Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fu’s Repair Shop  
The glass front door of Fu’s Repair Shop sports the motto, “We Fix You,” and in a way, the joint delivers on its promise. Inside, the vibe is Chinese hip hop speakeasy, with an aughts playlist and a red lantern–hung ceiling that gives the bumping room a vaguely illicit orangish glow. Amped–up riffs on Guangdong dim sum (tender cheung fun rice rolls filled with shellfish or heat–radiating wontons in chili oil) restore, while sharp cocktails (the hot pepper–spiked Enter the Dragon is a creamy mai tai with a mule’s kick) leave those broken in spirit patched up and satisfyingly sated. Longlisted as part of Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022.

Hayloft Steak + Fish  
The concept at this high–ceilinged wood– and leather–clad Cameron Heights establishment is simple. To utilize the whole cow and waste nothing, Hayloft takes up the fine dining side of the operation, offering prime and underutilized cuts like tri–tip or skirt steak, while a branch of Woodshed Burgers takes the ground beef – all of it sourced from nearby Lakeside Farmstead. Exemplary cocktails like a smoked grapefruit margarita rimmed with a secret blend of tongue–tingling spices give way to expletive–worthy oysters, steelhead salmon and more from Effing Seafoods. Longlisted as part of Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022.

Pei Pei Chei Ow  
Food as culture, history and community are what you will find at this takeout spot, housed in the Indigenous–owned Whiskeyjack Art House. A lemony sandwich of breaded deep–fried Spam (a nod to food rationed in reserves), parsley and horseradish, or another of eggplant, tomato jam, aioli kale, mint and pea shoots vibrate with the energy of the land, inspired by chef Scott Jonathan Iserhoff’s walks through wild–herb scented forests of his childhood in Ontario. If you’re lucky enough to “picnic” in front of Lana Whiskeyjack’s spirited paintings of powerful Cree women, you will feel the convergence of food and culture all the more. Longlisted as part of Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022.

French–inspired comfort food at Partake Grab a window table at this cozy neighbourhood gem and dig into coq au vin and beef tartare – Partake’s flawlessly executed classic menu has made it a contender for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2019. The cocktails are just as stellar; try the refreshingly tart No. 2, made with Victoria Distillers Empress 1908, an indigo gin that turns ruby–pink when citric acid is added.

Inventive small plates at Biera Chef Christine Sandford, alumna of the Michelin–starred In de Wulf, helms the kitchen at this restaurant, tucked inside a Ritchie Market brewery. Nothing on the menu is ordinary: Even the salads are masterful displays of colour and texture. Try the Humboldt squid with housemade sambal and black garlic glaze, the charcoal–grilled pork shoulder or sourdough nuggets topped with foamy Alpindon beer cheese – it’s impossible to pick a favourite.

Hand–smashed patties at Woodshed Burgers This is next–level Alberta beef: premium Holstein, cooked to order and served on fresh–baked buns with housemade condiments. The crispy chicken burger deserves a nod, too, as does the hefty Effing Fish Filet, featuring Icelandic cod sourced from Edmonton’s popular (and gregarious) fishmonger, Effing Rob.

Asian–inspired cocktails at Baijiu Designed to resemble a Shanghai speakeasy, this restaurant serves up inventive drinks – like the Henny & Tea, Hennessy VS chased with house–brewed cold green tea – to pair with chef Alexei Boldireff’s creative Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese fusion dishes. Ask nicely and the staff will show you to Little Hong Kong, the hidden bar within the bar.

Chicken–liver tartine at Bündok Owner/chef Ryan Hotchkiss creates dishes full of flavour, texture and interest – and adds little surprises, like partnering pommes dauphine with harissa aioli, or spiking delicate sea–bream crudo with citrus and chili oil. Don’t miss the chicken–liver tartine, a velvety–smooth thing of beauty.