When you crave excellent barista-poured coffee as well as a pleasant place in which to enjoy it, Calgary’s independent coffee shops deliver on both counts. Below is a selection of some of the city’s finest.
Kensington Village owes its bohemian street cred to independent shops and restaurants such as Higher Ground Cafe. Configured and decked out like a living room, it’s a very popular coffee-to-go spot. The cafe is also spacious enough for casual business meetings yet cozy enough for first dates. The food menu includes sandwiches, salads and pastries.
Self-declared servers of “superfine coffee,” Cadence in Bowness is certainly a super spot to enjoy a well-made coffee. Order a cappuccino, café au lait or a mug of Americano and settle down in the diner-style seating. Breakfast and lunch are served. Dishes include sandwiches, wraps and burgers, all with a healthy, contemporary vibe.
This sexy little coffee hangout in Inglewood also serves a sweet selection of wine (and a few other select alcoholic beverages) by the bottle or glass. As the name suggests, make an espresso your first stop. Food features include a daily carvery. Enjoy your coffee with live music Friday and Saturday evenings.
It’s a way-cool café serving new-fangled diner dishes, but this place also takes its coffee service quite seriously. Baristas pour perfect cups of espresso, cappuccino and artful lattes lovingly finished with leafy foam swirls.
A cool, contemporary coffee nook, Kawa also serves beer and wine and its food menu features a unique combo of Polish and Middle Eastern dishes. The non-coffee beverage menu also includes tea.