It’s said that the French philosopher Voltaire drank up to 50 cups of coffee a day. With a booming coffee district in downtown Edmonton, it’s tempting to drink nearly as much! One way to handle that caffeine hike is to use it to fuel a bike ride to these 11 downtown spots. Follow this plan for a balanced — and energizing — taste of the city’s coffee scene.
Note: Start early! Transcend opens at 9 am on Saturdays and you have until 7 pm to visit Barking Buffalo, but several of these spots serve their last cup in the early afternoon.
1. Start your morning with a fresh brew at Transcend Coffee (10359B-104 St.) in the basement of the historic Mercer Warehouse. Also housed in the basement is Vacancy Hall, where you can find local artists and entrepreneurs hawking their one-of-a-kind wares.
2. As you head south down 104 Street to the professional and relaxed Credo Coffee (10134-104 St.), fill your bike basket with fresh produce and other treats at the Saturday City Market. And the Intelligentsia coffee at Credo pairs perfectly with some of Jacek’s artisan chocolates available next door.
3. Next is hipster headquarters Remedy Café (10279 Jasper Ave.) in the southeast. The mismatched, comfy chairs will invite you to sit awhile, and their Indian delights — such as butter chicken wraps — will fuel you up for the next leg of the trip.
4. Ride west to one of the newest spots in the city, Coffee Bureau (10505 Jasper Ave.), where a seat at their window bar will provide an excellent vantage point for people watching.
5. Just across the street, tucked away at the bottom of some stairs, you’ll find Lock Stock Coffee (10534 Jasper Ave.). Enjoy a scrumptious, house-made pastry and some Danesi coffee in its inviting space.
6. Continue west on Jasper and take a left down 109 Street to reach District Coffee Co. (10011-109 St.). Seating’s limited here, so you may want to grab your craft coffee to-go as you prepare for the next leg of the trip.
7. On your way across Jasper Ave., visit the friendly cast-iron bull on the corner of 112 Street and snap a selfie. You’re now only a few blocks away from Elm Café (#100, 10140-117 St.), which is just off the avenue. Their delicious sandwiches and salads — made with unique, local goods — are perfect for a late lunch.
8. A bit further west you’ll discover WHERE Edmonton Magazine’s Best New Café for 2015, Bru Coffee + Beer House (11965 Jasper Ave.). If you need a rest, its chill atmosphere makes for a great place to work or read
9. The next part of the tour will bring you to the north side of downtown, just past the Oliver District at Rogue Wave Coffee Co. (10517A-114 St.). The expert baristas here will prepare the perfect pour-over for you.
10. Obey superstition and hold your breath as you pass by the Edmonton Cemetery on your way to Iconoclast Coffee (11807B-105 Ave.). This spacious and industrial coffee shop roasts its beans on-site with a modish Has Garanti drum roaster.
11. For the final stop, travel northwest along 107 Avenue to reach Barking Buffalo Café (10842-124 St.). Located in the local clothing shop, Salgado Fenwick, here you can reward yourself with one last coffee and a cool t-shirt with a hand-designed animal print. You may even find a yellow one to match the coveted jersey of the Tour de France!
No wheels? Rent a bike from MEC Edmonton, River Valley Adventure Co., or Bike Works.
