Hidden Gem: Congress Coffee

At the east end of an unassuming strip mall in Calgary’s Greenview Industrial area is a delicious little time warp called Congress Coffee. Created by long-time Calgarian arts fixture Johanna Schwartz and partner Nick Papai, the café is modeled after a ’90s coffee house and pays homage to the local live music scene from those days up until today with regular live music programming on the café stage.

The décor is brilliant with gig posters from the Republik, Night Gallery and other clubs of yore as well as vintage furniture, custom art pieces and a ton of other memorabilia that will keep your eyes popping from one thing to the next as you enjoy a great cup of coffee by roast master Shawn McDonald of Paradise Mountain Organic Coffee.

The menu is sandwich-focused with options for vegans and meat-eaters alike with the turkey being a best seller. This yummy sandwich features roasted turkey, dried cranberries, house-made pesto, cream cheese and green apple, served on grilled ciabatta.

With regular, community-based music, poetry, film and art programming, Congress is destined to become a popular hub in this up-and-coming part of the city.

Congress Coffee | 1A 215 36th Ave. N.E. | 403.452.7320 | congresscoffeeyyc.com