The 8 Best Cute Cafes in Calgary That You Have to See with Your Own Eyes
A fun fact about me is that I love productivity hacks. I think it’s cool that we can trick our brains into being more focused. And personally, I find that changing where I work is the most effective.
I swear I get twice as much done whenever I transfer to a coffee shop. I’m not sure if it’s the sound of the machines or the smell of the coffee, but I just become so focused.
The ambiance helps too. If the cafe is charming or delightful enough, it just makes me more eager to sit down, enjoy a coffee, and get some work done.
Luckily, Calgary is full of aesthetic cafes, and I have a couple of favorites.
Whether you’re trying to be productive like me or you just want to drink good coffee and take nice pics, here’s a list of cute cafes in Calgary that’ll surely brighten up your day.
1. Alforno Bakery & Cafe
– Media credit: alfornoyyc
Address: 222 7 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 454 0308
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Matcha Latte
Alforno Bakery & Cafe is a nice little oasis in downtown Calgary.
The first thing you’ll notice when you enter is how bright it is inside. The place is covered with windows, allowing lots of warm sunlight to seep through. It makes it pretty much impossible to have a bad day here.
To match its cozy interiors, I often go for a matcha latte. This drink is smooth, creamy, flavorful, and served with adorable art on top. I usually can’t help but snap a quick picture before I take a sip.
If you end up staying for lunch, you should try one of their pasta dishes. The Bucatini Carbonara, in particular, is a crowd favorite. At first, you might be surprised by its peppery taste, but you’ll likely find yourself craving it afterwards.
| Pro tip: Alforno Bakery & Cafe is a great place to work not only because they serve good coffee, but they also provide free wifi for their customers. |
2. Higher Ground Cafe
– Media credit: highergroundcafeyyc
Address: 1126 Kensington Rd NW
Contact details: +1 403 270 3780
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must-order: London Fog Tea Misto
Higher Grounder Cafe is the kind of place you’d expect to see the characters of Friends or Gilmore Girls in. Although it’s small, it’s still full of personality.
First of all, there’s always soft jazz music playing inside. It’s the perfect soundtrack whether you’re catching up with friends, studying alone, or falling in love on a date.
There’s also a good variety of seats to choose from. But the place is usually packed, so you might not always get to pick.
If you’re lucky enough to get a chance, here’s my tip: try to get a spot by the window for some warm sunlight and people-watching. In the colder months, though, the sofa seats near the fireplace are where it’s at.
However, none of these are truly comfortable until I get my order of London Fog Tea Misto. Even if you’re more of a coffee person, this sweet, creamy lavender tea will surely change your mind.
| Pro tip: Higher Ground supports local talent. Apart from having Calgarian artwork displayed in the shop, they also host open mic nights every week where you get to see up-and-coming artists. |
3. Analog Coffee
– Media credit: analogcoffee.ca
Address: 740 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 587 356 0042
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: Espresso
Analog Coffee is for those who take their coffee seriously. Here, they don’t play around with their flavors or roasting techniques.
We don’t say this lightly, but their baristas might be some of the best in Calgary. In musical terms, they’d be virtuosos. I don’t know how, but they get the blend right every time.
I’ve even ordered some of their signature coffee beans to have at home, but nothing compares to having a cup at this cafe. Maybe it’s their barista’s magic hands, but their espressos are always smooth, yet nutty and full-bodied.
There’s also a chance that the cafe’s vibes add to the experience. The shop is very bohemian, with lots of wooden accents and large leafy plants. Whenever I visit, I’m inspired to wear something flowy and listen to indie bands while working.
| Pro tip: Analog Coffee doesn’t have a lot of room for large groups, and it gets pretty busy at times. If you don’t want to worry about seating, it’s best to go here alone or only with one or two buddies. |
4. Monogram Coffee
– Media credit: monogramco
Address: Fifth Avenue Place, 420 2 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 455 3696
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Must-order: Condensed Milk Latte
Monogram Coffee is so beloved that it now has 4 locations across Calgary. If you still haven’t tried it, then you’re missing out.
One thing that might surprise you when you come in is that the barista bar is in the middle of the shop. I’d like to think that it’s because it’s the main event, but people say it also helps with the flow of customers.
Whatever it is, I just know I’m heading straight there to order a condensed milk latte. This sweet and delicious treat is typically the highlight of my week
What makes this cafe especially great is that it’s spacious. Even when they’re busy, you won’t have to worry about finding a seat with all the benches inside.
The open layout also adds to the cafe’s inviting atmosphere. With its warm color palette and soft lighting, trust me, you’ll feel right at home here.
| Pro tip: Monogram Coffee offers workshops that can help you up your coffee game at home. They offer classes on how to brew coffee, how to develop your palate, and even how to make latte art. |
5. Sought and Found Coffee Roasters
– Media credit: sxfcoffee
Address: 916 Centre St N
Contact details: +1 403 830 7278
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Must-order: Tasting Menu
Sought and Found Coffee Roasters is only a few years old, but it already has loyal customers who recommend the place to everyone they know (like me!). And just like the regulars, the baristas are just as passionate about the coffee.
That’s why it’s best to ask them if you’re not sure what to order. Any of their knowledgeable staff would be happy to help you out and recommend something that fits your preferences.
On the other hand, you can try their special Tasting Menu. They’ll serve you a flight of 3 unique coffees sourced from all over the world. This lineup changes every month, so frequent patrons often look forward to this experience too.
The shop itself is also a treat worth seeing. Although they’ve got artwork displayed, the real highlight is the shelves lined with international coffee beans. It looks like a cozy library — one that you wouldn’t want to leave.
| Pro tip: You’re welcome to bring a furry friend to Sought and Found Coffee Roasters. Their lovely patio is spacious and pet-friendly. |
6. Lukes Drug Mart
– Media credit: lukesdrugmart
Address: 112 4 St NE
Contact details: +1 403 266 4142
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Must-order: Affogato
Lukes Drug Mart is one-of-a-kind, and that’s not an exaggeration. If you’re not from here, you’d probably just expect a pharmacy instead of one of the trendiest spots in town.
They have a coffee shop inside, which sells the best affogato you’ll ever taste. The espresso alone will most definitely wake you up, but the sweet, rich ice cream topping hits the spot just right.
You get to enjoy your order with some sweet tunes playing in the background. At this point, I’m pretty sure I can make a playlist with all the cool songs I’ve learned about just from visiting this drug mart.
But even when you’re done with your drink, it’s hard to leave such an eclectic place. With the vinyls and all the local art displayed, the store feels like the room you’ve always wanted as a teenager. You’re bound to discover something cool in every corner.
| Pro tip: Nobody leaves Lukes Drug Mart without one of their soft serves. They always have a new, funky flavor each month, such as Raspberry Confetti or Banana Cream Pie, so you definitely have a reason to go as often as you can. |
7. Pocket Coffee
– Media credit: pocketcoffeeyyc
Address: 317 A 19 St NW
Contact details: +1 403 283 2497
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday to Monday – 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Must-order: Cinnamon Bun
Just as their name implies, Pocket Coffee is a small and cozy cafe that serves all of the classics. Don’t underestimate it, though; this place is definitely overflowing with character.
The shop looks like it walked out of someone’s Instagram feed. With bold colors and lots of natural lighting, each corner is snap-worthy.
There are also all the stunning pastries. Let me tell you, choosing a baked good from their display case is one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever have to make.
Personally, the cinnamon bun is my favorite. The dough is super soft and fluffy, while the cream is delightful but not too sweet.
Of course, I haven’t forgotten about their drinks. So far, their seasonal offerings haven’t let me down once. From those I’ve tried, I loved the cardamom rose latte, honey lavender latte, and eggnog latte. And I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
| Pro tip: As you can probably tell, Pocket Coffee has very limited seating inside. It’s better to go here on a weekday for fewer crowds. |
8. And Some Flower Cafe
– Media credit: andsomeinc
Address: 540 7 Ave NW
Contact details: +1 403 452 1463
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Must-order: Croffle
And Some Flower Cafe is every girl’s dream come true. This is a cafe and a flower shop all in one beautiful store.
They’re not completely separate, though. One look at their menu and you’ll see that a lot of their dishes and colorful drinks incorporate decorative flowers. If you’ve got an overactive imagination like me, all of this is going to make you feel like a fairy.
Instead of coffee, I usually get one of their ades, simply because they look so exquisite. The strawberry lemonade is the one I gravitate to the most since it’s super refreshing.
As for the food, you can’t go here without trying a croffle. They’ve got sweet and savory options, with the ham & egg croffle being the most popular. It comes loaded with tomatoes, cheese, and honey mustard, and it might be the best breakfast I’ve ever had.
| Pro tip: You can commemorate your time at And Some Flower Cafe in more ways than one. Apart from bringing home a bouquet, you can also take pictures inside their photo booth. |