Best Steakhouses in Calgary
Calgary is a city that knows how to do steak.
Calgary is more than a meat and potatoes town. While a vibrant culinary community has developed, featuring all kinds of cuisine, we are definitely a city that knows our steak. Alberta is cattle country, and with so many fantastic beef ranches in this province, Calgary is home to plenty of classic steakhouses. Here are some of the best places in town to satisfy your steak craving.
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Big Fish and Open Range
Once two separate restaurants — a seafood joint and a steakhouse — separated by a wall, Big Fish and Open Range are now joined, offering surf, turf, or a little bit of both. The merger was so successful, a second location opened in 2022 in Marda Loop. The restaurant offers a great list of signature steaks; all served with tasty side. For those thinking beyond beef, a AAA elk sirloin is also on the menu.
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Caesar's Steakhouse
Since 1972, Caesar’s Steakhouse has been a downtown fixture and continues to offer a very authentic Alberta steakhouse experience. The décor is delightfully nostalgic and the steaks themselves are timeless. Cut to order, you can get your meat as thick as you’d like and pair it with classics like caramelized onion soup, a twice-baked stuffed potato or tableside Caesar Salad. The downtown location is the stuff of Calgary legend, but if you’re on the south side of the city, there’s a second location in Willow Park.
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Chairman's Steakhouse
Chairman’s Steakhouse is located in the south community of Mahogany, but even if you’re in a more central part of the city, this classy restaurant is worth the journey. Designed with a sense of high-end elegance (the restaurant is named after Frank Sinatra, after all), the menu is incredibly opulent, with a selection of high-end steaks that can be made even fancier with add-ons like ruby port jus or foie gras mushroom sauce. For something slightly more casual, drop into the adjacent lounge.
Address: 2251 Mahogany Blvd SE
Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Calgary’s Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is no longer in its original location that opened in the ‘50s. Its current digs in The CORE Shopping Centre were designed with mid-century glamour in mind. This is iconic luxury at its very best. The appetizer list is stacked with classic bites like Oysters Rockefeller and escargot, but the prime steaks, including dry-aged bone-in rib steaks are the highlight. Whatever you do, don’t skip out on the cheese toast. It’s been the restaurant’s signature since 1955 and is completely irresistible.
Address: 8 Avenue at, 3 St SW
The Keg
A favourite for families, business meetings and couples out on a date, The Keg has multiple locations in Calgary to give steak lovers a chance to get a beautiful cut of meat without having to drive across the city. Consistent quality and a diverse menu suitable for all ages and tastes is what makes The Keg a perennial go-to.
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Modern Steak
Modern Steak’s name refers to the restaurant’s sophisticated décor, but its calling card is its selection of ranch-specific Alberta beef. Modern’s signature is its Modern Benchmark Black Angus, which comes from cattle sired by the restaurant’s vey own bull. It also serves varieties from different ranches, imported wagyu and Kobe beef from Japan, a nice selection of seafood and even vegetarian and vegan options for non-steak eaters who are just along for the ride.
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Ruth's Chris Steak House
Conveniently located at the base of the Calgary Tower , Ruth’s Chris Steak House may not be exclusive to Calgary, but they do serve a mighty fine steak, right in the heart of the city. As with all Ruth’s Chris locations, the steaks are cooked on a 1,800F double broiler, to juicy perfection.
Address: 115 9 Ave SE
Saltlik
A favourite amongst Calgary’s business crowd, Saltlik serves a solid steak dinner without too much fuss or pretentiousness. The menu has a little bit of everything, but the Certified Angus Beef sirloin steaks are a highlight, especially with a side of mashed potatoes and one of the kitchen’s sumptuous sauces.
Address: 101 8 Ave SW
Vintage Chophouse and Tavern
The Vintage restaurant group’s flagship dining room is appropriately posh, with dark wood accents and exceptional service. Steaks at the Vintage Chophouse and Tavern are amongst the best in the city and come with an extensive selection of luxurious sauces like bone marrow, blue cheese, or black truffle butter and the option of its famous lobster mac and cheese on the side. For the lighter side of Vintage, enjoy a drink and some appetizers in the adjacent tavern.
Address: 320 11 Ave SW
Wellington’s
A local favourite since 1979, Wellington’s is famous for its old school charm and menu full of delicious Alberta beef. There are several cuts of charbroiled steaks to choose from, including a Chateaubriand for two or more people to share. And yes, they do serve a glorious Beef Wellington, baked to perfection in puff pastry.
Address: 10325 Bonaventure Dr SE
These are just a few of the places that are classified as steakhouses. Many other restaurants in Calgary also feature incredible steaks on their menus. If it’s Canadian, or even better, Alberta beef, you really can’t go wrong.
About the author:
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth is a local food writer, cookbook author, radio columnist and a lifelong Calgarian.
