International Avenue Neighbourhood Guide

International Avenue  is known as Calgary’s Culinary and Cultural Capital, with diverse residents and the local shops, restaurants, and businesses to match. Located just east of Deerfoot Trail on 17th Avenue, International Avenue is a friendly and vibrant neighbourhood that locals love. Check out the public art, green spaces, local restaurants, and festivals that make International Avenue full of community spirit.

Public art gives each neighbourhood its own unique character and personality. International Avenue is home to a series of vibrant public art , from murals on local businesses and bus shelters to surprising street art from local artists. Take a self-guided tour with the Art Walk Map , a collection of over 45 pieces of art, with fun facts and stories along the way. ‘Celebration’ honours Calgary’s east African community with a mural featuring imagery from Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where artist Sisay Shimeles  was born.

Green spaces and public parks on International Avenue are perfect for an afternoon picnic, coffee date, or family shopping trip. It’s a great way to experience the neighbourhood and enjoy everything the area has to offer. Unity Park  on International Avenue is a new outdoor space, with LED lighting, water elements, and a socially-focused design, built by community partners and local volunteers. Elliston Park  is a family friendly park with playgrounds, picnic tables, an off-leash area for dogs, and the home to the annual GlobalFest  fireworks festival.

Take your shopping trip around the world on International Avenue with a unique selection of restaurants, grocers, and local shops from around the world. You can find everything from spices and Middle Eastern groceries to coffee shops and delicatessens.

Chef Ibu Kartini of Indonesian Kitchen  specializes in Sundanese and Javanese cooking with fresh ingredients and homemade root stock that seen her featured in national Canadian magazines and cooking shows. Count on a friendly welcome from Bravo Restaurant , home to authentic Latin American street food like tostadas, flautas, and carne Asada tacos. Look for traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Pho 88 Noodle House , like noodle soup with charbroiled pork, spring rolls on vermicelli, or grilled prawn sub.

Nile Supermarket  is the largest African and Middle eastern store in Alberta with grocery items, clothing, and accessories. Or checkout Bathtub Bikes  for reclaimed and vintage bicycles or two wheeled tune-ups to keep your bike in tip top shape. It’ a great idea to plan your shopping trip with the International Avenue Business Directory  before you visit.

Let the hidden gems of International Avenue guide you to some unexpected experiences. Fuse33 Makerspace  is Calgary’s largest workspace for creative individuals from a diverse set of technical backgrounds. Take a class to master a new piece of equipment or drop-in for a workshop with professional carpenters, welders, and machinists. Find antiques, collectibles, and restored furniture at Jayson’s Corner  or browse rare West African items like flours, grains, beans, and palm oil at the Coastal Grocery Market . Make sure you tour the upper level for fabrics, clothing, shoes, and purses. You can only find these hidden gems on International Avenue.

Festivals bring neighbourhoods together and International Avenue  is home to a series of award-winning cultural events. Pair unique cultural food and drink with live music at the East Town Get Down Independent Music Festival , explore international community vendors at the Unity Park Market  (July 10, 24, and August 7, 21, and September 4, 2021), or take a slow-ride bicycle cruise from International Avenue to downtown and back with Tour de Purple , or go on a culinary adventure with Around The World in 35 Blocks Food Tour , and experience an authentic Hdmona coffee ceremony, a local and visitor favourite for over two decades. Join in on the neighbourhood favourite Best of the East Stampede Breakfast , each year on the last Thursday morning of Calgary Stampede  week. Finish it all off with GlobalFest , a multi-cultural event and Canada’s premier fireworks festival at Elliston Park. The One World Festival at GlobalFest  features many International Avenue restaurants too.