Alternative Calgary for the Newcomer

Description:

Bumpy's Café is a Calgary institution, one of those places both locals and tourists alike visit to get their fix of caffeine and homemade breakfasts and lunches. The crowds here vary greatly, from the suits grabbing an espresso as the doors open before heading to their corner office downtown, to the yummy Mummys and their tots nibbling scones and sipping lattes around 11 AM, to the lunch rush, to college students and hipsters lingering throughout the afternoon. Award-winning latte art promises your café au lait will be prettier than you are, going perfectly with the fully customizable "soul-warming" oatmeal (try almonds and berries). Casserole dishes change daily, so pray you get there the day Bumpy's is serving their signature Gruyere Mac and Cheese.

Description:

Ship and Anchor Pub is a traditional English pub. It is a favorite haunt of locals and U.K. expatriates alike. The place hosts various gigs, jam sessions, and karaoke nights. The bar food is good. It includes starters like tomato vodka soup, a tapas plate, calamari and baked potato skins, and entrees like fish and chips and chicken rollup. There are also pizzas and salads.

Description:

The Wicked Wedge used to own the 17th Ave. pizza scene. But, they recently moved to Chinook Centre food court. This allows for more seating area than they used to have, but changes the atmosphere completely. The pizza is still tasty. The herb crusts and healthy ingredients make it seem like it's good for you! They still offer lots of variety, but delivery is limited to a 2km radius from the mall.

Description:

Small and intimate, the Lazy Loaf & Kettle is actually a two in one facility. One side is an old-fashioned store that sells baked goods made from scratch; the other side is a cozy café bar, where you can enjoy an intimate meal at tables for two or four. In addition to an excellent assortment (and generous portions) of soups, enjoy baked goods and desserts at excellent prices. This spot is so child-friendly, it maintains a playroom for children.

Our Local Expert Says:

Coolest Atmosphere for a diner-style burger grill - they even have classic arcade games.

Description:

Those on diets should just stay home - Boogie's Burgers in Calgary's Northeast isn't for the faint of heart or meat-averse (although "Noelle's Veggie Burger" is quite tasty). Let the items on the menu speak for themselves: Doug's "Don't Fear the Reaper" Burger is four patties topped with bacon, cheese, a fried egg and a hot dog. For those with less of a pure meat hunger, try Boogie's lemon-pepper Salmon Burger, or a single-patty smothered in the signature red sauce. Fry choices include regular, spicy, yam or onion rings. Just in case your quadruple burger doesn't cut it, we're partial to topping it off with an extra thick Cappucino Shake.

Description:

Nellie's has always maintained that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for that reason they serve it all day long. It is especially popular on Saturday and Sunday mornings with the hung-over or still sleepless club-hopping crowd. The meals include breakfast favorites like scrambled eggs, pancakes, French toast and hash browns. There is almost always a line-up to get in from 9a-2p on weekends, but once you are seated, Nellie herself and her staff spare no effort to make sure you are well fed.

Description:

Surrounded by beer signs and rugby accoutrements, the Drum and Monkey is a casual pub with quick and friendly service and offers a one-of-a-kind environment to go with the unusual name. It is located just out of the downtown core, so it is within walking distance of lots of shopping. You will find all the comforts of home, including hearty, home-cooked meals, in addition to the pub fare: nachos, chicken wings, hamburgers, soups and salads. They have 11 brews on tap, and a large selection of lagers and ales.

Description:

If you enjoy rich, aromatic Indian food, head down to the Rajdoot, just out of the downtown core. They offer food from all parts of India including smoked lamb, beef and seafood, all cooked in clay ovens, adding to the richness of the dining experience. On Tuesday evenings they offer a vegetarian buffet from 5pm to 10pm. They also offer a full selection of red and white wines.

Description:

This charming cafe features classic Arabic dishes. Romantika offers appetizers such as baba ghanny and baked garlic shrimp, salads, pita sandwiches including falafel and donairs, and pastas like baked lasagna. There is also a lengthy pizza menu with the standard choice of toppings. The restaurant itself is bright and bistro-like with plenty of light, but the bare walls could use some color. Still this is a fine place for satisfying pizza, pita or pasta cravings.

Description:

This very popular club hosts Calgary's up-and-coming bands with live music every night. You can also enjoy great food while you watch; the restaurant opens early to host lunch, dinner, and is always willing to pour a stiff drink. Wednesday night is a pub night/live music night. Saturday is dance night, and Saturday 3-6 is a very popular open jazz jam. If you're hoping to find the next big band and soak up some local culture at the same time, drop into Broken City where you're sure to do both.

Description:

The funky James Bond artwork on the walls of the Beano is a refreshing change from typically sterile coffee shop decor. The café is divided into several sections of four or five tables arranged around a central coffee bar, so that instead of feeling like a bustling cafeteria, the atmosphere is that of a cozy, intimate restaurant. Over ten different coffee blends are served, including Sumatran, Brazilian and Swiss. There are also milkshakes, bagels, fruit pies and a number of baked goods and pastries. If you're looking for lunch, there are also a number of sandwiches featuring ingredients such as artichokes, goat cheese and meatloaf. The large windows looking out onto trendy 17th Avenue make this an excellent location for people watching.

Description:

Located in the Community Natural Foods store, this self-service café offers organic hot and cold dishes, fresh salads, natural deli items, baked goods and desserts. There's also a juice and smoothie bar.

Description:

With a list 200 beers, or more, deep, Bottlescrew Bill's Old English Pub boasts the city's largest selection of suds. The "Around-the-World-in-80-Beers" program is a journey-complete with souvenir passport-through 80 import beers from such obscure beer-producing nations as Slovakia and Trinidad. The cozy surroundings, including a warm fireplace room, ensure that your drinking is done in comfort. And if that third bottle of Polish brew has got you hungry, Bill's menu includes tasty pub fare such as, ahem, sauteed bull's testicles.

Description:

This small but cozy diner offers a menu of homecooked comfort foods that embody the restaurant's philosophy - quality food is nurturing and brings people together.

Our Local Expert Says:

Even though the Coup isn't strictly organic, they serve a lot of organic food and a lot of their food comes from the Calgary Farmers Market. And obviously Calgarians have embraced the wholesome, healthy food, as the Coup, located on popular 17th Avenue, is always full.

Description:

The COUP is a modern restauraunt dedicated to providing a vibrant atmosphere and creative vegetarian fare while promoting local, whole and organic foods.

Description:

As far as we can tell, Hop In Brew Coffee and Beer House is Calgary's first and only coffee and beer house. Because most coffee and beer lovers are passionate about what they drink, the owners decided to combine the two in a comfortable and down-home atmosphere and offer a number of specialty coffees and micro-brewed beers. Play darts or pool or simply enjoy one of their many table games. The menu sticks to the tried and true and offers deli sandwiches and delicious homemade pizza as well as a daily soup and salad special.

Description:

Small and intimate, the Lazy Loaf & Kettle is actually a two in one facility. One side is an old-fashioned store that sells baked goods made from scratch; the other side is a cozy café bar, where you can enjoy an intimate meal at tables for two or four. In addition to an excellent assortment (and generous portions) of soups, enjoy baked goods and desserts at excellent prices. This spot is so child-friendly, it maintains a playroom for children.

Description:

Worth visiting just to defy the Seattle mega chain star bucking next door, this no-frills but comfortable cafe offers the regular assortment of hot caffeine, as well as a huge selection of loose teas. Grilled sandwiches and pastries are also available as well as a selection of beers and wine. On sunny days, the few tables outside are filled with the neighborhood's trend-conscious latte sippers, newspaper readers, dog walkers and crowd watchers. With the Plaza Theatre just across the street, this is a perfect spot for post-movie coffee and conversation.

Our Local Expert Says:

Kensington has a number of consignment clothing stores, which feature good condition, brand name clothing for slightly cheaper prices.

Description:

Our shops, restaurants and services (over 100!) are a unique and complimentary collection of cheap to chic. It truly is possible to spend the day here enjoying our scenery and relaxing on our benches in the courtyards.

Description:

Built in 1951, this theatre is Calgary's best example of Art Deco architecture. The newly revamped interior contains the Uptown Stage for live performances, and the historic Uptown Screen for first run art-house films. Patrons usually arrive early to browse the visual art gallery and imbibe at the lobby bar. Movies show nightly, with weekend matinees and regular midnight shows rounding out the offering. As a treat, short Canadian films preceed each feature.

Description:

A little respite from the biting winds of Calgary winters can be found inside the cozy crannies of this pub. Built on three levels with a dining area, bar and loft, there's plenty of choice in seating arrangements and noise levels. The air is relatively smoke-free, without the choking cloud often present in busy pubs. According to the staff, the sliced beef sandwich is the best in Calgary, although the fish and chips are a contender, too. They also have a lot of appetizers on offer. Whether you're looking for a satisfying lunch or a night of conversation, this little pub is certain to please.

Description:

The name means what it says: Founded in 1886 (the "Buffalo" was added in recent years) and made moderately famous by a Visa ad made for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, it's probably the longest-running breakfast in town, if not the whole country. With good reason -- the hash browns are piled high, the bacon and sausages fresh and perfectly cooked, the flapjacks come in towers, and the array of egg dishes is dizzying. All served in the noisy din of the cafe's resoundingly authentic, pioneer-era environment (clapboard shack exterior, rough old-wood interior), it's an experience not to be missed. The cafe got here first, but the city has built up around it; it is now surrounded by gleaming office towers and the condos of Eau Claire Market (which is right across the street), but its authenticity remains undiminished. Try Kenny's Special, a mountain of egg, cheese, green pepper, and mushroom; plan to skip eating the rest of the day. You can also try the Barley Mill, a pub that is its sister property, right next door, for good, unpretentious, reasonably priced pub fare.

Description:

On the north end of downtown, just across the way from Prince's Island Park, Eau Claire Market has sought for years to establish itself as a trendy, unique marketplace to rival Uptown 17th Ave. and Kensington Village. Eau Claire is home to several trendy restaurants, such as Joey Tomato's Kitchen and Prego! It also houses some unique shops, wine and liquor stores, and professional offices. The IMAX theater has moved, since one opened in Chinook Centre, but the Cineplex Odeon cinema is still in business. Eau Claire Market, sadly, has never really lived up to its potential, but it is a great location downtown.

Our Local Expert Says:

Prince’s Island Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Calgary but it does get busy on nice days, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, try a park further from downtown.

Description:

Prince's Island is one of the most used urban parks in North America. Right downtown, this park is one of the most beautiful areas in Calgary. It's an ideal place to stroll though in the summertime, to watch the Canadian geese, play in the lagoon or walk along the adjoining pathway. There are also flower gardens and seasonal water fountains. In the winter, get a hot chocolate and enjoy the beauty the snow adds to the riverbank. Or stop into the River Café for a delicious bite to eat. The park also hosts a variety of events throughout the year - check with the city to see what's going on.

Our Local Expert Says:

This drive through is rumoured to have the best fast food in town. But be prepared to wait - there's always a line up.

Description:

This unpretentious drive-in restaurant serves up the best in classic American fast food in a vintage 1950s atmosphere. Peters' Drive-In allows you to mix as many flavors of their award-winning milkshakes as you want for your own personal combination, leading to such strange mixes as the chocolate-strawberry-bubble gum shake. It is best to arrive early, as line-ups for the drive-through windows can get long around noon and 6p.

Description:

Ask any many-generation Calgarian - they probably begged their parents to go to My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe at some point in their life. Nestled into a little strip mall near Marda Loop in Calgary's Southwest, My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe is the go-to ice cream joint in the city, featuring such classic flavors as Coffee and Cream, Our Best Strawberry, and Rich Rocky Road (the more adventurous may be inclined to try Cherry Custard, Deep Dish Apple, or Moose Tracks). Don't be alarmed if the lineup is out the door, waiting only makes the ice cream taste better. Arcade games from the '80s, an ancient looking horsey ride, and the pointy white confectioners hats on the staff round out this trip into Calgary's delicious past.

Description:

For the past 80 years, Alberta College of Art and Design has been training students in the creative arena. This institute is known to introduce to the world, the finest of talented designers, artists and cultural producers. Besides being an educational institution, this college also hosts a variety of cultural events including the ACAD Grad Show and ACAD student exhibition. A must-visit for art lovers and connoisseurs is the international exhibition 'Wight Biennial' of graduate student artwork.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the newer eateries in funky Inglewood, Nectar serves up some tasty sweets.

Description:

Dessert is special. Unlike regular foods, we use it to treat ourselves, celebrate important occasions, to thank, and to reward. Children beg for it, grown-ups sneak it. Nectar Desserts makes sure that each and every piece we make is a special event itself, from first sight, to last bite!