Square 1 Coffee - Aspen Gardens — Restaurant in Edmonton

A charming neighbourhood coffee shop situated just south of the Whitemud and east of the Rainbow Valley, Square 1 embodies the quintessential features of the postmodern artisanal bean house: chalkboard menus, hardwood flooring, exposed incandescent lightbulbs, and an eclectic décor straddling the line between rustic farmhouse and Victorian fleamarket. To some, these particularities may illicit a sense of skeptical confusion: “what is the theme?” “why is half of this place a gift shop?” “can I play with that crokinole board?”. While we asked ourselves the same questions, it is perhaps best to simply enjoy the creative aesthetic of Square 1, especially in a sea of unoriginal Seattle coffee shop clones.

Our refreshments included an “adventurous style” pour-over and a Chai tea latte. The pour-over possessed distinctive notes, reminiscent of a tropical plant roasted and then ground. The Chai tea latte managed to convey sweet spiciness while steering clear of imitating Remedy’s well-known counterpart. Other options aside from the standard coffee fare included an assortment of locally crafted beer and sandwiches. The service was excellent, striving to connect with the customer on a personal level that encouraged repeat visitation.

Visitors concerned about COVID-19 restrictions can be assured that their safety will be prioritized at Square 1, with clean washrooms and more than sufficient spacing between seats. This bears the caveat that seating is limited at this time, so guests should plan accordingly; individuals with mobility issues may struggle with the narrow doorway. The atmosphere conveyed a soft ambiance, with music noticeable yet not disruptive. With that being said, there was very little natural lighting, and the diverse fixtures present in the store (including a chandelier, exposed bulbs, lighted mason jars, and industrial lamps) may prove too dim for some.

Square 1 provides excellent accessibility for residents of Aspen Gardens and the surrounding area, and the Century Park LRT station is a reasonable distance from the shop. However, this location is notably distant from central urban areas/attractions, making it a more suitable choice for quieter meetings and slower dates. Overall, Square 1 provides an atmosphere of understated simplicity augmented by enjoyable drinks and thoughtful...

Disappointed Experience Despite High Expectations I visited this café based on my wife's glowing recommendation — she previously had a great experience here and encouraged me to try it myself. Unfortunately, my visit didn’t meet those expectations. I ordered a coffee, a sandwich, and a pastry at the counter. Before ordering, I specifically asked what was in the sandwich, and the staff member told me it included chicken, eggs, and cheese. That sounded great, so I went ahead. However, when the sandwich arrived, I noticed it also contained bacon — something I don’t eat due to dietary restrictions. I went back to the counter to address the issue, but the original staff member wasn’t available. I explained the situation to another staff member, who then informed her. Her response? “But it does have bacon.” No apology, no ownership, and no effort to resolve the mistake. She seemed annoyed and dismissive rather than helpful. Thankfully, another staff member stepped in, listened to my concern, and offered to replace the sandwich, which I appreciated. However, when the original sandwich was returned to the first staff member, she angrily threw the sandwich angrily and gave me a cold, unfriendly look. She then handed me the new sandwich with noticeable hostility, nearly tossing it at me. This experience left me feeling unwelcome and frustrated. It’s disappointing when a place known for good service falls short in basic communication and courtesy. Sadly, I won’t...

I promise this is not a biased review… although, note that I do live in one of the adjacent neighbourhoods to this café.

Square 1 coffee is my favourite café in the city and I frequent many “cute cafés”, especially in the Central neighbourhood downtown. Square 1 is quite a busy spot and it is sometimes difficult to get seating at all due to the neighbourly traffic, however, it is absolutely worth checking out! I swear!

Square 1 sells artisan goods and crafts that I frequently purchase as gifts… I especially love the stickers! Shout out to the artist(s?) who creates those stickers because they are so creative and sweet. I’ve also purchased a gooseneck tea kettle and an origami single cup pour-over brew system… my only regret is the single cup option I chose is not enough for me! I definitely drink more caffeine in a single cup, so I will be back to purchase a larger brewing system soon… lol

One quick shout out to the artist/barista Hannah who made the most precious and sweet happy face art on a hot chocolate for a child. I was sitting at the two-seater “bar” because there was no seating available and I watched her execute the art with passion and expertise. It was amazing! 5 stars to you, Hannah!

Anyway, I am so glad Square 1 came to the area a few years back because it really needed a welcoming and friendly community café, and Square 1 do it so well! Please check them out and see for yourself! The vibes are super positive. You won’t be...