19 must-try restaurants for a bite to eat in Calgary
We’ve already covered things to do, neighbourhoods to explore, and places to drink in Calgary. Now, it’s time for arguably the best part — eating. But when it comes to great restaurants in Calgary, there are many to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a classy sit-down dinner, there are options galore to satiate that hunger here in YYC… so the real question becomes: “How do you go about picking just one place to eat at?”
Unless you’ve got a bottomless stomach — in which case we’d be infinitely jealous — you’ll have to keep it down to just one (or maybe two) restaurants per meal to check out during a visit to Calgary, so it becomes a seriously important decision.
Luckily enough for you, we’ve put together a list of the top restaurants in Calgary to have a taste of.
Now it’s just a matter of how many you can get to before your trip is over…
Food AND drinks: Bridgette Bar
A great option for cocktails and eats in an eye-catching space, Bridgette Bar aims to bring its “chef-driven” bar concept to Calgary’s Design District. Look for an expansive dinner menu, bar snacks, and a brunch selection, in addition to beer, wine, and craft cocktails.
Address: 739 10th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Phone: Text +1-403-700-0191
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A classy (and haunted) sit-down spot: Deane House
Deane House/Instagram
Deane House Restaurant in Fort Calgary opened in 2017 after a lengthy renovation, and it has been expertly serving Calgarians modern Canadian cuisine ever since. Forming the menu around the idea of “farm, forage, prairie, coast,” Executive Chef Jamie Harling – formerly of Rouge – knows a thing or two about how to make customers keep coming back for more.
Address: 806 9th Avenue SE
Neighbourhood: Inglewood
Phone: +1-403-264-0595
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Asian-inspired dishes: Foreign Concept
Serving dinner as well as a bar menu, Foreign Concept spans a range of eats from charcuterie boards to numerous small and large plates representing a broad swath of Asian flavours and techniques.
Address: 1011 1st Street SW
Neighbourhood: Downtown Commercial
Phone:+1-403-719-7288
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Elegant eats: Lounge Eighteen
Named as a nod to the United States’ 18th Amendment (the one that signalled the start of the Prohibition era, when booze sales were illegal, and the speakeasy scene was born), Lounge Eighteen is aiming to be Calgary’s chic cocktail lounge destination. Lounge Eighteen made its debut in 2017 with a menu of classic cocktails with a twist, as well as an elegant food menu.
Address: 1005 17th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Beltline
Phone:+1-403-454-7143
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Argentinian-inspired: Charbar
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If you haven’t been to Charbar yet, bump this one to the top of your list. Charbar’s super-cool Argentinian-inspired fare has been delighting Calgarians since mid-2015. Look for items hot off the wood-fired grill, an expansive raw bar selection, and tapas-style share plates.
Address: 618 Confluence Way SE
Neighbourhood: East Village
Phone: +1-403-452-3115
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That raw fish fix: A+ Buffet Sushi Bar
With self-serve tables loaded with Asian and Asian fusion fare, including ample and limitless sushi, and, at dinnertime, sashimi, the restaurant is certainly an affordable way to achieve gut-busting status: Lunches start at $16, with AYCE dine-in dinner days starting at $26 It’s the stuff obsessions are made of.
Address: 6715 Macleod Trail SE
Neighbourhood: Kingsland
Phone: +1-403-455-9766
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Texas-style: Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey is all about Texas-style BBQ, which is done with smokers, and served up communal-style in an inviting hang-out space. If you are looking to get (responsibly) sauced, turn your attention to their impressive list of 150 whiskeys from around the globe.
Address: 1136 Kensington Road NW
Neighbourhood: Hillhurst
Phone:+1-403-283-3021
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Soft serve and more: Made By Marcus
Known for its creative flavours and premium quality, Made By Marcus products were only available for purchase at selected retail outlets until Summer 2016, when they opened up a brick-and-mortar shop in Calgary’s Lower Mount Royal neighbourhood. Made By Marcus offers an assortment of adventurous ice cream flavours, available by the scoop or in soft serve form. The storefront also boasts a take-away freezer that houses grab-and-go pints and tubs, as well as other sweet treats.
Address: 121 – 1013 17th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Beltline
Phone: +1-403-452-1692
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Downtown guildhall: The Guild
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Housed in the iconic Hudson’s Bay building on Stephen Avenue, The Guild (brought to life by restaurant group Oliver & Bonacini–a Canadian leader in fine dining) features the finest traditions of butchery, cookery, and bar-keeping. Focusing on live-fire cooking, The Guild will specialize in local beef, game, and fowl, prepared over mesquite fruitwood and charcoal grills.
Address: 200 8th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Phone: +1-403-770-2313
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Health-centric: Wise & Wright
Photo courtesy Wise & Wright
Located in the Core Shopping Centre, Wise & Wright brings health and flavour together in a delicious and nourishing way. Wise & Wright’s menu is diverse and ranges from baked goods (muffins, coconut “no cream” pies, vegan power cookies, chocolate and cashew butter cups, waffles, and the list goes on), to more substantial plates.
Address: 163 317 7th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Downtown Commercial
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North American cuisine: Ten Foot Henry
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Ten Foot Henry offers a range of all-day eating options, family-style dining, fair trade organic coffee, and a solid cocktail list. Locally-based chef Stephen Smee (previously at Ox & Angela and UNA Pizza + Wine) heads the kitchen and has crafted a vegetable anchored menu that focuses on the bold flavours of North American cuisine.
Address: 1209 1st Street SW
Neighbourhood: Victoria Park
Phone: +1-403-475-5537
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Fried chicken: Cluck ‘n’ Cleaver
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Cluck ‘n’ Cleaver is a casual spot offering take-out Southern fried and French-style rotisserie chicken. Sister duo Nicole Gomes (of Nicole Gourmet and Top Chef Canada season three) and Francine Gomes are spearheading the fast-concept eatery, where you can pick up delicious chicken, house-made salads, biscuits, and gravy.
Address: 1511 14th Street SW
Neighbourhood: Beltline
Phone: +1-403-266-2067
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Asian street food: Mango Mania
Mango, mango, mango: You might say Mango Mania is crazy about mangoes. The casual quick-serve and take-out restaurant in Crescent Heights offers fans of mango a haven in YYC thanks to their menu of mango-centred drinks and desserts, as well as a selection of bao buns to nibble on.
Address: 1115 Centre Street NW
Neighbourhood: Crescent Heights
Phone: +1-403-668-0801
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Brews and bites: Prairie Dog Brewing Company
Prairie Dog Brewing Company is Calgary’s newest brewery, and this spot boasts more than just some killer brews from 20 rotating taps. Located at 105D 58 Avenue SE, this brewery and brewpub has got a food selection fit for royalty.
Address: 105D 58th Avene SE
Neighbourhood: Chinook Centre area
Phone: +1-403-407-2448
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Brunch: Brekkie
Brekkie, located at 125-20 Westpark Link SW, has only just opened, but people are abuzz about their stellar selection of elevated brunch specials.
Address: 125-20 Westpark Link SW
Neighbourhood: West Springs
Phone: +1-403-452-9005
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Pub-style eats: One Night Stan’s
Located 520 17th Avenue SW, the former space of Immaculate Concept tattoo parlour, One Night Stan’s promises to be a bar room and divery with good eats, quality drinks, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Address: 520 17th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Beltline
Phone: +1-403-452-4407
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The perfect lunch: Alumni Sandwiches
Serving up decked out sandwiches, snacks, salads, and other sides like parmesan fries and charred onion dip, Alumni will be your new go-to spot located at 725 17 Avenue SW.
Address: 725 17th Avenue SW
Neighbourhood: Beltline
Phone: +1-403-455-7255
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Tasty treats: Sweet Haven
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Now open at 918 Centre Street N, the dessert spot offers Calgarians soft serve ice cream cones topped sky high with toppings like Oreo cookie crumbs and toasted marshmallows that come in flavours like cinnamon bun and s’mores
Address: 918 Centre Street N
Neighbourhood: Crescent Heights
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Ramen spot: Gorilla Whale
Located at 1214 9th Avenue SE, the new Inglewood spot for yakitori, ramen, and cocktails will be open seven night a week for that perfect feel good food.
Address: 1214 9th Avenue SE
Neighbourhood: Mills Estate
Phone: +1-587-356-2686
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Still hungry? Check out our Travel Guides for destinations across the globe for where to get the best eats in all your favourites cities.