Congratulations to the 2019 Finalists for being nominated as one of the Best of Calgary!
We’ll see you at the Finalist Mixer on Wednesday January 16th where we will launch the formal voting process.
RSVP here to attend!
Disclaimer: If you see your friends or your favourite places listed below and happen to know their twitter handle,
be a good Calgarian and let them know.
Drum roll please…in no particular order…the 2019 Finalists are…
Best Art Gallery
Esker Foundation, Glenbow Museum, Masters Gallery Ltd., The New Gallery, Newzones
Best Bakery
Sidewalk Citizen, Glamorgan Bakery, WOW Bakery, Pretty Sweet Bakeshop, Alforno Bakery & Cafe
Best Barbecue
Hayden Block Smoke & Whiskey, Holy Smoke BBQ, Big T's BBQ, The Palomino, Paddy's Barbecue & Brewery
Best Barre Studio
Barre Belle, Barre Body Studio, Fit Republic, Ballet Barre Works, BarreWest
Best Bartender
Paddy Berry- Inner City Brewing, Jimmy Nguyen - Betty Lou’s Library, Makina Labreqcue- Proof, Stu Connor- The Oak Tree
Best Bike Shop
Bow Cycle & Sports, The Bike Shop, Bike Bike, Bike & Brew, Ridley's Cycle
Best Blogger
Mike Morrison, crackmacs, Dashing Dad, Mr. Fabulous, Glimpse of Maria, Rachel Antony
Best Board/ Ski Shop
Ski Cellar Snowboard, The Source, Royal Board Shop, Abominable Sports
Best Book Store
Shelf Life Books, Pages Books on Kensington, Fairs Fair, Owl's Nest Books
Best Boxing Studio
Undrcard Boxing Studio, Rumble Boxing Studio, Square1 Fitness, Sweat Science Boxing, 10th Street Boxing Gym
Best Breakfast
OEB Breakfast Co., Diner Deluxe, Red's Diner, The Bro'Kin Yolk, Blue Star Diner
Best Brewery
Cold Garden Beverage Company, Village Brewery, The Dandy Brewing Company, Last Best Brewing Company, Annex Ale Project
Best Burger
Boogies Burgers, Lil Truck on the Prairie, The Garrison Pub & Eatery, Clive Burger, Five Guys
Best Chef
Mike Pigot - Home & Away, Connie DeSousa- Charcut, Elycia Ross- Lil Truck on the Prairie,
Darren MacLean – Shokunin, Blair Clemis - Model Milk,
Best Chinese
Two Penny Chinese, Silver Dragon Restaurant, Great Taste Chinese Restaurant, Ginger Beef Bistro House, Silver Inn Restaurant
Best Civic Activist
Mike Morrison, Raging Grannies, Sharon Stevens- Essense, Michelle Robinson, Mark Hopkins
Best Cocktail Bar
Proof, Milk Tiger Lounge, Cannibale Barbershop & Cocktails, Betty Lou's Library, Cleaver
Best Coffee House
Rosso Coffee Roasters, Analog Coffee, Monogram, Phil & Sebastian, Caffe Beano
Best Consignment Store
Peacock Boutique, Velour Clothing Exchange, The Clothing Bar Boutique Calgary, Danielle's Consignment Boutique
Best Dance Company
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Chinook Country Line Dancers, Dance Through Life, Alberta Ballet Company, Burlesque Burn
Best Doughnut Shop
Jelly Modern Doughnut, Hoopla Donuts, Mountain Rhino Donuts, Pretty Sweet Bakeshop, Veghammer
Best Dressed
Omar Slieman, Todd Hirsch, Ania B, Aldona B, Nam Dang Mitchell
Best Educational Institute
SAIT, MRU, University of Calgary, Webber Academy, Alberta College of Art & Design
Best Family Entertainment Spot
Calgary Zoo, Heritage Park, The Rec Room, New Central Public Library, TELUS Spark Science Centre
Best Family Event
Beakerhead, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Zoo Lights – Calgary Zoo, Circle Carnival
Best Farmers Market
Crossroads, Calgary Farmers Market, Blackfoot Farmers Market, Farmers and Makers Market at cSpace, Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers Market
Best Festival
Calgary Folk Music Festival, Sled Island, Beakerhead, Circle Carnival, Lilac Festival
Best Plant/ Flower Shop
Plant, Amborella Floral, Peaseblossoms, Esmé Beauty & Floral Bar, Wild About Flowers
Best Food Truck
Lil Truck on the Prairie, Taiko Taco, Vegan Street Eats, Perogy Boyz, Waffles & Chix
Best French
Cassis Bistro, Suzette Bistro, Royale, Avec Bistro, La Chaumiere, Fleur de Sel Brasserie
Best Fries/ Poutine
Lil Truck on the Prairie, The Big Cheese Poutinerie, Charcut Roast House, Broken City, Clive Burger
Best Fried Chicken
Zilford’s, Home & Away , Cluck & Cleaver , OGAM, Chicken on the Way
Best Furniture Store
Kit Interior Objects, McArthur's Fine Furniture, EQ3 Furniture & Accessories, Structube
Best Greek
Santorini Greek Taverna, My Pegasus Greek Restaurant, Broken Plate, Paros Real Greek, Spiros on 17th
Best Grocery Store
Blush Lane Organic Market, Community Natural Foods, Bridgeland Market, Sunterra, Sunnyside Natural Market
Best Haircut for Men
Cannibale, Redbloom Salon, Marda Loop Barber, London Barbers, Social Cut & Shave
Best Hairstyle for Women
Hedkandi, Redbloom Salon, Distilled Beauty Bar, Velvet Style, Diva Salon & Spa
Best Historical Building
Lougheed House, Simmons Building, Old City Hall, The King Eddie, Memorial Park Library
Best Ice Cream/ Gelato
Fiasco Gelato, Made By Marcus, Village Ice Cream, My Favourite Ice Cream Shoppe
Best Indian
Calcutta Cricket Club, Moti Mahal, Namskar Fine East Indian, Rajdoot, Karma Fine Indian Cuisine
Best Influencer
Mike Morrison, Ania B, crackmacs, Beachy Kj
Best Instagram Feed
Date Night YYC, Peacock Boutique, Blondie Boutique, Beachy Kj
Best Interior Design Store
Kit Interior Objects, EQ3.com, Revolve Furnishings, DADE Loft
Best International Foodstore
T & T Supermarket, Unimarket, Kalamata Grocery Store, Lina's Italian Market, Italian Center Calgary
Best Italian
Mercato Gourmet, Tavernetta, Bonterra Trattoria, Bread and Circus Trattoria, Cibo
Best Jewellery Store
Rubaiyat, Blondie Boutique, Joydrop, Wong Ken's Jewellery, The Livery Shop
Best Journalist/ Columnist
Jeremy Klaszus, Rick Bell- Calgary Sun, Jason Markusoff- Maclean’s, Jen Gerson
Best Juice Bar
Well Juicery, Juice Because, Seed & Salt, The Cherry Pit
Best Kitchenware Store
Knifewear Calgary, The Cookbook Co. Cooks, Savour Fine Foods, Artesana Galleria
Best Late Night Spot
Broken City, Tubby Dog, Una Pizza + Wine, The Ship & Anchor Pub, Home & Away
Best Local Actor & Actress
Andrew Phung, Julie Orton, Haysam Kadri, Spencer Streichert, Chris Hunt
Best Local Author/ Poet
Kris Demeanor, Richard Harrison, Sheri-D Wilson, Marcello Di Cintio, Eugene Stickland
Best Local Comedian
Andrew Phung, Amy Edgar, Cory Mack, Spencer Streichert, Kris LaBelle
Best Local DJ
DJ MollyFi, DJ Kav, DJ Goodword, Smalltown DJ's
Best Local Filmmaker
Scott Westby- Full Swing Productions, Sandi Somers- Spring Street Films, Spencer Streichert, Gary Burns - Burns Film Inc
Best Local Music Act
Revv52, The Dudes, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, The Morons, The Flat Whites
Best Local Photographer
Benjamin Laird, Neil Zeller, Brendan Stephens, Jeremy Fokkens, Benjamin Laird
Best Local Twitter Personality
crackmacs, Mike Morrison, Alberta Advantage, Naheed Nenshi, Kevin Kent
Best Magazine
Avenue Magazine, Dote, Beatroute, FREQ Magazine, City Palate
Best Marijuana Dispensary
Four20 Premium Market, Queen of Bud, Nova Cannabis, Co-op Cannabis MacLeod Trail, New Leaf
Best Menswear Store
Espy, Understudy Clothing, Less17, Gravity Pope
Best Mexican
Native Tongues Taqueria, AÑEJO Restaurant, Los Chilitos Taco and Tequila House, Salt & Pepper Restaurante Mexicano, Tacos Mexico
Best Middle Eastern
Jerusalem Shwarma & Bakery, Tazza Deli and Grill, Little Lebanon, Aida's Bistro
Best Neighbourhood
Inglewood, Mission, Kensington, Bridgeland
Best Neighbourhood Pub
Kensington Pub, The Garrison Pub & Eatery, The Ship & Anchor Pub, Oak Tree Tavern, Broken City
Best New Bar
Inner City Brewing, Pinbar, Greta Bar, One Night Stan's, Cold Garden Beverage Company
Best New Restaurant
Gorilla Whale, Donna Mac, Two Penny Chinese, Alumni Sandwiches, Tavernetta
Best Open Jam/ Mic Night
Cafe Koi, The Blues Can, Ironwood Stage & Grill, The Ship & Anchor Pub, Mikey’s on 12th
Best Overall Restaurant
Ten Foot Henry, Donna Mac, The Coup, Bridgette Bar, Native Tongues Taqueria, Charbar
Best Patio
Broken City, The Ship & Anchor Pub, National on 8th, Charbar, Bonterra Trattoria
Best Pet Store
The Wild Bird Store, Rascals Pet Supplies, Unleashed Inc., Doodle Dogs
Best Philanthropist
W. Brett Wilson, Jim & Susan Hill-Esker Foundation, Arlene Dickinson, Allan Markin
Best Pizza
Una Pizza + Wine, Without Papers Pizza, Posto Pizzeria & Bar, Noble Pie, Inglewood Pizza
Best Fries/ Poutine
Lil Truck on the Prairie, The Big Cheese, Charcut Roast House, Broken City, Clive Burger
Best Place for Comedy
Broken City, Yuk Yuks, Loose Moose Theatre Company, The Kinkonauts, The Laugh Shop
Best Place for Live Music
Ironwood Stage & Grill, The Blues Can, Broken City, The Palomino, Webber Academy
Best Place to Buy Music
Recordland, Sloth Records, Lukes Drug Mart, Blackbyrd, Hot Wax Records
Best Place to Buy Organic
Blush Lane Organic Market, Community Natural Foods, Planet Organic, Sunnyside Natural Market, Calgary Farmers Market
Best Place to Dance
The Hifi Club, Broken City, Twisted Element, Habitat Living Sound, Marquee Beer Market
Best Podcast
Alberta Advantage, Girl Tries Life, Repodcasting, I Quit! - Mike Morrisson
Best Politician
Naheed Nenshi, Druh Farrel, Evan Woolley, Jeremy Farkas, Jason Kenney, Bob Steele
Best Radio Personality
David Gray, Fuzzy, Angela Valiant, Danielle Smith
Best Seafood
Big Fish, Rodney's Oyster Bar, Pelican Pier, Bookers BBQ & Crab Shack, Charbar
Best Shoe Store
Gravity Pope, Luna Blue, John Fluevog, Checkmate Shoes, Shoe Muse
Best Shopping District
Inglewood, Kensington, 17th Ave, Chinook Mall, The Core
Best Spa/ Beauty Bar
SKOAH Westhills, Distilled Beauty Bar, Riverside Spa, Esme, Butter Beauty Parlour
Best Spin Studio
YYC Cycle, One Cycle Spin Studio, FitRepublic, Stax Cycle Club, The Sweat Lab
Best Steak
Modern Steak, Vintage Chophouse & Tavern, Charbar, Caesars Steakhouse, Hy's Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Best Sushi
Kinjo, Sushi Bar Zipang, Globefish Sushi & Izakaya, Hana Sushi, Sushi Ginza
Best Tattoo Shop
Mission Tattoo, Immaculate Concept, Eternal Image, Strange World, Gypsy Rose Tattoo
Best Thai
White Elephant Thai Cuisine, Tuk Tuk Thai, Jurees Thai, Chilli Club Thai House
Best Theatre Company
Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Project, Vertigo Theatre, The Kinkonauts, Loose Moose Theatre Company
Best TV Personality
David Spence- CTV, Jordan Witzel- Global, Scott Fee- Global, Dave Kelly, Linda Olsen- Global
Best Vegan/ Vegetarian
The Coup, Hearts Choices Thai Vegan Cafe, Ten Foot Henry, Dandelion Cafe, Cafe Koi
Best Vietnamese
Tamarind Vietnamese Grill & Noodle House, Pho Huong Viet, Van Son, Golden Bell
Best Vintage Furniture Store
Bex Vintage, Reclaim to Fame, Murphy’s Mid Century , Iron Crow Antiques and Objects of Intrigue, Uniquities Architectural Antiques
Best Visual Artist
Mandy Stobo, Chris Cran, Katie Green, Dean Stanton, Brianna Strong
Best Wine List
Vin Room, Bar Von Der Fels, Teatro Ristorante, Vine Arts, Winebar Kensington
Best Wine/ Liquor Store
Vine Arts, Willow Park Wines & Spirits, Metrovino, Kensington Wine Market, Oak & Vine
Best Wings
Mug Shotz Sports Bar & Grill, Home & Away, Bottlescrew Bills, Anju
Best Womenswear Store
Shear Luxury, Purr, Espy, Peacock Boutique, Blondie Boutique
Best Yoga Studio
Yoga Santosha, Junction 9 Yoga & Pilates, Hot Shop, Breathe Hot Yoga, Passage Studio
Congrats to our finalists and thank you to all of you amazing Calgarians for speaking up, nominating and sharing
YOUR Best of Calgary with us.
For all finalists, please join us at the mixer to kick off the voting on Wednesday, January 16th at 4:30 pm by RSVP’ing here.
The official voting period will open on Wednesday, January 16th at noon.