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
Ten Foot Henry
The charming comic strip character mascot and refreshing vegetable-forward menu are just some of the reasons why Calgarians keep coming back to Ten Foot Henry. Dishes like tomatoes with whipped feta and sourdough toast and the Henry salad are complemented by a smattering of shareable pasta, fish and meat plates. The popular butterscotch pudding with sponge toffee will end your visit on just the right note.
1209 1 St. S.W., 403-475-5537, tenfoothenry.com, @tenfoothenry
Runners-up
Bridgette Bar
Bridgette Bar’s cozy and inviting mid-century modern space is equally suited for a date night, drinks with a friend or a relaxing meal alone at the bar. Whatever your night out looks like here, dishes like the cheese curd garlic bread, Wagyu beef carpaccio, thin-crust pizzas and wood-grilled beef strip steak promise to make it memorable.
739 10 Ave. S.W., 403-700-0191 (text only), bridgettebar.com, @thebridgettebar
Luca Restaurant
Luca Restaurant takes elevated Italian dining to new heights with its elegant dining room, professional service and beautifully plated food. Dishes like the seafood platter, gnocchi vodka fresh burrata, lobster risotto and tomato braised bison osso buco will have you coming back again and again.
524 10 Ave. S.W., 587-332-4926, lucayyc.com, @lucayyc
Pat & Betty
This European-inspired restaurant is also inspired by the mothers of Pat & Betty’s managing partner and executive chef Mike Pigot and partner James Martin, respectively. Grab a seat in the inviting dining room to enjoy oysters and caviar, beef tartare, coronation chicken or the popular pork belly and scallops dish. And make sure to try Nan’s lemon pavlova for dessert.
1217 1 St. S.W., patandbetty.com, @patandbettys
Bonterra Trattoria
A Beltline staple since 2000, this trattoria is one of the city’s go-to spots for authentic Italian cuisine. Dive into plates of buffalo mozzarella, veal meatballs, linguine vongole or porcini-crusted arctic char before completing your dining experience with some expertly made tiramisu. And during the warmer months, Bonterra’s terrace is the place to be thanks to its greenery and outdoor fireplace.
1016 8 St. S.W., 403-262-8480, bonterra.ca, @bonterracalgary
Bar Chouette
Sophisticated yet approachable, Bar Chouette continues to impress with its attention to detail and incredible flavours. Chef-owner Duncan Ly and culinary director Jeremy Oulette keep guests coming back time and time again with dishes ranging from the Le 1608 cheese soufflé to the Humboldt squid on its French-inspired menu.
130, 227 11 Ave. S.W., barchouette.ca, @thebarchouetteyyc
Salt & Brick
There’s no shortage of creativity at Salt & Brick, which changes its menu constantly (past dishes have ranged from pesto and pepper gnocchi to a Shio koji striploin). This concept offers an exciting opportunity for diners who love trying new things and embracing seasonal ingredients. What doesn’t change, though, is the constant dedication to great flavours and memorable presentation.
211 10 Ave. S.W., saltandbrick.com, @saltandbrickyyc
