- Hey, everybody, it's gunnarolla
and today we're traveling the world
through restaurants in Calgary.
Let's eat.
You may not think of Calgary as a culinary destination
but it has a ton to offer
in the way of international cuisine
thanks to its diverse population
and access to quality ingredients.
From authentic recipes to modern and innovative dishes,
here are some of my favorite restaurants
that will take you on a journey
to 10 countries around the world.
We're starting out on 17th Ave,
where you'll find a ton of restaurants and entertainment,
and when the sun is out,
you can bet that the patios will be packed.
Let's take a trip south of the border to Mexico,
or Milpa to be exact.
This new spot serves up small plates and cocktails
with some great vegetarian options
like this coconut ceviche
served with taro, plantain, and corn chips.
For our main, it's the classic quesabirria
with braised brisket and Oaxaca cheese.
Delicious.
Just down the street, we're touching down in India.
Calcutta Cricket Club offers a menu
of contemporary South Asian cuisine and cocktails.
From the decor to the dishes, cold and hot,
there's no detail spared here.
Everything is super flavorful,
featuring all the familiar spices
you'd expect from South Asian cuisine.
I'm partial to the beef kosha
because we are in Alberta after all.
We're hopping over to Japan for sushi, yakitori,
and so much more at Shokunin.
Brought to you by famed chef Darren MacLean,
this Izakaya-inspired restaurant
is the spot for a lively night out.
Shokunin's menu features seasonal and local ingredients
paired with Japanese techniques and flavor profiles.
If sushi is more your speed,
head over to Chef Darren's other restaurant, Nupo,
in the East Village,
featuring a menu of plant-forward vegan cuisine
paired with incredible sushi.
For a special occasion,
the omakase experience will transport you to Japan
where the chef masterfully curates
the evening's menu for you.
From the East Village, we're hopping over to Bridgeland
where you'll find JinBar,
a casual eatery that offers up a menu
of elevated Korean-inspired comfort food.
The fried chicken is the dish to try here,
but we also love the tuna crudo and Brussels sprouts.
Save room for dessert
because the twisted donuts with condensed milk are a must.
A couple minutes away, welcome to Chinatown.
As expected, there are tons of Asian restaurants here
offering a diversity of different cuisine.
You could spend a day here
and never run out of things to discover.
Silver Dragon Restaurant is an institution
and a local favorite in Calgary's Chinatown.
It's been around since the '60s.
We got a spread of dim sum featuring the classics.
Freshly prepared food and friendly service
will keep you coming back.
Cross over the Centre Street Bridge into Crescent Heights
and you'll find Mot To,
a new contemporary Vietnamese restaurant
that's getting a lot of buzz.
Vietnamese cuisine in Calgary is top tier
and Mot To takes things to the next level.
You've got to try their pho grilled cheese
with beef, caramelized onions, and a shot of pho broth.
It's the ultimate comfort food.
Head a couple minutes down the street
and we have entered the Mediterranean.
Santorini Greek Taverna is a beloved spot
for authentic and homemade Greek cuisine
in a setting that will make you feel
like you're on the island.
But since Calgary has so many great parks and public spaces,
we are taking our meal to go.
I got a classic chicken souvlaki with Greek salad,
perfectly portioned for lunch.
For another take on a similar dish,
head downtown to Yemeni Village,
serving up the unique flavors and vibrant colors
of the Middle East.
Their chicken mandi is marinated in traditional spices
and sits on a bed of aromatic basmati rice
accompanied by sauces that bring a little heat.
I'm salivating.
Calgary's Downtown is home
to a growing number of restaurants,
but I'm a fan of their food halls.
At First Street Market and The District at Beltline,
you can travel the world in one place
with vendors offering everything from Mexican
to Indian to Japanese to Italian fare.
If you're feeling indecisive
or you're with a group that has varied taste,
one of Calgary's many food halls is the way to go.
Speaking of food halls,
let's head out to Calgary Farmers' Market West,
home to more than 65 vendors selling fresh produce,
locally produced goods,
and, of course, a great selection of international cuisine.
If you're craving a trip to Eastern Europe,
Margarita's has you covered.
Borscht, pirogis, and, of course, the cabbage roll.
This family-owned spot offers
authentic and homemade Ukrainian cuisine.
We're heading to Africa next.
At Flavours Restaurant,
you can feast on Nigerian cuisine in Calgary.
A truly unique experience.
A signature African meal includes melon soup
and your choice of goat, beef, or fish.
Add some delicious jollof rice on the side, fried plantains,
and the iconic puff-puff,
a deep fried beignet with a hint of sweetness.
It's impossible to eat just one.
I said we'd visit 10 countries,
but Calgary has so many great spots,
I had to include a bonus.
We're taking a trip to Thailand,
and to get there,
we'll have to make a stop at the airport hotel.
Located at the back of Airport Traveller's Inn,
the entrance to White Elephant Thai is so inconspicuous,
it almost feels like a speakeasy.
This one is a local favorite, and for good reason.
They've got a menu of iconic Thai dishes
with pad see ew being my personal pick.
If you want to impress a friend
or you're just craving the flavors of Southeast Asia,
make sure to stop in.
That brings us to the end of this culinary journey
around the world,
but there are so many great spots
for international cuisine in Calgary.
Got a favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Bon appetit.