Here at Avenue, we love restaurants. So do our readers. And every spring, in our Restaurants issue, we highlight the best of the best to shine a light on the incredible people and businesses making Calgary a world-class dining destination.<\/p>\n
Calgary\u2019s restaurants come in all shapes, sizes and flavours, and, for many of us, they\u2019re not just about food \u2014 they\u2019re places for celebrating milestones, socializing with friends and finding cultural connections.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a camaraderie among restaurateurs here, and Calgary\u2019s chefs push each other through collaborating rather than competing. Our people are friendly, and we are known for a culture less about decorum and more about ensuring a good time for guests \u2014 you could call it \u201cwestern hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of this, our gastronomy may lean a bit more casual, but that\u2019s not to say our restaurants aren\u2019t still top-tier. Diners don\u2019t always want a multi-course meal and a cloth napkin. But they do want delicious and authentic dishes, and the Calgary region has those in spades. From spots like Class Clown Hamburgers and Noble Pie to Teatro and River Caf\u00e9, the restaurants on this list span the spectrum of formality \u2014 but all execute on their concepts flawlessly.<\/p>\n
The guiding principle for our judges was to showcase restaurants they would personally recommend. All of these eateries consistently offer the best combination of a great experieence, fantastic service and of course, delicious food. And, because a properly composed burger can be just as good as a perfectly cooked steak, our list includes a few casual spots that go above and beyond to reflect Calgarians\u2019 penchant for more laid-back dining.<\/p>\n
After much debate, our judges included two outstanding Canmore restaurants this year. For a special occasion , they are more than worth the trip, and their high quality is adding to the dining scene of the region in significant ways.<\/p>\n
Here for your enjoyment, in alphabetical order, are Avenue\u2019s 2026 Best Restaurants.<\/p>\n