Global cuisine on International Avenue in Calgary

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Deliciously living up to its name, Calgary's International Avenue features a diverse selection of globally inspired restaurants. On this lengthy stretch of 17th Avenue Southeast, take a meal-time holiday at Vietnamese, Indonesian, Caribbean, Ethiopian and Portuguese eateries (for starters), and at reasonably prices.

Pho Dau Bo

1
110-4909 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0V5

One of Calgary’s most acclaimed Vietnamese restaurants, Pho Dau Bo on International Avenue serves excellent and affordable fare. Intensely flavoured pho (noodle soup) bowls are the big, fragrant draw. The satay beef and satay chicken varieties are bestsellers. The weekend-special spicy noodle soup with beef, pork and sausage is recommended. Entrees include Vietnamese standards from vermicelli bowls to steamed-rice plates.

Fassil Restaurant

2
3504 17 Ave Se, Calgary AB T2A 0R7

Perfect for sharing, Fassil serves beautifully prepared Ethiopian food. With house-made injera bread, scoop up various meat, fish and vegetarian stews. Bestselling dishes include spicy chickpea stew, roast lamb shoulder and kifto, a spiced steak tartar dish. Also enjoy a uniquely satisfying cup of Ethiopian coffee. Conducted at your table, Fassil’s serving ceremony features pan-roasted green-bean coffee and incense.

Indonesian Kitchen

3
3917 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0S5

A superb selection of the best Indonesian dishes ranges from chicken or shrimp nasi goreng to lesser-known regional delights such as Javanese rendang, a slightly spicy, coconut-flavoured beef stew. This small and very friendly spot also carries a nice selection of Indonesian groceries including sauces and spices.

Krazy Jerk Corp

4
1715 52 St SE, Calgary AB T2A 1V1

The friendly service and authentic Caribbean cooking at Krazy Jerk have earned the restaurant a loyal clientele. For lunch and dinner, order barbi-fry, jerk, stewed and fried chicken dishes. Each plate comes with rice and peas, fried dumplings and veggies. Excellent island fare also includes aki and salt fish as well as curry goat entrees and more.

Mimo Restaurant & Lounge

5
203-4909 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0V5

The city’s lone Portuguese place, Mimo serves gorgeously prepared Old World dishes. As Portugal is situated on the Atlantic, the bounty of the ocean figures prominently in the restaurant’s menu. Seafood dishes include lobster tails gratinada, crab legs in garlic wine sauce and pork-and-clam casserole. Also recommended are the rich, heaping paella, piri piri chicken and beef medallions in sweet, tangy Madeira wine sauce.

Pho Binh Minh

6
4710 17 Ave Se Suite O, Calgary AB T2A 0V1

A plain, homey Vietnamese restaurant divided into two separate rooms, Pho Binh Minh has been cited by Calgary veteran restaurant writer John Gilchrist as one of International Avenue’s best eateries. Notable for its big, beautiful pho noodle soup bowls, also enjoy its vermicelli dishes as well as chicken curry or stewed beef, both served with French bread.

Shawarma Palace (Forestlawn)

7
3820 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0S4

This royal abode welcomes kings and commoners with equal enthusiasm. The menu at Shawarma Palace is Mediterranean, the servings generous and super saucy. Choose from chicken, beef and lamb shawarma platters or pita-wrapped sandwiches as well as falafel and donair versions. Sides include hummus and tabouli salad and pistachio-stuffed baklava is the dessert option, naturally. A popular take-out spot.

303 Fusion Kitchen

8
4413 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0T5

Sample the unique tastes of Taiwanese street food at 303 Fusion Kitchen. This is deliciously addictive food you’ll find nowhere else in the city. For example, the sweet, salty and spiced karaage chicken is kind of like popcorn chicken and the sweet yam fries are served with plum sauce. Another bestseller is the restaurant’s selection of fried rice crepes stuffed with oysters, chicken or beef.

Mekong Ltd

9
2885 17 Ave SE, Calgary AB T2A 0P7

At the extreme west end of International Avenue, pleasant Mekong serves Vietnamese food. A small eatery with a lengthy menu, its dishes include all the ubiquitous Vietnamese standards plus a few unique ones. Soups include beef, chicken and seafood noodle pho bowls. There are vermicelli dishes as well as chicken and beef stir-fries and among the steamed rice dishes are cubed beefsteak and deep fried quail. Both the chicken and goat curry soups are highly recommended.

The quintessential Mexican meal, tacos are also a relatively scarce commodity in Calgary. However, we’ve done some digging and unearthed the select few restaurants that make truly marvelous versions of these hand-held snacks.
The city’s summer season features a delicious dance card of culinary festivals and events. Many, such as Stampede-time pancake breakfasts, are easy to access the day of, but the various tasting and tippling shindigs listed here can fill up quickly, so purchasing tickets sooner than later for these foodie festivities is recommended. Image credit: iStock.com/kasto80.
The city’s pathway system is one of the longest in North America. Given its lengthy stretches, the occasional rest and snack stop, though few and far between, are a welcome sight when walking, biking and inline skating. Here are a few restaurants, cafés and snack shacks located on or near our scenic cycling system. Image credit: iStock.com/mihailomilovanovic.
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