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
Paper Lantern
A literal hidden gem, this Vietnamese cocktail bar is discreetly tucked away in the basement of a building in Chinatown. Once you find it, snack on shrimp crackers or beef carpaccio, or dig into dishes like pineapple stir-fry, pork belly skewers or crispy crepes, all while sipping refreshing cocktails like the Pandan Pain Killer.
115 2 Ave. S.E., 403-457-7765, paperlantern.ca, @paperlanternyyc
Runners-up
Golden Bell
Many Calgarians have popped into Golden Bell for a wonton soup or banh mi on the go. The next time you’re at any of its three locations on 17th Avenue S.W., Bridgeland or Glamorgan, try the sate beef noodle soup, deep fried pork spring rolls or shrimp salad rolls, which are all listed as favourites on the menu.
Three Calgary locations, goldenbell.ca, @goldenbellrestaurant
Môt Tô
Offering a modern twist on sharable Vietnamese cuisine, Một Tô is a banh mi and pho bar brought to us by the team behind Pho Dau Bo. Guests can tuck into dishes like the pho grilled cheese, crab and pork tomato soup, roasted bone marrow, vermicelli and more.
1609 Centre St. N.W., 825-910-8488, mottovietnamese.com, @mottoyyc
