25 Best Things to Eat Meals: 17th Avenue Showdown

If you have a refined palate and an insatiable appetite for nothing but the best, you may find no one meal at a restaurant satisfying. Lucky for you, almost all of Calgary’s 25 Best Things to Eat can be traveled to in an afternoon.

You can’t eat through the entire list in one day but we’re here to remedy that problem by breaking them down into easier to swallow meals.

Feel free to substitute courses or create your own list by visiting our handy map.

Taking a stroll along 17th Avenue is enjoyable all by itself, but throw in some delicious eats (including 2011’s Best New Restaurant and Best Pizza) and you’re in for a real treat.

— Start your night off just off the western tip of the trendy part of 17th Ave. with the special qabeli rice from Alibaba Kabob House (1602 14 St S.W. 403-541-1115) which specializes in Afghani food. This rice is traditional biryani-style rice, with raisins and roasted carrots.  Google Map

— Cross the length of the Avenue and make your way to Loungeburger for an appetizing plate of meatballs (pictured above). Made with lamb and stuffed with goat cheesd they are served on creamy tandoori sauce with mango aioli chutney. Google Map

— Double back to get to Una Pizza + Wine, the new go-to spot for designer pizza. This place is almost always busy, but exercise your patience and digest your two previous dishes while you wait for your roasted fennel sausage with wilted leek, chillies and Asiago cheese. Google Map

— Finish off the meal by making your way just north of the downtown core for some bite-sized  hand pies at Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts. It's just like a full-size pie, only hand-sized for easy eating. Google Map

See all of the 25 Best Things to Eat 2011

25 Best Things to Eat Meals: Head Up Centre Street

25 Best Things to Eat Meals: Three in a Day