Quoi faire à Calgary, AB

If there’s a common theme among Calgary’s latest restaurant openings, it’s that many of these new and notable eateries are fun, casual and well priced, but incorporate great ingredients in a wide variety of cuisine styles. However, this list also includes one chicly reinvented steakhouse.

The sauce makes the meal. Whether you’re after cooking sauces such as pasta sauce, bottled barbecue sauces and marinades or exotic condiments to dress up everyday dishes, the independent grocery stores, supermarkets and food shops listed here have what you’re looking for as well as much more.

An Asian drink made with black or green tea mixed with fruit juice or milk, bubble tea gets its name from jelly-like tapioca balls that are added to the drink. It’s a delicious treat that’s available in seemingly endless varieties and is often served with snacks. Find bubble tea at the following cafés and dessert houses.  

Calgary is an artistic city. It features its own art school (ACAD) and a great many art-supply shops provide creative inspiration as well as artistic tools. Whether you’re a painter of panoramas inspired by Calgary’s mountain and prairie surroundings, a portrait painter, potter or police sketch artist, you’ll find everything you need at these artful shops.

Of all the fattening breakfast pastries available, none has seen more recent growth in popularity than the humble waffle. Served with maple syrup, fried chicken and umpteen new twists, the beauty of the waffle lies in its versatility. These hearty cakes of sweet and savoury goodness are available everywhere lately. Here’s our shortlist of some the best spots. [Feature photo: The Brokin Yolk]

Calgary has never had such a profusion of pastry shops. On a daily basis, the patisseries, bakeries and cafés below roll out sweet desserts and savoury snacks that are warm and fresh. Enjoy these flaky treats on the spot (with a premium cup of coffee where it’s available), or take a selection to go.

Calgary’s many open mic nights are great fun for both the performers and patrons. Budding musicians and professional alike try out new songs and polish their acts at clubs and cafés, Always full of variety, the unpredictable assortment of musical hits and misses are all part of the charm of these entertaining evenings. Whether you’re a performer, patron or bit of both, you’ll enjoy these open mic events.

The arrival of spring has Calgary’s restaurants energized and it shows in the sumptuous spreads they’re preparing for Easter brunch on Sunday, April 16. You’ll find a profusion of variations on eggs Benedict, a whole lot of locally created charcuterie, wildly fruity pancakes and waffles, plus bacon, bacon and more bacon and so much more at these buffet and à la carte meals.

Warm and friendly, what is better than a great coffee house? A coffee house that is licensed to sell alcohol, that’s what! Here are some great Calgary coffee houses that stay open late and serve something a little stronger than caffeine throughout the evening.

With spring’s early arrival, Calgarians are preparing their gear and planning outside outings near and far. As the 2016 summer recreational season gets rolling, The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show sets up its annual show on March 19 and 20 at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park. Here are just a few of the many outdoor gear merchants and travel destinations you’ll find camped out among the event’s kiosks and displays.

Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary boast plenty of on-campus eateries, which is convenient for students. Over the course of earning your degree, however, these cafés, restaurants and bars become very familiar. When you’re in need of an escape from academia as well as a bit of dietary variety, visit the following off-campus food-and-drink spots.

Time dedicated to creativity has been proven to help busy adults relax and recharge – and we all need more of that! Let your creative juices flow with visual art lessons or open studio time at one of Calgary’s many accessible art studios.