The Roasterie a 40-year fixture in Sunnyside

The Roasterie
Neighbourhood: Sunnyside
314 10 Street NW

Amazingly, I was around when The Roasterie opened 40 years ago in this little Kensington shop. Not much has changed over the years, including the owners and an onsite, gas-powered roaster. Try the cold brew to stay or bottled to go.

Higher Ground
Hillhurst
1126 Kensington Road

This nearby café is even older (established 1982), focusing on organic, ethically sourced beans. Try a “Hi Test” mix of espresso and brewed coffee, along with an in-house baked pastry or a breakfast burrito.

Higher Ground serving Hillhurst since 1982

Pocket Coffee
West Hillhurst
317 19 Street

Now here’s a true partnership. The aptly named Pocket Coffee is owned by attached Dairy Lane Café, with roasted beans from Fratello and baked treats from superb Butter Block. Be bold and tackle a French toast latte and double-baked apple croissant on the sidewalk patio.

Pocket Rocket attached to partner Dairy Lane Cafe

Cadence Coffee
Bowness
6407 Bowness Road

Cadence is the morning gathering spot for residents of Bowness and Montgomery. A loaded breakfast bagel ($11) goes well with a few cups of java.

Weeds Cafe
Capitol Hill
1903 20 Avenue

Weeds Cafe

Described as a bohemian hangout, Weeds often attracts folks actually reading books and writing with pen and pencil. Soak in the relaxed scene while sipping a 49th Parallel coffee and munching on a sausage roll.

Fenyk Coffee & Social
Brentwood
110, 5049 Northland Drive

Fenyk is named for the community-minded fennec fox, having recently burrowed in next to the Northland Village Mall. The Rosso-roasted coffee goes well with a breakfast omelette hand pie.

Fenyk a new Brentwood coffee shop

Alenn Sandwich and Coffee
Varsity Estates
5403 Crowchild Trail

With a name like this, I gotta try a made-to-order sandwich alongside my caffeine fix. My choice is a substantial Californian ($16.50)—a piling of turkey, chicken and bacon—chased by a macchiato, made from Fratello beans (it also serves locally blended Grounded Teas). Alenn is a newish café tucked in a Varsity Estates strip mall off busy Crowchild Trail.

Alenn marries sandwiches and coffee

Minuet Cafe
Charleswood
1161C Northmount Drive

Minuet is a calming space, focusing on house-baked cakes, tarts and a half-dozen types of mini quiches, including my fine, warmed up cheddar and broccoli.

Minuet specializes in quiches and tarts

Bullet Coffee House
Cambrian Heights
2, 728 Northmount Drive

While it shares the name of the fat-infused coffee craze, Bullet Coffee House shows the staying power of a 25-year-old neighbourhood café. It treats loyal customers to warm, over-the-top oat muffins and bullet coffee featuring coconut milk, cinnamon, cocoa and honey.

Bullet Coffee more than just a trend

Friends Cafe
Edgemont
104, 45 Edenwold Drive

Whether you’re coming off a nearby Nose Hill park walk or meeting friends, this cozy café has for three decades been a popular place for a coffee, baked treat or panini. An early Friday lunch is advised to snag a bountiful bowl of New England clam chowder before they run out.

Friends Cafe a long-time Edgemont hangout

Sought X Found Coffee Roasters
Crescent Heights
916 Centre Street N

Arguably the best combination roaster and coffee shop in Calgary. It’s well worth visiting the brick-walled café for a hand-brewed drip coffee and a pastry from the celebrated Butter Block. Even the milk for its drinks comes from an organic farm.

Sought X Found a top-three Calgary coffeehouse

Adola Cafe
Springbank
120 Maclaurin Drive

Okay, this incongruous place is just west of Calgary. But if you’re close to Springbank Airport, it’s worth dropping in to new Adola Cafe, an elegant, high-ceilinged space serving Ethiopian coffee, with calming classical music in the background.

Adola Cafe is elegant coffeehouse near the Springbank Airport