Ian Doig

The quintessential Mexican meal, tacos are also a relatively scarce commodity in Calgary. However, we’ve done some digging and unearthed the select few restaurants that make truly marvelous versions of these hand-held snacks.

Is there any cuisine that combines presentation and taste as well as sushi? Calgary’s top sushi houses certainly do just this. Despite a distinct lack of ocean in the vicinity, these establishments turn out fresh, delectable sushi that will have you coming back for more.

From niçoise salad to duck confit and steak frites, classic French bistro fare is très grand on Calgary’s restaurant scene. No trend-hoppers, these dedicated French restaurants serve bistro cuisine so magnifique you might as well be dining in Paris.

Japan’s favourite comfort food is easier to find than ever in Calgary. These particular restaurants serve beautiful bowls of broth chock full of sliced pork, diced veggies and noodles, noodles, noodles.

Calgary’s Chinese restaurants tend to lean either to Westernized fare or to so-called authentic regional Chinese dishes, but some do offer a mix. The restaurants below represent the best of both equally delicious worlds.

Calgary is a hard city in which to find an open restaurant table at breakfast time. And it’s not for lack of breakfast restaurants, but rather because Calgarians love their morning meal. Arrive early at these exceptional breakfast haunts.

A great wine bar has both charm and choice in equal measure. Comfortable and intimate, it inspires conversation commensurate with the sipping and sampling of various premium vinos. These wine bars have that magic combination.

Sweet and universally loved, chocolate is one treat we can all agree on. Lucky for you, Calgary’s chocolate boutiques carry a huge variety of premium selections.

Good gravy! And great French fries and cheese curds as well. Quebec’s best-known culinary export next to Montreal smoked meat — frequently a poutine topping — has become a big seller in Calgary. These restaurants serve particularly appealing versions of this guilty gastronomic pleasure.

While JazzYYC works hard year round to make Calgary a jazzier place, the music society’s Summer Jazz Festival launches festival season with a profusion of styles and critically acclaimed performers. From June 14 to 22, live performances are featured at numerous venues including the National Music Centre, Ironwood Stage and Grill and outdoors on Stephen Avenue Walk.

Generally following a mantra of “made, baked or grown in Alberta,” Calgary farmers’ markets transform shopping and grocery getting into an adventure. As well as specialty foods, endless kiosks and counters carry locally produced arts, crafts, clothing and accessories plus an array of natural health products.

The Bow River is legendary among anglers for its rugged beauty as well as its healthy trout population. Known to fly-fishermen as one of the world’s best trout waters, it happens to run right through the heart of Calgary. Don’t take this fishy recreational opportunity for granted. Visit these shops to get yourself outfitted with flies and a pole, and take to the Bow.