As someone who always spends time in coffee shops, I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to finding the perfect brew.
Calgary is my coffee haven—charming corners, relaxing playlists, and baristas who remember my name and order.
While frantically trying to meet a deadline with a 2% laptop battery, I stayed at a little cafe located behind a flower shop.
One oat flat white was all it took to not only recharge my laptop battery but also to be inspired. That moment kicked off my journey to find the best coffee shops in Kensington—and I found some worth the time and penny.
Table of Contents
1. AGGÜDO Coffee Roasters
– Media credit: aggudo_coffee
Website: https://aggudoroasters.com/
Address: 338 10 St NW #6
Contact Details: +1 403 690 3773 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 8 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 8 AM to 8 PM
Pricing: $
I love the cosy atmosphere AGGÜDO has. The shop’s warm and inviting vibe makes it one of the great spots for having a drink and a bite while doing absolutely nothing. Simply put, it’s a great spot to relax.
I visited here for breakfast and opted for their flat white (yes, the flat white is my favourite). What I like about their version is that the barista perfectly balanced the boldness of the espresso and the sweetness of the microfoam.
For food, I really love their waffles. They’re low sugar, so I feel better when I pour maple syrup on them.
Pro Tip:
They sell beans from various origins, so try something new! For chess lovers, join their weekly event every Monday from 4 PM to 8 PM.
2. The Roasterie
– Media credit: nanao_kimono and the_roasterie
Website: https://roasterie.com/
Address: 314 10 St NW
Contact Details: +1 403 270 3304 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 6 PM
Pricing: $
I love the friendliness of The Roasterie staff. They never fail to greet me at the door every time I visit. It’s simple things like this that put customers in a really good mood.
The place is very homely, giving off a vibe reminiscent of a grandma’s house.
If you love sipping on a strong coffee, I highly recommend trying their ground espresso. It has a fine, even texture that’s almost similar to table salt, and a balanced flavour of sweet and sour.
Pro Tip:
Since it’s not a large coffee shop, be prepared to share a table with other customers, especially on weekends. If you just need a quick coffee, you can grab one from their service window.
3. The Hexagon Board Game Cafe
– Media credit: thehexcafe
Website: https://thehexcafe.com/calgary/
Address: 1140 Kensington Rd NW #200
Contact Details: +1 403 209 2881
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 10 AM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 10 AM to 1 AM
Pricing: $
With over 1,000 board games to explore in their game library, it’s impossible to have a boring stay at The Hexagon Board Game Cafe. I always discover a new board game at this cafe, such as Dungeons & Dragons.
They have a really good traditional-style macchiato. The milk softens the espresso’s intensity without overpowering it, which I find very tasty.
For food, I recommend trying their ham and Swiss panini. The Swiss’s tangy flavour mixes well with the sweet and salty ham they use. I also love how it melts easily in my mouth.
Pro Tip:
The staff are more than willing to help you find a good spot for you and your friends to play. Just note that they charge $4.50 per person per hour of playing.
4. And Some Flower Cafe
– Media credit: andsomeinc
Website: https://theandsome.com/
Address: 540 7 Ave NW
Contact Details: +1 403 452 1463
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8 AM to 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 12 AM
Pricing: $
As a combined coffee and flower shop, And Some Flower Cafe boasts a unique and aesthetic atmosphere. This is, without a doubt, the shop I’d suggest for people who want to share something beautiful on their Instagrams.
Their smoked salmon is not overly salty and has a smooth, slightly firm texture that’s very easy to chew. Meanwhile, their dolce latte with condensed milk has well-balanced sweet and creamy flavours.
Pro Tip:
Take some pictures at their super photogenic photo booth as a souvenir. For couples, you may buy some fresh or preserved flowers or a custom bouquet at their flower shop.
5. Amato Gelato
– Media credit: amatogelatocafe
Website: https://www.amatogelatoalberta.com/
Address: 7-2104 Kensington Rd NW
Contact Details: +1 403 270 9733
Operating Hours: Sunday and Saturday – 10 AM to 11 PM
Pricing: $
If you want to eat at a beautiful patio paired with great music, Amato Gelato is the place to be. It’s pet and toddler-friendly, so you can also bond with your furry friend and little one.
I love the various kinds of gelatos they sell. They have seven types to choose from, including one that’s served in a cup, in a cone, and inside a donut.
When it comes to drinks, try their Americano, especially if you like a long-lasting, intense flavour. They brew it naturally stronger than a regular Americano.
Pro Tip:
Be prepared to pay before they sample flavours, particularly when the shop is getting busy with customers. This is their policy to manage the flow of customers, especially during peak hours.
6. Higher Ground Cafe
– Media credit: highergroundcafeyyc
Website: https://www.highergroundcafe.ca/
Address: 1126 Kensington Rd NW
Contact Details: +1 403 270 3780 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8 AM to 10 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Pricing: $
One of the things I love about Higher Ground Cafe is the fireplace and the comfortable seating nearby. It makes the spot a great place to drink and grab a bite while reading your newly bought book.
Aside from the fireplace, I also love their open mic night on Tuesday. Seeing young and enthusiastic people perform their original compositions makes me very happy and proud of those kids.
Of course, I shouldn’t forget to share something about their drinks. For chocolate lovers, I suggest trying their banana magic. It’s a combination of banana syrup, espresso, and hot chocolate, topped with chocolate whipped cream and dark chocolate drizzle.
Pro Tip:
Expect lineups during peak hours. Parking around the area can be limited on some days, especially on weekends, and is not always free. You should visit early to secure a free parking spot.
7. Colour Cafe
– Media credit: colorcafecalgary
Website: https://colorcafe.ca/
Address: 1414 Kensington Rd NW
Contact Details: +1 403 249 4386 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM to 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 10 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Pricing: $$
Colour Cafe is the ideal spot for those who want to learn new skills while enjoying drinks and food. There are multiple activities to try here, including pottery painting, canvas painting, and more.
I appreciate that they allow customers to stay until they finish painting, clay making, or whatever project they choose to do. So, there’s no need to hurry as they don’t pressure you to finish your project quickly.
Try their authentic Turkish coffee when you visit. At first sip, the taste is pleasantly bitter until the sugar and spice flavours kick in. What’s even better is that this is only available at their Calgary branch, making it super special.
Pro Tip:
For families, note that you can’t share just one project, so be prepared to pay for each family member.
8. Vintage Caffeine Co.
– Media credit: vintagecaffeineco
Website: https://www.vintagecaffeine.com/
Address: 101 19 St NW
Contact Details: +1 403 452 9037
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Pricing: $
Vintage Caffeine is popular among locals because of its lattes, and you’ll understand why once you try them.
Their chai latte pairs well with their chocolate syrup. The natural, warm, spicy flavour of the latte blended well with the syrup’s sweetness.
Another highlight of the shop is the empanada, which comes in five different kinds. The chorizo empanada has a savoury taste, and is not overly sweet to the point that you wouldn’t want to take another bite.
I’m also a big fan of the shop’s artistic atmosphere. True to their name, I felt like I went back in time during my visit, as there were multiple old-school paintings on the walls.
Pro Tip:
For those interested in latte art and coffee making, follow their social media accounts for announcements about special classes in those activities.
9. Deville Coffee
– Media credit: devillecoffee
Website: https://www.devillecoffee.ca/
Address: 1122 Kensington Rd NW
Contact Details: +1 403 764 2669
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday – 9 AM to 4:30 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 3 PM
Pricing: $
Deville Coffee’s modern yet super simple interior design is perfect for a coffee date with friends or your significant other. The wide and bright windows here give me a nice view of the street, which I really love.
Another thing I love here is the friendly baristas. They’re warm, welcoming, and always remember their regulars’ names.
For beverages, their flat white coffee is a must-try drink. The baristas just consistently deliver a rich and robust taste that I love.
Pro Tip:
Download their app for advanced browsing of their menu and takeout orders. Visit in the afternoon for some chill music.
10. Pocket Coffee
– Media credit: pocketcoffeeyyc
Website: https://www.pocketcoffee.ca/
Address: 317 A 19 St NW
Contact Details: +1 403 283 2497 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday and Monday – 7:30 AM – 3 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 7:30 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: $
As a relatively small coffee shop, I’m so hooked on Pocket Coffee’s quiet atmosphere. I can let the day go by here without getting bored, as I love silence.
What’s even better is that they have a few seats on their calming patio.
I really like their blueberry muffin. The blueberries are evenly distributed throughout the muffin, not just on its top side, making it very worth the money. For its taste, it has the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
For drinks, I often order their traditional cappuccino because I love its steamed milk and strong coffee flavour. I highly recommend this for people who like a drink with a velvety texture.
Pro Tip:
Be patient, as service can be slow on some occasions, especially on weekends when they have fewer staff on duty.
