This post reviews the best paleo restaurants in Calgary Canada, or the best paleo friendly restaurants. These restaurants all have gluten free and dairy free options and are great options for anyone following a paleo diet.
I have been following a paleo diet for over 10 years now, and as someone who lives in Calgary I felt it was finally time to write a review on the best paleo restaurants in Calgary.
Now, I should say that none of these restaurants actually claim to be paleo or advertise themselves as being paleo friendly. But all of these restaurants focus on using local meat and produce, taking a farm to table approach, using seasonal ingredients, are very accommodating when it comes to dietary restrictions and still make delicious food.
Can I guarantee that these restaurants aren't using cane sugar instead of honey or coconut sugar in their food? Absolutely not. But I have eaten at these restaurants many times and have never gotten sick, and that says a lot. I am very sensitive to gluten and dairy and if I ever accidentally ingest those foods they make me sick. So the fact that I have never gotten sick after eating at these restaurants says a lot about their attention to detail and the quality of their ingredients.
And before you get to the list of restaurants I should say that this post was not sponsored by any of them, and these venues don't even know I am writing this post. I want you to realize that this is a totally unbiased review based on my own experiences. And if you think I have left any restaurants off of this list please let me know. I am always looking for new places to try!
The Best Paleo Friendly Restaurants in Calgary
1. Ten Foot Henry
Ten Foot Henry is one of my all time favourite restaurants! Their kale Caesar salad is amazing! The roasted cabbage with walnut dressing is another dish I always order. In fact, I love their walnut dressing so much that I made my own copy cat walnut dressing recipe.
I also, love, love, love their vegan chocolate torte. It is very rare that I can actually eat dessert at a restaurant so whenever we eat here I always get one torte to eat there, and an extra one to take home. Besides offering many paleo friendly options they also have vegan food, gluten free food and dairy free food to choose from. It is very easy to eat at Ten Foot Henry if you have food allergies or restrictions.
2. Notable: The Restaurant
We live very close to Notable and eat at this restaurant pretty regularly. They have a dedicated gluten free frier so I always get their French fries. I also love their burger and just get it on a lettuce bun. Their menu does tend to change fairly frequently which is nice and they always have amazing meat options and nightly meat specialists which are always delicious.
3. Charcut Roast House
Charcut is well known for their meat dishes like steak, prime rib and lamb but they also offer great side dish options that are frequently changing. They are very accommodating when it comes to dietary restrictions and I have eaten at Charcut many times without any issues.
4. The River Cafe
The River Cafe restaurant is a Calgary icon. It is located on Princess Island Park and has been around for a very long time. It even survived the horrible floods we had many years ago and has come back stronger than ever. I personally love this restaurant and their philosophy. They are dedicated to sourcing the best tasting local ingredients that are available in season. They connect directly with growers and producers at their farms, gardens and ranches, and carefully choose purveyors who are responsible stewards of the land. Their menu is frequently changing but I have never eaten anything there I didn't like.
5. OEB Breakfast Co.
OEB Breakfast Co is a breakfast focused restaurant, with an emphasis on local ingredients. They even raise their own hens for their eggs! How cool is that? They have many locations around Calgary and they are always busy which speaks to how good their food is. I have eaten at OEB many times and highly recommend their eggs and sausages. This is my go-to restaurant for brunch. They offer many gluten free and dairy free options.
6. Char Bar
Besides the food at this place, the location is also something really special. Char Bar is located in the Old Simmons Building which was restored about 10 years ago. It's located right on the river so depending on your table location you could have an amazing view. They also have a rooftop patio which is incredible. I have only eaten dinner here many times and have never been disappointed. I highly recommend their oysters, steak, chicken and various side dishes.
7. The Nash
The Nash is run by the same chef who created Notables so it makes sense that it is also a great choice. Their meat and fish dishes are always so good and they offer many gluten free and dairy free options. Their menu also changes regularly so you will never get sick of the food.
8. Deane House
The Deane House is another long standing Calgary restaurant. This restaurant is run by the same group that runs The River Cafe so it makes sense that their food is also amazing. They also take a farm to table approach to food and focus on using fresh, local ingredients.
9. Major Tom
Major Tom is a newer restaurant in Calgary, and if you want to have dinner here you will need to make reservations months in advance, it's that popular. The restaurant is located on the 40th floor of a building so the view of the city and mountains is pretty incredible. Everything I have tried there is delicious and I highly recommend their pork belly, French fries, crispy hen eggs, lamb and steaks. Not everything on the menu would be considered paleo friendly but many of the dishes are, and many more can be modified as well. They are very accommodating when it comes to food intolerances and allergies.
10. Fortuna's Row
Not only is the food at Fortuna's Row amazing, but their decor is my absolute favourite. Whoever decorated the restaurant did an incredible job. They serve contemporary Latin food and the flavour combinations they come ups with are so unique and so delicious. Every time I have eat there we choose the "let the chef feed you" option and they always pick such delicious dishes and have been very accommodating with making food gluten free and dairy free for me.
Alright friends that's my list of the best Paleo friendly restaurants in Calgary. If there are any places you think I have missed please let me know and I am happy to update this list.
Until next time, happy eating friends!
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alanna dB
We went to Ten Foot Henry again last night & the foot really is so good. I was very un paleo in my choices though! It's all sharing stuff & there are TONS of vegetable dishes. I want to go back & try more! It's one of those places that I would potentially call ahead & ask a few questions about even though there are things on the menu that would work. The flavours are SO good - I really want to try & recreate some of it.