My name is Andrew Phung and most of you know me from the television series Kim’s Convenience on CBC and Netflix or from Because News on CBC Radio. I’m an actor, improviser, comedian, and most importantly, I’m a kid from the Northeast of Calgary! I’m a born and raised Calgarian and I love this city so much. I love the people, the places, and energy of Calgary, and I’d like to share some of my favourite spots for you to check out while visiting Calgary!

I love shopping! I love shopping street, districts, malls, outlets, markets, anything with shopping, I’m all in! I’m also a lover and collector of sneakers, so you’re going see lots of sneakers included along the way. I’ve broken up shopping into three neighbourhoods you should check out.

17th Ave

17th Avenue is usually on the list of anything Calgary travel or shopping related, and there’s a reason, it’s dope! It’s filled with restaurants, coffee shops, and a tonne of shopping. I have two favourite spots.

The first is Less17, which carries street wear and upscale casual clothing. They have the essentials like Nike and Adidas, but also brands like Reigning Champ, Stone Island, and John Elliot. Hot tip, head downstairs for their clearance section which is a source of some huge shopping steals!

A new find I recently stumbled upon is HG Vintage. This vintage shop is a goldmine of fresh vintage t-shirts, jackets, jeans, bags, and accessories. I recently grabbed this fire 8-ball jacket from the store!

CF Chinook Centre

I think I’ve been to over 100 malls around the world. My wife and I love malls and every time I’m in a new city, I seek out the best malls. I still think CF Chinook Centre is one of the best malls I’ve ever been to. The variety and number of stores, the aesthetic, the parking, the transit, and even the movie theatre, make this a one stop shop for shopping, eating, and fun. 

Inglewood

Inglewood holds a special place in my heart because it’s first neighbourhood I ever explored as a teenager. The improv theatre I was acting at was in Inglewood, so my friends and I would hang out around here before and after our improv classes and shows. It’s a mix of old and new with lots of food and shopping. It’s a wonderful neighbourhood for travellers with or without children.

One of my favourite places in Inglewood is The Livery Shop, which is a store that features local brands, from local businesses like Camp Brand Goods. It’s a mix of clothing, jewellery, and house wares. If you’re into one of a kind items and shopping local, this is the place to start.

So, now you’re hungry and Calgary is ready to feed you! I feel like there is a new restaurant opening every week. The food scene in Calgary is on the rise and there are some of my go-to spots!

Home & Away

Food, games, and sports. Home & Away recently relocated to a new location and brought along all that team atmosphere. It’s a great place for large groups and features classic games, and the fried chicken is spectacular!

Regency Palace

Regency Palace is the spot for Dim Sum. This place is huge and is packed every weekend for a reason, it’s the best! The pork and shrimp Siu Mai here are like heaven! 

Yellow Door Bistro

Yellow Door Bistro is in Hotel Arts, a very nice boutique hotel in Calgary. I also got married here, so I’m biased. With that said, the Yellow Door Bistro is a great dinner spot, but their weekend brunch buffet is where they shine!

Galaxie Diner

The great Ron Swanson once said, “There has never been a sadness, that can’t be cured with breakfast food”. He is correct, and Galaxie Diner serves that classic breakfast all day long. Get ready to line up on weekends, but don’t worry, it’s worth it.

CHARCUT Roast House

This is my “treat yo self” restaurant! CHARCUT Roast House is known for their meat. The duck poutine, and charcuterie board are my favourites. Dinner will usually run you $50-$100 per person, but it’s totally worth it. Like I said, treat yo self!

OK, now it’s time to have some fun.

Loose Moose Theatre Company

I’m biased here, but I think the Loose Moose Theatre Company is the best value for theatre and entertainment in the city. I started performing here when I was 16 years old and I still drop in to perform here when I’m in the city. It’s been around for more than 30 years and for good reason, it’s a great night out. They offer improvisational comedy shows every Friday and Saturday, and it’s Calgary comedy institution. In short, it’s a good to place to go for lots of laughs.

TELUS Spark Science Centre After Dark

TELUS Spark Science Centre hosts monthly events where they open the space for adults 18+. They serve drinks, there’s a DJ spinning some tunes, and the restaurant features a new menu which is delicious. These special evenings also offer one-night-only exhibits and presentations which are super engaging. They offer the After Dark (18+) nights once a month, but this is also a great place to visit anytime.

Date Night YYC Trivia Night

Date Night YYC is a website that spotlights great places to hit up on dates. They’ve also been running events throughout the year. My favourite is their trivia nights! They do them themed trivia nights for shows like The Office, Harry Potter, Friends, and more! Check out their website for a full listing of events.

There you have it! These are some of my favourite places in Calgary. I truly love this city. Calgary has become such an urban hub with so much to be discovered. I hope you enjoy Calgary!

Andrew Phung stars in CBC’s Kim’s Convenience. Season 4 debuts on CBC on January 7, 2020.