Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Cafe for Fresh, Healthy Comfort Food
Since the summer of 2012, Railtown Cafe has been dedicated to serving fresh, healthy comfort food in Vancouver's historic Railtown District. Founded by award-winning chefs Dan Olson and Tyler Day, we combine classical culinary techniques with a passion for local and organic ingredients. Our menu features artisan breads, daily-made soups, gourmet sandwiches, and a build-your-own salad bar, complemented by locally roasted coffee and craft beverages. With three convenient locations across Vancouver, we maintain a commitment to quality through our scratch-made approach and sustainable practices.Our team of classically trained chefs brings global expertise to every dish, ensuring consistent excellence in both flavor and presentation. From our famous holiday catering services to everyday meals, we prioritize community connection and culinary innovation. As pioneers in Vancouver's food scene, we continue to innovate while staying rooted in the values that established our reputation for excellence.
Services
Catering Services
Daily Soups
Gourmet Sandwiches
Artisan Salads
Fresh Pastries
Specialty Coffee
Retail Bread Sales
Online Ordering
Delivery Services
Holiday Meals
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- Award-winning catering services with 13+ years of holiday meal expertise
- Daily prepared soups and baked goods made from scratch
- Chefs with Michelin-starred restaurant experience and global culinary backgrounds
- Commitment to local, organic ingredients and sustainable practices
- Three convenient Vancouver locations with consistent quality assurance
Services
Catering Services
Railtown Catering provides full-service event solutions for corporate functions and private celebrations. Our team creates customized menus using the same fresh ingredients as our cafe offerings. With 13 years of holiday meal expertise and experience handling events of all sizes, we ensure exceptional presentation and flavor. Clients benefit from our chefs' global culinary training and commitment to locally sourced ingredients.
Daily Soups
We prepare multiple soup varieties daily using traditional cooking methods and premium ingredients. Featured options include Beef Barley, Red Lentil, and seasonal specialties like Butternut Squash. Available in individual portions or 1-liter containers, our soups combine nutritional value with rich flavor profiles. The 'Buy 2 Get 1 Free' offer makes our scratch-made soups accessible for any occasion.
Gourmet Sandwiches
Our sandwich menu features premium ingredients on house-baked breads with global culinary influences. Signature items like The BBQ Pork and The Reuben showcase our attention to texture and flavor balance. Each sandwich combines high-quality proteins with house-made accompaniments like Buttermilk Ranch and Crispy Onions. The diverse options cater to various dietary preferences while maintaining exceptional taste.
Build-Your-Own Salads
This customizable salad program offers extensive choices across five categories: greens, toppings, crunch elements, cheeses, and dressings. Customers can create nutritionally balanced meals using fresh produce and premium proteins. The rotating seasonal ingredients ensure variety throughout the year. This service demonstrates our commitment to accommodating diverse dietary needs while maintaining exceptional flavor combinations.
Fresh Pastries
Our bakery program features daily-made pastries using traditional techniques and quality ingredients. Offerings include twice-baked almond croissants, specialty muffins, and gluten-free options. The pastry team maintains consistency in texture and flavor while innovating with seasonal flavors. These items complement our coffee service and provide convenient options for customers seeking quality baked goods.
People
Dan Olson
Executive Chef/Partner
Vancouver native Dan Olson brings global culinary expertise from Michelin-starred restaurants in Lyon and Paris, plus leadership experience at The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel Air before co-founding Railtown Catering and Cafe in 2012.
Tyler Day
Chef/Partner
Tyler Day trained under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons in England and gained experience at New York's Oceana before returning to Vancouver to co-found Railtown Catering and Cafe with Dan Olson in 2012.
Questions
What catering services does Railtown offer?
Railtown Catering provides full-service event catering for corporate functions and private celebrations, including their popular holiday turkey dinners available since 2012.
Are there vegetarian options available?
Yes, we offer multiple vegetarian options including The Veggie Sandwich, Vegan Sandwich, and various salad choices with plant-based proteins and dressings.
How can I order catering services?
Catering orders can be placed through our website or by contacting our headquarters directly at (604) 568-8811 for personalized menu consultations.
Do you offer gluten-free options?
Yes, we provide gluten-free bread alternatives for sandwiches and several gluten-free pastry options available at all locations.
What are your holiday catering deadlines?
Holiday catering orders require advance notice - typically two weeks for standard holiday packages like our Thanksgiving turkey dinners available annually.
Reviews (7)
Sheldon F.
Jan 13, 2022
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Nice atmosphere, friendly service. Very clean. I had the black bean breakfast burrito. I think it is probably the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. Piping hot!
Modern Sleeper
Oct 29, 2021
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Ate here during the pandemic. The view was typical. The seating layout is pretty awful. The ingredients for the sandwiches were fresh, at least. The baguette for the Pulled Pork was a tad dry. The Salmon Sandwich was okay but the salmon scoop couldve been spread out a bit more instead of just being plopped right down in the middle. Our coffee had a nice surprise of coffee grounds at the bottom as well. But I guess for 28$, it was slightly better than Tim Hortons; in an alternate universe.
Damien Secret
Oct 14, 2021
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Latte was okay tho everything else was underwhelming. Said I'd eat there and gave me no plate for sandwich and a plastic cup. Two tables nearby were still dirty despite a dead restaurant atmosphere. With my sandwich, they were super cheap on how much meat they put on, and then also didn't even toast the bread. Despite the fact they seem to make their own bread, presumably daily, I doubted that the rye it was on was even fresh. If it was actually fresh, that's sad as it wasn't good.
Food Critic
Jul 22, 2021
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Food is exceptional here, quality ingredients! Probably one of the best sandwich places I've been to! Not too oily, perfect execution for their sandwiches. Also for their salads, get the Squash Chips as one of your Crunch toppings, these should be sold in stores, they're so addictive. Chicken Club: Focaccia is soft with a bite but sturdy enough to hold the sandwich in perfect shape. The chicken is deliciously and perfectly grilled, and the sandwich is very perfectly seasoned, layered and dressed. So simple yet so delicious, the flavor is exceptional and you'll want to devour the whole sandwich
Gurv
Jul 02, 2021
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Railtown Cafe is awesome!!! The staff were really friendly and provided quick service. The prices are fair, and the sandwiches are AMAZING! You can tell they use fresh baked bread and high quality products. I really prefer these to any of the other sandwich restaurants in Vancouver like Meat and Bread.
Andrew N. Byrne
Jan 22, 2021
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The coffee was great but the bacon breakfast eggie was one of the best I've had in Canada. If I go back to Vancouver, I will eat here again. I would love to try some of their baked goods.
Preet B.
Dec 06, 2019
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I'm having the vegan sandwich for lunch today. It's pretty delish on fluffy focaccia! It's $10 and quite large, worth it IMO. My husband got the pork sandwich on a baguette for $12 and a $3 iced tea.
Going in at lunch time is a bit of a zoo!
Pro-tip: they have an app! You can order and pay ahead. They'll let you know the time it's ready, and when you arrive you're good to go. Their chorizo breakfast burrito is alright..Their breakfast sandwiches definitely need some love. I would recommend hitting up tractor up the street instead. Their sandwiches are better
Going in at lunch time is a bit of a zoo!
Pro-tip: they have an app! You can order and pay ahead. They'll let you know the time it's ready, and when you arrive you're good to go. Their chorizo breakfast burrito is alright..Their breakfast sandwiches definitely need some love. I would recommend hitting up tractor up the street instead. Their sandwiches are better