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The 5 Best Restaurants in Calgary, AB (2026)

Looking for the best restaurants in Calgary, Alberta? We compared local options on public reviews, experience, pricing transparency and service area. Rank 1 is our top recommendation.

Updated September 2026 · Ranked 1 (best) to 5

Eight, ranked top 5 restaurants in Calgary (East Village)

#1

Our #1 Pick

1. Eight

Serving: Calgary (East Village)

Chef Darren MacLean's hidden eight-seat tasting counter in the East Village, celebrating Canadian cuisine. Named No. 2 on North America's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 and No. 9 in Canada.

Pros

  • One of the best restaurants in North America
  • Intimate, chef-led tasting experience
  • Unforgettable special-occasion dinner

Cons

  • Very hard to book; seats release quarterly
  • Tasting-menu pricing
River Cafe, ranked top 5 restaurants in Calgary (Prince's Island Park)

#2

2. River Cafe

Serving: Calgary (Prince's Island Park)

A Calgary institution on Prince's Island Park serving seasonal, locally sourced Canadian cuisine in a cozy lodge-style room. Ranked No. 42 on Canada's 100 Best 2026.

Pros

  • Stunning park setting
  • Seasonal, local Canadian menu
  • Great for celebrations and visitors

Cons

  • Premium prices
  • Short walk in from parking
DOPO, ranked top 5 restaurants in Calgary

#3

3. DOPO

Serving: Calgary

A lively Italian joint known for fresh pasta and classic red-sauce comfort, ranked No. 28 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2026.

Pros

  • Outstanding fresh pasta
  • Fun, casual atmosphere
  • Fair prices for the quality

Cons

  • Small room fills up fast
  • Reservations strongly recommended
Ten Foot Henry, ranked top 5 restaurants in Calgary (Beltline)

#4

4. Ten Foot Henry

Serving: Calgary (Beltline)

A bright, vegetable-forward restaurant on 1 Street SW serving creative shared plates, open 11am to 11pm every day.

Pros

  • Creative, veggie-forward shared plates
  • Open all day, every day
  • Great for groups

Cons

  • Can get loud when busy
  • Shared plates add up quickly
Pho Hoai Okotoks, restaurants in Calgary & Okotoks

#5

5. Pho Hoai Okotoks

Serving: Calgary & Okotoks

Authentic Vietnamese pho and fresh spring rolls.

Pros

  • Serves Calgary & Okotoks
  • Locally based in Okotoks

Cons

  • Smaller local team, so book ahead
  • Reservations recommended on weekends

How we rank restaurants in Calgary

Free rankings are our editorial opinion, based on public review ratings and volume, years in business, credentials and awards, pricing transparency and local service area. Some positions may be sponsored; those are labelled "Sponsored". Sponsorship never changes what we write about a business. A maple leaf marks businesses that are Canadian-owned.

More Top 5 lists in Calgary