Avenue Magazine’s 2020 list of Calgary’s best restaurants was unveiled today, and while many of the city’s usual suspects retained their elite status, a number of relative newcomers were also included, reflective of the city’s burgeoning culinary scene.
The annual publication often refrains from selecting overall winners; however, this year the Avenue team singled out Lulu Bar as the city’s best new restaurant.
One of the most surprising, yet welcomed inclusions in the best new restaurant list is The Allium. Although the 12th Ave restaurant has gained prestige within Calgary's vegetarian community, it has largely flown under the radar for the rest of the city since opening in March of 2019.
While deserving of its best fast casual inclusion, it may also come as some surprise to Calgarians that the roughly two-year-old Alumni made the list for Calgary’s best new restaurants. Whether or not it is technically “new”, patrons of the popular sandwich spot are undoubtedly happy to see the 17th Ave eatery get some love.
Although the Avenue editorial team has the final say on which restaurants make their lists, more than 900 responses from local critics, restaurateurs, chefs, and the general dining public were assessed in consideration for the final results.
