Village Pita Bakery is a Mediterranean bakery that’s been around for 48 years. It was purchased 18 years ago by two brothers from Lebanon and has been a busy lunchtime hot spot ever since. It’s located in a strip mall just off Memorial Drive East and serves made-to-order pitas, pies and desserts. It’s all deliciously fresh and cheap. There are also shelves filled with must-have imported pantry products such as olive oil and tea.
255 28 Street S.E., 403-273-0330, facebook.com
Here’s what you should buy at Village Pita Bakery
Spinach, chicken and feta pie

This comes super hot and super huge, but it’s balanced by a super thin homemade pita. It also comes with a generous helping of green olives on the side ($10.95).
Meat pies

These small meat pies are a staple all over the Middle East, especially when families are gathered together (a dozen for $11). You can also order one big meat pie for just $4.
Mhamara

This is like a spicy flat bread. It’s an open-faced, baked pita topped with a roasted red pepper spread and sesame seeds ($4).
Arabic Coffee

Arabic coffee (bags starting at $4.50) is not for the faint of heart, but it’ll keep you going all day long.
Bag of Pitas

Pitas are made fresh daily here and come in what can only be described as giant (think like half the size of a person), medium and small (starting at $1.50 per bag).
Halva

Layer this sesame and pistachio spread onto a pita, use it as a dip or eat it with a spoon (large container for $13).
Olive Oil

Village Pita Bakery is the only retailer in Calgary that carries this olive oil (pictured in the middle) that’s ordered directly from the farmer in Palestine. The bottle is more like a vat and is only $35.
Green Olives

If you really, really love olives, buy the big jar ($18). The small jar is $8.99.
Asafiri

Asafiri is a crepe-like pastry ($2.50 each) stuffed with sweet cheese (similar in consistency to whipped cream) and pistachios. It’s like a Middle Eastern cannoli.
Kataifi

This popular dessert is similar to baklava. It’s stuffed with pistachios and wrapped in crispy, shredded dough ($2.75 each).