Calgary, Alberta — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Calgary, Alberta
Restaurants
Expensive
Belvedere
Award-winning stylish downtown restaurant serving modern Canadian food made from locally sourced ingredients. Game and seafood feature prominently on the menu. New York-style atmosphere. Elegant décor, flattering lighting and skylights provide a stunning view of the Calgary Tower above. Belvedere has been rated by Wine Spectator magazine for five consecutive years as one of top 500 wine lists in the world.
107 Eighth Ave SW
Tel: (403) 265 9595.
Teatro
This smart restaurant next to the Center for the Performing Arts occupies a beautifully restored 1911 bank building on Olympic Plaza. Teatro serves modern Italian cuisine featuring local organic products. There's an extensive award-winning wine list; the wine cellar holds over 10,000 bottles. Reservations recommended.
200 Eighth Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 290 1012.
Website: www.teatro.ca
Vintage Chophouse Tavern
This contemporary steakhouse in a vintage building in the business district is a meat lover's paradise. The house specialty is the Alberta Angus beef, although seafood, salads and tapas are also available. Live blues and jazz at the weekend.
322 11th Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 262 7262.
Website: www.vintagechophouse.com
Moderate
Alloy
Calgary's newest cool restaurant sports a retro design, with Asian décor and an oriental garden. The menu reflects Asian, Mediterranean and Latin influence and is fresh, organic and healthy. Very popular with the business lunch crowd.
220 42nd Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 287 9255.
Website: www.alloydining.com
Buzzards Cowboy Cuisine
Authentic cowboy restaurant, with a casual and cosy ambiance. It features a live outdoor stage during Stampede and the famous Testicle Festival in June/July. The servings are generous, and the bison strip steak outstanding. The restaurant's signature Caesar cocktail is a Calgary original, while the adjoining Bottlescrew Bill's Pub serves over 200 different beers. Food served until 0130.
140 10th Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 264 6959.
Website: www.cowboycuisine.com
River Café
Canadian seasonal, wood-fired cuisine in attractive Prince's Island Park location near the Eau Claire Market. Organic and locally grown ingredients feature in dishes that are further complemented by an award-winning wine list. Fresh seafood flown in daily. Closed in January.
Prince's Island Park
Tel: (403) 261 7670.
Website: www.river-cafe.com
Cheap
Avenue Diner
Experience true urban diner setting, with table or counter seating on popular pedestrian Stephen Avenue Walk. Breakfast is available all day and features gourmet waffles, pancakes and egg dish combinations. The diner serves up locally grown organic produce.
105A Eighth Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 263 2673.
Website: www.avenuediner.com
Silver Dragon
This Chinatown establishment has been around for more than 30 years. The traditional menu, prepared by a small army of Hong Kong-trained chefs, features over 200 dishes, including delicious dim sums.
106 Third Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 264 5326.
Nightlife
Calgary's nightlife is better than what you might expect of a cowboy and oil town in the middle of the Canadian prairie. Locals are friendly, festive and always ready to put away a big Alberta steak or a few drinks, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. However, during the Stampede, Calgary transforms into a true party city.
Calgary's nightlife is best explored through its various neighborhoods. Downtown is a fine place for a drink during the day or early evening and the partying continues at bars and clubs dotted throughout the area. If you want your action more concentrated, stick to areas like Kensington (known for its streets lined with a diverse range of cafes, bars, restaurants and clubs) or 17th Avenue SW (west of Fourth Street), a quieter setting where the pubs have more character and the restaurants veer more towards the ethnic.
Alcohol can legally be served in Alberta until 0200 and the minimum drinking age is 18 years. Pick up a free FFWD Weekly (www.ffwdweekly.com) or WHERE (www.where.ca) for information on club nights and gigs.
Bars
The Barley Mill Eatery and Pub
Situated next to Eau Claire Market, this is a lively bar offering a multitude of draught beers and whiskies, with a great patio in the summer.
201 Barclay Parade SW
Tel: (403) 290 1500.
Website: www.barleymill.net
The Garage Sports & Billiards
This pub has 17 pool tables, rock music and a grill menu.
200 Barclay Parade SW
Tel: (403) 262 6762.
Website: www.the-garage.ca
Flames Central
This is a sports bar and restaurant, satisfying the Canadian passion for ice hockey.
219 Eighth Avenue SW
Tel: (403)935 2637.
Website: www.flamescentral.com
Clubs
Tantra Nightclub and Lounge
This Calgary nightspot has live music and dancing.
355 10th Avenue SW
Website: www.tantranightclub.ca
Live Music
Ranchman's
You can take free dancing lessons at Ranchman's, a famous and always packed honky-tonk bar.
9615 MacLeod Trail South
Tel: (403) 253 1100.
Website: www.ranchmans.com
Cowboy's Dance Hall
Likewise, you're sure to meet a cowboy or girl at the enormous and ever-popular Cowboy's Dance Hall, which is always packed during Calgary Stampede.
826 Fifth Street SW
Tel (403) 265 0699.
Website: www.cowboysniteclub.com
Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club
This is the best spot for live jazz, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
811 First Street SW
Tel: (403)263 1650.
Website: www.beatniq.com
Booker's BBQ Grill and Crab Shack
Offers live blues at the weekend.
316 Third Street SE
Tel: (403) 264 6419.
Website: www.bookersbbq.com
