Over the past few weeks, there’s been tons of movement in Calgary’s restaurant and food scene: at least a dozen new eateries opened, new menu items have been popping up and foodie events have started taking shape. Here’s what you need to know about the latest food-related openings, news and events in Calgary.
Analog Coffee opens in Bow Valley Square
Those who frequent downtown Calgary can now get their coffee fix at Analog Coffee’s fourth location. The coffee shop opened in June in the Plus-15 attached to Bow Valley Square, and offers locally roasted coffee from Fratello Coffee Roasters and baking and food by Corbeaux Bakery. Grabbing some breakfast and a cup of coffee on your way to work has never been easier.
Bow Valley Square Plus-15, 205 5 Ave. S.W., fratellocoffee.com, @analogcoffeeyyc
Begim, Calgary’s first Uzbek restaurant, opens
Calgarians looking for a completely new dining experience can now eat at the city’s first Uzbek restaurant. A family-owned eatery, Begim’s menu features a range of dishes hailing from Uzbekistan in Central Asia. Look for dishes like steamed dumplings, kababs, grape leaves filled with lamb meat and more.
4413 17 Ave. S.E., 587-353-4413, begim.ca
Flipp’n Burgers & Breakfast opens in Mission
This local burger eatery opened its second location in Mission at the beginning of June. Decorated with photos of Calgary and local figures from the 1950s, Flipp’n Burgers & Breakfast has taken over the space formerly occupied by Mission Diner. It offers a breakfast menu until 11 a.m. and burgers with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal options.
#103, 330 10 St. N.W., 403-474-9365, flippnburgers.ca, @flippnburgers
Framboise Bakery opens
The locally owned Framboise Bakery opened its doors in mid-June. The menu features freshly baked items like pain au chocolat, florentines, brownies, opera cake, lemon loaf and more. You can also purchase items like caramel bourbon popcorn and chocolate bark from the bakery’s retail shelf.
2, 1104 20 Ave. N.W., 403-826-0380, framboisebakery.ca
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey opens in Kensington
If you love barbecue, then you’ll love this new restaurant in Kensington. Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey offers barbecued meats like pulled pork, sliced brisket, pork spare ribs, chicken and more, plus sides like coleslaw, macaroni salad and smokestack corn. To wash it all down, there’s a drink menu with more than 100 kinds of whiskey, as well as cocktails, beer and wine. Enjoy your meal inside or out on the back patio.
1136 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-283-3021, haydenblockyy.com, @haydenblockyyc
Little Henry opens in Victoria Park
Little Henry is a new grab-and-go shop attached to the recently opened Ten Foot Henry in Victoria Park. Like its restaurant counterpart, Little Henry focuses on healthy fare, with items like soups, salads, sandwiches and pastries on the menu. Drink-wise, you can pick up an espresso from The Roasterie, cold-pressed juice from Juice Because and tea from The Naked Leaf here.
1209 1 St. S.W., 403-475-5537, tenfoothenry.com, @10foothenry
Made By Marcus Microcreamery opens in Lower Mount Royal
The next time you’re in the Lower Mount Royal area, consider grabbing a treat from popular craft ice cream company Made By Marcus, which opened a brick and mortar shop there this past month. The microcreamery offers ice cream flavours like blueberry lemon curd and pistachio strawberry by the scoop, along with soft serve ice cream and handmade pastries like tarts and croissants. Grab a Monogram coffee or glass of on-tap kombucha and take a load off at the shop’s harvest table.
Suite 121, 1013 17 Ave. S.W., madebymarcus.ca
Molly Malone’s adds new menu items for summer
On June 22, Molly Malone’s launched some new menu items for the summer and patio season. Around half the menu is now made up of new dishes like butter chicken poutine, calamari, a veggie quesadilla, broccoli cheddar bites and Sheppard’s pie potato skins. Stop by the Kensington pub for lunch or dinner to enjoy these new items on its rooftop patio.
1153 Kensington Cres. N.W., 403-296-3220, mollymalonesyyc.com, @yycmollymalones
Pop-up picnics begin in downtown Calgary
If you’ve noticed a surge of people eating outside lately, it may be because Downtown Calgary’s pop-up picnic series began on June 22. Throughout the summer, the public is invited to a free, themed picnic every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. Each picnic will take place in a different spot in downtown Calgary. The best part is that all you have to do is pack a lunch for yourself to bring, as there will be tables, seating and entertainment for you to enjoy at the site.
Posto Pizzeria and Bar announces late night half-price pizza deal
Solve your late night pizza cravings with a trip to Posto Pizzeria and Bar. The downtown restaurant recently announced that it is now offering half-price pizza during the last hour of service every night.
1014 8 St. S.W., 403-263-4876, posto.ca, @postocalgary
SS106 Aperitivo Bar opens
This European-inspired eatery is a unique addition to Calgary’s dining scene. During the morning, it offers items like coffee and pastries to start your day, then a full tapas menu is available starting at 11 a.m. Stop by for an aperitivo drink between 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to receive a complimentary snack with your order, then settle in to watch a sports game on the television.
824D Edmonton Tr. N.E., 403-219-0949
Stampede breakfasts begin
One of the best things about the Calgary Stampede (July 8 to 17) is all the Stampede breakfasts that take place leading up to and during the big event. Most of the breakfasts are free or by donation and offer entertainment while you eat. For a full list of Stampede breakfasts going on in the city, visit stampedebreakfast.ca.
Trolley 5 Restaurant & Brewery opens on 17th Ave. S.W.
A new brewpub and restaurant has opened in the old Melrose Cafe space on 17 Ave. S.W. Trolley 5 Restaurant & Brewery is a three-storey, 16,000 square foot building with a Southern inspired menu. Look for tasty comfort food like mac and cheese, nachos, pulled pork and beef brisket. The 190-seat atrium on the top level is a family-friendly restaurant area, while the main floor seats 175 people and features a lounge area and front patio. If you grab a seat on the latter, be sure to look up — there’s a track with 200 growlers that rotates from the lower level throughout the main floor. On the bottom level is a 60-seat tap room and on-site brewery, where Trolley 5 has begun brewing its own beer that will be available in a few weeks.
728 17 Ave. S.W., 403-454-3731, trolley5.com, @trolley_5
Una Takeaway opens on 17th Ave. S.W.
Attached to Una Piza + Wine, this takeaway spot has been a long time coming, but was well worth the wait. Una Takeaway serves delicious pastries, salads, sandwiches and more that are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can also get your hands on one of Una’s pizzas, which are available in whole pies or by the slice.
616 17 Ave. S.W., 403-453-1183, unatakeaway.com, @unatakeaway
Wow Bakery opens
Wow Bakery is owned by the same team behind Wow Chicken, and opened its doors in Chinook Park Plaza in June. Visit the new bakery for delicious treats like macarons, bread, pastries and more.
Chinook Park Plaza, 108, 5809 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-640-0273