Calgary has long tried to show the world it’s more than a meat and potatoes town. While a vibrant culinary community has developed, featuring all kinds of cuisine, we are indeed a city that knows our steak. Alberta is cattle country, and with so much fantastic beef ranches in this province, Calgary is home to plenty of classic steakhouses. If you’re in the mood for a nice slab or premium beef, Calgary has you covered. Here are some of the best places in town to satisfy your steak craving.
Calgary’s Best Steakhouses
Beautiful Beef
Calgary’s Best Steakhouses
Caesar’s Steakhouse
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, but 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.
Carver’s Steakhouse
Situated in the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel, Carver’s Steakhouse offers a classic steakhouse experience in a convenient location near the airport. Exclusively serving hand cut AAA Premium Canadian beef, Carver’s is known for its great sauces, including the “Wild Whiskey” BBQ sauce. In addition to a nice range of cuts, the restaurant serves other entrees like wild boar and sablefish and classic seafood appetizers.
Chairman’s Steakhouse
One of Calgary’s newest steakhouses, 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), 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.
Chuck’s Steakhouse
This Banff restaurant is a day trip drive from Calgary, but it’s worth the trip to dig into dry-aged steaks provided by some of the most exclusive ranches in Alberta. Chuck’s Steakhouse takes its steaks very seriously. The servers are incredibly well trained and will explain the differences between aging techniques, feeding styles, and breeds of cattle. Best of all, the restaurant’s atmosphere is downhome and relaxed, letting you enjoy high-quality meat without having to worry about which fork to use.
Hy’s Steakhouse
Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Calgary’s Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is no longer in its original location that opened in the ‘50s, but 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 60-day dry aged beef 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.
The Keg Macleod Trail
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.
Modern Steak
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, a nice selection of seafood and even vegetarian and vegan options for non-steak eaters who are just along for the ride.
North 51 Steakhouse
The North 51 Steakhouse at the Delta Calgary Airport In-Terminal Hotel lets you enjoy top-notch steaks from local ranchers without having to worry about missing your flight. To up the ante on the beef, the restaurant also specializes in sustainable seafood accompaniments like jumbo garlic tiger prawns and seared bay scallops.
Open Range Steakhouse
Open Range Steakhouse serves authentic Alberta beef. This lovely restaurant on Edmonton Trail serves a host of creatively-flavoured dishes, often with a little bit of Mexican or South American flair.
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.
Saltlik
Saltlik
A favourite amongst Calgary businesspeople, Saltlik serves a solid steak dinner without too much pretention. The menu has a little bit of everything, but the CAB Prime sirloin steaks are the highlight, especially when they’re paired with a side of lobster mashed potatoes.
Vintage Chophouse & Tavern
The Vintage restaurant group’s flagship restaurant is appropriately posh, with dark wood accents and exceptional service. Steaks at the Vintage Chophouse & Tavern are amongst the best in the city and come with an extensive selection of luxurious sauces like bone marrow, foie gras or black truffle butter and seafood sides. For the lighter side of Vintage, dine in the adjacent lounge, which regularly hosts live music nights.
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.
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