By Samantha McLeod
Mata Press Service

Every city has its quiet café-treasures, those tucked-away places where the light softens, the coffee is just right, and the world slows down for that brief moment when we allow ourselves a pause.

On Vancouver’s Coal Harbour seawall, one of those places is a sunny little spot called Caviar Bistro, a welcoming space filled with genuine warmth and hospitality. And this is where Padma Nguyen, a Vietnamese woman with a Buddhist calm in her soul, has settled.

Nguyen is the proud new owner and operator of this vibrant café that is just a stone’s throw away from the iconic Carderos Restaurant, and kitty-corner to the bustling Westin Bayshore.

Nguyen’s acquisition of this establishment did not begin with a business plan; in fact, it began with her daily walk.

Each morning, she would stroll along the seawall, basking in the wintery sun sparkling off the water, and taking deep breaths of the lush greenery of Stanley Park’s rainforest. She found incredible peace in the simplicity of an ordinary walk in this extraordinary place she now called home.

Every day, on the way home, she made it her mission to stop in the quirky Caviar Bistro that didn’t serve caviar.

“I was just drawn to it,” she says with a soft laugh. “It gave me joy…The smell of fresh coffee, the bright windows, that little patch of sunshine on the patio…”

When she heard the café was for sale, without hesitation or an ounce of reservation, she said yes.

Padma Nguyen is an established businesswoman, but she is not your typical entrepreneur. Her story winds from a lush mountain resort in Vietnam to this beautiful spot at the edge of the Pacific. A lifelong student of Buddhism and a woman rooted deeply in the sacredness of daily life, she brings an intentional grace to everything she touches. Owning a café, for her, isn’t about hustle and profit alone; it’s about hospitality, it’s about presence and memorable moments.

And so, Caviar Bistro is transforming—gently, purposefully—into a French-Vietnamese café that holds space for both the timeless satisfaction of a Parisian breakfast and the vibrant flavours of Vietnam’s street food culture. Think golden croissants and umami-packed banh mi, strong coffee kissed with a creamy smoothness, and lemongrass-turmeric Chicken dishes served with reverence.

The menu is only part of the story. The music, the ambiance, and the gentle natures of the staff show Padma is building something else entirely: a sanctuary.

A peaceful place for seawall walkers and bikers to pause and breathe. For neighbours to sit without a rush. For newcomers and travellers to feel the charm of a French bistro, and the hospitality of Vietnam, in this calm corner of Vancouver.

Padma may be new to Canada, but her spirit feels right at home here. She brings with her a heartfelt desire to connect people through food and a moment of peace.

So, if you find yourself wandering the seawall, step inside. Meet Padma. Taste something that reminds you that a café can be more than a place to grab a bite.

“I want people to feel what I felt when I first found this place,” Padma Nguyen says. “Peace. Light. A moment to be still.”

Caviar Bistro
French and Vietnamese influences
Brunch All Day, Banh Mi, Pizza and Wine, Signature Cocktails

Address: 1590 Coal Harbour Quay, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E9
Phone: (604) 564-1977
Hours: Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 7 PM