The 13 best restaurants in Calgary

This upscale wine bar in the Design District boasts a sleek, modern atmosphere ideal for both a business meeting and a get-together with friends. As one of the few upscale bars that also serves late-night snacks, it’s hard not to constantly return here. Eat the eggplant fries or the chicken sausage pizza and wash it down with a local lager.

Named after the most classic dish to come out of the country, this could only be a Thai restaurant. It’s run by a Thai family, so you can guarantee some fine Asian cuisine at Pad Thai. Plus, there are dishes with a twist on the menu worth trying, like the lemongrass chicken wings.

This cafe and bar has a bicycle hanging above its beer taps. Hipster coffee drinkers: welcome to heaven. Try a classic cappuccino with a bowl of pasta topped with a dollop of ricotta. The Instagram page is filled with food porn, so you might be inspired to take a few snapshots of your plate.

Set inside Saks Fifth Avenue in the Chinook Centre mall, this quiet Italian restaurant is the go-to spot for shoppers needing to unwind. All the pizzas are cooked in an authentic Italian stove oven. Pair any of them with a glass of prosecco and pretend you’re in Rome.

Set in the heart of Prince's Island Park, this is one of the most renowned eateries in town, serving upscale fare in elegant surroundings. If you’re craving a high-brow experience, you should definitely dine here. White tablecloths also abound during Sunday brunch, when you can devour pancakes, eggs and pastries from the on-premise bakery.

A bright and cheery chicken joint run lovingly by two sisters: Nicole and Francine Gomes. If this isn’t the best place to get Southern fried chicken in Canada, it’s definitely the best in Calgary. Plus, they do malt milkshakes and retro sodas. Where do we sign?

This is the ultimate place for Indian cuisine, so get ready to get your curry on. In addition to some kickass curry dishes, this hotspot also serves Chinese food. Try the lemon chicken and a wide variety of vegetarian plates. Don’t forget to order a glass of mango lassi.

This gourmet food truck can be spotted serving plates filled with Indian food throughout the city streets and at catering jobs and delivering to people’s homes. Chef Jassie Bakshi has over 30 years of experience working as a chef at hotels across India. The food truck does East Indian food best but also offers vegan fare. 

Smack dab in the middle of the bohemian Inglewood district, Madison’s 12|12 offers a sprawling patio, communal tables and a friendly neighbourhood flair. Order the Mexican nachos, perfect for sharing and delicious with some local craft beers on the side. 

More than just a bakery, this dine-in eatery offers a wide menu that caters to vegetarians. The founder of this bakery, Aviv Fried, has the words “sour dough” tattooed on his fingers, displaying his passion for bread making to the world. Do you really need another reason to visit?

This is less a restaurant and more a living room. Or at least that’s how you’ll feel when you sink into one of Wednesday Room’s plump mid-mod armchairs or banquettes. This is a culinary adventure, and you can eat everything from smoked octopus to pork belly bao buns here before washing it down with something from the delightful cocktail menu. You'll feel warm and cozy before you know it.

A family restaurant founded by the Eden family, it is set in a 19th-century historic brick building outfitted with a rustic vibe. This self-proclaimed "blue-collar bistro" offers French-inspired fare, from crab croquettes to ratatouille and beef bourguignon, that will revive all five of your senses.

A swish Italian eatery that makes all its pasta in-house and has deliciously thin-crust pizzas. Sure, pizzas aren't always considered high-end food, but Double Zero is bright, airy and attractively modern. Plus, it's perfectly placed for a meal after a shopping spree in the Chinook Centre.