Exploring the best of Toronto and Southern Ontario.

Happy Wednesday, all! I hope everyone is having a fabulous week so far.

If you read my last post, you’ll know that I recently spent a weekend in Calgary. If you missed that post, click here to check it out – it’s a guide to all of my favourite destinations in Stampede City. Some are major tourist attractions, while others are hidden gems that are a bit more under the radar. If you’re planning your own trip to YYC, be sure to give it a read! You can also check out my Instagram reel here.

As promised, today I’m back sharing round two: my favourite places to eat in Calgary! Calgary has a reputation for being a foodie city, so I was really excited to enjoy some delicious meals here, and I did not leave disappointed…or hungry! From trendy new restaurants to time-honoured classics, cozy cafés to indulgent brunch spots, there’s something on this list to suit every palate and price point. So without further ado, let’s get started! I’ll start with restaurants, then move onto cafés, bakeries and dessert spots (since you all know I love my coffee – and my sweets!)

My Favourite Restaurants In Calgary

Donna Mac – When I was researching ahead of my trip, one name kept coming up on lists of Calgary’s best restaurants: Donna Mac. Naturally, I had to check it out! Located just south of downtown Calgary in the Beltline, Donna Mac serves Canadian cuisine with a global twist, emphasizing local ingredients and shareable plates. The interior – by local designer Sarah Ward – is chic and contemporary, with clean lines and a subdued colour palette, accented by the occasional pop of bright yellow. I came for a late dinner but wasn’t super hungry, so I just ordered a glass of wine and a small plate of their famous perogies. (Think elevated #girldinner.) Tania is Ukrainian, so I’ve eaten my fair share of perogies over the years, but these ones were next-level. They’re stuffed with local gouda and celery root, accompanied by a rich buttermilk sauce and garnished with fennel and dill. I also loved the presentation – how pretty is that vintage plate?

Orchard – I chose this restaurant to host a happy hour I was organizing for some clients, and it was a hit all around. The space is truly wow-worthy: soaring ceilings, drippy chandeliers and plants everywhere. Biophilic design at its finest! It almost feels like you’re having dinner in the jungle (a very glamorous jungle, that is.) I’d ordered a selection of canapes from their snack menu, and everything I tried was delicious, but if I had to pick a favourite, it would be the salmon crudo or the beet burrata (unfortunately I don’t have any photos.) If you’re looking for a restaurant that feels luxe but not stuffy, this is for you!

Porch – After a whirlwind work day, my colleague and I enjoyed a late dinner at this buzzy spot. If the Saturday night crowd is any indication, this restaurant is one of the liveliest spots in Calgary – the massive two-level space was absolutely packed with people! The decor at Porch is pretty and ambient (think moody lighting and trees wrapped in fairy lights) but also fun and playful (check out the swing seats at the bar!) I ordered the wild mushroom pizza, which comes topped with goat cheese, mozzarella, pecorino romano, carrot top pesto, and of course, lots and lots of mushrooms. Mushrooms are my favourite pizza topping so this was a no-brainer order for me, but it gets bonus points for incorporating not just one, but three cheeses. (If there’s anything I love more than mushrooms, it’s cheese!)

Prologue – This café and bar is located on the lobby level of the hotel I stayed at, The Dorian, which made it a convenient choice for a late lunch upon arrival in Calgary. (Check out my last post for my review of the hotel!) Prologue is open daily from 6:30am to 11pm and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and afternoon tea. Their lunch menu offers casual staples like soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. I got the Ham & Swiss Panini – Capicola ham and gruyere on a ciabatta bun, topped with salsa verde – and a side salad with pear, goat cheese and candied pecans. If you’re in the mood for dessert, try one of their pretty mini pound cakes, or treat yourself to a decadent slice of their 24-layer “Sin of Dorian” chocolate cake. Like the rest of The Dorian’s decor, Prologue’s interiors are elegant yet eclectic: plaid patterned wallpaper, graphic floor tiles, artsy chandeliers and a sleek bar with green leather stools. And you have to check out the bathroom for the wallpaper alone! (For those as obsessed with the pattern as I am, I managed to identify it: it’s Animalistic Animals, by Andrew Alford for Astek. You’re welcome!)

River Café – Located in Prince’s Island Park, this restaurant has been a beloved Calgary institution ever since it opened nearly 30 years ago. Last year, they even snagged 22nd place on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list! Executive Chef Scott MacKenzie’s menu specializes in farm-to-table Canadian cuisine made with local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. The rustic, nature-inspired space was once an old park concession stand. Back in 1995, the owners worked with local artists to reimagine the existing space by repurposing found materials. Design highlights include a fieldstone fireplace and a bar made from an old boat. According to the restaurant’s website, their vision “was to create a unique restaurant that would feel as though it had always existed and that belonged in this remarkable setting along the Bow River.” Well, they succeeded! If I hadn’t looked up the restaurant’s history before visiting, I would have assumed it had been there for the last hundred years. I came for weekend brunch and ordered one of my favourite brunch dishes, eggs benedict. Bennie toppings include your choice of oyster mushrooms, braised beef short rib or cured arctic char. I opted for the mushroom (no surprise there!) which came served on a roasted garlic and herb biscuit, with a side of hashbrowns. The eggs were poached to perfection and the biscuit was the perfect base. I could have eaten a basket of those biscuits alone! If you’re here in the summer, be sure to check out their famous patio.

ZCREW Café – If there’s one thing I love more than mushrooms, it’s matcha. This casual brunch spot is known for their Insta-worthy creations, including their famous matcha pancakes! It’s located right by BMO Centre, which made it a convenient spot to grab a bite the morning of the home show. The space is small and it’s a popular spot on weekends, so I highly recommend reservations. I just walked in and it was pretty busy, but since I was only a party of 1, I was able to skip the hour-long wait and snag a seat at the counter. I ordered the matcha pancakes and a matcha latte, just for good measure. I’ve mentioned before that I love brunch because it’s a socially acceptable excuse to eat dessert before noon, and the matcha pancakes are most definitely dessert – they even come with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Other toppings include maple glazed milk, whipped cream, fruit and edible flowers. They were delicious and they get bonus points for the beautiful presentation!

My Favourite Cafés, Bakeries & Dessert Spots In Calgary

Amato Gelato – With two locations and a whopping 72 gelato flavours to choose from, this gelateria has been a local favourite since 2003. I visited their downtown location on 17th Avenue, but I didn’t actually try their gelato: I came specifically for the Salted Bacio Hot Chocolate, which I was lusting over after seeing it advertised all over Instagram. The decadent creation is made from melted dark Dutch chocolate, steamed milk, dulce de leche and a pinch of sea salt. It’s topped with a very generous portion of whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, mini chocolate morsels and – if all that wasn’t enough – a mini ice cream cone filled with salted caramel gelato. At $10, it’s probably the priciest hot chocolate I’ve ever ordered, but it’s also not your average hot chocolate… I’ve ordered entire meals that weren’t as filling! It was so delightfully indulgent, and of course, I couldn’t help getting a cannoli on the side. The Salted Bacio was a limited-edition treat created for YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, so I don’t believe they’re still serving it, but fear not: with 72 gelato flavours, a huge pastry case and an extensive beverage menu, you’re sure to find something here to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Element Café – This cozy coffee shop is known for their unique and creative drink features, which they rotate on a monthly basis. For instance, their current offerings for the month of April are all themed around childhood nostalgia, and include a Strawberry Pop Tart Latte, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, Dunkaroos Latte and Gushers Refresher Lemonade. I was in Calgary during the aforementioned YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, so Element was only offering hot chocolate features (no coffee features) at that time. I’ll admit I did consider ordering a hot chocolate first thing in the morning, but this girl needed her caffeine, so I got a classic mocha latte instead – the best of both worlds! It was perfect: rich yet balanced, not too sweet, with just the right amount of chocolate flavour. And I love the pretty speckled cups and saucers they serve their beverages in! For the indecisive (like me) Element also serves latte flights, so you can sample all of their feature coffees at once.

Pie Junkie – I’ll admit it… I am indeed a self-confessed pie junkie! Pie is one of my favourite indulgences and in my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated desserts out there. What’s more delicious than a buttery, flaky homemade crust paired with a fruity (or chocolatey, or creamy, or nutty…) filling? Whether apple or blueberry, key lime or coconut, pumpkin or pecan, I don’t discriminate when it comes to pies – I love them all. And Pie Junkie does too! This cute little bakery in Calgary’s trendy Kensington neighbourhood specializes in freshly baked pies, of both the sweet and savoury varieties. My favourite thing about them? Unlike traditional pie places – where you either have to buy an entire pie, or try your luck and see what they happen to be slicing up that day – Pie Junkie makes adorable miniature single-serve pies in a mouthwatering array of flavours. I ordered their miniature coconut cream pie, which was light, fluffy and utterly coconutty – the perfect treat for a coconut-lover like myself!

Regrub – This restaurant’s tagline is “crazy food for everyone” and once you order one of their milkshakes, you’ll see exactly what they mean! Regrub actually specializes in burgers and fries, but they’re also famous for their over-the-top milkshakes, which is why I’m including them on the ‘desserts’ section of this list. If you’re familiar with the “freakshake” trend, that’s exactly what these are. For those unfamiliar with the term, a “freakshake” is simply an over-the-top milkshake loaded with decadent toppings. Often, they’re topped with a whole other dessert altogether. That might be a cookie, donut, brownie, slice of pie… or in this case, cheesecake! Regrub’s aptly named “Cheeseshake” is a strawberry milkshake topped with a slice of cheesecake, whipped cream, strawberry sprinkles and a cherry. At $12, it’s relatively inexpensive as far as “freakshakes” go, which are often in the realm of $15-20. It’s an even better deal considering this dessert is easily made for two to share! Although if you’re up for the challenge, you can tackle it yourself like I did… I didn’t quite make it through, but I gave it my best go! Other milkshake toppings at Regrub include donuts, ice cream sandwiches, cotton candy, deep fried Oreos, and slices of tres leches cake.

Sucre Patisserie – This French-inspired bakery routinely shows up on “best pastries in Calgary” lists, so naturally, it was first on mine! Sucre is known for its cakes, macarons and picture-perfect croissant creations, particularly the trendy circle croissants that have taken Instagram by storm the last couple of years. As a dedicated Lotus Biscoff fan, I had to try Sucre’s Biscoff cookie butter croissant. The croissant was crisp, buttery and flaky, filled with a creamy cookie butter paste, and topped with chocolate glaze and a Biscoff cookie. It was so yummy! Sucre has three locations in Calgary: I visited their Mark on 10th location, which is a cute, sunny little space. Note that the interior is small and seating is limited, so I recommend arriving early if you want to enjoy your treat on-site!

Treno – Located on the ground floor of The Oliver Apartments, Treno is a coffee shop by day and a prosecco bar by night. The interior is chic and sophisticated, yet fun and playful all at the same time. Purple is the star of the palette, from the vibrant banquettes to the pale lilac walls. (I know this is a controversial take, but I personally love purple, and wish more designers would embrace it!) Gilded mirrors and gold chandeliers add a touch of glam, but my favourite design element has to be the champagne-pop mural behind the bar – it’s just such a joyful image! I stopped by Treno at 8am for an early breakfast before the Home Show, so sadly champagne wasn’t in the cards, but I did enjoy a latte (served in a nice big cup!) and an almond croissant. Treno also serves other sweets (cookies, cupcakes and cannoli) and savoury croissant sandwiches for a grab-and-go lunch option.

Well, I hope reading this post didn’t make y’all too hungry. (Personally, I’m now craving a cookie butter croissant and a Dunkaroo latte… go figure!) Next week, I’ll be sharing my travel guide to the last stop on the Home Show route: the beautiful city of Edmonton. Until then, thanks for reading and I hope you have a great rest of your week!