Edmonton’s Top Coffee Shops & Their Unique Events
Beyond quality coffee and tempting treats, Edmonton’s bustling downtown and west end café culture also serves up community events from open mics and art exhibitions to lotto evenings and exciting events centered around online casinos and gaming.
While enjoying an expertly pulled espresso or a handcrafted latte, patrons can now participate in trivia nights and live jazz sets that incorporate elements of online gambling. From virtual poker tournaments to casino-themed art exhibitions, these events provide a dynamic and engaging experience for coffee enthusiasts and gaming aficionados alike.
Imagine sipping on a locally sourced nosh, surrounded by the vibrant atmosphere of a well-known Edmonton coffee house, while engaging in a friendly game of online roulette or testing your luck on the virtual slot machines. These coffee shops have successfully created a space where creativity, community, and the thrill of online gambling converge.
Whether you’re an art lover, a music enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique and memorable experience, Edmonton’s top coffee shops have expanded their horizons to cater to a diverse range of interests. By seamlessly integrating online casinos and gaming into their community events, these cafes have transformed into hubs of entertainment, providing an opportunity to connect with creativity, community, and the excitement of online gambling.
So, the next time you find yourself in Edmonton, don’t just settle for a quick coffee fix. Take the time to explore the city’s coffee shop culture and immerse yourself in the unique events that blend quality coffee, tempting treats, and the exhilaration of online casinos. Whether you’re an experienced gambler or a curious newcomer, Edmonton’s coffee shops offer a delightful fusion of local culture, specialty coffee, and the thrill of online gaming.
Coffee Shops near Whyte Avenue, Edmonton
Block 1912
⭐ Google Rating: 4.7
⭐ TripAdvisor Rating: 5
Tucked into a restored 1912 Edwardian brick building along the vibrant stretch of Whyte Avenue sits Block 1912. Lauded as Edmonton’s top spot for coffee, desserts, sandwiches and more, this café exudes turn-of-the-century charm.
Menu Highlights
Serving coffee since 1992, Block 1912 has garnered praise for its scratch-made sweets and menu of soups, sandwiches and share plates. New offerings include weekend brunch and a breakfast menu with selections like the Beg – loaded with bacon, eggs, guacamole and Awake’s homemade tomato sauce.
Pricing
- Coffees and espresso drinks $3.75 – $7.75
- Breakfast & Brunch $8 to $16
- Desserts $4 to $7
Special Features
Online ordering available, monthly art exhibitions.
Any Upcoming Events?
Beyond daytime fare, Block 1912 regularly hosts evening events. On Mondays, live jazz sets a melodious mood perfect for unwinding over coffee and sweets. Thursday evening music showcases local musicians spanning genres like folk and blues. The café also supports Edmonton’s arts scene by exhibiting works from regional artists. Rotating displays means patrons always encounter fresh inspiration.
Location & Contact
- 📌 10361 Whyte Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 1Z9
- 📞 780-433-6575
The Woodrack Café
⭐ Google Rating: 4.8
⭐ Tripadvisor Rating: 5
In the heart of downtown within the Dominion Building, The Woodrack Café brings bohemian flair to its warm, welcoming space. Wood-laden decor and curated vintage goods adorn the comfy café coloured with pops of green plants and pale pink hues. The husband-and-wife-owned café focuses on simplicity, consistency and quality – from the coffee bar’s brews to the from-scratch food menu.
Menu Highlights
The Woodrack’s signature Moon Phase coffee lineup highlights different roast profiles. Food ranges from avocado toast to soups, salads and sandwiches on freshly baked bread. Retail coffee beans and house merch available.
Pricing
- Coffees and espresso drinks: $3.25 – $6
- Food: $8 to $16
Special Features
Ever-changing vintage goods market with curated antiques and local art.
Any Upcoming Events?
The Woodrack offers a singular shopping experience through its collection of repurposed home goods and antique dishware curated by the owners. From mugs to local artwork, this ever-changing vintage marketplace provides one-of-a-kind treasures.
Location & Contact
- 📌 #102, 10324 82 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta
- 📞 780-977-3787
Coffee Shops Near South Edmonton
Awake Coffee House
⭐ Google Rating: 4.8
⭐ Tripadvisor Rating: 5
Tucked into Edmonton’s Twin Brooks neighbourhood along 9 Avenue, Awake Coffee House draws caffeine devotees with its organic, nutritious fare. Natural light floods the minimalist space marked by light wood accents and pops of green from plants. Awake partners with Vancouver Island’s Drumroaster Coffee to serve brews like creamy lattes and cold nitro coffee on tap.
Menu Highlights
Awake highlights organic, nutritious fare like house-made baked goods, fresh-pressed juices, and sandwiches like the Spicy Chicken loaded with kimchi. Drumroaster Coffee options include espresso café drinks and nitro cold brew.
Beyond caffeine, fresh-pressed juices add produce-powered refreshments. Choices span orange, grapefruit, greens, carrot ginger, and more. Awake also crafts lemonades infused with fruit purees and herbs like lavender. Their meat-centric Spicy Chicken waffle sandwiches with kimchi and spicy aioli make for a satisfying lunch.
Pricing
- Coffees and espresso drinks $3 – $5.50
- Food $8 to $12
Special Features
Order ahead available, seasonal market with locally-made goods.
Location & Contact
- 📌 11029 9 Avenue NW Edmonton AB
- 📞 780-784-0462
Second Cup
⭐ Google Rating: 4.1
⭐ Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5
With over 300 locations across Canada, Second Cup Café anchors itself as the country’s largest specialty coffee retailer. The ubiquitous chain was founded in 1975 in Toronto, starting as a humble kiosk in a shopping mall. Since then, Second Cup has grown into Canada’s quintessential coffeehouse. Franchise locations offer mobile order-ahead and delivery.
Menu Highlights
Beyond reliably smooth cups of coffee, Second Cup serves classic espresso drinks, blended chilled beverages plus tea lattés and loose leaf options. Food offerings range from oatmeal bowls to sandwiches like the savoury Smokin’ Chipotle Chicken.
Pricing
- Coffees and espresso drinks $3 – $5
- Food $5 to $10
Special Features
Order ahead available via mobile app, specialty seasonal drink launches.
Location & Contact
- 📌 855 91 St SW, Edmonton, AB T6X 0A8
- 📞 (587) 521-0818
Coffee Shops & Cafes Near West Edmonton
Square 1 Coffee
⭐ Google Rating: 4.8
⭐ Tripadvisor Rating: 5
Square 1 Coffee brings community spirit to Edmonton’s west end across its trio of locations in Glenora, Aspen Gardens and Mayfield. The locally owned cafés exude inviting energy through details like reclaimed wood accents and chalkboard menus listing home-style comfort foods.
Menu Highlights
Square 1 rotates through different local roasters and preparation methods, from espresso to pour-over. Baked goods include mammoth cookies and cakes. Breakfast and lunch fare ranges from avocado toast to burgers.
Pricing
- Coffees and espresso drinks $3.50 – $6
- Food $5 to $15
Special Features
Regular community events like Open Mic nights and Trivia nights.
Any Upcoming Events?
Fostering local talent, Square 1 Coffee locations regularly host musicians during Open Mic Nights. Patrons might catch emerging or veteran artists. Folks also gather for Trivia Nights to flex their random knowledge. Through welcoming spaces, small-batch brews and community focus, Square 1 cafés feel like everyone’s home away from home.
Location & Contact
- 📌 15 Fairway Dr, Edmonton, AB
- 📞 780-989-0102
Once an Edmonton Favourite: Café Blackbird
Long beloved by locals before its closing, Café Blackbird was a community gem in Edmonton’s Crestwood neighbourhood. Nestled at its notable address, this café was much more than a dining spot; it was a cultural landmark. It boasted exceptional reviews, such as a shining 4.9 Google rating and 5 stars on TripAdvisor, reflecting its commitment to quality and charm. This was evident not just in its delightful vintage details but also in the rotating works from local visual artists that adorned its walls.
Family Brunch at Café Blackbird
Café Blackbird, a part of the esteemed Blackbird restaurant group, was a cornerstone of the Edmonton cafe scene. It embodied quality through its relationships and craftsmanship, sourcing exceptional coffee from Rosso roasters. The café was not just about the coffee; it was about the experience. The Blackbird Cafe brunch was particularly popular, bringing families together over reasonably priced plates bursting with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. In addition to its daytime offerings, the café’s dinner menu featured shareable salads and a signature cold brew coffee, making it a versatile destination for any meal.
The café was more than a place to eat and drink; it was a cultural hub. Edmontonians frequently visited Café Blackbird not just for its culinary delights but also to immerse themselves in the local art scene. The café regularly hosted rotating exhibits that highlighted the work of both emerging talent and renowned creators. These exhibitions ranged from mixed media sculptures to vivid abstract paintings, offering regional artists a valuable platform for exposure.
Beyond the Blackbird Cafe Edmonton Menu
The café extended its reach through the Blackbird shop, where patrons could purchase a variety of artisanal products. This further established its status as a hub for both culinary and artistic exploration. The Blackbird Cafe Groton and Blackbird Cafe Burnstown, along with the Blackbird Pub, are other examples of how the group created diverse dining and cultural experiences.
Though the favourite community coffee house and arts hub no longer operates along its once-bustling block in Edmonton, the legacy of Café Blackbird lives on. It continues to be celebrated for the relationships it nurtured, the creative spirit it fostered, and the comfort it brought to many in Edmonton.
We hope our guide helps you find great cafes in Edmonton that serve tasty drinks and bring people together. The top coffee shops on our list have comfortable spaces to relax over coffee and experience local talent.
As fans of these cafes, we know you’ll love hanging out and enjoying their delicious food and drinks. If you know of any other popular Edmonton coffee spots we should check out, please contact us at [email protected]. We want to keep featuring local shops that represent the best of Edmonton’s coffee and cafe scene through their special brews, yummy treats, and inviting spaces.