If you’re getting meat-ed out with all of the Stampede fare, or you’re a vegetarian looking for something delicious to eat, try out one of these great dishes.
Bar C Crisp Artichoke Hearts
Bet you can’t eat just one. Tender artichoke hearts are fried up and served with a sweet citrus dipping sauce. (340 17 Ave. S.W., 403-984-3667, crmr.com, @barcfooddrink)
Blue Star Diner Vegan Scramble
It can be hard to find vegan options when it comes to brunching around town. Luckily, Blue Star has you covered with a maple coconut tofu scramble, loaded with avocado, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and more. (809 1 Ave. N.E., 403-261-9998, bluestardiner.ca, @bluestar_yyc)
Boxwood Cafe Za’tar Spiced Roasted Zucchini
Snag a seat on the patio at this Central Memorial park restaurant and try out the roasted zucchini served with a pumpkin seed romesco sauce, spinach and shaved radish. (340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-265-4006, boxwoodcafe.ca, @boxwoodcalgary)
Cafe Koi Panda Bowl
Stop by this little cafe on 1st Street and 11th Avenue for lunch and go for this big bowl filled with vegetables and jasmine rice covered in an almond satay sauce. (1011 1 St. S.W., 403-206-1564, cafekoi.com, @koicalgary)
Cibo Tagliatelle
With peas, asparagus, roasted peppers, grana padano cheese, summer squash and pesto, this is just about as summery as a pasta can get. (1012 17 Ave. S.W., 403-984-4755, cibocalgary.com, @cibocalgary)
The Coup Wild Stack
A seared portabella mushroom is layered with a sun-dried tomato walnut pt, peppers, goat cheese, marinated kale and a healthy dose of sprouts. (924 17 Ave. S.W., 403-541-1041, thecoup.ca, @TheCoupCalgary)
Double Zero Pizza Rapini Pizza
Who needs boring, old pepperoni when you can have this pizza, topped with roasted rapini, ricotta, pine nuts and garlic. (751 4 St. S.W., 403-265-9559, doublezeropizza.ca, @doublezeropizza)
Farm Girls Garden Glory Victory Bowl
Calgary’s newest food truck boasts some quality, from-scratch options including this fresh and filling salad made with brown rice, grated beets, carrots, cucumbers and greens in a maple cider dressing. (Various locations, 587-438-3276, farmgirlsfood.com, @farmgirlsfood)
Home Tasting Room Chive and Ricotta Gnocchi
This gnocchi variation, made with ricotta, is surprisingly light but still filling. It’s served with sauted kale, baby leeks and cherry tomatoes. (110 8 Ave. S.W., 403-262-8100, hometastingroom.ca, @hometasting)
Monki Bistro Roasted Eggplant Panini
The combination of sweet roasted peppers, eggplant, onion, arugula and goat cheese grilled to crispy perfection in a panini makes for a perfect meal at this beltline brunch hotspot. (1301 10 Ave. S.W., 587-352-7131, monki.ca, @monkibistro)