When most people think of Calgary, they think of oil and gas, the stampede or maybe the Plus 15 network connecting buildings in downtown Calgary to avoid hypothermia in the winter.

However, Calgary happens to have of the most exciting F and B scenes in Canada, home to the beloved Missy’s This That cocktail bar (8th best in Canada’s Top 100 Bars 2025 and 52nd on the extended North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025) as well as Eight (6th in Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants 2025), one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world.

Below you will find my guide to the best drinking and eating experiences in Cowtown.

Cocktail

Missy’s This That

If you know you know. Missy’s This That is Calgary’s industry darling thanks to the best value spirits and wine menu in Western Canada. Coupled with the positive energy of the staff, it’s no surprise that hospitality professionals love stopping by on their off days. Missy’s keeps things simple with an understated decor but executes food and drink to perfection. Well-balanced drinks, great wines, beers, and spirits and the best cheese plate in town. I suggest stopping by Missy’s during the day for its great natural lighting and a view of Calgary’s hip Mission neighborhood.

After Eight

Adjacent to EIGHT, the legendary 8-seat restaurant in the ALT Hotel from Chef Darren MacLean, is the slightly less exclusive after EIGHT.

As the name suggests, after EIGHT opens to the public once EIGHT’s guests have departed. Starting at 10 PM, staff will take names for a waitlist and accept walk-ins as space allows. Entry is available by calling the after EIGHT parlour from the white phone in the hotel lobby.

Not surprisingly, after EIGHT features just eight bar stools, creating an intimate setting that encourages interaction among guests. The cocktail menu is inspired by Satoyama—the transitional space between mountain and sea—blending foraged ingredients with premium spirits and locally sourced elements. The result is a flavourful tribute to Canada’s rich cultural and natural diversity. Co-created by Darren MacLean and Yoshinobu Kimura, each cocktail is served in custom-designed Kimura glassware.

Highlights include the floral-yet-savory Sakura Blossom Martini, made with vodka and white vermouth infused over seven days with Sakura blossoms, and MacLean’s Manhattan—a contemplative take on the classic—featuring Dalmore 18-year-old Scotch infused with Sakura leaf, Cocchi di Torino, and bitters.

Shelter YYC

Shelter quickly became a staple on my Calgary bar list, thanks to the warm and welcoming team of Paulina Arteaga Vazquez, Ryan San Diego, and Aminah Malik. Shelter serves a mix of prohibition-era classics alongside modern, exquisite signature cocktails, complemented by rotating food pop-ups. The interior is dark and atmospheric, featuring a striking wall of gas masks behind the bar and a stunning light installation with over 5,000 individually hung bulbs, evoking the legendary Operation Dagger in Singapore. The cocktails, however, are anything but somber, highlighting agave spirits inspired by head bartender Paulina’s Mexican heritage.

COFFEE

Phil & Sebastian coffee roasters / Sidewalk citizen bakery (Simmons Building)

Inside the charming and historic Simmons building, you’ll discover delicious baked treats from Sidewalk Citizen alongside exceptional coffee from Phil and Sebastian, Alberta’s most renowned specialty roaster. Currently, Phil and Sebastian serve batch brew and espresso, but they’re planning to add a high-capacity automated pourover system soon. At Sidewalk Citizen, be sure to try any of their unique sandwich creations—the recipes are distinctive but almost always tasty. Their grilled cheese sandwich, lightly brushed with sweet honey, is a standout that’s well worth the visit.

Restaurants

Eight

Rouge

Class Clown

PURE STREET FOOD

Lam Pham’s Pure Street Food offers a modern twist on casual Vietnamese cuisine. While the dark, simple interior may not feel very inviting, the authentic Vietnamese flavors will truly impress you. Situated in First Street Market, the standout dish is the beef pho, featuring sliced beef, brisket, beef balls, tendon, and a spicy sate broth. This pho is, without a doubt, the best I’ve ever had thanks to its rich and flavorful broth. If you’re not up for pho every day, the No. 4 Hu Tieu Mi Kho noodle bowl is a must-try, packed with char siu pork, ground pork, and crispy pork spring rolls—it's addictive!

Pure has recently re-opened their standalone restaurant. Named Pure Saigonese Kitchen, the restaurant has moved from their original downtown location to 33rd Ave SW.

Fortuna’s Row

Hayden Block Smoke and Whiskey

For some outstanding Texas BBQ in lively, Kensington neighborhood check out Hayden Block Smoke and Whiskey. The signatures at Hayden are brisket, pork spare ribs and beef short rib. As a side, the green beans are a healthy yet tasty option. Not surprisingly, there is also an impressive selection of whisky (Canadian, Scottish, Irish, American, Japanese) at Hayden, with their american whiskies being the most interesting. Their smoked old fashioned is the most popular cocktail on the menu - for my palate I preferred it with Michter’s rye and half the amount of sugar syrup. For those who prefer staying near 17th ave, there is Comery Block, which offers the Tennessee rendition of BBQ.