Vancouver Feature

"Fueled by Caffeine" is the slogan of a Vancouver-based minichain of coffeehouses, and it's also an apt description of the city. Although the Starbucks invasion is extensive, there are plenty of more colorful places—from sleek and modern to comfortably bohemian. You'll find the same variety of coffee drinks that you can get across North America, though some places refer to an "americano" (an espresso made with extra hot water) as a "canadiano." An increasing number of cafés provide free Wi-Fi, too.

Bean Around the World. This local minichain, of the "Fuelled by Caffeine" slogan, runs a number of comfortable coffeehouses around town. There are also locations at 2528 Main Street and 3598 Main Street in Main Street/Mt. Pleasant, 1002 Mainland Street in Yaletown, and 2977 Granville Street in South Granville. 1945 Cornwall Ave., Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1C8. 604/739-1069. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com. 1002 Mainland St., Yaletown, V6B 2T4. 604/685-9929. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com/. 4456 W. 10th Ave., Point Grey, V6R 2H9. 604/990-7244. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com. 2977 Granville St., South Granville, V6H 3J8. 604/731-9522. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com/. 3598 Main St., Main St./Mt. Pleasant, V5V 3N3. 604/875-9199. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com. 2528 Main St., Main St./Mt. Pleasant, V5T 3E4. 604/558-4887. www.fuelledbycaffeine.com/.

Blue Parrot Coffee. Granville Island has several coffee places, but only the Blue Parrot provides sweeping views of False Creek. Granville Island Public Market, 1689 Johnston St., Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3R9. 604/688-5127. www.blueparrotcoffee.com.

Caffè Artigiano. Some of Vancouver's best coffee is served at the several locales of Caffè Artigiano, where the baristas have won prizes for their "Latte Art," making patterns in the froth. There are other locations at 740 West Hastings Street and 763 Hornby Street in Downtown, 1745 Commercial Drive in the East Side, and 3036 West Broadway in Kitsilano. 1101 W. Pender, Downtown, Vancouver, BC, V6E 2P4. 604/685-5333. www.caffeartigiano.com. 763 Hornby, V6Z 1S4. 604/694-7737. caffeartigiano.com. 740 W. Hastings St., V6C 1A3. 604/915-7200. caffeartigiano.com. 3036 W. Broadway, Kitsilano, V6K 2H1. 604/734-3134. caffeartigiano.com.

Delany's Coffee House. This friendly, frequently crowded coffee bar sits near English Bay. 1105 Denman St., West End, Vancouver, BC, V6G 2M7. 604/662-3344. www.delanyscoffeehouse.com.

Serious coffee drinkers head for Commercial Drive on the East Side. It's a bohemian hood full of spots to fuel a caffeine habit.

Caffe Calabria. With its marble-top tables and espresso drinks, Caffe Calabria is one of many traditional Italian cafés along "The Drive." 1745 Commercial Dr., East Side, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A4. 604/253-7017. No credit cards.

Continental Coffee. This place has a boho vibe and weekend lines that attest to its first-rate coffee. The americano is particularly good. 1806 Commercial Dr., East Side, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A5. 604/255-0712. No credit cards.

Prado Café. With an industrial-chic decor, Prado Café has gunmetal-gray chairs and blond-wood tables. 1938 Commercial Dr., East Side, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A58. 604/255-5537. www.pradocafe.com.

Vancouverites don't live by coffee alone:

O-Cha Tea Bar. Tiny O-Cha Tea Bar serves 60 of its own blends, including rich, milky "Lat-Teas." 1116 Homer St., Yaletown, Vancouver, BC, V6B 2X6. 604/633-3929.