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, bridgettebar.com, @thebridgettebar
Alumni Sandwiches
Alumni is the place to go the next time you’re craving a hearty and delicious sandwich. Whether you opt for the hot chicken sandwich with four heat level options, the tempting meatball sub or the cheesy chicken parmesan, you can’t go wrong. Sandwiches aren’t the only thing you can get here though — the restaurant offers a sizeable list of cocktails and local beers, as well as snacks like crispy mozzarella or Florentine devilled eggs, sides of baby potato salad or parm fries, soups, salads and more.
725 17 Ave. S.W., 403-455-7255, alumnisandwiches.com, @alumnisandwiches
Porch
The next time you need a culinary escape, head to Porch. The Beltline restaurant evokes sunny, laid-back vibes with its swing seats at the bar, skylights that let in natural light and retractable walls that create an open-air dining space in the warmer months. Once you’re there, pair one of the creative cocktails with dishes like patatas bravas, pork souvlaki, mushroom pappardelle, braised short rib and more.
730 17 Ave. S.W., 587-391-8500, porchyyc.com, @porchyyc
Kama
Led by chef Kenny Kaechele, Kama serves up modern-rustic Mediterranean cuisine in a vibrant, eye-catching dining room in the Beltline. Start the meal off with snacks like the popcorn octopus and grilled halloumi before digging into plates of grilled lamb sirloin, Turkish chili prawns and seared scallops.
211 11 Ave. S.W., 403-266-7062, kamacalgary.com, @kamayyc
Pat & Betty
This European-inspired restaurant is also inspired by the mothers of Pat & Betty 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, mezzi rigatoni or the popular pork belly and scallops dish. And make sure to try Nan’s lemon square for dessert.
1217 1 St. S.W., patandbetty.com, @patandbettys