The world's best coffees are known as specialty coffee. Like fine wines, specialty coffees express terroir, or a sense of place through their flavour. We source the finest green coffee available, purchase the best tasting coffee regardless of its certifications, and always pay well above Fair Trade prices on every coffee we buy.
Our roasting style is characterized by a balance between complexity and drinkability. Every coffee requires individual care and attention to coax out its inherent character and harmonize acidity with sweetness. Once coffee is roasted, it naturally produces carbon dioxide as an oxygen barrier for about two weeks.
Our roasting style is characterized by a balance between complexity and drinkability. Every coffee requires individual care and attention to coax out its inherent character and harmonize acidity with sweetness. Once coffee is roasted, it naturally produces carbon dioxide as an oxygen barrier for about two weeks.
Services
We believe people have intrinsic value and seek to honour our coffee producers, our staff, and our customers by only serving the freshest, best tasting coffee possible. To this end, we source the highest quality green coffee and roast it in small batches daily, guided by one principle: the best taste wins.
After 6 years working with Nestl, I wanted to get back to my roots of leading a family business. In 1996, I purchased the Coffee Roaster from Pat and Linda and renamed the company JJ Bean, Vancouver's own Microroaster. Pat and Linda Graf started the Coffee Roaster in 1984 when they took over from Upper Canada Tea and Coffee on Granville Island.
We believe that everyone who takes part in the journey of coffee-from farmers to baristas-deserves to be fairly rewarded for their work. We are committed to compensating our staff well above industry standards. Our graduated learning system gives all of our caf staff the opportunity to increase their wages as they improve their skills and knowledge as baristas and bakers.
For current offerings, from our always available espresso blends and dark roast to seasonal single origin coffees, check out the Shop. We purchase the best tasting coffee regardless of its certifications and we always pay well above Fair Trade prices on every coffee we purchase. The world's best coffees are known as specialty coffee and specialty coffee is purchased based on quality.
Coffee can seem complicated. Innumerable factors influence the aromas, tastes, and structure in a cup before it's even roasted. Our goal is always to make you smarter about coffee and help you choose coffees that you will actually enjoy drinking. Roast colour (or profile) is where most people start when differentiating between coffees.
Reviews (19)
Matthew T.
Feb 16, 2020
Report
Rachel S.
Aug 28, 2019
Report
Came here for the first time for a caramel latte and walked away with that plus a cheddar/chive scone and a cheddar/jalapeño muffin! The latte was amazing, as I drank it I realized I had forgotten to ask for decaf espresso and figured oh well, if I feel anxious and jittery it's not the end of the world. Whenever I get a Starbucks latte I always feel super jittery from it (hence why I started doing decaf) but I was pleasantly surprised that JJ Bean's espresso didn't do that to me. The scone and muffin were great and I'd get both again!
Elaine S.
Jun 25, 2019
Report
Mikael T.
Nov 29, 2018
Report
Sheane A.
Nov 24, 2018
Report
Hannah V.
Oct 29, 2018
Report
On October 28th I came to JJ Bean at Alberni and Thurlow to work,
there was heavy music playing which was very distracting so my Partner asked the Barista to change the music to something more mellow. I went again after nothing happened about 15 minutes later and asked for Chill music. the Barista's complained about this request in ear shot of me with her co worker.
The coffee shop closed at 7 and at 6:40 they began vacuuming and sweeping under where we were sitting.
When I was younger and worked these types of jobs, this would be completely unacceptable as this is highly unprofessional
there was heavy music playing which was very distracting so my Partner asked the Barista to change the music to something more mellow. I went again after nothing happened about 15 minutes later and asked for Chill music. the Barista's complained about this request in ear shot of me with her co worker.
The coffee shop closed at 7 and at 6:40 they began vacuuming and sweeping under where we were sitting.
When I was younger and worked these types of jobs, this would be completely unacceptable as this is highly unprofessional
Salla K.
Sep 27, 2018
Report
Felipe L.
Aug 26, 2018
Report
George V.
Jul 07, 2018
Report
Samantha G.
Dec 16, 2017
Report
I absolutely love coming here. I had the best chai latte ever the other day and I will most likely be coming back soon. I haven't had a chance to explore upstairs yet but the bottom is very modern and it's a pretty cool spot to sit and people watch while enjoying your coffee or lunch. The convenience of its location is also really nice.
Celina L.
Oct 02, 2017
Report
James B.
Sep 17, 2017
Report
First I was drawn to their chairs outside, molded plastic in a postmodern interpretation of a bean shape. I'd walk past on my way to Starbucks, my go to for caffeine for the past many years. At Starbucks, I would feel progressively more like a cow being herded toward a beverage and out the door. At Starbucks, the coffee tastes burnt and the employees all seem to hate their job. So I decided to leap out of my old familiar pattern and try JJ Bean, home of the cool chairs. I love this place. I've come here every day for the past couple weeks.
Here is why then get five stars. The employees
Here is why then get five stars. The employees
Lyly N.
Aug 15, 2017
Report
BEST LONDON FOG LATTE EVER! JJ's was super close to where my friends and I stayed in Vancouver and we made several stops here. As stated before, they have the best London Fog Latte I have ever had, hands down. It was so creamy with just the right amount of sweetness that I gulped that sucker down so quickly. I wish they had a JJ's here! But then I'd probably go broke so maybe it's a good thing. So tasty, so delicious, a definite must try!
PS. Their muffins are the size of my face and the muffin top is the biggest part. They're also delicious. I recommend peach!
PS. Their muffins are the size of my face and the muffin top is the biggest part. They're also delicious. I recommend peach!
Michael K.
Jun 18, 2017
Report
Chloe T.
Apr 17, 2016
Report
Jon L.
Feb 10, 2016
Report
Until my recent visit to Vancouver, I had never heard of JJ Bean before. Turns out it is a popular coffee chain in Vancouver. Stumbled across this exquisite location that is one street down from Robson Street. The location seems to attract a mix of folks, Robson shoppers but also business people as this space is close to the Financial District.
The interior of this cafe is great as it has two levels of seating. The upstairs seating overlooks the coffee bar area. There is also outdoor seating here which is good for warm days. The food offerings seem a bit more extensive than your usual coffee house
The interior of this cafe is great as it has two levels of seating. The upstairs seating overlooks the coffee bar area. There is also outdoor seating here which is good for warm days. The food offerings seem a bit more extensive than your usual coffee house
Julie R.
Feb 05, 2016
Report
What a good looking café! Here you'll find comfortable chairs, lots of place between them and big windows. Surprisingly however, there's no much light coming in, probably because it's surrounded by big towers. It's also very noisy inside. There's so much echo on the 2nd floor, that you'll probably get a headache before you finish your coffee. Finally, I didn't really appreciate to be charged 0,60 cents more for soy milk when it's not written on the menu.
Coming back? Well I've not been wowed by the place, so unless I'm in the neighborhood, probably
Coming back? Well I've not been wowed by the place, so unless I'm in the neighborhood, probably
Danielle K.
Oct 10, 2015
Report
One of my favourite JJ Bean locations! Love their upstairs seating as it offers a great street view.
Coffee wise, I always get a latte here. The latte art is usually pretty & the coffee taste is always rich & aromatic. Much better than Starbucks, and that's coming from a Starbucks fan!
I also love their ham & cheese turnover. A tad oily, but oh so delicious.
Coffee wise, I always get a latte here. The latte art is usually pretty & the coffee taste is always rich & aromatic. Much better than Starbucks, and that's coming from a Starbucks fan!
I also love their ham & cheese turnover. A tad oily, but oh so delicious.
Edward L.
Jan 20, 2013
Report
