Good coffees, best in town. Best bags of beans you can get in the province. It's the place you will compare all other coffee shops to.

My son recommended The Roasterie for my cherished morning coffee while visiting him . I now have him hauling bags back to Vancouver each time he returns . The house espresso is excellent . I have tried sourcing a good all around espresso in Vancouver but nobody seems to get it right ! Thank you for making my morning great! read more

Not five stars, ten if available. Sure, there are TONS of espresso places in this general neighborhood, and most of them are of the type most commonly associated with the coffee shop/espresso culture: airy interior, nice lighting, corporate vibe, you get the idea. The Roasterie is kind of like a high end coffee shop owned by hoarders. But wait... I'll just say it: in decades of loving fine espresso shots, I think they serve up the very finest I've ever had. And then I asked for a black house coffee, something with Sumatra like flavors. They recommended a blend that again, probably one of the top 10 cups of black I've consumed. Can they do it more than once? Yep, I returned a second day and they did it again. The roasting is going on inside the shop, and it's clearly run by mad men who have sold their souls to the devil of coffee. If you're looking for a scene and hipster surroundings (and hey, I like that too), move on. If you're looking for a cup of coffee to remember for a long time, this is the destination I'd recommend. read more

Small coffee shop to buy quality beans or enjoy a cup. Service is cheerful and knowledgeable. Cozy spot for coffee with a friend on a cold day. read more

We were looking for a quick place to grab a coffee in the neighbourhood and The Roasterie popped up. Looked like a solid option so we went and checked them out. The place is tiny inside with tables cramped together but there's a bit more room outside to sit along the sidewalk. There's even a takeout window. The inside decor is very eclectic and hippie. Old school coffee grinders adorn the walls, there's coffee beans from all over the world for purchase and fresh coffee roasting up front. - Vietnamese cold coffee ($5.75) - according to B, it was decent. Good portion but didn't taste as strong as the ones you get at Vietnamese restaurants. Worth a try although I'm sure there are several coffee options in hipster Kensington. read more

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Vietnamese iced coffee - delicious. Cafe Colada is beyond!!!!! So glad we stopped in! read more

The Roasterie marches to the beat of its own drum, and you will love them for it! Or, well... you won't. Me? I hands down LOVE this coffee shop. From their superb espresso, and the smell of fresh in-house roasted beans, all the way to the clutter of antique coffee grinders and somewhat, dare I say, "dive-y" feel. it's all character, and it's all great! There is a strong sense of community at the Roasterie, with local art and event postings on the walls, and a set of very colourful regulars as diverse as Kensington itself. The staff are always welcoming, happy to chat, and do their best to make you feel part of it. Order something from the Salvador Dali chalk board, read a book, meet someone new to talk to, and grab a bag of beans to go. In my opinion, it's the way a coffee shop should be. read more

The Roasterie - Just me and my Americano. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

The Roasterie is one of those extremely alternative coffee shops. It would seem that everyone who frequents there knows everyone else and they all have the same goal in mind: to take over the Roasterie once and for all. There are always so many regulars crowding the entrance and till that it's difficult to see any sort of order in the place. They don't offer very much indoor seating so there are always a lot of people just standing around. The Roasterie crowd has managed to take over all the seating outside too. There are a couple of large planters and benches in the surrounding area that always seem to be occupied by Roasterie goers. This wouldn't be such a bad thing except that these people appear to be judging the hell out of anyone who goes in... anyone they don't know anyways. It seems like a very popular place for dirty hippies and bums to hang out. Perhaps that's because the drinks are cheap and they can loiter for as long as they want outside or in. The coffee isn't really that great either. I find that even their light roast is way to strong and their specialty drinks aren't really that special. I used to enjoy going there because you could still smoke inside, but after that was banned there was no need for me to visit the place. From time-to-time I walk by and still see the same people sitting outside, in the same spot, drinking the same things. What I do find neat about the place is the service window they have to the outside. You don't even need to go inside to get your coffee. If you can manage to creep your way past the regulars and get to the window it's an easy and quick way to get your coffee. If you're brave enough, and are looking to have some so-so coffee served to you, then stroll on by the Roasterie. You'll be sure to have your needs not met, and probably encounter some bums in the process. If only they hadn't closed the Roasterie II that was just across the street. That was an awesome coffee shop! I guess people prefer poor coffee and a noisy, crowded environment instead. read more

The Roasterie - A nice example of the bummy crowd *photo credit thegauntlet.com - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

I admit that I don't go for coffee dates at the roasterie, but I love to visit. The eclectic mix of people, the smell of roasting beans and the unusual decor inside make it a fun stopover. There isn't a lot of seating, which is okay seeing as a ton of people spill out and around the building. Much of the crowd is the alterna crowd, but the baristas are always friendly, the selection is simple and the place has an authentic and community feel. I feel like when I visit the roasterie, I get a buzz on more than just coffee, it's the true community atmosphere that you can't find anywhere else. Warning: People who are uncomfortable with some unusual characters may not enjoy. read more

The Roasterie - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Finding the Roasterie is not a difficult thing to do, it's getting into it that's the difficult part. You have to hop skip and jump the myriad of legs, sneakers, bike wheels and dogs. Simply said it's where Kensington's locals love to hang out. Why? Well for one thing you can smell it from blocks away, the aroma makes you want a coffee, and the prices are unreasonable cheap. Thank god, I can still buy a good cup of coffee fewer than two dollars and it's amazing. The decor is really welcoming too, different antique grinders, and coffee bags, a grinding roaster graces the corner of the shop and glass cookie jars surround it with particular bean offerings. The staff is nice too, just plain down to earth, no Starbucks sleekness here, it's just like having coffee with a good friend and having him make it for you. Imported beans from all around the world, you have the option of buying in bulk too, very affordable and highly recommended. So have you been to the Roasterie in Kensington, yes I have bean. read more

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The Roasterie is a righteously rustic coffee joint in Kensington serving up rich, in-store roasted coffee at ridiculously low prices. I got a double Americano there for under $3 - good luck doing that at Starbucks! And good luck finding a funkier and more aromatic joint to get your java. The walls are covered with antique coffee grinders and the massive roaster at the front of the café fills the Roasterie with the seductive aroma sure to make you salivate while you wait. And you won't be alone, as the sweet aroma entices an eclectic crowd of coffee connoisseurs, from the down-and-out to the well-to-do. So if you're serious about your coffee, follow your nose down to the Roasterie - you won't be disappointed. read more

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Come on Calgary! Second coffee shop I visited where I requested a dark roast that really tastes more like a light medium roast. Warning for bold taste coffee drinker. This is not your shop to get dark roast! read more

The Roasterie - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

If you want coffee brewed with care and a lot of options for your grinds this is the place. Always busy but have been lucky enough to always get a seat when we have stopped by. Because it is a smaller space not sure if I would ever come in and spend hours working - would feel bad about taking up space for that long. Staff is always welcoming and gives you time to pick between all the delightful choices. Good at giving you some help with decision making too. Their baked goods are pretty tasty too. Love the decor. Love the space. Love that it costs less but way better than starbucks. Long live independent coffee shops! read more

The Roasterie - Baristas hard at work - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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The owner Lec is the best! The staff is efficient & friendly but I miss John, lol. They roast their own beans & have the best coffee!! Plus they even have locals bakers sell scones & other items. read more

Got some coffee to go yesterday from their adorable little takeout window. It was a BEAUTIFUL day out yesterday so I wanted to take it and walk around. I ordered the Cafe Bon Bon, which was a double shot espresso with sweetened condensed milk. The man serving me was so happy and pleasant, it made me happy! On to the coffee - oh my GAWD it was SO GOOD! Seriously strong, seriously sweet, and SERIOUSLY GOOD! I am a convert. If I am getting coffee at any place in Kensington from now on - Roasterie it is! read more

As one of the few coffee shops open late on a Sunday night, we decided to drop in and give it a try. As others have mentioned, it's different. Once we got through the stench of weed and people sitting on the sidewalk, the inside of the store was quite interesting. The walls were very decorated, which added some charm. They have a nice machine in there, but the equipment quite clearly isn't cleaned as often as I would have liked. They don't have syrups, so my wife had to get hazelnut flavoured beans instead. (For those interested, flavoured beans are usually the cheapest beans, as the infused flavours tend to cover up the crappiness of the bean.) The lattes weren't bad, but they didn't really have much taste. They were fairly bitter and "blah". On the plus side, the barista who helped us was very nice. Maybe it's because it was 9 pm on a Sunday, but I could have gotten a better latte from Starbucks. Sorry, Roasterie, but I won't be coming back. read more

Why is it that every coffee shop I've visited lately feels like it's attached to a prison? Seriously. I have heard LOTS about the Roasterie, so I headed over yesterday. One word: Yikes. Lindsay K. isn't kidding when she says that the place attracts an extremely alternative crowd. She's right - everyone who's there is a regular, and in my mind, I just can't figure out why. Sure, the location is perfect. Right in the heart of Kensington. But the buck stops there. Inside, it's nothing to write home about. It's small, it's stuffy, it's unclean, it's old looking and it doesn't seem like it's well maintained. People are sitting, laying and resting all over the coffee shop and it's just not the kind of place that I would go to either meet up with people, or to enjoy a few solo hours to myself. I can see me spending some time there if I was being punished or if someone dared me to do it, but in a happy, pleasant world, I would just walk on by like I always have. The atmosphere, the inside and the crowd just aren't my cup of tea. Ironic, isn't it? read more

Friendly staff and coffee was great! It was great to speak to someone who could give us all the information needed to make great espresso right at home! Will be returning. read more

Not the first time I've been here but YYC Hot Chocolate Fest brought me back. I love the feel of this place. It's small with only a couple seats but you can smell the coffee before you enter the cafe. It's so good! The staff are quite knowledgeable and friendly. I brought my kids in for hot chocolate and they were acknowledged and involved in the hot cocoa "conversation" vs being overlooked or ignored. They are people to! I've never had a bad experience or beverage here. It's what keeps us coming back. read more

The Roasterie reminds me of places I've visited in B.C., particularly the coast. A warm cappuccino from this shop on a cold night really hits the spot. read more

Great coffee. A real coffee place. Stopped off on a walk to read a book here. Will definitely go back here.

Well, my mocha was okay, being that the coffee had kick and it was really hot (I hate it when my coffee cools in 2 minutes), but I had no desire to sit inside. The music was way too loud and the seating is crowded. I sat outside instead, but being that there's no formal seating, I had to join the many other interesting individuals sitting on the sides of planters along the sidewalk. Thank goodness the weather was nice. My conversation was interrupted twice by sketchy strangers asking for change or the time. Aside from the uber hot beverage, there's nothing else to brag about that would entice me to go back. I do realize it's not the fault of the business that they have the crowd and foot traffic that they do, but unfortunately, the overall package is just not attractive enough for me to spend money there again. read more

You know you are in a good place when you can throw the tip at your barrista and not get taken outside. The Roasterie has been a favorite haunt of mine for about 10 years now and it will always remain one of my favorites. The coffee shop, located in ever so chiq Kensington, roasts all of their own beans so the freshness that you get out of one cup is well worth a trip across town for me. The people there are always friendly and you will see some of the same people today that were there 10 years ago, which is part of this place's charm. Definately worth skipping the "bucks" for this place :) read more

I ordered a $6 mocha with coconut milk and was really really excited about it. The coconut whip cream was great but when I had my first sip it tasted like they just put warm sugar water in my take out cup. What a disappointment I spent $6 on warm sugar water, no coffee flavour or chocolate, Yikes! Needless to say it went right into the trash. I guess I paid $6 for a bit of coconut whipped cream. My boyfriend had a coffee and it was ok, it was just really weak. I would definitely not recommend this place at all. read more

The Roasterie isn't a bad cooffe shop, it simply doesn't suit everyone. You can't argue that their coffee is very good. The atmosphere is unique to say the leastj partially run down, a little bit divey, cozy, and with a staff that marches to the beat of its their own drummer- it's the Roasterie. Most of the time you can find people of all sorts smoking outside of it- not always welcoming. at the same time many of those people are great folk, a crowd of smokerrs isn't always something you want to walk through before sitting down for a coffee. read more

I really hope the roasterie never changes. What a unique experience. Great place to come for a coffee or buy some beans. I don't live in the neighbourhood anymore but when I pass through Kensington, it's my first choice for a coffee. read more

Dog friendly and plenty of coffee options! The employees are all very helpful with any questions you may have.

What a great shop. Wide range of coffee blends to choose from. Staff are all knowledgeable in what they are selling and always there to offer suggestions and insight. They roast onsite and the smell is wonderful. read more

I just popped in here for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised. This cute little coffee shop serves deliciously fresh coffee!

Approximately 18 months ago, the owner of this establishment told me he did not want me in the store anymore because he said I knew too much about coffee. I was accused of writing a bad review, which I never did. I have no idea who wrote the review but the behaviour of the owner was sheer arrogance. Since then I thought the issue was over with. Today I was refused service because the owner told the staff that I had written a poor review and was no longer welcome. While today they get that poor review and solely for their treatment of me. My previous review is left posted below. Will somebody please correct me if they think that was a poor review. Other than a few edits and additions, it is the ONLY review I had previously written about the Roasterie. I had never given them a poor review in the past. Even if I had, if they cannot take the heat, then they should stay out of the kitchen. Some establishments I have given poor reviews; EVERY last one of them I am still welcome at. It looks like the Roasterie is the lone exception and it was for a review that I was not even the author of. Having been a judge in Barista Championships, been recognized by many professionals as having expert knowledge on the subject of coffee, and considered very supportive of the industry and helping new and established businesses to improve the quality of what they prepare and the beans they source, I can only offer the opinion that the ownership's attitude is despicable. I am truly offended. What I have experienced over the past 18 years is arrogance and management that is immune to suggestion. Lech has some amazingly good quality beans, but when roasted to below an Agtron 35, they are far too dark and the nuances of otherwise great beans are lost and take on a burnt wood profile. In the specialty coffee industry, especially among SCAA members, the trend is away from super dark roasts. In fact, what is becoming prevalent is a complete absence of darks roasts in the espresso hoppers. The Roasterie even roasts darker than Starbucks. I am extending an olive branch, I would love to see you take your business to even higher success, even enter employees in the Barista Championships. However, a business owner who is closed minded to suggestions is rather annoying. Nobody knows it all. I give this establishment 1 Star for attitude and some of the beans that should never be roasted below an Agtron 40 or 42. The quality would shine if they were lighter. read more

I am sure that all of their products and staff reflect what other people are saying. This review is somewhat different. I live a block away, and I am covered in coffee smell. Everything in my apartment smells like roasted coffee. My clothes, shoes, cat, special cat, sofa, underwear, shower cap and toothpaste smell like roasted coffee. I look out on the balcony and there is this forest fire haze of roasted coffee Stephen King mist. I have dreams at night that I am naked in a coffee shop and people are throwing beans at me while I pay $5.00 for something with foam in it with a dirty picture carved into it. Is their anyway they could microwave it instead of roasting it? My boss thinks I'm lazy because I smell like roasted coffee all the time and she thinks I'm in the coffee house all day. Aw Lawd I'ma gonna need some help. read more

Great coffee. Interesting collection of antique grinders are on display inside the shop. An interesting collection of people usually gather outside. read more

Wow, I'm an older customer of the Roasterie and I disagree with the negative comment made about this place. The coffee is freshly roasted on the premise and is excellent and this is one of the few places in town where you can buy raw coffee to roast your own. I find the staff are very helpful in explaining the roasted coffees available and how each is roasted. I guess there are a few younger artsy-type clients but that just adds to the charm of the place. I suspect the negative comment is from someone who is going thru coffee withdrawal.......Joe read more

Came here with a friend after a long winter walk- even though we were planning on going for a coffee we went for the hot chocolate, which was simple delicious! The atmosphere is welcoming and very warm with all those pots and jaws filled with coffee beans coming from all over the world read more

The best cold brew coffee I've ever come across! Pretty hippie vibe here, but very welcoming and you should not be intimidated at all.

My favorite coffee shop in Calgary, hands down. They have the best coffee in town, and I love the character of the place - down-to-earth old fashioned look. The barista of the cafe definitely knows his coffee, and I love the analogue coffee machines they have. read more

The have finest collection of green beans in Calgary, many of which are then trashed in the roasting process by the owner and his sidekick, in particular dark roasts. Their knowledge is textbook rather than having refined tasting skills. Stick your nose in their Brazilian, Dark Dominican, Dark Columbian etc. jars and you are overpowered by an aroma of carbon and charcoal. In short, their dark roasts are burnt, sometimes to a crisp. Their Sulawesi is tortured somewhat less but I always have to fish the burnt and over roasted beans out leaving a fabulous coffee with 2/3 of the original purchase. Their African coffees are generally roasted to perfection at a medium roast which brings out the best in these beans. Yemen is really not African and that bean, Mocha Matari, is quite under roasted as the bittersweet cocoa flavour does not shine until a Full City Plus roast. Hawaiian and Indonesian coffees are light roasted but many beans are yellow, somewhere between raw green and light brown, meaning a lighter than light roast. This is particularly true of the Sumatran and Kona. As for the atmosphere, its a gem, the clientele ranges from psychiatric patients on day passes, to musicians, artists, pot smokers, and on to students, including grad students working on masters and doctorate degrees. It beats Starbucks and Second Cup, hands down. Don't expect to be rubbing shoulders with stockbrokers and corporate executives, professionals such as engineers and lawyers maybe. If you are a home roaster, then you will be in paradise because they won't destroy your beans for you because you roast them yourself. read more

I love the beans from this place. I would go in just to smell them all if people wouldn't look at me funny.

By far my favorite coffee, I just moved way far south but I will still travel an hour on transit just to get a coffee.

Just pick up a pound of Cuba Coffee, Lech had told me they just got it in have not been able to get it for 2 years. It was worth the wait, enjoying a cup now and it is awesome! read more