Leduc Coffee Shop: A Hidden Gem Serving Award-Winning Orange Rolls
A few months ago, I was on the hunt for a hidden gem when I stumbled across Leduc Coffee Shop. With no website and hardly any information online, my curiosity was instantly piqued and I knew I had to check it out.
The very next day, I made my way over, and to my surprise, the coffee shop was tucked inside a space shared with two other businesses. At first, I assumed they were simply operating independently under the same roof.
Whenever I discover a new local spot, I like to start by chatting with the owner. When I asked the barista if the owner was available, I was told she was, but she was in the toy store. I wandered over and found myself meeting Karen, the owner, at the till.
Karen shared the story you won’t find online, and I’m thrilled to pass it along. Leduc Coffee Shop is part of Playing For Keeps Toys and More, a family-run business that has been a community staple for over 10 years. The concept of combining a gift shop, toy store, and café all under one roof was born out of necessity, after the City of Leduc denied Karen’s request for three separate business licenses. What could have been a setback turned into something truly unique. Though the toy store and gift shop play their roles, it’s the coffee shop that shines as the heart of the business.
At Leduc Coffee Shop, almost everything is made in-house—from the meals to the decadent desserts, with the exception of their bread, which is sourced from a local Portuguese bakery in Edmonton. Karen insisted that if I tried only one thing, it had to be their award-winning orange roll, which EDify magazine named the Best Dessert of 2024. This was especially exciting since EDify rarely nominates, let alone awards, businesses outside of Edmonton. What makes these rolls so special? Each one starts with dough that is hand stretched daily, baked to perfection, then topped with a delightful orange zest and coconut icing.
After my chat with Karen, I was ready to order. As a diehard cinnamon roll lover, I was hesitant to stray from my go-to, but I decided to trust her recommendation. With an orange roll, a turkey bagel club, and an iced chai in hand, I sat down to put them to the test. To my delight, the orange roll was nothing short of extraordinary. My other picks were equally delicious (though I knew they would be 😉), and the portion sizes were generous—the kind of value you can only find in a small town.
All in all, my visit to Leduc Coffee Shop was an absolute success. If you decide to plan your own trip to the café, stop by my desk for recommendations—but honestly, no matter what you choose, you won’t go wrong.