5 Best Restaurants in Calgary

Some nights and some occasions call for the best. We get it. So when you’re ready to try the best restaurants in Calgary, start with this list, in no particular order:

• Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse: Rodizio-style steakhouse where you can try more than 10 different types of meat in one sitting, including 7 different cuts of beef. See our Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse deal. 

• Las Canarias Spanish Paella & Tapas Bar: With 30 different Spanish tapas, ranging from homemade chicken croquettes to Iberian ham, Las Canarias is a romantic spot to try a little bit of everything. See our Las Canarias deal. 

• Dark Table: An essential dining experience, Dark Table invites you to dine in complete darkness, guided by a visually impaired waiter. You’ll taste and smell new sensations. See our Dark Table deal here.

• Oishii Sushi: Not just a sushi restaurant, Oishii also boasts a “deluxe tasting menu,” with exquisite Japanese dishes to try. See our Oishii Sushi deal here.

• Upper Deck Public House: A homey, inviting pub with (you guessed it!) a second-floor deck. It’s one of the best spots in Calgary for burgers, beers, and classic pub fare. See our Upper Deck Public House deal here.

Spotlight on: Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse

See our Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse deal.

“In true Brazilian fashion, this is a meal that can go on for hours,” reads the Calgary Herald review of Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse. “Indeed, it is supposed to go on for hours.” You get the idea—a dinner at Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse is an event. With 15 different cuts of meat, the Rodizio-style restaurant introduces you to flavors of beef, lamb, and pork that you’ve never tasted before. Pair it with a glass of merlot from a massive wine list.

See what actual customers say about Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse:

Great selection of meats and really good salad bar as well. Really enjoyable evening . . .  they even served a fancily poured shot for the birthday boy/man! – Lina D.

Great salad bar, soooo much delicious meat and excellent service from all the very gracious staff. I will be going back, but right now I'm stuffed! – Dylan B.

We love our meals at Pampa. . . . There are so many options, mouth-wateringly delicious, and an amazing salad bar as well. Desserts included with Groupon were perfect. Our waitress was superb and took great care of us. I don’t like lamb but Pampa’s roasting and seasoning method for it changed my mind! – John P.

Best Indian Restaurants in Calgary

One of Calgary’s best-represented cuisines is Indian food, whether you’re in the mood for chicken tikka masala, spicy curries, or delectable samosas. Here are a few of our favorites:

Cinnamon Indian Cuisine & Bar

Massive plates of colorful classics make this Beltline eatery a delight. You can’t go wrong with the butter chicken and some gulab jamun (friend cottage-cheese dumplings) for dessert. See our Cinnamon Indian deal here.

XS Lounge & Grill

Only partially an Indian restaurant, XS Lounge nevertheless deserves to be on this list for its delightful Indian buffet, with veggie kebabs, onion bhaji, and more. See our XS Lounge & Grill deal here.

Green Chili Grill

Try the chutney at this Southeast Calgary restaurant (which also serves Tibetan and Nepalese dishes). You can try mint, mango, and tamarind versions of the Indian sauce. See our Green Chili Grill deal here.

Spotlight on: “Dining in the Dark” at Dark Table

See our Dark Table deal here.

“There is no darkness but ignorance,” reads the William Shakespeare quote plastered on the wall at Dark Table. It’s an apt bit of wisdom for Dark Table’s “Dining in the Dark” concept, which challenges diners to experience a meal the way a visually impaired person might.

After choosing your meal in a lighted area, you’ll be led by a blind or visually impaired waiter into a completely dark dining area. There, your waiter will guide you through the process of enjoying your meal—one that should give you a new perspective on how food smells, feels, and tastes.

See what actual customers say about Dark Table:

Great service, great food, awesome experience. Our server Al was very nice and made the whole experience very enjoyable. This restaurant has a very unique concept and everyone should eat here at least once. – Mary M.

Second time there. Really great experience. One of the best steaks (pre-cut into bite size pieces) I ever had and my vegan girlfriend enjoyed her meal as well. Try the surprise options and really experience the food. – Vince K.

Seriously, what a cool experience. So much fun, a little anxiety ridden at first but the servers are incredible at what they do and made the experience so much more. 10/10, would recommend. It’s not your usual dinner date. – Isabella T.

Great Downtown Calgary Restaurants

If you’re looking for an epicenter of restaurants, downtown Calgary probably gives you the best variety of excellent eateries. Here are a few downtown Calgary restaurants that we especially like:

• Koto Sushi Lounge: A charming spot to sample sushi, sashimi, and teriyaki . . . or Alberta’s own AAA steak. See our Koto Sushi Lounge deal.

• Garden Cucina & Bar: One of downtown Calgary’s premiere Italian trattorias, with make-your-own pizzas and its trademark five-course meal. See our Garden Cucina & Bar deal.
• Moroccan Tent Restaurant: Covered in authentic Moroccan fabric, this Mediterranean restaurant delivers a culinary experience you won’t easily find outside of north Africa. See our Moroccan Tent Restaurant deal here.

Spotlight on: Rocky’s Sausage Haus

See Our Rocky’s Sausage Haus Deal.

Need meat? The family-owned Rocky’s Sausage Haus—now up to its third generation of meat purveyors—is the place to stock up on sausages, steaks, salamis, and much more. When CBC News wanted to report on tips for grilling out on Labour Day, they interviewed the “sausage master” himself, Rocky Schermer.

See what actual customers have to say about Rocky’s Sausage Haus:

Awesome, awesome, awesome. It was a great opportunity to try great food. I will be back. – Billie

The best bratwurst I’ve had in Canada! They taste so clean compared with the ones from the big stores. You can tell they’re made with love and by a private business. We bought more already. Try their salami as well, yum! – Tess H.

We only just discovered Rocky’s but we will be lifelong customers from now on! My husband cannot [say] enough good things about their sausages and we can’t wait to try some more items! – Dian S.