Willow Cafe Bakery

I’ve walked past this little neighbourhood café many times over the past few years but only recently had a chance to actually come in for some hot beverages in a rainy Vancouver day.
As previous reviewers have mentioned, it has been renovated to accommodate a baking station in the back and their in-​house made breads and pastries are easily viewable for the choosing. They also had some samples of coffee cake when I was there, which were light and delicious and not too sweet. My chai latte was also well balanced in flavour with an authentic cardamom aroma (take note Starbucks!).
The owners are friendly and the space is cozy with free wifi available for customers. A good place to start writing the Next Great Canadian Novel… or to read it.

I saw this reviewed on the front page of Unilocal on October 6^th, 2015, therefore, book marked it for future reference.
Very clean and sleek interior. Smoke seating just weird layout.
Good assortment of pastries.
They have a large screen TV that shows all angles of the café. It’s weird that customers can see themselves on survailence.
I had basic mint tea and cranberry loaf which came to under $ 3.

Great bakery. I go for their oat bread (pecan or olive) BUT the greatest treat of all is their carrot cake, made without sugar (but with maple syrup).
Fred
ps great decaf coffee as well (if you’re addicted to decaf)

We have ordered some baked goods for take out. We have tried
— banana chocolate chip muffins
— blueberry bran muffins
— cranberry orange muffins
— apple blue berry pound cake
— chocolate croissant
— almond croissant
We were very impressed with all of these. Service was great. You can ask for a punch card so that on your 9^th visit, you get a free coffee; 18^th visit, you get a free small pastry.
Everything is fresh, with wholesome ingredients, AND they TASTE GREAT. We enjoyed these more than the baked goods we bought from Whole Foods (which might be better for you, but who care if they’re so dry that you don’t end up eating it).

This place is so good. The guys that run this place is so nice. One is definitely more extroverted than the other. The baked goods are delicious. Love the muffin with a crusty top with a moist centre. I’ve had lunch there too. The sandwiches are good. Bread is fresh baked each day. You just can’t resist.

Fantastic creations, friendly staff and owner! He’s done great with the café and you have to go try the selection of organic teas, muffins and the almond croissant that is spectacular!

We’ve been here a few times in the past month. Different owners from what used to be a coffee house back in the late 90’s. They’ve done some good things here.
For Coffee and teas, it’s about what you should expect. Nothing new here.
What they do have is freshly baked goods that they make in the kitchen that they built.
Nice friendly service, but we always seem to arrive when they’re about to close, so we can’t really sit and enjoy a tea.
We’ll have to remember to come earlier!

I never used to come here (even though it is literally 2 blocks from my house)… however, once the place changed ownership, I decided to give it chance. Now, the coffee is great, the baked goods are amazing and the pastries… OH the pastries!
I’m so happy these 2 guys ended up in my hood. also feels great to support both Willow and Tandem :)

I never been to Willow Café until my friend told me that they changed the owner in Fall and the bakery and pastries are pretty good. Sure! Just go and check it out.
When I went there on Friday late afternoon, they have no customer there. I guessed the owner (Chinese man) checking around and briefing the staffs.
The staff was friendly and told us the bakery made daily freshly. We got a brewed coffee and chocolate mousse cake to go.
I found the coffee was a bit old and chocolate mousse cake too sweet and barely taste chocolate flavour.
Hope they can survive for long.

Well, how cute are you Café Willow Bakery?
After different owners of this space in the past few years, I’m thinking you will rock!
Staff was wonderful and friendly, explaining that the baked goods were made daily. I tried the chocolate expresso muffin ($ 2.49), and so tasty. Actually, everything looked fresh and delicious. :)
Good price point as well. You can also watch the people make the goods, which I LOVE.
Lots of inside seating, and a few seats outside. Wifi available.
I’m a big fan and wish you success in this space. Definitely recommend to all. Welcome to the neighbourhood.

Great pastries! Won’t let you down if you bring colleagues. Great for morning drop by, warm and welcoming environment. All natural/​organic ingredients. Excellent baker!

This place is cozy, the staff is friendly; and the food is made right on-​site by the a very experienced Chef. The coffee is delicious and the Owner took a long time to balance the flavor of the roast used.
They have an all-​day breakfast for a very reasonable price. The croissants melt in your mouth; the wraps are tender and tasty; and the homemade bread they sell is fantastic.
These Owners have built this place into what it never was before… they deserve far more credit than Joanne M gave them in July. It’s NOT an eye sore… it’s a comfort zone with calm, tastefully-​chosen music, and comfortable ambiance.
I love having this place in my neighbourhood. Go check them out, and give them some support for all their efforts.
Tamara

I’ve been in here twice and LOVE the coffee. You can tell they are still trying to figure things out but the owners are very kind and the coffee is fantastic. My go-​to is the mocha. The owner tells me they get «expensive hotel coffee» which made me chuckle. Whatever it is, I like it.
The first time I wandered by and realized this is no longer a Java Hut, I stepped in to give it a chance. I like to support local family businesses when possible and this area is overrun with coffee chains. The gentleman behind the counter talked me into trying the chicken tahchin (basically rice, saffron, chicken and yogurt baked together) and I was surprised by how tasty this was. A bit pricey at 6.95 but very good and definitely unique. It was so big I couldn’t even finish it. The setting is nice and simple and they seem to have a group of regulars who hang out and read the newspaper or peer at their laptops. After I had my food, the family all sat down and ate together at the next table but still made sure to come by and take my plate and ask how I liked the food. I felt like I was eating in someone’s kitchen in another country. You won’t find that experience in a Starbucks!
Definitely give this place a try.