Good Eats and Drinks Abound in Calgary
Calgary, Alberta took me by surprise on my recent late spring visit, and not just because of the delightful weather. I found iconic drinks and eats, a super walkable downtown, and beautiful historic and contemporary architecture, plus the friendliest and most welcoming citizens. Add in the arts and culture scene–the Calgary Opera, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and dozens of museums and galleries, and this thriving Canadian town is definitely worth a visit.
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Where to Eat in Calgary
OEB
Breakfast in Calgary is no joke (they put the “heart” in hearty), and the packed weekday house at the South West branch of this Canadian chain downed breakfast poutines and benedicts packed with farm ingredients, paired with beef tallow fries and washed down with a huge choice of coffees and cocktails. I experienced my first Caesar here, a Calgary invention made with vodka, clamato, and worcestershire and garnished with a pickle. Canadians drink this lighter version of a bloody mary at all hours–be sure to try a few variations while you are in town.
Ten Foot Henry
Lunch at this plant-filled all-day, every-day storefront means plate after plate of local vegetables (and proteins) prepared in excitingly delicious ways, like green goddess potatoes and charred cabbage with walnut brittle. Don’t miss the bright and fresh tuna crudo, or the coconut layer cake for dessert.
Dopo
This tough-to-secure reservation in the buzzy Marda Loop neighborhood offers Italian home cooking and natural wines in a candlelit basement warren. We scored a spot at the kitchen counter and got a front row view of the lemony veal chops, whole fish, and gorgeous pastas flying out of their pans.
Modern Steak
Alberta is Canada’s number one supplier of beef, and steakhouses rule here at the intersection of ranchers and Indigenous people. I enjoyed the opportunity to sample tasty cuts from Modern’s Black Angus partner, Benchmark, and Japanese A5 wagyu. Inventive starters and sides, baked Alaska, plus wines from British Columbia’s finest producers capped things off deliciously.
Best Bars in Calgary
Proof
In other towns, the top cocktail bar might feel a bit imposing or pretentious, but not in friendly Calgary. Proof welcomes everyone with a soaring wall of spirits they use to make their approachable and interesting menu of classic and contemporary cocktails. My “Incensed Flappe,” a fizzy, slightly bitter combo of gin, umeshu, Campari, and Aperol, came in its own mini bottle that was popped tableside for the perfect apertivo.
Shelter
Just down the street, Shelter offers a more secret speakeasy vibe, and their lightbulb chandelier and gas mask collection are something to see. I took an engaging cocktail-making class taught by bar manager Ryan San Diego and came away a much better bartender, plus nabbed a recipe for the intriguing, negroni-ish Strawberry and Mushroom.
Burwood Distillery
I continued my alcohol education with a gin-making class and tour at this destination brewery and distillery housed in a historic military barracks and horse stable. I made my own custom gin to take home (mine was pink with hibiscus blossoms!) and had lunch in the Veranda.
Missy’s This & That
This sunny, award-winning bar hidden above a convenience store is totally worth seeking out for clever cocktails, and a massive list of fascinating international beers, wines, and spirits served with a warm and knowing smile. Join the locals drinking martinis at happy hour.
Things to do in Calgary
Crossroads Market
This year-round indoor/outdoor foodie and flea market has been open since 1987, and I recommend a visit to this haven for local eats. Classic vendors including butchers, produce stands and a deli, bakeries, coffee shops plus beverages of all kinds, a spice booth, a massive cheese shop, and dozens of unique international eateries to dine in or take away make this a great lunch and shopping stop.
Studio Bell
This stunning East Village building offers five floors of acoustically crafted performance spaces, city views, and the National Music Centre and Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Bow River Pathway
This 48 km (30 mile) trail winds across both sides of the river and is enjoyed by bikers, walkers, and runners, providing a way to connect with nature without leaving the city. Highlights include the Peace bridge, Prince’s Island, and the Confluence, where you can learn about the region’s unique history and environment while burning off the craft beers and local grub you consume.
Where to Stay in Calgary
I was hosted at the gorgeous ALT East Village Hotel, located right by the Bow River near its confluence with the Elbow River. The location offered easy access to the River Walk and many historic and cultural sites, including Chinatown, Eau Claire Market, and the inviting residential neighborhoods that stretch across the North side of the river, and my bright, well-appointed room had a lovely view of the local bridges.
Downtown’s Fairmont Palliser is a historic luxury hotel that was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway and opened 1914, back when Calgary was just a trading post on the way to Banff. The Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour run by Alberta Food Tours starts here, in the iconic Hawthorn Dining Room, with a tasting of some completely Calgarian dishes and drinks.
Calgary Festivals
My visit coincided with an annual restaurant industry event, the Terroir Symposium, which attracts culinary innovators from around the world to this weekend long affair and its robust programming full of talks, cooking demos, and dining. I attended an excellent dinner hosted at Primary Colours where prominent chefs from across Canada presented imaginative vegan dishes and cocktails made with local and foraged produce.
While I was not in town for the Calgary Stampede, the world famous annual rodeo that takes over the city for 10 days every July, I heard lots of stories (and spied it on Top Chef’s Canada season). Every Calgarian who sticks around, plus the million people who roll up to help celebrate, wear cowboy boots and hats for the duration of the festival that celebrates the Western tradition and agricultural roots of the area. Citywide free chuck wagon pancake breakfasts, parades, rodeos, a midway with rides and festival food, and top musical acts are just a few of the events and attractions in the fun-packed schedule.
All Year Round
Whenever you go, expect a tasty blend of local color, friendly faces, and plenty of Canadian history when you visit Calgary, Alberta.
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.
Book a Place to Stay
I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.
If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.
When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.
Rent a Car or Get a Lyft
More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.
Save Money on Gas
Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.
Get a Visa
I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.
Travel Printables
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