6 Spots for Fine Cuisine & Cocktails in Calgary
Calgary has firmly entered the chat as a worthy culinary destination, with an increasingly diverse and intriguing food and cocktail scene that extends far beyond Alberta’s well-worn association with an excellent hunk o’ beef. When interviewed about the latest season of Fargo in Conde Nast Traveler, actor Lamorne Morris even went as far as to say that the city, used as the award-winning television show’s primary film location, not only has a better food scene than trendy Los Angeles, but is home to the best cuisine across Canada. For the tastebud tourists among our readership, here are our favourite spots for sophisticated drinks and dining in Calgary.
River Cafe
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A Calgary staple that continues to please and sparkle, River Cafe keeps the iconic eatery in Prince’s Island Park at the forefront of culinary conversation in the city. Sustainability focused and with seasonal ingredients sourced from local Albertan purveyors, farmers and B.C fisherman, River Cafe’s mantra of “a taste of place” is certainly well-experienced amid Chef Scott MacKenzie’s celebrated menu. Ensconced by nature and their edible container garden, the restaurant offers retreat-like escapism from the urban centre, as well as renowned five-star fare. Should you be visiting in the sunnier seasons, River Cafe offers hands down the best picnic experience in the city with a bumper basket of artisanal, locally sourced and handmade delights.
Francine’s
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Freshly conceived in January 2024, Francine’s is one of the most celebrated new restaurants in Calgary. Co-owned by Major Tom alumni, award-winning bartender and chef duo Nate Wry and Garrett Martin, the young upstarts bring a vibey, low-key Parisian flare to the Meat and Bread building on 9th Avenue. Sandwich shop by day, petit French bar by night, Francine’s is consistently hailed for having the best martinis in the city, as well as the most sought after “cheese puffs” — gougères aside a wildly moreish honey butter that are prone to selling out before the end of service. Order ahead and save room for the revered French Toast (which pairs swimmingly with the similarly self-named Fracine’s 75, a riff on the classic featuring a blueberry and basil infused brandy).
Proof
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One of Canada’s most noteworthy cocktail bars sits pretty in the Mission neighbourhood of Calgary. A visually arresting backbar bursts with interesting spirits, including some rarer whiskies like the sought after Blood Oath Pact 9 bourbon from Kentucky. Cocktails are thoughtfully curated with a nod to literary excellence, with special menus curated for themed evenings.
Proof describe themselves as “an old school cocktail bar,” and while classics are certainly available, the more experimental menu items are the draw. Grab a seat at the bar and sup upon a “House Plant”, a mezcal, St Germain, bitter bianco, banana, agave and apple creation served in a terracotta plant pot.
Bar Gigi
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Another 2024 opening hit, Bar Gigi comes fresh off the bat of the D.O.P alumni dream team, Alessandro Chinea, Jaden Kanomata, and Kayla Blomquist. Inhabiting the iconic former Halibut Hut building in Crescent Heights, Bar Gigi presents a menu of bright acidity, peppered with seafood dishes as an homage to the space’s previous inhabitants. If you’re the “bathe me in butter” style of imbiber (and hats off to you), the ravolini “sheet” is stand-out and absolutely slathered in a near-drinkable brown butter and sage sauce. Mosaic floor tiles, and deep, dark blue walls flicker with a warm candle glow, presenting a stylish, atmospheric space to enjoy an intimate dinner away from the main hub of the city.
The Dorian Hotel
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Inspired by the late, great Oscar Wilde, The Dorian Hotel is quite the all-encompassing hedonistic experience. Opened in 2022, the Dorian is a luxury boutique hotel with a culinary focus and a splash of European charm. Adorned with touches of gold property-wide, the Dorian Hotel has two chic dining concepts; the more casual ground level Prologue cafe with mosaic floors, a sleek baby grand, boulangerie eats, an afternoon tea menu, and a polished cocktail menu of flavour-packed libations. A short elevator ride to the 27th floor presents a more opulent experience at The Wilde on 27, a sky high fine-dining restaurant led by chef Joshua Dyer. Think colourful platings, dry ice, and cocktails replete with a “bump” of caviar. Try the chef’s tasting menu for a lavish evening spent amid the clouds.
Major Tom
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It is pretty fair to say that the arrival of Major Tom in July 2021 was a key gear change moment in Calgary’s journey towards culinary finesse. The now highly-awarded upscale dining room offers unbeatable views of the Calgary skyline from the 40th floor of Stephen Avenue Place and, on a clear day, one can see the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the West. Sunsets at Major Tom are frankly magical, as are the smoked sturgeon Major Tots and the All The Way Up, a revered, spirit-forward cocktail made from pistachio fat-washed Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, apricot liqueur and Amaro Montenegro.
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