In a conversation with Walter Le Daca, owner of the immensely popular West End café Greenhorn Espresso Bar, you’re bound to be interrupted at least a few times. Sitting on the hewed log out front facing Nicola Street, this Argentine transplant knows and waves to every second person that enters and leaves this beautiful, bustling place. It’s no surprise: this was exactly the culture Walter had hoped to foster when he opened the doors to Greenhorn in January 2014, after months of negotiations with the City for the space, a major overhaul of the interior, and securing some of the best coffee, food and staff he could find.
“I romanticized this place for years,” says Walter. “I wanted a French-style café. The six months it took to build the place, I was meeting the neighbours, they were testing the food, the coffee. When we opened January 3rd, it was full. It was a hit from Day One.”
It was what the neighbourhood was craving — off the beaten path of busy Robson and Davie Streets, Greenhorn attracts locals in this densely populated area of the city — young families, long-time West End residents, work-at-home creatives, and a revolving population of international students. “This neighbourhood!” Walter explains of the support he’s received since he opened. “If there is a melting pot in this city, it’s here. It was the first place I lived as a new immigrant. I have a soft spot for it.”
TORTILLA ESPAÑO
Salsa fresca, cilantro, feta, baguette
QUICHE
See fresh sheet
BELGIAN WAFFLES
Maple, seasonal fruit compote or
dark chocolate sauce
HOMEMADE GRANOLA
Yogurt, vanilla-spiced seasonal fruit
TORTILLA ESPAÑO
Salsa fresca, cilantro, feta, baguette
QUICHE
See fresh sheet
WARM HAM & CHEESE CROISSANT
Smokehouse cheddar, pulled ham
WARM JAM & CHEESE CROISSANT
Brie cheese & rhubarb compote
COCONUT BLACK RICE PUDDING
Tropical fruit, infused coconut milk
BAKED Eggs
Shakshuka, fresh herbs, yogurt,
Moroccon olives, roasted almonds, baguette
EGGS BENNY
Smoked paprika hollandaise, pulled
ham & watercress served with fruit
large soup
small soup
Grilled bread. See fresh sheet
SHORT RIB BEEF DIP baguette
Braised short ribs, onion jam,
horseradish, watercress, jus
5 SPICE CHICKEN BAGUETTE
Cucumber, carrot, cilantro, pickled
onion, spiced mayo
smoked salmon baguette
Smoked salmon, caper cream cheese,
marinated fennel, watercress, red onions,
lemon vinaigrette
WILD MUSHROOM BAGUETTE
Vegetable pate, tomato, truffle aioli,
baby arugula, balsamic reduction
GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
Smokehouse cheddar, oven roasted
tomatoes, feta, basil, sourdough,
housemade ketchup
MAC & CHEEES
Creamy three cheese truffle sauce with
tomato and fresh herbs *Baked individually*
HERB ROASTED WARM BEET SALAD
Herb roasted red & golden beets, goat
cheese, chai pecans, fennel & onion slaw,
baby arugula, spinach, tarragon vinaigrette
BABY KALE SALAD
Roasted artichokes, sunflower seeds,
tomato, red onion & fennel slaw,
parmesan, lemon vinaigrette
QUINOA SALad
Toasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, feta,
shredded beets & carrots, fresh herbs,
tarragon vinaigrette
SMALL SALAD
Greens, sunflower seeds, currants,
gran padano, apple cider emulsion
Drinks
Hot Drinks
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Great coffee & food. Very popular spot in the West End (it can be hard to find a spot to sit!)is
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Amble through the labyrinthine streets of the West End while admiring some of the city’s loveliest residential homes and their fragrant springtime blooms. Nelson Street is particularly photogenic – especially the four-block stretch between Jervis and Bidwell. The darker pink Accolade trees blooming at Chilco and Comox are also worth a visit. After your walk, stop in at Greenhorn Café on Nicola Street; in keeping with the neighbourhood’s charming air, this cozy coffee shop features vintage furnishings, a reclaimed wood bar, quirky décor accents, and a hand-scrawled menu of scratch-made quiches, salads, pastries and Mediterranean inspired savoury snacks.
View this Smart ListA not-so-secret neighbourhood gem, this Nicola Street café is a popular hideaway for West End locals. The breakfast menu – displayed on oversized butcher paper hung from the wall – is offered daily and includes a number of European inspired dishes (tortilla Española, Belgian waffles, quiche) and a homemade granola that is simple, sweet and filling. Topped with yogurt, vanilla-spiced pear and seasonal fruit, this breakfast bowl is ideally accompanied by a creamy cortado. The cozy café has plenty of seating, eye-catching decor (take note of the ornate red glass chandelier) and an impressive vintage vinyl collection in the back.
View this Smart ListWhether you’re dropping in after a long ride, a couple park laps, or just feel like heading straight for coffee first thing in the morning, Greenhorn is a gem in the heart of the West End. It boasts a bright and open design with a full menu written on butcher paper hung on the wall. The café opens at 7:00 am and though breakfast doesn’t start ’til 8:00 am, it’s worth the wait. Brunch on the weekend is divine and you won’t be disappointed if you grab a granola to go.
View this Smart List