I’ve noticed that visitors to Vancouver are quick to mock our local work ethic. I think this has something to do with the fact that large numbers of us can be seen lurking in cafés on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. But let me point out that some of us—and our laptops—are being productive in those cafés. Honest we are. We're working, but able to make a daily escape from the office because so many fine coffee establishments are kind enough to offer free wireless.

Here’s my opinionated (but no means comprehensive) guide to places where you can pretend to loaf around like a card-carrying member of the latte-lapping leisure class, while secretly completing that market analysis report and contributing to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. (Or you could just surf the net for adorable pet videos. Or help feed the world’s hungry while improving your vocabulary and playing Free Rice.)

A word about wireless cafés in general: If you value the space, protect it by remembering that as a business, its existence depends on making those tables generate cash flow. The café campers who nurse a single coffee all morning pose a serious threat to the lifestyle so many of us love. So make your mama proud: order something to eat occasionally, and move on before you outstay your welcome. She also loves it when you do your own table-bussing, and maybe even wipe up your crumbs and sticky spills when you leave.

Downtown Vancouver

Trees Café

A relaxed and relaxing escape from the usual downtown rush. Organic coffee, good baguette sandwiches—and I’ve heard the cheesecake is legendary. Richmond location too.

Vancouver West Side

Agro Café, Granville Island

A real find nestled amongst the artisans of Granville Island. Their chevre-and-vegetable sandwich comes with carmelized onions and a hearty side salad that would make your nutritionist clap her hands with joy. They also serve organic wine and beer. Hurrah! Yaletown location as well.

Light and airy, with extremely cool pendulum lamps and interesting wall art. No sofa, but several deep cushy armchairs that are almost as good. One reason to love them is that they offer .25 off to people who save paper by bringing their own cups. Notable edibles include waffles. There's a Wicked Downtown now too.

Java Hut, 797 West 16th Avenue. Phone: 604-873-6388. (numerous other locations as well)
Try the Peanut Butter Drops. These are two-bite peanut butter and chocolate dreams, a delicious treat so tiny there’s no point feeling the least bit guilty about them.

Vancouver East Side

Ethical Bean Café

Their cafe is in the head office/roastery/think tank. Very cool, very green. Great coffee, of course. And they have these scrumptious little risotto cakes that you just don't see anywhere else.

Our Town Café, 245 East Broadway. Phone: (604) 879-1924.
I was not going to include Our Town on the list, because I can already hear the west-siders complaining that the east side is over-represented. But aw shucks, the place is so darn nice. So Norman Rockwellesque in its community feeling. Story slams, sing-a-longs, soul food, beer and wine, and all those great comfy chairs. How can you not love it a little?

Prado
I admit to occasionally being mistaken. When Prado first opened its doors, my first thought was, uh oh. Not another coffee shop on The Drive. I did not expect them to make it, but that was before I’d tried their coffee. Now their premise-baked blueberry muffins with the cream cheese centres have become a regular habit. Also love the old building’s exposed brick interior and oodles of light.

Libby’s Kitchen
A whimsical neighbourhood haunt with a creative way of turning ancient appliances into furniture. Near Victoria Drive and 18th Avenue, it’s well off the beaten path and conveniently near the Trout Lake Market. Premise-baked goodies, and beer, wine and cider too!

West Vancouver

Café Crema, 1495 Bellevue Avenue. Phone: (604) 922-2294.
Attractive modern space, with a good selection of sandwiches, high-end baked goods and comfy chairs.

Bowen Island

The Snug, 445 Bowen Isld Trnk. Phone: (604) 947-0402.

I’m not connaisseur enough to decide that The Snug makes the world’s very finest Reuben, but it is shockingly good. The place has loads of character–almost all of it behind the counter in the form of Piers, the delightfully sassy gent who owns the place.

Out There:

Abbotsford

Ethical Addictions reminds me of my student days. It has that sort of student-union feeling, and that might have been part of my thinking when I ordered the lasagna, which was hearty and hot.

Sechelt

Wheatberries Bakery, 5500 Wharf Road. It has good sweet treats and lots of light, and I'm grateful, because it's not easy to get wireless on the Sunshine Coast.

Penticton

Fibonnaci’s

Roomy space with a fireplace, sofa, decent nachos and good breakfast sandwiches.

*Most Blenz and Waves locations also have wireless. A trustee standby when you're on unfamiliar turf, or if that sweet little independent café is too far to haul your laptop.