BOXCAR COFFEESHOP — Restaurant in Northern Mature Area

First Impressions.

Boxcar is a beautiful space located on the North side of the CN Railway station. The attention to detail is quite impressive, with a look that is original to them. They definitely spruce up the block and boast a beautiful patio to boot. Aesthetics aside, the main reason to go to a coffee shop missed the mark. Unfortunately what seemed to be a training period left us with a less than impressive coffee experience. The latte, milk overly and improperly steamed, made for a separated bubbly drink with a thick foam…instead of a smooth, velvety consistency that you can drink within the first five minutes of it being made. The Americano….bold, burnt, harsh. I have to admit that I was disappointed with their selection of coffee roasters. With such a high end vibe, they chose a less than average bean by “Anecdote”. For those who aren’t familiar Square One roasts this bean. A focus more harsh than it is flavourful. I must admit that Boxcar does make it better then them though. The second star was lost to the service. Although upon arrival the individual helping was quite “cheerful” shall we say, they became very overwhelming with a somewhat pushy, scripted intensity. They rattled off every single drink that they sold, without leaving any sort of gap for us to actually speak. Once our drinks were ordered, they began the overwhelming push of additional dessert/food items. I do understand the need to upsell and promote more sales, although there are much better techniques and ways of presenting these things that aren’t so forced. Not only was it the awkward ordering experience, it was the fact that no one actually checked on us to see how things were. As I said there seemed to be staff training at this time, with three people crowding the espresso machine…though this is no excuse, as I would assume that during the opening stages it would be important for a business to know how their products are coming out, as well as to train their staff to make these table check-ins. Perhaps delegating one of the staff members to work on promotions and rapport while giving much needed one on one coffee training to the other? As I said, first impressions. I’ll change my review if I see the improvements...

I recently stumbled upon a hidden gem of a coffee shop in North Edmonton known as The Boxcar. Nestled in the historic neighborhood of Calder, renowned for its ties to the CN railway, the shop's interior décor perfectly captures the essence of its surroundings. While seating indoors is limited, they offer outdoor tables for warm weather enjoyment.Arriving around noon, I found that a couple of breakfast menu items were already sold out. Opting to explore this new spot instead of my usual Starbucks, I was disappointed to discover they didn't offer soy milk or hazelnut flavoring due to space constraints. However, the staff kindly recommended their oat latte, which was skillfully crafted and adorned with a charming heart design, a delightful touch absent from mainstream chains like Starbucks.Moreover, they provide complimentary internet access and a small selection of bakery items. Keep in mind that seating is limited to 90 minutes, ideal for a quick catch-up over coffee. On both of my visits, finding a seat was a challenge, underscoring the need for potential expansion to accommodate the growing popularity of this spot among locals.Despite the minor setbacks, I look forward to experiencing their outdoor patio on my next visit. Thanks for developing our neighborhood. My only real complaint is towards the city of Edmonton and their taking away of street parking. I’m not sure if they want us to ride our bicycles to the shop They’re trying to develop those stores, but there is little...

A Bohemian coffeehouse with a warm, relaxed vibe. The space is cleverly designed with a mix of seating options — cozy booths, café tables, and outdoor benches shaded by umbrellas — so you can settle in whether you’re there to work, chat, or just sip and watch the world go by. The railway-themed décor is inviting and unique, filled with thoughtful details that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a little pocket away from the everyday rush.

Despite being very busy during our visit, the staff remained friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better.

We tried the matcha flight: strawberry matcha, peach matcha, mango matcha, and a regular matcha latte. The standout for us was the strawberry matcha — refreshing and perfectly balanced. A close second was the regular matcha latte, classic and comforting. Mango matcha came in third, and unfortunately, the peach matcha didn’t quite hit the mark for our tastes.

We really appreciated that the matcha was prepared in the traditional way — whisked fresh and not just from a pre-mixed packet — which made a noticeable difference in both flavor and texture.

Overall, a lovely spot that blends creative flair with comfort. We’ll definitely be back to try more of the menu — and maybe grab a sunny seat...