I’m slowly exploring more and more cafes and bakeries around Calgary, documenting them as I go. I spent lots of time growing up in the northwest quadrant of the city, so many of my favourite cafes from high school and university are in this area. I love supporting local businesses, and I hope this guide will encourage you to find a new favourite cafe or bakery. Included in the guide is the location for each cafe, accessibility information, and some details about the business and their menus.
I’ll continue to update this article as I visit more cafes and bakeries across the north half of the city. If you have a favourite location of a Calgary-based business that isn’t in the list, feel free to add it to the comments for others to check out as well. I look forward to reading your suggestions!
1. Euphoria Cafe
Location: 8 Varsity Estates Circle NW
Accessibility: Euphoria has an accessible entry with an accessible parking space directly in front. They do not have automatic doors.
Euphoria Cafe in Varsity will always be a special place for me. It used to be a primary third place for my friends and me in high school, where we would spend one or more afternoons each week.
Now the cafe has moved to a new building in the same area, changing the eclectic, cozy look to a brighter, more modern vibe, but their coffee, teas, and snacks are still consistently great.
2. And Some Flower Cafe
Location: 540 7 Avenue NW
Accessibility: They do not have a wheelchair accessible entrance, as there are two shallow steps to get inside.
And Some Flower Cafe in Sunnyside is the place to go for a picturesque cup of coffee, lunch, or an afternoon tea north of the Bow River.
The cafe has a full menu of unique beverages, delicious pastries, and full meal options that mix European and Korean flavours. I visited this cafe on a warm day in September, and the option to eat outside was a great part of the experience. It’ll also bright and lovely inside if you want to visit during the winter! Plus, they’re open late.
3. Higher Ground Cafe
Location: 1126 Kensington Road NW
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible at their Kensington location due to steep stairs at the entry, but their Capitol Hill location (2502 Capitol Hill Crescent NW) is accessible.
While Higher Ground has two locations in North Calgary, I’d have to recommend that you visit their original location in Kensington. They are a beloved local cafe that has been part of the community since 1982, and continues to stay focused on community, supporting local, and promoting eco-friendly practices. They host open mic nights and community events, are open early until late, and serve great food and baking that’s all done in house.
4. Poésie Co.
Location: 1119 Kensington Road NW
Accessibility: Sloped entry makes the bakery accessible for mobility aids; however, there is no automatic door.
Poésie Co. is a small French pâtisserie and cafe in Kensington. I stopped in to try their pain au chocolate in December and it was the best I’ve ever had in Calgary (possibly ever). I wish I had a photo of their lovely sweets, but we ate the pastries too fast! The shop is small, but offers a variety of specialty treats, including gateaux glaces, cake frappes, canneles, as well as sweet and savoury croissandwiches. Additionally, they have some frozen take-home options so you can bake croissants yourself!
5. AGGÜDO Coffee Roasters
Location: 338 10 Street NW
Accessibility: The entrance is wheelchair accessible, but there is no automatic door. Staff will assist if you need.
AGGÜDO Coffee Roasters was founded in 2018 by an Eritrean immigrant with a deep love for coffee and its rich traditions. Their name means “harmony” in Tigrigna, a language native to Eritrea and the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Their coffee roasting is derived from traditional Ethiopian coffee practices blended with modern techniques and their beans are ethically sourced through direct relationships with Ethiopian farmers. I tried their chai latte and a slice of lemon loaf, but I need to go back to try their coffee!
6. Good Trade Coffee Company
Location: 1154 Kensington Crescent NW
Accessibility: Good Trade has an accessible entrance; however, they don’t have an automatic door and the cafe space itself is small.
Good Trade Coffee Company is about more than just coffee. Their work focuses on direct trade to support farmers and educators in remote regions of Colombia.
They opened their first location at Crossroads Market in 2018 and expanded to an independent storefront in Kensington in 2019. They now occupy the ground floor of the iconic flatiron building on Kensington Road, a bright, welcoming space to grab a drink with a friend or pick up a bag of beans to bring home.
7. Weeds Cafe
Location: 1903 20 Avenue NW
Accessibility: The front door is accessible, though without an automatic door opener. It is often left open in warmer weather. There is accessible seating in the main area and the back of the cafe.
Weeds Cafe has been a staple in Capitol Hill since 1994. Just a hop and a skip from the University of Calgary or a 15-minute walk from Banff Trail Station, it’s easy to get to, and once you’re inside it’s even easier to stay.
The cafe has a cozy atmosphere, with an eclectic mix of furniture, art, and plants. They partner with local businesses including Highwood Crossing from High River, 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters from Vancouver, and Calgary’s Wayne’s Bagels and Earth’s Oven.Weeds Cafe was a common stop for my friends and I to visit when I was in high school. While I don’t frequent as often as I used too, I still like to stop by on occasion for a warm drink and a sweet treat or bagel sandwich.
8. Fenyk Coffee & Social
Location: 5049 Northland Drive NW
Accessibility: Accessible entrance, plenty of seating on the main floor, and fully accessible washrooms. Note that the front door does not have electronic door openers.
Fenyk Coffee & Social is newer addition to the Calgary cafe scene. Their north Calgary location is in the newly update Northland centre, where the mall used to be. The cafe is popular amongst students as a good place to work or study. Fenyk is focused on supporting the Calgary community, partnering with ROSSO for their coffee beans and Sweet Rice for their gluten-free mochi donuts.
I’ve tried their chai latte, their peppermint mocha during the holidays, and a mochi donut—which was absolutely delicious and by far the best gluten-free treat I’ve ever tried!
9. Haven House Cafe
Location: 1107 48 Avenue NW
Accessibility: The entrance is accessible with a newly designated accessible parking space and ramp right in front. There is no automatic door opener.
Haven House Cafe is a cute local cafe tucked in the North Haven neighbourhood just east of Nose Hill park. They offer a full menu of drinks, snacks, and lunch options, including homemade chilli, Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich, grilled cheese, and rotating soup and weekend specials.
I had their chai latte (so much better than Starbucks!), and my partner tried their Haven-ahh Latte, which includes espresso, steamed and condensed milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon syrup. He’s a harsh coffee critic, but this latte exceeded his expectations. We also tried their carrot cake muffin, which was delicious.
10. Xin Chao Coffee
Location: 2255 32 Street NE
Accessibility: Parking is available behind the building. There are accessible spaces available. The entry is around the building to the side overlooking 32nd Avenue, but it’s paved, and flat, with and accessible entrance (no powered doors).
Xin Chao Coffee is a cute, cozy, and often busy cafe in Sunridge. They offer a variety of Canadian and Vietnamese coffee and tea drinks, including coconut coffee, matcha latte, egg coffee, salted coffee and cappucinos. They also offer some snacks and pastries, such as their sesame donut, salted egg cupcake, and spring rolls.
I ordered a Thai milk tea and an egg tart; both were delicious!
11. Edelweiss Village Bakery and Cafe
Location: 1921 20 Avenue NW
Accessibility: Edelweiss has a couple accessible parking spaces at the end of the lot near the front door. Their entrance is wheelchair accessible (but no powered doors).
Edelweiss Village is a European import store with a deli, bakery, and cafe. Their Kaffee Stübe and bakery feature breads, pastries, and cakes primarily from German traditions, in addition to other European countries. The shop also features giftware and household items such as cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany, stroopwafels from the Netherlands, pottery from Poland, linens from Sweden, and much more.
Stop in for a coffee and a sweet treat and stay to browse their wide collection of imported goods. If you’re feeling hungry for a meal, they also serve classic German dishes like schnitzel, bratwurst, and spätzle, as well as soup and sandwiches, and Ukrainian sausage with pierogies (varenyky).
Love this list, so many cozy spots I haven’t tried yet! 😍 Now I’m craving a pain au chocolat from Poésie and a mochi donut from Fenyk.