Must-Try Dining Experiences in Calgary

Quintessential Calgary Restaurants
Quintessential Calgary Restaurants
Eat Local

Must-Try Dining Experiences in Calgary

Classic Calgary restaurants that serve up some real local flavour.

Over the last decade or so, Calgary has really become a city that’s embraced its independent restaurants. There are a handful of places that really scream “Calgary” and naturally fall onto the “must taste” list for many visitors. When first visitors to Calgary ask me for restaurant recommendations, I weigh not only the deliciousness of my favourite spots, but also how unique they are, the level of innovation the chefs put into the dishes, and how representative they are of Calgary’s larger culinary culture. This list could easily be twice as long, but these 14 restaurants are all places to try if you’re looking to get a taste of quintessentially Calgarian cuisine.


Supress from menu
No

Deane House

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No
Deane House

Deane House

 

CHARCUT Roast House

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No
Charcut

Charcut

 

Rouge

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No
Rouge

Rouge

 

River Café

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No
River Café

River Café (Photo credit: Chris Amat)

 

Caesar’s Steakhouse

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No
Caesar’s Steakhouse

Caesar’s Steakhouse

 

Modern Steak

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No
Modern Steak

Modern Steak

 

National

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No
National on 8th

National on 8th

 

OEB Breakfast Co. Downtown

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No
OEB Breakfast Co. Downtown

OEB Breakfast Co. Downtown

 

Pigeonhole

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No
Pigeonhole (Photo credit: Ian Holmes)

Pigeonhole (Photo credit: Ian Holmes)

 

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

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No
Sidewalk Citizen Bakery 

Sidewalk Citizen Bakery 

 

Sky 360

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No
Sky 360

Sky 360

 

Teatro

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No
Teatro

Teatro

 

UNA Pizza + Wine

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No
UNA Pizza + Wine

UNA Pizza + Wine

 

Village Ice Cream

These are just a few of the must-try spots in Calgary, but there are plenty of others that speak to the quality of food in the city. No matter what you end up trying, you’re bound to find some great meals in town, especially since the bar is continuously being raised.

Supress from menu
No
Village Ice Cream (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Roth & Ramberg)

Village Ice Cream (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Roth & Ramberg)

By
Elizabeth Chorney-Booth

Elizabeth Chorney-Booth is a local food writer, cookbook author, radio columnist and a lifelong Calgarian.