Cafes are popping up all over the city, so it can be a difficult decision when it comes to picking out the perfect spot for your caffeine fix. But if you ask me, there's one spot that's caught my attention, and you can find it inside a historic house in the quaint community of Riverdale. Little Brick is the newest addition to the empire of cafes owned by Nate Box, and is the little sister to Elm Cafe, District Coffee Co., and Burrow. The historic home currently occupied by Little Brick belonged to that of J.B. Little, a brickyard owner in the late 1800s/early 1900s. The home was passed from one generation to the next, until it ultimately became a storefront in the early 2000s, and later turned over for rent. Nate Box spotted the space last summer and with his business partners decided that the space had the potential to engage and fit the needs of the surrounding community. From there, Little Brick Cafe was born. Given that the brickworks industry defined the Riverdale area, it was only right to have the name of the space pay homage to that of it's original builder and inhabitant. Once you step inside the building, you're invited in by the smell of pastries and freshly brewed coffee. To the left you can find a wide variety of locally made goods in the general store. The shelves carry coffee beans brought in from Phil & Sebastian, Four Barrel, and Bows & Arrows, and there's an assortment of coffeeware available to help you brew the perfect cup at home. There's locally made kitchenware, serveware, bakeware, and even local art available for purchase - there are so many gems sitting on the shelves waiting to be discovered, and it's great to see the support that businesses have for one another. To the right of the entranceway you will find seating in the dining and living rooms. The interior of the house has been renovated to give it a modern feel, but amongst the navy blue walls and geometric chairs, distinct pieces of history like the exposed brick and fireplace in the living room remain. I stopped by Little Brick a few weeks ago after their new menu launch and was pretty excited about the new dishes available. Tartine's are becoming increasingly popular on menus these days, and Little Brick has a couple versions available. I ordered the Duck Tartine ($12) made with thyme butter and rhubarb, topped with local haskaps and served with a side salad. The duck was well seasoned, and almost pate-like in texture. The side salad was well-dressed and refreshing, and all together this dish made for a tasty light lunch option. My friend ordered the Breakfast Sandwich ($10) off the breakfast menu (which is available all day!), which came with the same side salad I had. Bacon, greens, and a sunny side up egg were sandwiched between two soft slices of brioche, and made for a filling meal too. We also had a side order of the Coconut Rice Pudding ($4) made with almond milk and orange zest. To my surprise, the pudding was served warm, but it was delicious nonetheless. It was quite a comforting bowl, and I really enjoyed the strong orange fragrance with each bite. The community of Riverdale has welcomed Little brick to the neighborhood with open arms, and this cafe has definitely increased the foot traffic in the area too. Little Brick has the capacity to host large group meetings and private events, and for the summer they have begun hosting neighborhood BBQs every Saturday afternoon. With a location close to the River Valley, ample seating, and a large backyard space to accommodate dining al fresco, Little Brick is one of my new favourite spots to visit! Stop by for some coffee or a snack, and go exploring in this neat Edmonton community. read more

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I had a steamed milk and espresso. Both were good with nice crema on the espresso, and a good richness to the foam in the latte. Food ranges from lighter cafe fair like muffins and cookies to larger meals. None of the plates are particularly filling, and can take a while to arrive, but the menu changes regularly and features seasonal and local ingredients. Typically menu items include salads, soups, sandwiches, and a fish or meat dish. The decor and space was nice with bright colours, large windows, and comfortable seating. There were limited tables in the main room, and a separate room with two couches and a large table open during busier times. Outside there's a nice deck with fires and heaters for the shoulder seasons. The pantry selection was more diverse than I expected. There were high end, organic and local versions of staples like sugar and flour, along with artisan soaps, chocolates and other small kitchen items. In the fridge they have a selection of local cheeses, though no butter or milk. Try the gourmet marshmallows or salted caramel if you want a treat. read more

Little Brick - The street entrance. It's easy to miss! Walk through the gate then around to the far side of the building. - Cafes Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I've always wanted to check out this cafe since it opened as it looks unique and I love the location they chose.... I wasn't disappointed. I came here on a Friday afternoon with a friend. The location is ideal with plenty of street parking nearby. You enter through the gate in the fence on the street and proceed around the house to the front entrance. Along the way, you will see a giant yard filled with picnic tables and autumn decor at the moment (pumpkins galore!). I know they have bbq and roasts here during the summer so I could see this being a popular spot to come to. Upon entering, you see the ordering counter immediately. Also a display case of current baked goods (always a good choice but I didn't have any this visit). To the left are numerous tables and near the back of the room there are shelves filled with local products (I did not venture there this time 'round). To the right and down the hall are two other rooms available with extra seating.... We found the place packed when we came but were able to snag a seat on one of the couches along the wall. The space is great.... lots of windows allowing natural light to filter through. The home is hardwood floors and feels cozy. There is a food menu as well but I didn't look. I saw many people enjoying their lunches though. My friend and I ordered tea and chatted. Love this space! I can see myself coming back more often for coffee dates and light lunches =) read more

Deliciousness! Shared the rice pudding (cold) and a bit of my potted french toast with my guy ;) Great little breakfast. The Americano was not good to either of us, so we'll definitely try a different drink next time! We'll certainly be back. Great atmosphere tho. read more

Little Brick - Yummmmm - Cafes Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

This is a cute cafe with a nice patio and good menu. The seating is limited and it can get very busy.

I love that this brick home was transformed into a cafe and in a great neighborhood to boot. The yard is huge with seating and heating lamps as well as BBQ pits. The inside is very cozy with seating in two different rooms. Many windows allowing for lots of natural light. It was quite busy when we were there. The nice thing is that they will take your order and will bring it to your table when ready. We didn't order any food but the coffee was wonderful. And even though it was busy, we didn't have to wait long. A very enjoyable place to pass an hour or two of your time. Unfortunately we had to cut our coffee visit short as a photoshoot was booked in the one room leaving no other place to sit. I can definitely see myself coming here again. Also there is lots of street parking available so you don't have to waste any time to find parking. Looking forward to my next visit. read more

This is a great dog friendly restaurant and we love everything, service, food and atmosphere , you name it and it has everything! not all restaurants welcomes dog, for some dog owners who treat their dogs as part of the family, it is important for them to be with their dogs all the time... read more

I love this little hidden gem in Riverdale. It's a cafe/ store/ lunch spot in a heritage home. The cafe has a really cute garden with lots of seating and nice rooms inside the home. The menu is mainly sandwiches and some breakfast items. We had the Banh mi, beef brisket sandwich, rice pudding, latte and chai latte. All for about $37. Good food, slightly small portions but still satisfying. I will always come back for the nostalgia and drinks mainly. I would recommend visiting for a unique experience of a cafe in a heritage home! read more

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Lovely little spot. We sat outside, it's like a little backyard patio. Food was really tasty and had a wide selection.

We've been on the hunt for a nice little coffee shop to take the kids on weekends. Little Brick was one we tried last fall and I'm afraid our feeling were mixed. The place is beautiful, the location is nice, and the food is tasty... but the combination of entitled customers, high prices, and rude staff really left a taste in our mouths that wasn't what we wanted. We had a hard time finding a table. That's rough when you've got kids in tow, even though mine are great adventurers with the patience of saints. The customers around us, mostly older upper-middle-class, were throwing some serious attitude at us for daring to eat out with children. And the staff. Jesus. If you don't want to work with the public, go find another job. There's "hipster aloof" and then there's "snotty brat". But the food was good. We'll probably try again one day. read more

Charming. Great food. Huge grassy outdoor space in summer. Lovely homey interior! A true Edmonton treasure.

Great little coffee shop! Love the ambiance and outdoor setting. Food was great and fresh. I ordered the yogurt parfait.

One of my favourite coffee shops, lucky for me it's down the street. The coffee is always fantastic, the food is yummy, and the menu is always changing which keeps it nowhere near boring to be there constantly. There isn't a ton of seating inside but in the summer, outside is always the best place to sit anyway. They support the community they're in, they're located in a historical home, and the floor gives the most satisfying creak upon entry. I absolutely love this place. read more

I agree with other reviewers who said that this place does not live up to the hype. It has a lot of potential, and the space itself is picturesque for the most part, but I don't think I've experienced worse service in Edmonton. I have experienced more connection with drive-through staff doling out a double-double at 7:30am than the staff at the counter of Little Brick. I tried this place twice, and after the second try, I won't be fooled into dining here expecting something blog-worthy, or whatever. I don't feel like going somewhere I know I'll be snubbed and treated worse than you would a house guest, which is the least the Little Brick should do as it is run out of a converted house. The place might be good for a "gram" because the kitchen staff obviously puts some care into presentation, and it's a cute little brick building, but that's pretty much it. I'd rather stick to my best friend's stoop because we make our own brunch tastier and at least we're friendlier, even when hung-over. The first time I went my impression was that the food was mediocre to decent and the service was awful. I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the young staff were new at customer service, maybe it was a bad day. I always give a restaurant a second chance. So I went again. The most recent was this summer. My friend (an experienced server) and I went for brunch before going for a hike in the valley. We were looking forward to a good coffee and something wholesome to eat. When we got there, there was no line, but for some reason we had to wait to be served. The only apparent reason was that the staff was busy chatting. I felt like we were being ignored. After staring at eachother for 5-10 minutes in disbelief while we waited for trite conversations to close and the staff to notice us, we ordered our food and coffee, had to get our coffee ourselves from what I remember, and then we went out into the back yard of the house to sit at a rickety (and sticky) little table that brings this video to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqPARIKHbN8 . The coffee was barely drinkable. Honestly, I couldn't tell you what exactly went wrong but it wasn't hot and it wasn't good. I make better coffee at home in my little hipstery aeropress with locally roasted beans. But that's the kind of coffee I expected out of a place like the Little Brick, with its bougie, general store aesthetic and reputation, and location in Riverdale. We had ordered a couple breakfast sandwiches and at this point, they weren't going to taste good. It's hard to enjoy mediocre food with such a bad taste in your mouth already. When they came it was unsurprising that they were barely noteworthy. And when we left, I was confident in saying "I'll probably never come here again." read more

My husband and I had breakfast here during a recent visit to Edmonton. It was delicious!! When Will, one of the staff members, found out we were from out of town he and his coworker wrote out a list of their favorite spots to visit. They were so friendly and welcoming. We were so appreciative of their hospitality read more

Nice staffs and good vibes. But food is very disappointing, and is overly priced for what is offered. For example, quinoa salad should be renamed as sprouts and corn salad as it has way too much raw spouts and corn. It tastes nothing but bean-y. When I finally pick out some quinoa to taste, I realized that they are undercooked... Portion size is small and it cost about $13. Definitely won't come back again. read more

Great spot off the beaten track unless you are cycling/walking/ living in the Riverdale area. Lots of room so you are not rubbing shoulders. Can find a spot inside or outside. This is the original home of the owners of the brickyard before it became Riverdale. Minimalist menu : 1 soup, 1 sandwich, 2 salads, plus a few other choices (brunch menu serving til 3pm). My partner made a couple requests that could not be met - mayo, anything other than white bread for the sandwich. read more

Came here for lunch today. Their menu is very limited so it makes deciding what to eat easy. They also have a soup and a special of the day. I had the breakfast sandwich and added ham and cheese on top. It was ok but the egg portion was nonexistent. I opted to try one of their desserts and went for the chocolate mousse. It was positively vile, why anyone would make chocolate mousse with goat cheese is beyond me. read more

Little Brick - Chocolate Mousse w/ Espresso Crumble - Cafes Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Great spot in an even better neighbourhood! I had the chicken stew and shared a cinnamon bun. Both were incredible - full of flavour and fresh tasting ingredients. One of the best stews and buns I've had! My girlfriend had the daily soup (butternut squash and corn), which was delicious too. read more

Quaint little café in Riverdale. The tomato bisque soup I had today was very good. Also an excellent place to hold small meetings as there is an area at the back that can be reserved. read more

I'm a huge fan of Little Brick and wish we could have one in our neighbourhood, although you'd never be able to fully recreate the incredible vibe within! Little Brick has incredible lattes and sandwiches - if you find one that you love, like I did with the pear, goat cheese, walnut and more sandwich, don't delay in going back. They do change their menu seasonally (so my oh so favourite sandwich was on the winter menu) and thus I'm going to have to find a new favourite. The way LB used the house is so unique but obviously so familiar at the same time - I love the colours in the house and the clean lines/minimal furniture in there. The living room is comfortably set up with a few seating areas and the dining room has a beautiful table that can function both as a community table or a great place to bring the whole family. There's a ton of seating outside, which is great for Edmonton summers! And in the main area inside, there's quite a few seats in the well lit café and store area. Every time I go I've had a great experience with the staff, the environment and the food/drink. I want to bring everyone I know there! I've also heard that LB is available for private bookings as well. read more

We are a group of dog walkers, and like Little Brick cafe, for coffee and snacks after our walk. The staff are pleasant and helpful, and the coffee, great. Usually the food is tasty but on Monday, the 25th November 2019. We ordered a pulled pork bun, which was great, tomato soup, which was also great. Unfortunately, my biscuit was not baked that day, and was dry and hard. The mac and cheese was mostly macaroni and a tiny amount of cheese sauce. The lady who had the mac and cheese could not eat much of it, as macaroni on its on, is not great. We will return, as this standard of food is not usual, so hopefully this was a "one off". read more

The ambiance of Little Brick is just fantastic! It's located in a community and is inside of a reno'd house, which gives it a quaint, home like feel. There's a large backyard area equipped with tables and fire pits for the warmer months. Inside of the cafe is bright (due to huge windows - my fave!!) and has, you guessed it, lots of brick! There's plenty of seating area and a little shop to pick up some authentically Edmonton goods. Their lattes and London Fogs are super yummy! I believe they use Bow and Arrow beans, which are delicious. They come in large sized cups, perfect for nursing while you chat or do work. I ordered their version of eggs benny, which was very yummy! It wasn't enough to fill me up though, so you may need to order some extra food if you're feeling particularly hungry. I took a star off only because I found their portions to be small for the price I paid, but everything else is fantastic! I'll definitely be back to enjoy the atmosphere! read more

It's a cute spot for a cafe and it is quite homey, but that's about it. We arrived around 2 pm and we're informed that there were no sandwiches. OK. I get that maybe their lunch rush was busier than expected but to have no lunch options left but salad.... So I ordered a muffin and a tea misto, I found the girl behind the counter to be abrupt almost to the point of rudeness. And to top it off my tea misto tasted more like a milk steamer with a slight after taste of black tea. I may go back one day but it will not be my choice. For my coffee and tea I'm sticking to my neighborhood cafe. read more

I attended the NextGen Month Kick-Off Celebration which was a private rental at Little Brick. It was a beautiful Spring evening; therefore, you could sit outside on the picnic tables. The event was mostly outside besides an indoor food table. But I took a peak around the interior and there is a cozy seating area and a mini shop with pieces from local artisans. I had never heard of this gem before! I will have to come check it out during regular hours and sample their drinks and treats. Great venue for private rentals though! Up to 100 people. read more

Little Brick - Little Brick! - Cafes Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

We waited and waited for our coffee! This place needs a industrial coffee maker. They had the 9.00 package of marshmallows to keep you busy while you wait for your coffee! We live in the area so we may return and we hope they get their production rate up. read more

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Top Notch! I had my first visit today and I can quite honestly say I am impressed. Little Brick is conveniently tucked away South East of downtown in the Riverdale community. The decor of this converted home is warm and inviting. Staff were very gracious. I sampled a very well balanced Americano and a delectable Chicken Stew from their lunch menu. There is ample table seating for groups of 4 as well as some couches for casual coffee meet ups. The general store had some interesting wares that I was unfortunately too rushed to check out. My only minus for Little Brick might be the pricing of some of their menu items. None the less, this does not make me apprehensive about coming back. Definitely one of the top 3 coffee spots in Edmonton. Bring a friend or a loved one. Good vibes. read more

I am torn with this review. The ambience and the mood of this place is phenomenal. Quaint, it has character, warmth...loved all of that!! I was sure I'd go back as I entered. But...then came the food. I ordered the Memphis rubbed ribs and potato salad and a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was tasty. What I couldn't stomach was the food. Completely overloaded with salt. The rib rub was completely overpowered by salt. The potato salad had too much mustard and strange other seasonings on it that it lacked the familiarity of potato salad. And again...completely overloaded with salt. The atmosphere actually puts it over the top for me, so I will go back. I think I'll stick to their muffins or desserts and their warm beverages though. read more

Love this place. First visit this morning, when Allan G and I wanted to expand our coffee-trying spots. Wanted to see if it had enough room to write. It's not SUPER big, but I did get in an hour or so before it started getting crowded. My latte' was dang near perfect, and I had a raspberry-rhubarb muffin with it. Al got a mocha and an orange chocolate chip scone (which he gave me the last of-- they're HUGE). I liked it even better than my muffin. Plus, we met Arlo, the world's cutest Bouvier puppy outside. I can only imagine how awesome it must be on sunny, warm days. Definitely plan on coming back when we can get an outside table and enjoy some spring weather when it gets nicer. read more

We just moved to Riverdale and were so exited when we heard about Little Brick Cafe, and it didn't disappoint. My fiancée and I had 2 chai tea lattes, roast beef sandwich and the ham sandwich. Everything was super quick and delicious! We also shared an oatmeal coconut cookie for desert and once again was awesome! Great little place would recommend it to anyone. Has a very unique feel that I don't think could be duplicated anywhere else. read more

Here for Fathers Day breakfast and such a delightful experience. The menu is amazing! Beef bennie, turkey sandwich and french toast highly recommend. Such a treat! read more

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Went here for lunch today - slower customer service but my dish of viejas was worth the wait. The patio out back is quaint and was perfect given the nice weather. This little gem is hidden smack dab in the middle of a cute neighborhood, which just adds to its ambience! read more

This has to be Edmonton's most hidden gem. Friendly and down to earth, this artistic inspired, community driven eatery is quaint and inviting. The feeling of home is complete with several fireplaces, a private courtyard and a wonderful Hamptons chic decor - all nestled in the heart of Riverdale. We will definitely be regulars at our new favourite breakfast nook... Little Brick. read more

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We were not greeted or explained that we had to go to the till to order and pay. We had to serve our own drinks. When asked for salt and pepper normal condiments on a table we were told to grab them from the counted and return when done. Staff was very snobbish. Not even a smile while they took your money. Food was delivered but we had to clear our own table after the meal. 4 orders were cold and had to be returned. Then eggs benny hollandaise sauce was served cold. It comes straight from the fridge. Not once did they come by and ask how things were. If your not concerned about your customers we can find a restaurant that does. We did leave and went to another restaurant for coffee so we could visit with out of town relatives. And the fly's hanging around our inside on our table was an extra bonus. Very unsanitary. Also over price. Skip this place. read more

Great little place! Went for brunch today. They have a very limited menu. But amazing food. Tineke and I shared the sandwiches, roast beef sandwich and a smoked ham sandwich. So fresh! They have a wide variety of seating arrangement, living room, dining room and some tables outside, definitely have room for more tables, and more comfortable seating. Great food, great atmosphere, great place. Pet friendly outside. read more

This is a great little Cafe. I say Cafe because that's what they want to be called. I think of it as a coffee shop but that depends on one's point of view. Dropped in on a weekend afternoon for a bite of lunch and coffee. Heard a lot of good things about. Firstly, it's a cool old brick house (whose history I would like to know more about) with all the rooms out to good use. It's quiet, no loud music, just the low him of conversations. Patio area is nice, several fire bowls scattered around the hard. Coffee was good, not outstanding but not disappointing. The menu was, at least for me. I admit to being a bit of a "meat and potatoes" guy at times. I don't gravitate to the latest Aioli or whatever you call it. Apart from the odd salad (Mrs had a quinoa salad and it was good, she enjoyed it) there are sandwiches and the like. This is where I ran into a problem. The menu is inflexible. There were a number of good looking ones that had ingredients I didn't care for. For whatever reason they can't remove things. Certain things must be pre made. Also, I am not a big fan of duck. So I was out there. I ended up having a cookie. Shame, the food around me looked pretty good and was being enjoyed. Is it too much to ask for a ham and cheese with the excess gunk? Not to me. That's why it gets 3 out of 5. If you don't mind the odd trendy ingredient in your food or duck is your thing, you'll probably enjoy it very much. I will be back but it will be for the ambiance and coffee! read more

Wonderful little spot! Visited Little Brick this afternoon for coffee and lunch. The location is a bit hidden but adds to its charm. The coffee was excellent along with the sandwich and muffin we all shared. There is a cute general store that you can browse while waiting for your order. Like any new business, kinks are being worked out but the food, drinks, friendly people and unique environment make Little Brick a place I'll return to often. read more

Such a cute little cafe! I finally made it over here this weekend and was especially pleased by the outdoor seating - there are so many picnic tables and chairs! Perfect for a warm day. My iced coffee was delicious - one of the best I've had. My breakfast sandwich was also amazing. My only qualm was that it wasn't quite what I ordered - it had cheese instead of ham on it (their vegetarian option). I was later told (when I asked) that they had run out of ham... but I would have preferred to have been told that when I ordered and not to have had a random substitution made. It was tasty, though. read more

Delicious food and friendly staff. Cozy space and sells a bunch of local goodies! The breakfast sandwich was super good except there was too much bread (and the bread was on the dry side). The sausage add on for the sandwich was super good! read more

Little Brick has grown up since the first reviews. I am a Riverdalian and just discovered this gem via neighbours. Yes, this house, originally J.B. Little's private home (well know in Riverdale history as the owner of the Brickyard that was here early 20C), sits on an odd shaped property. It is unusual to have to walk around a building to its entrance, but it has charms of its own. Today the front lawn was a spot for a group of moms and little ones on a picnic blanket! Away from the other clientele they had ample personal space, shade and baby crawling opportunities. Back to the building. I love that they have reclaimed and repurposed this unusual but historic home. My heart grieved when that part of the neighbourhood was developed, the yard was carved up losing its beautiful old gardens and the house slowly fell into disrepair. In the 90's I loved walking back into history when this and a couple other turn of the century homes lined a tiny road leading to the open, abandoned brickyard fields. History lesson done. The interior renovations are delightful and explain the front door as the employee entrance (kitchen). What they've done with the rest is very simple but charming; the cafe/store, the living space & dining which are for patrons, as well as the expansive yard with a variety of seating options. I think the potential is limitless and if they enjoy success (which they should) I know they will keep developing their spaces both inside and out. Now, food. They were swamped, I arrived at the tail end and got my order in a timely, complete and cheerful manner. My roast beef sandwich was a revelation. Perhaps I don't get out enough but this was so NOT old school fare. Clever condiments made this a flavourful surprise. A big tasty mouthful of flavours, interesting combinations and wonderful freshness. My London Fog was very delicate but yummy. I had to try a pastry afterward so has a lemon chocolate scone, a monster scone..which was enhanced by a tiny warmup (at my request). Ummmm, melted chocolate. My plan. Use their regular customer card up. Introduce my family and friends. Then quietly indulge. Often. read more

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