I love this place. It's far away from home but near my office. The staff are friendly the atmosphere is cozy and the food and drinks are pretty good.
Sometimes I'll come in on the weekend just to hang out here.
This cafe is a staple of Kensington and is the best cafe around. The staff are friendly and the drinks and food are wonderful.
Great place to study and catch up with friends :) thank you to the higher ground staff!
I have been there many times already and always had a great time. Great place for hang out with friends, great coffee. I highly recommend it
sometimes my friends and I will bring scrabble and play for a while, and if I'm alone I've sat and read books for hours and the staff are so chill! it's not a get-in-get-out kinda place and it's my favorite. everything is delicious from their coffee to their desserts and especially the mac & cheese!
Always awesome service, great coffee, and delicious food selection.
A 5 everytime I go. Best coffee, best service. Recommend
Such a cute and cozy place to have a coffee and relax! Loved it!!
Such a great coffee shop located in the heart of Kensington. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, the drinks are perfection and the baked good should not be ignored. I'd come here any day and stay as long as I can
Been here a couple of times now. It's been busy both times. They have many unique teas and coffee choices and what we had was really good. Their chocolate cake is to die for and today we had the vanilla berry cake which was also really good but a bit dry. It's a pretty big slice but it is about $6 my husband and I shared every time. Not really into the hipster vibe and there are a lot of ppl just sitting there pretending to work but are actually just on fb and hogging tables.
Been coming here for year and honestly, they have amazing coffee and food. Strongly recommend the vegan chili if you're looking for an amazing meal on a cold day!
Great atmosphere to sit down and work. Decent coffee and good food albeit pricey. Usually hard to find a table any day of the week. They have rotating specialty drinks which vary from delicious to terrible - very experimental.
I can't say enough good things about Higher Ground - from the amazing coffee to huge selection of baked goods to the fact that they feature work by local artists, it's a great little coffee shop with a seriously cool vibe. Plus, service is always really friendly. If you haven't gone here already, what are you waiting for?
I came in here once when it was practically empty to order a tea, and seeing how large it was I figured it'd be a place that I could always find a seat at. Boy was I wrong, I came here with a friend on a Wednesday and it was so crowded there was nowhere for us to sit, and we basically had to create a makeshift seat at the bar. I can't complain, though. The coffee and tea I've had there was really good both times.I also had a gingerbread cheese cake and it was great. I love all the different types of lattes they offer. I got the Mount Everest one most recently and really enjoyed it. I wish it wasn't so crowded, but the coffee and tea is so good and it has a lovely atmosphere, so I can understand why it's so busy.
It's a cafe with a lot of food/snack menu in Kensington. I love the food and atmosphere in here!
Good: food, price, atmosphere
No good: none! Maybe it is very busy and hard to find seats?
What a busy, bustling place! There were tons of people, yet service was quite quick. They have an extensive menu of coffees and specialty drinks, as well as all day breakfast, sweet treats, and a variety of gluten free meal options. I opted for a half strong americano with cinnamon while my friend had the mint kombucha and the lemon coconut square. We enjoyed sitting outside in the sun! Great place to come back to and try more of their menu options.
The staff is sweet and the drinks are even sweeter (jk the staff are equally fantastic). We ordered a matcha tea latte and a white chocolate chai and both were heavenly. A little pricey but worth it for sure. Will definitely be coming here more regularly!
Great spot to either study or wine with friends... Or both! Delicious coffee and yummy treats! Warm ambience and plenty of plug ins to get and stay connected
We stopped in here after brunch one morning. The coffee here was amazing. As was their specialty Snow Dragon tea. The place was teeming with people which is always a good sign. We didn't eat here, but will definitely be coming back!
I love higher grounds!! The drinks here are so yummy especially the snow dragon, it is my go to!! I recommend it to everyone! There is also a lot of space to sit and study. My only complaint is that their internet is horrendous!
Love the ambiance of this place. The drinks are amazing, the peppermint tea latte is unreal. Also, had banana bread with cinnamon butter and it was way too good. I love coming here at Christmas time especially, it makes you feel so at home.
This is a great place to meet friends for coffee or tea. Many seating areas and very chill atmosphere. You will see a lot of students come here to study and you will see a lot of mac users as well. This is a great place to study too as it is open late.
Coffee and tea is pretty good, I like the large seating areas and the huge menu selection they have. Tried to eat here a couple of times but I would just stick to their drinks.
Great place to catch up with friends over coffee, tea and desserts. You'll find this place busy most days and nights as a lot of students from UofC & SAIT come here & hang out. Not the cleanest of the cafes due to volume of people coming in & out. Nevertheless, it is one of the coolest coffee cafes in yyc.
This cafe is a great destination for nice lunch! I have been there a handful of times and always enjoyed the food an beverages. Somehow I have always ordered the same sandwhich - a chicken sandwhich on gluten-free bread. It is fantastic! I have no idea where they get this bread, but it is one of a kind. All of the ingredients used to compile the sandwhich I had were high quality and delicious. On my last visit I wanted to order two sandwhiches because the first had me asking for an encore, but I opted for a slice of gluten-free cake instead. The menu is very accommodating. The only trouble my vegan friend had ordering from the menu was choosing between so many great options! My gluten intolerance wasn't treated as an obstical either. The staff were very friendly and worked around our needs with ease.
Cute coffee shop in Kensington. I was surprised that they have a breakfast and lunch menu and baked goods. I was always under the impression they only served drinks but I am glad I came here. A great variety of drinks to choose from. The cashier is honest, my snow dragon tea came to $4.20 and and gave me the wrong change which I didn't care for, she later came up to me with the correct change and apologized. The baristas are fast too. Much quicker than any Starbucks I've been to. Would definitely come back to try other things!
I like Higher Ground and I typically work out of here when I'm looking to get some social interaction outside of the home office.
Pros:
Good wifi
Good food
Good environment (comfy chairs)
Decent coffee (not exceptional)
Cons:
Can get noisy at times
I find the food to be pricey for a coffee shop. For example, if you get a sandwich @ $7-8, to add a side salad or soup costs another $6. For a coffee shop, I typically expect to pay less for lunch (see: Purple Perk which has good prices)
Great little spot. Been here many times, even used it as a place to study for exams and work on papers. Great coffees and the fact it's licensed makes it even better when craving a drink drink!
Easily accessible via Sunnyside C-train station. Ambience is perfect for enjoying afternoon tea and coffee and maybe even a dessert or snack! Good for studying and other paperwork, or having a relaxing conversation with buddies. Very extensive list of choice of drinks and food, which will keep me going back.
Ashley - Adventure To Anywhere
+4.5
Loved my experience at Higher Ground in trendy Kensington! The Vanilla Chai Tea Misto is to die for. Good wifi and lots of interesting people.
My favourite drink in Calgary - the dublin mist tea misto - is served here! This place can get busy at times, but it's always live and the service is super friendly.
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Amazing Mochas!. I was meeting someone for coffee when we had to change locations at the last minute and they suggested Higher Ground. Having heard of both the cafe and the Kensington area I was game to switch and give it a try.
Finding parking is difficult...I'm amazed I found a spot within easy walking distance, and the signs don't make much sense if you're from out of town. It was snowing out so definitely a good day for being inside drinking nice hot coffee! The space inside is large, warm, and it was a bit noisy but (mainly because it was absolutely packed full of people which is a good sign).
As a first time pick I decided to order the Banana Magic. Their menu is extensive but the description of "espresso, chocolate, banana, and whipped cream (chocolate)" was a must-try. The espresso was smooth and didn't have that burnt-starbucks taste which was awesome. The chocolate must be a semi-sweet dark of some sort because it was not overly sweet and balanced the banana flavour wonderfully. The chocolate whipped cream added a little extra sweetness without being too intense. All in all it was absolutely delicious and probably one of the best mochas I've had yet.
I look forward to going back and trying more flavours!
Good coffee, not a good place to hang out.. This place has good coffee and tea. I've had an iced frappe drink before, and it was good, as well as the Snow Dragon tea, which was amazing!
If you're going to get something from there, though, I suggest getting it to go. The place is always packed, full of people who take up a four person table with just their laptops, and I assume that it's difficult for the staff to get any cleaning done when there's so many people. Not a fun place to hang out if you don't like crowds, or being in a tight space.
This is the best coffee shop I have been to in Calgary. The menu is extensive with all sorts of drinks and food. They have awesome sweets to go with your coffee. Next time I will order a breakfast burritto as I have heard great things about it. I really like the fact that they display and sell art from local artists. Cheers! I will be back soon.
FAVORITE. My favorite coffee shop in Calgary set right in my favorite community in Calgary Kensington...
Great coffee. A very nice coffee shop in trendy kensington.. good place for a cozy and quiet time to read over a good cup of java..
Favourite Coffee Shop. I have been coming here for over a decade. I love how they refuse to let the Starbucks next door intimidate them. I recently tried their BLT salad, which was amazing. They have a wonderful atmosphere and have consistently been awesome for the last 10 years. I also recommend trying their chocolate whipped cream on one of their fancy coffees if you have a sweet tooth - it's to die for.
Cozy hangout. I've been coming here for a while and have always loved it. Sometimes I miss the nice outdoor patio they used to have, but, it being Calgary, it makes more sense to have more indoor space. I've only really had food from here once (their Mac n' Cheese) and it was tasty. More often, I just come here for a warm, tasty beverage and a place to relax and hang out for a bit. My personal favorite is the Snow Dragon, especially on a cool autumn day! Also, their ginger cream cookies are delicious, but I have noticed they have decreased in size dramatically in the past bit (including the filling- the best part!). Still, I much prefer this place than any other commercial establishment (such as Starbucks two doors down). If you're ever in the area, definitely check it out!
Amazing Hangout. This place has a welcoming and warm atmosphere. Drinks are at Starbuck's prices but you get a far less commercial feel that makes it worth it. Fantastic place to take a date or catch up with a friend.
My favourite place for a tea or smoothie. The atmosphere is fantastic, the service is always great and hours are ideal.The tables could do with a wipe more regularly but otherwise a thumbs up all round :)
This used to be my favourite coffee shop in Kensington but I think it's gone down hill in the last couple of years. It's really inconsistent now; both the drinks and baked goods. The food is overpriced and it's always really dirty in the seating area.
Fix your wifi. I made a special trip to study here and your Internet never works. Won't be back
Simply great. This is my neighbourhood coffee place and my go to coffee place. All of the drinks are great and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable.
Not there yet. I'm new to Calgary and in desperate need of places that will substitute Edmonton's Leva, Transcend and Remedy. Tried Higher Ground, and it's good, atmosphere is nice (very Kensington), but not that special, and espresso beverages are decent, not the best.
If anyone lived in both cities and knows what I'm talking about when I mention the three places above, and knows of comparable places in Calgary, please please please send me an email oplap@hotmail.com
Always a good place to sit with some friends, sip on some coffee/tea, and enjoy some easy conversation. Atmosphere is relaxed & the tea/coffee is good.
Good coffee place. Food excellent but pricey and small portions. wireless and hard wired internet connections. overall, a pretty decent coffee house with pleasant service.
A Place to Be. A place to spend mornings, afternoons and evenings, Higher Ground is a hot spot that offers comforts to all variety's of life. Food is catered to all requests - vegetarian nights are a common occurrence - and the soups and sandwiches are ripe with fresh, hand made ingredients. Go there for the drinks, go there for the food, and most importantly, go there for the memories you will soon walk out with.
Great Coffee, Great Service, Great Atmosphere. You can tell when you enter a family owned resteraunt, because the atmoshphere is so nice and it makes you feel like you are always a regular. The people who work there take time to talk to you and make you feel good about yourself. The resteraunt was very clean and the selection was great, I would DEFINATELY reccomend it.
It was Okay.. I enjoyed my evening out with friends here...I did not think it was all it was cracked up to be though.
They had a vegan chef serving a three course meal..she has since moved on to KAWA.
I hated it, but my vegan friend thought it was pretty good. Overall my food was a little overpriced, but I loved the atmosphere! And the staff/ patrons were friendly.
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Great for a casual weekend lunch. I visited this place today for a casual lunch with a girlfriend. I apologize to anyone reading this who wants a review on the coffee or tea. I don't drink coffee or tea, so it's just comments on the food.
I ordered the Cheese Dream sandwich. Oh my goodness it was just that... a CHEESE DREAM. It was absolutely fantastic. They make their sandwiches fresh to order. The Cheese Dream is monterey jack, cheddar cheese, red onion, tomato and a garlic aioli all loaded into an Italian flatbread and then grilled to perfection. It sounds like one of those sandwiches that you might think would make you feel sick after eating it, but it was just the right size for a quick lunch.
I also ordered a homemade oreo stuffed cookie. That means it was a cookie with oreo crumbling on top and baked with a whole oreo cookie on the inside of it. It was ok, nothing to write home about. It wasn't hard but it could have been softer. It seemed a little pricey for the size of it. I think the idea of an oreo inside a cookie is still genius, and I'm going to try to make it one of these days...
The staff was very friendly. They seemed like they wanted to be there, instead of people just coming to work because they have to. It was busy when I went, but of course it was a Sunday in Kensington. It's not a handicap accessible place; there are stairs at the front of the building, hence the name Higher Ground.
A few things I liked about this place:
- There was a self serve water station located to the left of the cashiers with glasses. I think that's a great idea, people don't have to stand in line to get something that's free as well as important (to me anyways).
- Even though I'm not a coffee drinker, there was a lot of visible selection.
- Lots of selection of dessert as well (which will always guarantee my return)
- If you order a sandwich or something else that needs to be prepared, they give you this large wooden statue of a spoon and it has a number on it. You take your spoon to your table and they bring you your dish, instead of yelling out your order for you to come pick it up. This is great, because it avoids there being a large crowd of people hanging around next to the cashiers to get there food and drinks.
I would visit this place again.
Coffee and reasonable extras. Coffee is my number 1 prerequisite to any new day. So I can be picky...
The coffee here is not bad. It certainly wins over Tim's or Starbucks.
At $5 I also checked out the Mac N Cheese and found it edible.
The worst you can say about Higher Ground is that the 'wannabe' trendy set love to frequent it and speak loudly about their artistic endeavours. If you can endure that, it's a comfortable retreat.
Good coffe but filthy place. Yes, it's full of cool hipsters. It's not super clean (tables are not taken care of very quicly). Toilets are gross. There is a queue that is not really justified. Their coffees are good (I love the banana magic) but it is Kensington so you have to expect people (lots) and quite a significant amoung of self-importance.
Good to chill. I like higher ground. Esp. in the winter. Coffee is good. Only had a few mess ups... Im sure they were by newbies to the game.
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Very respectable coffee joint. Lets keep this basic:
Good things:
- Very good coffee; it's roasted frequently, roasted well, and is both fair trade and organic, which is great for the eco-concerned and humanitarians amongst us. No, this is not a super-snobby espresso bar, as the fellow below who called this place "crap" seems to have thought it was. That said, it's certainly well above average, and as others have said, far better than the Starbucks next door, providing you want REAL coffee, and not mass-produced artery-clogging crap.
- Decent menu. The food at coffee places is often limited to mass-produced and sugar-filled garbage. None of that seems to exist here, as even their baked goods (while not particularly healthy) are at least fresh and on-site made... oh, and they're tasty! The place also offers a small but quite edible "lunch" selection, as well as a few relatively tasty sharing plates for the after 4 p.m. crowd.
- Ambiance. Very comfy. Large fireplace in the center, lots of tables spread out enough to not make one feel crowded, and a number of comfy padded chairs for the lucky ones who arrive when the place isn't packed. The whole place has a slightly dark and "homey" atmosphere - very relaxing.
Cons:
- "Hit and miss" barristas. This is probably the biggest complaint I have. Some of the barristas clearly have a good deal of experience and/or training, but some others really have no idea what they're doing, and I do mean NO idea. I've had lattes served to perfection (even with some "latte art"), and I've had ones that were quite literally espresso with milk dumped in them.
- Slow on the clean-up. I'll attribute this to the fact that the place is fairly large, as coffee shops go, and the fact that they never seem to have a huge amount of staff around. It's never too long to get some food or coffee, but they seldom send anyone 'round to clean up tables promptly. I've walked in sometimes, and from the mess/items left on tables, simply assumed that people were still sitting there, only to see that the stuff is still sitting there when I leave 30 minutes later.
All in all, a very nice and fairly upscale coffee joint. The hit and miss barrista-ing is a bit of a bother, as is the somewhat spotty cleaning at times, but the overall quality of the coffee and food and the very relaxed atmosphere more than compensate.
Strongly recommended.
Not crap. This is a pleasant coffee house with a good selection of teas. The coffee is definitely not the finest but it is good and way better than the Starbucks next door. (Other than convenience why do people go to Starbucks ugh!!). I will remain a regular.
Great Coffee. Great coffee! The guy who calls it crap I would guess likes Tim H or is maybe even a Beano fan........need I say more.
Love em'. I must visit Higher Ground when I am in Kensington. Love their jasmine tea and caramel peacan brownie. A great place to just relax. wonderful staff.
Great place to go for coffee and a bite to eat. They also have a beer, wine, and liquor selection if you're looking for an evening drink.
The Cafe Rolo is one of Higher Ground's specialty coffees made with espresso, hot chocolate, caramel and whipped cream. It one quite delicious and it's definitely sweet enough. The whipped cream is also a home made chocolate one which really adds lot of flavour to the coffee. I normally don't order drinks with whipped cream, but this was my special case scenario! I had it and loved it!
On Tuesday afternoon I had an appointment with a young client who lived in the Kensington area and we decided to meet at Higher Ground Cafe. This very cool cafe has a lot to offer. Lots of seating, cozy location in a character building, and a very extensi
A great social coffee house feel! You can choose a more open table or a nook off to the side. I liked the service as it was friendly and quick! Good feel amongst the people there.
The desserts along with the coffee was great! Not crazy sweet but full of flavour. Would return!
Beautiful place, cozy and very friendly staff. Tried the Lavender peppermint herbal tea and it is so relaxing π. You can reload hot water on your drink for free ππ
Great place. Well located, βeasyβ parking, a great variety any time of the day.
Spacious and great covid protocols. Loved all the skylights and the two or three tables right by the window for people watching on the main street. Friendly service and delicious coffee. Washrooms available.
Minus a star because the wooden chairs were really uncomfortable. They're tilted way back that even with my backpack shoved down my back I was struggling to sit up straight/comfortably to be able to be in a good position to write in my book. Perhaps a mix of random chair styles would be better so people can somewhat choose their own. Or maybe it was intentional so you don't stay too long π€·ββοΈ
Either way, I'll be back!
It's a little bit on the hipster trendy side. But the quality of the drinks and food are quite good is arquite good. I wouldn't say it's a great place to work or study I'd say it's much more of a social coffee house kind of experience. I would recommend bringing in a physical copy of your ID because they are fairly strict about that.
Fpr the chill coffee crowd. Its a smaller place but its cozy atmosphere invites you to sit and chill for a while. There are good desserts for the gluten free as well as regular. The teas a lovely and aromatic and their staff is nice. A place to go if you just want to sit and chill, with a friend or by yourself.
Parking is a natural challenge by the fact that its in Kensington, nut the walk to the cafe is worth it even on the cold days.
I just got into drinking coffee a few weeks ago and have been to some great places in Calgary. Higher Ground is clearly the best!! The coffee here is incredible!! I love my classic order of an Americano!!
The best thing about Higher Ground are the amazing cakes that they offer!! You have to try the chocolate and carrot cake!!
Finally, itβs so chill and relaxed in here which is what ever coffee shop should be like!!
Excellent coffee and a cool, hipster feel to this wonderful cafe. I haven't tried the sweets yet but they look scrumptious. Highly recommended, friendly-atmosphere, open-later cafe in Kensington!
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