Calgary
YYC
What’s new in Calgary? A whole lot, actually. The recent redevelopment of East Village has transformed a once neglected neighbourhood into prime waterfront. Studio Bell, the National Music Centre’s home, bridges museum space and live-performance venue. And the freshly minted Central Library downtown has architecture critics worldwide talking.
Eat & Drink
Major Tom
Forty stories above downtown Calgary, the slowly waning sun sets fire to this sprawling, mid-century modern rocket lounge filled with a dressed-up crowd prepared for joyous liftoff. It’s also a steakhouse reimagined for the modern age, delivering crispy egg halves topped with pepperoni jam, extraterrestrial prime rib, and butter-tender chicken slices wreathed in braised button and oyster mushrooms. We may be far above the Earth, but the menu is firmly rooted in the pastures and farms that surround the city. It’s so seductive up here, we may just cut our connection with ground control a little longer. Listed as one of the Top 10 Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2022.
JinBar
Right from the start, the glowing neon messages – “cocktails and dreams,” “hello gorgeous” – signpost that no matter why you’re here, it’s going to be a good time. JinBar’s split‑level space matches its dual vibe: sleek, yet unpretentious, with cozy corners for date nights and a convivial bar area. The menu features five flavour twists on Korean‑style fried chicken – the jalapeño‑soy is a lip‑smacking balance of sweet and spicy – and something much less expected: Korean pizza. Listed as one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2021.
Ricardo’s Hideaway
Just off 17th Avenue, Ricardo’s is loved for its kitschy island vibe and $13 cocktails. Rum is the house act, with a list that features favourites like mojitos, mai tais, pina coladas and dark ’n’ stormies. Dishes are casual and include a variety of snacks and tapas-style starters, such as plantain chips and cheese empanadas, with jerk chicken and spicy curries rounding out the mains.
Roy’s Korean Kitchen
Plates of elevated Korean cuisine glide out of the open kitchen on waves of high-energy ’80s pop at Roy Oh’s Mission neighbourhood successor to his late, acclaimed Anju. Anything goes here, from Korean spirits-forward drinks and salty and spicy snacks to elegant shared plates and traditional Korean barbecue – making it a good destination for any occasion. Long-time fans of Oh can devour his signature soy maple brussels sprouts with double-smoked bacon alongside newer dishes like black garlic-steamed Salt Spring Island mussels that deliver a surprising serrano chili punch. Longlisted as part of Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022.
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters
Start your day with a trip to Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters for a single-source-origin espresso and an egg and crispy smoked meat sandwich. This Calgary chain’s latest outpost in the Mission neighbourhood is decked out with white marble countertops, blond walls, original artwork and a state-of-the-art Kees van der Westen “Spirit” espresso machine.
Một Tô
Immigrant kids born in one country and raised in another call themselves the “1.5 generation,” which makes Một Tô the chill, 1.5-gen child of crosstown mom Phô Dâu Bò. “Crunch” could be its own category on the multi-hyphenated menu, judging from the crackly crab pork and taro spring roll and the pho grilled cheese served with a pho broth dipping bowl – an homage to the Western classic and French dip. Not to be missed, the sweet-sour beef carpaccio comes topped with a raw quail egg yolk and a shower of aromatics. And we haven’t even gotten to the pho yet. Listed as one of the Top 10 Canada’s Best New Restaurants of 2022.
Cluck N Cleaver
Former Top Chef Canada contestant Nicole Gomes has partnered with her sister Francine to open Cluck N Cleaver. Choose from quarter, half and full rotisserie chicken dinners, fried chicken sandwiches and several sides, including potato salad, coleslaw and handmade buttermilk biscuits.
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What to Do
Esker Foundation
Inglewood’s once empty warehouses and packing plants have given way to a mix of design stores, cafés and contemporary galleries. Check out the custom suiting for men at Espy, then stop by the Esker Foundation, located on the top floor of the Atlantic Avenue Art Block, a four-storey building dedicated to retail and art galleries. An integral part of the Art Block, the Project Space is home to a rotating series of displays visible from the street 24 hours a day.
Canada Olympic Park
On winter weeknights, the Canada Olympic Park is a favourite skiing spot for Calgarians looking to keep their legs in shape for weekend excursions to Banff. If you visit in the summer, try the perfectly safe (but harrowing) indoor luge course.
Metrovino
This large, airy room attached to the Cookbook Company carries an excellent selection of wines and spirits. With the spotlight on family-owned French and Spanish wineries, Metrovino hosts unique tastings and events at the Calgary Wine Tasting and Education Center next door.
Gravity Pope
In 2015, this Edmonton shopping staple upgraded to a larger, five-storey contemporary space on 17th Avenue South West. Browse through racks of labels, like Acne Studios, Paul Smith and Maison Kitsune, as well as shoes from Fly London, Fluevog and hard-to-find Aigle boots. Owner Louise Dirk’s effortlessly cool offerings also include bags from Montreal’s WANT Les Essentiels and a selection of jewellery and fragrances.
Spruce Meadows
A fixture on the international show-jumping competition calendar since 1976, this world-class facility is open year-round, accessible to competitors and spectators alike. The five-dollar admission price has remained the same since day one.
Stillwater Spa
After a deep-clean facial, try the ultimate aromatherapy experience, a relaxing treatment with individually chosen essential oils applied to calm and ground. The rose indulgence body ritual, just as soothing, will help to ease dryness – a notorious side effect of Calgary’s high elevation.
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