Winter in Calgary can be downright miserable, and, by February, I’m ready to call it quits. My car’s frozen solid, my toes are perpetually numb and every breath feels like I’m inhaling ice shards. The cold hits harder than the pain of not getting tickets to the Eras Tour.
When winter gets this mean, there’s only one way I know to cope: eat my way through it. A serving of Malaysian laksa with rich coconut broth and bold spices is a sunny vacation in a bowl. A spoonful of chè, packed with fresh durian, jackfruit and lychee, gets me daydreaming of palm trees, even as snow piles up outside. Let’s be real — this is how you cure the winter doldrums.
So, let’s turn this snowpocalypse into a flavour-filled escape: Here are my top 10 things to eat (and drink) right now in Calgary that will help you forget the cold, warm you from the inside out, and transport you to faraway locales of sun and sand.
Viet-Tropical Cocktails at Paper Lantern
When Calgary’s winter has you feeling like a human icicle, Paper Lantern in Chinatown offers a cozy refuge. Once you step inside, the soft glow of lanterns and the eclectic art instantly transports you from our snow-covered streets to a locals’ bar in Saigon. The Asian-inspired cocktails are as skilled as they are fun — think vibrant flavours, like the Plum God with salted-plum bourbon, rye, sweet vermouth, cynar and grapefruit bitters. If you brought the whole gang with you, treat yourselves to a punch bowl. I guarantee you’ll walk out of Paper Lantern feeling like you’ve just spent the day at the beach — minus the tan lines, but definitely sporting that “I’m totally chill” look.
115 2 Ave. S.E. (basement), 403-457-7765, paperlantern.ca, @paperlanternyyc
Beef 7 Courses at Rau Bistro
When Calgary’s winter has you bundled up like a marshmallow, Rao Bistro’s “Beef 7 Courses” (Bò 7 món) is here to melt the freeze with beef served in glorious ways (it’s not literally seven courses, but who’s counting when it tastes this epic?). Start with the beef congee — Rao’s twist adds lentils, making it so perfectly balanced, it’s an unexpected, but flawless flavour hit. Then dive into the papaya salad with beef jerky, steamed meatballs and a DIY vinegar beef fondue, which has you rolling up summer rolls like a pro. And the mam nêm sauce is packed with umami and, trust me, I’m dipping everything in it. You won’t want to miss a single bite.
806 Centre St. N., 587-352-2506, raubistroyyc.ca, @raubistroyyc
Whole Fried Fish with Patacones at Picaditas Latin Foods
Craving a warm escape? Enter Picaditas. Tucked into an industrial strip mall, blending right in with warehouses and delivery trucks, this restaurant’s a true hidden gem. The no-frills exterior might not catch your eye, but the inside feels like a family secret you’re lucky to know. I’m here for the whole fried fish with patacones (fried plantains) — crispy, golden perfection paired with savoury-sweet crunchy plantains. This dish takes you straight to the shores of Cartagena, where you’re lounging under a tree, enjoying the Caribbean breeze in your hair, and sipping on a refreshing glass of limonada de coco — without the pesky sand in your shoes.
414 Manitou Rd. S.E., 403-271-8120, @picaditasyyc
Pop-Up Ethiopian Dinners at Scozzafava’s Deli
Punch your ticket to flavour town with a seat at one of the recurring Ethiopian Veggie Bonanza pop-up dinners by chef Gideon Gebremichael at Scozzafava’s Deli. (The dinners were formerly at Missy’s This That cocktail bar.) The veggie platter is a vibrant spread of Ethiopian stews and dishes that’ll make your taste buds dance. Feast on spicy lentils, savoury greens and more, served on a bed of injera. And let’s talk about Gebremichael’s injera — soft, spongy flatbread with a slightly tangy kick, perfect for scooping up all these delicious stews. Its an authentic Ethiopian dining experience in the unlikely setting of an Italian deli.
1004 17 Ave. S.W., 403-454-3354, scozzafavasdeli.com, @scozzafavasdeli
Halo-Halo at Roc’s Grill
If you can’t beat winter, might as well join the ice party with some halo-halo. I get my fix from Roc’s, which has mastered the art of this Filipino treat. Think shaved ice piled high with sweet beans, banana, jackfruit and colourful jellies, then topped with flan, a scoop of ice cream and — wait for it — a sprinkle of crunchy cornflakes. Don’t stare at it too long, though — unlike the snow piled up outside, this dessert melts fast, so dig in!
9, 285 Shawville Blvd. S.E., 403-891-5158, rocsgrill.ca, @rocsgrillyyc
Laksa at Banana Leaf Tropical Cuisine
When the cold has me craving comfort, I head straight to Banana Leaf for the Malaysian seafood laksa. I go for the yellow noodles, but, if you’re a vermicelli fan, you do you, boo. One thing we can all agree on: laksa is the answer to our winter woes. This bowl of warmth, with its creamy coconut milk and bold curry spices, feels like strolling down the sun-drenched streets of Kuala Lumpur. After just one slurp, your taste buds will be begging for their Malaysian passport. Whether it’s Hainanese chicken, curry beef, veggie or fishball laksa, each bowl brings its own unique kick that’ll warm you from the inside out.
3330 32 St. N.E., 403-450-3880, @bananaleafyyc
Ceviche at Sabor A Perú
Let’s keep the global flavour tour going, shall we? Tucked inside the Avenida Food Hall and Fresh Market, Sabor’s ceviche is a real showstopper. Picture tender chunks of white fresh fish marinated in zesty lime juice, perfectly balanced with the kick of red onions and cilantro. It’s bright, refreshing and full of flavour, the kind of dish that makes you feel like you’re lounging at a seaside café in Miraflores, watching the waves crash against the cliffs, rather than navigating your way on icy roads. With every bite, you get that citrusy pop and a little heat, making this ceviche an absolute must-eat when you’re craving a taste of Peru.
12445 Lake Fraser Dr. S.E. (inside Avenida Food Hall and Fresh Market), 825-712-5522, saboraperucalgary.com, @saboraperucalgaryyc
Chè at Chè Bông
Chè is a Vietnamese dessert that’ll pull you out of your winter funk faster than you can spin your tires driving down Deerfoot. Most Vietnamese spots whip up their own “traffic light” chè — red, green and yellow jellies with fruit and coconut milk. But the real showstopper is the durian chè from Chè Bống. Loaded with fresh durian, jackfruit, lychee and homemade jellies, it’s like a beach party in your mouth. Light, refreshing and packed with bold flavours, this dessert will have you forgetting about slippery roads and dreaming of dipping your toes in the ocean.
103, 108 3 Ave. S.W. (inside Five Harvest Plaza), 403-474-1175, chebong.com, @chebongyyc
Piña Colada Tarts at Otie
Otie bakehouse is located in the BLVD building, just west of Stampede Park, and has been serving up sweet treats since it opened last summer. It might not scream “tropical escape” at first, but, when you’re in a winter deep-freeze, sometimes a little sweetness is just what you need to get you through the day. Enter the Piña Colada tart — so beautifully crafted, it looks like an actual coconut. One bite of that coconut mousse with a few lashings of pineapple gelée and you’ll forget about shovelling snow for a while. And the space? It’s so stunning, you’ll want to stay until spring. I love the bold blue accents in the ceramic tiles and the exposed pipes and polished concrete, which create a sleek, modern vibe. If you like Piña Coladas and not getting frostbite, this tart is your perfect match.
1225 Macleod Tr. S.E. (inside BLVD Beltline), 587-393-1989, otiebakes.com, @otiebakes
Grilled Skewers at Thai Siam
Thai Siam’s lip-smacking skewers are a lifesaver when you’re craving a break from the cold. Whether you choose pork or chicken, these beauties come with the perfect char on the outside, locking in all the juicy goodness that makes them seriously addictive. They’re served with a spicy tamarind sauce that’s next-level good. Tangy, a little sweet and packing just the right heat, it hits all the right notes. It’s the ultimate street food you’d find sizzling on a grill in Bangkok. Pro tip: pair them with the green papaya salad to eat like a true local.
15, 4127 6 St. N.E. (inside Starr Distilling Co.), 403-680-0366, thaitakeout.ca, @thaisiammarket