On my last trip to Calgary, I was truly blown away by the incredible food I found there. When I think of Stampede City, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t immediately the food, but I’m here to tell you, it should be! There is no shortage of good restaurants in Calgary. Whether you’re looking for an upscale dinner, a casual lunch, or a late-night bite, there’s plenty to choose from. With so many options, it can be hard to narrow down your search. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you! Here are some of our favourite places to grab a bite in Calgary.
Coffee & Cafes
As soon as my feet touch the ground in a new city, I’m on the hunt for a good cup of coffee! Partly to quell the jetlag and partly as a means to just sit back and relax. When 9 am hits on vacation, there’s no need to jug down that coffee and run to the office. Instead, you can savour the brew, bring out a book and just take in the sounds of the city.
Analog Coffee
Walking into Analog Coffee almost felt like walking into someone’s family kitchen. The vibes inside were so friendly. Everyone seemed to know each other, buying drinks for their friends and catching up with the staff. This is always a key indicator to know when a place is good. They have a wide selection of signature coffees and tea lattes for those who aren’t a fan of the bean. These pastries are all brought in from local bakeries. The indoor-outdoor seating offers a comfortable setting any time of the year. During certain hours of the day, they even have a small DJ booth area where you can enjoy live music! Truly a unique and special place to spend your mornings.
La Boulangerie Bakery Cafe
La Boulangerie Bakery Cafe holds a very place in my heart. It was where my grandparents would come every morning to enjoy a chai latte and mocha with each other even in the last years of their lives. Dating till the very end! But it’s not just my warm fuzzy memories that make this cafe and bakery an extraordinary place. Locals flock to the bakery every morning with a line out to the door.
The family-owned restaurant offers up a distinctive variety of fresh, flaky pastries. There is seemingly always something new to try and make your mouth water. And their coffee is the perfect companion to those sweet treats. For me, their chai latte is a personal favourite, but their espresso is deep and delicious. Be warned that this place is always busy, so your order might take a bit longer than the typical coffee shop. Just take a seat on their Parisian inspired patio, and people watch while you wait on your order.
Lukes Drug Mart
Coffee in a Drug Store? Not exactly the first place you might think of, but trust me on this one, Lukes Drug Mart is worth the trip to Bridgeland, just north of the river! And yes, it really is a Drug Store. In fact, it is the oldest independently owned pharmacy in Calgary, opening in 1951. This location is now home to a trendy cafe. But the store is also filled with a small vinyl record collection, specialty grocery items, quality skincare and cosmetics. As well as the typical drug store items you’d expect to find in a pharmacy.
Kaffeeklatsch
Kaffeeklatsch is a cozy little cafe located on 12th avenue. The word ‘Kaffeeklatsch‘ is a combination of two Germain words, which mean “coffee” and “gossip.” What more could you want! The word is the perfect description of what truly feels like a homely coffee shop where friends meet up to chat and get caffeinated before work. The shop is home to a small lending library, so if you forgot a book to bring on your vacation, you can pick one up here and just drop it back off before you leave!
One of the best parts of the coffee shop is pairing your morning brew with their traditional german pastries available fresh every morning! One of the more unique coffees available only at Kaffeeklatsch is the Black Forest Cake Lattee. This drink is made with chocolate milk, espresso and topped with cherries and whipped cream. If you wanna drink your pastries, this is the thing for you!
Brunch
Our Daily Brett
Hidden away, up in the Mount Royal neighbourhood, is one of the BEST brunch places in all of Calgary. Our Daily Brett prides itself on good, honest food, and it really lives up to the hype. Their adorable and chic restaurants are also home to one of the best curated retail shops in the entire city as well. So once you’re finished eating, you can browse the walls filled with local goods. Their menu is so diverse, with something for everyone. But the Huevos Rancheros and Shakshuka are some tried and true favourites.
If you’re a fan of pickles, you MUST order a side of their fresh turmeric pickles with chilli flakes. It makes for the perfects savoury bite to pair with your meal. If you want something special to drink, try their lavender fog latte! Honestly, anytime I see this one on the menu, I order it up as fast as I can!
Red’s Diner on 4th
As fun as trendy and hip brunch places are, nothing really hits the spot better than a traditional greasy spoon-type diner. And Red’s Diner on 4th is the best of the best. Red’s Diner serves incredible all-day breakfasts inside a friendly and comfortable interior. They have all the classics and a specialty Prairie Breakfast Plate, adding potato cheddar perogies and Rocky’s kielbasa to a traditional breakfast platter. Their Blueberry, Basil & Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast was INCREDIBLE! Portions are enormous, so don’t hesitate to share.
Galaxie Diner
The minute I spotted the retro-painted exterior of the Galaxie Diner, I knew I was going straight inside. While the trendy decor is one thing, good food is another, and happily, I was met with both! They are best known for their incredible breakfast burrito, but for me, the sourdough french toast is ALWAYS the way to go! That slight tang the sourdough gives to balance out the sweetness is perfect. With bottomless cups of coffee, toast and hashbrowns, there really is no reason to leave!
Monki Bistro
If you have a sweet tooth, then run, don’t walk, over to Monki Bistro. Handily they have two locations, one downtown and one over in the hipster neighbourhood of Inglewood. They frequently have specialty items on the menu, such as their Cookies and Cream French toast. This intensely rich dish is covered in crumbled Oreos, Nutella, whipped cream and cheesecake sauce served atop their iconic MONKI French Toast (which is thick as a brick!) Another one of their super unique items is the Brisket Poutine. This dish is made with slow-braised beef brisket cooked with truffle ricotta, cream cheese, and mushrooms. Then it’s topped with hashbrowns, smoked gouda, mozzarella cheese mix, a poached egg, hollandaise and a dash of hot sauce! I mean…Are you drooling yet?
Lunch
Park By Sidewalk Citizen
Right off of Central Memorial Park, you can dine on some of the most delicious shareable lunchtimes treats at Park By Sidewalk Citizen. Sidewalk Citizen has several locations around Calgary, but this is my absolute favourite. There is no way to not mention the gorgeous decor, which is a blend of beautiful natural wood and fantastical plants which feel like they blend right into the park’s backdrop. I’m one of those people that loves “sides,” and this restaurant serves up some of the most delicious sides, which I was more than happy to have as my entree. The honey, lemon and rose halloumi was some of the best things I’ve ever eaten! So simple and yet so deep! Don’t miss out on this place!
Native Tongues Taqueria
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know my deep love for Mexico City! So whenever I’m anywhere else in the world where I see a taqueria that reminds me of Mexico City, I have to go right in. And Native Tongues Taqueria in Calgary was one of those places that felt like it transports you somewhere else, both with the decor and the food!
They focus on traditional Mexican street and market foods, which makes it the perfect place for lunch. If you’re visiting with a friend or a group, you MUST try the salsa tasting. The tasting consists of freshly made tortillas and an assortment of five different salsa. Each one is increasing in the spiciness. The waiter comes out and presents each salsa to you like they were fine wines; it was amazing! The pork belly taco was my favourite, though, but that’s no surprise, as it’s always the best choice 🙂
Actually Pretty Good
If you are looking for the cutest spot to grab a pizza, look no further than Actually Pretty Good! If you are gluten or dairy-free, this place also offers up some amazing alternatives for any diet. Their incredible creations are really unique, especially the Club Med Pizz, which has semi-sun dried tomatoes, charred red onion, calabrian chillies, roasted red pepper, kale, feta, mozzarella. YUM! Also, be sure to grab one of MANY of their dunking sauces; Hot Honey of the Roasted Garlic Tahini really takes that crust to the next level!
Myhre’s Sandwich Shop
When most people think of smoked meat, think of Montreal. Luckily Calgary has its very own authentic Montreal smoked meat at Myhre’s Sandwich Shop. Their counter even has a sign on it that says, “We specialize in skeptical Montrealers,” so you know it’s going to be good if they’re that confident. Although I do love a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, I can’t say no to a grilled Reuben! Plus, the interior of this place just feels like you’re in a different time and place. Everything about this place truly hits the spot.
Sweet Treats
Hoopla Donuts
I am someone who feels like a meal isn’t complete without dessert. Especially when I’m on vacation, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a sweet treat. And a specialty donut shop is just one of those things that I’m always on the lookout for! Hoopla Donuts caught my eye right away with this modern and brightly coloured branding, but when I walked inside and saw their selection of donuts, my jaw dropped.
Their aim is to create high-end donuts with unique ingredients and flavours. Even the presentation is of the utmost importance. It’s almost like a fancy pastries shop. Their flavours range from everything from crème brûlée (which actually has a hard brûlée crust on top,) cherry chocolate pie, caramel corn, raspberry chai old fashioned, London fog and horchata. Best of all, many of their flavours are available in gluten-free versions, and some are naturally vegan! Trust me, make this one of your first stops, and you’ll be back every day!
Don’t Yell At Me Cafe
Don’t Yell At Me Cafe is a boutique bubble tea shop that specializes in some of the most incredible bubble tea flavours. Bubble tea is another one of those sweet treats that pair flawlessly with walking around the city. It powers you up and is the ideal thing to enjoy on a hot summer’s day. I was entranced by their cotton candy milk tea but was so worried it would be too sweet, but once I tasted it, I was so happy to find that it was the PERFECT level of sweetness. This place truly knows what they are doing.
Their goal is to make beautiful and tasteful layered milk tea, chocolate milk, creative sparkling water and freshly ground coffee, so even if you don’t like bubble tea, there will be something for you! Those jade pearl with Sakura milk tea, though, is absolutely worth a try if you’re in town!
Made By Marcus
If you love ice cream, then you NEED to make time to head over to Made by Marcus! And luckily for you, they have four locations around Calgary, so you have no excuse not to go. Made By Marcus actually started out as a macarons bakery. Macarons require lots of egg white, and so not wanting to waste anything, they turned the yolks into small-batch ice cream. Well, the ice cream started to outsell the macarons (and aren’t we all over macarons), so they decided to just make the ice cream!
And this is no ordinary ice cream. They create truly unique made-from-scratch ice cream with local ingredients supporting Alberta-based farmers, roasters, distillers and artisans. Every month they released limited batches like Peach Blackberry Habanero, Whisky Caramel Cornbread Crunch, Odd Company Passionfruit Coconut Sour and Apricot Almond Tart! But their classics are still super special flavours like Lemon Saffron coconut sorbet, sea salt and goat milk caramel, chinook honey lavender apricot and vegan chocolate brownie fudge!
Black Sheep Pâtisserie
Every time I’m travelling I spend a bit of time before I leave looking up the top-rated restaurants and shops in the city I’m visiting. And rarely do you find a shop with a rating as high as Black Sheep Pâtisserie. It’s almost unbelievable. So obviously, I had to try it for myself. Their croissants are what have been making the rounds online, and they do not disappoint! They are airy, flaky and gorgeous to look at! But these aren’t just regular butter croissants. You can get raspberry filled with house-made jam, pear and vanilla, even grapefruit! All made with that iconic coloured ribbon of dough which makes them perfectly instagrammable! But it’s not just stunt food; it’s the real deal.
Dinner
Lulu Bar
Lulu Bar is where you go to escape from the ordinary in Calgary. They tried to recreate a little backyard oasis in the centre of downtown. Their aim is to make guests feel like they’re on vacation with their Pacific-inspired menu. And they really did succeed. Just sitting out on the patio with my adorable kitty-cat cocktail, I felt like I should be on the beach in Honolulu. Their wagyu beef tartare was amazing, but the best part of the meal was the BBQ crispy half duck served on turmeric crepes with pickles and tamarind sauce. Gluten-free and tasty beyond belief!
Comery Block Barbecue
I had passed Comery Block Barbecue several times while walking around the city. The smell drew me in every time, so I made sure to book a reservation ASAP. Comery Block Barbecue is a West-Tennessee-inspired BBQ and Bourbon joint on 17th Avenue. While I’m no whiskey aficionado, I do adore some good BBQ. They serve meat by the half-pound, but as usual, for me, it’s the sides that make the entire meal. Their collard greens were indeed some of the best collard greens I’ve ever had! That cornbread with honey butter was out of this world. The atmosphere in this place is so cheery with large shared tables and music that just makes you wanna get up and dance. The kind of place to come to spend a long summer evening watching the sunset and the little twinkle lights come on to light up your night.
Aida’s Bistro
For a taste of Lebanon in the centre of Calgary, you have to head over to Aida’s Bistro. Just the sheer variety of these international restaurants is the one thing that surprised me so much about Calgary. Who knew you could travel around the world in just one city. And Aida’s Bistro is one of the best. Their meals are genuinely made with love, and the intimate environment feels like you’re eating mom’s home cooking. Try their dip sampler platter as the perfect way to start your meal. Their shared plates are the perfect amount for two people, and I love the feeling of eating together like this.
A1 Cafe & Bodega
A1 Cafe and Bodega is a unique blend of a restaurant and neighbourhood grocer in the centre of Calgary’s hip downtown neighbourhood. The bodega section of the restaurants serves the community with local produce. The restaurants then use the products that would otherwise go to waste to help create a zero waste environment. Their aim is to create foods that sustain you and the planet! But the food is out of this world! The dishes are loosely Mediterranean-influenced, with a long list of charcuterie items and sharable plates. I know, I know here I go with the shared plates! But trust me on this one, the dill and butter potatoes, roasted beets and ricotta, harissa octopus and peaches and cream stracciatella are all too good to be kept to yourself!
Markets & Specialty Shops
Peasant Cheese Mission
If you prefer to make a little picnic and take that with you while you’re in town, there are some truly unique and fantastical markets and specialty shops you need to visit! Peasant Cheese Mission is one of the most amazing cheeses and charcuterie shops in the entire city. The people who own the shop are some of the kindest and most helpful cheesemongers without an ounce of pomp.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when a cheese shop doesn’t want to cut the cheese too small, and you end up with huge chunks of cheese you’ll never finish eating on your little picnic. But this place knows how to help you curate the perfect mini platter for your vacation, so you don’t have any leftovers at the end of the meal. Be sure to ask for their pickled purple cauliflower; it’s the most incredible pairing for any cheese plate.
Kalamata Grocery
Kalamata Grocery is one of those grocers you might pass right by but is totally worth popping inside. This building has been home to a grocery store since it opened in 1912! Kalamata Grocery Store. This tiny international grocer features a fantastic selection of foods, spices and candy from around the world (specializing in Greece, Turkey, Spain.) Pop in to shop the olive bar, try their hand-made feta, grab some Turkish honey, and pick up a few ricotta cheese triangles.
Bridgeland Market
Bridgeland Market is one of those places that feel like it’s from a bygone era. It manages to maintain that old-school corner store feeling while serving up everything the modern gourmand requires! There is a wonderful selection of local products as well as some international delights. They have cold brew coffee on tap, custom-made floral bouquets and wide selections of produce, fresh bread, meats and cheeses. Be sure to snap a picture outside with their hilarious marquee sign, which is always changing up their sayings to make people smile.
The Blue Store
In the popular neighbourhood of Inglewood, the Blue Store is where you need to come to find your essential groceries plus some truly extraordinary delights! If you’re looking for Korean Fried Chicken, this is the place for you! Grab some to-do along with a tray of Yakuza Sushi and a large iced slushie! Their aim in creating this general store was to bring affordable groceries to everyone in the community and embrace the nostalgia of this heritage building. They have restored the original hardwood floors and tin ceilings and added a 60’s & 70’s inspired mural outside. This is the perfect place to grab a handful of snacks and ready-to-eat meals and head over to the edge of the Bow River to enjoy your meal with the best view in town!
After reading all this, you must be drooling? After wiping away that drool, get yourself onto a plane, train or automobile and make your way to Calgary to try these places for yourself! Let me know in the comment if I missed any of your faves!
Happy Travels, Adventurers!
1 COMMENT
Alicia Hursley
1 year agoThank you so much for sharing these awesome restaurants. I just moved to Calgary and need to get out and explore. I’m having a carpet cleaner out to my place this week so I figured it would be a perfect time to go try a new place to eat while I let my carpets dry. I’m a big fan of sandwiches so I will definitely try Myhre’s Sandwich shop. Thanks a gain!