Each year, we ask Avenue readers to vote for their favourite restaurants in Calgary in our Best Restaurants readers’ choice ballot. These are some of their favourite places in the city.
Winner
Flavours Restaurant
Led by Adebola Esan, this Highwood restaurant serves a number of classic Nigerian dishes. Be sure to try one of the African signature meals, all of which are traditionally eaten with your hand. Other great options include the suya, pepper soup, the meat, fish or chicken hand pies, and the fried puff puff, which comes with a dozen pieces in an order.
4129 4 St. N.W., 403-719-2770, flavourcuisineandcatering.com, @flavoursrestaurant
Runners-up
Safari Grill
Safari Grill has been serving delicious East African cuisine since 2005. Its menu includes dishes like fried cassava and flavourful grilled meats, as well as a selection of African beers like the St. George lager and wines, which are enjoyed in a dining room decorated with colourful animal prints.
255 28 St. S.E., 403-235-6655, safarigrillcalgary.com, @safarigrill
Habesha Ethiopian Cuisine
This family-owned restaurant is a great spot to try some of Calgary’s best Ethiopian dishes. Head to 17 Avenue S.W. to enjoy dishes like tibs firfir (beef cooked with berbere spice), special kitfo (a minced lean beef dish served raw) and great vegetarian dishes like a kale stew called gomen. With this many delicious options, the best way to tackle the menu is to order a little bit of everything alongside Habesha’s injera bread.
103, 1039 17 Ave S.W., 403-243-0307, habeshayyc.ca
Ahinke
At Ahinke, you’ll find a fresh take on Nigerian cuisine in Calgary for breakfast or dinner. Owner and chef Kunbi Olalere mixes traditional Nigerian flavours with Canadian comfort dishes, as seen in plates like Nigerian meat pie poutine served with a pepper soup gravy or suya chicken and waffles. And of course, you can find traditional Nigerian food here too, such as the restaurant’s jollof rice, egusi soup and moi moi.
6, 2650 36 St. S.E., ahinkesrestaurant.com, @ahinke_taste_of_nigeria