Unique spot with cool history. Food had good size portions and tasted great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
M
Walking into this café felt like stepping straight into a 1980s European road trip, but not the cool, nostalgic kind—the kind where your tour bus breaks down, and you’re forced to eat at the only place within a 10-mile radius. The décor screams “IKEA met a flea market and they decided to live together forever.”
Our server was friendly but had the attention to detail of a goldfish. I asked for water—she brought exactly one glass, as if hydration is a privilege, not a right. My husband requested coffee refills for both of us, and she enthusiastically topped up only his cup, leaving mine tragically empty like my dreams of a hot, delicious brew. Speaking of coffee, it was cold and uninspiring, much like the customer service training this place probably skipped. And just when I thought I could salvage the situation with some sugar, she swooped in, snatched our teaspoons, and vanished into the chaos of the café, leaving us to stir our coffee with sheer willpower.
To be fair, she was running around like a contestant on a reality show called “Canada’s Next Top Multitasker”—seating guests, taking payments, and cleaning tables all at once. I almost wanted to cheer her on, but I was too distracted by my lukewarm coffee and the faint scent of regret.
The food? It was…fine. Edible. Not offensive. But if you told me I had to eat here again, I’d probably fake a food allergy just to get out of it.
Overall, Dutch Wooden Shoe Café is a great place if you love retro décor, accidental fasting, and watching your server play a real-life version of The Sims on high speed. Otherwise, maybe just grab a coffee somewhere else—one where they acknowledge that two people at a table might both be thirsty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Doug Jamieson
Great little spot
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
woi-ling wen
The authentic Dutch food is great with exception of the poffertjes that are not as light and fluffy as in the Netherland. Maybe no yeast and same batter is used as the pancakes? Otherwise all food is deliscious and great service. Thank you for a little taste of my home of long ago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
MJ
Cozy Dutch brunch restaurant; the pannekoeks were a bit soggy for my liking - otherwise service and atmosphere was amazing.
Great to see that they had gluten-free options for brunch here!
Dietary restrictions: GLUTEN FREE DUTCH PANCAKES AVAILABLE
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hash Browns
Winnie Lam
I saw a small shop with characteristics and history that someone recommended online. It is close to where I live, so many people went to try it out. The waiters are friendly and energetic, and the store decorations are unique. There are many food choices. Four people ordered different foods, including breakfast style, Benny's style and lunch. The taste and presentation were exquisite, everyone was very satisfied, and the price was reasonable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jackie O
I’ve been coming here sporadically over the past twenty years and it’s still a favourite though not what it used to be (like many places now it’s tough times). Last visit the food was borderline awful / Denny’s level but also with cold potatoes. We mainly ordered non pannekoek dishes. When raised with staff they are very nice and treated our feedback with respect so it wasn’t a huge issue but it’s a busy place so we got replacements after we finished the rest of the food (we didn’t want it to get cold too!). My family loves this place and we will keep coming back but it isn’t reliably the same like it was so I’ll update this review after next visit. This being said, other places like Jam have uneven days too. I do prefer supporting local non chain restaurants above all. I would go with pannekoek over typical breakfast fare in recommending orders. I can’t remember if they are still serving real maple syrup though
Johnny Yeung
One of my fav places in the city and enjoy a great breakfast. No frills, hidden gem, comfortable & ol’ skool atmosphere - gotta love it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ginger Cat
This place is amazing. The food was great, tried bitter balls for the first time. The Windmill was delicious. Finished with the Poffertjes. The music was banging, service was top notch and the decor is fun and interesting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dutch Bitter Balls, The Windmill Pancake
Sweet little mom-n-pop vibe restaurant. We enjoyed our pannekoeks!
Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options to choose from.
Parking: Tried the "salted licorice" candy at the cash register and did NOT like it. But I'm glad I tried it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Smita D
The best brunch spot if you’re looking for uncomplicated and delicious food (the pannekoeks are yummy), friendly service, and good old drip coffee. Even if it’s busy on the weekends, you can usually get a table pretty quickly.
Alexander Elliott
Favourite place in the Cambie corridor even though servers always forget items you order
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Lisa Ra
So good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bradley Jang
Recently moved nearby and thought I'd try this place out. Eclectic decor and a helpful waitress who recommended some items off the menu for my friend and I. We had the boeren pannekoek, which was very tasty. I especially liked the basted/fried eggs and the pancake/crepe. Would definitely like to come back to try other items.
Unique spot with cool history. Food had good size portions and tasted great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Walking into this café felt like stepping straight into a 1980s European road trip, but not the cool, nostalgic kind—the kind where your tour bus breaks down, and you’re forced to eat at the only place within a 10-mile radius. The décor screams “IKEA met a flea market and they decided to live together forever.”
Our server was friendly but had the attention to detail of a goldfish. I asked for water—she brought exactly one glass, as if hydration is a privilege, not a right. My husband requested coffee refills for both of us, and she enthusiastically topped up only his cup, leaving mine tragically empty like my dreams of a hot, delicious brew. Speaking of coffee, it was cold and uninspiring, much like the customer service training this place probably skipped. And just when I thought I could salvage the situation with some sugar, she swooped in, snatched our teaspoons, and vanished into the chaos of the café, leaving us to stir our coffee with sheer willpower.
To be fair, she was running around like a contestant on a reality show called “Canada’s Next Top Multitasker”—seating guests, taking payments, and cleaning tables all at once. I almost wanted to cheer her on, but I was too distracted by my lukewarm coffee and the faint scent of regret.
The food? It was…fine. Edible. Not offensive. But if you told me I had to eat here again, I’d probably fake a food allergy just to get out of it.
Overall, Dutch Wooden Shoe Café is a great place if you love retro décor, accidental fasting, and watching your server play a real-life version of The Sims on high speed. Otherwise, maybe just grab a coffee somewhere else—one where they acknowledge that two people at a table might both be thirsty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Great little spot
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The authentic Dutch food is great with exception of the poffertjes that are not as light and fluffy as in the Netherland. Maybe no yeast and same batter is used as the pancakes? Otherwise all food is deliscious and great service. Thank you for a little taste of my home of long ago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Cozy Dutch brunch restaurant; the pannekoeks were a bit soggy for my liking - otherwise service and atmosphere was amazing.
Great to see that they had gluten-free options for brunch here!
Dietary restrictions: GLUTEN FREE DUTCH PANCAKES AVAILABLE
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hash Browns
I saw a small shop with characteristics and history that someone recommended online. It is close to where I live, so many people went to try it out. The waiters are friendly and energetic, and the store decorations are unique. There are many food choices. Four people ordered different foods, including breakfast style, Benny's style and lunch. The taste and presentation were exquisite, everyone was very satisfied, and the price was reasonable.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
I’ve been coming here sporadically over the past twenty years and it’s still a favourite though not what it used to be (like many places now it’s tough times). Last visit the food was borderline awful / Denny’s level but also with cold potatoes. We mainly ordered non pannekoek dishes. When raised with staff they are very nice and treated our feedback with respect so it wasn’t a huge issue but it’s a busy place so we got replacements after we finished the rest of the food (we didn’t want it to get cold too!). My family loves this place and we will keep coming back but it isn’t reliably the same like it was so I’ll update this review after next visit. This being said, other places like Jam have uneven days too. I do prefer supporting local non chain restaurants above all. I would go with pannekoek over typical breakfast fare in recommending orders. I can’t remember if they are still serving real maple syrup though
One of my fav places in the city and enjoy a great breakfast. No frills, hidden gem, comfortable & ol’ skool atmosphere - gotta love it!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is amazing. The food was great, tried bitter balls for the first time. The Windmill was delicious. Finished with the Poffertjes. The music was banging, service was top notch and the decor is fun and interesting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dutch Bitter Balls, The Windmill Pancake
Great spot, highly recommend the waffle
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Sweet little mom-n-pop vibe restaurant. We enjoyed our pannekoeks!
Vegetarian options: Several vegetarian options to choose from.
Parking: Tried the "salted licorice" candy at the cash register and did NOT like it. But I'm glad I tried it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best brunch spot if you’re looking for uncomplicated and delicious food (the pannekoeks are yummy), friendly service, and good old drip coffee. Even if it’s busy on the weekends, you can usually get a table pretty quickly.
Favourite place in the Cambie corridor even though servers always forget items you order
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
So good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recently moved nearby and thought I'd try this place out. Eclectic decor and a helpful waitress who recommended some items off the menu for my friend and I. We had the boeren pannekoek, which was very tasty. I especially liked the basted/fried eggs and the pancake/crepe. Would definitely like to come back to try other items.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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