The Best Coffee Shops in Edmonton

Oxford dictionary defines ‘credo’ as a statement of the beliefs which guide someone’s actions. Credo coffee shop did not pick this name only for the simplicity and beauty of the word. They truly established a place (actually three locations) where an excellent cup of coffee guides one to relax, connect and discuss. And, a minimal and cozy atmosphere only contributes to a pleasurable time at the shop. Speaking of atmosphere, both downtown locations have a great city view which you can enjoy on a warm day. Because what can be better than an early fall day where the sounds of the city are mixed with the scents of coffee and a long conversation with a friend? Credo has all you need for that.  

Speaking of coffee, Credo takes pride in the excellent quality of each cup they make. As they say, “We have tremendous respect for all who work to provide us with the world’s finest coffees – the growers, importers, roasters and baristas that prepare the coffee and enhance the customer experience.”   

Based on multiple reviews from satisfied customers, they all agree with that statement. As one of them noted, he always enjoys a well-made coffee there. This is an excellent place to meet someone or just stop in and have a great-tasting coffee beverage, he adds. All the different coffees are made and have a great flavour and taste. Also, the muffins make a great side as you enjoy your favourite coffee.  

Other customers say how friendly and personable the staff is. The place is clean and has great people-watching windows, they continue.  

One regular customer noted that her three favourite things are coffee, muffins, and chocolate, and Credo coffee shop has the best versions of all three! You will be amazed if you try the mocha with jalapenos muffin, she suggested.

Hours of operation: 

Monday – Friday: 7 a.m.—5 p.m. 

Saturday: 8 a.m.—5 p.m. 

Sunday: 9 a.m.—4 p.m. 

Address: 10134 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1A7  

Credo has two other locations:  

10162 100 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0P5 

10350 124 St, Edmonton, AB T5N 3Z9) 

Contact: (780)-761-3744 

Iconoclast is all about location. Surely, you can enjoy your coffee on a patio or in the shop, or you can take a short walk towards a promenade with the River Valley view. Treat yourself and do that on a warm autumnal day.   

Other than a sort of hipster, chill vibe of the Iconoclast coffee shop, it is the quality of coffee, of course. The coffee you buy and drink there is freshly roasted in small batches so, no doubt each drink is full of flavours.    

Great coffee shop, said a customer. The ambiance is so nice. The service was excellent. The London Fog and Chai Latte his wife and he had were prepared fast and hot. The quality of the drink and the dessert they had were very good, the satisfied customer continued.  

Other customers say that everything from delicious coffee, friendly staff, tasty feature muffins, good music to a nice atmosphere, makes Iconoclast worth a visit.  

What we find thoughtfully practical about this place is a cyclist-friendly spot with bike racks. Although the neighborhood feels safer than other downtown areas, Iconoclast provides convenience and safety for anyone with a bike.  

Hours of operation: 

Sunday – Saturday: 8 a.m.—6 p.m. 

Address: 12021 102 Ave #103, Edmonton, AB T5K 0R8 

Contact: [email protected] 

If there is one positive truth about our consumer culture it is that we finally learned that quality items, be it a pair of shoes or coffee beans, cost more than average, mass-produced products. That also applies to us paying and searching for brands with a story, a story that you can taste in every cup of cappuccino. That is when you are willing to pay more because, in the end, you get ultimate enjoyment.  

The same happens when you hear stories like The Colombian Roastery’s. Founders Santiago and Kristin came up with an idea of a coffee shop while in Santiago’s birthplace of Colombia on the family coffee farm, “Finca Santa Rita”. Their roastery opened in 2017 and a year later expanded into a full-service coffee shop. (The second café opened in 2021). As founders, they travel to Colombia to keep discovering and supporting small producers.  

What makes them different from bigger brands is the ability to maintain relationships with each producer, and pay consistent prices that support the well-being of farmers and their families. As Santiago and Kristin say, “When farmers get paid profitable prices, they then have the freedom to focus on quality. Every step in the coffee production process contributes to the result in your cup. When farmers don’t have to focus on producing quantity to make ends meet, they can focus on producing quality.”  

That of course directly affects the whole philosophy of the coffee shop and each cup of coffee they make. You can be sure when buying a cup of coffee at The Colombian, that you not only taste quality and start your day with fresh flavours, but also contribute to a more sustainable future of coffee production.   

As a customer noted, The Colombian is one of the top coffee shops in Edmonton for her – a coffee-addicted person. The espresso drinks are perfect. Black coffee is super aromatic. Scones and other pastries are the perfect combinations with coffee. The vibe is also very nice. The shop is stylish, clean and comfortable. The location is perfect and it is easy to park, she added.  

Hours of operation: 

Monday: 8a.m.—4 p.m. 

Tuesday – Friday: 7 a.m.—5 p.m. 

Saturday – Sunday: 8 a.m.—5 p.m. 

Address: 10340 134 St NW #1, Edmonton, AB T5N 2B1 

(The Colombian has two more locations:  

8816 92 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 3R1 

6529 111 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 4R5) 

Contact: (780)-757-9195 

Customers who have loved visiting ACE Coffee on the Whyte Ave were delighted to find out about this Garneau location. “It is so cute,” said one of them, as to be expected. The staff is engaged and delightful.

Someone who just moved to Edmonton found ACE as a place that offers incredible service with delicious coffee and food. 

As ACE founders say, “the roastery was built with coffee in mind.” Just like another shop we mentioned earlier, they deeply care about the supply chain. Besides considering sustainability factor, ACE’s West Richie location evaluates profiles, offers classes, and sample roast, and showcases and answer any question about equipment and coffee.   

Of course, besides offering espresso drinks, ACE also has a variety of baked goods and pastries. No wonder it is so popular among students.   

But what most customers highlight in their reviews are breakfast bagels and croissants to go with a cup of perfectly prepared espresso-based drinks. Hence, next time you are contemplating a quick brunch in the city, keep ACE in mind. 

Hours of operation: 

ACE West Ritchie Roastery: 8a.m.-4pm | 7 days a week
ACE Market: 10 am-4pm Fri-Sun
ACE Garneau: 8am-4pm | 7 days a week 

Address: 11053 86 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 0X1 

10055 80 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1T4  

Contact: [email protected]

Rogue Wave roasting studio might not appear as the coziest, or most glamorous setting to relax with a cup of coffee, yet the beans they carefully prepare are of outstanding quality. If you know at least a little bit about coffee roasting process, you might remember that achieving an ideal balance between a green bean, a roasted product and a cup of coffee requires great endeavour and knowledge. That is where Rogue Wave are experts who are constantly learning, evolving and innovating their roasting and brewing process.   

If you are into learning more about coffee culture, you can start by following their Instagram page and attending masterclasses. Or if you are in need of a pack of beans to take home, but are not sure about notes you would like, simply walk into the store and coffee experts will provide you will all the necessary information.   

As a reviewer noted, Rogue Wave is easily becoming his go-to for specialty beans: they have an incredible rotating selection of beans to choose from, accurate and non-pretentious descriptors, that are always freshly roasted to perfection, and with all of the traceability that anyone could ask for, he added.  

 Someone else said that whether you enjoy your coffee comfortably and chocolatey or wild and fruity, Rogue Wave has you covered: if you don’t know what you like, get their roaster surprise you and let them recommend something amazing.  

 Hours of operation: 

Monday – Wednesday/Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  

Thursday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Address: 11322 119 St NW, Edmonton 

Contact: (825)-461-5564 

If you want more than a cup of coffee and a muffin, or are looking for a place to have a quick brunch or lunch (obviously along with a cup of a latte) we suggest you put Brown Butter Cafe on your must-try list. It started when Heena and Michael, two people passionate about food and the power it has to connect people, decided to open a coffee shop. As they say, “we both believe that food and drink are an essential part of everyone’s life.” Frankly, that is exactly what you will find at Brown Butter Café: an inviting atmosphere, comfort food, and a variety of caffeinated drinks. 

As a satisfied regular customer noted, this is a fantastic coffee shop! They have an amazing ‘good morning bunwich’ (breakfast sandwich with scrambled egg with cheese, avocado, pickled onion and spicy mayo on brioche) and a tasty cinnamon bun on the breakfast menu. For lunch, she enjoyed the crispy chicken rice bowl. They have a large menu of delicious drinks to choose from and also a rotating seasonal menu. She added that the atmosphere is very friendly and inviting. 

Other customers praise Brown Butter‘s specialty drinks. For instance, Raspberry Mocha and Peppermint Hot Chocolate paired with the Apple Pie Bun are must-try.  

Finally, customers love the easily accessible location. The café is located near a pediatric clinic, so you can expect to find many parents with kids hanging out at Brown Butter.  

Hours of operation:  

Sunday: CLOSED

Monday/Saturday: 9 a.m.—2 p.m. 

Tuesday – Friday: 8 a.m.—2 p.m. 

Address: 1528 91 St SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 1M5 

Contact: (780)-752-9900 

Where a ‘stopgap’ means a temporary means of satisfying a need, coffee is a need, according to the newly opened coffee shop owners.   

What makes this place special is the atmosphere. Stopgap is set in a historic house in the Oliver neighbourhood. While they kept the original vibe of the house, the shop came up with smartly organized seating, comfortable chairs by the window, and a large boardroom-style dining table.  

However, if there is no place to sit down, for the coffee shop is quite busy, take your drink and a little snack like a croissant, and head over to the River Valley for a stroll.   

Speaking of drinks, Stopgap is an experimental place that brings in beans from various Canadian roaster, yet offers classic espresso/caffeinated drinks such as latte, cappuccino, cortado, brew and more.   

“A cute coffee shop located in a historic building, a lovely atmosphere, very friendly owners, and great-tasting beverages,” said a visitor.  Others say that location is ideal to meet up for a date, as you can walk over to the high-level bridge for sightseeing after.  

Hours of operation: 

Sunday: CLOSED 

Monday – Wednesday/Friday: 7:30 a.m.—3 p.m. 

Thursday: 7:30 a.m.—2 p.m. 

Saturday: 9:00 a.m.—2 p.m. 

Address: 9749 111 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1J7 

Contact: [email protected] 

PACT is another recently opened coffee shop, and compared to the Stopgap, this one offers plenty of space to sit. PACT Coffee is located on Whyte Ave, on a busy 104th corner, which makes the place buzzing with customers, both regulars and newcomers. However, a busy place only indicates high quality of coffee and vegan donuts.   

PACT Coffee did not open the shop on that corner for no obvious reason. Its mission is to establish a place that would reflect Edmonton’s community: creative, resilient, and caring. That is why you can meet people of all kinds enjoying PACT coffee inside or on a patio: both students and professors, hipsters and bikers, parents with kids and retired couples. PACT owners say that they thrive to build a culture of trust, kindness, accountability, and passion.  

As satisfied customers say, PACT is all about a nice atmosphere and friendly service. The gourmet gluten-free donuts look awesome in the showcase and are just delicious. (Comment coming from a not a gluten-free eater). Someone who ordered a cappuccino, and the espresso testified that the taste was smooth with no bitter or burnt taste.  

PACT Coffee offers ethically and equitably sourced, meticulously roasted, and professionally prepared drinks from a simple Americano, to a sophisticated cortado and smooth, comforting lattes.  

Finally, to speak more of the interior décor, PACT is decorated with artworks from local artists. Modern interior and combination of black and dark wood contribute to both, a creative flow if you came to the shop to get some work done, and a first date or a business meeting.   

Hours of operation: 

Sunday – Saturday: 8 a.m.—8 p.m. 

Address: 10370 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1Z8 

Contact: (780) 760-7228 

As much as previously mentioned PACT is all about a modern, bustling setting, as much Kaffa is all about vintage décor and a reticent atmosphere with jazzy music in the background. The place is highly appreciated by anyone who adores the 20s art deco style, jazz music and good coffee. 

 Opened in the Garneau neighbourhood, Kaffa became not only a favourite coffee shop among locals, but also a host to locally-driven events. They often feature musicians, artists and photographers.  

But, besides being a center for creatives to meet, discuss art, music, literature or listen to local music bands with coffee or a glass of wine, Kaffa is offering house-roasted beverages. According to a customer, Kaffa Roaster and Studio is a must for any coffee lover here in Edmonton. 

The selection here at the cafe can be a simple delicate pour-over or a nicely crafted latte, noted another regular visitor. He especially loved that the coffee roasting machine at the side of this cafe shows everything is done on-site for the freshest taste. A must-try for coffee enthusiasts, he repeated. You won’t regret it.  

And a great tip from many customers, if you get hungry while working at the shop , simply go downstairs and buy pastries from Eleonor& Laurant or order food from Sugar Bowl.  

Hours of operation:  

Sunday – Saturday: 9 a.m.—4 p.m. 

Address: 10920 88 Ave NW, 10920 88ave nw #201, Edmonton, AB T6G 0Z1 

Contact: [email protected] 

Roasting for 30 years, BEAN Around the World is one of those places you can trust despite it being a chain coffee shop. As they say, “the BEAN was born in an era when we still listened to cassettes in our cafés. More importantly, it was also the era of Vancouver’s “second-wave” coffee boom.” So, you can call them pioneers from the West Coast, and trust the quality just like many other devoted customers do.   

Now, BEAN has twenty-three locations and no doubt the company will keep growing. Despite the expanding number of coffee shops, the quality of roasted beans does not drop. Each package still comes from the main roasting studio in North Vancouver. As to Edmonton’s location behind McEwan University, it offers drinks along with an ambient vibe and minimal, cozy interior.   

Love this location, said one of the regulars. It has a stunning vibe to it and is always quiet even when large groups are working. The sandwiches are honestly the best.  

Based on many other reviews, BEAN is all about good coffee and pleasant staff. For someone who spends 80% of her time at this place studying, noted a customer, it mellows her out. From the music to the decor to the super chill staff, it is the place to be if you need a break from that student life.  

Hours of operation: 

Sunday: CLOSED

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m.—6 p.m. 

Saturday: 9 a.m.—4 p.m. 

Address: 10510 111 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 0M8 

Contact: (780)-760-3326 

Remember we mentioned Rogue Wave Roasting Studio? Well, they are the coffee beans provider for the DOSC café which is why you can be sure of the quality of each drink you order. Besides, there is the interior factor, of course. Located in a historic block, DOSC offers three concepts: a café, a cocktail bar and a steakhouse. Such a setting creates a unique atmosphere which gradually flows from people who casually drink cappuccinos and type on their laptops to people having a birthday party or discussing business over lunch.   

The furniture combines art-deco-inspired style, mosaic floor, brick walls and ambient lighting. It all creates a unique atmosphere where you would want to come back over and over again.   

DOSC was a lovely experience, noted a visitor, he loved the interior and the vibe it gave off.  

DOSC never disappoints, say many others! There’s a reason why it’s one of their favourite spots in town. The service is always amazing, the food is incredible, the drinks are perfectly crafted, and the atmosphere is 10/10.  

(Note from the writer: this is my personal favourite as well. The place is filled with creative fluids, the interior is stylish and comfortable, and the atmosphere contributes to both work and conversations.) 

Hours of operation:  

Sunday – Saturday: 9 a.m—11 p.m. 

Address: 10190 104 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1A7 

Contact: (780)-540-0606