Restaurants in Calgary

Modern lights shaped like upside-down martini glasses hang from Stix Sports Bar & Grill’s ceiling, casting low light on cozy leather sofas, blue-felt pool tables, and a mammoth bar. Waiters weave their way past high bar-top tables, their arms weighed down with hearty burger plates, spicy panang-curry bowls, and large pizzas loaded with italian sausage and sweet pineapple. The bar entertains patrons with popular eight-ball tournaments and broadcasts Flames, football, and Monopoly games on several large flatscreen TVs.

Succulent cuts of AAA Sterling Silver Alberta beef share the bill with bison, fresh salmon, and lobster at Halo Steak Seafood and Wine Bar. Red and white wines come recommended by telegraph dispatched from the in-house sommelier's cork fort. After lunch, brunch, or dinner, diners satiate their sweet teeth with dessert made in-house by pastry chef Labrini Kostaras, as well as martinis and specialty coffees from the bar. Diners can feast in the dining room or choose one of two outdoor patios; the lounge serves its own menu of sandwiches and snacks to guests aged 18 and older.

Champions of healthy eating practices, Clive's chefs carry the banner of the Eat Local movement as they bypass factory farms to assemble a pantry of seasonal ingredients from small area farms. This emphasis on locally sourced eats stems from the restaurant’s goal to serve guests wholesome dishes free of genetically altered produce tainted by potentially harmful preservatives and additives that may lead to unwanted superpowers. The kitchens of all three Alberta locations bustle with chefs chopping and grilling up dishes using trans-fat-free cooking oils and ingredients including Alberta beef, handmade tortilla chips, and steamed vegetables. While the extensive menu stars a host of tried-and-tested breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, Clive’s culinary gurus happily modify their dishes to uphold the dietary needs of each of their guests.

Named as an homage to the House of Medici—a wealthy 14th-century family that influenced and funded the flourishing of Italian arts, culture, and cuisine—Osteria De Medici flung open its doors open in 1989. The brainchild of Antonietta and Rocco Terrigno, the family-run restaurant now also employs their sons, Maurizio and Mike, and Rocco acts as master chef, curating a vast menu of refined Italian cuisine and a well-stocked wine cellar. Each sharing a love and passion for cooking from a young age, Antonietta and Rocco have refined their culinary skills across more than 40 years spent in kitchens across the world, and have catered to A-listers such as Anthony Hopkins, Isabella Rossellini, and the hands that operate Kermit the Frog.

Fuji Yama Sushi's head chef Francis Tam pays tribute to his roots in New York City—where he honed his sashimi-slicing skills—with specialties inspired by the five boroughs of the Big Apple. On the bronx appetizer, mild sriracha chili sauce dapples white-shrimp-coconut tempura, and the manhattan entree sizzles an Alberta AAA boneless rib-eye steak. Other traditional Japanese fare includes fresh sashimi hand-selected by the chef and teriyaki chicken and salmon on beds of Japanese rice.

Housed in a Heritage building that dates back to 1912, Jacqueline Suzanne's Bistro creates quite the sensory dining experience with soaring tin ceilings, tastily composed entrees, and the resounding sound of clinking wineglasses. The owners complement the building’s vintage motif by draping antique furniture with rich burgundy and green damask, and adorning tables with stained-glass squat lamps. In the kitchen, the chefs also demonstrate a keen eye for design with their artfully arranged menu. They drizzle New Zealand lamb with port reduction, and they drape Alaskan king crab with housemade hollandaise sauce.

While sipping unique, flavourful varietals from the wine list, visitors can scan their eyes across the dining room and admire the collection of artwork hanging on the walls. Should diners find a piece of artwork that they must add to their own collection or novelty-sized wallet, they can talk with staff about purchasing the item.