The Bottom Line
It's not the food that makes this Commercial Drive brunch and lunch spot so popular: Little Nest draws in the crowds by being extremely baby- and kid-friendly. If you're a new parent, it's definitely worth a visit.
Little Nest
1716 Charles St.
Vancouver, BC
604-251-9994
Pros
- Designed with babies and kids in mind; perfect for families
- Relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to linger & take your time
- Vegetarian options
Cons
- Breakfast items are a bit pricey and can run out
- Street parking may be difficult to find
Description
- Open 9am - 4pm daily; kitchen closes at 3pm
- Most menu items $9 - $11
- Breakfast served all day (unless items run out)
- Very family-friendly
Guide Review - Little Nest
Despite having just opened a few years ago (in 2007), Little Nest has become the Vancouver lunch spot of choice for people with babies. Every person in Little Nest has a stroller with a smaller person aboard; the seats along the wall are full of breast-feeding moms, watching their soup get cold (again). (Little Nest makes great soups, if you can eat them when they're hot.)
The great attraction of Little Nest, for parents, is the super family-friendly atmosphere. You don't have to worry if baby cries or needs to nurse or has a diaper blow-out at the table--every patron in the place is dealing with the exact same thing. If that sounds like your version of the ninth circle of hell--being surrounded by babies on all sides--Little Nest is not for you. There's no point. The breakfast and lunch fare--things like poached eggs and bagette sandwiches--are tasty but not remarkable; it's not worth a trip if you can leave the house without a (very small) child in tow.
I last went to Little Nest with my six month old son and another mother and her baby. It is undeniably great to not have to worry about your baby aggravating others while out for lunch, and the very kind Little Nest staff never rush you--you can take as much time hanging out, eating or nursing as you need.
One criticism: Given how much of their clientele lactates, you'd think the breakfast portions would be bigger. I had the $11 Little Nest Breakfast of two poached eggs and (a small amount of) ratatouille and was still hungry afterward. Having a kid is hungry work!
