Coffee & Tea in Calgary

A coffee/ tea house is for me a social place. A place where you sit and sip coffee/ tea for the socializing aspect of it: you watch people coming and going, the music plays in the background, the place is almost-full and the nice murmur of people chatting warms you up. I’m quite picky about such places, so my taste may not be your taste. But here are some nice places I like to go to in Calgary:

Good Earth Cafe on 17th Ave – well, not really on 17th, but on 15 ave with 11 st (1502 11th Street SW). The place is open until 10pm, and it’s always filled with people. It has lots of tables, so you’ll always get a spot – yet it’s still intimate. Oh, and in summer, they have a patio which is lovely, update 2010: after the renovations, the patio isn’t that nice anymore, it’s almost as if you are on the sidewalk, where you get to see people and cars and all the urban buzz…


Kaffa Coffee and Salsa House in Marda Loop (2138 33 Avenue SW, Calgary). If only there were more of these in Calgary… located in a house, you can choose your table in one of the three rooms. Always busy, very good hot chocolate. And in the summer, the lovely patio with lots of vegetation makes it almost perfect…Update 2010: stick to the patio. They need a serious cleaning inside, everything is dusty and filthy. Update spring 2011: I recently saw the “For Sale” sign on the fence… I hope a new owner buys and revamps Kaffa, especially the patio…


Kawa Espresso Bar on 8 Street SW (101-1333 8 Street SW, Calgary). I really like the patio in the summer! Intimate, with a few umbrellas to shelter you, and with a great view of the street (and yes, occasionally you can see people on the street too, hurray!). The place is very nice inside too, but it was always way too crowded – we never found a place inside You have to try the pastries, really delicious. Expect Starbucks prices. Update spring 2011: I almost NEVER get a table here. It’s always crowded.


Cafe Beano, again on 17th Ave, just a few blocks away from Good Earth (1613 9 St SW). A bit more crowded than Good Earth, but with huge windows so that you can see the world moving by. The caffe latte comes in a huge soup bowl… and the brownies are just delicious. Open until midnight or 11pm.


Oolong Tea House located in Kensington (#110 10th St NW). The tea collection is intimidating at first – what to choose? But once you settle on something (I’d advise green tea since it’s my favorite), get a brownie too… Open until 11pm or midnight (Friday and Saturday).


Steeps Tea House is right downtown, on 17th Ave (12G-880 16 Avenue SW). Serving tea only (from $ 3.50 the small cup) and hot chocolate ($4.50). A very large selection of teas available.


Primal Grounds – in SW (3003-37st SW), boasts freshly made breakfast and lunches, as well as a selection of coffee.


Gratitude Cafe – in Kensington, vegetarian. Organic tea and coffee, wine, veggie & fruits drinks.


DeVille Cafe in Art Central – I’m a big fan of what they’ve done with the place after the renovations! Trendy design with a white/red/ black theme, great collection of green teas, yummy desserts. Did I mention the very interesting tea cups that are transparent, have no holders but are never warm on the outside? The only major problem with this place is that it closes at 3pm on Sundays. Expect the price range of Starbucks and Good Earth.


Coffee Cats Cafe – on 17th Avenue (2765 – 17th Ave SW, that’s further west than the downtown area, past Crowchild trail). The place is rather new, with a clean interior design and a very nice barista. Although the location is not perfect for people watching, it still is such a great place to relax, read your morning newspaper or tend to your coffee/tea addictions.


Waves Coffee House: a new addition to 17th avenue (1019 17th Avenue SW), this coffee house is relatively large and quite comfy inside, with a blue/white tile design. It features a wide collection of loose leaf teas and coffees, as well as croissants, cheese cakes and other desserts. Expect prices in the Starbucks/ Good Earth range. Update spring 2011: a brand-new Waves coffee house will open on 17th Ave, in the old location of She Apparel (the lingerie shop).


Phil & Sebastian: a new addition to Marda Loop ( 2043 33 Ave SW), with a fresh design that rivals deVille, this place has a good collection of in-house roasted coffee and some good teas as well. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I can’t comment on the coffee, but I am a huge fan of pastry. And this coffee house has the best pastry I’ve had so far in Calgary.  But Phil & Sebastian is worth going to if only for the experience of sipping your warm drink in a neatly designed place while people watching.


Chiasso is a new coffee shop on 17th avenue (835-17th Ave SW). It’s rather small and it has become very popular lately, but if you’re lucky enough to get a place by the window, you’re guaranteed the people watching experience while sipping your green tea ($2.25) or cappuccino ($3.50). My favorite dessert is the pain au chocolat (chocolate pastry, $2.75). The only complaint I have is that the place closes at 7pm, which is way to early for 17th street…