Vancouver's long-running Ovaltine Café in Downtown Eastside named one of world's top 50 cafés
Although Vancouver is awash in endless waves of new and trendy cafés opening up, one of Vancouver's oldest eateries has nabbed a mention in a British publication as one of the world's top spots.
Located at 251 East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside, the modest Ovaltine Café has been in operation since 1942.
On September 15, the Telegraph published "The 50 greatest cafés on Earth", which includes 40 selections by travel writer Chris Moss and 10 more by contributing writers.
The Ovaltine, run by owner Grace Chen, was noted at the end of the list for its vintage characteristics, including its neon sign, décor, and name.
The location has also been used for numerous screen productions, including The X-Files and Supernatural.
The article describes the Ovaltine thusly:
From the Edwardian building to the projecting pink neon signage to the unreconstructed décor–not to mention that anti-cool name–you’ve got to love this 1942 diner-cum-coffee shop. Climb on to one of the red vinyl stools drilled into the floor by the long Formica bar or bag a high-walled wooden booth to enjoy a plate of omelette, pork chops or fried chicken with your filter coffee or Ovaltine shake–prepared on a vintage machine. Regularly used as a film location, when it’s dark outside this place takes on a distinctly noirish Edward Hopper quality.
One other Canadian café that made the list was Café Olympico in Montreal.
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