Food, Drinks & Traditional Dishes in Calgary

This iconic, savoury beverage is considered the national cocktail of the country, and it was invented right here in 1969. It blends vodka with clam-infused tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, served in a celery salt-rimmed glass. Traditionally garnished with a crisp celery stalk and a lime wedge, modern variations include everything from bacon to entire sliders balanced on the rim. It is an absolute staple at weekend brunches and patio gatherings.

A deeply beloved dish that was actually invented in this very city during the 1970s. It consists of strips of beef that are battered, deep-fried until incredibly crispy, and then tossed in a dark, sweet, and mildly spicy ginger sauce. Accompanied by julienned carrots and bell peppers, the dish offers a perfect contrast of crunchy texture and sticky, rich flavour. It remains a staple order at nearly every Chinese Canadian restaurant in the region.

Created by former local professional football players of Italian descent, these authentic sausages have become a culinary landmark in the city. Made with high-quality pork and traditional spice blends without any fillers or preservatives, they offer an incredibly robust flavour. Whether ordered in a massive, messy sandwich at their flagship deli or bought fresh to grill at a summer barbecue, they are deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Eating one feels like partaking in a true local tradition.

Due to a substantial and vibrant immigrant population, the city boasts an extraordinarily high concentration of fantastic Vietnamese eateries. The local take on the classic submarine sandwich features crusty, airy baguettes loaded with savoury grilled meats, paté, pickled carrots, fresh cilantro, and potent chili peppers. It has become a ubiquitous, beloved lunchtime staple for office workers and students alike. The quality, affordability, and sheer availability of these sandwiches make them a defining feature of the local casual food scene.

The surrounding province is globally renowned for its cattle ranching, making a premium steak a mandatory culinary experience while visiting. The meat is celebrated for its incredible marbling, tenderness, and rich flavour, the result of the cattle being raised on vast prairie grasslands and grain diets. High-end steakhouses in the city centre pride themselves on serving massive, perfectly seared cuts prepared with minimal seasoning to let the quality of the beef shine. It is the ultimate expression of the region's agricultural heritage.