the vegetables were all really fresh. The cherry tomatoes were especially good. I miss them.
The coffee was coffee. Ambiance was nice; sparse design, chalkboards, glass cabinet with baked goods to tempt you. The wait staff was friendly (and cute). I’d eat here again, for sure.
They say Fraser is the new main. I kind of hope so — maybe the Outpost is the forerunner of that?

Finally got to try out the Outpost today! Heard their biscuits were the item to sample. Indeed, the cheese and ham biscuit (with extra cheese melted on top) was a generous size and I devoured the entire thing with a big bowl of tomato and basil soup.
My friend had the turkey baguette (with mature cheese, greens and avocado) and asked for a mug of the soup instead of the standard greens and chips. Staff were very pleasant and accommodating. Even offered samples to help me decide between the vegetarian chili and daily soup offering. Decisions decisions! Both my friend and I were very pleased with our choices.
With the high white ceilings, wooden tables and bar tops, wide sofa benches and comfortable wooden chairs, the ambiance was calm and refreshing. We wondered why they haven’t used more of their floor space for table seating (particularly down the length of the restaurant) but perhaps it hasn’t got hectic enough. My friend picked up two more biscuits to go!
Definitely worth a try, particularly for a quiet mid-​week lunch or a place to get some quiet work done over coffee.