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CALGARY
A METROPOLITAN CENTRE with two rivers, the Bow and the Elbow, meandering through the city, Calgary boasts welcoming experiences, amazing dining and proximity to the stunning beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
As the largest city in Alberta, Calgary is Western Canada’s hub for head offices and has the highest number of head offices per capita across the country. It also serves as the centre of Alberta’s energy sector, and a destination for tourism in the province. In 2022, there were an estimated 6.1 million visitors to the city, with $1.6 billion in visitor spend. The city also celebrated four record-breaking months for hotel occupancy.
Calgary is home to a fantastic, metropolitan dining scene, with restaurants that are known nationally. One
of the first destinations for visitors is Charcut, run by celebrity chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson. Come for the expert butchery, but stay for the rustic feel, including chandeliers made from Mason jars.
Model Milk usually finishes at or near the top of best-of lists. Its whimsical takes on comfort food make for dishes that you’ll talk about for weeks after you’ve visited. Simply called “The Burger,” Model Milk will have you swearing off the Big Mac; it’s served with mushroom ragout, crème fraîche and cheese curds.
On the south side of the city, you’ll find inventive Japanese fare at Ryuko, that serves dishes plated like works of art, with interactive bits of steam and smoke.
And, head south just outside the city limits to find Big Sky BBQ, a spot that has slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork, house-made sauces and the feel of a good ol’ fashioned American roadhouse.
CALGARY AT A GLANCE Population Median Family Income
1,413,800 $118,000
Unemployment Rate
13%
Residential Vacancy Rate
Life Stress
29%
Sense of Belonging
63.3%
2.6%
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Statistics source: Government of Alberta
CANMORE
AT A GLANCE
Population
14,530
Median Family Income
$125,000
Unemployment Rate
10%
Residential Vacancy Rate
0.2%
Life Stress
20.9%
Sense of Belonging
74.1%
CANMORE
offering everything from comfortable pubs to fine dining. The patio at The Market Bistro offers stun- ning mountain views, with a European-influenced menu. Look for elegant pasta and gnocchi dishes, but you can also go for a salmon and prawns entree that’s too good not to share.
Kain Tayo offers a playful take on Asian street food. The sukiyaki fries are maybe Canmore’s favou- rite snack, and they can also be a side order to any of the main entrees. Chow Mein served in a tostada, or chicken adobo served in steamed bao buns show just how much fun it is to eat here.
When you plan your first (or next) visit to Canmore, now you know you can come for the view, but stay for the food.
NEAR BANFF, JUST east of the national park gates, you’ll find the city of Canmore, which offers a direct connection to the wilderness. With stunning mountain views and many activities
to enjoy, from hiking and biking to golfing and horseback riding, it’s home to many opulent weekend residences and has become a perma- nent home to many who want to wake up to the stunning mountain views and maybe be a little more adventurous.
The city is located less than an hour west of Calgary and the Calgary International Airport, helping to welcome some of the four million vis- itors who travel to Banff National Park each year. With this boom, the dining scene has flourished,