Further to my blog from a few weeks ago, I want to continue to stress the importance of supporting local. Read below for recognition of some of Calgary’s best cafés. You’ll definitely want to make a stop at them.
Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar
A local Calgary haunt in the heart of Inglewood, this little café is the ideal spot for a date night to enjoy a warm drink with some homemade cheesecake. Stop in on girls’ day for coffee that soon turns into a wine and cheese afternoon. I’ll admit, Gravity holds a special place in my heart because this is where I met my significant other almost 6 years ago. This cozy little spot on the corner of 9th Avenue and 10th Street Southeast continues to be a great place to make memories that make my heart smile.
Much like the growth of my relationship, this café and wine bar has grown, opening a second location in the Beltline, just inside the Calgary Board of Education building on 12th avenue. Andy, the owner of the café can be seen at both locations and is such a delight. His quirky British humour and kind personality are a huge part of what gives this café its charm.
Every item you see in the glass display cases are made fresh in-house, sometimes by Andy himself. There are a variety of delicious options for everyone to choose from but some of my favourites are the savoury curry and the icing-topped carrot cake. The epic Indian flavours in the rich curry are just what you hope for. Even though this is not an Indian restaurant, it will transport your taste buds to this country. The carrot cake is moist and full of deliciousness like pineapple and topped with mounds of cream cheese icing, the best part. 😉
I can almost taste the flavours of delight right now. It’s time to sit back and relax with a cup of tea and maybe another piece of cake.
Element Café
Though I have written about this café before, it deserves more recognition especially since it is just starting out. Element Café opened this past summer and is exquisitely unique. It offers flavours from the Mediterranean with handmade samosas and traditional Turkish coffee while still providing the opportunity to taste treats from other parts of the world right here in this quaint café.
Fall in love with the artwork on the walls as you melt into the comfy couches and chairs, just right for sipping latte’s all day long. The warm atmosphere is accentuated by the bright smiling faces of the café’s staff who provide you with an amazing and friendly experience.
While other cafés may lay closed late at night, Element is open late into the evening to bring you that warm hot chocolate on a winter’s night or in whatever season you choose to stop in for your favourite beverage. Create your story here and ask yourself, what is your element?
Thé Moon
Yes, this is a bubble tea house, technically not a café in the true sense but what is a café anyway? Somewhere you can sit, relax, and drink something warm (or cold) and comforting while breathing in the charms of life. So, this is why I consider Thé Moon one of my favourite cafés in the city.
What makes their bubble tea taste so good? They only use premium ingredients to make their drinks. What does this mean? All the ingredients are composed of real fruits and natural cane sugars. Even the pearls and mochi are freshly made every four hours. On top of all this, you can ask for specific sugar or ice levels to suit your desires.
Everything from the cute moon logo to the plants and moon lights makes this bubble tea spot an adorable space to find your zen. If you order the cloud foam topping you will feel like you are floating on cloud 9 it is so tasty. One of my favourite drinks here is Thé Moon Jasmine with its natural taste and aesthetic appeal of the moon pearls, little honey tapioca balls. Adding black pearls to your drink is always fun because they make them in mini form.
Find your spot on the moon without going to outer space in this little tea house on 14th Avenue Southeast, just off Macleod Trail.
Just purchasing a small drink or having a bowl of something to energize your day will brighten the lives of the people who have put their hearts into creating community spaces for you to share conversation, laughs, and fall in love. Supporting local small businesses in any way will majorly help them survive so you can continue to make memories there. So, the next time you need that morning pick me up or a relaxing glass of wine at the end of a long day, think and drink local.
Comment below which ones you went to and loved plus why.
