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Steeps the Urban Teahouse
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Steeps the Urban Teahouse
11 reviews in English
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Review from Cassandra D.
Calgary, AB
4/28/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Hiya Steeps old friend. I've been going to you for years now & you never disappoint. Even brag to others about ya. At one point I even belonged to a social website "tea" group & would arrange meets here. In my jaunts here I've introduced you to many a folk. Lately it's been for first dates & every single person I've brought along has been impressed. I try to describe you as taking a visit to Gramma's house lol. Kinda but not really.
The bulk tea selection is massive!! For indecisive people, this can be an issue lol. Definitely a bonus though, as it demands more frequent visits. Once you taste the delicious flavors you'll never go back to buying tea from bags. Soooo very addictive! I find the large size pot usually too big. Good thing is you can get re-fills of hot water. Price seems very reasonable to me. They don't have a massively large selection of food. So if you're hungry, not the best place to come. Little snacks is more like it. They also have free wi fi YAY!
Staff has always been very helpful. They take care of the crowds that sometimes occur. Are also very knowledgeable in a very chill way.
Location is conveniently nestled pretty much off of 17th Avenue SW. Close to bus routes. People that have met me owning vehicles have always been able to find street parking.
For me the few downsides are:1/ There's only one washroom. Always seems to be taken. A hint, the key for it is attached to a copper tea pot usually found on a bookshelf(hm think it is) outside of the door(sorta). 2/ The chairs are not comfy
3/ There is only one plug to connect your laptop or cell charger to.
If you want a really relaxed atmosphere to meet people socially or even just unwind on your own check it out. I also frequent here to do some writing. It's also fun to bring dates then browse together through the tea types. You can "sometimes" learn alot about people this way. Their tea selection is amazing & tastes delicious!
Thanks Steeps for being such a great friend! -
Review from Angelo T.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was ready to give this place a steady five stars, but after reading Sarah's reviews, I do agree with the dreary vibe of the place.
Still I've visited steeps on odd occasions of the past years, often on solo treks for quiet study sessions. The staff were always friendly and were always enthusiastic to talk "tea". The first time I visited steeps, I remember wandering aimlessly through 17th ave and stopped to ask one STRANGE girl who spoke to me through the reflection of a shopping window and gave precise directions as to how to get there, it made me wonder if she came from steeps and had a bad cup of tea.
The tea selection is great, at least to my liking. I'm mostly a green tea guy, who likes to pound it back by the litres. But when I visit tea-houses, I like to indulge on different flavours, as well as Japanese Matcha. At steeps I found that the grading system somewhat made it easier to make decision on what I want.
Apparently theres free wifi here? I couldn't figure out how to connect the last time I was there -
Review from Lonnie T.
This is my favorite tea house in the city. The tea selection is excellent. They have over 100 teas, some of which are not on display. You can sit down to a pot or take it away in bulk. As far as I'm concerned the prices are very reasonable. The teas come in a variety of qualities the best of which you pay a little bit more for.
I really enjoy the staff here as I often sit at the bar while enjoying free wifi on my laptop. The staff are encouraged to drink the products for free, therefore are all quite knowledgeable about the selection. The manager and assistant manager are extremely knowledgeable about where the teas come from and some of the processing behind them.
This is the perfect place to be alone. This is the perfect place to be with friends. This is the perfect place for a first date. -
Review from Mindy T.
Calgary, AB
11/17/2011
This place is absolutely disgusting and filthy. I would not recommend going. The last two times I went the staff didn't even look up at me for the first ten minutes I was there. When they finally did it was with blank stares and no sign of movement, because they were seated at the bar on their laptops. Wow, talk about unprofessional.
I used to like going to Steeps but it appears the last of the good staff moved on. The seemingly mentally inept staff they have now is an embarrassment and a waste of a great space. The shop is now covered in dust and dirt, teas have run out, tins have run out, dishes have NOT been done and half the time what's in the food display has molded over.
Such a shame. -
Review from Samantha R.
9/14/2008
I think I love this place more than I love Starbucks.
Free Wi-fi, a million gazillion choices of tea (& not the tea bags either), a nice quiet, trendy, crowd, live music on Sundays, & friendly staff.
I was spending a month of my summer at my condo in Calgary, and this place was only about a 5 minute drive, being parallel to 17th ave. it was an awesome location. I was so well-taken care of everytime I was there. I would definitely recommend. -
Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have been visiting steeps for about 7-8 years now, since I was just getting into tea snobbery. I used to absolutely adore the vibe of Steeps under its previous ownership- a quirky little guestbook you could write in or contribute artwork to upon visiting, live music/open mic nights, their fascinating tea selection right in the center of the room, sitting on the patio sipping iced teas.
The whole vibe of Steeps has noticeably changed the past couple years. While I live in the area and definitely come down enough to appreciate the friendly staff, it just feels uncomfortable now. It seems to cater more to a business-y clientele, and the inside of the shop is a little depressing (although I must give them kudos on having the little vintage teacups). Also, the patio is not very comfy either, and half the time it's chained up/not set up.
Now that I know much more about tea, the quality of their tea leaves is less than impressive to me.
Something I also really don't like, is how they price their teas by class, and size of the tin, instead of by weight. This is a very flawed system. For example, my roommate brought home a small tin of peppermint one day, for which she was charged $6 or so. When I weighed the actual dry weight, I configured she'd received about 12 grams of peppermint. You can get 100g of this herb at the Bean Stop for $6, or comparably, I order my peppermint in wholesale amounts for about $9 a pound (454g).
Therefore, I would not recommend buying your loose leaf tea here at all, but stopping in for a pot of tea or a tea latte might be appropriate.
It is a solid meeting place for 17th Avenue and is open fairly late, even on weekdays and Sundays, which I really like. -
Review from dinah g.
Calgary, AB
3/20/2010 2 photos
This is kind of the Oolong Teahouse of Mont Royal but less bohemian and artsy. I had no idea that this location existed in our area and it's so nice that I do now.
Dozens of huge Jar containers donning selective tea blends on one massive shelf on one side of the wall. The counter of goodies, pastries and assorted simple foods is appealing and well priced. The gals behind the counter are lovely and very welcoming and the whole scene overall is a very much laid back tranquil tea drinking hang out.
Good art hang on the walls, and the view of the park across the street give this place a natural setting for an intimate meeting with a good friend or a casual place for a first date.
I believe I saw a patio but I could be wrong, I will double check this when the climate gets better. -
Review from Jollean C.
Vancouver, BC
10/10/2009 1 photo
Think tea smorgasbord!
With at least about 70 teas to choose from, everyone will find their loose-leaf-lover. From Irish whiskey to coconut to chocolate orange to tiramisu to fruity blends and high quality greens or blacks, there's something for everyone. Or try a mint or chocolate chai with a Simple Simon Pie or other delectable little edible companion. They also have a variety of tea paraphernalia to buy like steepers, matcha whisks and teapots.
The atmosphere is laid back and the music crooned. But I miss the days when they had mismatched chairs and tables and they've covered up most of their lovely windows with high shelving units for the teas....how silly considering their bustling little location. It feels a lil more standardized and a little less cozy then it used to. But still an enjoyable rendevous point on a chilly night. -
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
11/8/2009 3 photos
When it comes to atmosphere, trendiness and selection, Steeps owns every coffee shop in Calgary. Long live the tea revolution!
I adore tea, and I adore the wide selection of teas that they provide. They have a little bit of everything, and I love the amount of fruity blends they have. Fruity teas are love.
I love the atmosphere, I love the crowd, I love the view, and I love the location. I love that you can nip out to the boutiques once you're done with the girl chat, or crash there after a long day of shopping. I love the layout of the store. Really, even entering this tea house makes me happy. There's a lot to be said for places like this. Calgary needs more of them. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
5/27/2010
If you're a tea affectionado, then you will absolutely, positively love Steeps.
Steeps carries teas that even you haven't yet created in your wildest dreams. Plus it's known around town as THE tea place to go.
A friend of mine was visiting from Toronto and the ONLY thing her boyfriend wanted her to bring back for him was Steeps tea! Need I say more?
Whether you're heading over to sip some tea with a friend, or whether you're just picking up the goods in their notorious tea tins (available in small, medium or large), it's a little known fact that Steeps tea is good to the last drop! -
Review from s c.
Calgary, AB
8/4/2009
gigantic tea selection and good veg samosas. i love sitting at steeps - it's good for chatting with friends or studying etc.
what's up with the bad art installations though? they're actually offensive to the eye at times.
the staff are always really nice and friendly. the washroom is clean. really nice alternative to that coffee chain - you know the one i mean.
