10 well-kept secret restaurants in Calgary to add to your foodie bucket list
Hidden gem restaurants you'll love!
Beautiful interiors at The Casbah Restaurant. Right: Charcuterie board at Vero Bistro, Calgary.
Calgary locals know that sometimes the best meals are at hidden gem restaurants. That's why so many people have their secret Calgary dining spots they go to when they want a great meal minus the crowds.
If you're looking for amazing restaurants that are slightly off the radar, you've come to the right spot.
From cozy bistros to speakeasy-style bars and unique restaurants that have amazing vibes and food, these are some underrated Calgary eateries that you need to add to your bucket list.
Frenchie Wine Bar
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 616 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Brought to us by the same folks behind Una Pizza + Wine, Frenchie Wine Bar is an intimate secret bar with just 38 seats. You can opt to sit at the bar or one of the cozy tables. There is also a private bar tucked in the back that seats just 16.
The menu at Frenchie features small plates that are perfect for sharing. The cheese platters are particularly popular and customizable with your choice of French cheeses. You can also dig into oysters, fondue or tarte flambée. As befitting a wine bar, the wine list is huge and features bottles from around the world.
The Casbah Restaurant
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Moroccan
Address: 720 11 Ave SW Lower Level, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for a stunning setting for a special dinner, The Casbah Restaurant is a good bet. The Moroccan-themed restaurant is decked out in colourful mosaic tiles, hanging lanterns and patterned cushions.
The food is a bit pricey, but many say it's the best Moroccan cuisine in the city. Dishes include fluffy couscous with your choice of chicken, lamb, prawns or merguez sausage, as well as tasty tagines served in earthenware dishes.
Purlieu Bistro
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 3109 Palliser Dr SW #14, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Who says you have to go downtown to get great food in Calgary? Purlieu Bistro is an inviting French eatery nestled in a small strip mall in Oakridge. The atmosphere is classy, yet it feels relaxed and the food is comforting.
You can start your meal at Purlieu with some escargot or lobster poutine, then move on to mains like the steak frites or Muscovy duck breast. There is also a carefully curated wine list with a good selection of French wines.
The Wednesday Room
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Contemporary
Address: 118 8 Ave SW #100, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Step inside The Wednesday Room and you'll feel like you've been whisked back to the 1970s. The space features stone walls, cushy armchairs and carpet with geometric patterns. Located on Stephen Avenue, it's not exactly hidden, but it has underground vibes.
It's all about cocktails and fine dining fare at The Wednesday Room. The dishes are globally inspired with options like tempura mushrooms, grilled octopus aguachile and goat cheese rotolo. Be sure to save room for dessert like the pistachio tres leches.
Paper Lantern
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address: 115 2 Ave SE Basement, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Tucked away in a basement in Chinatown, Paper Lantern is a hip cocktail bar that also serves delicious Vietnamese cuisine. The decor is tropical inspired with walls sporting banana leaf patterns and hanging paper lanterns.
There are tons of tiki-style cocktails to choose from at Paper Lantern like the Coco Cabana with tequila, lime and coconut soda and the PL Daiquiri with rum, acidified pineapple and rock sugar. Tasty bites include spring rolls, banh mi sandwiches, and vermicelli bowls.
Insider tip: The Paper Lantern team just opened a new spot a few doors down called Prosperity Bar that's worth checking too.
Carino
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese-Italian Fusion
Address: 2210 4 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Carino is a small spot in the Mission neighbourhood that goes big on flavour. Chef and owner Toshi Karino creates innovative dishes that fuse Japanese and Italian traditions.
One thing is for sure at Carino — the dishes are unique. Think chicken karaage with pesto mayo and Italian herbs or pork gyoza with wagyu ragu and mozzarella cheese. Because the spot is small and has somewhat of a cult following, reservations are highly recommended.
Ajito
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 7212 Macleod Trail SE #110, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Ajito is one of those spots you could walk right past and never even notice it. That's because the entrance to this intimate izakaya is hidden behind a door masquerading as a vintage Coca-Cola machine.
Those who find the secret entrance at the back of Sho Sushi will be treated to some seriously good Japanese food. Try the tuna tataki served under a smoke-filled dome, the takoyaki style poutine and the chashu pork in a sweet soy sauce.
Vero Bistro
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian, Spanish & French
Address: 209 10 St NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Take a tour of European cuisine at Vero Bistro. Chef Jenny recreates authentic dishes from various regions in Italy, France and Spain using top-notch ingredients like bottarga from Sicily, burrata from Puglia and beef from Black Apron Farms.
Vero Bistro is only open for dinner and offers family-style meals, multi-course meals and a la carte dishes. Appetizers include sweet potato gnocchi and baby artichoke fritti with olives. Mains include the tortellini with roasted pork shoulder and mortadella and the Venetian seafood risotto.
Banana Leaf Tropical Cuisine
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Malaysian
Address: 3330 32 St NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: You know a restaurant is good when it has very little social media presence but people still call it out for having amazing food. That's the case at Banana Leaf Tropical Cuisine, a low-key spot that offers authentic Malaysian and Taiwanese cuisine.
Diners can't get enough of the spice-laden dishes at Banana Leaf like the rich beef rendeng and the laksa packed with noodles, fried tofu and your choice of seafood or brisket in a creamy curry broth.
Sushi Bistro Anzu
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 1721 Centre St NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Calgary has no shortage of sushi spots, but many people say if you want the real deal, you need to head to Sushi Bistro Anzu in the northwest. The small spot offers authentic Japanese vibes and ultra-fresh seafood.
Sushi and sashimi are the main stars on the menu at Sushi Anzu Bistro, but the restaurant offers plenty of other izakaya style dishes as well. You can snack on tempura, tuck into a bowl of ramen soup or slurp back cold soba noodles. There are also Japanese beers and sake on offer.