Independent coffee spots offer special flavours, serve as community spaces, support artists and act as hubs for local business. Here are four of Calgary’s favourites:

Congress Coffee Company

• Congress Coffee Company

Tucked away in an industrial area on 36 Ave NE is this quirky coffee spot and event space. With a focus on rich roasts and uplifting local artists, Congress Coffee Company “programs community-driven initiatives including music, visual art, drag, poetry, burlesque and more” for their live-sound stage. The ambiance inside reflects 80s and 90s nostalgia, and artworks for sale line the walls.

Congress’ menu includes classic espresso drinks, plus “pay what you feel” drip coffee, and specialty drinks. These include seasonal frappes, tea lattes and iced beverages. They also offer housemade food including breakfast burritos, pastries, paninis and a soup of the day. Everything is made with a great deal or care, contributing to a sense that guests are more than welcome to hang out. Check out Congress Coffee’s website to preview the menu, or check them out on Instagram to find out about upcoming events.

• Xin Chao Coffee

Across the road from Sunridge Mall in Northeast Calgary is this Vietnamese-owned spot with unique food and drink items. Xin Chao means “hello” in Vietnamese! This is no place to order a regular latte, though they are available. Instead, why not try out Egg Coffee, Salted Coffee, Coconut Coffee, or Roasted Milk Tea? If you’re sensitive to caffeine, give one of their beautiful fresh fruit teas a go. Feeling hungry? Xin Chao serves spring rolls, salad rolls and a variety of desserts. The spacious cafe has two floors of seating, with a loft suited to working and a lower floor to socializing. Check out Xin Chao’s Instagram for a better sense of their vibe!

Frida’s Coffee Home

• Frida’s Coffee Home

On 9th Ave SW near the Beltline, this coffee shop brings authentic Mexican flavours and desserts to Calgary. Using Arabica beans sourced from three regions of Mexico, Frida’s Coffee Home sells house-made coffee blends along with hot and iced coffee drinks. Their menu features Cafe de Olla Lattes (similar to cappuccinos), Mazapán Lattes (caramel/ almond flavour), Horchata and Jamaica: a hibiscus flavoured juice. The food selection includes classic Canadian breakfast items, tamales, flan, tres leches cake and concha pastries like those found in Mexican bakeries.

Frida’s Coffee Home is owned by Frida Murillo and Zaheen Hamadani, who have created a cozy yet colourful environment for guests. Check out their website to read more about the story Frida’s Coffee Home and how they source coffee beans. Check out the Instagram to stay up to date on menu items and happenings around the store.

Cafe Du Park

• Cafe Du Park

Inside a repurposed storage container in North Glenmore Park is Cafe du Parc: an outpost selling drinks made with locally-roasted Devils Head Coffee. Along with classic espresso-based drinks, Cafe du Parc also sells seasonally flavoured lattes, pastries from Butter Block & CO. and even ice cream in the summertime. Hello, affogatos!

The stand is located in an outdoor park that gets chilly in the Calgary winter. Luckily, Cafe du Par has a few benches and an outdoor heater, so adults can be comfortable in the winter while children play. Calgarians appreciate this spot for its convenient location in the park and for the owner, who often strikes up conversation with guests.

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