Vanilla Leaf Bakery Café

This is a five star review despite the fact that I am inexplicably blocked from the Facebook page. I'd love an owner to contact me to discuss why that was done :)

It is great to have a cafe/bakery like this on Pender Island. The food and pastries are absolutely delicious and beautiful and the service is great, even when we were brand new and unrecognized which isn't always the case on Pender. I actually can't find a photo to add because I eat stuff too fast 🤣

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent service. I was helped by a very tall gentleman - I believe his name was Jason? Or Jansen? Something close to that! He greeted me so warmly that I momentarily forgot what I came in for (not unusual for me these days, but still).

He was friendly, patient, and very knowledgeable. I asked more questions than I intended, and he answered every one with a smile. It’s not every day you meet staff who manage to be both attentive and genuine without making you feel rushed.

All in all, a very pleasant cafe trip. I left with exactly what I needed, plus one extra item he recommended that I’m actually quite pleased with (don’t tell my daughter, she thinks I’m “impulsive”).

If you happen to be assisted by the tall “J-something” fellow, consider yourself lucky. Just make a list before you go in, and hold on to it - that smile is very distracting.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good coffee

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious goodies, daily!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pastries so so, very unfriendly service!

Find good beverages here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best butter tarts I have EVER had!!!

Food was okay. It's not exceptional but our choices on this island is quite limited in terms of cafes. We had sandwiches, drinks, and cookies. Service wasn't the warmest, though I found the younger staff much friendlier.

I found the food at copper otter (I think they are by the same owner?) and even the service much better. In terms of creative texture, flavors, and fresh ingredients used it's definitely a place we will go back to.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Yummy baked goods and sandwiches with so many vegan options. Also really kind people work there. Definitely check them out if you're on the island.

Food: 5

Service: 5

The ham and cheese croissants were delicious and a nice light snack before our adventure. A good boost of caffeine and enjoyed the lemon meringue tart as a sweet treat.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I never do reviews but… I got declined ice in my coffee because it would be “lukewarm and gross”? I knew that and still wanted it.. just weird that they wanted me to pay 1.50 extra for an iced americano instead of drip coffee
Foods good tho got the day old
I still tipped btw 🫡

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Great food outta the bakery. Good work cooks. Line moves fast.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Awesome selection of vegan treats, great coffee.

Went twice in one day because it was so delicious! I'm still thinking about the Vanilla Leaf Club. Perfect ratios of EVERYTHING!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We stayed on Pender for a week and visited this Cafe twice. The afternoon we arrived we walked in to purchase a couple of pastries. At the same time we picked up some baked goods that were on the reduced rack. We could see several people milling around behind the counter but could not seem to get anyone's attention. So after standing there for several minutes we put the baked goods back and left. A few days later we went in to purchase a couple of prepared sandwiches. Again there were a number of employees working behind the counter. We ordered two sandwiches and a lemon bar. The young woman asked if we wanted our sandwiches toasted and we said no. She walked away after we paid, then came back to help another customer in line. We stood by the counter waiting for our sandwiches. We began to wonder if they misunderstood us and we're toasting the sandwiches, since the prepared ones were clearly available. Again after waiting for almost ten minutes, my husband asked another young woman behind the counter where our sandwiches were. When we did finally get our two sandwiches we still didn't have the lemon bar we purchased. For some reason that was another ordeal to get. I have visited the cafe in prior years I don't remember such horrible service. I do love the island but there are other places to purchase sandwiches and desserts so next time I'll just take my business elsewhere.

Food: 4

Service: 1