Alloy
Calgary's newest cool restaurant sports a retro design, with Asian décor and an oriental garden. The menu reflects Asian, Mediterranean and Latin influence and is fresh, organic and healthy. Very popular with the business lunch crowd.

220 42nd Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 287 9255.
Website: www.alloydining.com
Price: $$

Avenue Diner
Experience true urban diner setting, with table or counter seating on popular pedestrian Stephen Avenue Walk. Breakfast is available all day and features gourmet waffles, pancakes and egg dish combinations. The diner serves up locally grown organic produce.

105A Eighth Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 263 2673.
Website: www.avenuediner.com
Price: $

Belvedere
Award-winning stylish downtown restaurant serving modern Canadian food made from locally sourced ingredients. Game and seafood feature prominently on the menu. New York-style atmosphere. Elegant décor, flattering lighting and skylights provide a stunning view of the Calgary Tower above. Belvedere has been rated by Wine Spectator magazine for five consecutive years as one of top 500 wine lists in the world.

107 Eighth Ave SW
Tel: (403) 265 9595.
Price: $$$$

Buzzards Cowboy Cuisine
Authentic cowboy restaurant, with a casual and cosy ambiance. It features a live outdoor stage during Stampede and the famous Testicle Festival in June/July. The servings are generous, and the bison strip steak outstanding. The restaurant's signature Caesar cocktail is a Calgary original, while the adjoining Bottlescrew Bill's Pub serves over 200 different beers. Food served until 0130.

140 10th Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 264 6959.
Website: www.cowboycuisine.com
Price: $$

River Café
Canadian seasonal, wood-fired cuisine in attractive Prince's Island Park location near the Eau Claire Market. Organic and locally grown ingredients feature in dishes that are further complemented by an award-winning wine list. Fresh seafood flown in daily. Voted Best Ambiance for 2007 by WHERE magazine. Closed in January.

Prince's Island Park
Tel: (403) 261 7670.
Website: www.river-cafe.com  
Price: $$$-$$$$

Silver Dragon
This Chinatown establishment has been around for more than 30 years. The traditional menu, prepared by a small army of Hong Kong-trained chefs, features over 200 dishes, including delicious dim sums.

106 Third Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 264 5326.
Price: $-$$

Teatro
This smart restaurant next to the Centre for the Performing Arts occupies a beautifully restored 1911 bank building on Olympic Plaza. Teatro serves modern Italian cuisine featuring local organic products. There's an extensive award-winning wine list; the wine cellar holds over 10,000 bottles. Reservations recommended.

200 Eighth Avenue SE
Tel: (403) 290 1012.
Website: www.teatro.ca  
Price: $$$

Vintage Chophouse Tavern
This contemporary steakhouse in a vintage building in the business district is a meat lover's paradise. The house speciality is the Alberta Angus beef, although seafood, salads and tapas are also available. Live blues and jazz at the weekend. Voted Best of Award of Excellence for 2007 by Wine Spectator.

322 11th Avenue SW
Tel: (403) 262 7262.
Website: www.vintagechophouse.com  
Price: $$$