This is a central place to meet up with someone for a drink in Kensington. It's in a great location to do some shopping or to go after watching a movie at the Plaza Theatre across Kensington Road. The coffee served is fair trade and organic, so that's a plus. Go for breakfast and try the Breakfast sandwich - ham, eggs, cheese, it goes good with an organic americano. They serve wine, too. (Maybe not for breakfast...) read more

This place was packed even on a Sunday afternoon. Coffee was good, organic choices. The pastries are on the sweet side. Lots of young people enjoying the coffee with the free wifi. The Starbucks beside this is obviously losing quite a bit of business. I would definitely go back if in the area. read more

Higher Ground - Chai Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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I love Higher Ground. The place is always bustling and fully of energy. Great location in trendy Kensington. I like that it is upstairs so you can look out the windows and enjoy watching the world go by outside. The food is always good. I have yet to make it to their famous Wednesday night vegetarian dinner - it's on my list for this year for sure! Great cookies and treats so make sure to walk there - lol Go for the ginger creme cookie - you will be hooked. I always have an Americano and it is always perfect. My only very minor negative is that it needs a quick update/reno. (chairs and tables) Otherwise, a totally cool space! The staff are always nice and cheerful. Higher Ground is my go-to place. Make it yours too. read more

Chocolate Chai Latte.... The End. I cannot speak to the quality of the coffee as I am no expert in it. But I can speak to the experience at higher ground. To best describe it I have chosen a few keywords. Unique Straightforward Friendly Cozy Tight Tasty Mellow Trendy A bit hipster Youthful 90s.... Hope that helps! read more

This place is very special to me :) it has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with a very homey feeling. Whether you drop in there to study or get together with friends, it's also a great place for a date! Staff are friendly and efficient, drinks are quality and served warm. I really liked the atmosphere. Definitely one of my go-to places. The only hassle is trying to find a parking spot sometimes when the area is busy. read more

This place is good for working if you get there earlier. It is packed just before noon and onward, but around 10am you can have a table and a plug-in, no sweat. Coffee is good! They didn't have dark when I was there but not sure if it was just the day or what. Baking is somewhat limited but if you're needed something to mow on I recommend the bran muffin! Pretttty gooood. Have been a few times and it's been consistently loverly. read more

Higher Ground is usually a good place to go, have some food and watch people. We have found that it's not really a great place to work or try to have a conversation as it's usually it's packed back to back with people. But watching the hustle and bustle (and variety) of Kensington denizens this is the place to go. The food is reasonable, and they put some twists on those coffees we all love - you know the ones that taste so good, but are so loaded with calories. I've never had stellar food there, and only a few times have had speciality coffees that I really liked. I would definitely say Higher Ground is a destination location rather than a culinary location. But if we are in a hurry, or want a few quieter minutes we are sacrilegious and visit the Green Mermaid down the street. read more

It's cold and you want a place to relax and enjoy a hot cup of tea? Have no fear, Higher Ground is here. This hip and cozy little spot by Kensignton has been around for as long as I can remember. The Coffee is great, the crowd is young and the atmosphere is always lively. If you're lucky you might evens score one of the comfy seats by the fire place. Although I always find this place too crowded for studying, students rend to flood this little coffee shop for that reason. I would recommend it more as a spot for first dates. Beware, the wifi is fairly weak and doesn't work all the time. read more

Some of the best tea lattes and food options in Kensington! However, they have really long wait times on their food and it almost isn't worth it. read more

After reading through other reviews, I expected Higher Ground to be packed on a Sunday afternoon, but I still felt extremely overwhelmed when I got there. There were too many students/younger folks chatting, and it's hard to find a seat. To those who'd love to sip a cup of afternoon coffee to relax, don't go there on Sunday, you will feel like you walk into a busy bee hive. (Which also proves how popular this cafe is) As for the coffee, I ordered a simple macchiato which was not much different from any simple macchiato I can order from other cafes. So I'd love to order a fancier coffee next time when I go there. My medium macchiato costs $3.5, which is much lower than the same cup of coffee if I order from other cafes. Service seemed friendly, and I was only there in line for several seconds, and I was greeted. Though, there were three orders before mine, still mine came just in less than 5 minutes. Wi-if connection was really fast, though there were many people there connecting the same network at the same tim I'd love to go back there on a weekday afternoon (less crowded) to try a different cup of coffee. The following is the review of my second visit, I was expecting a less noisy and crowded environment when I went to Higher Ground on a Friday morning, however, my expectation was nulled by the swarming crowd. I believe I underestimated the almighty of this holiday free time. Nevertheless, my second experience was generally speaking--acceptable. Again, I was greeted in less than 20 seconds after I joined the line, and my barista was fast and efficient. It'd be great, if she rendered a smiling acknowledgment and a sincere greeting, because, well, I was not interacting with a robot, wasn't I? I ordered a cup of café calypso. My barista paid attention to every detail, from asking me what kind of milk I liked, to offering me choice of adding cream. My coffee tasted good, but again, it's just like any fancy caramel coffee I could order elsewhere... It'd be perfect, if my barista tried a bit more effort letting me feel more welcome, and it'd be fantastic, if Higher Ground made my café calypso different (even just a bit) from the same coffee made from other coffee shops. Absolutely, I'd like to visit again in near future. Isn't third time a charm...lol read more

White chocolate chai tea. Amazing! Go to this place all the time, surprised I haven't reviewed it yet but it's definitely worth checking out for their awesome teas and comfortable atmosphere. Have loved all the foods I've tried - Mac and cheese, breakfast bagel, muffins. The free wifi is definitely a bonus. read more

They have good in the menu... Refused to make a sandwich at 8pm on a Thursday. Really? My daughter could make sandwiches at the age of 8.

I sent last sunday jist because two friends of mine wanted to sit in a coffee place in kensington road and we were absolutely stunned about this place. The coffee is good but the environment is awesome. I ordered a mocha and a cinnamon roll and both were delicious. The only downside is that there were a lot of people waiting read more

Great drinks, good service, baristas are kind and fair. Wish they had more vegan offerings, but that is the only piece of critical feedback I can offer. Beautiful cafe space. read more

Such a cute cafe. I was very happily surprised by how cozy it was in there. I can't say what the coffee was like but they did have good food and a good atmosphere. I would say however that there slushies are more like snow cones in consistency than slushies. But that aside, I would definitely go back. read more

Awful awful awful. The coffee is awful. Ohhhh buuut they have a fire place, and some glass ceiling...it's so cozy! Fuck. It's awful. The "barista" said that she had "no clue" what type of beans they use as she "made" my espresso (with pre-grounded beans no less) through an automatic espresso machine. I'm not going to waste any more time going through this watery instant coffee tasting crap. If you want comparable coffee, go to Timothy's where you will save money as well.. For proper coffee in k town, hit up House. Maybe in Grand Prairie this place would pass... read more

One of my favorite places in Calgary to do a bit of work in outside of the office. Environment and the atmosphere is great and since they expanded the seating area recently, there's lots of room as well with comfy seating. It's a great place to meet, for either business or hanging out. As for beverages and food, I find the selection more then adequate for a coffee shop and have had great lunch there more then once. In regards to an internet connection, if you sit in the East corner of the place, you can catch great reception from the Starbucks a couple of doors down. Other then that, there is a free wireless router you can connect to. With that said though, i find the connection a bit lossy sometimes and tend to tether from my iPhone anyways. Overall, great place to meet and do some work in. For some of you, parking can be an issue. read more

Higher Ground is rad. It's big and spacious, with arm chairs and little tables all over the place, next to multiple fireplaces to make this an extra cozy study spot. Their Americano is the best in town, but they have their own take on flavored lattes if you're in the mood for something different. Food isn't bad either, though portions are either too small or way to big when it comes to meals (ie. breakfast burrito = huge, mac & cheese = child-sized). At work we joke the entirety of the Calgary start-up community hangs out here... because the entirety of the Calgary start-up community hangs out here. It's a great place for a business meeting, if you can get a seat. Prices are a little higher than the Starbucks next door, but you're paying for the hip ambience and this cafe will deliver. read more

Went here after the GPS had me going in circles while trying to find a friend's house (wound up being a five minute walk away!). The soy latté was delicious, even though I normally hate soy milk because of the cereal taste. I liked how everyone in the place seemed more than willing to clean up after themselves and the cheerful baristas. Would love to come back and try their vegan Wednesdays. read more

On January 26th, Calgary Yelpers took over Higher Ground for an Elite group event, and man, did we get the royal treatment! I have always thought of Higher Ground as more of a coffee place, but tonight showed me that this establishment is WAY more than just a coffee house. Fellow Yelpers showed up at 5:30 for a "Vegging Out" event, where vegetarian appetizers and drinks were served to tantalize the tastebuds. Higher Ground is promoting a global vegetarian night, and based on the appetizers we enjoyed, I expect that this will be a hit with both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. I sampled the Pesto Pasta salad and it was amazing. It was very flavorful and garlicy (as yummy pesto can be). The pasta was orzo. Lovely! I also enjoyed the Red Pepper & Masala Dip. Both dips were amazing. I went lighter on the bread, and spooned a bit of it on the side of on my pasta salad. There were dessert squares that looked lovely, but l am watching the sweets. Like many in January, I am battling a New Year's Resolution to watch the sweets. The ambiance is both busy and laid back at the same time. I will definitely be back at the Higher Ground. The entire menu looks fantastic! Please check it out here: http://www.highergroundcafe.ca/menu/menu.html read more

I love Higher Ground. It reminds me of living in New York City again. The staff is wonderful and the atmosphere is relaxing and eclectic. Sometimes they have musicians or 'open mic' nights that will make you feel artistic and creative. Surpasses any Starbucks or Second Cup. Highly recommended. read more

What can one say about this coffee house that hasn't been already said. It's atmosphere is one of a kind. The coffee is excellent. It's large enough for big parties, but can still fit singles in comfy chairs. Open late in Kensington. Friendly staff. Heck, you can even buy the art off the walls. read more

This place is such a waste of money. The only thing it has going for it is location. $15 for a tea and tiny bowl of "chicken cesar salad" which was gross lettuce cores and 3 tiny slices of packaged chicken. Don't waste your money here. read more

A nightcap to a very Irish night after carousing at Molly Malones. I had heard much hoopla about the place, and forgoing my usual coffeehouse test of ordering a latte, I got a Dublin Fog (Irish breakfast, vanilla, something else). I was not unsatisfied, it had good flavor. Kat, Kyla and Ken (or the KKK as they were on this night) all ordered different pastries, and all were very rich. A little nibble nearly sent you into a sugar struggle. The atmosphere was cozy, with lots of people on laptops and headphones, either studying for finals or writing the next Infinite Jest. A decent location that I wouldn't go out of my way to revisit, though I haven't tried the food, and Kat tells me that her experience with it was quite good. read more

I am updating my review in order to reflect upon my experience at Higher Ground's Global Vegetarian Night this past Wednesday! I attended with Tiffany, Wendy, and Danielle, lovely company. Tiff has already listed the menu on her review but I feel inclined to do so again, mostly to keep myself on track. Over the course of the night, we enjoyed a bisque of butternut squash and basil, a vegan shepherd's pie in adorable ramekins w/red wine gravy, and a spiced pumpkin tart with candied pecans and coconut creme. I have to confess, I LOATHE soups that are mostly just blended yams, squash, carrots, etc. I find them too sweet, and a soup cop-out. My preference lies within hearty soups with flavourful broths and all the chunks of vegetables I can shake my disgruntled old lady fist at. However, the soup tonight at Global Vegetarian proved that a butternut bisque could be rather enjoyable if prepared with care, and I actually ended up finishing the whole bowl! The vegan shepherds pie was pretty delicious, especially the gravy and potatoes on top. I do agree with Tiffany about all of the gravy at the bottom- but ended up appreciating the lack of bread, as by this point I was already soooo full. Between our main course and dessert, I managed to sneak over to the counter and get a free pot of Organic Darjeeling by checking into Higher Ground on the Yelp App. This is a really awesome option, and I'd like to thank Higher Ground for offering this. As I returned to the table our tarts turned up, and the presentation was dead perfect for a coffeehouse. At this point I wish I would have had a spoon as opposed to a fork to include the coconut creme (which was really more just delicious coconut milk at the bottom of the bowl) in every bite, but I certainly managed. This was absolutely delicious. I love pumpkin everything in the autumn, and this little tart was no exception! This was more food than I ever eat in one sitting, and I was so full and satisfied, I could barely move. Examining the menus for the next few vegetarian Wednesdays, I wish I could make it to one every week. read more

I came here all throughout college because they have so many electrical outlets!! awesome! I stopped coming because its slow, expensive and the baristas suck. I'll never go there again hahahha. But thanks for serving my electrical needs! read more

Higher Ground is in a perfect location with an amazing range of food and drink. Good: The environment is relaxed and the service is average. The food is delicious. We had a butter-nut squash soup with a cheese sandwich along with mac & cheese. The portions were perfect and the quality of food was wonderful. Bad: The drinks were not as good as they could have been. They were good but the mocha was too watered down and the peach smoothie was was clumpy. The price was above average but we prefer to pay more to support a local place. Overall: The perfect alternative to the green corporate chain (ahem ... Starbucks). read more

Higher Ground is an all-round delicious Calgary coffee bar.

Great environment to work or hang out with friends (plenty of tables). In my opinion it's the best coffee shop in Calgary.

Always had incredible service at this coffee shop where the baristas are always happy to help, patient in explaining their offerings and generally quite upbeat. I admire that this place is independent shop and has an eclectic feel with a lot of people from the variety of the community - not just hipsters. I always order the specialty drinks which range up to $6 and large dark coffees which comes in a mug for around $3. The place offers great food choices as well but I don't think people come here for the food as much as for the atmosphere and to have a great place to chill and relax with friends. Highly enjoy that the cafe has lots of seating and charger plugs so great for studying as well on the weekends. Overall, have come here consistently for the last year and have always enjoyed my experience. Would recommend as one of the top coffee shops in the city of Calgary. read more

Bacon. Maple. Latte. Need I say more? Every time I tell a newcomer to Canada about this they're both intrigued and shocked that our lumberjack-Canadian stereotype may actually be true. This hipster-magnet coffee is admittedly delicious, as is their Dublin Mist, and delicious sandwiches (which can be made gluten free). I think this is a great place for coffee dates and meetings, and if you score a cosy seat, count yourself amongst the lucky because it is typically pretty busy! I really wish people wouldn't camp out here for hours so that others could have a seat for a few minutes, but c'est la vie. However you should definitely give that Starbucks next door a miss and shop local for your coffee - prices are about the same but quality is MUCH better. :) read more

Higher Ground is arguably Calgary's best coffee shop. This place has a unique spirit that is hard to create. Good for working, studying or meeting with a friend. Packed with students and university types. Hip. Not boring. Extensive menu with a few interesting and unexpected options. Can be busy and parking is not easy to find. read more

Classic spot! Used to come here 15 years ago. Came back and same great vibe. Got the brewed coffee and it was totally on point!

I absolutely love this place! It has great and friendly staff, a wonderful (almost hippie) atmosphere, and amazing coffee. This place is an adorable coffee shop with a vibrant character and fascinating aesthetic. They serve 100% organic and free-trade coffee which I appreciate. On Tuesday's they have open mic in the evening. The people who organize/ put on the open mic are really nice, supportive and encouraging. This is my favourite coffee shop that I've ever been to-- and let me say that that is saying something! read more

I had an agreement to have my art displayed at this cafe. A few months before the exhibit they cancelled on me because they saw my work displayed at another cafe. They didn't tell me this would happen. Also, as a place that is trying to help emerging artists it seems like a counterintuitive thing to have "exclusivity". I will not support this place because of it. read more

I could easily give Higher Ground more stars, but 3 1/2 feels about right for me - personal preference. The service has been fine and the quality of their food and coffee is good and has been consistent. I have been here occasionally over the many years I have lived in Calgary. It is often very busy which is positive for the business and some people enjoy the vibe of a crowd. I have had to leave due to not being able to find a seat a few times. Higher Ground is worth checking out if you are in the area. It might be the hang-out for you. read more

This is a popular place for coffee and meetups in Kensington. Lots of students also study here. How I don't know because it's always noisy and packed which makes nabbing a table hard as people tend to plant themselves there for a few hours. read more

This place is what independent cafes should aspire to. The building is really cool and in a prime location. Inside you'll find a very homely atmosphere, fun and friendly staff, and lot's of nice corners to sink into. The menu is diverse and plentiful. Whatever you're feeling you can probably find it here. I could tell that the ingredients were fresh and well prepared. If there was something they could improve upon, it would be to open a location in Edmonton so I can have a deserving go-to spot. read more

Went here with my wife and a friend and we spent 3 hours there. Delicious food, and good coffee! The servers actually look like they give a dam and were fun to chat with. Will definitely go back. read more

Count your change, employees will steal/tip themselves and management will ignore you. Coffee is pretty good, but Calgary has lots of good coffee. read more