Winter is in full swing in Calgary and if you’re looking for some respite from the cold, look no further than the city’s restaurant scene.
As a city that gets more than its fair share of winter conditions, plenty of Calgary restaurants are focused on vacation vibes with drinks, food, and decor that will transport you to warmer climates without the hefty price tag.
Whether you’re looking to escape to the Caribbean, a Greek Island, or the South of France, here are some of the best eateries to visit in Calgary if you want to feel like you’re on vacation.
This Vietnamese-inspired cocktail bar is tucked away in Calgary’s Chinatown, and once you find it, you won’t want to leave. The bar offers a stacked menu of tropical cocktails and highballs, as well as dishes such as spring rolls, banh mi, and chicken wings.
Address: 115 2nd Avenue SE Basement, Calgary
Ricardo’s Hideaway is a tropical bar offering delicious Caribbean food and a great selection of rum. For the ultimate vacay vibes, take a seat, order a pina colada, and watch the world go by.
Address: 1530 5th Street SW, Calgary
Calcutta Cricket Club is a fun Indian restaurant that draws inspiration from the cosmopolitan nature and cuisine of India. Once you walk in, you’ll find some quirky and colourful decor that will brighten up your day.
Address: 1213 1st Street SW, Calgary
Lulu Bar’s epic food and drink menu takes inspiration from spots across Asia and Hawaii. With fried coconut squid, housemade spam skewers, and beef tataki, to name a few, you don’t get much more tropical than this.
Address: 510 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Prosperity Bar is a must-visit if you want to escape the cold of winter. The bar, which has been brought to life by the team behind Paper Lantern, offers a wide range of beach-appropriate cocktails, and small plates such as Shrimp Rangoons and Big Mac Egg Rolls.
Address: 107 2nd Avenue SE, Calgary
With decor and dishes that will transport you directly to Vietnam, Pho Pham is the perfect place to warm up. This spot serves up classic Vietnamese fare such as salad rolls, vermicelli noodles, and, of course, heapings of pho.
Address: 5683 Signal Hill Center SW, Calgary
Address: 3908 University Avenue NW, Calgary
At The Casbah Restaurant, everything is done in a true Moroccan style. The restaurant is decorated with authentic carvings, tiles, paintings, and crafts. Following Moroccan tradition, you will also be treated to a rosewater hand wash ceremony before consuming some delicious dishes.
Address: 720 11th Avenue SW
If you want to feel like you’re on vacation in Southern France, Cassis Bistro is the place to be. The quaint restaurant offers South-of-France flavour with a local flair, and it’s got a great selection of wines.
Address: 2502 17th Avenue SW
Santorini is one of the most established Greek restaurants in Calgary, serving up traditional warm and fresh Greek cuisine like flaming pan-fried cheese, Moussaka, and chicken souvlaki. One taste of the authentic Greek dishes, and you will feel like you are vacationing on a Greek island.
Address: 1502 Centre Street NE
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