Alberta’s culinary scene is flourishing. Bolstered by top chefs, local food and beverage talent, and award-winning restaurants, the province has become a true foodie destination.
Edmonton Farmers’ Market - Credit: Explore Edmonton
The food
Most conversations about food in Alberta start with the beef—and for good reason. The province has close to two million more cattle than residents and is known for producing some of the highest quality beef on the planet.
Beef may start the conversation about Alberta’s food scene, but it’s only the beginning. The province’s agricultural abundance is reflected in its signature foods: bison, red fife wheat, root vegetables, canola oil, honey, and the uniquely delicious saskatoon berries. Alberta also excels in producing artisan cheese, hops, and a variety of grains and seeds.
Many Albertans and local restaurants live by their commitment to locally sourced ingredients. Within 100 miles of both Calgary and Edmonton, there are farms supplying restaurants with fresh meat—including cattle, bison, elk, and ostrich.
Along with the plentiful local harvest, these farm-fresh ingredients set the scene when it comes to Alberta cuisine. Get a taste for local flavors by picking up some goodies at any of the province’s many farmers’ markets.
A conversation about the province’s food also needs to take in the multitude of cultural influences at play.
Forty-eight First Nations and eight Métis settlements bring Alberta a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and ways of knowing that vary from place to place. Traditional cuisine is built on fresh, local ingredients, including bison, fish, mushrooms and squash.
Meanwhile, the province’s immigrant Ukrainian roots mean the best hand-pinched pierogies, just like grandma used to make—and still does. Add to that the foods of city dwellers with Italian, German, Asian, English, Norwegian and Finnish heritage, and you have a diverse blend of culinary influences.
Alberta is also at the forefront of new and innovative food and drink creations, with the province’s creative chefs and bartenders cooking up fresh techniques, styles, dishes and drinks every day. But did you know that Canada’s most popular brunch cocktail, the Caesar, was invented at Calgary’s Westin Hotel in 1969? Don’t leave town without trying this Canadian classic.
Alberta serves up more than just great steak.
Alberta Beef - Credit: The Maple Leaf Grill & Lounge
The restaurants
With two major foodie cities, Calgary and Edmonton, and a bustling dining scene throughout the Canadian Rockies and across the province, it's impossible to talk about all the great places to eat in Alberta. So let us tempt your tastebuds with a special few that never disappoint, leaving plenty more to discover.
Calgary is home to some of the best restaurants not just in the province, but in the entire country. Chef Justin Leboe’s Model Milk, housed in a former 1930s dairy, stands out with its modern interior and innovative menu, featuring locally sourced lamb, pork and steelhead trout.
Ready for Alberta's signature beef? Book a table in advance for the popular Charbar. What was once a mattress factory now houses a taste factory, infusing dry-aged beef with Argentinian flavors.
Fine dining staple Rouge Restaurant in Inglewood uses only the freshest ingredients - many of their seasonings and vegetables are grown on their property. Downtown on an island in the middle of the Bow River, the classic River Caf? is dedicated to using local produce and has an extensive wine list - and one of the best summer patios. Seasonal comfort food specialists at Charcut Roast House have rewritten the recipe book with dishes like sausage burgers with cheese curds and fried eggs or bison brisket with boar bacon.
Fine dining staple Rouge Restaurant in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood uses only the freshest ingredients—many of their herbs and vegetables are grown on their property.
An easy stroll from downtown, on an island in the middle of the Bow River, the Canadiana-classic, River Café is dedicated to using local produce and has an impressive wine list—plus one of the best outdoor spaces for summer dining.
Seasonal comfort food specialists at Charcut Roast House score big with foodies thanks to dishes like sausage burgers topped with cheese curds and fried eggs, or bison brisket with boar bacon.
Other standout spots include Mexican small plates restaurant and cocktail bar, Milpa, contemporary Latin American Supper Club, Fortuna's Row, and Omakase sushi bar, Nupo.
In Edmonton, RGE RD delivers farm-to-fork dishes inspired by Canada’s fields, forests, and oceans, while Bernadette’s highlights Indigenous sharing plates crafted with local, seasonal ingredients. Over in Old Strathcona, MEAT serves up brisket, bourbon, and homemade sauces for an authentic barbecue experience. For inventive Chinese cuisine with a playful twist, Fu’s Repair Shop delivers bold flavors and tasty cocktails in a buzzing, eclectic setting.
Head to Canmore in Kananaskis Country and prepare to be amazed by the number of eclectic eateries in this small alpine town, including microbreweries, Brazilian barbecue and tapas. Highlights include Sauvage for creative, hyper-local dishes, Bridgette Bar for bold, globally inspired fare, Rustica for expertly cooked steaks, and BLAKE, a brewery, distillery, and ice creamery serving modern comfort food.
The mountain towns of Banff and Jasper have their own spin on culinary style. In Banff, start with cocktails at the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in the Rundle Bar before heading into town for standout dining. Park Distillery serves campfire-inspired cuisine paired with house-made spirits, while LUPO transports you to Italy with fresh, house-made pasta and classic Italian fare. For a true classic, The Grizzly House, a landmark since 1969, is famous for its lavish selection of fondue, and for a family-friendly option, Melissa's Missteak lets you pick out your own steak in a space reminiscent of a giant log cabin.
In Jasper, start your morning at the famed Bear's Paw Bakery or Papa George's for a hearty breakfast. After a day of outdoor adventures, stop for a refreshing pint at the Jasper Brewing Company before deciding on dinner.
Orso Trattoria offers Italian-inspired cuisine with stunning mountain views, while Terra highlights locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. For something different, explore the culinary scene with Jasper Food Tours, or enjoy a celebration of Canadian whisky culture and share plates at Maligne Range.
Fringe Festival - Credit: Explore Edmonton
The events
How do you know a place loves food? They celebrate it often—and with genuine enthusiasm. All across the province a host of food and beverage festivals showcase Alberta’s culinary passion.
For 30 years, the Taste of Edmonton festival has gathered foodies into the heart of the city to try the best food and drinks with a tasty side of live music. Taste of Calgary has been pulling in fans from around southern Alberta for 20 years with its perfect combination of local craft beers and tasty bites from popular bars and restaurants.
The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival showcases a huge variety of wines, beers and spirits—especially whiskey—in both Calgary and Edmonton, with a wide array of gourmet dishes to pair with your new favourite drinks. In Banff, Made with Love shines a spotlight on creative cocktails, where expert mixologists craft bold, inventive drinks that pair perfectly with stunning mountain views.
For a taste of culture, Edmonton’s Heritage Festival is a summer highlight, celebrating the city’s diversity with traditional dishes, performances, and experiences from over 90 cultures around the world.
In Alberta, beer lovers have plenty to look forward to throughout the year. Banff Craft Beer Festival kicks off in November, Edmonton BeerFest pours into March, and Calgary International Beerfest taps into May. And if you’re visiting during the summer, various cultural celebrations in Alberta’s cities serve up a mix of traditional dishes from the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond—perfect for discovering new culinary worlds.
Finally, if you want to experience the best of Alberta’s local food culture, Alberta on the Plate is a must. Held each August, this province-wide dining festival celebrates Alberta’s vibrant culinary scene, with restaurants featuring multi-course menus that highlight local producers and ingredients. It’s the perfect way to taste the creativity and quality that define Alberta’s food landscape while supporting the people behind it.
Get inspired
