Calgary Restaurants and Dining

(Calgary, Alberta - AB, Canada)

Calgary is made up of a relatively young population and as such, Calgary's dining scene consists of stylish and lively eateries

Many budgets are catered for and there is a plethora of cheap restaurants and dining options in downtown Calgary, particularly along the pedestrianized Stephen Avenue and in Calgary's Chinatown area, while 17th Avenue features both upmarket and casual eateries and restaurants.

Opening Hours

Many eateries in Calgary are 24-hour establishments and therefore serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. As a rule, cafés open for breakfast at 06:00 or 07:00 and usually stay open for lunch, while full-service restaurants in Calgary normally open at about 11:00 for lunch and then reopen for evening dining, before closing at about 21:00 or 22:00. Those establishments with bars may stay open later on weekends.

Wine and Beer

Being a young person's town, Calgary offers many drinking dens, bars and clubs. The bulk of bars and wine bars can be found in the dining areas alongside the restaurants, specifically within the downtown area of 17th Avenue. The Macleod Trail Strip in the southeast is louder than 17th Avenue in downtown Calgary and is one of neon lights, shopping malls and nightclubs.

Breakfast

There are several places in downtown Calgary where you can enjoy an early breakfast. One of the best areas is 17th Avenue, where busy, café-lined streets serve greasy breakfast delights as well as more refined selections of pasta, salads and other cold snacks. There are also many coffee shops in this area.

Lunch

Seventeenth Avenue is good for lunchtime dining, with its string of casual bistros and restaurants. Calgary's Chinatown is also a popular choice for lovers of noodles and dim sum, with a number of authentic Chinese restaurants. Eau Claire Market has two floors of wall to wall restaurants and stalls, which include an inexpensive selection of ethnic and Western cuisines. Picnicking on Prince's Island in the summer is also popular.

Dinner

Eau Claire Market and Chinatown in Calgary are good for evening dining, especially for those who like informal restaurants, while many of the major hotels and shopping malls have excellent dining options. You can't go wrong with finding a decent place to eat on Calgary's 17th Avenue and one of the best restaurants is Melrose Place, with its fantastic menu, great selection of drinks and spectacular views from the deck. Another quality eating area in Calgary is Kensington Village, situated in the Northwest region of the city by the Bow River, and Fourth Street in the Southwest district.