YYC Food & Drink Experience is back from March 14 to 30 to celebrate the diverse and delicious restaurant scene in Calgary, with 17 days of amazing prix fixe menus and culinary events to explore around the city. As the festival grows, it continues to showcase value-driven, multi-course set menus from over 95 participating restaurants and one-of-a-kind signature culinary events to hungry Calgarians and visitors, celebrating the greatest chefs, sommeliers and bartenders the city has to offer.
Sample the best of Calgary restaurants with delectable three-course prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus ranging from $25 to $45 per person. For those craving something extra special, you can explore gourmet tasting menus ranging from $65 to $75 per person. New this year, food enthusiasts can enjoy happy hour specials too. It’s an ideal way to try new restaurants, whether looking for a romantic date night at one of the city’s most celebrated locations or snagging a table at YYC’s hotspots.
And if you’ve always wanted to dine at an award-winning restaurant or treat yourself to a meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, you’ll get your chance when some of the city’s most iconic restaurants host star-studded chef collaborations. Here are just a few of the exciting signature events to explore:
- • Friday, March 14: In the Knife Fight Vol. 2. culinary showdown, Chef Rupert Garcia of Fairmont Palliser’s Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar will face off against Chef Matthias Fong from Primary Colours for a friendly chef competition dinner you won’t want to miss on YYC EXP’s opening weekend.
- • Sunday, March 16: Deane House hosts a contemporary Indigenous culinary experience celebrating traditional Indigenous cuisine, re-imagined. Executive Chef John Beddoes welcomes two of Canada’s top Indigenous chefs, Shane Chartrand (Top Chef Canada 2025 competitor) and Zac Keeshig (Naagan, Owen Sound, Ont.), for this cultural, multi-course dinner.
- • Wednesday, March 19: River Café sets the stage for a special Women’s Chef Collaboration with Quails’ Gate Winery when Chef Livingston welcomes Chef Elia Herrera of Toronto’s Tecolote and Chef Jenny Kang from Orchard.
- • Tuesday, March 25: Pigeonhole’s stylish new downtown roost will be the setting for this Michelin-starred chef collaboration with Vancouver Chefs Michael Robbins of AnnaLena and Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson of Published.
- • Sunday, March 30: Teatro hosts a hip-hop-themed seafood collaboration with Chef Kristian Eligh of Victoria’s Marilena Café and Chef Justin Leboe from Banff.
Once again, YYC EXP is offering YYC EXP Stay & Dine hotel packages. If you’re coming from out of town or want to treat yourself to an in-city break, book a package at one of the partner hotels and receive a preferred rate, along with a complimentary $100 Downtown Calgary Gift Card to use during YYC EXP, sponsored by Calgary Downtown Association.
YYC Food & Drink Experience is the most delicious way to savour the best bites, tastes and sips from restaurants throughout Calgary for locals and visitors alike. Grab a friend or two and book your YYC EXP 2025 restaurant reservations and event tickets.
For more details, visit yycexp.com.
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