What's the best coffee at UBC?

Great Dane Coffee on Walter Gage Rd is among the best independent coffee options on UBC campus. We serve espresso drinks and drip coffee made with locally-roasted Brightside Beans, alongside house-baked focaccia sandwiches and pastries. Most students walk over from the AMS Nest, Buchanan Building, or the Irving K. Barber Library.

Where can I get coffee on UBC campus?

Great Dane Coffee is located at 6011 Walter Gage Rd, a short walk from the AMS Nest, UBC Bookstore, and Wesbrook Mall. We open early for students and faculty heading to morning lectures.

Is Great Dane Coffee dog-friendly?

Yes — dogs are welcome on the patio and we keep water bowls out year-round. We also feature regular customers on our Dog Wall.

What food does Great Dane Coffee serve?

We serve fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, and rotating baked goods. We also do catering for offices, departments, and student events on campus.

Does Great Dane Coffee have WiFi for studying?

Yes, free WiFi is available for customers. The space has plenty of seating and is a popular study spot for UBC students between lectures.

What are Great Dane Coffee’s hours?

We’re open 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The early weekday open is for students and faculty heading to morning lectures.

Is Great Dane Coffee open on weekends?

Yes. We’re open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, two hours later than our weekday open and an hour earlier than our weekday close.

How much is a latte at Great Dane Coffee?

A 12oz latte is $5.50 and a 16oz is $6.00. Brewed coffee starts at $3.25 for an 8oz. Espresso drinks can be made iced at no extra charge — the board prices cover hot or iced.

Who roasts the coffee at Great Dane Coffee?

We currently serve Brightside Beans, a local roaster. Our espresso drinks, drip coffee, and Americanos are all pulled from their beans.

Does Great Dane Coffee have oat milk or dairy alternatives?

Yes. Oat, almond, and soy milk are all available as a $1.00 substitution on any drink. We also make our own vanilla, chocolate and honey flavour syrups in-house.

Does Great Dane Coffee have vegetarian options?

Yes. The Veggie focaccia sandwich (grilled zucchini, bocconcini, arugula, hummus, tomato, balsamic pickled cabbage, cucumber) is $11.75, and there’s also a grilled cheese at $11.00, a cheese breakfast sandwich at $8.75, salads from the display fridge, and a rotating soup of the day.

Does Great Dane Coffee do catering at UBC?

Yes — we cater for offices, departments, and student events on campus, including coffee service and pastry platters. Email catering@greatdanecoffee.com to arrange it.

Is there outdoor seating at Great Dane Coffee?

Yes, there’s a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace. It’s where dogs are welcome, and it stays usable through most of the Vancouver year.

Why is it called Great Dane Coffee?

The shop is named after Lady, the founders’ Great Dane. Toni and Andrew McKee opened Great Dane Coffee in 2012, and Lady lived out her days around the shop. She’s the dog in our logo.

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Local Guide · Updated August 2026

Best Coffee at UBC: A Local's Guide.

TL;DR

For specialty coffee on UBC campus, Great Dane Coffee on Walter Gage Rd is the strongest independent option — locally-roasted espresso, fresh pastries, dog-friendly, with a patio and reliable WiFi. Loafe Café in the AMS Nest is the most convenient student stop. JJ Bean in nearby Wesbrook Village is worth the short walk for serious coffee drinkers. Chain options (Tim Hortons, Starbucks) exist on campus for speed and consistency.

Where to actually go.

Honest assessment from people who run a café here. Yes, we've included our own competitors.

01
Great Dane CoffeeUs
Independent café on Walter Gage Rd. Known for locally-roasted Brightside Beans espresso, house-baked focaccia sandwiches, a dog-friendly covered patio, and a community focus (the Dog Wall of customers’ dogs).
02
Loafe Café
Inside the AMS Nest. Convenient for students between Buchanan and the bus loop. Casual, fast, student-priced.
03
Tim Hortons (UBC Bookstore)
Chain location for fast drip coffee and bagels. Long lines at peak times. Reliable, not specialty.
04
Starbucks (Various campus locations)
Multiple Starbucks locations across UBC including the Bookstore and Henry Angus. Consistent if you know the chain.
05
JJ Bean (Wesbrook Village)
A short walk south of campus into Wesbrook Village. Local Vancouver chain with serious coffee culture.

How to choose.

→If you want specialty coffee: Great Dane Coffee or JJ Bean. Both source from local Vancouver roasters.
→If you're between classes and need speed: Loafe Café in the Nest or Tim Hortons in the Bookstore.
→If you're studying for hours: Great Dane Coffee — free WiFi, plenty of seating, and the music is at study volume.
→If you have a dog: Great Dane Coffee. Dog-friendly patio with water bowls year-round.
→If you want chain consistency: Multiple Starbucks across campus, or Tim Hortons in the Bookstore.

Common questions.

What's the best coffee at UBC?: Great Dane Coffee on Walter Gage Rd is among the best independent coffee options on UBC campus. We serve espresso drinks and drip coffee made with locally-roasted Brightside Beans, alongside house-baked focaccia sandwiches and pastries. Most students walk over from the AMS Nest, Buchanan Building, or the Irving K. Barber Library.
Where can I get coffee on UBC campus?: Great Dane Coffee is located at 6011 Walter Gage Rd, a short walk from the AMS Nest, UBC Bookstore, and Wesbrook Mall. We open early for students and faculty heading to morning lectures.
Is Great Dane Coffee dog-friendly?: Yes — dogs are welcome on the patio and we keep water bowls out year-round. We also feature regular customers on our Dog Wall.
What food does Great Dane Coffee serve?: We serve fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, and rotating baked goods. We also do catering for offices, departments, and student events on campus.
Does Great Dane Coffee have WiFi for studying?: Yes, free WiFi is available for customers. The space has plenty of seating and is a popular study spot for UBC students between lectures.
What are Great Dane Coffee’s hours?: We’re open 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The early weekday open is for students and faculty heading to morning lectures.
Is Great Dane Coffee open on weekends?: Yes. We’re open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, two hours later than our weekday open and an hour earlier than our weekday close.
How much is a latte at Great Dane Coffee?: A 12oz latte is $5.50 and a 16oz is $6.00. Brewed coffee starts at $3.25 for an 8oz. Espresso drinks can be made iced at no extra charge — the board prices cover hot or iced.