Bean Around the World Coffee (5601 Dunbar St., Vancouver, BC, Canada, at Dunbar and 40th Ave, phone 604-261-8188) is a small, comfortable cafe in Vancouver’s affluent West Side neighborhood (a short drive from the University of British Columbia). It is decorated with original paintings by Vancouver artists, and has a cozy lounge area with soft chairs.

The Cafe Americano (pictured below) was a real treat. And I must say, the tuna sandwich (also pictured below) melted in my mouth and had a good match of texture contrasts between the grilled bread and tuna filling. (The cafe also has free Wifi internet access.)

Cafe Americano

Tuna sandwich

Calhoun’s Cafe and Catering (web site, 3035 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, phone 604-731-7062) is a popular hangout and studying place for UBC students that is open 24 hours. They have a good selection of ready-to-eat entrees as well as delicious made-to-order sandwiches, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, cakes, and gourmet coffees. They have free wireless internet access, as well as live music several nights a week. Calhoun’s recently installed wide screen televisions that are tuned to the sports channels.

I usually order a shrimp and avocado sandwich ($6.50, pictured below); it’s huge, and is served with freshly baked sourdough bread and lots of toppings. (They do all their own baking at Calhoun’s and the quality of the bread is really evident.)

The Eatery (3431 W Broadway, Vancouver, phone: 604-738-5298) is a funky Japanese restaurant that has a candle-lit night-club atmosphere and is a popular hangout for UBC students. The primary attraction here is the inventive fusion sushi rolls, with off-the-wall names such as “Andy Warhol Roll”, the “Erotica Roll”, and the “Viva Las Vegas Roll”. The specialty rolls are in the $5 to $8.50 range for a roll, and there are different specials depending on the day of the week. Pictured below is the “Assembly Line” sushi platter which has a large selection of specialty rolls ($47.50) – this enough food for four people with average appetites, or will surely satisfy two people who are very hungry.