Steeps the Urban Teahouse

Review #8 of Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge 2012
Steeps, where I may appropriately indulge in my tea leaf sniffing fetish. Maybe fetish is the wrong word… either way, I do enjoy lifting the lids to many of the pots of tea leaves and taking a great big deep breath in. If it carries a delicious aroma and feeling with it right down to my innards, I know I’ve found the tea I want to try (I so do this at home before I make a pot too!)
Get your tea to go, or order yourself a large pot and settle in with your book (or one of their’s) or bring your friends with you and just try to drag them away from a game of zombie munchkins.
Free wifi available, though not a plethora of plug-​ins… but hey, that just means you won’t be surrounded by the glowing hue of laptop screens your entire visit, right?

Went here on a chilly friday evening… The atmosphere was nice and they had a good selection of teas but I just thought that $ 9.00 for two small teas seemed very over priced.

Steeps has one of the best spots in the city and its a shame it’ll only be around during the warm weather. It’s right outside and to the right where the patio couches are. I could live there for days, watching strangers pass by, autumn leaves falling from the trees nearby, and vagrants getting arrested in the park across the street.
I think one of my favourite things in this place are their iced teas. They give you a glass of ice for you to pour your steeped tea in. Simple, I know, but I prefer this over most places that just throw your shit in a large pitcher and worse yet, throw in unauthorized shots of sugar because they though it would «taste good». As one of my training partners told me, «Sugar ALWAYS goes TO the belly»

Since undergoing management changes, I have seen a huge improvement in Steeps.
Once empty-​ish boring shelves are now filled with books to read. Cute teacups all the time. Wonderful staff who make it fun to visit alone, or alongside friends.
Tea selection is still the exact same; definitely not anything special at all (same generic supplier as most teashops in Canada), but still more drinkable than most spots on 17^th Ave who place a higher focus on coffee.
Patio is usually open during the warmer months unless it’s raining. This is awesome. More electrical outlets and stuff.

I see you, Steeps. And your collection of delightfully trashy romance novels tucked away amongst the Shel Silverstein and sea life books. Thank you, for being a pleasant haven to wait out the sudden downpour in with my lady friends.
The staff on deck that evening were pleasant, charming and didn’t charge me extra for the cutest little shot of almond milk. The Himalayan Chai I ordered was just the ticket, especially as I’ve been indulging as often as possible in all things with cinnamon in the last couple of months (I finally found something that helps me deal with the migraines that cinnamon gives me!). The adorable handpainted tea cups and french presses, reminded me of having tea and popcorn with my Grandma in her living room. Holding one with your pinky in the air almost seems necessary.
Relaxed atmosphere, free wi-​fi, delicious drinks and a clean bathroom downtown… yeah, Steeps, I like you :).

I’ve been a fan of this place since it opened years ago, and it is starting to get a bit more popular. The staff and management are knowledgeable, hard-​working, and very friendly. Great atmosphere without the pretentiousness, a wide selection of quality teas, and the best matcha latte I’ve found in the city. I like hiding out there alone, but I equally enjoy sharing it with friends and guests. It deserves to be recognized.

This is my favorite tea house in the city. The tea selection is excellent. They have over 100 teas, some of which are not on display. You can sit down to a pot or take it away in bulk. As far as I’m concerned the prices are very reasonable. The teas come in a variety of qualities the best of which you pay a little bit more for.
I really enjoy the staff here as I often sit at the bar while enjoying free wifi on my laptop. The staff are encouraged to drink the products for free, therefore are all quite knowledgeable about the selection. The manager and assistant manager are extremely knowledgeable about where the teas come from and some of the processing behind them.
This is the perfect place to be alone. This is the perfect place to be with friends. This is the perfect place for a first date.

If you’re a tea affectionado, then you will absolutely, positively love Steeps.
Steeps carries teas that even you haven’t yet created in your wildest dreams. Plus it’s known around town as THE tea place to go.
A friend of mine was visiting from Toronto and the ONLY thing her boyfriend wanted her to bring back for him was Steeps tea! Need I say more?
Whether you’re heading over to sip some tea with a friend, or whether you’re just picking up the goods in their notorious tea tins (available in small, medium or large), it’s a little known fact that Steeps tea is good to the last drop!

This is kind of the Oolong Teahouse of Mont Royal but less bohemian and artsy. I had no idea that this location existed in our area and it’s so nice that I do now.
Dozens of huge Jar containers donning selective tea blends on one massive shelf on one side of the wall. The counter of goodies, pastries and assorted simple foods is appealing and well priced. The gals behind the counter are lovely and very welcoming and the whole scene overall is a very much laid back tranquil tea drinking hang out.
Good art hang on the walls, and the view of the park across the street give this place a natural setting for an intimate meeting with a good friend or a casual place for a first date.
I believe I saw a patio but I could be wrong, I will double check this when the climate gets better.

When it comes to atmosphere, trendiness and selection, Steeps owns every coffee shop in Calgary. Long live the tea revolution!
I adore tea, and I adore the wide selection of teas that they provide. They have a little bit of everything, and I love the amount of fruity blends they have. Fruity teas are love.
I love the atmosphere, I love the crowd, I love the view, and I love the location. I love that you can nip out to the boutiques once you’re done with the girl chat, or crash there after a long day of shopping. I love the layout of the store. Really, even entering this tea house makes me happy. There’s a lot to be said for places like this. Calgary needs more of them.

Think tea smörgåsbord!
With at least about 70 teas to choose from, everyone will find their loose-​leaf-​lover. From Irish whiskey to coconut to chocolate orange to tiramisu to fruity blends and high quality greens or blacks, there’s something for everyone. Or try a mint or chocolate chai with a Simple Simon Pie or other delectable little edible companion. They also have a variety of tea paraphernalia to buy like steepers, matcha whisks and teapots.
The atmosphere is laid back and the music crooned. But I miss the days when they had mismatched chairs and tables and they’ve covered up most of their lovely windows with high shelving units for the teas… how silly considering their bustling little location. It feels a lil more standardized and a little less cozy then it used to. But still an enjoyable rendevous point on a chilly night.

gigantic tea selection and good veg samosas. i love sitting at steeps — it’s good for chatting with friends or studying etc.
what’s up with the bad art installations though? they’re actually offensive to the eye at times.
the staff are always really nice and friendly. the washroom is clean. really nice alternative to that coffee chain — you know the one i mean.

I think I love this place more than I love Starbucks.
Free Wi-​fi, a million gazillion choices of tea (& not the tea bags either), a nice quiet, trendy, crowd, live music on Sundays, & friendly staff.
I was spending a month of my summer at my condo in Calgary, and this place was only about a 5 minute drive, being parallel to 17^th ave. it was an awesome location. I was so well-​taken care of everytime I was there. I would definitely recommend.