Un souper décontracté à Calgary, AB

When Calgarians want healthy, tasty restaurant food that’s priced to move, they choose Vietnamese. While there are many, many Vietnamese restaurants in the city, they’re not so plentiful in the central core. The following Vietnamese restaurants are located between the Bow River and 17th Avenue Southwest.

There’s a tidy handful of restaurants orbiting the Calgary International Airport – you just need to know where to look. This list will take you from the tarmac to Canadian-contemporary, Chinese and Mediterranean spots in and around nearby hotels as well as in the immediately adjacent neighbourhoods of Falconridge, Country Hills and Castleridge.

Nothing beats a warm, flaky serving of sweet pie topped with a mountainous scoop of vanilla ice cream or a heaping cloud of rich whipped cream. A select few city restaurant serve just such sweet slices. Whether you’re looking to feed a traditional apple pie craving or want to get more adventurous with a French-toast pie or pie milkshake, here are the places to go to get your fill of crust and filling.

While the bacon phenomenon is still going strong (long live bacon!), the other parts of the pig are best utilized when cooked low and slow, with some kind of sauce to hold everything together. The second that tender meat hits the plate and falls apart, mouths start watering and a fork frenzy follows. Here is a list of some of the best places in Calgary that serve this slow-cooked wonder on a bun, in breakfast hash and beyond.

Though BYOW hasn’t caught on in Calgary on the scale it has in other Canadian cities, many restaurants are open to uncorking vino supplied by patrons. Corkage fees are typical and range from modest to pricey, and low-to-no corkage nights are common. These eateries welcome outside wine at dinnertime.

Calgary’s red-hot food scene continues to surprise with upstart additions to its restaurant roster. These often fashionable and innovative eateries serve everything from belly-busting buttermilk waffles and richly rewarding pie to dreamy ’n’ steamy ramen and wood-fire-grilled tacos. Do yourself a flavourful favour and sample the fare at the following food stops asap.

Thai food is the perfect tropical indulgence on a crisp winter day or as a spicy summer feast. The city is home to a handful of well-established Thai restaurants, each with a loyal clientele. From sour papaya salads to the best red curry, these restaurants deliver heat, flavour and a pleasant, easy-going atmosphere.

What makes for a perfect French fry? Whether you prefer thick-cut, shoe-strings or extra crispy, great burger joints and upscale restaurants alike know that a tasty plate of fries is just as important as the sandwich they’re meant to accompany. Here’s a list of Calgary eateries that make French fries the star of the show.

The warm spice blends of the Indian continent have travelled far and wide to become a take-out mainstay in our city. Whether you’re at your office desk or on the couch on a chilly night, these exotic dishes whisk you away to a warm and delicious place. Here’s a list of restaurants that offer cuisine-induced momentary vacations with the convenience of delivery service.

Most pubs don’t offer patrons a lot in the way of activities — simply sip your drink, munch snacks and keep half an eye on whatever game is playing on the establishment’s TVs. The following watering holes add fun, excitement and even mental stimulation to the pub equation with games that you and your friends can enjoy while savouring those cold pints and chicken wings.

In the heart of cattle country, Calgary isn’t as vegan-friendly as some major Canadian cities, but you can still find some very good options for animal-product-free dining.

Known as downtown Calgary’s premier dining festival, The Big Taste takes place in March each year, running from March 3 through March 12. Participating restaurants in the inner city create fixed three-course lunches and dinners, as well as five-course gourmet dinners for a taste of what each has to offer. Here are eight restaurants to check out during The Big Taste. [Photo credit: Kevin Yang for Provision Restaurant]