Supporting local means so much to Calgary businesses. It means helping others make a living. When you order takeout from a local restaurant, someone might stop and ask you where you got your delicious smelling food from. Don’t be shy about telling a stranger where the best pub in the city is or where to get the best Indian food. Telling others your positive opinion will help businesses grow their client base and stay in operation. Do you dislike chatting up strangers? There are other ways to support your favourite spots like sharing positive reviews on Google.

We all need a little help right now so why not eat and drink from your favourite local place even if they are closed for dine-in at the moment. Many eateries are offering curbside pick-up and some even have staff delivering directly to your door. Here are some of my favourite restaurants and pubs in Calgary. You can find other good food spots in my previous blog.

Ship & Anchor

If you tell someone you are heading to the Ship, they instantly know what you mean. As a local Calgarian, the Ship & Anchor is somewhere my older brother used to go and now it is also a favourite Calgary haunt of mine. My mom and I have made it a tradition to go here every Christmas season for the famous Shipnog (best ever homemade eggnog in the city). My boyfriend and I have had some epic live music nights at this spot and it’s always on the top of my list of places to meet up with friends. It doesn’t matter who you go with, the Ship & Anchor is a pub that hugs everyone. Love exudes from the Ship and has been doing so for more than 30 years.

My love for their deep-fried Pickles and Fish & Chips is still going strong. These are some of the classic Ship dishes but if you are looking for something new, try the Falafel & Hummus bowl, a healthier menu option if you desire. The Ship even has desserts on the menu so you can get that sugar high you’ve been craving.

Head to 17^th Avenue between 4^th and 5^th Street Southwest for the pub that never gets old.

Moti Mahal

My favourite Indian restaurant for years now, Moti Mahal definitely knows how to provide an authentic meal. Just about half-way up the 14^th Street hill south of 17^th Avenue Southwest, you can find heavenly Naan that always has you craving more. After all, Naan is THE traditional Indian dish I can’t live without. In my opinion, if you can’t make amazing naan, then you aren’t an authentic Indian restaurant.

Other delectable dishes to try here are the Paneer Pakoras which I can’t leave without eating and the Vindaloo for the spicy lovers with your choice of lamb, chicken, or prawns. A Mango Lassi is the perfect drink to order with your Vindaloo in case the heat gets a bit much for you to handle but you can do it, right? 😉

If you are lucky enough to dine in, then you’re sure to be charmed by the décor including many elephants signifying luck as you relax to the Indian music playing in the background. The atmosphere and staff at Moti Mahal will make you smile as your food is presented with flair and passion. Ordering the Chai Tea is an example of this flair and you’ll know what I mean when you watch them pour it into your cup.

This restaurant has been around for 25 years for a reason.

Donna Mac

While newer than the other places I mentioned, this restaurant is a must if you live in or are visiting Calgary. Each bite of every dish I have ever had here has been perfectly filled with delicious flavour and the staff is extremely friendly. Do you need any changes made to a menu item? They will almost surely accommodate your requests such as making a dish vegetarian or eliminating an ingredient you dislike or are allergic to.

Are you a vegetarian? Donna Mac offers lots of options like the ever so addicting Fried Cauliflower that you will want to order at least 2 of.  If you are dining with a meat lover, they will be happy to see the crunchy Fried Chicken Sandwich on the menu. You can share a side of Fries which are somehow the crispiest and tastiest in the city. Be sure to order dessert which is always to die for and often changes. When you order a cocktail with your meal, you will be singing their praises and asking for more.

Come to Donna Mac for happy hour between 3 pm – 6 pm every day to get half-price glasses of select wine and cocktails. What better way to celebrate any occasion than to head to 10^th Avenue Southwest in the Beltline after work to sip on some dangerously addicting drinks? Whether the wine is from California or not, you’ll feel bright and cheery with the open concept much like local spots in the sunny state.

Wherever you are in Calgary, these eateries will be sure to hit the spot. You can even hop from one location to the next as they are all reasonably close to each other. Soak in our beautiful city and keep supporting local by dropping by your new or old favourites for some take-home deliciousness. It won’t be long before you will be enjoying dine-in once more!