A new cafe/coffeehouse recently opened this year on 17th Ave called Philosafy Coffee. It’s a bit daunting to compete with some of Calgary’s more famous cafe names like Analog and Cafe Beano, but Philosafy is on its way to becoming a reputed cafe in Calgary!
Philosafy is a great place for your me-time, socializing with friends, or even working/studying. We went to Philosafy on a Friday evening, and was pleasantly surprised how relatively empty it was. Comparatively, if you visit Analog or Waves, they would definitely be full at this time. Despite it being on 17th Ave, Philosafy is quite cozy and comfortable. The decor was very nice; it was modern & clean but also chic. The overall look and atmosphere of the cafe is welcomed and doesn’t come off as pretentious.
Here, we ordered an iced americano, a hot chocolate and the classic latte. The americano was nothing to brag about but it was refreshing for me. The latte was sweetened, which was very disappointing! Some people may like that, but for a coffee lover like me, it’s a big no-no. My other friend ordered the hot chocolate (since she’s a chocolate lover); however, she found the hot chocolate to be a bit too sweet. You can probably ask for less sweetener when you order, but our first drinks weren’t exactly good first impressions.
Sometimes, the mood of a cafe is ruined by the incessant blasting of the music. However, at Philosafy, they tone down the music to an acceptable level. You can talk with your friends without having to overpower the music. Because it is also relatively new, it’s pretty quiet as not much people come in…yet. Overall, Philosafy is a great cafe on 17th Ave. Visit now before it gets too packed!
Recommended? Yes, especially if the other cafes are full.
COST: Normal. As with most other cafes, prices for drinks are rather normal. Expect to pay around $5 for a large latte or cappuccino. They also serve baked goods which are also normally priced (about $3 – $5 per item).
TASTE: Okay. The iced Americano was refreshing and had a sour taste, but that’s expected from an iced drink. The latte, however, was disappointing because it was sweetened. Normal lattes should not be sweetened, so I don’t know why they sweetened their’s at Philosafy. Similarly, the hot chocolate was also too sweet for our liking. Perhaps next time, ask for no sugar/sweetener?
ACCESSIBILITY: Easy. Philosafy is conveniently on 17th Ave in Uptown Calgary. There are public transportation options nearby, or you can walk from the train stations in downtown or even from Victoria Park station. Parking is a bit of a hassle so beware if you want to drive down here.
ATMOSPHERE: Very nice. Philosafy’s decor is very modern-chic. There are a lot of tables and patio seats for your liking, and enough power sockets for your laptop, if need be. They also have a small library should you want to just sit down and read while sipping some coffee. It’s also a great place to meet up with friends since it’s not too loud. Because it’s a new cafe, it doesn’t get too busy but I suspect that will change in the near future as more people hear about Philosafy.
SERVICE: 8/10. The staff is really friendly at Philosafy and will answer any questions you have. Also a major plus since they can even bring your drink to you if you decide to sit down!
Philosafy Coffee
Address: 632 17th Avenue SW, Calgary AB
Phone: (403) 918 – 4017
Hours:
- Monday: 7AM – 10PM
- Tuesday: 7AM – 10PM
- Wednesday: 7AM – 10PM
- Thursday: 7AM – 11PM
- Friday: 7AM – 11PM
- Saturday: 7AM – 11PM
- Sunday: 7AM – 11PM
Website: www.philosafy.com
This is not a sponsored post.