The Kensington neighbour is the most vibrant and lively in the northwest quadrant of Calgary. With it’s centre around Kensington Road and 10th Street NW, it is a hub for local business, trendy shops, inclusivity, and community spirit. Conveniently located next to Sunnyside LRT station, it’s easy to get to Kensington even without a vehicle—in fact it might be easier as parking can be difficult here.
Kensington has been a favourite spot for my friends and me since we were in high school, and continues to draw me in. From the small businesses and unique shops to the delicious food scene, you could easily spend a whole day here. Included in this guide is a map of my favourite spots to visit organized by type (restaurant, cafe, shop, activity).
Cute Kensington Cafés
To me, Kensington is synonymous with cafes. Whether or not a beverage and a sweet treat is my destination in Kensington, it almost always becomes part of my journey.
The first cafe on my list is Higher Ground. This spot has been a mainstay in Kensington for years, and they’re heavily committed to supporting their local community and local artists. Higher Ground also offers a full food menu and unique drinks for both tea and coffee enthusiasts, from their Great Divide to the Snow Dragon.
Another long-time resident in Kensington, Oolong Tea Shop is another popular choice amongst Kensington frequenters. This cozy, friendly tea cafe also serves coffee, vegan soups, light snacks, and has over 110 teas to choose from! They also sell teas if you want to bring some home or gift them to a tea lover.
On 10th Street, across from the Safeway, try AGGÜDO Coffee Roasters. This local coffee shop was founded in 2018 by an Eritrean immigrant to Calgary. The name, AGGÜDO means “harmony” in Tigrigna, and the shop focuses on community, sustainability, and heritage.
A little further south on 10th Street sits a long-standing Kensington cafe, The Roasterie, which has been roasting small batch coffee beans since 1985. The cafe has a vintage feel, with beans available for sale along with many specialty coffee beverages.
From the Roasterie, continue south until you meet Kensington Road, then walk west. On the south side of the street, you’ll find Poesie Co., a cute French-style cafe. This spot specializes in sweet treats and crossandwiches, both sweet and savoury.
If you continue west down Kensington Road, past Higher Ground, you’ll reach the Flatiron Building which now houses the Good Trade Coffee Company, a local coffee shop with its origins at Crossroads Market, opening their Kensington location in 2019.
Where to Eat in Kensington
There are so many delicious restaurants in Kensington to try, you could eat out every night for a month and still have more to try. These are some top favourites of mine and my friend’s that I would recommend starting with.
If you like Mexican food, I’d recommend Bodega, Mestizo Taqueira, and Blanco Cantina. Bodega has a homey, casual vibe, serving classics like enchiladas, burritos, churros, and the like. Mestizo focuses on street fare, primarily tacos, and is known for their authentic taste. Blanco Cantina has more of a happy hour vibe, with a less authentic, but still delicious take on many Mexican classics. The patio is great in the summer.
Pasta lovers may enjoy the YYC Pasta Bar, where you can build your own pasta or select from their prepared menu. For a more upscale, authentic Italian experience, try Pulcinella. Their Neapolitan-style pizza is fantastic, and they serve homemade pasta as well.
For the non-vegetarians, Hayden Block serves barbeque and fancy cocktails. They also offer 50% off on all meat after 10 pm, if you’re looking for a late night dinner.
Finally, ramen enthusiasts will enjoy stopping by Ramen Arashi, a Canadian chain that started in Banff and now has locations across Alberta and BC. If you like Japanese food but are more interested in sushi, Globefish Kensington, which offers a wide range of maki, sashimi, and even vegan rolls.
If you’re looking for dessert (or even brunch), stop at Fuwa Fuwa! Founded in Toronto, Fuwa Fuwa now has locations in three countries, and they make the fluffiest soufflé pancakes.
Activities You Should Try
Remember how I said cafes were synonymous with Kensington? Well, many of my favourite spots to meet friends in the neighbourhood have cafes included. For example, you can go pottery painting at Color Cafe and make one-of-a-kind dishes or decor for your home while sipping on a warm beverage.
You can also gather a group of friends and meet at Hexagon Board Game Cafe. The cafe has over 1,000 games to chose from and you pay $4.50 per person, per hour, so it’s both affordable and there’s no limit to how many games you can play within the time you want to spend.
Another Kensington favourite is the Regal Cat Cafe. The cafe is now owned by the Meow Foundation, a cat-focused charity and humane society. When you visit, you don’t only get to spend some time with kitties looking for their forever home, you’re also actively contributing to their welfare as all proceeds from your visit go towards caring for the Meow Foundation cats!
Kensington is also home to TRAPPED, an escape room with 6 themes to choose from. This is a great activity to do with friends that gets you thinking, working together (or arguing profusely), and off your screens.
Now, if you’re interested in more screens (or at least one large one), check out the Plaza Theatre. This independent cinema also has a cafe, speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and a food truck that can turn a movie night into a full evening experience. They mix new and classic movies, so you may be able to catch one of your long-time favourites on the big screen.
Local Shops to Check Out
Beyond restaurants, Kensington is also home to a wide variety of local businesses, many which have been here for decades. I find the best way to explore what Kensington has to offer is just to wander and browse, but here are some of my favourites.
Canary, the zero waste refillery has to be on my list. Not only do they have great, sustainable products like cleaning supplies, shampoo and conditioner, and reusable paper towels, they also have a variety of locally made good that make great gifts. From make up to crafting kits, puzzles to books, there’s lots to choose from.
Next door, Ingear has great gift options, from jewellery and clothes to small home decor items. It’s fun to browse. Down Kensington Road and across the street you can find Pages, an independent bookstore selling both new and used books.
For other shopping, check out Metro Element for upscale furniture, plant, and home decor, Hot Wax Records for new and used vinyl, and Trend Fashions for consignment clothing. I also recommend The Beehive, the little shop in the iconic yellow house on 10th. They offer products made with honey and beeswax, including candles, moistures, and more.
I also enjoy wandering through Nanao Kimono, a store with a curated selection of products from Japan, and The Scottish Shoppe & A Little Bit of Ireland, which offers kilts and accessories, jewellery, food, clan items, and more. Both of these shops have a unique range of products that are not as easily available in Canada.
The final stop on my list is the Kensington Wine Market, located on Kensington Road and 12th Street. They offer a wide selection of international wines and other spirits, and sometimes host wine tastings at the store as well.
My Map of Kensington
See the map of my recommended locations below. Star the map to save it to your own Google account for easy itinerary building.