49th Parallel Café & Lucky's Doughnuts (Main Street)

Doughnuts Made All Day on Main

3.5 of 5

A coffee roaster that decides it also needs a doughnut shop is either a business plan or a confession. At 2902 Main Street, 49th Parallel Café and Lucky's Doughnuts makes it both, and nobody in line seems to mind. This is the Main Street flagship of a Vancouver roaster that has since spread to Kitsilano, Thurlow downtown, Lonsdale in North Vancouver and McGill Street in Old Montreal, so the hometown readers know where to find it too.

The doughnuts are Lucky's, a project of the roaster, made by hand and made fresh throughout the day rather than once at dawn and left to sulk under glass. That detail matters more than any flavor list. A doughnut has a short life and should be eaten during it. There are gluten free options for those who need them. The coffee is 49th Parallel's own, and the roaster talks about working directly with farmers who share its commitment to the craft. Nice words. The cup does the convincing.

The room runs seven days a week, seven in the morning to six at night, which makes it a neighborhood utility as much as a destination. Aim for the gap after the commuters and before the strollers. Order an espresso drink and whatever just came out of the kitchen. Ask the counter which batch is the newest. They will know, and they will tell you without a speech.

Order this: Whichever doughnut just came out, An espresso drink on 49th's own roast, A gluten free doughnut if you need one
The damage: $
Go: After the commuter rush, before lunch
Find it: 2902 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3G3