Credo is clearly the coffee king of 104th Street. No other coffee house in the area boasts lineups as long. But we’re willing to wait in line because of the quality of the product. The Intelligentsia direct trade coffee brand isn’t only an ethical source of beans, it makes for an Americano – my personal favourite – that’s deep and intense.
Finding a seat in the 104th Street location is always difficult during the day – and even crazier when the City Market Downtown is running on Saturdays – but the opening of a spacious 124th Street spot means that you can pick and choose where you want to meet. The coffee at the new location is up to the same high standard. And, from a totally selfish perspective, the new spot is just a skip and a hop from the Avenue office. Thanks, Credo! –Steven Sandor
10134 104 St., 780-761-3744, credocoffee.ca
Iconoclast could be mistaken for a hipster cocktail spot. The barista is surrounded by a bar, so you can sit down and watch your coffee being made from the best seats in the house. Located in an industrial space just north of the Oliver shopping strips and just south of the Edmonton Cemetery, you feel like you’re stepping into one of the city’s best-kept secrets. But the coffee blends are rich, the vibe is casual and the warehouse vibe of it all feels like a punk show could start any moment. –Steven Sandor.
11807 105 Ave., iconoclastcoffee.com
Whether you’re working in the Argyll area, catching a flick at the Garneau Theatre, or wheeling and dealing with the entrepreneurs at Startup Edmonton, one of Transcend’s three locations is likely to be the spot you’ll grab a cup of coffee. The cafe tends to be a little quieter than others, making it the best spot for a quick meeting or an all-day office getaway.
The coffee is nothing to stick your nose up at either, as the coffee roasters have spent a ton of time and effort getting the perfect roast – each type of bean is roasted at least 10 different ways and all are taste-tested before it goes into production. Add to that the reliably quick service and the cafe can easily become your place for zen during a busy week. –Cory Haller
8708 109 St., 780-756-8882, transcendcoffee.ca
