Download the Railtown Cafe App and start earning points towards free coffee, sandwiches and salads now. Located at the corner of Railway and Dunlevy in the historic Railtown District of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Railtown Cafe has been serving healthy and delicious food since the summer of 2012.
Launched by Vancouver chefs Dan Olson and Tyler Day - who own and operate the award-winning Railtown Catering out of the same facility - we foster a fun and friendly environment with a true sense of community for staff and customers alike. Returning for our ninth year is our ever popular Holiday Turkey To-Go Package!
Launched by Vancouver chefs Dan Olson and Tyler Day - who own and operate the award-winning Railtown Catering out of the same facility - we foster a fun and friendly environment with a true sense of community for staff and customers alike. Returning for our ninth year is our ever popular Holiday Turkey To-Go Package!
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Located at the corner of Railway and Dunlevy in the historic Railtown District of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Railtown Cafe has been serving healthy and delicious food since the summer of 2012. Launched by Vancouver chefs Dan Olson and Tyler Day - who own and operate the award-winning Railtown Catering out of the same facility - we foster a fun and friendly environment with a true sense of community for staff and customers alike.
The award-winning Railtown Cafe (and Railtown Catering) are seeking a number of talented individuals to join their dynamic and ever-growing team. Railtown offers a positive working environment, competitive wages, daily staff meal and 50% off Railtown Cafe food. With aggressive expansion plans and professional development encouraged on all levels, the opportunities for advancement and growth are limitless.
Reviews (22)
Sheldon F.
Jan 13, 2022
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Modern Sleeper
Oct 29, 2021
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Ate here during the pandemic.
The view was typical.
The seating layout is pretty awful.
The ingredients for the sandwiches were fresh, at least.
The baguette for the Pulled Pork was a tad dry.
The Salmon Sandwich was okay but the salmon scoop could’ve been spread out a bit more instead of just being plopped right down in the middle.
Our coffee had a nice surprise of coffee grounds at the bottom as well.
But I guess for 28$, it was slightly better than Tim Hortons; in an alternate universe.
The view was typical.
The seating layout is pretty awful.
The ingredients for the sandwiches were fresh, at least.
The baguette for the Pulled Pork was a tad dry.
The Salmon Sandwich was okay but the salmon scoop could’ve been spread out a bit more instead of just being plopped right down in the middle.
Our coffee had a nice surprise of coffee grounds at the bottom as well.
But I guess for 28$, it was slightly better than Tim Hortons; in an alternate universe.
Damien Secret
Oct 14, 2021
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Latte was okay tho everything else was underwhelming. Said I'd eat there and gave me no plate for sandwich and a plastic cup. Two tables nearby were still dirty despite a dead restaurant atmosphere. With my sandwich, they were super cheap on how much meat they put on, and then also didn't even toast the bread. Despite the fact they seem to make their own bread, presumably daily, I doubted that the rye it was on was even fresh. If it was actually fresh, that's sad as it wasn't good.
Food Critic
Jul 22, 2021
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Food is exceptional here, quality ingredients! Probably one of the best sandwich places I've been to! Not too oily, perfect execution for their sandwiches. Also for their salads, get the Squash Chips as one of your Crunch toppings, these should be sold in stores, they're so addictive.
Chicken Club: Focaccia is soft with a bite but sturdy enough to hold the sandwich in perfect shape. The chicken is deliciously and perfectly grilled, and the sandwich is very perfectly seasoned, layered and dressed. So simple yet so delicious, the flavor is exceptional and you'll want to devour the whole sandwich
Chicken Club: Focaccia is soft with a bite but sturdy enough to hold the sandwich in perfect shape. The chicken is deliciously and perfectly grilled, and the sandwich is very perfectly seasoned, layered and dressed. So simple yet so delicious, the flavor is exceptional and you'll want to devour the whole sandwich
Gurv
Jul 02, 2021
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Railtown Cafe is awesome!!! The staff were really friendly and provided quick service. The prices are fair, and the sandwiches are AMAZING! You can tell they use fresh baked bread and high quality products. I really prefer these to any of the other sandwich restaurants in Vancouver like Meat and Bread.
Andrew N. Byrne
Jan 22, 2021
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Preet B.
Dec 06, 2019
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I'm having the vegan sandwich for lunch today. It's pretty delish on fluffy focaccia! It's $10 and quite large, worth it IMO.
My husband got the pork sandwich on a baguette for $12 and a $3 iced tea.
Going in at lunch time is a bit of a zoo!
Pro-tip: they have an app! You can order and pay ahead. They'll let you know the time it's ready, and when you arrive you're good to go.
Their chorizo breakfast burrito is alright..Their breakfast sandwiches definitely need some love. I would recommend hitting up tractor up the street instead. Their sandwiches are better
My husband got the pork sandwich on a baguette for $12 and a $3 iced tea.
Going in at lunch time is a bit of a zoo!
Pro-tip: they have an app! You can order and pay ahead. They'll let you know the time it's ready, and when you arrive you're good to go.
Their chorizo breakfast burrito is alright..Their breakfast sandwiches definitely need some love. I would recommend hitting up tractor up the street instead. Their sandwiches are better
Jacqueline W.
Mar 12, 2019
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Food is delicious...drinks not good at all. Came here for breakfast and had the smoked tomato and avocado breakfast sandwich. So. Freaking. Good. Not sure if it was worth the price tag at 6 something though. Everything was fresh and the taste blended well together. Ordered a chai latte and it was so watered down I threw it away. Friends of mine ordered a dirty chai and a coffee and theirs were all watered down too. How disappointing.
Bowers B.
Jan 23, 2019
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It's taken me a while to realize that this place is pretty overpriced and the quality of their food and drink is simply not that good. Waited 25 minutes for a latte (it was not busy at all) and no one came to tell me what was up or apologize (i think they completely forgot). The salads and sandwiches are also not very memorable at all.
G. S.
Jan 11, 2019
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Immensely popular lunch spot - which means long lines and barely any seating. The staff can’t save this place from mediocrity: while several salads are great, the sandwiches are dry and flavorless, with cardboardy bread. The prices aren’t the worst, but you can have your own arguments about whether the bowls are worth the cost.
Augustin R.
Nov 26, 2018
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Their latte was pretty good and I was happy that they had more options than just dairy creamer. We ordered a berry vegan brownie with our lattes as well. The brownie had a nice flavor, but texture was more of a hard piece of fudge, than an actual brownie. The flavor wasn't horrible, but incredibly sweet which wasn't what I was looking for.
Also it's incredibly loud in this place. The chairs are metal and the floor concrete and the screech of people coming and going is incredibly loud. Didn't affect my review, just thought I'd mention.
Also it's incredibly loud in this place. The chairs are metal and the floor concrete and the screech of people coming and going is incredibly loud. Didn't affect my review, just thought I'd mention.
Elim K.
Aug 04, 2018
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K. B.
Jul 07, 2018
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This place gets five stars just for its Reuben! It's made with amazing tender and juicy roast beef instead of the typical deli beef. Then it's got a sick spicy mustard and slaw that gives you the acid and tang to go with your savory smooth meat. I recommend getting it on the focaccia to take it to the next level.
Tried their chicken sandwich as well which was okay. Have tried their cookies and their pecan pie, both were quite good. Pecan pie had a much thicker deeper pie jelly with a lot more pecans than you usually see.
Most important thing to know: Reuben all the way.
The only downside
Tried their chicken sandwich as well which was okay. Have tried their cookies and their pecan pie, both were quite good. Pecan pie had a much thicker deeper pie jelly with a lot more pecans than you usually see.
Most important thing to know: Reuben all the way.
The only downside
Parker B.
May 09, 2018
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They've got some creative stuff here. Tried a lavender latte a couple days back and was not disappointed. I did not know lavender went in to food, it is usually just in my soap, but I enjoyed consuming it as much as I enjoy rubbing it all over my body. Didn't have a sandwich but a guy beside me was eating one and it looked really good and he looked like he was having the best time of his life so it's probably safe to say their food is pretty promising too.
Colleen C.
Mar 17, 2018
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This is a cute little cafe on main street. I came here to have lunch with a friend and it was super busy and you most likely have to share the other table with other people. I ordered the salmon sandwich it was around $12 after tax. The quality if the sandwich was pretty good but I was surprised it doesn't come with any sides. I don't eat much and the sandwich was just enough for me. In my opinion it it was kind of pricey for a sandwich in a cafe. Another thing is that the water they have was murky and cloudy so u didn't end up drinking it. I think it is a great hang out spot with
J. T.
Sep 24, 2017
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Zoe D.
Aug 31, 2017
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Disappointing! I was excited to see they had opened this location, which is a bit closer to my house than the Railtown location. I usually order the chicken club and a side salad or quinoa salad. Every time I have ordered from the original location, it has been amazing, or at least very good. (Like an 8/10 sandwich). Today at the Main St location the sandwich was seriously not good. (Like a 3 or 4). It seemed like all the flavour was missing~ the bacon was thick and way undercooked and all around it just lacked any of the usual pizzaz. If this had been my first visit, I would not go back again
Erin H.
Jun 18, 2017
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Yum! Expected just another coffee shop but am happy to learn they have a big menu full of sandwiches and salads. I ordered a "build your own" salad and was able to pick my greens along with a variety of toppings. Did not disappoint - fresh ingredients and a big portion. Will be back for sure as - apart from Tractor - there are limited healthy spots to grab and go in the area.
The sandwich menu also looked great ... can't wait to try the pork shoulder one which looks like their version of a Vietnamese banh mi :)
The sandwich menu also looked great ... can't wait to try the pork shoulder one which looks like their version of a Vietnamese banh mi :)
Hungry Kitt Y.
Jun 15, 2017
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$4 seems like a lot for a muffin, but a Railtown muffin has a lot going for it. I tried the monthly special and was not disappointed.
Crusty all around and filled with a tasty lemon curd, this was a substantial breakfast which got me through a very long morning.
Thank goodness I got a picture to remember because it was actually hard for me to focus on my muffin, while my college gushed over his fantastic, double baked, chocolate croissant.
I'm looking forward to trying other things here.
Crusty all around and filled with a tasty lemon curd, this was a substantial breakfast which got me through a very long morning.
Thank goodness I got a picture to remember because it was actually hard for me to focus on my muffin, while my college gushed over his fantastic, double baked, chocolate croissant.
I'm looking forward to trying other things here.
Kam S.
Jun 07, 2017
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I am a regular patron as of May 3rd. Cute decor, yummy coffee and wonderful staff (shout out to Shannon). It's a fair price for coffee, a almond milk latte is around $4 - the standard metro Van price . The breakfast sandwiches are delicious, meat and veg and they will set you back about $6.
It's a small venue with limited seated, I usually take my drink and food to go. The baked goods look wonderful, will try a muffin soon. For now i'll continue to go here for my am caffeine fix.
It's a small venue with limited seated, I usually take my drink and food to go. The baked goods look wonderful, will try a muffin soon. For now i'll continue to go here for my am caffeine fix.
Jonathan William S.
May 25, 2017
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Kelly B.
May 08, 2017
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We got some lunch takeout on the weekend from this new location of Railtown Cafe in Mt. Pleasant. It was really busy but the service was pretty quick. We ordered the spinach salad and also the reuben sandwich. I really liked the variety of tasty toppings on the salad; a good mixture of crunchy, salty and savoury. However, they forgot my vinaigrette and I only saw this when I got home and opened the box so I had to eat the salad 'naked'. I think it would be better with the vinaigrette so I'll make sure to double check that next time before I leave. The sandwich was really good