Favorite Restaurants in Calgary

I spent 16 days in Calgary this year for a business trip, which meant plenty of time to explore and plenty of meals to be eaten! When traveling for business I receive a per diem for meals, so as much as I wish I was the person who would take advantage of my hotel suite kitchen, I simply can't refuse a fun new restaurant. As the trip went on, the recommendation list from locals kept growing, so even after 16 nights I still feel like I missed so many cool spots. I've included details on my 5 favorite restaurants, as well as a few runner ups and places I'm looking forward to visiting on my next trip!

Ten Foot Henry

1209 1 St SW | @tenfoothenry

There are so many things to love about this cozy, creative spot. The space feels light and airy, and the food is fresh and fun. The menu is described as "vegetable-anchored," so while I can't promise every dish is good for you, you'll certainly feel like you're making healthy choices! Every dish we ordered was a hit! The drink menu changes often, but every cocktail at the table was super yummy. I should also mention that this was the most recommended spot of all from locals! There is also a brunch menu that I plan on tasting as soon as I'm back.

Favorite Dishes:

• Warm Tomatoes with Whipped Feta and Sourdough - 10/10 best dish of the night.

• Charred Cabbage with a Walnut Vinaigrette - Not something I would usually order, but was highly recommended by the staff and proved to be so unique and tasty.

• Kale Pesto Gigli Pasta with Pistachio

• Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti

• Coconut Cake - So light and fluffy!

• Butterscotch Pudding - If you are a fan of butterscotch or if you are not, this

  is the one to try!

Next time I want to try:

• Hamachi Tiradito

• Brunch - specifically the Avocado & Tomato Toast or the Sourdough Pancake

Añejo

2116 4 St SW #2 | @anejorestaurant

As a Texan, margaritas and Mexican food are in my blood. This restaurant delivered on both. It was recommended to us by a coworker, and I love finding local favorites when traveling. The atmosphere felt both festive and casual. If our list hadn't been so long, I would've come back multiple times for more margaritas! They also have not one, but two Happy Hours from 3-5pm and again from 9pm-close.

Favorite Dishes:

• Cucumber Cilantro Margarita - A cucumber margarita might be favorite drink, and this is one of the best I've ever had.

• Mango Margarita - Also one of my favorite margarita flavors, and this one is the perfect sweetness level.

• Table side Guacamole - Duh.

• Tacos de Camarón - I was thrown off at first because these shrimp tacos are breaded, but they are a restaurant specialty taco and were incredibly delicious!

Next time I want to try:

• Tacos de Pescado

• Tortilla Soup

Pat & Betty

1217 1 St SW | @patandbettys

This restaurant is on the same block as Ten Foot Henry. In fact, the whole block is full of super cute and enticing restaurants! The menu is also somewhat similar to Ten Foot Henry, but they are both so unique and flavorful that I can't pick one over the other. This was another local recommendation, and we even met one of the two owners who named the place after their moms. They describe themselves as "a space to celebrate simply being together with unapologetically indulgent food," and I couldn't agree with that more. A coworker with me described the meal as "an orgasmic experience," so do with that what you will!

Favorite Dishes:

• White Anchovy Toast - Trust me.

• Marinated Beets with Charcoal Grilled Fennel and Gorgonzola & Mascarpone Mousse - These were the sweetest beets with the most decadent flavors all around.

• Roasted Cauliflower with Charred Leek Vinaigrette

• Wild Mushroom Pappardelle

• Mezzi Rigatoni

• P&B Carrot Cake

Next time I want to try:

• Oysters and Caviar - Obviously.

• Shoestring Fries - They were out that night!

• Roasted Squash

  
  

The Bro'kin Yolk

Three locations in Calgary! | @brokinyolk

If you're looking for breakfast or brunch food (I always am!), then this is the spot. We stumbled on this place when looking for lunch one day and were so happy with what we found! I loved it so much I tried to buy a shirt off the waiter's back when I learned they were out of merch. The shirt said "It's Egg Day," so come on! I wish I could've tried so much more on this farm to table, locally sourced menu and am so excited for a return visit.

Favorite Dishes:

• Mini Homemade Belgian Waffles with Maple Syrup and Berry Compote - These super cute mini waffles are perfect for someone like me who can never decide between sweet and savory at brunch. You can get a little taste as an appetizer! Only problem is that you will want four more.

• Huevos Rancheros - Not necessarily a classic Tex-Mex version of the dish, but equally as yummy.

Next time I want to try:

• Any and all of the Eggs Benedicts

• Breakfast Poutine!

• Apple & Cinnamon Waffles

Cactus Club Café

Multiple locations in Calgary! | @cactusclubcafe

The location we visited was right in the center of the city on Stephen Ave. This is almost like the Main Street of Downtown and houses many fun restaurants (see a few more below!). This location has a lively bar area as well as a more formal dining area. It seems like a popular spot for business lunches and dinners and was always very busy when we walked by! I was so impressed by the menu and was pretty bummed we only ate one meal here.

Favorite Dishes:

• Salmon Aburi Roll - One of the most unique and drool-worthy roll I've ever enjoyed.

• Tuna Stack with Tamari Vinaigrette - So light and refreshing.

• Little Pearl Mocktail - A perfect zero-proof cocktail with popping passion fruit pearls.

Next time I want to try:

• Six Layer Chocolate Slice - The picture on their instagram is unreal.

Runners Up:

Centini

160 8 Ave SE | @centinicalgary

• We took a shot on this one after walking past it on a cold night and discovered an authentic Italian spot with the friendliest waitstaff and most fulfilling dishes.

• Favorites: Penne Romanoff, Penne Arrabbiata

• Next time: Escargots, all the desserts!

Leopold's Tavern

1201 1 St SW | @leopoldstavern

• When a coworker heard we hadn't been here yet on our second to last day of the trip, she begged us to make time for it before we left. They have a new poutine special every week (some of them are crazy!), and the bar has the best funky vibes.

• Favorites: Garlic Parm Mozza Stick Poutine (the most creative and also best poutine I've ever had, pictured), Perogies

• Next time: Every other poutine on the menu, plus every week's special.

The Wednesday Room

118 8 Ave SW #100 | @thewednesdayroom

• One of the fancier restaurants we visited. We ended up sitting in the bar area and had the best time chatting with our bartender!

• Favorites: Braised Lamb Shoulder (pictured), Prawn Fettucine, Espresso Creme Brulee, Vegan Apple Crumble, Here's to the Fools Who Dream Cocktail (a very cool gin cocktail!)

• Next time: Bone Marrow Rigatoni, Mushroom Risotto

Soleil Bistro & Bar

612 5 St SE | @soleilyyc

• An unassuming neighborhood joint with the friendliest staff!

• Favorites: Mushroom & Saffron Risotto (pictured), Zaatar Fries, Sangria Flight

• Next time: Whipped Goat Cheese, Mussels

Barbarella Bar

240 8 Ave SW | @thebarbarellabar

• We only stopped here for drinks and desserts to make up for a terrible dinner experience that night. This totally turned our night around, and I really wished we'd had our whole meal in this chic environment.

• Favorites: Lemon Tart, Neapolitan Parfait, Tiramisu Torta (all pictured), Revival Cocktail

• Next time: The whole dinner menu!

Next Time:

Like I said, our list kept growing, and we were sad to miss a few highly recommended places. My next trip to Calgary will need to be for a full month so I can revisit the restaurants above and add the ones below!

• Major Tom

• Flower and Wolf

• Betty Lou's Library

• Bridgette Bar

• Bar Chouette

As far as I'm aware, Calgary is not widely known as a foodie town. But it should be! I loved my time in this city and a huge part of that is thanks to all the delicious food we ate. 🤘🏼