Calgary
Apprentice Cafe
Calgary cafe serving Italian-inspired focaccia breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffee, house-baked goods, and small-batch ice cream in Ramsay.
cafe · italian-inspired · breakfast sandwiches · ice cream · coffee
Our story
At Apprentice Café, we bring a taste of Italy to Calgary through our house-baked focaccia breakfast sandwiches. Our focaccia is based on a traditional Italian recipe learned in Modena, where we were inspired by the sandwiches of a small local bakery. We shape the dough into individual buns and pair it with creative, chef-driven ingredients, while sourcing many of our ingredients from Alberta businesses and farmers.We are more than a café serving coffee and good food. Our cozy space is designed for stories, friendships, and everyday moments shared with the community. Alongside our all-day sandwiches, we make specialty drinks, baked goods, and small-batch dairy and dairy-free ice cream in house.
Meet the chef
Chef Rein Trotzuk trained at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver before apprenticing with Massimo Bottura’s team in Modena, Italy. After nearly a decade in oil and gas, he returned to Alberta and opened Apprentice Cafe, where he draws on Italian culinary experience to create house-baked focaccia breakfast sandwiches, small-batch ice cream, and other in-house offerings.
— Rein Trotzuk
Rein Trotzuk
Signature Dishes
Menu
Restaurant highlights
Ways to enjoy
Gallery
Reviews
Google reviews
Sydney “Syd”Forgot to take a pic before eating it but the new scones are amazing! And as always my regular order, London fog and a pulled pork sandwich will always be my favourite. Everybody is always so sweet and it does feel like a big group of friends even if you barely know anybody in there. PLUS! Their hot chocolates for hot chocolate fest always get good reviews because they are downright delicious!
Meghan LindsayWent to get a quick lunch, sandwich, coffee and cookies, all of which were delicious. I had the tomato veg and my husband had the steak melt. Seating is very limited, and it’s a small space with no bathroom. Staff was very kind and pleasant. Parking is on the street.
Ar XkThe focaccia sandwich was absolutely delicious. Insane how good it was. The owner is also super nice to talk to. I'm definitely going to come back to try some coffee (from rogue wave!) and ice cream.
Eric QuachThe owner/staff are kind and the breakfast sandwiches are amazing. My fiance and I tried the Pastrami and Bacon sandwiches and they were delicious, especially with their focaccia. They were still warm/fresh by the time we ate them at home. Definitely will be back at Apprentice Cafe!
Lindsay in the mountainsCame to try their Dubai hot chocolate during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest and it was worth the trek! Topped with homemade pistachio gelato and pistachio brittle candy with a delicate crunch, it was everything I didn't know I wanted from a hot chocolate. They were even able to make mine dairy and gluten free. Staff were lovely and prepared everything with care. Just be prepared to enjoy your food/drink outside, as space is very limited.
Guest testimonials
Sydney “Syd”Forgot to take a pic before eating it but the new scones are amazing! And as always my regular order, London fog and a pulled pork sandwich will always be my favourite.
Went to get a quick lunch, sandwich, coffee and cookies, all of which were delicious. I had the tomato veg and my husband had the steak melt. Seating is very limited, and it’s a small space with no bathroom. Staff was very kind and pleasant. Parking is on the street.
Ar XkThe focaccia sandwich was absolutely delicious. Insane how good it was. The owner is also super nice to talk to. I'm definitely going to come back to try some coffee (from rogue wave!) and ice cream.
Eric QuachThe owner/staff are kind and the breakfast sandwiches are amazing. My fiance and I tried the Pastrami and Bacon sandwiches and they were delicious, especially with their focaccia. They were still warm/fresh by the time we ate them at home.
Lindsay in the mountainsCame to try their Dubai hot chocolate during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest and it was worth the trek! Topped with homemade pistachio gelato and pistachio brittle candy with a delicate crunch, it was everything I didn't know I wanted from a hot chocolate. They were even able to make mine dairy and gluten free.
Such a cute little spot. Ordered the sun-dried tomato focaccia - so yummy, and the bread is made in house. Also got their hot chocolate fest drink and it was perfect with the pistachio ice cream. Can’t wait to come back.
Apprentice Cafe: a little taste of Italy in Ramsay. They serve some amazing sandwiches!! The owner, a former cook in Italy, makes everything from scratch, including the fluffy focaccia 🤤, desserts, and even the ice cream. This dedication to homemade quality really shines through. Everything we ordered was delicious.
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Open · closes 9:00 PM
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday