The Lion's Den Cafe

Miss u guys! Loved this place when I lived in the neighborhood. Ken always making me laugh, Junko always making amazing food and of course Junior the Lion. Will come by when im in town

I went there for the first time today, after just hearing about it yesterday and I was BLOWEN AWAY by this place. Everyone was incredible!
The sweet gentleman went across the street to get ice because they ran out and I said don’t worry about it and the insisted.
It was the easiest tip I’ve ever given because they were amazing, I felt as if I was a regular as soon as I walked in.
Please keep places like this alive in Vancouver! Can’t wait to go back!

If there is any small family owned business you should be supporting, it’s THIS one! My boyfriend and I had the most pleasurable experience. The Lions Den is filled with culture, good vibes, amazing food, and some of the most fun, personable staff we’ve ever experienced in Van. We moved to Van from Toronto and can confidently say the Lions Den had the best patties we have ever had. We can’t wait to come back!

This place is terrific. The staff is really friendly and when its not busy the staff will take the time to make it a personal experience. The prices are very reasonable and i was happy to stop by and sign their calendar. I hope to visit again when i return to Vancouver!

We had a very great first experience with the Lion’s Den Cafe. Absolutely loved interacting with the wonderful owners and we have a great respect for all of the history of this restaurant. There are very limited Caribbean spots to eat in Vancouver so I am glad to have found a place as great as this. Thank you to the hard working staff, we really enjoyed the food and will be back again and again.

Ohmygosh I wish I found this place sooner. Lovely little restaurant run by such kind genuine people. Walking in makes you feel like you are home and part of a community. Not to mention the breakfast was delicious and VERY well priced. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast for $9 is almost unheard of in Vancouver. Please give this place a try, feels good to support local!

Junko and Ken are the sweetest people ever! Tried this spot out since I was craving jerk chicken and they got it in spades! I loved the jerk chicken and I ordered the jamaican patties to go. I even forgot my to-go box and Junko chased me down to give it to me.

They were incredibly busy today, and still managed to have great customer service and phenomenal food. A huge salute to the one woman show behind the kitchen, this is heartwarming food at a great price!

Heard so much about this little restaurant so decided to give it a try. Called ahead to order and was able to pick up at the scheduled time. We got the Oxtail Stew and large Jerk Chicken. First time trying Caribbean food so didn’t know what to expect. Both were spicy but not painful. The chicken and beef were fall off the bone tender. The portions were very generous and prices were affordable. The owner was very nice and gave us a free Jamaican patty. A neighborhood gem.

Let me say I am a picky eater and I do review often. I just moved to Mount Pleasant neighborhood and I am extremely lucky to have this GEM in the corner of my new place. Owners runs this place.

Food is served and cooked as if You were a guest on their home and portions are HUGE and prices are honestly.

Owner gave us an amazing service and told us about the name of the place and the HOST Lion.

My partner and I enjoyed it.

Be are coming back for sure.

3 times

I've TRIED to order food from here 3 times.
Only once was I successful. Much to the personal dismay of owners' wife (self proclaimed 1 woman army). She said she was hoping to close early. Which put me the customer in an akward position.

Yesterday when I got thru I was told they weren't serving meat?
Today i finally get thru and she says she had an anniversary and she is cleaning. Which is understandable of course. They need to hire staff or figure a secondary shift out. They seem to be serving up more excuses than food at this place.

Dont @ me lady. I'm not asking for an apology. I'm just stating the facts.

Great food, very fresh and homemade. Super friendly and helpful staff. Neighbourhood favourite!

Great little gem with good vibes and atmosphere. Wallet friendly menu. Loved the pattys and oxtail. Come here for a simple breakfast or a Jamaican treat. You wont be dissapointed.

Excellent, great puff pastry, home made Jamaican patties at $4 a piece. Right level of spice. Brought some frozen back home (they even wrote cooking instructions on the bag)
Also shared a large jerk chicken on rice with my partner as they serve a generous portion. Home cooked food and very friendly.

Came back for their 24 years anniversary and the chicken gumbo was so wholesome home cooked food. Please consider adding it to your regular menu if not already:)

Amazing Hospitality and delish good! The review comes late but the owners 100% deserve it! Very good stew, jerk chicken and the Pattie's are hand made from scratch and demands repeat servings!
Quaint little Resturant, reasonable price and huge portions! Bonus is the lovely chat from the owners and making and meeting like minded people! What more can you ask for? Go for it!

I'm not Jamaican or Caribbean, but I felt like I was eating a plate of my grandma's food. The spice was hitting just right. I'll definitely be back to try the whole menu. I got the jerk chicken which was delicious. A plate of ox tail past me while I was waiting for my food. I already know what I am ordering next. Best Jamaican patty I have had in the city too!

The staff is friendly, and I appreciate the atmosphere, but unfortunately, the food falls into the mediocre category, or perhaps it simply doesn't align with my personal taste.

Really good food and nice down to earth people you want to support. There’s a nice grassy area in front that you can eat at too. Lovely! Food is priced very amicably considering vancouvers climate? Happy you guys are around

Lovely people, relaxing atmosphere and tasty fair priced food. The Jerk chicken is amazing

What can I say? Best Carribean in the city. Eating inside is a delight, big window let's in lots of light, but north facing so sun's not in your face. Lots of character and culture with lovely staff. Have outdoor space too. Best oxtail and jerk chicken in the city - BY FAR. Feels like Toronto Carribean food at its best. 5 stars.

PS music's fire too. Great afrobeats, chill beach vibe

First time going to this gem over the weekend. We lack Caribbean food here and I was on the hunt to find some good Jamaican patties in Vancouver and I think I've found them. I have to say the Jamaican patties blew me away. Beef filling had just the right amount of spice and the pastry was nice and flakey. Best Jamaican patty in Vancouver so far! I tried the oxtail as well, and the meat was just nice and tender and it fell off the bone beautifully. I'll definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu. I would want to try the breakfast next time. The server was very friendly and personable. This is a laidback and casual atmosphere, there were 2 tables outside. It was nice to sit in the sun while we enjoyed our food. I think I read somewhere in another review that they were able to buy frozen patties home, I might just do that when I'm in the area again.

Delicious food and great customer service Japaribbean cuisine. Owners Junko and Ken are lovely and welcoming! Their motto is "have a creative day"

After moving from Toronto I gave up on Patties in Vancouver until this spot. Reallly goood, don’t let the interior fool you, the food is clean and fresh and tasty. I bought one patty for my sis and after I finished mine it took everything in my will not to eat it and pretend I never even went

Unflappable authenticity
Junko makes a mean dish. Absolutely great home cooked food.
Ask about Junior

Jamaican patties were excellent - we tried both chicken and beef, and they were well flavored and hefty. Overall, great value and go for the Jamaican dishes.

The jerk chicken has a nice spicy kick, and the meat was very tender. Serving portion was very generous, and the breakfast special was only $9!? You cannot find that price at a restaurant in 2023 anywhere in Vancouver as a regular price!

PLEASE NOTE:
- service will be slow because it is ONE lady who is the cook/server/cashier/dishwasher/DJ/caretaker. Be patient and only go if you have time to spare
- pour your own water and clean up the table as much as you can before leaving - help the lady out!
- tip generously for a local gem:)

Having read the reviews ahead of time, we called ahead to put in our order and informed the lady owner of our arrival time. Even though she was visibly stressed out about juggling so many tasks, she was still very polite and kindly got our food out quickly. Super grateful for that!

If my spouse had a stroke and became disabled, I would not be able to handle running a restaurant literally all by myself (probably will burn it down within the first day.) So it is amazing what the owner is able to do on her own, day in and day out.

Solid food and good value. But the best part is the vibe/people working there are very kind.