The first thing you'll notice isn't actually the café. It's the cracked staircase leading up to it. Not exactly the grand entrance you'd expect before your morning coffee, but once you're inside, the atmosphere changes completely.
Exposed brick walls, warm lighting, and decor that feels somewhere between an old coffee roastery and a speakeasy. There are interesting details everywhere you look without the space feeling cluttered. It's the kind of café that makes you want to stay for another drink instead of grabbing your coffee and running out the door.
One thing that immediately stood out is that Kaffa roasts its own beans in house. That's always a promising sign.
I started with their Brazilian coffee, which the staff told me is their most popular roast.
I understood why after the first sip.
It's smooth, naturally sweet, and doesn't need cream or sugar to be enjoyable. Personally, I tend to prefer coffees with a little more body and a bolder roast, so I'd probably try something darker on my next visit. That said, I can absolutely see why this is their bestseller. It's an incredibly approachable cup of coffee that most people would enjoy.
The Nitro Cold Brew didn't quite reach the same level.
The flavour was good, but nitro coffee is all about texture. It should have that creamy, cascading mouthfeel that comes from the nitrogen infusion. This one felt like it was missing those tiny micro bubbles that make nitro coffee special. It wasn't bad by any means. It just left us wanting a little more.
The Elderflower Gin Sour was another drink with a lot of potential.
The flavours worked well together, but I think presentation could take it from good to memorable. Serving it over ice with a freeze dried raspberry or blueberry garnish would make it look every bit as good as it tastes. A straw on the side would also be a nice touch. They're small details, but they're the kind of details that elevate a cocktail experience.
The Tuna Melt was exactly the kind of comfort food I hoped it would be.
They weren't shy with the onions, which immediately earned my approval. If I had one suggestion, it would be to add a little more cheese to balance the tuna. I'd also love to see capers make an appearance. They'd cut through the richness perfectly and take an already good sandwich to another level.
Then again, I'm fully aware I'm a bit of a tuna melt snob.
One thing I do want to mention is how the staff handled a mistake.
When ordering, we discussed gluten free options with our server. We intentionally ordered a gluten free dish, but the first plate that arrived wasn't actually gluten free.
To their credit, the staff apologized immediately and replaced it without hesitation once it was brought to their attention. Mistakes happen in every restaurant, and they handled the situation professionally.
That said, dietary restrictions deserve extra attention. For many people, gluten isn't a preference. It's a medical necessity. Taking that extra moment to double check before a plate leaves the kitchen can make all the difference.
The service throughout the rest of the visit was warm, friendly, and attentive. Everyone we interacted with genuinely seemed happy to have us there, and that always adds to the experience.
Now, a quick note that has absolutely nothing to do with Kaffa Roaster & Studio.
Driving through this area is an exercise in patience. Calling it fucking dumb almost feels generous. Between the one way streets, awkward intersections, construction, random lane changes, and turns that appear to exist purely out of spite, simply getting to your destination becomes part of the adventure. The University of Alberta is home to some of the brightest engineering minds in the country. It's a shame none of them seem to have been consulted when this section of Edmonton was designed.