Calgary's Best Coffee Shops: A Guide to the City's Top Spots
Calgary has a rich coffee culture that spans many years, with Calgarians showing a real obsession for coffee. Higher Ground Coffee, the oldest coffee shop in the city, has been serving customers since 1976. The current coffee trends in the city are specialty coffee, such as piccolo and nitro, an increased desire for sustainability, and alternative milk options like oat and almond milk. According to a report by Yelp, there are over 1,500 coffee shops and cafes in the greater Calgary area, a number that's constantly changing with new coffee shops opening and others closing. The most popular neighborhoods for coffee shops are Kensington, 17th avenue, Inglewood, and Stephen Avenue in Downtown.
The coffee scene in Calgary has been booming in recent years, with new cafes popping up all over the city. From trendy, minimalist spots to cozy, rustic establishments, you will always find your taste.
Many of these cafes also feature local, organic ingredients and support sustainable practices, making them the best coffee shops in Calgary among environmentally conscious consumers. Whether you want a classic cappuccino or an adventurous latte with unique flavor combinations, baristas in Calgary’s cafes will give you an unforgettable experience.
Best Coffee Shop for Specialty Coffee
Monogram Coffee
Located in Fifth Avenue Place is Monogram Coffee. A great coffee shop where you can go for a quick caffeine fix. You'll love the delicious cappuccinos, americanos, and chai lattes, as well as the wide selection of baked treats and toasties.
Monogram Coffee is also the perfect venue for a casual coffee meeting, with its comfortable seating and natural light. If you're looking to study or get work done, the coffee shop has big tables that are perfect for settling in and focusing.
You will also appreciate the minimalist interior design and the pretty takeaway cups, which add to the overall experience. With its exceptional quality, friendly service, and inviting ambiance, We are sure you will also regard it as one of the best cafes in Calgary.
Good Trade Coffee Company
Good Trade Coffee Company is a popular coffee shop in Kensington, Calgary. The cafe is known for its high-quality, ethically sourced coffee and welcoming atmosphere.
The interior of Good Trade Coffee Company is modern and stylish, with a minimalist design and plenty of natural light. The cafe features a range of seating options, including comfortable chairs and tables and a cozy window nook that's perfect for relaxing with a book or a laptop.
Sought and Found Coffee Roasters
Sought and Found Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee shop that focuses on ethically sourced and expertly roasted coffee. They offer a range of drinks and pastries in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Sought and Found is a coffee roastery and cafe that sources and roasts its coffee beans. They offer a range of brewing methods, including pour-over and espresso, and sell their beans for home brewing. Their space has a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired design.
Sought and Found Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster and café that sources and roasts coffee from around the world. Their mission is to provide customers with a unique and memorable coffee experience while supporting sustainability in the coffee industry.
The Roasterie
The Roasterie is a Calgary institution that's been serving up delicious coffee for over 25 years. They roast their own beans and offer a variety of specialty drinks and snacks. The Roasterie is a small and cozy coffee shop that focuses on roasting and brewing high-quality coffee. They strive to provide a personalized and friendly experience for their customers and offer a variety of single-origin and blended coffee options. The Roasterie is a family-owned coffee roastery in Calgary that has been roasting since 1993. They source their beans from all over the world and roast them in small batches for maximum flavor. They also have a cafe serving a range of coffee drinks, tea, and baked goods.
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters
The atmosphere at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is modern and inviting, with minimalist decor, bright lighting, and plenty of seating options. They also offer a selection of pastries and light snacks to complement their coffee drinks. Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters source coffee beans from around the world and roast them in-house to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. And, true to the bio on their website, they always strive to make the next cup of coffee better than the previous day.
In addition to their cafe locations, Phil & Sebastian also has a roastery where visitors can take tours and learn about the coffee-making process. Overall, it's a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts in Calgary. They have 3 locations: Simmons Building Cafe, Marda Loop and Hudson Block
Best Coffee Shop for Pastries
Higher Ground Cafe
Higher Ground Cafe is a well-established coffee shop in Calgary and has been serving the community for over 40 years. They have a cozy atmosphere, and their menu features a variety of coffee drinks, teas, and baked goods. Higher Ground Cafe also serves sandwiches, salads, and soups for lunch. The cafe has plenty of seating and an outdoor patio, making it a great spot to relax and catch up with friends. Higher Ground Cafe is a well-established coffee shop that has been serving the community for over 40 years. They offer a cozy atmosphere and a variety of coffee drinks, teas, and baked goods. Higher Ground Cafe also serves sandwiches, salads, and soups for lunch. Higher Ground Cafe is a popular cafe offers a range of delicious coffee drinks, a welcoming atmosphere and ample seating.
Simmons Building Cafe - Phil & Sebastian
The atmosphere at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters is modern and inviting, with minimalist decor, bright lighting, and plenty of seating options. They also offer a selection of pastries and light snacks to complement their coffee drinks. Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters source coffee beans from around the world and roast them in-house to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. And, true to the bio on their website, they always strive to make the next cup of coffee better than the previous day.
In addition to their cafe locations, Phil & Sebastian also has a roastery where visitors can take tours and learn about the coffee-making process. Overall, it's a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts in Calgary. They have 3 locations: Simmons Building Cafe, Marda Loop and Hudson Block
Best Coffee Shops for Board Games
Hexagon Café
The Hexagon Board Game Cafe in Calgary is a unique and fun concept that combines the enjoyment of board games with delicious food and drinks. With over 700 board games to choose from, customers can spend hours playing classics like Monopoly or discovering new games. The cafe offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for spending a cold and wintery day with friends or family. The staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the games, providing recommendations and teaching customers how to play. The cafe also serves a variety of snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, including specialty coffees and teas. Incorporating board games into a cafe is a smart idea, especially for a city like Calgary where winters can be long and cold. It provides a unique and entertaining way for people to socialize and spend time indoors during the colder months.
The owners of the Hexagon Board Game Cafe, Kellie Ho and Randy Wong, started the cafe in 2014 after struggling to find work in architecture. They were inspired to create a social space for playing board games with friends from around the world after experiencing the concept of board game cafes in South Korea. Equipped with their personal collection of over 400 board games, they opened their first location in Edmonton in 2014 and expanded to Calgary in 2016. The cafe quickly outgrew its Edmonton location and relocated to a bigger space in 2017.
1. Check In
2. Order at your Table
3. Choose a Game
4. Pay at the End$4 / HR / Person
Best Coffee Shops for Working or Studying
Kawa Espresso Bar
Caffeine craving and looking for a coffee shop in Calgary open late? Look no further than Kawa Espresso Bar. Kawa Espresso Bar is a sleek and upscale coffeehouse located in Calgary, known for its delicious coffee and light bites, and laid-back atmosphere.
This cozy cafe in Calgary’s Dorchester Square Office Tower offers a wide selection of food and drink, including beer, wine, and cocktails at night, making it a perfect place to hang out or catch up with friends. If you're looking for a cozy, inviting atmosphere to enjoy great coffee, you need to visit this coffee shop in SW Calgary. Although Kawa Espresso Bar is a great coffee shop for studying in Calgary, they have limited outlets, so you may need to come with a fully charged battery.
Cafe Beano
Cafe Beano is a long-running hangout in Calgary that offers specialty drinks, homemade pastries, and light fare. The cafe is the perfect destination for a coffee date or hanging out with friends, as it provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly and helpful, making the overall experience feel good and diner-style. With its cozy ambiance, comfy seats, and cute tables, Cafe Beano is one cozy coffee shop to spend some quality time with your loved one.
Rosso Coffee Roasters
Another cozy coffee shop in Calgary offering specialty coffee is Rosso Coffee Roasters. They source their coffee directly from quality coffee producers around the world. They have been opening new locations in Calgary, making getting your caffeine fix easy. Also, you get to watch as they roast the coffee as the roaster is there in the open- a calming, relaxing experience.
Their coffee is consistent throughout the different locations in Calgary, which means you will get great-tasting coffee drinks you like at all times. While their breakfast options are great. Try their breakfast sandwich when you go for your caffeine fix.
Here are their 6 locations:
1. Tuxedo: Rosso Coffee Roasters - Tuxedo
- Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday, 7 am–6 pm, Thu - Sat, 7 am–8 pm. Sun 8 am–6 pm
2. Stephen Avenue: Rosso Coffee Roasters - Stephen Ave
- Opening hours: Mon - Fri, 7 am - 5 pm. Sat & Sun 9 am - 5 pm
3. 17th Avenue: Rosso Coffee Roasters - 17th Ave
- Opening hours: Mon-Wed, 7 am - 6 pm. Thu- Sat 7 am - 8 pm. Sun 8 am–5 pm
4. Inglewood: Rosso Coffee Roasters - Inglewood
- Opening hours: Mon- Fri, 6:30 am - 8 pm. Sat, 7 am - 8 pm, Sun, 8 am - 7 pm
5. Ramsay: Rosso Coffee Roasters - Ramsay
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 7 am–5 pm. Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm
6. HQ: Rosso Coffee Roasters - HQ
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 8 am–5 pm. Closed on Weekends
Best Coffee Shop for Outdoor Patios
Baya Rica Cafe
Baya Rica Cafe is a vibrant and colorful café that serves up delicious coffee drinks, smoothies, and snacks. They specialize in Latin American-inspired flavors and they strive to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere where customers can relax and enjoy their coffee and food.
The Cafe is a family-owned and operated coffee shop that serves organic coffee and food made from locally sourced ingredients. They roast their beans on-site and offer a range of brewing methods, including pour-over, siphon, and espresso. They also have a selection of Costa Rican snacks and baked goods.
Vendome Cafe
Vendome Cafe is a charming and cozy cafe that offers a welcoming atmosphere and a delicious menu. They serve a wide range of coffee drinks, as well as breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Vendome Cafe also offers a selection of freshly baked goods and pastries. With its relaxed ambiance and friendly staff, Vendome Cafe is a perfect spot for a leisurely brunch or a quick coffee break. Vendome Cafe is a charming and cozy cafe that offers a welcoming atmosphere and a delicious menu. They serve a wide range of coffee drinks, as well as breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. Vendome Cafe also offers a selection of freshly baked goods and pastries. Vendome is a cozy cafe offers a range of delicious coffee drinks and baked goods and a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Best Coffee Shops for Dates
Cafe Alchemist Inc
Cafe Alchemist is a specialty coffee shop that serves up expertly crafted drinks using high-quality beans. They also offer a selection of baked goods and breakfast items. Cafe Alchemist is a specialty coffee shop that focuses on creating unique and innovative coffee drinks. They aim to provide customers with a memorable and educational coffee experience while promoting sustainability and ethical sourcing practices. Cafe Alchemist is a famous coffee shop in Calgary that offers a range of specialty coffee drinks, including pour-over, espresso, and nitro coffee. They also serve light bites and baked goods, and their space features an industrial-chic design with plenty of natural light.
Deville Coffee
Deville Coffee is a popular coffee chain that has several locations throughout Calgary. They offer a range of specialty drinks and snacks, as well as breakfast and lunch options.Deville Coffee is a modern and stylish coffee shop that offers a wide range of coffee drinks and food options. Their mission is to provide customers with an exceptional coffee experience in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.With several locations across the city, Deville Coffee is a popular spot for its excellent coffee, food, and atmosphere.
Analog Coffee
Analog Coffee is a coffee shop that offers a wide range of specialty coffee drinks and food options. They strive to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where customers can enjoy their coffee and food. With locations across the city, Analog Coffee is a favorite among locals for its top-notch coffee, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere. With locations across the city, Analog Coffee is a favorite among locals for its top-notch coffee, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere.
I Love You Coffee Shop
Located on 12th and 14th Avenue, I Love You Coffee Shop is a cozy and inviting coffee Cafe serving delicious coffee, tea, and pastries. It is a great hidden gem that you can do for dates. It is also a great coffee shop to study or work in as the tables are well spaced out with wooden furniture perfect for getting things done. What also stands out about I Love You Coffee Shop in Calgary is the staff are friendly, and the baristas are quick with your orders and make great coffee.
Conclusion
The Calgary coffee scene is not disappointing; there has been steady growth with new coffee cafes that shape the scene. Whether you are touring Cowtown, as residents fondly call this city, or you want to sample different coffee drinks, You will not be disappointed thanks to Calgarian’s love for good coffee.
Author
Amélie has a dual Bachelor of Biological Sciences and Literature. She wrote a Master's Thesis on the importance of blending scientific knowledge with the arts to create a healthier culture. She also has a Bachelor of Education and has been teaching Biology and Language Arts since 2016. She is happily addicted to coffee and constantly learning.
