The Roasterie — Restaurant in Calgary

The Roasterie is an institution in coffee in Calgary. Well not really, it's a shabby hole in the wall over in Kensington, which was trendy at one time, because they had cafe au lait in cheap bowls at high temperatures that would burn the customers for an expensive price. So it was different from the Lido, up the street, the same Chinese food greasy spoon that you find in every Alberta small town, where the farmers gather to complain and therefore became a thing. Taken over by drug dealers and sordid types, with anxious and hostile mental problems, the trendy, aka people with jobs, moved on to the new arising competition, where they could have comfortable seats and the staff would not burn them. I moved on as well, as my habits changed and I dropped cigarettes, the place was and remains a haven for tobacco users, you can't sit outside without getting a lungful of second hand smoke. That was some 15 years ago and not much has changed. A new generation of new age nonsense recruiters have moved in and taken up residence, that's about it. They come in and spew tobacco breath and b.o. and patchouli oil. The notion of shared tables, if you are sitting by yourself reading and writing, is in force and you may find yourself with one of these creatures at your table, offended when you ask him to not roll joints at your table, or ask her for evidence for her beliefs on the afterlife, which she is spouting whether you want it or not. Offended they move on to sit and stare in anxious hostility until she, a cougar and a narcissist, unites with one of her cubs, and he, a flaming co-dependent, finds someone else to glom onto, as he can't stand being alone. Lovely. The staff is surly. I mean they don't even say thanks if you leave them a tip. They are the usual mix of university students and people mostly unemployable due to mental health issues, such as OCD. So they work cheap. One gentleman feels the need to organize every conversation he is within earshot of. Intrusion is the name of the game at the good ol roast. The place is shabby beyond belief, the owner is considered by the other business people as disrespectful to his clients, as he makes a living off them yet won't even install blinds on the windows or enforce cleanliness standards. I took my own cup as I don't see the staff washing hands very often, and they like to grab the cups around the rims before you put it to your lips. One day the owner said, ya I've got the flu, shrug, everyone here has it. The coffee is mundane, bitter, oily, considering what is available these days, even from the grocery store, it's low grade. But it's roasted right there you can see it being done, and the smoke intrudes into the neighborhood, like the customers and the staff, intruding into whatever you are doing, with their tobacco breath b.o. and mental issues. It's all very odd, sort of a adult day care for the mentally/emotionally challenged. I highly recommend, well, anywhere...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Roasterie and I must say, it was an experience to remember! From the moment I walked in, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the warm welcome from the staff made me feel right at home. ☕👩‍🦱👋

The menu had an excellent selection of breakfast and lunch items, all made with fresh and high-quality ingredients. I decided to try the avocado toast, which was topped with a perfectly poached egg and a sprinkle of feta cheese. The toast was crispy on the outside, and the avocado was mashed to perfection. 😋🍞🥑

My dining partner had the breakfast sandwich, which was a generous portion of bacon, egg, and cheese on a buttery croissant. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options, which I thought was a great touch. 🥓🧀🥐

What really stood out to me was the coffee. As a coffee lover, I can honestly say that The Roasterie has some of the best coffee I've ever had. The beans are freshly roasted in-house, and the baristas really know their stuff when it comes to brewing the perfect cup. ☕👌🏼😍

Overall, I would highly recommend The Roasterie to anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying breakfast or lunch. The food and coffee were exceptional, and the service was top-notch. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes! 👍🏼👏🏼💯 My...

The Roasterie is my go-to coffee spot in Kensington, based largely on three things: its hours, its quality, and its service.

The fact that The Roasterie is open until 10 on most nights makes it the perfect pit-stop at the beginning of a night out. The seats both outside and in offer some great spots to chill by yourself or mingle with friends and strangers, and the street-side window is amazing if you're riding by on your bike.

The quality of the coffee is incredible. It is roasted in house (which is the gorgeous smell you get walking down that part of 10th St) and every member of staff there can walk you through what you're looking for. Even the simplest of drinks, like a brewed coffee, are absolutely delicious. I recommend the Danish Breakfast blend, by the way.

Finally, the service is wonderful. As I mentioned above, everyone is available to assist and chat with you, but also friendly and interested. It's easy to strike up a great conversation with the staff, and they are always happy to answer questions.

A staple shop for coffee in Kensington, and well worth...