Presto Panini Cafe

Overall, a really nice lunch. I was there on a Saturday, and the only one in the place! I had the chicken/​avacado panini. Really good chicken and tomato sauce.

Love this place — best paninis in town!
I’m very sad to report… it’s closed!
Went there today for lunch, and there’s a sign on the door saying ‘Presto Panini is No More’… needless to say, I was heartbroken.
Guess I need to find a new panini spot.

Looking for another spot to add to my work lunch list I came across Presto Panini. With a décor that could best be described as Italian kitsch this place could do with a restaurant makeover. In the food department though I had no complaints.
I had the pleasure of eating the classic Panini with capicollo, salami, tomatoes and mozzarella. An excellent Italian Panini with lashing of meat and mozzarella oozing out the side. Apparently there was a salad on the plate as well but all my carnivorous intentions were focused squarely on that Italian cured meat goodness.
I was happy with the value but the food was slow to come out and took about 20mins. If I was really in a rush to get back to work I would have been frustrated. However when it comes to work vs Panini, Panini wins.
Probably 5 stars for my Panini but 3 for the service and negative 1 million for the owners grasp of interior design. If I have an Italian Panini craving again I will be back.

You will leave FULL!
Service was swift, and the food was absolutely perfect. This is legitimately all about quick, delicious, Italian comfort food.
We both ordered the panini and pasta combos.
Just under $ 14 each for what I thought were going to be small, but surprisingly HUGE portions. Toppling paninis and heaping bowls of gnocchi. It was more than my girlfriend and I could eat. Excellent value for the money. it’s one of the reasons I will be making it a regular spot.
She had the Chicken and Avocado Panini and Pesto Gnocchi. I had the Chicken and Mushroom Panini and Tomato Gnocchi. Both were excellent. The panini was perfectly toasted, not scorched to bits like the paninis many of you might be used to. Whoever was working the line that night knew what they were doing. Gnocchi was awesome (brutally hot as it should be when it is cooked properly). The tomato sauce leans on the sweet side, but had just the right balance of acidity.
The pesto especially (it’s prepared per-​dish as it should be) was all about celebrating the ingredients. It’s in-​your-​face basil, just the way it should be. I will definitely pair our next visit with a couple of glasses of wine, just to break up what can be a «heavy» meal.
It’s worth mentioning the atmosphere here, as it was quite warm, inviting, charming, and full of surprise. It has this personal touch, and it seems like every single picture hanging on the walls was hand-​picked by someone. I didn’t quite figure out who runs the place, but whoever they are they certainly have a great deal of passion for what they are doing. It truly shows.
You could spend half your meal looking around the restaurant. It’s not a minimal, hipster, joint, this is all about enveloping you in the experience. All of it seems to come together to make the place feel like you are here to celebrate the eating experience. After all, it’s Italian food, it’s supposed to be joyous!
And, literally, it was one of the best Italian meals I have had in Vancouver. A joyous experience that fully deserves the five stars.

Quest to Eat Vancouver’s 101 Best Eats!
Item: Classic Capicolli Panini
Accompaniments: Mixed Green Salad with Carrot Salad
Price $ 10.49.
Comments: I shared with my bf before our movie date and we were both SO FULL. The half panini looked like a full one and the giant piece of mozerella was delicious. It was meaty and full of flavour… like bacon and I don’t like bacon.
The mixed greens had a nice dressing and the shredded carrot salad was very refreshing.
This little Italian restaurant is so homey, it was a little odd to have an oriental girl serve us while I watched the Italian chef with a Super Mario mustache make our meal.
They close early so get there early. I’m jealous of those who can get lunch here.

We had a great expierence here. The service was fast and friendly.
We each had the Capicollo Pannini. They are huge, twice the size you might expect. Plenty of meat, it comes with a healthy size salad, which is great. No fries though, but that didn’t bother us. It was VERY reasonably priced. $ 10 for a plate.
I would love to come back.
But next time, a half order.

I just updated the business hours on this place, because I’ve gotten confused before. They’re open for lunch, 11:30−2, and for dinner, 5 – 8. I’ve never seen a place do that before, and it’ s been a minor inconvenience. For instance, going in at 1:55 and having to get a sandwich to go. Sometimes I’m a fan of a very late lunch, and stopping by at 4, leaves me disappointed.
However, once you get the hours down, it’s all good.
To start with– the bread here is great. I think it’s the main reason I come. I’ve gotten the chicken pesto panini every time. They also have a selection of pastas available– but that’s too heavy a lunch for me. Bonus for the vegetarians out there– they have many veggie panini options.
Finish your meal with some tiramisu. I haven’t indulged yet, but it’s just a matter of time. It looks wonderful!