Dining in Cow Town

When people think of Calgary, many conjure up an image of cowboy boots and thoughts of western hospitality. While this spirit remains alive and well, Calgary has also grown into a dynamic, metropolitan city, with a booming oil and gas industry leading the way. The restaurant and food business has taken off, giving rise to new and exciting eateries, many concentrated in some of the city's main districts:

	Rose and Crown Pub 1

• Downtown
• Kensington
• 17th Avenue SW
• Fourth Street
• International Avenue
• Inglewood
• Macleod Trail

These districts all have a unique atmosphere and offer a variety of restaurants, shops and services. From cowboy cuisine, with an emphasis on Alberta beef, to international delights, Calgary’s restaurant scene has expanded to include a diverse mix of cultures and cuisines such as Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Japanese, just to name a few. This diversity is also a reflection of the multi-cultural make-up of Calgary’s growing population.

As in any large city, restaurants come and go in Calgary. Word of mouth and reviews help boost a restaurant's reputation and some spots have endured the changing trends, keeping a regular and loyal clientele base. All Calgary restaurants have gone smoke-free as of January 2007, including patio dining. In general, most inexpensive and moderately priced restaurants in the city have a casual dress code with a few upscale and expensive venues requiring formal wear. Leaving a 10 to 15 per cent tip is customary, usually double the Goods and Service Tax (GST) shown separately at the bottom of the receipt. Tips may be included in bills for larger groups, so be sure to ask the server for details.

DOWNTOWN

Calgary's downtown dining scene is concentrated in three areas: the historic Stephen Avenue, riverside Eau Claire Market and exotic Chinatown.

Stephen Avenue
A blend of modern architecture and historic sandstone buildings line Stephen Avenue, located along Eighth Avenue SW and spanning from First Street SE to Fourth Street SW. On warm, sunny days, the pedestrian-friendly boulevard is a bustle of energy, as business people and locals make their way along the strip, lined with restaurants, pubs, specialty shops and art galleries. Many of the restaurants and pubs along Stephen Avenue attract a lunch and after-work crowd, especially during the summer, when patio seating is a popular dining option. Tables and chairs are set up all along the street, allowing patrons to partake in interesting people-watching while enjoying a meal or sipping a drink. Pubs are busy during the weekend nights and can fill up quickly.

The Catch on Stephen Avenue 2

Several large hotels including the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Marriott are found nearby, supplying a large portion of out-of-towners to Stephen Avenue, most notably during the high tourist season starting in June and escalating in July during the Calgary Stampede. The Telus Convention Centre is also centrally located and during major conventions, Stephen Avenue and its restaurants pack up fast. A Calgary landmark, the Calgary Tower is a short walk away from Eighth Avenue, situated on Ninth Avenue and Centre Street. Enjoy a unique dining experience at the revolving Panorama Dining Room in the tower, while taking-in a broad view of the city from high above.

Parking is limited directly on Stephen Avenue, with vehicle access only allowed after 6pm. Other parking options include nearby parkades or street metres along Centre Street and First Street SW. As with many large cities, visitors should be aware that many pan-handlers frequent the area.

Eau Claire Market
Located along the scenic Prince's Island Park, with its tree-lined walkways following the Bow River, Eau Claire Market contains unique shops, a food court, a movie theatre and several restaurants. A central hub for the neighbourhood of the same name, Eau Claire also features an outdoor plaza. Whether its for pasta, sushi or wings, Eau Claire has eight fully-licensed casual eateries and two coffee houses, making it a perfect stop to grab a bite before or after a show. Nearby, Prince’s Island Park’s River Cafe offers some of the finest dining in Calgary, with an emphasis on organic products and seasonal Canadian cuisine. A parkade and metered parking are found all around the market, providing easy access.

Chinatown
South of the Centre Street Bridge brings visitors to Calgary's Chinatown, situated between Riverside and Third Avenues in the northeast sector of Calgary’s downtown. Many inexpensive Chinese restaurants are found in this area as well as other Asian cuisine options such as Vietnamese and Thai. Dim sum, a type of Chinese brunch buffet featuring various filled dumplings, is a popular attraction in Chinatown, with several restaurants hosting full tables. Weekends are particularly busy here, with an influx of people visiting the merchants, fresh food markets and shops, filled with delectable Chinese food products and prepared meals such as glistening, whole roasted ducks. Events such as Chinese New Year celebrations also see this area filled with crowds and excitement. Asian influenced shops and restaurants also extend several blocks outside of downtown along Centre Street North.

KENSINGTON

With over 100 shops, restaurants and services, Kensington is a self-described urban village, offering cosy coffee houses, exclusive boutiques and delectable dining. Located at the junction of 10th Street and Kensington Road NW, Kensington is easy to get to and easy to navigate. The Calgary LRT Sunnyside station stop is minutes away by foot and several Calgary Transit bus routes access the district including numbers 1 (Bowness), 9 (Varsity), 4 (Huntington) and community shuttles 405 and 419. During warm days, many use the Bow River Bicycle Pathway that takes cyclists to the Louise Bridge Crossing and into Kensington. For those making their way to Kensington via automobile, many shops provide free customer parking at the rear. Several parking lots and parkades are also found throughout the district. Metered parking is also available, with free on-street parking available evenings and all day Sundays.

	Dancers at the Sun and Salsa Festival 3

A popular weekend destination, Kensington offers a number of gourmet shops and casual eateries. Fresh baked goods including artisan breads, frosted cupcakes, Montreal-style bagels and other tempting bites are found at several bakeries in Kensington. Wine and cheese aficionados will find their fill at local shops and delis here too, carrying imported fine cheeses and earthy reds and crisp whites. Those in search of a jolt of java or a calming cup of tea can stop in at the many coffee bars and tea houses found along the street.

In July, Kensington hosts the Sun and Salsa Festival, featuring Latin music and dancing, which fills the streets and nearby restaurants. A salsa tasting contest is one of the main highlights of this festival. Kensington Road and 10th Street are closed down for the day, ensuring a pedestrian-friendly event.

Summer also features patio dining at Kensington’s restaurants and is prime-time for people-watching. Christmas in Kensington is greeted with carollers, bands, light displays, choirs and elves handing out candy canes in the streets on every Saturday in December.

17TH AVENUE SW

Anything goes on 17th Avenue SW, with a mix of posh and trendy and young and alternative clientele frequenting the 200-plus businesses, ranging from boutiques to professional services to restaurants. From 14th to Second Street on 17th Avenue SW, a number of eateries serve up a global assortment of cuisine from California, India, Japan, Morocco and other international destinations. A vibrant nightlife, with live music, cocktail bars and coffee shops rounds out the street experience, all found within walking distance of each other. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and eccentric people that frequent the area while relaxing in Tomkins Park or at one of the many restaurant patios that line the street.

Several bus routes provide access to the area, including numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 13, 94, 106, 107, 412, and 417. Parking lots and meters are found throughout with free two-hour parking available on some streets and during the evenings.

Where many of Calgary's districts see the most activity on weekends, 17th is busy all of the time. Many bars and lounges are found on the strip, including the popular Melrose Cafe and Bar and the well-known Ship and Anchor Pub, which, along with other venues, played host to a conglomeration of fans gathering to cheer on the local NHL hockey team, the Calgary Flames during playoffs. The street became known as the Red Mile, serving as Flames fans central. A number of coffee houses are also found here, providing an alternate venue to the bar scene, as well as casual dining and trendy fast food places, offering all types of culinary meals including vegetarian fare.

FOURTH STREET

Just off 17th Avenue SW, stretching from 12th Avenue to Elbow Drive, the Fourth Street district also sees a lot of activity throughout the week. Located in the communities of Mission and Cliff Bungalow, Fourth Street is referred to as Calgary's restaurant row, featuring over 35 dining establishments. The atmosphere is very casual with many pubs also found along the street including the established Rose and Crown Pub. Several sushi bars are cropping up along Fourth, attracting a young and in-vogue crowd, adding to the trendy, urban feel of the district.

The annual, one-day Fourth Street Lilac Festival in the springtime kicks off with a parade, attracting people to the streets to enjoy live entertainment and visit the many local businesses that also set up food and craft vendors along 13 blocks.

Another unique attraction on Fourth Street is the various sculptures that line its streets, sponsored by the Public Art Society and other organizations. These pieces foster an artistic vibe in the community and welcome visitors to experience the sights and people of Fourth Street.

INTERNATIONAL AVENUE

Not to be confused with 17th Avenue SW, International Avenue is on the southeast side of 17th Avenue in the neighbourhood of Forest Lawn. International Avenue is accessible via Deerfoot Trail, Blackfoot Trail and Memorial Drive as well as public transportation including city bus route 1 (Forest Lawn/Bowness), and the Marlborough and Franklin LRT stations. Parking is available throughout the district.

	Nellie's on Fourth 4

As the name implies, visitors can find a variety of ethnic restaurants and places for take-out, many situated in strip malls. Asian influences including Vietnamese, Chinese and Indian restaurants are found here, including Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. In addition to restaurants, visitors will find a selection of grocery stores along with retail shops and services. A local community bus tour is available taking people around 35 blocks of global treasures.

Reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the area are several murals painted along 17th Avenue SE, portraying historical scenes and community spirit and pride. Another major draw to the district is GlobalFest, showcasing an international fireworks competition at Erlton Park along with cultural pavilions throughout the city celebrating ethnic diversity and traditions.

INGLEWOOD

Well-known for its antique shopping, Inglewood features many established restaurants and local eateries. Kane's Harley Diner is a star attraction, with a motorcycle-theme creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere and a menu filled with comfort foods. Another hot spot includes Spolumbo's, an Italian, deli-style venue famous for its thick sandwiches, overflowing with savoury Italian cold cuts and cheeses.

Inglewood is a weekend destination for the most part, with many patrons venturing through after a day of shopping or visiting the popular family attractions nearby including the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Fort Calgary and the Calgary Zoo. Most of Inglewood's businesses are centred on Ninth Avenue (formerly Atlantic Avenue), east of downtown. Established in 1875, Inglewood is Calgary's first community, formed following the construction of Fort Calgary.

Today, the district continues to showcase its heritage with restored buildings and attractions including the Deane House, designated as a registered historic resource in 1978 and featuring a cafe overlooking the Elbow River. Many shops and services are located here, specializing in home furnishings and decor, clothing, jewellery and antiques.

Safety Boss Building in Inglewood 5

MACLEOD TRAIL

Providing a link to Calgary south, Macleod Trail features many popular chain-type and Canadian and American franchise restaurants including East Side Mario's, Earl's, Moxie's and tons of fast food joints. Two major shopping centres are also found along Macleod Trail including Southcentre Mall and Chinook Centre. Some of Calgary’s popular nightclubs such as Outlaws, Ranchman’s and the Back Alley are also located in this area. Macleod Trail continues to be a popular and convenient dining option for Calgarians and tourists due to its central location and the variety of eateries found here.

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