Best Food in Lethbridge, Alberta
Want to know where to find the best local food in Lethbridge, Alberta? Our President, Karen Anderson, visited Lethbridge recently. She’s the OG “Alberta Food Finder.” Here’s what her extra sensory food perception discovered.
For a little contect, the area surrounding Alberta’s third largest city is known as Canada’s Premiere Food Corridor. Long, hot summer days and a state of the art irrigation system covering 900,000+ acres on 4470 farms mean the farmers and ranchers produce a lot of Canada and the world’s food. How much? The over 65 specialty crops found here yield $8 billion annually.
Downtown Lethbridge
6 St
6 St is really the heart of Downtown Lethbridge. Independent shops abound here. My favourite is Analog Books. The key to finding the best local food anywhere is finding a local food lover. Analog’s owner, Penny Warris, was that person for me on my latest visit. She not only works downtown, she also lives in the core. Penny’s list gave me a food lovers’ treasure hunt that set me up for success. So starting on 6 St, here we go:
Stella’s Diner and Catering – Both a diner and Italian shop, it’s the city’s winner of best breakfast and brunch.
Anitjitos Latin Market and Cafe – Columbian yumminess. Did someone say empanadas?
Telegraph Taphouse – This local watering hole is in a seriously cool old telegraph office.
Cookie Crimes Ice Creamery – A match made in heaven, cookies and ice cream. The owners serve up a huge dose of humour on the side.
5th St
How Sweet – This is a first class candy specialty shop. Plus, I found Bugles™ for my Christmas Nuts and Bolts here! That’s not an easy thing to do since the Bugles company stopped selling them in Canada.
The Conscious Cafe – With the beautiful Herbal Apothecary next door, this cafe serves up plant-based dishes and drinks that are sustainable. It’s a vegan nirvana.
The Penny Coffee House – Vintage heaven.
Bread, Milk, & Honey Cafe – They open early for coffee and are also a great lunch spot.
Steel and Vines – An unpretentious wine bar and bistro.
3rd Ave
Tacos Made in Mexico – This is a family-run Mexican eatery with great on the street dining in summer.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge – Music and great pub food, poutine, and bowls. Plus owls decor and a motto to “stay weird.”
The Lighthouse Akari Sushi Japanese Restaurant – This restaurant opened in 2003. For the past five years chef Yukinari Takahashi, with 25 years experience, has delivered unparalleled excellence.
Whisk and Ladle – A delightful kitchen shop owned by Barb Doan.
2nd Ave
- Nakagama Co. Ltd – This is the oldest Japanese Grocery in Alberta and a delightful place to stock up on all your favourite staples including sushi grade fish in the freezer.
In and Around Lethbridge
Umami Shop – Cooking Classes, eats, and global ingredient groceries have made this shop a success. Get their pulled “pork” jackfruit sandwich.
Don’t miss the Saturday Lethbridge Farmers’ Market in summer at the Agri Food Hub. My favourite find here was Peaks & Pasture’s Water Buffalo milk and cheeses. The cheeses are made in Mountainview by James Meservey. They are just fantastic.
Visit Broxburn Farms Cafe for a fresh taste of their legendary produce. Red Pepper Soup and Pie? Yes please. Stay for their U-Pick or shop at their market while you are there. Note: the U-Pick strawberries last well into September. Lethbridge is usually the last place to get a frost in Alberta.
Check out Prairie Hill Farms – For all things Haskap and local. Don’t know what a haskap is? All the more reason to visit and taste this juicy native berry for yourself.
Little Gem Winery – When your parents own a haskap farm, it makes sense to go into the Haskap wine making business. Set on a quiet country road, you’ll be delighted by the flavours of these wines and ciders.
Broek Pork Acres – Visit the on-farm butcher shop of the Vanden Broek family and discover the flavour of their heritage breed Berkshire pork.
Cattlemen’s Chophouse in Picture Butte – Fine dining in a beautiful new facility.
Homestead Bakery in Fort Macleod – Consistently wonderful. A great pit stop on your way to or from Lethbridge.