Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is home to a variety of tasty breakfast spots
Calgary is home to a variety of tasty breakfast spots | © Hai Diec / Alamy Stock Photo
Kathryn Beeson

Poutine, pierogis or piles of Canadian bacon – if you’re craving international flavors or want to sample some of the Great White North’s best-loved dishes, Calgary’s café scene has your brunch needs covered. Here, Culture Trip’s local insiders share their favorite morning-time spots.

1. Vendome

Cafe, European

Vendome , somewhat of a Calgary institution as one of the city’s oldest coffee shops, is a long-standing Sunnyside community favorite. It procures the best ingredients from local producers and suppliers for its pastries – baked fresh on-site each morning – and breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Breakfast-wise, you’ll find all of your favorites, with unusual little twists to keep it interesting (think eggs and bacon with a slice of brisket). One must-try dish is the duck pancake stack, served with a mouthwatering combination of sautéed mushrooms, smoked-maple-butter sauce and candied pecans. Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

2. OEB Breakfast Co

Cafe, Coffee

OEB Breakfast Co is a major local success story, having expanded from Calgary to Arizona, USA. It’s easy to see the appeal – there’s a creative breakfast menu on offer that’s difficult to match elsewhere. You’ll find internationally inspired dishes, such as pierogies and scrambled crêpes, nestled alongside Canadian classics (there’s a whole menu of breakfast poutines to start). Our local insider recommends the Father John’s Delight scram-blette (that’s a scrambled omelette with hardwood smoked bacon, rosemary ham, green onions and field mushrooms). Recommended by local insider Yamila Godoy

3. Yellow Door Bistro

Bistro, Contemporary, Canadian, Vegetarian

Enjoy on-trend, all-day dining at the Yellow Door Bistro, a popular brunch spot with beautifully designed interiors and a laid-back atmosphere at the Hotel Arts. It offers boutique buffet options – all served in classic Le Creuset cookware. Alternatively, take your pick from the à la carte menu, featuring stylishly plated dishes with contemporary and seasonal twists. Eminently elegant while remaining super relaxed, Yellow Door Bistro is an excellent spot for special-occasion brunches that demand something extra. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster

4. Bennys Breakfast Bar

Bistro, Canadian

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. Recommended by local insider Stuart Forster

5. Caltons Chinese Restaurant

Restaurant, Chinese

Breakfast at a Chinese restaurant? Yes. Reasonably priced Caltons Chinese Restaurant offers some of the best dim sum in Calgary, and if you’re looking for something a bit different from your usual bacon, sausage and eggs, it makes a great late-brunch or lunch spot. Opt for some authentic Chinese tea alongside your meal for a particularly relaxing experience. There is parking available for patrons. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung Yuen

6. Diner Deluxe

Restaurant, Diner, Canadian

Relaxing, airy interiors and a menu based around local producers and ethical, sustainable and seasonal ingredients await you at Diner Deluxe. On the menu, you’ll find brunch classics prepared to perfection, including french toast, huevos rancheros, hearty eggs, sausage and bacon dishes and a range of omelettes. Expect big portions, and if you’re stuck on what to order, try one of our local insider’s favorites: the salmon eggs benedict or breakfast poutine. With three Calgary locations, it’s easy to find one nearby. Recommended by local insider Coco Hiu Tung Yuen

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