YYC Food & Drink Experience returns March 13 to 29, inviting food enthusiasts to explore the city’s dynamic restaurant scene over 17 delicious days. The festival brings together Calgary’s most exciting chefs, sommeliers and bartenders for a citywide celebration of flavour, creativity and fun.
YYC EXP continues to grow while staying true to what diners love most: thoughtfully curated, multi-course prix fixe menus and one-of-a-kind signature culinary events. With more than 115 participating restaurants across the city, the festival showcases everything from neighbourhood favourites to award-winning destinations.
Diners can enjoy three-course prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus ranging from $30 to $40 per person, offering exceptional value and variety. For those looking to heighten their experience, select restaurants will offer elevated tasting menus from $70 and $80 per person. Whether it’s a spontaneous night out or a long-anticipated reservation at one of Calgary’s most talked-about restaurants, YYC EXP delivers something for every appetite.
The signature culinary events return as a cornerstone of the festival, pairing local talent with visiting chefs for unforgettable collaborative dinners and pop-ups. These exclusive events offer a chance to experience creative menus, unique themes and behind-the-scenes storytelling that goes beyond the standard dining experience. Highlights include international Michelin chef collaborations, a contemporary Indigenous dining experience and exclusive multi-night pop-ups. A sample of the 2026 lineup includes:
Tuesday, March 17:
Francine’s welcomes chef Jonathan Lee and bartender Lucas Peng of Vancouver’s Michelin-recommended Good Thief. Together, they will present a cocktail-forward, contemporary Vietnamese dinner influenced by French techniques.
Wednesday, March 18:
River Café celebrates its 35-year anniversary with a special $35 prix fixe menu throughout the festival, and hosts a signature event featuring a sensational collaboration with Teatro and Penny Crown.
Tuesday, March 24:
Chef David Leeder hosts a New York collaboration at his new hotspot, Penny Crown. He’ll be joined by his former colleagues from Per Se in New York City: chef Andrew Sargent, who worked at Daniel, and the winner of Netflix’s Next Gen Chef, and chef Truman Parsons, previously of Le Bernardin.
Sunday, March 29:
The signature final event at Teatro — Clos de la Oyster Barre — will be back, this time with guest chef Coulson Armstrong from Toronto’s acclaimed Prime Seafood Palace, and recent winner of Top Chef Canada. It’s the perfect way to close out YYC EXP 2026.
For those looking to turn dinner into a getaway, YYC EXP Stay & Dine hotel packages are back. Partner hotels across Downtown Calgary are offering preferred room rates, plus a complimentary $100 Downtown Calgary gift card to use during the festival. The gift card is sponsored by Downtown Calgary, providing an effortless opportunity to enjoy an in-city escape or plan a weekend visit from out of town.
YYC Food & Drink Experience is Calgary’s most anticipated celebration of food and drink — bringing people together through shared experiences, bold flavours and memorable moments. Gather your friends, book your reservations and indulge in the best bites, sips and culinary talent the city has to offer.
Restaurant reservations and event tickets are available now. For full details, visit yycexp.com
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