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
Mercato
This family-owned restaurant and market is a community staple in Calgary’s Mission and West Springs neighbourhoods. The restaurant’s menu is presented in the traditional format of antipasti (appetizers), primi (pastas and risottos), secondi (heavier meat dishes) and contorni (vegetables). It includes standout pasta dishes like papardelle with wild boar and ribeye bolognese and the restaurant’s famous Fiorentina-style rib-eye steak that’s big enough for the whole table. Mercato started as an Italian market in 1974, and still sells pasta, breads, sauces and other items for an Italian feast at home.
2224 4 St. S.W., 403-263-5535, mercatogourmet.com, @mercato_mission; 873 85 St. S.W., 403-263-6996,
mercatowest.com, @mercatowest
Runners-up
Bonterra Trattoria
Located in the Beltline, this restaurant has been serving classic yet contemporary Italian fare like spaghetti carbonara and rigatoni amatriciana for more than 20 years. Be sure to try any of the excellent pasta dishes (made with locally sourced ingredients), or opt for something a little more modern like the Alberta lamb chops with roasted potato and zucchini.
1016 8 St. S.W., 403-262-8480, bonterra.ca, @bonterracalgary
Teatro
A staple of Calgary’s fine-dining scene since 1993, Teatro is beloved for its local and seasonal Italian cuisine with Mediterranean flair. Teatro’s menu is full of contemporary preparations of Italian classics (elevated by the restaurant’s wood-fired grill), and all are complemented by an extensive wine menu — the restaurant’s award-winning bank vault-turned-wine cellar holds more than 10,000 bottles.
200 8 Ave. S.E., 403-290-1012, teatro.ca, @teatrorestaurant
Buon Giorno
With a prime location on 17 Avenue S.W. and nearly four decades in the business, Buon Giorno is one of the most notable restaurants in Calgary’s Italian dining landscape. After changing locations and re-opening at the end of 2023, Buon Giorno still offers the same homey vibes everyone knows and loves, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and a vast menu of home-style Italian favourites.
1201 17 Ave. S.W., 403-244-5522, buongiornos.ca, @buongiornoyyc
Luca Restaurant
This restaurant brings some swanky flair to Calgary’s dining scene. Featuring a menu of hand-made pastas, large family-style dishes like whole-grilled branzino or bison osso buco, and a huge wine selection, Luca is a great spot for an impressive night out. If you’re in the mood for something extra special, you won’t be disappointed with Luca’s seafood tower for two.
524 10 Ave. S.W., 403-261-1777, lucayyc.com, @lucayyc
Rea’s Italian Cucina
This family-owned-and-operated restaurant in Highland Park serves all the classic Italian dishes. Rea’s originally opened as a pizzeria in 1996, so of course the pizzas are a great option, but there’s also a huge variety of pastas, soups, starters and larger-format veal and chicken dishes.
431 41 Ave. N.E., 403-230-7754, reasitaliancucina.com, @reasitaliancucina
Cardinale
Cardinale is an intimate, cozy and cool joint serving a concise and fresh menu of pastas, antipasti and other Italian dishes. Cardinale is a great spot to dine whether you’re heading to the nearby Scotiabank Saddledome for an event afterwards or just looking for a tasty night out.
401 12 Ave. S.E., 403-264-6046, cardinale.ca, @cardinaleyyc
Vero Bistro
Vero Bistro puts a modern twist on many classic Italian dishes, all while using the best local and imported ingredients. By bringing French and Spanish influences into the mix, the restaurant creates a unique dining experience. Try dishes like black truffle arancini, a seafood platter for two or the signature sweet potato gnocchi with wild boar bacon.
209 10 St. N.W., 403-283-8988, verobistro.ca, @verobistro
il Chianti
Bringing four decades of experience, il Chianti is a fantastic family-run restaurant that focuses on doing the classics well. Expect a variety of pastas like linguine alle vongole or gnocchi vittoria with rosé cream sauce, and of course, be sure to order the tiramisu for a sweet bite at the end of your meal.
277 20 Ave. N.E., 403-230-3014, dineilchianti.com, @ilchianti
Villa Firenze
Family-operated since 1991, this Bridgeland restaurant still uses recipes passed down through generations. Try traditional dishes like minestrone, lasagna, pastas or the rack of lamb on your next night out with family or friends.
610 1 Ave. N.E., 403-264-4297, villafirenze.ca, @villafirenze