

Second Cup and Starbucks aside, (c'mon now, we all know they are the similar everywhere), here is a tribute to my ten favorite small businesses in e-town.

Cute and quaint, this little cafe is so Italian they close on Sundays and have the family running the show. In fact, they refused to buy paper cups for the first year of their operations; cafe, they told me, was for enjoying while seated, not on the go! Expensive but delicious, their paninis are also a carboholic's delight!
Just steps away from the University of Alberta campus, this perfect little cafe serves up $4 small cappuccinos, flatbread pizzas and gelato. Sunday breakfast is (tiny) but great, too. Mmmm, gelato!
Open till midnight! Finally, somewhere other than Tim Hortons is open late! Second Cup lives in my heart as they allow me to take my needed coffee break after late night tutoring sessions, closing at 11pm. Midnight - that's unheard of for such a mid-size city. Thank you, Remedy, for your curry Indian-fusion inspired cuisine, giant cake slices, interesting musical mix and great service. One note for improvement though - expand so you can have more chairs. It's so crowded!
Formerly a Caffe Sorrentino franchise, this Italian family "mangiaria cafe" has good pasta (I've heard), decent Paninis (hello, cheat meal!) and small but smooth cappuccinos. What's really great it, just click here, you can print off a coupon for a free latte!
La Pasta - University, HUB Mall
Italian Centre Cafe - 104th Street & 51 Avenue
Transcend - Argyll Road or University area
While I have to admit I haven't been to their newest location, the Argyll location used to house their coffee production. Produced right here in Edmonton, AB, this coffee has a defined, unique taste. It's indescribable - you'll have to go give it a try. They travel the world, pick out the best coffees, and learn to brew them here. Their store is visually appealing and reasonably priced. Again, cafe owners that do webcrawling, here's a piece of criticism - service is SLOW. Not sure if that is intentional!
Bogani Cafe - 111th Street & 23rd Avenue, Southside
Axis Cafe - 108th Street downtown
Blue Chair Cafe - Avonmore neighbourhood
The Mainstreams
Second Cup - Riverbend Square: Janice and I spend our Sunday nights studying together, her for a Library Science masters and me for a Teaching English masters. Go bookworms! I have to say the Riverbend second cup is the best in the city - it's the biggest, quietest and best serviced. Two little flaws though (ahem, cafe owners, you use blogcrawlers, right? ;) - you need more electrical outlets and you need to get that sweet free latte with $30 gift card promotion the other locations have :)
Starbucks - Mundane and efficient, Starbucks definitely has made its mark in the business world globally. I prefer the Canadian alternative, but I will admit that Starbucks' vanilla beats even the Torani syrup at Second Cup. Torani's caramel sugar free is definitely better than Starbucks' though - although the Monin syrup used at most Italian cafes tops them all!
Caffe Sorrentino - Popping up in South Common, West Edmonton Mall and other megaplex shopping centres, Cafee Sorrentino is an overpriced but decent cafe.
Steeps Tea House - University Area While this is also a chain, I'm sure calling it a coffee shop is against its mandate - but wow those Chocolate Chai lattes are amazing!
As I make this list, I realize how small Edmonton is- can I barely name ten worthy cafes in the entire city? (Coffee Snob, I know) There is a new one, Credo Coffee on 104th street downtown I'd love to try, but they are only open during banker's hours! Nevertheless, the ten cafes listed have their charm and bring a smile to my face in the midst of the stressful end of semester, tutoring, paper editing, end of year madness! Not to mention, they all provide welcome warmth from a wintery hell. Stay tuned for an upcoming Christmas post on my favorite cafes worldwide (there are a lot!!)
So, with a candy cane or gingerbread latte in your hand, welcome in the December Christmas season. This Coffee Snob wishes you warm and Happy Holidays!
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