If you’re planning a road trip through southern Alberta, you might as well plan your meals, too. Once you leave Calgary, you’ll find restaurants in small towns, mountain communities and along the highways worth stopping for. Some have been around for decades, while others are newer spots that have built a following of their own.
We’ve rounded up 10 restaurants across southern Alberta where you can stop for a meal while you’re exploring the province.
Let’s jump into it.
Just outside Calgary, Big Sky BBQ serves Texas-style BBQ in a huge space with a massive patio. Its smokers are filled with brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and house-made sausage.
Where: 306016 15th St. E., Foothills County, Alta.
You’ll find Chuckwagon Cafe in a little red barn in Diamond Valley, where it has been serving breakfast and lunch since 1998. Its burgers have won Best Burger in Alberta three times, and the menu also includes all-day breakfast, homemade soups, sandwiches, and pies.
Where: 105 Sunset Blvd. NW, Diamond Valley, Alta.
Perched along the Cowboy Trail with views toward the Rockies, Longview Steakhouse is known for its Alberta beef and family-run dining room. The menu rotates, but you can find dishes like ribeye, filet mignon, and seafood, with starters and desserts also made in-house.
Where: 562074 Hwy. 22 W., Longview, Alta.
Set inside a restored 1947 railway car, The Dining Car serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a setting that still has lots of its original character. The menu includes dishes like the Loaded Railway Hash with pulled pork, eggs, and hollandaise; the Rocky Mountain French Toast with ham and Brie; and a Barbecue pulled pork poutine.
Where: 408 1st St. SW, High River, Alta.
You may recognize Roy’s Place from Food Network Canada’s You Gotta Eat Here!, which featured the Claresholm restaurant and its home-style cooking. Its menu includes burgers, beef dip, homemade soups and breakfast dishes, but the giant cinnamon buns are probably the hardest thing to miss.
Where: 5008 1st St. W., Claresholm, Alta.
Telegraph Taphouse occupies Lethbridge’s former telegraph office, a building that has been a part of the city since 1937. Today, the restaurant serves locally sourced dishes like bison and lamb burgers, baked brie with haskap, and a rotating selection of Alberta craft beer.
Where: 310 6th St. S., Lethbridge, Alta.
From lobster ravioli and house-made pasta to Alberta lamb and steak, Rustic Kitchen and Bar has plenty of options for a sit-down meal in Medicine Hat. Much of the menu is made in-house, including the pasta, bread, sauces and desserts, with ingredients sourced from local producers whenever possible.
Where: 925 7th St. SW, Medicine Hat, Alta.
After a long day on the road, The Pass Beer Co. is a great spot to stop and stretch your legs, grab a wood-fired pizza and hang out on its spacious patio with gorgeous mountain views. The patio and greenspace are pet-friendly, and there are lawn games to keep you entertained while you’re waiting for your food. The menu also has house-made poutine, wings and shareable appetizers if pizza isn’t calling your name.
Where: 10801 20th Ave., Blairmore, Alta.
There’s a lot to look at once you get inside The Rum Runner, which pays tribute to Coleman and the Crowsnest Pass’ rum-running history, with artifacts scattered throughout the space. The food is just as substantial, with half-pound burgers, ale-battered haddock, pizza, and perogies.
Its patio is also dog-friendly, making it a handy stop if you’re travelling with your pup.
Where: 7902 20th Ave., Coleman, Alta.
After a day exploring Waterton, Thirsty Bear Kitchen and Bar is the perfect spot to grab a cold drink and something hearty to eat. The menu has everything from birria tacos and a double-patty Alberta Angus smash burger to Baja fish tacos and an Alberta bison stew.
Where: 111 Waterton Ave., Waterton Lakes National Park, Alta.
A road trip through southern Alberta can be just as much about where you eat as where you’re going. Keep these spots in mind the next time you’re planning a drive south of Calgary.
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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