Ask locals what the best restaurants in Calgary are and there are a few spots that will come up over and over again. That's how you know that you're pretty much guaranteed to get a phenomenal meal in a fabulous setting.
One of the great things about Calgary's top food spots is how diverse they are. You can go all out on a divine steak dinner or grab casual bites like burgers or pizza and still have an amazing meal.
While these dining destinations may not be secret foodie spots, many locals agree that they're iconic Calgary restaurants that everyone should try at least once in their life.
Calcutta Cricket Club
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Indian
Address: 1213 1 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Step inside Calcutta Cricket Club and the first thing you'll notice is the stunning interiors. Think vibrant patterns, splashes of gold and huge murals sporting scenes of India. The restaurant also has two lovely patios in the front and back.
The food is just as dynamic as the decor. Start with a tropical-inspired cocktail, then try some tasty kati rolls featuring flaky paratha bread with tandoor-grilled fillings. Your main course could include a rich, spice-laden curry or the to-die-for biryani.
CHARCUT Roast House
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: 899 Centre St S, Calgary, AB & 4150 University Avenue NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Helmed by award-winning chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson, CHARCUT Roast House is all about house-cured meats and artisanal dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Think of it like a steakhouse with a European twist.
Meat is the main draw at CHARCUT with options ranging from salumi boards to smoked Alberta prime rib. Come for lunch and you can get sandwiches packed with mouthwatering meats. The downtown location also does breakfast every day from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Native Tongues
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 235 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB & 829 49 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you love Mexican food, Native Tongues should be on your go-to list. The menu features authentic eats that will make you feel like you've travelled to Mexico City. There is also a fantastic selection of mezcal and tequila.
Definitely try some of Native Tongues' supremely tasty tacos served with fresh salsas. You can opt for fillings like birria (braised beef), pork belly pibil or black beans with panela. Other menu options include tortas, quesadillas and papas norteñas (baked potatoes).
Major Tom
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Global cuisine
Address: 700 2 St SW #4000, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: You'd be hard-pressed to find a restaurant with better views than Major Tom. Perched on the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place, it offers sweeping views of downtown Calgary from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
You can grab a seat at one of the tables or at the gorgeous bar that won the title of Canada's Best Restaurant Bar in 2023. Start with some craft cocktails, then segue into sophisticated dishes like caviar, steak and king crab. As you might expect, the wine list is also impressive.
Noble Pie
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Pizza
Address: Back Alley Entrance, 720 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Noble Pie is a great example of how you don't have to spend a mint to have a super satisfying meal in Calgary. This laid-back pizza joint started as a pop-up affair and transitioned into a standalone spot in 2021.
It may be casual, but don't expect mediocre Boston Pizza vibes at Noble Pie. The decor is retro, the atmosphere is lively and the pizzas are creative. Try the Sweet Cheesus with four cheeses and hot honey or the Saucy Mama with fennel sausage and Goat Horn peppers.
Caesar's Steak House
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Address: 512 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB & 10816 Macleod Trail #110, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Looking for a swanky spot to celebrate a special occasion? You can't go wrong with Caesar's Steak House. Established in 1972, the steakhouse is a Calgary institution. The original restaurant is downtown, but there is also a second location in Willow Park.
You'll find all your favorite steakhouse appetizers here like shrimp cocktail and blue cheese salad. For the main meal you can opt for various cuts like a bone-in ribeye, T-Bone and filet mignon. Top your steak with green peppercorn sauce, hollandaise or lobster tail.
Teatro Ristorante
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 200 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Teatro is often shouted out for being one of the best restaurants in Calgary and for good reason. Everything about the spot screams elegance, from the stately pillars in the dining room to the beautifully plated dishes that come out of the kitchen.
The menu offers elevated Italian cuisine with an enticing dishes like seared scallops with avocado mousse, papardelle with beef and pork ragu and dry-aged ribeye with creamy polenta. You can also choose from over 10,000 bottles of wine to pair with your meal.
River Cafe
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Contemporary Canadian
Address: 25 Prince's Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Located in Prince's Island Park, River Cafe is a scenic spot for a bite. If the weather is nice, the patio is the spot to be for drinks and food amid greenery. However, the inside is also inviting with warm wood and stone accents.
Seasonal ingredients are the focus at River Cafe, so the menus change regularly to reflect what's fresh and available. On any given visit you could be tucking into freshly shucked oysters, lamb sirloin or Yukon Arctic char accompanied by locally grown produce.
Ten Foot Henry
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Contemporary cuisine
Address: 1209 1 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Ten Foot Henry has legions of fans who love the innovative vegetable-forward dishes. In fact, many Calgary locals say it's a top contender for restaurants you have to eat at if you only have one night in the city.
There are tons of fresh and flavorful dishes on the menu that you won't find anywhere else around town. Take for example the tomatoes with whipped feta and crunchy sourdough toast, roasted chicken with tzatziki and shishito peppers or the charred cabbage with a walnut vinaigrette.
Class Clown Hamburgers
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Hamburgers
Address: 1711 4 St SW #106, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Class Clown is a new addition to Calgary's dining scene, but it's already earning mad accolades for its hip ambiance and delicious burgers. Diners also love that you can order adult drinks like tall boys, hi-balls and wines by the glass.
The menu consists of mostly burgers with cheeky names like the Donald McRonald and Szechuwannabe Hot Chicken. All are served on squishy buttered buns and include a variety of toppings like house jalapeños, bacon, pickles and cheddar cheese.
Bridgette Bar
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Contemporary Cuisine
Address: 739 10 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Brought to us by the same folks behind Major Tom and Model Milk, Bridgette Bar is a happening spot with chic decor and tasty contemporary eats. You can grab a seat in the industrial-chic dining room next to one of the huge windows or on the patio if the weather permits.
There's something to please all palates on the menu at Bridgette Bar, from light bites like eggplant fries to more substantial offerings like the wood-grilled strip steak and fennel salami pizza. Be sure to save room for the epic banana coffee pie.
