Five Local Cafes Worth Visiting for Studying and Homework

As the weather in Calgary continues to get colder and the days begin to shorten, us students are preparing for upcoming due dates and final exams. 

While it is an option to stay at home and complete that homework assignment that’s due in the next five hours, or to study for that midterm you remembered only a couple days ago; there is the alternative in changing your study environment and taking your school work to the streets—sorry—to the cafe seats.

Calgary has numerous local cafes that are worth visiting; whether it's for the vibe, the menu, or the cute barista, this city has a lot to offer. 

On those nice winter days, when it's convenient, you can plan your study trip and take it to a new place you have yet to visit. 

Within the past couple of months, I have visited a few new places in an attempt to change up my lifestyle and make my student life more interesting. Based on the location, atmosphere and drink/food quality, I have conducted a list of five cafes that are worth visiting: 

Layali Cafe is a middle eastern restaurant/ cafe that offers a variety of delicious, traditional food and drinks. It is worth coming here during the weekday for a homework-sesh because the customer service is exquisite and the atmosphere is relaxing. I suggest going on a  weekday because the restaurant becomes more lively on the weekends and at night! So if you get distracted easily and cannot have too much noise around you, I suggest you go from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you enjoy intaking any type of caffeine while doing work, then you have many options to choose from Layali’s drink menu. They have hot and iced coffee and lattes, as well as six hot tea flavours, including Arabic tea — I suggest all tea lovers to try it. When you get the food menu, I highly recommend trying the falafel wrap with the Beirut Smash salad — it is the perfect combination for a satisfying meal.

You can never go wrong with Philosafy, it is a classic for Calgary cafes and a great choice for choosing a study location. The cozy atmosphere allows you to relax and focus on your work. 

Located on 17th Ave., this place is perfect for meeting with colleagues, whether it is for a group project or a study date. I must also point out that most tables have outlets next to them, consider that a bonus because it seems that it is hard to find plug outlets in a lot of places.

Stable is another classic cafe that I suggest going to. If you are in the downtown area or go there often, then this cafe is the perfect place for you to settle down and bring out the laptop. One thing about Stable that makes it different from most local cafes is that it is open late! Yup, this place does not close at 6 p.m. on a weekday. Being open until 11 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 p.m on weekends is convenient if you prefer to study and/ or do school work during the evenings, or if you have a busy schedule and that is the only time you have. Additionally, the interior of this cafe is aesthetically pleasing, I was even impressed by the mug they served my vanilla latte (with oat milk) in, it was such a cool mug I wanted to take it home — don’t worry, I didn’t.

Now you have five new cafe options for studying and completing homework, and one of these places might become one of your new favourites. I wish you all the best of luck in your studies, and happy cafe-hopping!