As the second-largest city in Alberta, there are a lot of incredible restaurants in Edmonton. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner, budget, or high-end, Edmonton has something for everyone.
On our recent trip to the city, while researching the best things to do in Edmonton, we were able to try a number of delicious restaurants ranging from high-end experiences to “greasy spoon” brunches and all of them were great. This inspired us to write this guide about the best restaurants in Edmonton, using both our own research and the opinions of locals.
So, the next time you’re in Edmonton, and your belly is asking for some mouth-watering eats, make your way over to this article and check out some of the best Edmonton restaurants.
Looking for beer as well? Check out our guide to the best Edmonton Breweries!
Table of Contents
DOSC
One of the newest places in the city, DOSC is a craft steakhouse, cocktail bar, and cafe that has certainly earned its status as one of the best restaurants in Edmonton. Short for Drunken Ox Sober Cat, they had to shorten the name when they were told they couldn’t use the word “drunk” in their name. Oh Canada, you are too proper at times. It has a trendy but classy vibe and offers some of the most delicious, unique, and fancy meals in the city. You could just sit down for an Old Fashioned made with Wagyu Fat Washed Suntory Whisky or a Puff the Pink Dragon, which is made with scotch, toasted coconut, mint, lemon, and Molé Bitters. But why stop there when you can order a side of brussel sprouts made with black garlic foam, egg yolk, orange glaze, and pancetta. I don’t even like brussel sprouts and yet I wanted to eat the whole plate. That’s when you know a restaurant is truly good; When they make you like what you normally don’t like.
Be careful with the sides, however, as they’re almost as big as the full meals. We tried everything from watermelon salad to Oxtail Poutine, as well as mains such as King Salmon and Dry-aged Ribeye. Our waiter was definitely a food and drink connoisseur who explained so many things to us while aerating our wine that we feel we actually learned about the food while eating it. They might be known for their Wagyu Hot Stone appetizer but in all honesty, everything we had was truly delicious.
Sorrentino’s
For those into Italian food, Sorrentino’s is about as popular as it gets for restaurants in Edmonton. Founded back in the 80s, it has become a local favourite over the years with multiple locations throughout the city. You can expect all sorts of delicious pasta and pizzas, as well as appetizers such as Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio and Pancetta Wrapped Plum. They also have a number of mains we enjoyed such as Salmon and Prawns with orange glaze as well as Spicy Penne Arrabbiate. They also have an extensive wine list to wash it all down with and a range of desserts including classics like Tiramasu.
We decided to sit out on the patio during our visit and noticed many couples celebrating their anniversaries, so it’s definitely a good place to bring your loved one or your entire family.
Pips
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to eat at Pip’s. It was our last day in Edmonton and we really wanted a good brunch. Staying at the Metterra Hotel on Whyte, I looked up places to eat brunch in Edmonton and Pip’s was right around the corner. Well, it turned out to be one of the best restaurants in Edmonton for brunch. After all, we got there around 11 am and the waitlist was two hours long. They do only offer 28 seats. Needless to say, if you want to eat here, book online. Their menu includes things like Sweet French Toast Bake, Short Rib Eggs Benedict, and Lobster Roll sandwiches. Plus, you can even wash it down with a Rosé 75 or a Strawberry Spagliato. I mean, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere right?
Since we weren’t about to wait two hours, they recommended their sister restaurant, the Next Act, which is right next door.
The Next Act Pub
Located right next to Pip’s, The Next Act Pub is also a popular place for brunch, as well as late-night snacks and everything in between. It’s a little bigger than Pip’s and despite not being as busy, they still make a delicious brunch. We ended up sharing a plate of Eggs Benedict and a delicious plate of French Toast, which comes with whipped maple butter, Grand Marnier berry jam, and real maple syrup. If a place doesn’t serve real maple syrup, it’s not worth eating there in our opinion. There’s plenty more than that though and technically they’re a pub, so feel free to grab a cold one too. If you’re already hungover, perhaps you’ll like their Hangover Breakfast, which comes with eggs, bacon, and polish sour rye.
MEAT
Also located right next to Pips and The Next Act is MEAT, a locally owned and operated smokehouse that serves up an authentic BBQ experience with homemade sauces, savoury sides, and a casual welcoming room to indulge. If beer, brisket, and bourbon are up your alley, then this is the place to go.
High Level Diner
With more than 1,200 raving reviews, it’s no secret that Edmonton’s High Level Diner is a popular place for breakfast foods. In fact, High Level Diner is one of the most iconic restaurants in the city. Created in 1982 and featured in You Gotta Eat Here!, it offers incredible views of downtown Edmonton while serving Canadian brunch-style comfort food. You’ll find burgers, Guinness Cottage Pie, Thai Green Curry, and breakfast favourites such as Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, Buttermilk Pancakes, and Cinnamon Buns. They even serve delectable desserts such as Bread Pudding with caramel bourbon sauce and Skor Cheesecake. Basically, they have a little something for everyone with that laid-back diner feel.
Northern Chicken
A little bit of Chichen Fried and a cold beer on a Friday night. Does it get any better than that? Well, it turns out it does. Northern Chicken brings “down south comfort food” to Edmonton with a modern twist. As you might expect, the favourite food here is Fried Chicken and it comes in five flavours such as Og, Nashville Hot, Nashville Xtra Hot, Nashville WNFA, and mustard. You’ll also find Chicken Fingers, Chicken Sandwiches and sides such as Dorito Mac & Cheese, Dill Pickle Salad, and Dill Coleslaw. However, fried chicken just isn’t the same without a cold beer and Northern Chicken offers more than 80 choices of craft beer, giving you all the options you could possibly need.
So, grab a pair of jeans that feel just right and slide on in for some feel-good food.
Viphalay
If you’re looking for Laotion and Thai food, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Edmonton. We tried making it to this place but due to our busy schedule, we ran out of time. It came recommended by many locals that we worked with during our video series of Edmonton, and the online reviews confirm what all the hype is about.
This place is the definition of home-style cooking. On their About Page, it reads that “Mom” is the reason Viphalay exists and even though you’re more likely to see her at the front of the house these days, rather than hiding in the kitchen, she was Viphalay’s original head chef.
All the best kitchens start with mom, so if you’re interested in delicious Asian cuisine, don’t miss the chance to dine at Viphalay.
Zwick’s Pretzels
Are you looking for a deadly MicZwick chicken burger on a pretzel bun? A Smoked Salmon Sandwichzel? How about a split, toasted, and buttered Braided Pretzel Bun with a side of Honey Mustard, Dill Onion Cream, or Beer Cheese dip? If your mouth is watering like ours is while writing this article, then it sounds like a visit to Zwick’s Pretzels should be high on your food bucket list. Located just off of 124th Street in a hole-in-the-wall location, this is the place to go for oven-fresh soft pretzels, housemade sodas, and a lineup of sandwiches and sausages on housemade pretzel buns.
Rockin’ Robyn’s
With more than 1,400 reviews and an almost perfect score, it’s hard to imagine a better place for a classic burger, especially if you love that Vintage-style 1950s diner style. Rockin’ Robyn’s is independently owned by Chef Robyn Lockhart who has worked for some of the best restaurants in Edmonton such as Sorrentino’s, the Westin Hotel Edmonton, Four Rooms, Casino Yellowhead, and many others. This 50s-themed diner with vinyl booths and stools at the counter has become a popular place for burgers, beef chili, cinnamon buns, and caramel banana pancakes, as well as a variety of specials offered throughout the week.
Under The High Wheel
From Sweet Belgian Waffles and Mediterranean Crepes to Pork Schnitzel and Ricotta Gnocchi, Under the High Wheel serves old-world European comfort food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere while focusing on locally sourced and seasonal products that nourish the body and support the community. It’s also conveniently located just off Whyte Avenue.
RGE RD
Cleverly named after the roads that often lead to farms, RGE RD serves up farm-to-table Canadian fare in a rustic-chic high-end eatery. Inspired by feasts in fields, forests, mountains, and oceans – RGE RD explores the tastes and flavours of Canada from coast to coast. With ingredients and provisions from farms and small-scale producers, the ever-changing menu is dictated by season, terroir, and whole-animal butchery – from tip to tail. We often get asked what true Canadian food is and this is our answer. With more than 800 5-star reviews, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Edmonton for high-end food.
Woodwork
From wood-fired cooking to barrel-aged spirits, Woodwork is a combination of southern United States fare, barbecue, and French influences. Located in the historic McLeod Building at 100 Street & Rice Howard Way, the Woodwork kitchen is centred around our custom Grillworks wood-fired grill while our bar features one of Alberta’s most extensive collections of spirits, award-winning cocktails, and a curated list of high-quality wines to pair with grilled cuisine.
The Workshop Eatery
This contemporary venue offers seasonal, locally sourced Canadian eats. With a focus on seasonal fare, the meals truly highlight fresh foods from Alberta and across the nation, all handcrafted, approachable, and unpretentious.
This is slow eating. It’s intentional. The menu is small and the food actually takes time to create. So, if you’re looking for an experience and an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the mouth-watering goodness created by The Workshop Eatery, then this is the place for you.
Sugarbowl
According to our social media audience and about 2,000 great reviews, this came out as one of the best restaurants in Edmonton for the quintessential student fair and an extensive beer list. Even though we just heard about it, it’s far from new. The Sugarbowl has been providing a unique atmosphere and delicious food since 1943. Transforming from a burger joint in the 40s and 50s to a coffee house through the 60s and 70s, and finally evolving into the full-service bistro and neighbourhood pub that you know today, it’s incredibly popular with students as it’s located close to the University of Alberta. Some of the recommended foods include Smoked Parika Popcorn, their Lamb Burger with Chimichurri Mayo, and Chicken & Waffles, just to name a few.
Made By Marcus
While walking down Whyte Avenue one night to see all the action, we noticed a huge line down a super narrow alleyway next to Malt & Mortar restaurant. It turns out it was one of the Made By Marcus ice cream locations and the only one in Edmonton. Obviously, it’s popular for a reason. This ice cream is built from scratch with dairy from grass-fed cows and real ingredients produced by local farmers, roasters, distillers, and artisans. Also located in Calgary, Marcus comes up with some truly funky flavours such as Whisky Caramel Cornbread Crunch, Peach Blackberry Habanero, Malted Chocolate Honeycomb, and Transcend Espresso Peanut Butter & Jam, just to name a few. We won’t be offended if you close this website now and go grab one.
La Carraia Gelateria Cafe
After learning that this brand is known as the best gelato in Italy, we knew it had to be good. I mean, if you’re the best in the country where the actual food comes from, how can you go wrong? Savour the flavours of Florence with traditional one-of-a-kind crafted gelato and tastes such as Deliz Carraia (White chocolate and pistachio sauce), Sinfonia Carraia (Cream with orange sauce and dark chocolate), and Marmo Di Carraia (Cream with waffle and chocolate). Despite the weather being quite chilly when we visited, we still made room for two scoops of gelato, and yes, it was delicious.
Brew and Bloom Cafe
Brew and Bloom Cafe is what you get when you combine a floral shop with a cafe. This women-led company not only delivers beautifully arranged flowers and gifts but also operates a cafe that’s full of flowery delights, incorporating flora in all of its food products and hand-made products. The Cafe is very chic and definitely looks like a great spot for a ladies’ day with food items such as Hibiscus Watermelon Berry Salad and Truffled Squash Rillettes & Prosciutto Crisps, as well as drinks such as Lavender S’more Macchiatos, Magical Berry Lemonade, and Afternoon Tea.
What are your top Restaurants in Edmonton?
That’s a heckuva lot of restaurants in Edmonton to try out. Some of them we tried ourselves and others were recommended by our audience. But there are certainly more than 19 restaurants in Edmonton, so let us know in the comments what your favourite restaurants are and why you recommend them.
Looking for more things to do in Edmonton and beyond? Check out these travel guides below:
Was just there, but didn’t have time to try any of these.
Nineteen is also a great restaurant!
Looks like some good options but perhaps only useful if I’m there possibly for a Grey Cup, otherwise I would never go to Edmonton
No, why not? So many awesome things to do there
Thanks for the Edmonton restaurant recomendations.
Yum
In my travels, I have found the Canadians eat so much better than us Americans. I have never had a bad meal there.
I definitely need to check some of these places out. Thanks for the recommendations.