Canada’s Best 2026 list of the country’s top 100 restaurants has been released and Calgary appeared six times, featuring some of the city’s best dining experiences.
The judging panel consisted of 160 voting judges, ranging from informed culinary enthusiasts, food writers and critics, chefs, restaurateurs and other food-service professionals.
Judges are asked to submit a list of their top 10 restaurant experiences of the previous year, ranking them on a variety of factors including service, decor, depth of the cellar and food quality. The weight of votes in each province and region are proportional to population.
“We believe that the 2026 list is an accurate measure of which restaurants excelled in 2025, which makes them great dining choices for today,” said Canada’s Best.
Ranking in the highest spot for Calgary is Eight, at number nine. Eight offers a modern, speakeasy-like dining experience that begins upon entry, with a call from “an ordinary white phone” in the lobby of Alt Hotel in East Village. Guests are then led down a maintenance hallway to the After Eight Parlour for a pre-dinner cocktail and snacks, after which they go through a discreet door into the dining room. Offering only eight stools and one service four nights a week, dining at Eight is a unique and coveted experience.
Each dish at Eight is delivered with an engaging backstory and features influence from Japan, as well as Canada’s polycultural identity. Restauranteur Keegan Ferguson calls Eight “One of Canada’s most focused and considered dining experiences today.” Eight is located at 631 Confluence Way S.E.
A white telephone is the sole way into After Eight, an intimate dining experience in Calgary on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Dopo landed in the 28th spot on the list, offering rustic fare in a warm below-ground Tuscan tavern. Dopo evolved from beloved Calgary restaurant D.O.P., whose building was demolished. Its operators view the two Italian restaurants as relatives of sorts, Postmedia reported previously. “DOPO is where new experiences meet familiar comfort,” the restaurants website reads. Dopo features a menu of traditional Italian cuisine with a modern twist. The Marda Loop restaurant is located at 1907 34th Ave. S.W., unit 10.
Next up for Calgary on the list is River Café, at no. 42. Surrounded by nature at Prince’s Island Park, River Café prides itself on an exclusive use of Canadian and Albertan ingredients. In addition to local ingredients, the restaurant takes steps toward sustainability in both food sourcing and preparation, and restaurant operation. River Café has eliminated bottled water use, works to reduce energy consumption and water use, reuses materials, and recycles and composts, among other sustainability measures. Visit River Café at 25 Prince’s Island Park.
Bar Gigi placed 65 on the list, boasting one of Calgary’s toughest reservations to secure. With only 20 seats available, Bar Gigi offers a tightly edited selection of creative, shareable plates. Main courses evolve with the seasons and showcase expertly prepared fish and Alberta Beef. Bar Gigi is located at 336 9th Ave. N.E.
Coming in at 74 on the top 100 list is Gatsby’s, a fine dining destination offering a transportive experience celebrating craftsmanship, storytelling and sensory discovery. Every detail in the restaurant has been thoughtfully designed to evoke elegance, including drink pairings, atmosphere and personalized service. Guests can expect a set-menu experience with six or nine courses that celebrates Canadian and globally inspired cuisine. For those wanting a more streamlined experience, the restaurant also offers a signature menu with three courses. Gatsby’s is located at 524 10th Ave. S.W.
The final Calgary restaurant on the list is Nupo, coming in 75th. The East Village restaurant celebrates plant-forward, vegan cuisine alongside sushi, using Canadian ingredients and Japanese techniques. The Omakase Sushi Bar offers guests an intimate and interactive experience, watching the sushi chef expertly cut, form and dress each piece before dining. In keeping with Japanese-inspired cuisine, Nupo offers a high-end Sake list in addition to curated cocktails that often include tea and other herbals.
See the full list of Canada’s Best Restaurants 2026 here.
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