Paper Planes Cafe

Very good coffee, the best at airport! Kingsley

Worst matcha I've ever had, disgusting. For that price it's a travesty.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Comfortable place waiting, just outside baggage claim, can enjoy coffee and croissants ?

Hidden gem! Right outside arrivals when you really need a coffee or treat after a long flight or on the way to transit.

Great espresso options, warm and friendly staff and a really nice place to sit and rest for a moment!

Indeed it’s a little hidden but now that I know it’s here, I have my arrival espresso spot SET.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious donut and friendly staff

Gave us a dairy-based drink, despite being reminded multiple times that it was meant to be based in a vegan milk. I'm lactose intolerant. If I didn't confirm once again after receiving my order, I would have had a medical reaction. They did replace the drink, but unfortunately the corrected drink was poorly made.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1

Gave us a dairy-based drink, despite being reminded multiple times that it was meant to be based in a vegan milk. I'm lactose intolerant. If I didn't confirm once again after receiving my order, I would have had a medical reaction. They did replace the drink, but unfortunately the corrected drink was poorly made.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 1

Good service, friendly, and nice environment ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It’s a bit hidden underneath the escalators going down from the Canadian Domestic Departures floor (the cafe is at Canadian Domestic Arrivals) but it is definitely an interesting venture. The space is clean and a nice spot to wait or take a break over coffee. There’s also wraps and baked goods available. Prices were decent for the airport and lighting is good. Staff were super friendly! I love their mission and will continue to stop in to support them!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing latte amazing baked items

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I love seeing the local neurodiverse community being supported and celebrated in this beautiful space! The service was excellent. I will be supporting them as often as I can. If you want to have the best Chai Latte you've ever tasted, this is the place!!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

The Paper Planes Café opened one month ago today at the Domestic Arrivals area, Level 2, in YVR (near the baggage carousels). It replaces the Hiker’s Outpost, which closed at the end of summer after barely one year of operation (see my earlier review on this site for a hint as to why the “Outpost” was so short lived). Unlike its predecessor, Paper Planes Café actually garnered a high level of publicity and media attention. When it opened on 30 October, the DailyHive, GlobalBC, CTV, CityNews and Vancouver is Awesome all put in a good word; however, I will note that all of the news releases – less the one issued by CTV – were all re-hashed versions of the YVR press release, which leaves me wondering if any of these organizations actually attended the grand opening? Nevertheless, after a few “quiet openings” of YVR “re-fresh” eateries (that is to say, no announcements whatsoever), it was nice to see an actual grand opening ceremony for Paper Planes. It gives the impression this is a notable eatery for some reason ;) Why did this small coffee shop in YVR receive so much hype and attention? Simply put, it has less to do with the food and beverages on offer and much more to do with the goal and mission of Paper Planes. Developed in partnership with the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN), Paper Planes was created “to empower its staff [of neurodiverse individuals] by providing them with the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workforce,” as noted in the YVR press release. To help accomplish this admirable goal, YVR and PAFN say they will – through the café – offer up to six months of on-the-job training “covering essential skills and expertise typical of the restaurant and service industry.” I think this is some pretty amazing work and performs yeoman’s duty in making YVR more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everybody. But this is not a review of the socio-cultural impact of Paper Planes; it is a review of the food offerings and service. I know that probably makes me sound like some kind of curmudgeon, but it is what it is. Now, a bit more in the way of explication: The physical space of Paper Planes remains largely unchanged from that of its predecessor; that is to say, it is fairly bright, clean and contemporary in look and style. The long table bar seating remains, as does the individual tables w/ chairs. Really, the only change I observed was the obvious removal of the “Hiker’s Outpost” branding with that of “Paper Planes.” In short, the space remains a comfortable little nook in the arrivals area of YVR. In terms of food, the focus is similar to what the Hiker’s Outpost offered: Quick pre-made snacks (sandwiches and wraps), coffee, water, soda and juice. I decided to try a chicken pesto wrap and sparking water beverage. The service I received was quite good – very friendly, efficient and cordial – but the food underwhelmed. My wrap, despite apparently being made earlier in the day, was soggy. I’m not sure if it was just the quality of wrap used? On the upside, the chicken and cucumbers were decent. As such, the food was a modest improvement over the Hiker’s Outpost. FOOD: 2.5/5 SERVICE: 4/5 ATMOSPHERE: 3/5 VALUE: 3/5 RECOMMENDATION: I like the concept of Paper Planes Café. An actual paper plane is delicate and requires a little push to get going. In a very real sense, that’s what Paper Planes Café offers the neurodiverse community – an opportunity to gain important skills necessary to enter the workforce. As such, this café transcends the conventional airport coffee shop by empowering individuals while concomitantly serving the millions of people that pass through YVR each year. While the food doesn’t “wow me,” the mission and vision of Paper Planes is commendable. For that reason, I would recommend checking this place out and contributing towards a positive cause. PS: If you found this review helpful in any way please consider hitting the "helpful" button!

Inexpensive coffee, great atmosphere, and really friendly staff. Not sure if the cafe is operated by the organization that also runs the building, the pacific autism network, but some of the cafe staff have autism and yet to work at this little coffee shop. Great set up. Food is glass case baked goods and sandwiches, nothing fancy and a bit pricy. The coffee is really good, great price, and the building itself is beautiful. If you like architecture, check this place out. I also have no connections to autism, just happened to be biking by, and I felt totally welcomed by all while hanging out in the coffee shop.