About
Welcome to Café Portrait, a delightful culinary gem nestled in the heart of Vancouver at 1120 Denman St. This cozy, family-run café is not just a place to eat, but an experience enriched with culture and art. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a warm ambiance that feels like home, adorned with stunning portraits and unique decor, each piece telling its own story.
Café Portrait is best known for its exceptional brunch offerings. If you're in search of a hearty breakfast, the Smoked Salmon Benedict stands out. Known as the Modigliani Benedict, it features wild smoked salmon elegantly layered on an English muffin, crowned with two free-range eggs and drizzled with rich hollandaise sauce. Complemented by a side salad and marble potatoes, this dish showcases a perfect balance of flavors.
For those who prefer a heartier option, the Ham Benedict, or the Miro Benedict, with thick-cut ham, promises to satisfy your cravings. Alternatively, indulge in the vibrant and comforting Shakshuka, a tomato vegetable medley that delivers a burst of flavors, making for a delightful morning meal.
The café also excels in beverages, offering unique cocktails to accompany your meal. From refreshing Mimosas to comforting Irish Coffee and the rich Turkish Coffee, there’s something for every palate. Patrons have raved about the robust flavor profile of the Turkish coffee, expertly prepared to showcase its chocolaty notes balanced with sweetness from accompanying Turkish delight.
As you savor each bite, the attentive and friendly staff, led by owner Dennis, ensure your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional. Reviews highlight customer service that makes you feel valued, as Dennis often takes the time to engage with guests, sharing insights into the café’s offerings.
With its rustic charm, delicious menu, and heartfelt service, Café Portrait invites you to sit back, savor the flavors, and soak in the artistic environment. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this café is not just a meal—it’s a memory waiting to be made. Join the ranks of satisfied diners and experience why Café Portrait is a must-visit in Vancouver for brunch lovers.
“ One of my favourite places for brunch! It was my first time having Turkish coffee and it’s delightful! I love how this cafe is family run and all artwork was painted by their father. Very cozy and homey feel overall ”
“ MUST VISIT CAFE !!! Delicious food, refreshing and unique drinks, and absolutely amazing customer service. The owner of the cafe, Dennis, is a sweet and genuine person who clearly cares about the quality of the food/drinks and even more so the experience of each and every customer. My grandma and I visited for lunch on Mother’s Day and were extremely impressed by the smoked salmon and poached egg on English muffin plate (I believe it was #4 on the menu) Even more so, we were pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the staff and Dennis’ Japanese skills:) We were also offered some Turkish coffee after our meal and having never tried it, I said yes please. I even got to watch it being made with Dennis explaining the whole process. He brought it to our table, I tried it, and wow. When he came back to check in, all I could say was “You’ve made me want to visit Turkey even more.” If you like strong coffee, this will most definitely hit the spot as it’s got a rich, almost chocolatey (but not sweet) flavour to it. The bitterness is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the Turkish delight that’s served alongside it. What a wonderful way to share the deliciousness of Turkish cuisine. A heartfelt thank you to Cafe Portrait and especially Dennis (my grandma absolutely loves the rose you gave her!) for a lovely meal on a special day—will definitely be back next time we visit Vancouver. ”
“ The atmosphere is very pleasant, with portraits on the tables and walls! The music is relaxing! The latte is rich and flavorful! The Turkish coffee is not as bitter as I expected—just right! There aren’t many food options, but the Monet Garden dish I ordered had three eggs, which suited my needs. It might be better with fewer interruptions from staff ”
“ Really cool atmosphere with all the portraits on the walls. They have portraits on various different canvases some of which are just objects. They also have a some stained glass decor pieces. It's a rustic feel and very cozy atmosphere when youre sitting there. The small space also makes it feel somewhat cozy and personal. They have barriers that they had put up during covid with the plexiglass removed now which is actually nice because you get your own little cubical. Food is very tasty and unique with a Turkish twist to it. Service is good as well. Very attentive waitresses. What you ask for you will get fairly quickly. ”
“ This was not my first time here @ Cafe Portrait. This place is great. Each time we have left here full and happy If you are looking for trying an authentic breakfast, coffee and tea, this place is definitely one of the best options in Vancouver. Cafe is cozy and staff are very friendly and welcoming. If you’re planning to go one Sunday, consider that you might need to wait for few minutes to be seated because this day is the most popular day among customers. ”
“ So delicious! Monet’s plate was so beautiful to look at and tasty too! We walked in around 10AM on a Sunday morning and got lucky with seating. The place is so cozy and fun. Honestly found this as a random reference point to our hotel and it was wonderful. ”
“ We ordered the Turkish Eggs and Sausage (Cezanne's Turkish Eggs) and the Sausage & Eggs (Monet's Plate)—both were incredibly tasty with a real homemade flavor. The staff were very helpful, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The tiramisu was light, and the Turkish coffee was rich, flavorful, and wonderfully strong. ”
“ This is an absolutely fabulous spot near English Bay Beach and the start of Stanley Park. My wife Andreea and I went for a quick drink (excellent Turkish coffee and iced mango hojicha latte) a few days into this Vancouver visit. We returned today for a proper breakfast, and were beyond pleased to enjoy a fantastic meal. My wife had a perfectly made and presented shakshuka, which was hearty, delicious, and extremely balanced in its flavours and textures. I had cılbır, often called Turkish eggs, which were prepared exquisitely, to my specifications. I had a very tasty oat flat white, and my wife had a refreshing Turkish apple tea. In terms of food and drink, it was an impressive and memorable meal. Beyond this, the service was impeccable. The team of servers/staff was attentive and welcoming, and the owner, Deniz, made it a point to check in and he also shared in the work of taking orders and attending to the needs of customers. He came and introduced himself to us during the meal and made sure we had everything we needed. It was a small gesture, but extremely appreciated. Another interesting and unique feature of the cafe is that the walls and tables are adorned with the portraiture artwork done by Deniz’ father, Engin (hence the name of the establishment), and Deniz’ mother works and oversees activity in the kitchen to make sure her recipes are prepared correctly. This is the very definition of a family business, with a clear outpouring of love into every part of the place (from the decor to the way seating is maximised in the small booths as well as the outside terrasse). With such outstanding quality in the whole experience, we have nothing but positive feelings for Cafe Portrait. Worth noting is that the space is small so entering with a stroller/pram might be a bit hard (as it does tend to get busy at usual meal times). Also, inside the booths are typically reserved for 60 minutes to allow for others to rotate in to enjoy as well. A real gem in downtown Vancouver! Very much worth it to go out of one’s way to have a meal here. Tekrar tebrikler! ”