5 places to try in Kensington

Kensington is a Calgary neighbourhood we live and work in so, we’ve rounded up 5 places to try in Kensington that you might not have heard about.  Some are brand new. Others are tried-and-true favourites.

1. The new kid on the block is called Meatball Project.  They’re serving up tasty meatballs (of course), handheld meatball sandwiches and a few sweets to balance the taste buds.  And, vegetarians, Meatball Project has something for you too.  You can order their meatballs with made with plant-based meat.
2. We love that PB&J YYC makes terrific tasting twists on our childhood favourite. All the PB&J’s here are made with fresh in-house ground nut butters. We like the classic “Elvis” with its freshly sliced bananas.  Pro Tip: Bring a jar so you can take home some Mixed Nut Butter which is a combination of peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter.
3. Unfussy Indian Street food cooked by top Indian chefs is what you’ll get at Indie Counterculture. Our president, Karen Anderson, describes the Butter Chicken Poutine as “crazy good.” And, she’s an expert on the subject, having judged a recent Calgary Butter Chicken contest for Culinaire magazine. Not to mention writing an award-winning Indian cookbook, A Spicy Touch, and having led seven cuisine and culture trips to India!.
4. There is no place better to grab a beer and linger over a charcuterie board than at Free House Local Beer & Food Hall. With 24 rotating beers and ciders on tap (most of them local) and a focus on Canadian comfort food, our team often unwinds here.
5. Over at Oxbow Restaurant in the Hotel Arts Kensington chef Quinn Staples has just introduced a new fall menu. The Springfield Farms Bison Ribeye with red wine jus has us drooling.  Insider Tip: If you visit on a Friday, you can pair that juicy steak with a half price bottle of wine.  It’s a win – win for your tummy and your wallet.

Finally, you can work up your appetite before visiting all these great places by playing our Kensington Alberta Food Finder food tour game.  It’s a gamified self-guided walking food tour. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your favourite people for an unforgettable day of discovering local food, hidden gems and surprising history, art and culture through our guided interactive game. Your game pass can be purchased right here on our website on the Food Tour Games tab.

Photos from Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Players enjoying Alberta Food Finder Kensington, Butter Chicken Poutine Indie Counterculture, Growler at Free House, Ribeye Oxbow Restaurant,  Peanut Butter at PB&JYYC and couple at Hotel Arts Kensington