While it’s often easy to bypass certain city food scenes in favour of their more established counterparts, you would be doing yourself a disservice by skipping over Edmonton’s. With a culinary scene that keeps on growing, rooted in a celebration of local and regional ingredients, expect to find an honest reflection of the values, and talents, of its citizens.
We’ve put together a list of 10 places that are a worthy addition to any itinerary this summer from restaurants to tasting experiences and everything in between. Buckle up!
RGE RD
With a tip to tail philosophy and a menu with ingredients sourced straight from the farm, RGE RD invites you to “eat off the beaten path” for a local taste of the prairies. What started as a series of farm dinners has since extended to offering a dining experience that focuses on whole animal butchery and wood fire cookery, making it clear that their ethos has always been to connect guests to where their food is grown.
Be sure to also check out The Butchery next door in a market-style setting with products from their kitchen and community, built from close bonds established with farmers over the years to continue to connect guests to the best of the best. Expertise behind the counter and sustainably raised meats await!
Bernadette’s
There’s a new kid on the block and they’re telling a story that’s been around for a while. Named after chef Scott Iserhoff’s grandmother, this 23-seat addition to Edmonton’s dining scene serves Indigenous plates that are “seasonal, traditional, and political.”
The husband-and-wife duo behind the now-closed Pei Pei Chei Ow, a takeout and catering kitchen focused on Indigenous food and education, bring intimate hospitality, natural wines, and a good time to this new venture.
Hailing from Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, Iserhoff draws culinary inspiration from his upbringing while incorporating elements and ingredients from Alberta. Edmonton’s first Indigenous restaurant aims to change perceptions on what Indigenous food represents, especially in a fine dining context.
Bündok
They say sharing is caring, so when a restaurant offers up an inviting yet curated menu of seasonal, shared plates, you know you’re in good hands no matter which assortment you choose. In contrast to its namesake, meaning rural or off the beaten track, this downtown restaurant is well-situated near the Ice District and worth stepping inside. With an Alberta-only beer list and a cocktail list to admire, the creativity behind each dish will leave you wanting more.
Moth Cafe
With an emphasis on highlighting nutrition and flavour by sourcing quality ingredients and minimizing waste, this plant-based (and plant-filled!) reprieve offers a selection of vegan goods made with intention. Opt for breakfast, lunch, or even brunch, and choose your pick-me-up: from medicinal teas to tea lattes and a rotating assortment of kombucha, we guarantee you’ll leave feeling nourished and ready to explore.
Olia Ristorante
Every city needs a good Italian restaurant, and chef Daniel Costa is making sure that his is the obvious choice. Having recently reopened with a new name, the former Uccellino continues to offer a seasonal menu inspired by Italy’s culinary traditions. This minimalist space allows the dishes to truly shine, and stands in visual contrast to another Costa concept next door: the retro-tinged Mimi bar. Make it a night out and stop by both. You know you’re in for a good time!
The Monolith
Barrel-fermented creations await at Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company’s The Monolith, a facility devoted to spontaneous and mixed fermentation beers. There are more than 400 barrels actively fermenting at a time, one of the largest spontaneous programs in North America.
This process is inspired by Lambic beer, a Belgian style that relies on wild yeasts and bacteria in the air as opposed to a specific controlled yeast intended for beer. This results in a distinct flavour that tends to be sour, funky (the good kind) and tart, with fruit often added for a second fermentation. Benefiting from being in one of the world’s most productive grain-growing regions, along with sourcing Canadian fruits, these brews offer up a true taste of place. Visit the taproom and book a tour to see, and taste, what this brewing process is all about!
Happy Beer Street
The Monolith is in good company as one of the ten craft breweries (and counting!) that make up the 22-block span of 99 Street. Lovingly referred to as Happy Beer Street, this brewery trail is home to Bent Stick Brewing, The Monolith, Ale Architect, Campio, Odd Company, Longroof Brewing Co., Southbound Brewing, Omen Brewing, Sea Change Brewing Co. and Edmonton’s first craft brewery: Alley Kat Brewing Co. It’s no wonder this corridor is known as the brewing heart of Edmonton.
Delavoye Chocolate
The Canadian bean-to-bar chocolate scene continues to grow and Delavoye Chocolate has been a notable addition. Offering a range of single-origin bars along with well-considered inclusion bars, this is chocolate made with intention.
The on-site café features a selection of hot and iced beverages, pastries and European drinking chocolate topped with a house-made roasted marshmallow.
Craft chocolate is meant to be tasted and discussed. We recommend signing up for a 90 minute tasting experience pairing the chocolate made in their small factory with a curated selection of cheese or a flight of wine and discover a completely new synergy of flavour.
Go on a cycling food tour with Urban Pedal Tours or Food Bike Tour
If you’ve ever wondered how much fun groups of seemingly very happy people cycling together on a u-shaped contraption are having, the answer is: a lot. The good news is that you too can experience this feeling of pure joy while in Edmonton by hopping on the party bike. With several touring routes available, one of those routes just happens to be Happy Beer Street. It’s a win-win if you ask us! From brunch tours to party tours, Urban Pedal Tours has got you covered.
If the thought of pedalling with 14 others doesn’t quite appeal, opt for a two-wheeled Food Bike Tour instead. You’ll be guided to a variety of local stops with behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s top chefs, all while cruising through the picturesque River Valley. The food stops change monthly with a host of local partners that reflect Edmonton’s varied culinary landscape.
Sip a glass of cask beer on the High Level Bridge Streetcar
If you really want to get a taste of local, The Common hosts a weekly Streetcar Cask Party on the historic High Level Bridge streetcar. Partnering with a different local brewery every week––and we have learned there are many!––two special casks of craft ale are tapped for every ride as you cruise along former Canadian Pacific Railway tracks with views of the River Valley. Name a better way to see (and drink) what Edmonton has on offer!
Ready to Explore Edmonton?
From breweries and craft chocolate to menus that celebrate local stories and ingredients, it's clear there's no shortage of food experiences to uncover in Edmonton. We invite you to follow your curiosity and discover the flavours of the city, interpreted by a vibrant culinary community that is truly making it their own.
