Café Medina is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, nestled along a rather blank street; if not for the long lines of people waiting outside, you might miss it when you walk past. The first time we went there, we were told a party of 4 needed to wait an hour, so we walked around Marshall’s until about 45 mins past to leave a buffer. When we arrived back at the restaurant, we actually just made it in time as the hostess had already called our names a few times and was ready to strike us off the list.
Café Medina
Location: 780 Richards St
Vancouver, BC
V6B 3A4
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 3pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 3pm
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Bustling brunch joint
Service: Efficient
We were seated in the middle of the restaurant, and promptly proceeded to order the above meal, as well as a London Fog for myself while my sister opted for a White Hot Chocolate with pistachio rosewater. They were definitely a lovely combination that I hadn’t seen elsewhere, but I still remain a non-lover of white chocolate.
The dishes were all very well-seasoned, and the first few bites were a flavour explosion in your mouth. It did get rather overwhelming as it we worked our way through the dishes. The Tagine was a lovely stew of vegetables complimented with spicy sausage, while the Fricassée has deliciously braised short ribs that were already bursting with flavour but complemented with caramelized onions and sharp cheddar that made me glad I have my tea latte to wash it down. It was both pleasing to the eye and the palate.
My sister and I really wanted to try the liege waffles they were famous for, so we got one to share and decided on passion fruit creme. The liege waffle is light yet has almost a chew to it; the passion fruit creme was the perfect balance of tang and rich, and honestly I don’t even know if other toppings can compare.
A testament to how much I loved this place; when I returned to Vancouver a month later, I recommended it to my friends and off we went for our last morning in the city. We headed in just before the crowds, and waited about fifteen minutes for a table for three.
This time, we were all feeling the the burn on our wallets, so we opted to order items a la carte rather than off the main menu.
I opted for an avocado toast (my first time trying one that wasn’t made by yours truly) and was wowed by the flavours of the salsa that truly elevated it to the next level.
As I had highly recommended it, we all ordered at least one liege waffle apiece, and promptly devoured them. It was as delicious as memory recalled, and the tangy passion fruit creme was every bit as satisfying as the first visit.
Overall, I would highly recommend Café Medina for anyone who is looking for brunch in downtown Vancouver. Their menu consisted of tightly seasoned items and are sure to spark your tastebuds; just don’t leave without trying the liege waffles!
orangecane 
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