Best Calgary Lunch Spots
- January 14, 2012
- By Cody Battershill
The Best Calgary Lunch Spots
Lunch is a fun meal and these delicious Calgary lunch spots will give you the full range of options, from sandwiches to burgers to pasta or fish maybe a salad and so much more.
This list is tried, tested and true, I have even included my personal favourites. Let me know what you think of the list and if we are missing anything you think should be on the list!
Cibo
Cibo is one of the best places for a late lunch. Why? Simply because you can indulge in their salivating gourmet pizzas and tapas at a fraction of the cost!
From 3 to 5pm, Monday to Friday, Cibo has an amazing happy hour special. Find out more at Cibo Happy Hour today!
The Coup
Whether your a full vegan eater or not, this restaurant is a must try! For a very reasonable price you get an absolutely scrumptious meal made from locally sourced vegetarian ingredients.
My favourite are the Falafel Quesadilla and the Greenhouse Salad!! Definitely one of the best Calgary lunch spots there is! Find out more at The Coup - Best Vegan Restaurant in Connaught.
Buchanans
Located in Eau Claire and a staple of the Calgary restaurant scene for decades, Buchanans has a loyal following and one of Calgary's best burgers, not to mention a huge scotch collection and great steaks.
Try the jalapeno jack burger, it is amazing!!
Charcut
Located in the base of the striking Le Germain development at the corner of 9th Avenue and Centre Street SW, Charcut is a contemporary and modern roast house.
You will love the sandwiches, especially the burger and prime rib sandwich. The salads and soups are also amazing and make absolutely sure you don't miss the chocolate chip cookies! One of the best I have ever ever had.
Charcut also has a cool menu option for a "brown bag" lunch you can take out and additionally they have a $16, 3 course lunch in 45 minutes which includes a sandwich, choice of salad or fries, soup and some chocolate cookies.
Catch
Located on Stephen Avenue at the corner of Centre Street SW in a restored historical building, Catch is a Calgary staple on the restaurant scene.
Renowned for innovative dishes and the freshest seafood, I have never had a bad meal at Catch.
My favourites at lunch are absolutely the Tuna Melt, which is the best I have ever had as well as the seafood chowder and shrimp cocktail.
They also have an assortment of sandwich options and light fresh fish dishes.
Farm
Located on 17th Avenue SW at 9th Street, Farm is attached to the Janice Beaton Cheese Shop. This restaurant has a cool farm house vintage feel with an amazing menu to match.
Farm has several fresh special items daily and sources all of their ingredients from local sources.
Farm has a great cheese and charcuterie menu as well. My favourites at Farm are always the sandwiches, burgers and soups.
Alloy
A really cool spot located just outside of downtown along Macleod Trail, Alloy is a beautiful restaurant that will catch your attention the moment you walk inside.
The owner and chef is normally found in the kitchen and the menu is also updated seasonally.
My favourite at lunch and a must try is the tacos. They are so good its hard to describe. Alloy has a great fusion style menu with many unique menu items, there is definitely something for everyone! During the summer also check out one of Calgary's best patios.
Teatro
A classic, or should I say, "the" classic restaurant on the Calgary restaurant scene.
Classy and upscale, Teatro is set in the most beautiful restaurant setting in Calgary in the old heritage bank building on the corner of Stephen Avenue and Macleod Trail South in downtown Calgary.
Mercato
One of the best and most popular places to eat in Calgary. Trendy?... yes, but not for artificial reasons.
Mercato is simply one of the best restaurants Calgary has to offer. You will find it full almost every night from 5pm-10pm and you absolutely must make reservations.
It is no wonder the Calgary flames eat here all the time, Mercato is simply amazing.
For lunch my favourites are the anti-pasti platter, risotto and the entire menu of ever changing past dishes. You cannot go wrong.
Cilantro
Yet another favourite and guaranteed to never leave you disappointed. Like all good things, some restaurants that truly live up to their reputations last the test of time and Cilantro is another that meets this criteria.
With a loyal following, Cilantro is located on the corner of 17th Avenue and 4th Street SW. The setting is nice with 3 2 different dining areas and one of Calgary's best patios. The food is amazing and California - Southwestern influences show.
You cant go wrong with this upscale-casual restaurant, one of Calgary's best. Learn more at our Cilantro Calgary Restaurant Review.
River Cafe
The location of River Cafe by itself makes it more unique than any other restaurant on this list as you cant drive to the front door, you have to walk.
Parking in Eau Claire and walking into Princes Island Park you will find River Cafe, truly on the river in a beautiful and pristine setting where you will almost feel like you have left the city.
River Cafe has an amazing chef and fresh menu, always sourced from local and sustainable sources. River Cafe also has one of the city's preeminent patios.
Make reservations, try something new, walk don't drive to the restaurant and try River Cafe. My recommendation: anything!!
Notable
The name doesn't lie and this Michael Noble owned restaurant is remarkable in many ways.
First and foremost you will find the chef and owner in the kitchen almost every day, the food is amazing and it is located in the NW community of Montgomery.
A real blessing for the NW as there are few if any upscale restaurants in the NW.
Serving lunch, dinner and brunch, don't miss Notable. Again, I have enjoyed everything I have ever had.
Holy Grill
Holy Grill is holy. What more can I say?
Located downtown across from Mountain Equipment Co on 8th Street and 10th Avenue SW, Holy Grill is the only restaurant on this list where you seat yourself, first come first served and of course with that the food is prepared fresh but does take less time to prepare and the prices are extremely reasonable. My favourites are numerous.
Check out this Review of Holy Grill to learn more.
Earls Tin Palace
Earls Tin Palace by far has the best location of any Earls in Calgary and is the most upbeat and busy.
It's always a safe bet to stop in for lunch at Tin Palace and is convenient...they have parking in the back for customers!
I recommend the blackened Cajun chicken, it comes with a sweet potato salad and delicious cold slaw!
Ruth's Chris
I love my meat dishes and Ruth's Chris always has some of the best protein packed meals around.
Chicken, fish, steak, salad, shrimp...you name it, find it on the lunch menu at Ruth's Chris.
Open from 11am to 2pm for lunch.
Bonterra Trattoria
Bonterra Trattoria serves up fresh and authentic Italian cuisine every time I go!
You have to try the Cannelloni di Coniglio - braised rabbit and mushroom with a few other ingredients that will blow your socks off!
If you don't prefer Cannelloni or pasta, try one of their delicious gourmet pizza's.
WURST
WURST Restaurant and Beer Hall is definitely one of the best Calgary lunch spots around.
Top of the line, Bavarian style cuisine and an endless list of drinks to choose from makes WURST not only one of the best places to get lunch, but also dinner and even for a night out with friends. Every menu item I have tried I loved!
The Best Calgary Lunch Restaurants...
So, what do you think of the list? Like it? Please share it on Twitter, Facebook or Google and if we missed something leave a comment and we will try it out!
