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Transcend Coffee
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Sat 9:30 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for Transcend Coffee
Review Highlights
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"The flat white is still my favourite." In 3 reviews -
"nice cozy place tucked slightly into the industrial." In 3 reviews -
"What I love best at Transcend: Soy Chai Latte." In 3 reviews
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Deanna S.
3/29/2012
Transcend coffee is the best coffe I've ever had in my life. To me, the true test of a good espresso is if you can drink it straight by itself. Many people would stick their tongue out in disgust at the notion, but that's just because they've never had really good espresso.
Transcend coffee is the only place in all of Edmonton where I can drink the espresso straight. It's so sad that the majority of Edmontonians are obsessed with Tim Hortons, Starbucks, or Second Cup. It's not that those coffee shops are bad (well, okay, Tim Horton's is actually the worst coffee I've ever had in my life... it is BAD), it's just that they mask the lesser quality of their coffee by drowning it in sugar. The more sugar you need to tolerate it, the worse it is!
Not only is the coffee THE BEST, but their locations are all really nice to visit. The staff is always super friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. If you don't know what you want, they'll take the time to figure it out through a series of questions, and offer something that they think you'll want.
I recently moved to Vancouver, and I have my parents pick up beans and mail them to me here so I can make amazing coffee using my french press at home. But if you don't have someone to pick it up for you, you can actually have it delivered to your house by ordering online!
The beverages and beans are a bit more expensive than what you'll find in other shops, but TRUST ME, IT'S WORTH IT. If you don't believe me, take a look at their website and see for yourself all of the extensive research they put into delivering the best coffee you'll ever have.
One year, before Christmas, I walked in there just to get a cup and noticed all of the neat coffee-brewing contraptions they have on their wall. My father is a coffee nut too... so I asked what they would suggest for someone like him. They recommended the Aeropress (sp?), and it's now my Dad's favourite way to brew coffee (making me his favourite child ;) hehe). Thanks Transcend! You're great!Listed in: COFFEEEEEEEE
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Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I should mention that I'm not much of a coffee expert or snob. I enjoy a cup of Tim Horton's every once in a while (and tastes like sugar water compared to this) and consider Starbucks to be a treat. I enjoy drinking coffee at places like Transcend mostly because the friendly baristas care enough to make designs in my lattes with steamed milk.. And I do notice a considerably richer coffee flavour.
But one thing that's cool about this Transcend in particular is its selection of baked treats inspired by baked treats commonly found in Rainforest areas in Brazil - presumably one of the places where they source their beans. I enjoyed both my Banana Cake and my Guava Cheese pastry puffs. I recommend them if you need a little snack with your coffee.
The decor itself feels a little sterile and industrial to me, but no more so than a Second Cup or a Starbucks. I also have never been upstairs at this location -
Review from Garnett S.
Edmonton, AB
1/5/2012
They have a fine selection of caffeinated beverages. But this is the type of establishment where goateed loners hang out pretending to write the next great novel on their laptop.
I expected the staff to try and convince me that the beans were aged in an oaken cask, resulting in a time-released diffusion of elderberry flavour.
I expected the clientele to call me out for not knowing the ideal volcanic soil pH for growing coffee.
At what point did it become acceptable for coffee snobbery to approach the ridiculous levels of wine snobbery? Coffee should cost $0.99, taste somewhat like roadtar, and be used for the sole purpose of staying awake.Comment from Poul M. of Transcend Coffee 1/6/2012
Actually on this point of view I must state a contrary point… More » -
Review from Christianne C.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 4/20/2012
Transcend now offers a few gluten free snacks. The Pao de Quejo is good, but at $4 for 3, a little pricey. Service at the downtown location is good and quicker than the one on 109 street.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2012
Love the coffee and the coffee art! The coffee is so beautiful that I didn't want to drink it. The… Read more »
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Review from Carol K.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I wish I had the opportunity to visit Transcend a few more times than I actually did. It's a perfect little place to get some great coffee. I tried the Flat White as Addie suggested, and it was fantastic. The espresso was rich and full of flavour. A MUCH better option than your average Starbucks. They do offer South American style street food, but I was kind of hoping for some more baked goods. Otherwise, kudos to the owners for coming up with something different and unique. I don't think I can add much more to the reviews already posted - they have basically summed everything up.
25/30 -
Review from Carmen V.
Sherwood Park, AB
2/6/2012
Had a hot chocolate here and was not impressed... kinda a watered down mess. Neat little shop, however not to my liking.
Comment from Poul M. of Transcend Coffee 2/6/2012
Sorry that it wasn't to your liking. Actually, our hot… More » -
Review from Metal Chick M.
Edmonton, AB
10/25/2011
I was at this location right when they opened and have come by recently a couple times.
I am VERY picky on my coffee just like my chocolate.
The first time I was here, I didn't like the acoustics, sound bounces like crazy and you can hear every word everyone is saying. Coming here recently, I see not much has changed with regards to sound except they added a couple TV's which helps block some of the conversation but the walls are still noisy. That is one negative for me as I do like places that are more cozy and quiet.
Another negative is that their parking situation is not good, other businesses there have signs designating parking at their businesses - I am sure because this coffee place crowds their spots. I had to wait for a spot to come free last week.
Now to the coffee. I ordered a dark roast regular coffee and Chai latte. Although I ordered both of them to go, the guy brewing the Chai put it in a ceramic mug (ok that day but not if I was in a hurry), so I decided to sit for a bit to drink it. The Chai was beautifully decorated and presented, but I found it to be way too sweet and not very hot. Exactly teh 2 things I don't like for my Chai to be. Next time I go in there, I will specify for it to be hotter and less sweet.
The regular coffee was very good, definitely good quality beans....and hotter than my Chai.
Overall it is a decent coffee place, some quality products. But you need to try their style of brewing to see if this is your cup of tea.
This place would have got 5 stars if it wasn't for the small irritations that I incurred in my last couple of visits. -
Review from Angela E.
Transcend staff are friendly and helpful. Their coffee, espresso, and tea taste great. None of the baked goods have truly appealed to me, but I've tried a few of their house-made soups, and enjoyed.
It's a nice atmosphere for a visit with a friend (LOVE the big sunny SE corner of the shop), or to bring a book or your laptop. There are enough power outlets, but the free internet has a time limit of an hour, which is annoying. I understand that it's to encourage turnover when the place is busy, but you still get cut off even if there's no one waiting for a seat.
At the Yelp elite event at the Jasper location, I had a lot of fun and enjoyed the tastings and coffee info - did you know coffee beans are refined cherry pits? Kahlua cappuccino = win. -
Review from Pamella H.
Edmonton, AB
3/2/2011 ROTD 5/28/2011
Why 5 out of 5 stars? First, Transcend educates you on coffee. This is most important to me. When purchasing a package of beans to grind at home I am reminded that the glossiness of the bean is not necessarily a sign of freshness. On the contrary. Coffee beans do release oils, naturally. When they sit for long periods of time, the oil, similar to your cooking oil, can go rancid. It is this process that may lead to that strong burnt coffee flavour that leaves a hurtful pit in your stomach. Transcend roasts their own beans. You will never buy a bag of beans that have sat on the shelf for more than 7 days. The result, a very heavenly, clean, full bodied coffee that is brilliant on your palate yet gentle on your stomach the way it should be, unlike other culprits such as Tim Horton's and Starbucks.
Transcend also makes personal trips to establish relationships with coffee growers. It's more than fair trade!
What I love best at Transcend: Soy Chai Latte! To die for! The best I have ever tasted! -
Review from Brittany K.
Edmonton, AB
3/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Mmmm, London Fog. I know Transcend is all about great coffee (and their coffee is fantastic), but they serve up a mean London Fog, too.
A cute little location off Argyll with lots of seating both on the main level and upstairs. I was the only one upstairs which made for lots of quiet work time on my laptop (because hello, free wi-fi!). I like the art up here and the cute little candle holders. While the main level is crazy with baristas filling orders and customers filing in and out of the shop, the second level was a great little escape.
I had friendly service and, like, I said, a great-tasting London Fog. I'm in this area pretty often so it's definitely a place I'll be back to.Listed in: Cups of Coffee, Memorable Customer Service, Argyll
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Review from Alouise D.
Edmonton, AB
5/10/2011
Finally made it down to the original location. The location seems a little strange and out of the way, but I can tell it probably gets a lot of traffic. The server was friendly, and the coffee was still delicious. I don't think it's possible to have a bad drink here. The flat white is still my favourite. But I ventured out and had a delicious iced coffee instead. No cream or sugar required, the coffee is that tasty.
Downside - no wifi here, at least none that I could get. Also they're closed on weekends. Really this place should be open all the time. You never know, it could by 3am and you start craving good coffee. And Tim Horton's just doesn't make the cut any more. -
Review from Aditya R.
I'm a huge Transcend fan and can hence become a bit of a coffee snob. I"ll be the first to say that. There's good reason, though, to be avidly seeking a great cup of coffee, be it a perfect crèma to a slightly acidic and flavorful espresso, the absolute correct amount of frothing of milk for a flat white, the accurately timed tea infusion for a cup of tea or a flavorful cup of french press coffee made out of unique beans that belong to a small plantation tucked away in the foothills of the Andes (okay, now I'm hamming big time, I should become an Academy Awards speech writer).
Well, leave all the coffee snob details alone, but making a perfectly brewed cup of french press is certainly an art. And I love these plunger coffees that are (for some reason) only available at this southside Transcend branch. The french pressed coffee is served in a double walled Bodum® glass (see through), so that one can excite their imagination by adding milk and see that pure white liquid infuse, through complex, beautiful and unique patterns, into the depths of this dark decoction.
This coffee branch is certainly a cool place to visit, albeit (not surprisingly) in the middle of nowhere, on 99th street. They have a large room that can be seen through glass windows where coffee experts are roasting beans through fancy big machines. If they were wearing lab coats, you could as well imagine being at Nasa's research lab. But yes, if you're someone in pursuit of the freshest roast of coffee - and yes, that matters - then you could certainly come here to pick up beans that tend to have been roasted, on average, 2 -3 days back.
The only drawback I have about this location is that it's too small! I understand that they're primarily a roaster, at this location, but they've got maybe 3-4 small tables.Comment from Poul M. of Transcend Coffee 3/20/2011
Thanks Aditya for your kind words. Just to let you know that… More » -
Review from Kylie O.
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not being dramatic when I say this is the all time best coffe in the world. They take pride in the "art" and "quality" of their product! PLEASE COME TO THE US... BRANSON, MO specifically!!
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Review from Cory P.
4/28/2011
I blame transcend for turning me into a coffee snob. They will open your mind to a whole new world of flavors and educate you in the process.
I rarely choose my coffee, I leave that in the hands of the baristas. Transcend is just an entirely different coffee experience than what your used to.
The staff here are very engaging and you can tell that they love their job. They have no problem talking about coffee and you can tell how passionate they are. -
Review from Stuart B.
Edmonton, AB
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great coffee knowledgeable staff
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Review from Darren K.
Edmonton, AB
12/27/2010
This is the only coffee I'll drink without cream and sugar since it tastes so good and fresh in its pure form (I suppose taking cream and sugar might disqualify me from the coffee connoisseur club - oh well).
The coffee I've had here has a natural sweetness, especially compared to faded, freeze-dried, and over-ground Charbucks coffee. I don't know of a place that has this level of quality control over their coffee product in Edmonton.
The one star deduction is for the bizarre location (and the coffee is a bit pricey, but I figure this is justified with the higher quality you're getting). I've read they're moving. Good idea. -
Review from Jennifer P.
Edmonton, AB
9/18/2010
This isn't just any coffee shop. Transcend is a coffee Mecca. If you've ever been to wine country for wine tastings, this is like coffee country - in an upscale coffee shop. And, yes, Monday nights Transcend offers free coffee tastings!
When I stepped up to the bar to order my coffee, my nose was invited to sniff at a variety of beans before making my final selection. And I wonder: What do you sniff in between sniffing coffee beans to clear your olfactory palette? Perfume, perhaps?!
(I also wonder, at times, whether I'm a bigger laptop geek or caffeine junky?! But that's a riddle for another day)
Here, I am among my peers. Clearly, geek is the new chic - and we know our coffee ... or at least we pretend to by "transcending" Timmies and paying double for the good stuff.
I opted for the delarisse francys - a medium blend with warm, nutty undertones. I have to say, this is one of the few times in my life I've drank my coffee black. There was simply no need for milk or sweetener. The flavours are meant to be experienced.
Move over Starbucks!
My only disappointment was that their waffle machine was broken so I didn't get to try the Belgian waffles I've heard so much about. I ordered a chocolate oatmeal cookie instead.
Disappointment: transcended. -
Review from Quoc H.
Edmonton, AB
3/20/2010
Hidden gem that I drove by one day and just decided to try. Ask for the owners story for how the place came together. As a somewhat disgruntled professional, I can totally relate to their story and find it inspiring!
Espresso here is wonderful and any drink with espresso is equally enjoyable. I've tried various coffee beans from their simple flavoured ones to the more premium ones - all great. It's all about press coffee! -
Review from Kerri W.
Banff, AB
3/24/2010
Welcome to the third wave of the coffee revolution! These guys know their stuff. They roast beans on site - you can see it through a window near the counter. If you want professional service and advice about anything related to coffee, this is the place to go.
I'm told there will be a new location next to the Garneau Theatre very soon. It's great to see such local success! The original location is tiny. There are only a few tables. The aroma when you walk in the door is remarkable.
Top quality, certified Baristas, a true haven for anyone who can appreciate real coffee. I'm pretty sure no one leaves there without a smile on their faces. It's the type of inviting atmosphere that makes it no surprise how much buzz they've been getting on Twitter. -
Review from Jack G.
Edmonton, AB
4/13/2010
I know nothing about the inner workings of coffee but what I do know is great tasting coffee.. and this place was great. It is among the best coffee I have had in Edmonton. I had never heard of the place before and needed to grab some quick and they didn't disappoint.
I will go back for sure and try out some of the other things they have. Maybe even sit down and enjoy my coffee. It is a bit hard to notice but once you do, you will never forget it. -
Review from Ted B.
Edmonton, AB
2/25/2011
The best. Independant shop !Has awesome coffee and super good personal service.Keep expanding to more locations,Edmonton needs you.
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Review from ron e.
Edmonton, AB
4/17/2011
flavor=10 $=8 atmosphere=8 service=9
avg=8.75
this is the original transcend coffee of all three.
nice cozy place tucked slightly into the industrial
area. found the staff very friendly and the place
quite crowded which are good signs to me. their
london fog is really the best. they put so much
time and effort and you can taste the authenticity.
you can taste the vanilla beans and for that i'd pay
$4.50 and give them a 10!
too bad their second floor seemed like a storage
space...if only they had a little music and warmth
like downstairs. -
Review from Allan T.
Edmonton, AB
12/14/2008 1 Check-in Here
This place is everything Starbucks isn't - friendly, competent... good! This will be the best coffee you can get anywhere in Edmonton - the beans are roasted right on location so yeah, they're fresh. No freeze drying and sitting packaged for weeks and weeks like another certain coffee chain AND they use a Clover machine, of which there's only 250 in North America; these are very highly coveted among coffee aficionados. I try to go every week, the only thing I can find fault with is the lack of a better location, which I am told they are soon to fix with a location on 104th street downtown next to the new Sobey's. Can't wait to get my daily fix of their stuff!
Listed in: 25 Best Edmonton Restaurants
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Review from Lynn P.
Jasper, AB
10/4/2010 4 Check-ins Here
The most amazing coffee and espresso. All roasted in house. Very knowledgeable staff, the best in Edmonton. We don't go anywhere else for morning coffee. They have a clover, it makes coffee that much more enjoyable.
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Review from Gwynnie B.
Edmonton, AB
1/12/2010 1 photo
Amazing latte. Nice place. Hidden in a wierd little industrial area. I'll be back and will bring friends with me next time. Loved it.
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Review from Dave C.
Calgary, AB
6/12/2010 1 photo
Whenever we're in Edmonton we try our best to hit Transcend for our Espresso fix! Super-smooth Americanos & great vibe. Small digs but easy parking at this gem of a coffee bar in an industrial area.
Comment from Poul M. of Transcend Coffee 3/20/2011
Thanks for your kind review Dave, just so you are aware, and… More »
