With all your relatives flying in for the holidays, it’s nice to show our beloved out-of-towners some of the tastiness that Calgary’s dining scene has to offer. It goes without saying that we are a city of brunch lovers, so here are 10 brunch spots, open this weekend and next, that are sure to be a hit with your extended family (or peacefully by yourself).
80th and Ivy
Pop by with a few friends or the whole family for a bite one weekend morning. Try the cured Arctic Char Benny with herbed hollandaise, on a toasted croissant. Santa-approved! (1127 17 Ave. S.W., 403-452-6905, 80thandivy.com, @80thandIvy)
Blue Star Diner
This busy little place in Bridgeland may have a bit of a wait before your party can snag a seat, but the chipotle pulled pork hash is ALWAYS worth waiting for. (809 1 Ave. N.E., 403-261-9998, bluestardiner.ca, @bluestar_YYC)
Brasserie Kensington
The odds are that executive chef Cam Dobranski will have an irresistible foie gras brunch special when you swing by, but the duck confit omelette is equally tempting. (1131 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-457-4148, brasseriekensington.com, @The_BrassKens)
Cadence Coffee
This casual little cafe in the heart of Bowness that exudes charm. Here, enjoy a casual eggs ‘n bacon breakfast with one great cup of coffee. (6407 Bowness Rd. N.W., 403-247-9955, cadencecoffee.com, @cadence_coffee)
Dairy Lane
The vegans in our lives need some love too. This diner in West Hillhurst offers up a vegan scramble for breakfast with a maple coconut curry, tofu and a pile of fresh veggies. (319 19 St. N.W., 403-283-2497, dairylanecafe.ca, @DairyLane)
Diner Deluxe
Always a brunch favourite, first-time diners should try their signature meatloaf hash with hot pepper jelly. It’s only available on the weekends. So, really, how could you not? (804 Edmonton Tr. N.E., 403-275-5499, dinerdeluxe.com, @diner_deluxe)
The Fine Diner
Inglewood’s breakfast hotspot offers some great Benedicts on its menu, but, for the kids, there is no going wrong with a stack of chocolate chip pancakes – drenched in maple syrup, of course. (4-1420 9 Ave. S.E., 403-234-8885, finedinercalgary.com, @FineDinerYYC)
La Boulangerie
The smell of buttery pastries like croissants and freshly baked tarts fills the air even a block away from the front door. Opt for a traditional croque-monsieur, covered in rich Bchamel sauce sauce. (2435 4 St. S.W., 403-984-9294)
MONKI Breakfast Club
Just across the road from Community Natural Foods on 10th Avenue S.W., Calgary’s newest brunch locale has one killer breakfast hash with spicy sausage, fried eggs and sweet hollandaise. (1301 10 Ave. S.W., 587-352-7131, @monkibistro)
River Cafe
Perhaps the most whimsical of winter brunch destinations, River Caf serves up some of the best local cuisine in the city. Try the Swiss chard and gouda frittata with chanterelles for a little bite of heaven. (25 Prince’s Island Park, 403-261-7670, river-cafe.com, @RiverCafeYYC)