See Alberta's cities and towns through your tastebuds
Alberta’s landscapes may get all the attention, but the province’s culinary scene is just as diverse as its famed widescreen vistas…
From classic Canadian cuisine to craft beer, fusion food and Indigenous eating experiences, Alberta has a smorgasbord of experiences to offer. Start off in the big cities of Calgary and Edmonton, then head to Banff, Jasper and Canmore to sample the best of small town, hyper-local cuisine...
Calgary cuisine
As Alberta’s largest city, and home to more than a million people, it’s no surprise to find that Calgary also offers the province’s most cosmopolitan dining scene.
The District at Beltline
For a gourmet overview, this 5600 square foot food hall is definitely the place. The first of its kind in the city, the pop-ups and food stalls here have been created (and curated) by some of the city’s top chefs, offering a feast of global flavours. Tuck into Japanese ramen at Oishideshu Ramen Shack, sample Korean comfort food at Roy’s Korean Kitchen, try Asian-fusion tacos at Takori, or enjoy cutting-edge vegetarian food at Shrub Bloom, then round things off with a craft ale courtesy of 33 Acres.
Calgary’s craft beer scene
Canadians love their beer, and Calgarians are no exception. The city is awash with bars, tap-rooms and breweries, with a brew to suit all tastes, whether you prefer your beers pale, hoppy, crisp or sour. As the location of Calgary’s first brewery, Brewery Flats is a great neighbourhood to begin your beer explorations, followed by the "Barley Belt" of Inglewood, the Beltline and the ‘Brewmuda Triangle’, where you’ll find Heathen’s Brewing, Tool Shed and Common Crown. Calgary’s brewers have a penchant for unusual flavours: hemp, rice, coffee, cacao, chilli, plum and even coconut are just some of the outlandish ingredients you might encounter.
Self-guided food tours
To eat like a local, you need insider knowledge – and that’s what you get on Alberta Food Tours’ self-guided walk. Following a 1.5km route downloaded to your phone, it’s a cross between a food tour and a live-action game, with riddles, clues and puzzles leading you from one foodie stop to the next. It’s updated regularly with all the team’s favourite new locations, and lasts around 2.5 hours – and since you’re on foot, there’s really no need to feel guilty about the calories. Time for that extra donut?
Three must-try foods
Alberta beef
As you’d expect in Cowtown, Albertan beef is a highlight. Renowned for its rich flavour and juicy texture, Canada’s prime beef is served in a myriad of ways: go classic with a classic burger, tuck into a tenderloin, savour the flavour in a slow-cooked brisket or indulge in a royal ribeye.
Ginger beef
This sweet-and-sour stir-fry originated in Calgary, and is thought to have been brought over in the late 19th century by Chinese workers employed building Canadian railways. Consisting of thin-sliced strips of flank steak dipped in batter and deep fried until crunchy, it’s a must-try.
Caesar cocktail
The quintessential Canadian cocktail was invented in 1969 by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn (nowadays the Westin Calgary Hotel). It’s a spin on the Bloody Mary, blending vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire and hot sauce, with a hit of clam juice for extra umami. Don’t forget the celery stick and lime wedge.
Burn it off
If you’ve overindulged, exploring Calgary on foot (or two wheels) is a great way to burn off some calories while getting to know the city from a street-level perspective.
Wander its neighbourhoods
Most visitors never explore much beyond Downtown, but Calgary’s eclectic neighbourhoods are where the city’s character shines through. Inglewood was where the city began - Calgary’s original main street is located here – and nowadays, it’s a great spot for shopping, music and nightlife as well as the lively Inglewood Night Market. Kensington is fun for a wander, with tempting bakeries, cafes and bistros to discover – and don’t miss a selfie on the Peace Bridge over the Bow River. For weekend brunch, locals swear by Bridgeland, while the Beltline is known for its arty side, with lots of galleries and public artworks, as well as pretty Central Memorial Park, perfect for a picnic. Walk round Chinatown for its polyglot atmosphere, then round things off with some late-night action around 17th Avenue SW.
Explore East Village
For locals, Calgary’s East Village is the city’s hippest district. Many of the area’s former warehouses and factories have been imaginatively converted: the Simmons Building on Confluence Way was once a bedding factory, but is now a foodie hub, with tenants including top coffee shop Phil & Sebastian, sourdough specialists Sidewalk Citizen Bakery and Argentian-inspired Charbar. Nearby you’ll find the impressive, glass-fronted Calgary Central Library, built in 2019, as well as a plethora of coffee shops, art galleries, riverside walks and restaurants. For somewhere to stay, the trendy Alt Hotel Calgary East Village is a favourite hangout, with three restaurants and luxurious rooms overlooking the Bow River.
Edmonton eats
As one of Alberta’s most diverse cities, Edmonton offers a banquet of global cuisines, and a growing number of Indigenous restaurants where you can taste the true flavours of Canada.
Indulge in Indigenous cuisine
A new generation of Indigenous chefs is spicing up the city’s dining scene, presenting their creative takes on traditional dishes like bison burgers, elk stew, bannock bread, grilled corn, fire-roasted salmon, fry fish and of course poutine. Culina, owned by Metis chef Brad Lazarenko, has several locations, or head down to Homefire for treats straight off the grill. Or take a cooking course with Pei Pei Chow Ow to learn to make your own bannock bread, berry jams or potato pancakes. Pei Pei Chow Ow also serves takeout at the Whiskeyjack Art House.
Head out on a food bike tour
Dig into the local food scene while working off a few pounds on a ride around the city with two-wheeled specialists Food Bike Tours. Depending on the day, their fun four-hour itineraries might include stops at Mexican masters Luna, coffee supremos Ayco Cafe, pastry maestros Choccorant and neighbourhood eatery Otto, which is inspired by from the cosy corner cafes of Amsterdam. You’re welcome to bring your own wheels, or you can hire a classic bike or e-bike on the day.
Taste Edmonton’s diverse culinary influences
Edmonton is a polyglot city, and its multicultural make-up is reflected in the diversity of its dining scene. From Middle Eastern spices to the fiery flavours of southeast Asia, Edmonton offers endless options to broaden your palate. Sample some vegan food Indonesian-style at Padmanadi, go Japanese at Yokozuna, try Thai at Siam Thai Kitchen, enjoy Spanish tapas at Sabor, taste classic Italian trattoria food at Uccellino or Dalla, or head for The Marc for finest of French dining. You can travel halfway around the globe in a day without ever leaving the city.
Three must-try foods
Donair
One of Edmonton’s favourite late-night street snacks, the donair (known elsewhere as a doner kebab) originates from the Middle East, and consists of rotisserie-roasted beef shaved thinly and stuffed into a pitta topped with sweet sauce, chilli and other condiments. Nothing better after a night on the town.
Perogy
Another popular street food that was brought over by Polish and Ukrainian immigrants, the perogy is an Eastern European pasta dish, made with soft, unleavened dough stuffed with all kinds of delicious ingredients: braised beef, spicy sausage, sauerkraut, potato and cheddar or even sweet fillings.
Green onion cakes
A staple in northern China, green onion cakes have become synonymous with Edmonton. These savoury pancakes were first cooked up in the ‘70s by local chef Siu To, a.k.a. The Green Onion Cake Man. They’re now fried up at restaurants and food stalls across the city, and they’re ideal for eating on the go – but of course, Siu To’s place on 118 Ave NW is still the place to beat.
Burn it off
When you want to work up an appetite, there are plenty of ways to do it in Edmonton - whether it’s paddling down the river, biking along forest trails or exploring Alberta’s biggest museum.
See its museums and galleries
Edmonton’s premier cultural institution is the Royal Alberta Museum, with more than a million artefacts encompassing everything from ancient fossils and dinosaurs to the story of how humans first arrived in Alberta. There are three main galleries: the Natural History Hall, the Human History Hall and the Bug Gallery, full of all kinds of creepy crawlies the kids are guaranteed to find fascinating. Also worth a visit is the Art Gallery of Alberta, which houses an impressive collection of works by leading Albertan artists and photographers.
Tread the River Valley's parks and trails
A pocket of wilderness in the heart of downtown Edmonton, the River Valley Parks collectively make up one of the biggest urban green spaces in Canada, with more than 160km of multi-use trails spread out along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. There are twenty major parks in all, linked together by a network of paths and trails that are perfect for hiking and cycling. Alternatively, you can head out onto the river in a kayak or canoe. Look out for seasonal outdoor activities, from nature walks to summer BBQs, or pack a picnic and just get out and explore.
Eat through the Rockies
When you want to work up an appetite, there are plenty of ways to do it in Edmonton - whether it’s paddling down the river, biking along forest trails or exploring Alberta’s biggest museum.
Banff
From fine-dining restaurants to award-winning breweries. Banff Town has a tempting choice when it comes to eating and drinking. Try Saltlik for the best steak, go veggie or vegan at Nourish Bistro, enjoy top Canadian cuisine at The Maple Leaf or Eden, or catch the Banff Gondola up to Sky Bistro for lunch with a view. Beer lovers will want to swing by the Banff Ave Brewing Co, and for a dinner to remember, The Grizzly House serves up Banff’s most unusual dining experience: mountain-style fondues with exotic ingredients including alligator, rattlesnake, ostrich and buffalo. Fairmont Banff Springs always delivers an unforgettable stay but on its Eat the Castle tour, you can eat your way around four of its food offerings (including trying zero-mile micro greens at STOCK food and drink and savouring fine Alberta produce at flagship 1888 Chop House) while hearing tales of this National Historic Site's history and heritage from an expert storyteller. Lake Louise has a good selection of restaurants, too: for upmarket dining, book a table at the Post Hotel or the Walliser Stube at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, or for simple, homestyle cuisine, swing by the Station Restaurant or Bill Peyto’s Café. And of course, you can’t miss afternoon tea at the legendary Lake Agnes Teahouse – a mountain-top café that’s absolutely worth the hike to get there.
Jasper
The dining scene gets a little more rustic as you travel north along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Jasper Town has several cosy restaurants: the stylish Raven Bistro is a favourite for its shared plates, Buddha bowls and signature ‘Three Pharoahs’ (beef tenderloin, pulled chicken and braised elk brisket), while the Olive Bistro serves unusual local delicacies like bison gnocchi, truffle poutine and a farmers’ plate showcasing small Albertan producers. For the best views, take a drive out to the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen, where the outdoor deck offers an unbeatable mountain panorama, or elegant Aalto, a stylish, Scandi-tinged restaurant that looks out across Pyramid Lake. And for a quick lunch-to-go if you’re planning to head out on the trails, Jasper locals recommend Patricia St Deli for its generously stuffed sandwiches and homemade soups. If you want to dive a little deeper into Jasper's food scene, join one of Jasper Food Tours' experiences, where you can cycle between some of its top restaurants and landscapes on their Bites on e-bikes tour, prepare your own outdoor feast in wild on its Peak-nic experience and more.
Canmore
The Rockies gateway town of Canmore, on the southeastern edge of Banff, is a popular stop for visitors en route to the national park. It’s a small town with a big character, and its restaurants, pubs and cafes are strong on local provenance and community spirit. Communitea Cafe is a favourite for its ethical, organic food, from classic avo toast to noodles and rice bowls. Swing by the Grizzly Paw, arguably the best brewery in the Rockies, to sample one of its award-winning ales, like Beavertail Raspberry Ale or Grumpy Bear Honey Wheat; they also have their own grub pub, Tank 310. Cool off with an ice cream from the Old School Bus, a Canmore institution where the flavours encompass everything from white chocolate to black cherry and peanut butter pecan. Or for a sophisticated dinner, book up at Crazy Weed, where the standard of cooking feels more big city than tranquil mountain town.
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