The Federal Store Luncheonette & Grocer

The best hot chocolates in Vancouver!! We come here every year for the Hot Chocolate Festival and the flavours are always so unique and the taste is always amazing!! (and the sandwiches are so yummy as well!!)

This café is tucked away in a small alley, and although the space is small, it gives off a really cozy and relaxing vibe. The coffee is incredibly rich, with each sip highlighting the strong flavors of the beans, making it a hidden gem for coffee lovers. The space is filled with greenery, with plants decorating the interior, making it feel like a little oasis in the city—perfect for sitting down and unwinding with a cup of coffee. However, seating is limited, so I’d recommend getting there early to grab a spot. Besides coffee, the café also sells some homemade jams and little groceries, adding a charming touch to the place. The jams look really unique and make great souvenirs to take home. The staff are super cute and friendly, and they’re always happy to introduce you to the products, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Nice and cozy cafe in a quiet area with friendly service. Food is pretty decent, the best was the breakfast biscuit with good ratio of filling and adequately sauced. Tomato soup had way too much of an oil drizzle. Hot chocolate and cookie were nothing special.

The positives: coffee is good, a bit weak but still good. The place has a very quaint feel to it which is nice. The negatives: tried the grilled cheese and toast with jam. Both were very disappointing. The grilled cheese had the cheese only in the center with the edges empty. The toast was barely buttered and the jam was enough for maybe half of the portion of the bread (which wasn't very generous). For two coffees + grilled cheese + toast with jam = $26

The Federal Store Luncheonette & Grocer is a hidden gem with a warm, family-like vibe. From the outside, the cafe is simply captivating, with its quaint structure covered in lush green vines, giving it a unique and inviting charm. It’s the kind of place that stands out, blending perfectly with its surroundings and creating a cozy, natural atmosphere that draws you in. Inside, we found a great selection of comfort food. The tomato soup and sourdough were particularly memorable—rich, fresh, and absolutely delicious. They truly capture the homey feel of the place. Although the iced Americano was fairly average, the overall experience made up for it. The Federal Store is an ideal spot to unwind, enjoy a casual meal, and have a relaxed chat with friends. If you’re looking for a cozy, plant-filled cafe with a local vibe, this is the place to go.

It is a small corner cafe that I never knew about I was passing by and found this place by chance Coffee was good and have lots of stuff to buy and for the gifts Coffee tastes good and want to try their pastry next time!

A hidden place as I have passed by but never gone in, But I had to try this years hot chocolate flavor! I got squirrel friend and my mom got the green fairy. I loved the hot chocolate. The peanut butter flavor was delicious with a background notes of hojicha. I loved the peanuts and added a great crunch of texture. The mini chocolate and hojicha cupcake is super cute and not too sweet or overpowering. The hot chocolate wasn't too sweet or rich. The marshmallow paired well with the drink and overall the whole tasting experience was amazing. My mom loved her drink with dark chocolate and pistachio butter and lemon flavors. She also enjoyed her cupcake. It is also nice we get to choose our milk choice. Since we went on a sunny Sunday afternoon the place was packed. It is pretty small with limited seating as they also sell other specialty items. The staff are nice and friendly and handworkers. Cozy setting and I will be back on a weekday to try their sandwiches, other pastries and drinks.

Love the vibes of this place! Tucked away on a quiet side street off Main. It’s kinda expensive ($26 for a sandwich and matcha latte with tip) but worth it because the food and drinks are actually good.

We came for a quick snack on a Saturday. We got the rose hibiscus tea and the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was missing a tang but overall tasted not bad. The chicken wasn't too dry and the portion was okay for the price. The rose hibiscus tea was refreshing but could have done with more rose flavour. The service was not fast but it's meant to be a place to take it slow and relax. Good for chilling with friends and grabbing a small bite

Cute lovely cafe and store with a great cozy ambiance. Indoor and outdoor seating available. A neighborhood gem. Drinks and food are great - I recommend the lemon tart! Great service as well.

A little shop tucked away on the residential streets in the Mount Pleasant area, a few blocks from Cambie and Broadway. 2 hour parking can be found in the area. Can be tricky to find on Sunday as it is near churches. I came here when it was raining buckets so the outdoor tables were wet. There were a few small tables for two inside. I managed to get a seat by the bar table when someone left. Otherwise it was full house. Besides pastries, sandwiches/toast and drinks, they also sell locally produced stuff. I was quite stoked to see Holy Duck chili oil here! I had read about it online but never came across it till now. I bought one home and also another chili oil (Carp brand produced in Mount Pleasant). I tried them at home and they were really good! The Carp chili oil has a sweeter hint while the HD chili oil in mild spicy had the right amount of kick to it for me. Not cheap ($10 and $20 respectively) but I'll gladly repurchase again. That was an unexpected purchase but so glad I came here. And I was here just for the hot chocolate festival. I tried the Suntory Time and it was pretty good. Hint of whiskey in the crushed pecan on the rim of the glass and a salty sweet taste of the hot chocolate because of the white miso. The mini cupcake was ok, too small to taste much. Description from website: White miso brown butter and Valhrona Caraibe 66% dark hot Chocolate, Vancouver Island Smoked Salt and Suntory whiskey roast pecan rim, toasted brown butter housemade marshmallow. For a relaxing times, make it Suntory time. Served with a smores cupcake with toasted meringue buttercream, smoked salt graham cracker crumble, chocolate devils food cake. I saw the avocado toast which my dining neighbor ordered and it looked really good too. I'll be back to try the sandwiches and coffee in future, as well as to get more of the chili oil.

Suntory Times ($11.50) white miso brown butter hot chocolate served with mini s'mores cupcake. One of the better unique hot chocolate I've tried during the festival. The smoked salt and whiskey roasted pecan around the rim also added another layer to the drink. Cupcake itself was also super rich in chocolate flavour. I actually live around the neighbourhood and have visited a few times before. Really like the ambiance and cozy interior. Their coffee is quite nice (a tiny bit sour though) but I remember their sandwich was pretty bland. The biscuit had a nice buttery texture, but the eggs and bacon were both cold and tasteless.

Cute neighbourhood grocery store that has both coffee and food. They have a small amount of seating inside and a decent amount of seating outside. I got their matcha latte and usually quite enjoy the matcha from Whisk Matcha which is where it is sourced. I did wish the matcha taste itself was a lot stronger as the milk somewhat overwhelmed the matcha. Overall, a great atmosphere and a great place to read or catch up with some friends or neighbours.

Some of the servers are very surly. They definitely need to work on that. The coffee and the pastries were okay.

What a cafe gem! Came on a sunny day, so we enjoyed brunch, coffee, and the sunshine. Would highly recommend the avo feta toast - it was a mix of sweet, salty, spicy, savoury, and a hint of lemon. The ham and cheese sandwich was also yummy - savoury ham, melted cheese, and toasted bread. Although the area is mainly meter parking, you can find free parking along the residential streets, which is around 1-2 blocks away. The walk to the cafe lets you enjoy the cherry blossoms and neighbourhood architecture.

very cute atmosphere and good coffee! nice ambience, good service. good could use a bit of work though

I came to the federal store today to check out what all my friends have been raving about... It was incredible! The pastries are so yummy and the staff are lovely. The aesthetic is quaint and charming. I couldn't help but notice the chef in the back, what a smile!

Love this place! It's super cute and just a couple blocks away from main st. It has everything you've ever wanted in a quiet local spot! Out of all the avocado toasts available in Vancouver, this one is my personal favourite. It's just too good! To add onto that, they make great espresso based drinks as well. Service is very friendly and comfortable. There is some outdoor seating too which is great on a sunny day! * other local products available for purchase here.

Things I like about the Federal Store: - The baked goods are outstanding - Its walking distance from home - Its pretty Things I don't like about the Federal Store: - The other customers. I'm not sure why this place attracts such a lot of self-absorbed individuals. The store is tiny, do you really need to park your giant baby carriage in the middle of the small space while you order your oat milk latte? To non-carriage pushers: the sidewalk isn't reserved for just your use - get the eff out of the way so people who need to get somewhere can. Dog walkers, I know you are up at 8:00 am on the weekend, but do you all need to stand around having a loud conversation when some of us in the 'hood would like to sleep in? Get your coffee and move along, please. - Some of the staff. Why ask me my name if you don't bother to call it out when my order is ready? I'd be happy to get me coffee and be out of your hair if I knew it was done. Why do you take so long to do anything - take my order, acknowledge I'm standing there, stop talking to your friends, etc. - The prices. If you want to pay $3 more for locally made preserves to support a small business, that's lovely. I'll head up to Welk's and pay less. The baked goods are delicious, but very small for the price charged.

Vancouver, please don't ever out-condo yourself to the point where sweet local businesses like this become completely extinct! I initially clocked this place while riding on the 10th Ave. bike route. I love it's vintage cherry red Coca-Cola-style sign, and its cozy corner location. Every inch of the tiny interior has been lovingly attended to, from the geometric linoleum floor to the selection of local foods and gifts such as Salt Spring Kitchen jam, maple syrup, and bundles of palo santo incense sticks. There are also refrigerated cases stocked with Avalon dairy products, cheeses, juices, ice cream, and other basic groceries. The proprietors have clearly done their homework in designing a smart and delicious menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and coffee house buns and sweets. Every component of my roasted chicken sandwich was fantastic, from the firm fresh bread, to the rich manchego, to the peppery arugula, to the fresh pear and fig jam. The malted chocolate chip cookie also tasted homemade, a bit soft and more complex than a random mass market cookie. The space is small, but if you can't snag one of the tables lining the window side of the space, they also have a few wide benches to plop down on for a spell. Staff were warm and friendly. Rain or shine, this place is a pleasure to visit.

This is a beautiful place to come for breakfast, lunch or just coffee. The shop has food you can buy to go, whether it's eggs, bread, etc, as well as magazines and a few other options. Plants and tabled are among everything else. It also has outdoor seating near the garden, which is perfect on a sunny day. I had the avocado & feta toast with coffee. Both were delicious, and quite filling. There are options of quiche, eggs, tarts and other food, including homemade bread. Also, there's a water refill station, which is always nice. I definitely recommend stopping in here.

Federal is a comforting coffee shop with a variety of different foods, handmade crafts, and all kinds of other things. The desserts are scrumptious, I have yet to try something I don't like because everything there is amazing. They have galettes, lemon squares, cookies and more. They're coffee and hot chocolate (for the little ones) are great, they give you choices when it comes to milk (oat and almond). Their little market varies in different foods and handmade items such as toques, tote bags, olive oil and so many other cute items. I have nothing negative to say about their workers, they are extremely kind and always remember which drink I ordered last, which is a very nice detail. Store is amazing and definitely worth trying. Best regards - Isabella

If avocado toast could be uplifted from a simple breakfast item, this would be it. This version is served on thinly sliced toast with a pretty combo of avocado, feta cheese, pepper flakes, basil and lemon juice. It's the most complex avo toast I have ever had. Well done. Savouring this is like experiencing a party in my mouth. Amazing. Sitting by the window and enjoying the greenery and church view across the street gave me a Jane Austen moment. Don't come here unless you're ready to be transported.

This is the best place to meet new people, work on your overdue project, or even have a coffee and enjoy the garden outside in the patio. Your choice! The people here are really friendly, and will always make you smile. If this is your first time there, order an avocado toast (it's to die for). The interior has all kinds of good you can buy, like peanut butter, plants, and gummies to keep the kids distracted. 8-24-19 Best Regards -Anna

Cute little cafe with small eats and baked goods, as well as odds and ends your pantry and home may need. Houseplants? Yes. Olive oil? Yes. Crackers? You got it. I like sitting and watching them make bread. Beautiful little neighbourhood gem and although a little pricey, they do serve BNA coffee, yay!

The food is good and it's a nice location. The staff aren't very personable though. I don't go very often and each time I am hopeful that they will be more friendly but it doesn't happen. If it weren't for the food I would not go.

Snackalicious might be a word, except I'm not going to use it for The Federal Store. It just doesn't have the gravitas. My second visit to my local commissary/cafe, and I've got nothing but praise for the detail, the atmosphere, and the excellent sense to stock Chinotto in small batches. Having it on tap would be dangerous. But it's not the beverage that needs mentioning. Try the food. Somebody has really good taste, and dare I say, the moxy to not want to be another trendy cafe. Which of course makes The Federal Store impossibly cool. Like, you can't be this cool (jazz fusion, anyone?) AND be this nice, can you? Pastry. This kind of pastry is hard to achieve. And just "volunteering" to heat the sweet potato quiche, with a small baby spinach leaf garnish lightly drizzled with infused oil, was exactly the right amount of assertion. See, "heat" is not a euphemism for microwaving or grilling here. A silicon matted baking sheet in the oven. That's how they heat quiche here. And oh, lest I forget. Avocado toast, Jim. But not as we know it. The bread, the crumbled feta. The texture. Please, don't come. I don't want anybody to ruin this place for me.

* Good baking, coffee needs work * This little former convenience store has had a hipster re-do and is now operating as a small bakery and coffee shop which has a few gourmet groceries for sale as well. Considering the entire place is perhaps 700 square feet max, I was surprised by the number of staff behind the counter. It was REALLY busy behind the counter! The spot is outfitted with a smattering of second hand furniture which gives it a homey feel, although the chairs and tables could be a bit more stable. The cardamom knot ($3) was very fresh, with a strong buttery flavour to its pillowly dough. There was not a lot of cardamom, but it provided a distinct punch after the butter flavours hit first. This was a nice piece of baking. 4 stars. The coffee ($3) is from Bow & Arrows, which I normally quite like. But it was not executed very well. It had a significant amount of coffee grounds in it, which provided an unpleasant texture. Perhaps they have a leaky filter or didn't grind the coffee with the right setting for their setup? They need to work that out, as the beans themselves I'm sure were good before they were prepared. 2 stars. So, for now, until they work out the issue with the coffee preparation this is a 3 star spot. I imagine they'll figure out the coffee issue and then they should be a reliable 4 star spot.

Super cute local coffee spot/grocer. The service is great, the baked goods are divine and location is perfect (close to Main, but tucked away.) There are so many plants in the shop that it feels like you're walking into a beautiful secret garden. A perfect neighbourhood hub that never fails to deliver a 5 star experience

Cute little place. I was confused at first whether it was a cafe or a store (I concluded it is a cafe). Nice vibe, but it did take a quite while to get my food. I happened upon it while running around, and I'd say this is a place to sit and relax, not somewhere for a quick bite to eat.

Love this place. Excellent food. Nice location in the neighborhood. Good people and c

Loved this little cafe/grocery store! Their breakfast was so good and the latte was also great! I loved the aesthetic of the place!

Just ordered a coffee and hot chocolate to go from this cute little corner shop. Didn't like the coffee which was on the sour side of the coffee spectrum. Enjoyed the hot chocolate with almond milk as you can taste the nuttiness of the almond milk. Some baked goods offered, as well as other interesting dry goods. Tiny place where you can see them making food on the island right behind the cashier. Friendly service. Only a few places to sit including a few outside.

I found this hidden gem completely by accident 'cause I took a wrong turn to go to my destination. Normally the best places that I've found have been by accident and of course this is one of them. I had a coffee and a muffin to go. They have lots of lunch options inside. The customer service was really sweet and friendly. I forgot her name and I feel terrible since she mentioned it to me twice, however, she was amazing.

I loved the aesthetic of it and the food was good and the service was quick and it had a bathroom. I would skip the espresso and tonic, tasted too much likes oranges.

We happened upon this corner cafe/ store while driving through a neighborhood to our Airbnb. We love tucked away gems like this, so we stopped in and tried the avocado toast and chocolate banana bread - both lived up to the hype! If only I could've taken them back on the plane with me, I also wanted to buy all of the plants.

Great place for lunch or a treat on your way home. Have only tried the baked goods but they are what make me coming back! Plus this spot is on the bike route - extra bonus. + Colette is the sweetest. + Tasty baked goods! + Great location + Have the tuna I like for sale - Need some more tea options - have heard mixed reviews on the coffee

This is my new favourite coffee shop in my neighbourhood. The atmosphere is great - comfy, cozy, and all in theme with a humble old-school corner store. The staff are super friendly and unpretentious (rare find in Vancouver). The coffee is good and the freshly made food and baked goods are exceptional.

I love this place! The coffee is good, the food and customer service is great! And it's soooooo cute inside. I enjoy visiting this place on my work breaks. :)

I really like this place. Cool atmosphere, nice menu... My own big complaint is their kids' menu. You'd think going in here that they'd have something more than ham and cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and chicken nuggets for the kiddos (all with fries). Be a little more creative, or at least a bit more healthy!

Best decorated coffee shop in town. I didn't have a drink but tried their power cookie; very good. Just a nice place to sit and relax on a lazy Sunday. And, the owners are friendly and down-to-earth.

Everywhere has Avacado Toast. It doesn't matter because your only going to want the Avacado Toast from Federal Store. Think of all the money and time you'll save not having to pick and peel Avacados. They got you covered. They will also cover your Toast with delicious Avacado.

Avocado toast never gets old. I don't care how long it's been a thing. I love it, especially when the bread is awesome and the location serving it is staffed by friendly people who seem truly happy to be there making it with pride. I've been curious about this place for a long time and really glad I had time to stop for a late lunch today. The only downside is having just the one stomach so needing to put off sampling some of the pastries for another day. I can smell something baking as I sit here and it is pure heaven/torture. Coffee is excellent too...

After 4 Years in Vancouver, 3 of them in Mount Pleasant and I have only just discovered this gem located only a stones throw way from Main/Broadway intersection. Loved the ambience with it's rustic charm and multitude of greenery from plants, of which many are available for purchase. I ordered a Cappuccino, which was the perfect size,temperature and taste, along with a lavender shortbread biscuit and a cheese scone, both of which were delicious. The woman at the till, as well as the barista who prepare my coffee were very pleasant. I adored this place for it's ode to a time long past where many neighbourhoods had a local convenient store on the corner of the block,where the clerk knew your name and you could pick up a few necessary items and catch up on the goings on in the neighbourhood with your neighbours. This place holds true to this ideal, even selling a number of random, yet local, items. Everything from spices and milk to dish soap,pet food. You'll find all your favourite traditional corner store eats,such as chips and dip, chocolate bars and candid, albeit an upscale version.Seating while limited was sufficient for a small space and additional seating outside as well as the location on a quiet side street allows for one to get back to nature and take a seat on the grass or the curb. All in all I have found a great new place to enjoy a good cup of Joe.

Nice, small but hearty menu. Cute hidden neighbourhood spot, but not designed for long stay. Friendly owners!

The Federal Store is so quaint! Amazing baked goods, my favourite being the lemon bars - so tart - so fresh! Sandwiches are on point, avocado toast is yummers, but my surprise favourite is the coconut ginger yogurt bowl with granola ...good grief! The coffee is Bows x Arrows, it's always strong and delicious (Bows x Arrows is also my favourite so I may be tad bias.) The atmosphere is bright and airy, big windows for exceptional people and puppy watching. There isn't a lot of seating, 12 people in this space would be a crowd. There are no cushy seats or comfy couches, only benches, stools and a few tables with chairs. I love that it's located on the bike route with a bike rack out front, convenient stop for a summer cruise. Definitely worth a visit, meet a blind date, take your parents out for coffee, breakfast with your beau or on your own so you can greedily go ham on the treats without shame.

I wouldn't generally order a chicken salad sandwich, but the menu at this little coffee shop and grocer is pretty small so I gave it a go. It was fantastic. I couldn't place the herb or herbs that were in it, but it was just ridic amazeballs. Extra points for being bold with the coarse chopped celery. The bread really made it too. I also had the yam quiche which admittedly sounds weird. I didn't have high hopes (again, small menu), but it was the lightest, fluffiest, creamiest fuckin thing I've ever eaten. The yam and the egg melt in yo mouf and the crust is the best thing on the face of the earth. The coffee was hot and normal; I'm not a massive vancouver coffee snob though so, if it was really good, I probably wouldn't even know it. Definitely will go back. Definitely recommend.

So if you haven't been to this little secret spot yet then reserve an Evo asap! First of all, the new planter boxes outside are amazing, architecturally innovative AND structurally sound. But let's get to what really matters- the honey container didn't leave my hands sticky, I mean if you know coffee shop honey containers then you know this is ultra rare- and ultra rare is what's good. OK now let's talk about something else that twisted my neck- the light in the bathroom turned on automatically. That's one less switch I have to flick. Nice. OK. The coffee- rich. The baked good- sumptuous. The Avocado toast- OMG. Don't. Words don't work here. Staff- Genuine the Bachelor meets Mother Teresa. All day. Go there and then agree with me. You can't feel any other way.

Stopped in today for an afternoon treat. I had the apple galette which was very tasty and light, not too sweet. I had a hot chocolate and it was very good! Husband had a latte. We've walked by before and kept going when we saw how busy it was; however today there were tables available. It's a small space and seems seats are at a premium. Service is friendly and prices are comparable to other coffee and baking in Mt Pleasant area. A nice addition to the neighborhood!

I can't believe I haven't this awesome place in my hood! I'm a regular here, stopping by daily for a treat, lunch or espresso. Almost everything edible here is soooo good that I have withdrawal symptoms when they're closed! Truly, madly, deeply! The owners and staff are friendly, interesting and hey... they can even whip you up a mean almond macchiato!

Perfect. Great pastries, bright atmosphere, friendly staff, excellent espresso, the BEST music in town, hands down.

Came here after biking by many times. The coffee wasn't bad but nothing amazing, and the cookie I got (chocolate chip) was 1)expensive 2) tiny af 3)barely any chocolate chips . Cute but not really worth

Super clean lighting with a nice selection of munchies that you'd find at a general store. Great coffee (beans from Bows & Arrows) that I would come back for, especially as it's along a very popular bike route at 10th and Quebec.