7 must-try dessert cafes in the Tri-Cities

A sweet escape from the cold, rainy days

Author

Eva Rasciauskas
February 07, 2023

With so many unique dessert cafés in the Tri-Cities, you don’t have to be the greatest lover of sweets to find one that blows you away (looking at all of the self-proclaimed “savoury over sweet” people out there).

Though many of us think we know what to expect when walking in a bakery or dessert café—cookies, croissants, perhaps a selection of traditional layered cakes—there’s so much more out there left to be uncovered.

Here are some notable cafés where you can find some of these untapped gems, bringing something new, exciting and oh-so-delicious to the coffee table.

You’d think we know it all when it comes to French pastries. There’s certainly no shortage of bakeries making flaky, buttery croissants and other confectionaries that bring on that unparalleled European flavour, so why should this one be any different? Well, it’s because Olivier’s has items like Galette des Rois or “King’s Cake,” a classic French puff pastry with layers of almond cream, and clafoutis, a creamy, custardy tart with fresh berries inside. Promising a true taste of France, they do exactly that.

Address: 12 King Edward St #101, Coquitlam

For Gabi & Jules, pie is the name of the game. Classic flavours like apple and key lime are intermingled with more crafty combinations like blueberry earl grey and strawberry ginger peach, as well as a selection of savoury pot pies to bake at home. They also feature a new pie each Saturday—heads up, this week’s feature is a Valentine’s raspberry white chocolate cheesecake!—constantly bringing in new flavours to the mix.

Address: 2302B Clarke St, Port Moody

If you’re on the hunt for new ice cream flavours in the Tri-Cities, Vashti Rose Ice Cream should be at the top of your list. Expect flavours like blood orange, cherry peppercorn and bourbon hazelnut as well as a long list of vegan-friendly options—saffron almond, chai, cardamom chocolate—which are no less tasty and creative than their dairy counterparts. All are made by hand and with local ingredients, creating a quality you can taste in every bite.

Address: 2411 St Johns St, Port Moody

Cassandra Cake Co. specializes in celebration cakes, offering a variety of different bases and fillings to choose from (picture an earl grey cake with layers of strawberry buttercream, or a chocolate cake with alternating layers of chocolate ganache and hazelnut buttercream) though they serve lots of smaller treats too, for those of us seeking a sweet bite to enjoy with coffee. Want to try a bit of everything? Go for their high tea, where you can get tall platters that feature an assortment of both their sweet and savoury goodies.

Address: 2331 Marpole Ave #105, Port Coquitlam

Tucked away inside Henderson Place Mall is Cup Full, a Korean-inspired dessert café that specializes in bingsu. Never heard of bingsu? It’s about time you get yourself acquainted. Thinly shaved ice gets topped with sweetened condensed milk, fruits and syrups that results in a frosty, milky, otherworldly ice cream creation. You can try classic flavours like matcha, red bean and mango—all available in cups to take home with you.

Address: 1163 Pinetree Way #2079, Coquitlam

With locations in both Port Moody and Coquitlam, Rocky Point is a go-to for ice cream in the Tri-Cities. Whether you’re feeling more traditional, reaching for a classic scoop like rum raisin, or more daring, wanting to explore flavours like chocolate orange nougat or cherry cola, they’ve got it all (dairy-free options included!) Rocky Point also carries an impressive selection of ice cream cakes, with dreamy flavours like lemon cookie cheesecake and Neapolitan that are perfect desserts for celebrations.

Address: 2800 Murray St, Port Moody

Looking for Japanese desserts that go beyond the iconic fluffy cheesecake? Cake Ya has all sorts of tasty treats from the region, starting with roll cake—a light, airy chiffon cake stuffed with subtly sweet whipped cream inside—that comes in flavours like matcha red bean, chocolate banana and chestnut. Mysterious, crème caramel-like puddings that go far beyond the familiar classic flavours, like black sesame and milk tea, are equally enticing.

Address: 3256 St Johns St, Port Moody