Calgary Southwest Restaurant Guide

Lesley Birkkjaer • June 13, 2023

Southwest Calgary offers some of the best dining experiences, whether you’re in Haysboro, Glendale, or Lakeview. 


Italian? Japanese? French? Greek? Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at some of the greatest hidden gems around town.


From seafood and steak to pizza and pasta, Southwest Calgary restaurants have it all. Keep reading our South Calgary restaurant guide to discover the highest-rated restaurants, perfect for a night out with family or friends, a solo lunch, or a happy hour date. 

southwest calgary

My Go-To Restaurants in Calgary

One of the best parts of living in Calgary is the food scene. Whether you're downtown for date night, grabbing lunch with friends, or craving the perfect burger, we are seriously spoiled for choice.



Here are a few of my personal favourites, plus where to find them and how to check them out.

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Dopo

Location: 34th Avenue SW

Neighbourhood:  Marda Loop

Website:  www.dopoyyc.com


If you love cozy, elevated Italian with incredible ambiance, Dopo is such a vibe. The space is intimate and warm, perfect for date night or a relaxed dinner with friends.


Located in the heart of Marda Loop on 34th Avenue SW, Dopo fits perfectly into one of Calgary’s most vibrant and walkable neighbourhoods. Their fresh pasta and pizza are standouts, and the wine list is thoughtfully curated.

Major Tom

Location: Stephen Avenue (Downtown Core)

Neighbourhood: Downtown

Website: www.majortombar.com


For one of the best views in the city, Major Tom is hard to beat. Located high above Stephen Avenue, the floor-to-ceiling windows give you sweeping views of downtown and the mountains.


It feels special the second you step off the elevator. Amazing for celebrations, client dinners, or a night out when you want something elevated (literally and figuratively).

Lulu Bar

Location: 17th Avenue SW

Neighbourhood: Beltline

Website: www.lulubar.ca


If you want tropical energy in the middle of Calgary, Lulu Bar is such a fun spot.


Bright, vibrant, and a little bit transportive, it’s perfect for girls’ night, birthday dinners, or cocktails on 17th. The share plates make it easy to try a little of everything, which is my favourite way to eat.

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Ten Foot Henry

Location: 1st Street SW

Neighbourhood: Beltline

Website: www.tenfoothenry.com


Ten Foot Henry is one of those places I recommend all the time.


Vegetable-forward but not in a “you’ll miss the meat” way. The dishes are simple, fresh, and packed with flavour. It’s lively, approachable, and consistently good which is honestly what makes a restaurant a favourite.

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Class Clown Hamburgers

Location: Mission (4th Street SW)

Neighbourhood: Mission

Website: www.classclown.ca


When you just want a really, really good burger Class Clown Hamburgers delivers.


Simple menu. Done extremely well. It’s casual, nostalgic, and one of my go-to spots when I’m in Mission and craving something unfussy but delicious.

Best Places For Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner

Looking for some of the top-rated restaurants in Calgary, SW, for brunch, lunch, and dinner? 


  • The Himalayan: Delicious Nepali Cuisine with dine-in and take-out options.
  • Cassis Bistro: A little piece of South France right in the heart of Calgary. Cassis Bistro prides itself on being the best of Alberta, all in the hands of a French chef.
  • Mercato West: A unique theatre kitchen committed to creating enjoyable Italian table experiences, showcasing “Buon Appetito” Italian food. 
  • Una Pizza + Wine: A neighbourhood restaurant dishing out California-inspired thin-crust pizzas and food, hand-selected wines, and all the local products they can get their hands on. 
  • Modern Ocean: What’s your fancy — Modern steak? Modern ocean? How about a classic surf and turf sizzling platter? Now open for lunch on the patio!


Hidden Gems and Local Favourites

There are plenty of places to eat in Calgary, especially if you live in or near Haysboro, Glendale, or Lakeview. Here are some hidden gems and local favourites:

Haysboro

Haysboro neighbourhood may be tucked away in southwest Calgary, but it’s a delightful community that isn’t far from good restaurants like:


Glendale

Take a tour of the Glendale neighbourhood to explore some nice restaurants in Calgary, like:



Lakeview

The Macleod Trail gives Lakeview residents easy access to some of its most popular restaurants, like:

 

Restaurant Recommendations Based on Cuisine Type

Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly options or upscale dining experiences, you’ll find plenty of good restaurants in Calgary. But with so many available, it can be hard to choose! No worries. Here’s a list of some of the most popular restaurants based on cuisine type:

Japanese



  • Sushi Ten
  • Momo-Yama Sushi
  • Hana Sushi
  • Banzai Poke & Ramen
  • Banzai Sushi & Teriyaki House
  • Shijo Sushi
  • Midori Japanese Cafe
  • 5 Senses Ramen & Sushi Bar
  • Shokunin

Fast Food


  • KFC
  • Subway
  • McDonald’s
  • Fatburger
  • Wendy’s
  • New York Fries
  • Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
  • Tim Hortons
  • A&W

Vietnamese



  • Pho Phuong Vietnamese Cuisine
  • Tamarind Vietnamese Grill
  • Lemongrass West
  • Pho Pham
  • Le’s Pho
  • Bow River Restaurant
  • Sunshine Vietnamese Restaurant
  • Saigon Thai

Indian


  • A Touch of India
  • Green Chile Fine Indian Cuisine
  • Masala Bhavan South Indian Cuisine
  • Indian Accent Kitchen and Bar
  • Taj Mahal Restaurant
  • Masala Art Indian Restaurant
  • Om Cuisine of India
  • Little Spice

Chinese


  • Basil Box
  • Noodlebox
  • Wok With Chan Rice House
  • Magic Bowl Chinese Eatery
  • Golden Leaf Restaurant
  • Brother’s Taste of Asia
  • Lemon Garden

Mexican


  • The Moose and Poncho
  • Native Tongues Taqueria
  • Mucho Burrito
  • Sabores Cedarbrae
  • Costa Vida
  • Tu Tierra

Italian


  • Il Centro
  • Trullo Trattoria
  • Buffo Ristorante
  • Mercato West
  • Annabelle’s Kitchen

Vegan-Friendly


  • The Coup
  • Monday’s Plant Café
  • The Allium
  • Vegan Street
  • Hearts Choices

Healthy Choices


  • Wise and Wright
  • Seed N Salt
  • Dedicate Healthy Kitchen
  • Marko’s Kitchen

Pizza


  • Sammy’s Worlds Greatest Pizza
  • PZA Parlour
  • Una Pizza + Wine

French



  • Purlieu Bistro
  • Fleur de Sel Brasserie
  • Le Comptoir

Seafood


  • Modern Ocean
  • Big Catch Sushi Bar
  • Kinjo Sushi and Grill

Venezuelan



  • Heaven Restaurant Market

Greek


  • Broken Plate Greek Restaurant

Southwest Calgary — More Than Just Great Tastes

Southwest Calgary is home to a remarkably diverse mix of restaurants, markets, and retail shops. If you’re thinking about moving to one of our communities, check out my listings in Valley Ridge, Lakeview, Haysboro, Crestmont, and Glendale. 


When it comes to my clients, I go above and beyond to provide a seamless experience every step of the way. I follow my HEART and offer Honest, Energetic, Attentive, Resourceful, and Trusted advice.


Ready to enrich your lifestyle with good food and culture? Search my available listings or Call Me — I’d love to chat!

Real estate market report for February 2026

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - February 2026

By Lesley Birkkjaer • March 6, 2026
March is here, and with it comes the start of Calgary’s spring real estate season. February brought a noticeable increase in new listings, particularly in the apartment-style condo market, where thousands of new units came to market. With more options available, that segment is beginning to favour buyers. Detached and semi-detached homes, however, remain closer to balanced conditions, with roughly three months of supply. Well-priced homes in desirable areas are still seeing strong interest. Spring is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for real estate, so it will be interesting to see how the market unfolds as more buyers and sellers jump in over the coming weeks. One quick reminder for sellers: listing photos matter. For most buyers, the first showing happens online while browsing MLS listings. Clean, well-staged spaces and professional photography can make a significant difference in attracting showings and generating interest.

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - January 2026

By Lesley Birkkjaer • February 11, 2026
February is here, and Calgary’s real estate market continues with a more balanced pace. Inventory is growing, days on market now averaging around 90–120 days, with the apartment sector seeing the largest price adjustment. That said, well-priced and well-presented homes are still moving. My recent Brentwood listing sold in less than a week, and my Edgemont listing went conditional in just eight days. Proof that strategy and preparation still matter. On a personal note, I’m incredibly grateful to be ranked in the top 10% of Calgary REALTORS®. Thank you to my amazing clients, friends, and family for your continued trust and referrals. I’m excited to see what spring brings!
Real estate market report, December 2025: pricing, sales, new listings, and inventory data

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - December 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • January 8, 2026
January 2026 is officially underway, and it feels good to be back into the rhythm after the holidays. I hope your New Year started off on a positive note, surrounded by family and friends. The market has wasted no time either. January has been busy so far, which is always a welcome way to kick off the year. As we closed out last year, the market continued shifting into a more balanced space, leaning slightly toward buyers. Benchmark prices dipped about 2 percent overall. With slower immigration and more new housing starts, inventory increased, giving buyers more options heading into 2026. Looking ahead, spring will give us a clearer picture of how active the market will be this year. There is already momentum building, including a new listing coming soon in Brentwood, a fantastic location with long-term appeal. If a move is on your radar this year, it is a great time to start planning .
Real estate market report for November 2025

Thank You For Your Support in 2025!

By Lesley Birkkjaer • December 16, 2025
As the year winds down and the holiday season settles in, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible year it’s been. It truly flew by, and I’m grateful for every bit of it. To all my clients, thank you for trusting me with your buying and selling needs. Your support means more than you know. To my friends and family, your encouragement and referrals have also been a huge part of this year, and I’m so thankful. 2025 has been full of meaningful conversations, exciting moves, and so many milestones. I’m already looking forward to what 2026 will bring and to helping even more people find the place that feels right for them. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a warm, joyful start to the new year. See you in 2026!
Real estate market report, October 2025. Shows sales, new listings, prices, inventory, and months of supply.

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - October 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • November 10, 2025
I hope you had a great October and enjoyed a mild Halloween! In October, inventory levels eased slightly after several months of steady growth. Detached and semi-detached homes saw the biggest change, with a bit less supply and sales holding steady, even as we head into the quieter months. Row homes and apartments still have more availability, which gives buyers a few extra options. On a lighter note, the RE/MAX Bowlarama was a fantastic event this month. It is always great to connect with colleagues and support a good cause outside the office. As we approach the holidays, expect the pace to slow before picking up again in the new year. If you’re curious about what this means for your buying or selling plans, reach out to me . I’d love to chat.
Real estate market report for September 2025, with key metrics like sales, inventory, and price trends.

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - September 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • October 10, 2025
October’s here, and while we’ve had some beautiful fall weather, it looks like snow might be sneaking into the forecast just in time for Halloween! As we head into the final stretch of the year, Calgary’s real estate market continues to shift toward a more balanced pace. Inventory is up about 36% compared to this time last year, with most of that growth coming from apartments and row homes. Detached homes have seen smaller increases, and prices are adjusting accordingly. It’s been a busy season of change, and as always, I’m happy to talk through what this means for your buying or selling plans. Feel free to reach out anytime.
Real estate market report for August 2025 showing residential prices, sales, new listings, and inventory data.

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - August 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • September 12, 2025
Welcome to September! Summer may be winding down, but the great weather has been a bonus. Looking back at August, the market feels very similar to July. We’re seeing more inventory on the market, which has created a buyer’s market. Prices have dipped about 4% overall, with row houses and apartments seeing the biggest declines, while detached homes in popular areas are holding up a little better. For buyers, this means more choice and opportunity. For sellers, it means homes are taking longer to move, closer to 60 to 90 days or more, and pricing them correctly has never been more important. If you’d like to talk about how this market affects your plans, I’d be happy to chat .
A real estate market report for July 2025

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - July 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • August 19, 2025
As summer winds down, Calgary’s real estate market continues to shift. Inventory is climbing as a wave of new builds reach completion across the city. The apartment sector has felt the biggest impact, with new complexes rising in nearly every quadrant. At the same time, a number of communities are seeing increased supply of detached homes. With this added inventory, Calgary’s benchmark price has started to ease. Market conditions are returning to more typical, pre-pandemic levels, and properties are taking longer to sell. If you’d like to talk about what these changes mean for your plans, I’d be happy to connect .

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - June 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • July 8, 2025
Hope your July’s off to a great start, and that you get to enjoy a little Stampede fun along the way! We’re keeping things pretty low-key, but definitely plan to catch a few events. Market-wise, June brought another bump in inventory across all property types, with a few shifts worth noting, especially in the apartment and row house sectors. I’ve pulled together a quick update with what’s going on and what it might mean if you’re thinking about a move. Give it a watch, and reach out if anything sparks a question. I’d love to hear from you.

Calgary Real Estate Market Report - May 2025

By Lesley Birkkjaer • June 12, 2025
Can you believe it’s already mid-June? The pace of the market has cooled, May brought a big shift, a 97.5% increase in listings. That means more inventory, more choices for buyers, and a more balanced market overall. That said, the right property can still go fast. I recently listed a beautifully maintained home in Evanston and it sold within a week. When homes show well and are priced right, they continue to draw strong interest. If you’re thinking of selling, I’m happy to offer tips on how to prepare your home and make the process as smooth as possible. Questions about buying or selling? I’m always just a call or message away . Enjoy the rest of your June, and I’ll check in again next month!