If you’ve ever walked through Pacific Centre and exited to the SkyTrain station though The Bay, you’ve probably passed by the most out-of-place espresso bar in the downtown core. Espresso is a great departure from the usual Starbuck-soy-chai–tea-latte-extra-hot sort of drink. Here are some spots to get your espresso on and explore the city.

Nestle Nespresso Boutique 
This is the weird espresso bar inside The Bay. Here you can enjoy espresso and check out espresso makers that you can take home (and eventually use the Skytrain to carry it there!). Kind of bizzare, but probably something you’ve been meaning to do anyway, right? 
Inside The Bay, Pacific Centre, Vancouver

Blue Parrot Espresso Bar
This place is perfect because you can order your espresso, then enjoy the scenery as the Blue Parrot Espresso Bar is centred in Granville Island. Espresso, water, and parrots!  
1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Uva Wine Bar
Don’t be thrown off by the name, this is a wine bar by night and an espresso bar by day. Uva is located by the lobby of Moda, a boutique hotel in downtown Vancouver. Best part? You can stop by early as it is open by 7AM and grab an espresso before work. 
900 Seymour Street, Vancouver

Wicked Cafe
This place is very ethical and friendly, the atmosphere is amazing in the summer. They carry almost exclusively Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, whose mission is to provide great coffee that is supportive of the local and international coffee community.
1399 7th Avenue West, Vancouver

Elysian Coffee
This place is the most legit coffee place in Vancouver. Even if you`decide not to try their espresso, their coffee service is unparalleled to your standard everyday Starbucks experience. 
590 West Broadway, Vancouver