Guidebook for Calgary
Essentials
This farmer's market is only a 5 minute walk from our home, and is open Friday - Sunday. It offers fantastic local foods ranging from breads, cheeses, fruits and veggies, pre-made dinners, and local delicacies (like honey and maple syrup).
Our favourites include the Montreal-style "Everything" bagels, freshly made creme brulées, and mango salsa. You can get absolutely everything here for delicious meals and help to support the local economy.
If you're looking for something to eat, "Eats of Asia" has amazing ramen - we go just for that almost every week.
70 locals recommend
Crossroads Market
1235 26 Ave SEThis farmer's market is only a 5 minute walk from our home, and is open Friday - Sunday. It offers fantastic local foods ranging from breads, cheeses, fruits and veggies, pre-made dinners, and local delicacies (like honey and maple syrup).
Our favourites include the Montreal-style "Everything" bagels, freshly made creme brulées, and mango salsa. You can get absolutely everything here for delicious meals and help to support the local economy.
If you're looking for something to eat, "Eats of Asia" has amazing ramen - we go just for that almost every week.
Food Scene
Red’s Diner In Ramsay
1101 8 St SEGreat breakfast spot with a sunny patio.
Perched at the side of the Bow River Pathway, this venue offers 3 incredible restaurants. Enjoy some of Calgary's finest coffee at Phil & Sebastian, pastries at Sidewalk Citizen, or dinner at CharBar.
26 locals recommend
Simmons Building
618 Confluence Way SoutheastPerched at the side of the Bow River Pathway, this venue offers 3 incredible restaurants. Enjoy some of Calgary's finest coffee at Phil & Sebastian, pastries at Sidewalk Citizen, or dinner at CharBar.
Located in the iconic "National Hotel" on 11th Ave, Michael Noble's Nash offers succulent meals in a beautiful environment.
80 locals recommend
The Nash
925 11 St SELocated in the iconic "National Hotel" on 11th Ave, Michael Noble's Nash offers succulent meals in a beautiful environment.
Hand-churned and made with local ingredients, this place offers the best ice cream in the world. The salted caramel is to die for!
165 locals recommend
Village Ice Cream
431 10 Ave SEHand-churned and made with local ingredients, this place offers the best ice cream in the world. The salted caramel is to die for!
Great place to enjoy the night, Wurst offers both fine dining and a bar scene. Drink from glass boots, sing along with the oompah band, and hang out with the locals.
66 locals recommend
WURST
2437 4 St SWGreat place to enjoy the night, Wurst offers both fine dining and a bar scene. Drink from glass boots, sing along with the oompah band, and hang out with the locals.
Conveniently located across the street, this cafe offers some of Calgary's best coffee, breakfast, and light lunch.
21 locals recommend
Rosso Coffee Roasters - Ramsay
803 24 Ave SEConveniently located across the street, this cafe offers some of Calgary's best coffee, breakfast, and light lunch.
Bite - Grocer & Eatery
1023 9 Ave SEUnique and delicious foods and pastries.
Enjoy specialty coffees, wines, and beers. Live music on Saturday and Sunday night.
33 locals recommend
Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar
909 10 St SEEnjoy specialty coffees, wines, and beers. Live music on Saturday and Sunday night.
The truffled mac and cheese and roasted citrus salad are to die for!
44 locals recommend
Vintage Chophouse and Tavern
320 11 Avenue SouthwestThe truffled mac and cheese and roasted citrus salad are to die for!
Kam Han Szechuan House
2318 Spiller Rd SEChinese food 3 doors down? Yes, please!
Fine dining at it's best! Local ingredients and fresh produce from the restaurants garden pair perfectly with the extensive wine list.
33 locals recommend
Rouge
1240 8 Ave SEFine dining at it's best! Local ingredients and fresh produce from the restaurants garden pair perfectly with the extensive wine list.
Order a custom designed box of handmade truffles or try a sip of their "drinking chocolate" on a cold day. It'll warm you from the inside.
Choklat
3601b 21 St NEOrder a custom designed box of handmade truffles or try a sip of their "drinking chocolate" on a cold day. It'll warm you from the inside.
Perfectly crafted pastries and bread are made daily at this popular bakery/cafe. Hungry? Expect excellent coffees and breakfast/lunch options.
38 locals recommend
La Boulangerie Bakery Cafe
2435 4 St SWPerfectly crafted pastries and bread are made daily at this popular bakery/cafe. Hungry? Expect excellent coffees and breakfast/lunch options.
Best tacos in Calgary! Our favourites include the carnitas and the beef. Expect long line ups as the night goes on, so if you're hungry, arrive early!
101 locals recommend
Native Tongues Taqueria
235 12 Ave SWBest tacos in Calgary! Our favourites include the carnitas and the beef. Expect long line ups as the night goes on, so if you're hungry, arrive early!
Enjoy craft Nachos and salads while people watching from Madison's quaint patio. Inset from the hustle and bustle of Inglewood's high road on 9th Ave, it offer's a relatively quiet spot to watch the world go by.
13 locals recommend
Madison's 12|12
1212 9 Ave SEEnjoy craft Nachos and salads while people watching from Madison's quaint patio. Inset from the hustle and bustle of Inglewood's high road on 9th Ave, it offer's a relatively quiet spot to watch the world go by.
Set in one of Calgary's most historic buildings and newly renovated buildings, Deane house rests on the East Side of the Elbow river along the pathways. Whether you choose to eat indoors or bask in the sun while dining on their beautiful garden patio, you are sure to enjoy the delectable Canadian cuisine created by the chef's at Deane house. Try the chef's tasting menu for a real treat!
34 locals recommend
Deane House
806 9 Ave SESet in one of Calgary's most historic buildings and newly renovated buildings, Deane house rests on the East Side of the Elbow river along the pathways. Whether you choose to eat indoors or bask in the sun while dining on their beautiful garden patio, you are sure to enjoy the delectable Canadian cuisine created by the chef's at Deane house. Try the chef's tasting menu for a real treat!
Recently opened, this restaurant has received rave reviews and for good reason - they're Japanese inspired menu has become the talk of the 'hood!
12 locals recommend
Gorilla Whale
1214 9 Ave SERecently opened, this restaurant has received rave reviews and for good reason - they're Japanese inspired menu has become the talk of the 'hood!
Burger 320
814 1 Ave NEGreat burgers and milkshakes.
Fabulous French food - small menu, but every offering is mouthwatering. We recommend the duck confit!
8 locals recommend
The Eden
1219 9 Ave SEFabulous French food - small menu, but every offering is mouthwatering. We recommend the duck confit!
Everything Else
This modern art gallery is free to the public and is located at the top floor of a new building, offering stunning views of downtown Calgary.
34 locals recommend
Esker Foundation
1011 9 Ave SEThis modern art gallery is free to the public and is located at the top floor of a new building, offering stunning views of downtown Calgary.
Thin crust and delicious pizza, this hopping restaurant will leave you satisfied.
54 locals recommend
Without Papers Pizza
1216 9 Ave SEThin crust and delicious pizza, this hopping restaurant will leave you satisfied.
Fort Calgary
750 9 Ave SELearn about Calgary's history.
Located on Stephen Avenue, this museum contains 4 floors of historical exhibits and traveling shows.
492 locals recommend
Glenbow Museum
130 9 Ave SELocated on Stephen Avenue, this museum contains 4 floors of historical exhibits and traveling shows.
Calgary Tower
101 9 Ave SWEnjoy dinner while taking in a 360 degree view of the city.
Ironwood Stage & Grill
1229 9 Ave SELive music every night of the week.
TELUS Spark
Science Centre. Check out "Adult Night"
Newly reconstructed, this is a great place to hang out and watch the world go by.
102 locals recommend
St. Patrick's Island
1300 Zoo Rd NENewly reconstructed, this is a great place to hang out and watch the world go by.
Great interpretive centre with guided tours.
73 locals recommend
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre
2425 9 Ave SEGreat interpretive centre with guided tours.
Beautiful plants and terrariums. Check out one of their small workshops, and learn how to build a terrarium of your own!
14 locals recommend
Plant
1327 9 Ave SEBeautiful plants and terrariums. Check out one of their small workshops, and learn how to build a terrarium of your own!
This 2.5 km stretch of road from MacLeod Trail to 14th Street SW offers a variety of trendy restaurants, pubs, and shopping. A must-do on any weekend in the city.
50 locals recommend
17th Avenue Retail & Entertainment District
1550 8 St SWThis 2.5 km stretch of road from MacLeod Trail to 14th Street SW offers a variety of trendy restaurants, pubs, and shopping. A must-do on any weekend in the city.
We love this liquor store because of it's beer selection. You can buy growlers of craft beer, or peruse numerous brews in their walk-in cooler. Our favourite deal is the "Pick 6", where customers can choose from a variety of beers to create their own 6-Pack. Customer service is always great - the staff here are super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their products.
Oak & Vine Craft Beer, Wine and Spirits
1139 9 Ave SEWe love this liquor store because of it's beer selection. You can buy growlers of craft beer, or peruse numerous brews in their walk-in cooler. Our favourite deal is the "Pick 6", where customers can choose from a variety of beers to create their own 6-Pack. Customer service is always great - the staff here are super knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their products.
Great facility for work-out buffs - access to the gym, pool, hot-tubs/saunas, and drop in classes (spin, step, and yoga) are competitively priced as the facility is owned by the city.
87 locals recommend
Repsol Sport Centre
2225 Macleod Trail SEGreat facility for work-out buffs - access to the gym, pool, hot-tubs/saunas, and drop in classes (spin, step, and yoga) are competitively priced as the facility is owned by the city.
Knowledgeable staff will help you select the best wine or hard liquor. This is top shelf stuff!
We recommend: Award winning Prickly Pear Vodka or Gin from locally owned and operated Eau Claire Distillery.
Bricks Wine Company
902 9 Ave SEKnowledgeable staff will help you select the best wine or hard liquor. This is top shelf stuff!
We recommend: Award winning Prickly Pear Vodka or Gin from locally owned and operated Eau Claire Distillery.
Calgary hosts the "World's Greatest Outdoor Show" for 10 days every July. The nearest entrance is a 10-15 minute walk from our house.
68 locals recommend
Stampede park
650 25 Ave SECalgary hosts the "World's Greatest Outdoor Show" for 10 days every July. The nearest entrance is a 10-15 minute walk from our house.
Entertainment & Activities
Venue to watch the Calgary Flames, live concerts, or to attend the Calgary Stampede.
231 locals recommend
The Scotiabank Saddledome
555 Saddledome Rise SoutheastVenue to watch the Calgary Flames, live concerts, or to attend the Calgary Stampede.
Calgary Zoo
A fun way to spend a warm afternoon.
Sightseeing
Also known as "Stephen Avenue", this bustling street offers shops, restaurants, and pubs. This is the place to be during weekday afternoons or evenings on the weekend.
64 locals recommend
8 Avenue Southwest
8 Avenue SouthwestAlso known as "Stephen Avenue", this bustling street offers shops, restaurants, and pubs. This is the place to be during weekday afternoons or evenings on the weekend.
Shops, cafés, galleries, pubs, and restaurants, all within walking distance.
161 locals recommend
Inglewood
Shops, cafés, galleries, pubs, and restaurants, all within walking distance.
A 5 minute uphill walk from our home will take you to one of Calgary's most iconic viewpoints overlooking the city. Bring your camera at sunset to snap some truly amazing photos, or venture at night to see the twinkling city lights. This hill is also notable for the best views of the Calgary Stampede fireworks.
It's also hosts the pathway for the quickest walking route to the Saddledome (15 minute walk).
Salisbury Street Southeast
Salisbury Street SoutheastA 5 minute uphill walk from our home will take you to one of Calgary's most iconic viewpoints overlooking the city. Bring your camera at sunset to snap some truly amazing photos, or venture at night to see the twinkling city lights. This hill is also notable for the best views of the Calgary Stampede fireworks.
It's also hosts the pathway for the quickest walking route to the Saddledome (15 minute walk).
Lined with hip restaurants and bars, you can't go wrong by making a day (or night!) out of exploring this street.
4 Street Southwest
4 Street SouthwestLined with hip restaurants and bars, you can't go wrong by making a day (or night!) out of exploring this street.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Blues Can
1429 9 Ave SELive music every night of the week.
Cold Garden is the literal translation of the Gaelic word, Calgary. This gem of a brewery opened in 2017 and serves a variety of craft beers. It's open to families AND their pets. Sit down, relax, play a board game and place an order for your favourite take-out to be delivered to this address (may we recommend picking up a "Happy Chicken" from The Nash down the road?).
80 locals recommend
Cold Garden Beverage Company
1100 11 St SECold Garden is the literal translation of the Gaelic word, Calgary. This gem of a brewery opened in 2017 and serves a variety of craft beers. It's open to families AND their pets. Sit down, relax, play a board game and place an order for your favourite take-out to be delivered to this address (may we recommend picking up a "Happy Chicken" from The Nash down the road?).
Newly opened in 2017, this brewery offers a great selection of beers. A little off the main drag, it can be hard to find, but it's a quiet, inexpensive place to enjoy a few sips of craft beer.
16 locals recommend
High Line Brewing
1318 9 Ave SENewly opened in 2017, this brewery offers a great selection of beers. A little off the main drag, it can be hard to find, but it's a quiet, inexpensive place to enjoy a few sips of craft beer.
Not only does Dandy make some of the best sour ales in the city, but they also have a killer menu that includes a reasonable and delicious brunch (we recommend the Bubbles & Squeak)
33 locals recommend
The Dandy Brewing Company And Tasting Room
2003 11 St SENot only does Dandy make some of the best sour ales in the city, but they also have a killer menu that includes a reasonable and delicious brunch (we recommend the Bubbles & Squeak)
Getting Around
This is a 10-15 minute walk from our house and will take you past the Stampede grounds.
9 locals recommend
JZ Erlton Terminal station
This is a 10-15 minute walk from our house and will take you past the Stampede grounds.