Edmonton Flair Flights!
Hey Kamloops! We have cheap, direct flights to YEG!
Contrary to popular opinion, Edmonton is a WAY more fun city weekend than Vancouver!
Edmonton is way younger, hipper, more fun, friendlier, cheaper and well, its awesome!! As a proud Edmonton native - I love to promote my hometown! The best part of Edmonton is the little neighborhoods surrounding Downtown and Strathcona - leafy residential areas with little spots hidden in between.
Nearly all destinations are accessible with the Lime Scooters, the bike lanes are prolific, safe and fun, and you can download Lime Prime trial to save yourself 15% or something and then cancel it at the end of your trip!!
I plan to add more to this page as I remember things. Edmonton's Winter City Initiative is particularly cool with things like the Victoria Park Iceway. My goal in this is to take you off the beaten path. Things like the Citadel, Art Galleries, Museums, West Edmonton Mall are all things you will find with a simple search. But the following spots are from my heart. So there you have it!
And you MUST get a Donair - somewhere. Even the worst Edmonton Donair shop is amazing!
Links to menus/website in each title.
FOOD
Fox Burger (double recommends for Rooftop Patio)
In the Highlands Neighbourhood, quite a ways east of Downtown is Fox Burger. In a gorgeous restored heritage building they are serving up wicked smash burgers, craft beer - and the rooftop patio is incredible. You are perched in an ocean of old leafy trees in a quaint heritage zone. Within a block you will also find a progressive art galley, cute used book store/cafe, boutique wine store, Kind Ice Cream and Bodega Tapas (to be featured below).
Otto
In Norwood, an older part of town with an ingrained immigrant culture is Otto. Run by the charming and friendly Ed Donszelmann - this is the quintessential neighborhood joint. Small menu, great prices. Otto is there for its neighbourhood first, but worth travelling for. Their in house made sausages are incredible, I recommend the Italian Fennel and the OTTO filled with Gouda and caraway. Its like a pub, bistro, and hangout zone. And the beer is great, and cheap for us BC folks!
The Sugarbowl
The Sugarbowl is a bit of a institution halfway between the U of A and Whyte Ave on the south point of the Highlevel Brige (neighbouring High Level Diner is another institution, and Kaffa Coffee Roasters is worth checking out upstairs). Similair to Highlands, this little block contains a bunch of cute spots, but the Sugarbowl for me is the spot. Morning to night, Eclectic, a little edgy, comfort food. Belgian Beers to Lattes.
Bar Bricco
Bar Bricco is amongst the highest end listings in this post. The Toasts are like nothing you have ever had, and get the anchovies - something else! Famous most for their Anglotti (pictured) which they treat like chicken strips and dip. Incredible homemade pasta, dunked in extremely flavourful butter sauce. The cocktails and wine list are killer, and the setting is dark, intimate and small. Best for 2-4 people.
Bodega Tapas - 6 locations
The highlands location is cosy and special, but the 124th Street location gets you into a whole new zone of the City. Call it Edmontons Commercial Drive (but much higher end). Neat pubs, fried chicken, clothing stores (Red Ribbon), book stores, art galleries. The tapas are awesome and great value. Thursdays 8 for 88 is insane. 8 tapas and a bottle of wine for $88. Add on one other signature dish and two people are well wined and dined.
Ritchie Market
DRINKS
Clementine
The first thing to say about Clementine is that it is very very very pretty. Its dark, the music is loud, but not too loud. The cocktails are very good, international level good. Sister restaurant Woodwork is worth a visit too. If you like cocktails, Clementine is top in Western Canada as far as I am concerned, and punches with the top spots in NYC, London and CDMX.
Bar Yarrow
This space is unique. Hidden inside a fine dining, high flouting, high concept restaurant - which itself is hidden. I have not personally done the restaurants 4 hour - $190 pp dining experience, but I can say this about the bar. It's in a strange, dodgy, industrial part of Edmonton. I know the address. I know its hidden. It is still hard to find. The menu only has a couple of cocktails, but riff off the bartender. The seem to have questionable closing hours, we have been here quite late. Not what you expect in industrial Edmonton!
Odd Company Brewing
I will say this, Alberta's Craft Beer Scene is younger than ours, but its catching up very quickly. Checking out Odd Company also lets you check out Oliver Exchange (much like Ritchie Market) complete with a fantastic bakery, gift shop, coffee shop. Their Hot Dogs and ever changing beers are fantastic, but the vibes in this leafy residential area are fantastic. The amount of bikes and scooters makes you feel like Portland in this converted heritage telephone exchange.
Little Hong Kong
Inside Baijiu, also recommended for its sweet patio, is speakeasy Little Hong Kong. Its a sweet speakeasy, not much more to say other than to experience it!!
Tzin
On charming 104th Street is 15+ year running Wine Bar Tzin. Tapas, Wine, small space. Great service. Fantastic heritage building.... Wandering 104th before and after will lead lots more finds too. Great for a date.
COFFEE
The Duchess Bake Shop
Duchess went world famous with their fundraising Gingerbread Hogwarts Castle in 2018 - and I can attest it was incredible. But seriously, this place is insane. With the sweet tooth I have, and a love for ornate decor, this place is almost too much. You can buy their bake book too!
The Columbian is everything I love about old-school coffee - and everything I love about new-school coffee. I love the Glenora location. Guess why - leafy, heritage neighbourhood, community center vibes. Great coffee, great pastry, great vibes. I highly recommend the Raspberry Hazelnut Toast as a light and flavourful breakfast.
District Cafe
District is the kind of place you run into all the 'Suits' in Edmonton. But as its Edmonton, its friendly, casual and sunny. Edmonton, in all seasons, is very sunny. Districts massive windows make the most of it. Great coffee and pastries, but for me the star is the flavourful sandwiches and salads. All simple, but all a step above the rest. When in the area, be sure to catch the High Level Bridge Heritage Trolley, stroll the Legislature Grounds, and check out the fountains at 108 St.
ACE Coffee Roasters - Garneau
Another leafy residential area, quiet and lovely. And another fantastic coffee shop right in the middle. Does anywhere do this better than Edmonton? Maybe Portland? Another beautiful spot to while away an afternoon.
Little Brick
Guess what!!! Another leafy, heritage, residential neighbourhood! This time with a beautiful heritage home converted into a convenience store and cafe for the area. This homes signature bricks were forged nearly on site 100 years ago, and the home itself was the residence of the brick factory owner. Or something very close to that. And because Alberta doesn't have prohibition era liquor laws, if you fancy a wine or beer because you just don't want to leave the massive garden/patio - you can!
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