Caffe Artigiano

I consider Artigiano a stepping stone away from Starbucks. In a good way. Thanks to the number of locations and style and décor, it gives the casual mainstream coffee seeker a better and safe option.
For many, Artigiano is the President’s Choice to Starbucks’ No-​Name (really couldn’t think of an analogy on short notice). It’s still not the best coffee in town, but I appreciate their customers for opting for coffee made from good beans and made with quality, over the other obvious chains.
As a chain, I’d rather have this in airports, hotels and other places that say «Proudly Serving Starbucks). Arties is A-​OK in my book.

This has always been my favorite coffee house in Vancouver. Great latte’s and a nice atmosphere. My brother’s drip coffee was cold the other day though which was unfortunate. Otherwise, no complaints!

Again, this location makes an OK latte, but it’s nothing to write home about. Rather disappointing, as last summer, I couldn’t stop raving about their Spanish lattes. Artigiano makes decent coffee but this time around, it wasn’t exceptional. That said, my mum had a Mocha and said it was delicious. Still better than Starbucks.

Ordered an espresso macchiato and a double, good quality and served quickly. Nice pick me up after oysters & wine. It would of been nice to sit out and people watch, but it was packed-​inside seating was fine.
Clean washrooms. And the cute cashier remembered my order from the day before;)

MMmmmmmm, can’t get my day going without my cappuccino from here.

This Artigiano is awesome. There’s tons of space, and the staff are friendly and good at their jobs. I only wish that they would bring back the huge wooden table in the middle of the room, but I guess it’s more efficient to have two dinky little tables instead, or something.

Better coffee than Starbucks

K, The coffee at this chain is amazing. Period. I know that and that is why I will walk extra city blocks in the rain to get it.
I have even given the hornby location a 5 star for their continued and excellent service and coffee.
This location however, me thinks the staff is young and in training. I ordered a veggie breakfast wrap and when a meat filled wrap appeared, I indicated my order was for a meatless version. The grill person told me she heard «breakfast wrap and not veggie breakfast wrap». At which point there was a momentary stand off where I had to indicate that I haven’t eaten meat in twelves years and that I wasn’t going to start today. She returned behind the counter, looked through the receipts with the other counter staff and glanced over at me like I was guilty. She returned with a barely warm wrap and an apology. I’d prefer not having to debate or be looked at, as if I were the problem. I would like that far more than the forced apology she offered me when she returned with a half warm, rushed wrap.
I ate it anyways… and realized I’ve been paying $ 12 for a coffee and wrap for years, only to see the wraps size shrink while the prices rise.
Thanks for the reminder that I will now be passing on the good wraps you make due to this experience and the fact that they’ve moved closer to the principles of the chain they replaced at this location, than the Artigiano I knew from the past.
Still great coffee no matter how soured I was.

Oh Caffie Artigiano if you were not so far from my hotel, I would have you every morning. Despite the lack of me being lazy, the coffee served here is better than the coffee served at Blenz. I ordered the regular coffee and found it to be bold and full of flavor. I did not try the pastries served here which is a shame.
This location is at the heart of Robson street which is perfect for people watching. And there are a lot of people to, watch. :)

I love coffee.
A lot more than others.
There once was a time where I drank it every hour, regardless of whether or not it was good for me.
This place, which took over the old Starbucks (not like they’re losing anything, since there’s another one across the street!), serves better lattes than their Green competitors in my opinion.
Better food as well. I think I mights of actually seen a barista with tattoos!
*gasp!* In a chain coffee shop?! Lordy!

The inevitability: comparisons to the Starbucks that once lived in this location.
The reality: aside from the fact that they both serve coffee, Artigiano is nothing like Starbucks.
The reality first:
A wise move on Artigiano’s part, opening here, *the* coffee corner in a high tourist zone. For those wanting a fix that’s a bit more complex and slightly more expertly made than an average standard coffee chain, this Artiginano will do you just fine. Not excellent, by any means, but a far cry better than some other mega-​chains that will remain nameless.
Sure, it’s independent, but keep in mind that Artigiano is still a chain, and still suffers from the same complications that any chain would. Standardization of aesthetics and taste means that rather than something that could be unique or charming even, is as bland as the beans they serve. Not that there’s anything really offensively wrong with either of them — it’s just not mind-​blowing, is all.
Now, the inevitability:
The butt of many jokes, this was the location that, for years, was home to two Starbucks kitty corner to each other. Rumour has it, it’s where Christopher Guest got his genius idea for one of my favourite scenes in Best in Show (stay with me here):
«We met at Starbucks. Not the same Starbucks, but we saw each other at different Starbucks across the street from each other. And Hamilton got up the courage to walk across the street one day and approached me.»
«Yeah. I’d seen you at law school before.»
«And I know that sometimes I’d be in one Starbucks and then you’d be in the other Starbucks and then I’d think maybe, you know, I should go over to that Starbucks the next weekend and then you’d be at the other Starbucks so we kinda crossed paths.»
So, this particular location will always be special to me. Even though it’s a different chain now then it was before, it’s still pretty special. And I like it just fine.

RED TAKES OVER GREEN. This corner location, formerly occupied by Starbucks for the past 22 years, didn’t remain vacant for long! While part of me feels nostalgic now for the bygone days of flagrant Starbucks excess (two locations in the same prominent intersection), I’m delighted that local chain favourite Caffe Artigiano has taken over. It’s an upgrade in quality for consumers.
Like the Hornby location across from the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Robson Artigiano serves hot food, such as roasted lamb or smoked turkey panini — far more interesting and freshly made than the packaged goods over at the Seattle-​based competitor. Coffee remains consistent with other locations.
I suppose now, more than ever, consumers will be making comparisons. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re needing caffeine anywhere near Robson & Thurlow, there’s no reason not to pick Artigiano when it comes to brewed coffee or espresso-​based drinks. However, I still think Starbucks makes better frappuccino-​type beverages, and their free refills with rewards card and free wifi give them an edge that’s hard to beat if you’re needing those perks. All the more, then, I wish this new, highly visible Artigiano the very best.