Guidebook for Calgary
Food Scene
Home-grown talent Michael Noble serves up tasty locally-sourced high-comfort cuisine in this historic building.
80 locals recommend
The Nash
925 11 St SEHome-grown talent Michael Noble serves up tasty locally-sourced high-comfort cuisine in this historic building.
Over on the next block, get your carnivore on at this Argentinean-inspired hot spot with river views.
85 locals recommend
charbar
618 Confluence Way SEOver on the next block, get your carnivore on at this Argentinean-inspired hot spot with river views.
Terrific big portions of the tastiest all-day breakfast around.
41 locals recommend
Red’s Diner In Ramsay
1101 8 St SETerrific big portions of the tastiest all-day breakfast around.
When you're taking a break from touring Studio Bell and the East Village Junction, check out the coffee and pastry offerings at this musically-inspired spot.
12 locals recommend
Rosso Coffee Roasters
103 17 Ave SEWhen you're taking a break from touring Studio Bell and the East Village Junction, check out the coffee and pastry offerings at this musically-inspired spot.
My personal favourite! Locally-sourced ingredients and amazing gluten-free options abound on this comfort food menu. Make sure to go around peak times or you will be waiting for a table with plenty of time to soak up the hipster vibes here.
76 locals recommend
Blue Star Diner
809 1 Ave NEMy personal favourite! Locally-sourced ingredients and amazing gluten-free options abound on this comfort food menu. Make sure to go around peak times or you will be waiting for a table with plenty of time to soak up the hipster vibes here.
Again, one of my favourites due to the gluten-free options. Amazing taste profiles and lots of heat available if that's your thing, and if people watching isn't enough entertainment there are movies playing (on mute) on flat screens on both sides of the restaurant.
54 locals recommend
Without Papers Pizza
1216 9 Ave SEAgain, one of my favourites due to the gluten-free options. Amazing taste profiles and lots of heat available if that's your thing, and if people watching isn't enough entertainment there are movies playing (on mute) on flat screens on both sides of the restaurant.
Their partnership with Sidewalk Citizen Bakery means you've got great coffee and incredible baked treats within steps of each other in this Heritage Building.
42 locals recommend
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters - Simmons Building Cafe
618 Confluence Way SETheir partnership with Sidewalk Citizen Bakery means you've got great coffee and incredible baked treats within steps of each other in this Heritage Building.
Specializing in roll cakes and choux pastries, small-batch bread and delicious sandwiches, this is a must.
15 locals recommend
Mari Bakeshop
103 Saint Matthew Square NortheastSpecializing in roll cakes and choux pastries, small-batch bread and delicious sandwiches, this is a must.
Drinks & Nightlife
Proof
1302 1 St SWA cozy spot with a great cocktail menu!
Ironwood Stage & Grill
1229 9 Ave SELots of local blues here.
Fill up your growlers with your choice of 48 Canadian beers on tap, many of which are from Alberta. They also offer bottled craft beer and bottles of wine, and everything is "to go"–perfect to bring back to your beautiful suite!
The Brewer's Apprentice
448 8 Ave SEFill up your growlers with your choice of 48 Canadian beers on tap, many of which are from Alberta. They also offer bottled craft beer and bottles of wine, and everything is "to go"–perfect to bring back to your beautiful suite!
A comfortable, Irish-style pub with great food and lots of sports on the telly.
26 locals recommend
St. James Corner Restaurant & Irish Pub
1219 1 St SWA comfortable, Irish-style pub with great food and lots of sports on the telly.
Arts & Culture
Make sure to set aside a good chunk of time so you can enjoy all the activities at the National Music Centre and delve into Canadian music history.
261 locals recommend
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
850 4 St SEMake sure to set aside a good chunk of time so you can enjoy all the activities at the National Music Centre and delve into Canadian music history.
Glenbow Museum
130 9 Ave SEThe heart of the museum scene in Calgary, just a quick walk away!
Catch everything from CPO performances to ballets to plays here at the performance centre in Calgary.
92 locals recommend
Arts Commons
205 8 Ave SECatch everything from CPO performances to ballets to plays here at the performance centre in Calgary.
Parks & Nature
Steps away from the building is a gorgeous oasis where you can spot osprey, owl, deer, and other city-dwelling wildlife. On sunny warm days, dip your feet into the inlet or just sit and absorb the wonder. A nice 30-40 minute circuit walk (depending on your pace) with lots of benches along the way for a bodyweight urban workout too!
102 locals recommend
St. Patrick's Island
1300 Zoo Rd NESteps away from the building is a gorgeous oasis where you can spot osprey, owl, deer, and other city-dwelling wildlife. On sunny warm days, dip your feet into the inlet or just sit and absorb the wonder. A nice 30-40 minute circuit walk (depending on your pace) with lots of benches along the way for a bodyweight urban workout too!
Once you've explored St. Patrick's Island and want something a little different, a longer walk away is Prince's Island. Lots of meandering paths, hungry ducks and geese (no bread please!), and one of the best restaurants in the River Café.
419 locals recommend
Prince's Island Park
698 Eau Claire Ave SWOnce you've explored St. Patrick's Island and want something a little different, a longer walk away is Prince's Island. Lots of meandering paths, hungry ducks and geese (no bread please!), and one of the best restaurants in the River Café.
It's a fair distance away but well worth the trip if you're looking for a long walk or trail run. Incredible vistas of the mountains and downtown are available from the wide variety of paths from paved to dirt and everything in between.
189 locals recommend
Nose Hill Park
6465 14 St NWIt's a fair distance away but well worth the trip if you're looking for a long walk or trail run. Incredible vistas of the mountains and downtown are available from the wide variety of paths from paved to dirt and everything in between.
Essentials
Get help and sundries here. Not open on Sundays or particularly early or late, but friendly and local.
Corner DrugStore
602 8 Ave SEGet help and sundries here. Not open on Sundays or particularly early or late, but friendly and local.
Not supermarketing pricing, but amazing produce and everything you need for picky diets. Great ready-made meals here too!
30 locals recommend
Blush Lane Organic Market Bridgeland
617 Meredith Rd NENot supermarketing pricing, but amazing produce and everything you need for picky diets. Great ready-made meals here too!
Another higher-end market with fresh food, ready-made meals and sundries.
12 locals recommend
Sunterra Market, Bankers Hall
855 2 St SWAnother higher-end market with fresh food, ready-made meals and sundries.
The closest major supermarket, best achieved via taxi/Uber or Car2Go.
102 locals recommend
Safeway Beltline
813 11 Ave SWThe closest major supermarket, best achieved via taxi/Uber or Car2Go.
Reebok CrossFit Ramsay
2600 Portland St SEThe best and most welcoming CrossFit gym in the city ($25 drop-in fee).
Getting Around
This is the closest LRT stop where you can hop on the Blue or Red lines. From here east to the edge of downtown it's a Free Fare Zone, but if you travel outside of this zone you'll need to purchase your fare before boarding. Check your welcome basket for complimentary transit tickets!
11 locals recommend
City Hall LRT STation (NB Macleod TR @ 7 AV SE)
616 Macleod Trail SEThis is the closest LRT stop where you can hop on the Blue or Red lines. From here east to the edge of downtown it's a Free Fare Zone, but if you travel outside of this zone you'll need to purchase your fare before boarding. Check your welcome basket for complimentary transit tickets!
That's right–you could rent our MINI Paceman for a day or your entire trip, and it's right downstairs in the secured underground parkade! Search for our listing on Turo under "MINI Paceman" and save money over car rental agencies!
510 6 Ave SE
510 6 Avenue SoutheastThat's right–you could rent our MINI Paceman for a day or your entire trip, and it's right downstairs in the secured underground parkade! Search for our listing on Turo under "MINI Paceman" and save money over car rental agencies!
Shopping
Liz & Lottie
Lots of great Calgary and Alberta-based gifts here.
The antique Chinese doors might exceed your carry-on limit, but we highly recommend this antique dealer for at least a good browse. All of the pieces you see in the apartment are H&L sourced!
Hinchcliff & Lee
The antique Chinese doors might exceed your carry-on limit, but we highly recommend this antique dealer for at least a good browse. All of the pieces you see in the apartment are H&L sourced!
Truly an experience and a Calgary treasure. Lots of great finds and amazing staff. (Fun fact: the owner is married to the owner of the Nash, just around the corner. Local is as local does!)
8 locals recommend
espy experience
1009 9 Ave SETruly an experience and a Calgary treasure. Lots of great finds and amazing staff. (Fun fact: the owner is married to the owner of the Nash, just around the corner. Local is as local does!)
Incredible selection of used books and the best place to go if you're in need of that perfect (and reasonably-priced) literary accompaniment to your relaxing getaway.
6 locals recommend
Fair's Fair Books
907 9 Ave SEIncredible selection of used books and the best place to go if you're in need of that perfect (and reasonably-priced) literary accompaniment to your relaxing getaway.