Da Capo

This place is pretty tiny and always really busy on the weekends. Even if there are only a few people in line, it always takes forever. They definitely don’t appear to ever be in much of a hurry. That being said, I do really enjoy the coffee and the omega cookie is usually what i come for, even though it is $ 5.

I had to meet up with someone that I had never met before, and he suggested that we meet at this place on Whyte Avenue, because he had been meaning to check it out.
I got there first, and right away noticed that it was bright & shiny, with large windows looking out onto Whyte, and clean tables and an outdoor patio. But, it wasn’t long after that that I started having sour thoughts. It began to come off as pretentious.
I didn’t get a single smile out of either of the two baristas, which right away gives you a bad feeling of this place, like they don’t think you’re good enough to be in here! I ordered a LARGE coffee, and paid more than $ 3 for this tiny cup that could pass as a sample cup at other coffee joints. And then they offered only «raw sugar,» and they poured the cream for me, rather than allowing me to pour it to my own standards. What if I didn’t like raw sugar?
I walked around to the back — and the baristas didn’t try to stop me — only to be told that the back is actually a whole ‘nother coffee place (Under the High Wheel), and so was embarrassed and had to go back into Da Capo, which now seemed pretty tiny. I was a little annoyed that the baristas didn’t let me know that that was not part of Da Capo (although they share a kitchen).
When my guest arrived he ordered a kale salad and some sorta soup. When they arrived (the waiter walked past him both times), they were delivered in itty bitty bowls that might satisfy a small cat. It was ridiculous. The coffee was okay, but I rarely find bad coffee, so I can’t really congratulate them for that.
This place has so much potential, but it seems like they’re okay with their pretentious approach and unwelcoming demeanour. I won’t be back, although Under the High Wheel seems like it might be a better option… I’ll try that next time!
I Heart Edmonton

I come here 5 or so days of the week. Service, coffee, biscotti, everything is great here.
I recommend 100%.

I came here yesterday for one thing… one thing only… their delicious fresh-​squeezed orange juice! A large is $ 5.25 a pop a believe. But so worth it! They give it you fresh and un-​iced. Just pure like mother nature intended =) I treated my friend to one at the same time and she loved it!

great coffee but there two glow juices in the display cases and they looked soooo bad not sure if they were super old or what the deal was but they looked scary

Da Capo you are the love of my life!
Max is the reason that Da Capo is the greatest coffee shop in town, he makes a mean cappuccino (even with soy milk!)
I don’t even mind the small tables, or the weird high chairs, or that it looks like an Apple store.
NEVER CHANGE!

Da Crapo
I’ve come to this establishment lot in the past. I am a coffee whiz and I know how its suppose to be done because MY father is Italian. I’ve never had a problem with the coffee here until resently tho. Its not hot enough. simply put. thats that. My husband and I have begrudgingly sipped on luke warm americanos the past two visits we made to dcap. After two-​5 minutes the coffee is already on the cool side. Our son, Lance, was also disappointed. We politely alert the barista to the problem, as americanos should be piping hot, hot off the rockets!!! but the barista sadly said he couldn’t control the temperature and shrugged it off as a customer preference. Lance had to go back to school so we didn’t speak with a manager.

Excellent coffee! I’m a coffee snob for sure having moved here from Vancouver’s Italian neighborhood, and this place and Transcend are definitely neck in neck in my books. The staff doesn’t seem to turn over often and are always friendly!
I feel like I’m walking in to the milk bar scene from the movie Clockwork Orange when I come here bi-​weekly to do a bit of work. It’s bright white in every corner and some times that does feel a little cold, but I also like that they are striving to create something unique here. If you want warm and earthy you can still have the same latte next door at Under The High Wheel, in the restaurant, or have any of their food on the menu on the De Capo side. I really like this option.
The only improvement I would say is to make more of those lovely scones for the people that don’t make it there by 8am. I’m lucky if there is one left by 9:30 or 10am. They are divine!

Quite frankly, I’ve only ever been here for two things (usually together) — coffee and gelato. However, those two things will keep me coming back again and again.
The coffee, in my opinion, is the best in Edmonton. I positively love the Caffé Canadese, which they market as a stronger, darker tasting version of an Americano. If only this place was anywhere near my work I’d get a cup of this every morning.
The gelato is almost as good as the coffee. Each of the four flavours I’ve tried had that creamy, delicious taste that only the best gelato can match.
The service is the only thing that has lacked (not the servers’ faults in this case, they have just seemed understaffed). It has always taken about five minutes for my order to be taken, even with only one or two people in front of me.
The location is great if you live in Old Strathcona or are shopping or eating along Whyte — right on the corner of Whyte & 102 St (in the Roots on Whyte Building/​attached to Blush Lane Organic Market). DaCapo also offers shared space with the restaurant, Under the High Wheel, and you can order from its menu while in the DaCapo section (which I’ve never done, but will at some point).
The window stools and the small patio are great for people watching along Whyte.
One of my favourite places to grab a coffee (and gelato!).

This was a great Italian coffee shop I stumbled through while I was walking on Whyte. I ordered a cup of cappuccino and a glass of fresh squeezed OJ. The coffee was made with the perfect amount of milk and temperature. Another plus for me is that they have a nice juicer to make a good juice.

Pretty terrible service. Can’t comment on the food because we left after 20 mins of waiting for a server to acknowledge us. No water. No order taken. Nobody smiled or looked our way. Couple beside us complained as well. The man had to physically get up and chase after a server. Hostess sat us down and told us flatly that food would be 45 mins… we didn’t realize it would be the same to obtain any kind of service whatsoever. Too bad. The food looked good.

Delicious gelato. Regular coffee, not so much.
I had the marzipan gelato and was delighted with both the consistency and flavour. Companion had the Mayan chocolate (which was a bit too far on the spicy side, but still quite good). We were both disappointed with our regular coffees – they were far too weak. (We were even drinking them black!) I also was a bit stunned by the tab: $ 17 for two double gelato cups and two regular coffees. Guess I’ll chalk that up to the gelato, but it was good and totally worth it.
We both were enchanted by the orange juice machine that freshly squeezes out the good stuff, but will save that for a future trip. And I was a little surprised by the small size of the interior, but there were a few tables still available and it was so bright and warm.

Well it’s tiny! It seems (from the outside at least) that it is much bigger because it is in the same open space as the café Under The High Wheel. But in actuality this tiny Italian café is just a sliver with 7 or 8 little 2 person tables as well as 6 seats along the bar. Despite the small size, they sure pack a big punch; with expertly crafted cappuccinos, lattes and incredible gelato!
The wifi is free (just ask for the password), the atmosphere quite conducive to working — I love facing the big glass windows and working away for an hour or two! There is free parking around the corner by the Derks Formals, a yoga studio on top, organic grocery in the rear as well as a health shoppe.
Welcome to the best cup of caffeine on the east side of Whyte!

Interesting to see how this da Capo compares to their old location. Dinner items are no longer on the menu — they just have gelato, coffee and other drinks. The gelato is amazing as always. Nice that it’s in the same building as Blush Lane so I can stop by while I’m grocery shopping!

I went to Da Capo a couple of months and quite enjoyed it. My friends and I just finished a big meal and were looking for an espresso to finish the meal. So we went to Da Capo. The espresso is great. I had crème brûlée gelato in my espresso– OMG!!! so good!!! I would go back for this any day. Prices are similar to any other coffee shop, service ok– a little slow. I have to say that the décor however needs work. The space feels cold and unwelcoming. This is why I give this palce 3 stars. Not a place I would like to sit down and bring a book to enjoy with my coffee.

With so many other coffee shops to choose from we won’t be back. $ 9 for 2 tiny (about 5sips of coffee) cups and 1 apple streusel. The coffee tasted good but was extremely miserly portion.

A very interesting use of space. This second location of Da Capo shares digs with another café and a grocery store. It is slightly smaller than the main location, but has a lot of seating both inside and on the patio. I totally enjoyed my iced latte, which was made at the perfect strength — it is very rare for me not to have to add cream to tone things down. I’ve been a fan of Da Capo’s espresso drinks for a while now, so a second location right along Whyte is definitely welcome.

New Da Capo! New Da Capo! New. Da. Capo!
Let’s backtrack just briefly, here. I’m the Duchess of the original Da Capo. So much so that it almost makes every other Duchess-​dom I hold null and void. I’m there at least a few times a week — during the day to work, and in the evening for wine and gelato with friends. I know the staff, I notice new gelato flavours, and I can give you my personal opinion on almost every pizza on the menu.
The second location, recently opened along East Whyte Avenue, is sa-​weet! It’s got a similar feel and a ton of the same staff as the old location. Bright, white, clean, European. Gelato, Pellegrino, and a well-​dressed clientele. The lattes are as good as ever.
I’m still trying to figure out exactly how they share the space with Under The High Wheel, but if I never venture to the other side of the bar, I don’t really care. My new favourite café!