Brenda's Best of Calgary
Local shopping
Need something for dinner, or just want to get a feel for what our neighbourhood has to offer? These are the local favourites.
How to describe Luke’s? It’s a general store, grocery and pharmacy for hipsters. Order a macchiato, buy some beans from Bow and Arrow, browse through one of Calgary’s best vinyl collections, buy a gift, go downstairs for food, stationary, and all kinds of stuff that you really do need. There’s even a post office!!
61 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Lukes Drug Mart
112 4 St NEHow to describe Luke’s? It’s a general store, grocery and pharmacy for hipsters. Order a macchiato, buy some beans from Bow and Arrow, browse through one of Calgary’s best vinyl collections, buy a gift, go downstairs for food, stationary, and all kinds of stuff that you really do need. There’s even a post office!!
This is a city of runners! Just step outside at noon and watch office workers transformed. Want to join them? Head over to Gord’s and get advice on the best gear, trails, local races, Tuesday night runs, clinics, etc. The staff are runners. The owner has been running ultras for decades. They know all about running.
Gord's Running Store
919 Centre St NThis is a city of runners! Just step outside at noon and watch office workers transformed. Want to join them? Head over to Gord’s and get advice on the best gear, trails, local races, Tuesday night runs, clinics, etc. The staff are runners. The owner has been running ultras for decades. They know all about running.
All your grocery needs including locally sourced organic meats and produce, but so much more! Cheese from around the world, homemade hummus, guacamole, main dishes and desserts. Freshly baked breads and muffins. Calgary's best ice cream (Made by Marcus), scooped on the spot or take a pint home. So many tempting things!
61 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Bridgeland Market
1104 1 Ave NEAll your grocery needs including locally sourced organic meats and produce, but so much more! Cheese from around the world, homemade hummus, guacamole, main dishes and desserts. Freshly baked breads and muffins. Calgary's best ice cream (Made by Marcus), scooped on the spot or take a pint home. So many tempting things!
Grocery shopping is a pleasure here. A nice mix of Italian and locally sourced foods. Look for the Valbella bacon from Canmore. If you're to lazy, tired, hungry to cook, the pre-made pastas are perfect to take home, and heat in the oven. The freshly baked breads and ciabatta are a must.
65 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Lina's Italian Market & Cafe
2202 Centre St NEGrocery shopping is a pleasure here. A nice mix of Italian and locally sourced foods. Look for the Valbella bacon from Canmore. If you're to lazy, tired, hungry to cook, the pre-made pastas are perfect to take home, and heat in the oven. The freshly baked breads and ciabatta are a must.
Food scene
Nothing fancy but the best burgers in town. Local brews in frosted beer mugs, sweet potato fries. Eclectic decor and vintage arcade games. Kids will love it.
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Boogie's Burgers
908 Edmonton TrailNothing fancy but the best burgers in town. Local brews in frosted beer mugs, sweet potato fries. Eclectic decor and vintage arcade games. Kids will love it.
Listed in the top 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada for 2019. Locally sourced ingredients prepared with dedication and finesse. Best summer patio in the city and a cozy log cabin atmosphere with fireplace for colder days. Reservations recommended.
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River Cafe
Listed in the top 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada for 2019. Locally sourced ingredients prepared with dedication and finesse. Best summer patio in the city and a cozy log cabin atmosphere with fireplace for colder days. Reservations recommended.
Five minute walk up Centre Street. Cheap, tasty ramen bowls, eat in or take out. Always busy!
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Tokyo Street Market
922 Centre St NEFive minute walk up Centre Street. Cheap, tasty ramen bowls, eat in or take out. Always busy!
In the Simmons Building in East Village. A great place to stop on a walk, run or bike along the river. Organic baked staples and treats, breakfast, lunch, soups, sandwiches ,salads and stews. You can order and pick up your coffee at Phil and Sebastians in the same building. Nice patio for people watching. They also have a bakery in the Sunnyside organic grocery store in Kensington.
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Sidewalk Citizen Bakery
618 Confluence Way SEIn the Simmons Building in East Village. A great place to stop on a walk, run or bike along the river. Organic baked staples and treats, breakfast, lunch, soups, sandwiches ,salads and stews. You can order and pick up your coffee at Phil and Sebastians in the same building. Nice patio for people watching. They also have a bakery in the Sunnyside organic grocery store in Kensington.
Lightly fried, interesting flavours, meaty and moist chicken pieces plus all the sides. Beer too! eat in or take out. Might be a line up.
7 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
K Town Fried Chicken
919 Centre St NWLightly fried, interesting flavours, meaty and moist chicken pieces plus all the sides. Beer too! eat in or take out. Might be a line up.
One of the standout Calgary restaurants to open last year is Jin Bar, a Japanese-style fried chicken and pizza joint by chef Jinhee Lee, a graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and winner of the Canadian Gold Medal Plates culinary competition. Located in Bridgeland’s historic de Waal Block, this casual eatery — with its open kitchen, two dining areas and lounge up front — sings with comfort-food flavours. The Korean beef bulgogi pizza and sautéed kimchi mac & cheese are runaway hits, but take the lead from most diners and order the fried chicken, a.k.a. JFC — inspired by her father’s monthly payday treat in South Korea, when he’d bring home fried chicken and ice cream. Lee’s version is a half-pound of boneless chicken custom-flavoured with your choice of jalapeño soy, honey garlic butter, chili glaze or a super-hot buldak (“dragon breath”).
JINBAR
24 4 Street NortheastOne of the standout Calgary restaurants to open last year is Jin Bar, a Japanese-style fried chicken and pizza joint by chef Jinhee Lee, a graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and winner of the Canadian Gold Medal Plates culinary competition. Located in Bridgeland’s historic de Waal Block, this casual eatery — with its open kitchen, two dining areas and lounge up front — sings with comfort-food flavours. The Korean beef bulgogi pizza and sautéed kimchi mac & cheese are runaway hits, but take the lead from most diners and order the fried chicken, a.k.a. JFC — inspired by her father’s monthly payday treat in South Korea, when he’d bring home fried chicken and ice cream. Lee’s version is a half-pound of boneless chicken custom-flavoured with your choice of jalapeño soy, honey garlic butter, chili glaze or a super-hot buldak (“dragon breath”).
Best pizza in Calgary, and the sides are also amazing. Easy to order in advance for pick up. Reserve early if you want to eat in!
16 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Una Pizza
69 7A Street NortheastBest pizza in Calgary, and the sides are also amazing. Easy to order in advance for pick up. Reserve early if you want to eat in!
I've never been disappointed with the take out menu. Out of town friends come to visit and request Agni.
AGNI - FINE INDIAN CUISINE CALGARY
1211 Edmonton TrailI've never been disappointed with the take out menu. Out of town friends come to visit and request Agni.
Centre Street's newest for fine dining, and a great addition to Calgary's excellent selection of Italian cuisine. Great service, a rooftop patio and Sunday brunch! What more do you need!
Sorella Trattoria
1036 Centre Street NorthCentre Street's newest for fine dining, and a great addition to Calgary's excellent selection of Italian cuisine. Great service, a rooftop patio and Sunday brunch! What more do you need!
Fresh pastries, sandwiches and sweet things, plus coffee. 2 minute walk from the house.
Sucre Patisserie & Cafe (Centre Street)
810 Centre Street NorthFresh pastries, sandwiches and sweet things, plus coffee. 2 minute walk from the house.
Fresh , tasty and cheap! Plus it's open till 11 p.m. Vermicelli bowl, spring rolls, pho, green papaya salad. Eat in or take out. Just around the corner.
Rau Bistro: Vietnamese Street Food
806 Centre Street NorthFresh , tasty and cheap! Plus it's open till 11 p.m. Vermicelli bowl, spring rolls, pho, green papaya salad. Eat in or take out. Just around the corner.
Coffee coffee coffee!
Local owners who source their beans from around the world. They really know their coffee and how to prepare it. If you're a "pour over" aficionado this is your place. Delicious local pastries and sandwiches too. Watch for jazz cafes and other events.
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Sought and Found Coffee Roasters
916 Centre St NLocal owners who source their beans from around the world. They really know their coffee and how to prepare it. If you're a "pour over" aficionado this is your place. Delicious local pastries and sandwiches too. Watch for jazz cafes and other events.
Can't go wrong with a true Italian cappuccino or espresso. Add a cannoli, a slice of pizza, or anything else made on the premises. Soak up some Italian-Calgarian culture.
65 lokale inwoners bevelen aan
Lina's Italian Market & Cafe
2202 Centre St NECan't go wrong with a true Italian cappuccino or espresso. Add a cannoli, a slice of pizza, or anything else made on the premises. Soak up some Italian-Calgarian culture.
One of many successful local roasters, for good reason! Convenient downtown location.
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Monogram Coffee
4814 16 St SWOne of many successful local roasters, for good reason! Convenient downtown location.
Local roasters winning awards internationally. Lots of locations in Calgary but this is one of the closest.
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Rosso Coffee Roasters
2102 Centre St NLocal roasters winning awards internationally. Lots of locations in Calgary but this is one of the closest.
See Sidewalk Citizen Bakery listing. Two perfect companions after or before you explore everything East Village and the river path have to offer.
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Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters - Simmons Building Cafe
618 Confluence Way SESee Sidewalk Citizen Bakery listing. Two perfect companions after or before you explore everything East Village and the river path have to offer.
Arts and Culture
Closed for renovations, but hosting smaller exhibits in an alternate location downtown. Check the website. It's always worth a visit!
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Glenbow Museum
130 9 Ave SEClosed for renovations, but hosting smaller exhibits in an alternate location downtown. Check the website. It's always worth a visit!
Award winning architectural masterpiece. Calgarians are so proud!! Come inside and explore.
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Central Library
800 3 St SEAward winning architectural masterpiece. Calgarians are so proud!! Come inside and explore.
Another architectural masterpiece. Plan on spending a few hours here. Lots of interactive things for the kids and the curious. If you're into the history of popular music, this is your place. Check the website for live concerts in their beautiful performance space, and don't forget to visit the historic King Eddy across the street.
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Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
850 4 St SEAnother architectural masterpiece. Plan on spending a few hours here. Lots of interactive things for the kids and the curious. If you're into the history of popular music, this is your place. Check the website for live concerts in their beautiful performance space, and don't forget to visit the historic King Eddy across the street.
Neighborhoods
Inglewood is Calgary's most interesting, walkable neighbourhood. If you like live music, try the Ironwood, or Lolita's. Home to many local brew houses including the very popular Cold Garden. Antiques, art galleries, and restaurants...it's all in Inglewood!
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Inglewood
Inglewood is Calgary's most interesting, walkable neighbourhood. If you like live music, try the Ironwood, or Lolita's. Home to many local brew houses including the very popular Cold Garden. Antiques, art galleries, and restaurants...it's all in Inglewood!
Also known as the Red Mile, when our hockey team is doing well! From the Stampede grounds (Macleod Trail SE) to 14th St SW, this avenue is where the action is on a Friday or Saturday night, or during Stampede. Lots of bars, some of Calgary's best restaurants. Explore!
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17 Avenue Southwest
17 Avenue SouthwestAlso known as the Red Mile, when our hockey team is doing well! From the Stampede grounds (Macleod Trail SE) to 14th St SW, this avenue is where the action is on a Friday or Saturday night, or during Stampede. Lots of bars, some of Calgary's best restaurants. Explore!
Kensington is Calgary's "hippy village, on 10th St NW and Kensington Road. There are some good local coffee shops, bars and diners, Sunnyside Grocery and bakery, Kensington Wines, Peasant Cheese, Kismet for unique and fun women's clothing, Pages Bookstore, Nanao Kimono (Japanese gift shop), the Plaza Cinema and lots more to explore! A 25 minute walk along the bluff and down to Sunnyside will get you there.
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Kensington Road Northwest
Kensington Road NorthwestKensington is Calgary's "hippy village, on 10th St NW and Kensington Road. There are some good local coffee shops, bars and diners, Sunnyside Grocery and bakery, Kensington Wines, Peasant Cheese, Kismet for unique and fun women's clothing, Pages Bookstore, Nanao Kimono (Japanese gift shop), the Plaza Cinema and lots more to explore! A 25 minute walk along the bluff and down to Sunnyside will get you there.