Best Lunch Restaurants in Alberta

"Hotel Arts’ whimsically decorated in-house restaurant, Yellow Door Bistro offers one of the city’s best breakfasts and number of refined dinner options, like a lavender honey glazed duck breast and delicate Haida Gwai halibut, as well as seasonal chef’s tasting menus. Don’t skip dessert — the hotel is home to one of the most creative pastry chefs in the city. Where: 119 12 Ave SW"

"Whether you’re an eight-year-old or just a kid at heart, it’s hard to resist a stack of warm chocolate chip pancakes or some banana bread French toast at this Inglewood brunch hot spot. (1420 9 Ave. S.E., 403-234-8885, finedinercalgary.com, @FineDinerYYC)"

"Offering a four-course prix fixe menu that changes every week. Available for takeout and delivery, orders can be placed over the phone or online."

"No trip to Calgary is complete without a stop at the Simmons Building, a hub in the East Village that is home to Phil & Sebastian, Charbar, and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. Founded by Aviv Fried, an artisanal sourdough baker who started his business by delivering loaves of bread via bicycle. Sidewalk Citizen still sells those glorious loaves, but you can now also pop into the Simmons location for a full lunch, with flavours inspired by Fried’s native Israel."

"Kensington location >> 286 - 10th Street NW, Calgary, AB // Ph: 587.356.1808 4th Street location >> 1415 - 4th Street SW, Calgary, AB // Ph: 403.266.3448 Ramsay location >> 1101- 8th Street SE, Calgary, AB // Ph: 587.353.1188. Offering modern comfort food made with fresh ingredients for their all day breakfast which includes their bacon and egg classics, famous Eggs Benny, original omelettes, and huge fluffy pancakes. Other dishes includes tofu scrambles, breakfast parfaits, and red quinoa."

"Red’s now has 4 locations in Calgary and it’s definitely a local favourite for brunch. They offer traditional brunch options including bacon and eggs, pancakes, or yogurt parfaits. Sample some of their more decadent options like the Blueberry, Basil and Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast or the Bacon and Brie Benny."

"6 locations in Calgary including Shawnessy (41 Shawville Blvd SE), Southport (10606 Southport Road SW), Market Mall (3625 Shaganappi Trail NW), 8001 11 St SE, 888 7 Ave SW, and 29 Hopewell Way NE. As a kid, Moxie’s was always our favourite restaurant to go to as a family, and as a parent, it’s somewhere I love taking my own kids. The Kids Menu has items that are so tasty, I sneak bites of my son’s food when he isn’t looking (seriously, try the cheeseburger and tell me I’m wrong)."

"Originating in Calgary, this Canadian chain offers a diverse Canadian menu. The atmosphere is a little more upscale than most of the restaurant on this list but they are still very family friendly. The kids menu offers typical kid friendly options and comes with unlimited drinks as well as dessert."

"Smashburger is a US chain that has now expanded into Alberta – it now has 4 Calgary locations. Their patties are all made with fresh ground beef and ‘smashed’ into a patty shape. They offer fairly typical options including hamburgers, chicken burgers and salads but with premium toppings including haystack onions, blue cheese and spinach."

"A post shared by Purlieu Modern Bistro (@purlieuyyc) on May 25, 2019 at 9:05am PDT. Brought to you by a former executive chef for Craft Beer Market and chef / owner for Bistro 2210 is this new restaurant in Oakridge, SW Calgary featuring modern cuisine drawing from locally sourced ingredients. Inside you'll find about three-dozen seats in a warm and inviting atmosphere with a small bar and beautiful artistry displayed on the walls."

"Take a step back in time with a visit to this retro North American diner, which offers more than the traditional sausage and eggs on the menu (though hearty sausage and egg dishes are available and thoroughly recommended). At Bennys Breakfast Bar, you’ll find piles of pierogies, the hipster-favorite avocado toast and the trendy Scandi lox and bagel, and most dishes can be made gluten-free. Upgrade your sides to pierogies or hash poutine if you’re ravenous."

"Benny’s Breakfast Bar is a 1950’s-styled local diner exclusively serving breakfast items. It’s also among the few Calgary breakfast places that are open as early as 7 AM. As its name suggests, Benny’s Breakfast Bar is pretty well-known for its Eggs Benedicts that aren’t just in sandwiches, but also in lunch burgers."

"Bowness Park boasts a variety of experiences, including pathways that run alongside the Bow River, a tea house, a wading pool, and boat rentals to paddle on the park’s lagoon. There’s even a small train that runs through the park during the warmer months. Baker Park is located just across the river from Bowness Park, providing nature lovers with a grass amphitheatre, a disc golf course, and several archways and promenades, making this a popular spot for weddings."

"Perfectly manicured and home to flowers of all kinds, Baker Park is one of my favourite places in Calgary for photo sessions of all kinds. Couple, family, maternity or branding sessions, this is a great location for portraits. You can even book the main area with the stairs overlooking the Bow River for a wedding ceremony."

"This park is an incredible place to enjoy the south sun and have a picnic. Golf Frisbee anyone?. One of the best courses is here in Baker Park."

"Location: 4500 14A St. S.W. This might be the best named beach in town. While there is some sand along the banks of the meandering Elbow River at Sandy Beach Park, there’s not a lot of it. Popular with dogs, toddlers, and rafters, Sandy Beach is actually more pebbly than sandy, but it’s on a quiet riverbank that can be crowded with rafters on the weekend."

"This is a great spot for first-dates or couples with fur babies. Go in the summer or fall for a barbecue or picnic beside the Elbow River down at Sandy Beach. Up on the ridge at off-leash River Park, stop for a chat on a bench and take in the perfect view of the downtown skyline while your pooch frolics on the hillside."

"Sandy Beach is one of those places you just want to pick up a sandwich or coffee from a local inner-city hot spot and head down to the shores of the river for a sunny afternoon. There is so much to do and see here all surrounded by some of Calgary's hottest inner-city neighbourhoods. Learn more about Sandy Beach"

"Casual, contemporary eatery offering healthy & vegetarian options such smoothies, salads & tacos. Naturally, this is on top of all of Calgary’s other renowned restaurants, most of which have at least a few vegetarian options on their menus in order to accommodate all styles of eating. Get out there and get your veg on — this city is about so much more than meat and potatoes."

"Opening its doors in the summer of 2016, Raw Eatery and Market is all about fresh, local ingredients and plant-based foods coming together in healthy recipes, created by nutritionist Megan Pope. Their simple vegan menu includes salads with catchy names like the Tangled Thai and the Kale-Mary. There are also tacos and pad Thai options."

"Unit 2, 1145 Kensington Crescent, NW, CalgaryThis quaint cafe nestled in Kensington believes in going straight to the source when it comes to nutrition and create meals that are 100% raw, wholesome, healing, and delicious!"

"Named one of the top 100 restaurants in the entire country, we could not recommend that you check this place out enough. Serving Indian fusion, Veg-In has become a favourite among plant-based loving Calgarians and even their meat-eating counterparts!. Where: 215 6 Ave SE, CalgaryInstagram: @VeginYYC"

"This one gets the award for the most underrated Calgary location for engagement and family photography. The Bow Habitat Station and Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery is located at Pearce Estate Park which makes it an ideal spot for a fun filled family day. You can have your photo taken and teach your kids about the Bow River wildlife on the same day!"

"Picnicking here will make you feel as though you’ve escaped the city. Home to the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and a 15-hectare reconstructed wetland, this is the place to soak in the beauty of nature while eating at one of the picnic sites."

"Pearce Estate Park is located just north and east of Inglewood. This hidden gem has some amazing urban views of the river and wildlife. Learn more about Pearce Estate Park"

"A post shared by Marie – Outdoor Photographer (@marie.cruttenden). Ralph Klein Park is a man-made wetland, constructed to improve stormwater quality before it enters the Bow River system. The park is home to a picnic area and a community orchard, which boasts five varieties of pear trees and eight varieties of apple trees."

"If you love big trees, this Calgary park location is for you!. There is a little creek going through the park and really adorable small wooden bridges. It is a well traveled park so it is a little harder to find big open spaces without people in the background, but I am familiar with specific spots where you can be surrounded by all of the beautiful trees and you feel like you are completely alone in an enchanted forest."

"Marking the centennial of Canadian Confederation in 1967, Confederation Park is considered a model in landscape design. Natural wetland areas, thriving with aquatic vegetation and exotic species, sits side-by-side a natural playground, designed to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. A tipped over Voyageur canoe is the centrepiece of the natural playground, along with a multi-level fort and water pump kids will love."

"Confederation Park is located in the northwest quadrant of Calgary. It's one of the largest in the city, spanning through multiple communities including:. It's also home to the Confederation Park Golf Course, a 9-hole course with driving range and putting green."