Café Alphabet is described as a lively, stylish neighborhood café with outstanding coffee and a standout matcha program, including the famous freddo and a range of pastries. The vibe is welcoming and energetic, making it a popular destination in Mile End where visitors feel at home, though seating can be limited and crowds can be heavy, and the space can be loud at times. The staff are consistently praised for friendly, attentive service and helpful recommendations, and the café roasts its own beans and sells merch. Some reviews note a focus on social media and crowds, giving the impression the experience is driven by buzz rather than quiet relaxation. Overall Café Alphabet is seen as setting a high standard for a modern community coffee shop in Montreal, with many calling it a must visit and a place to return for great drinks and hospitality.
I had the Fredo cappuccino & it was delightful! Perfectly balanced & not too sweet. The staff were lovely despite the morning summer rush & very smiley & kind. Definitely gonna have to try the matcha next time as it looked incredible!
Tony, the owner, is a certified beauty. Friendly, personable, & answered all of our questions. My wife & I got the Freddo iced chai & the banana matcha iced latte with cold foam. So good! Hope he gets to visit Calgary more one day!
I came into café alphabet expecting to experience one of the best's coffee shops in Montreal. I was a little disappointed, sadly.
We ordered two matcha lattes with oat milk & one hot Freddo coffee as well as two biscotti, one almond cookie & one salt chocolate chip cookie.
I didn't enjoy the matcha lattes. As soon as I tasted the matcha I knew it was camellia sinensis. Then I turned around & guess what they were selling… camellia sinensis matcha. I feel like it tasted cheap & powdery or dry. It wasn't creamy. I would recommend for them to try the matcha from Monsieur thé or @Matcha for a richer matcha menu. The camellia one is very underwhelming in my opinion. Both drinks weren't really hot , they were leaning more towards ambient temperature/cold which surprised me since I saw them doing it in front of me.
The Freddo coffee (which they are famous for) was alright. The grains they use have an actually enjoyable & distinct taste. The coffee was good & the taste was particular to them. Sadly I didn't feel like the foam was foamy enough, the minute I started sipping it disintegrated, & it didn't really add to the overall taste of the coffee. It felt like a normal latte. I honestly would like to try their latte & see if I could taste the difference between the two.
The cookies were alright. I didn't enjoy the chocolate chip & salt one, I felt like the chocolate chips they used weren't dark enough so the salt overpowered the cookie & it ended up tasting like a butter & salt cookie instead. The almond cookie & the biscotti were good.
The music was a bit loud & the coffee shop was pretty packed even tho we came in the afternoon. It didn't feel like a comfortable ambiance. Not really a place to relax or have a calm conversation after a walk. It felt like a New York coffee shop.
The service was pretty good, the guys were smiling & explaining the menu to us even though there was people waiting in line, which I appreciated.
Overall I wasn't surprised & I don't think this is a coffee shop for everyone.
Toujours de bons conseils sur les cafés! Les cafés & les viennoiseries sont savoureux, le service est courtois & il y a beaucoup de tables pour déguster !
Tried the Freddo Cap & it did not disappoint. Not an option you see at most coffee shops & the outside seating area is great for a quick stop to enjoy your coffee.
J'aime beaucoup le Café Alphabet ! L'ambiance est dynamique & agréable, ça change des cafés habituels. Le service est toujours excellent : on prend le temps de bien répondre à mes questions. J'aime tellement leur café que j'achète mes grains directement chez eux. L'endroit est moderne, bien décoré, & parfaitement à sa place dans le Mile-End, un quartier créatif & vivant.
Seul petit bémol : je trouve leurs desserts un peu trop sucrés à mon goût. Sinon, tout est top !
Beautiful location, great service & delicious drinks! They were very busy, but still very quick & efficient! They also have a TV (in a painting frame) that was playing SpongeBob (LOVE♡).
