Edmonton's Best Restaurants 2017

It's been a huge year in Edmonton's burgeoning food scene, and with so many new and specialty eateriesit can be difficult to know where to start. Not to fear, CBC Edmonton's intrepid food fiends have done the footwork for you.

Here's the food scene's best of 2017in our city.

Your judges:

Twyla Campbell,Food explorer and Edmonton AM restaurant reviewer

Where I ate the most in 2017: Lock Stock Coffee for morning food; Uccellino for my evening addiction: pappardelle pig's head and prosciutto ragu bianco.

Adrienne Pan, On-duty newshound and off-duty food fanatic

Where I ate the most in 2017: The Sequel Cafe. I love soup. I could eat it every day. It's my lunch of choice during working hours and, at least a couple times a week, I get my soup fix at Sequel Cafe. It's conveniently located across the street from CBCand has excellent homemade offerings from carrot ginger and corn chowder to red lentil. I never miss the beet borscht special on Thursdays.

Phil Wilson,Food writer

Where I ate the most in 2017: Jack's Burger Shack. Jack's has become the only place Igo for burgers, which means when the craving hits, and it does often, I'm travelling to St. Albert. The patties at Jack's are hard-seared on the flattop, creating adelicious crust that highlights the flavour of the beef. Go for the Quebecer, topped with crispy fries, gravy, curdsand ranch to up your Canadian street cred.

Best new restaurant of 2017

Twyla: Biera

A state-of-the-art-kitchen, a massive charcoal grill, and a well-travelled chef with an unyielding respect for ingredients are the reasons why Biera secures my pick for best new restaurant 2017. I have just as hard a time deciding between Chef Christine Sandford's radishes and turnips as I do between the crispy skate wing and wort-glazed beef ribs.

Adrienne: Bndok

This spot in Edmonton's expanding Ice District was my happy place this year. You can taste real intention and care in the small plates that change with the seasons. The same goes for the service, ambiance, and drinks. I dream of the parmigiano soup. I marvel at the soft, pillowy gnocchi. I crave the roasted cauliflower. And let's talk about the posset. The little-known (to North Americans) dessert is the best ending to a meal in the city right now. Vegetarians will also appreciate the well-executed and inventive offerings here.

Phil: Bndok

I'm calling it2017 was the best year for new restaurants in Edmonton. Ever. I could make a case for a couple others as best of the year, but Bndok's combination of outstanding flavoursand flawless execution put them on top for me. A number of my favourite dishes in Edmonton can be found here, including their beautiful and refreshing sea bream crudowithapple, chiliand Thai basil, the intensely delicious parmigiano soup with leaks and bacon, and the Parisienne gnocchi with brussel sprouts, squashand breadcrumbs. And don't forget the citrus posset, Edmonton's best new dessert.

Most creative menu

Twyla: Bar Clementine

It secured fifthplace in Air Canada's Best New Restaurant List of 2017. Some places have creative food and some have creative drinks; Clementine has both. Chef Roger Ltourneau keeps things interesting with dishes like Atlantic lingcod poached in blue cheese butter, tobacco-smoked triple creme brieand sourdough rye pancakes with jambon de Paris. Need help decoding the cocktails? The scientists behind the bar will be happy to oblige. Cheers! And, pass the Becherovka, please.

Adrienne: Biera

It would be a disservice to not mention Alder Room in this category simply for its unique concept and rave national reviews (I have yet to dine there myself) butI'm giving the nodto the much-less cost prohibitive Biera. This is Blind Enthusiasm's brewpub, but you will not find typical brewpub grub here. The menu bursts with creativity and risk. I love the crispy skate wing fish. End the night with the berry marshmallow (even marshmallow-haters like melike it!).

Phil: Biera

Chef Christine Sandford has a real talent for making memorable dishes from simple ingredients. Her sourdoughnuggets with Alpindon beer cheese and sumac is an absolute showstopper, as are thecherry tomatoes with lovage oil, fiddlehead vinegarand marigold blossoms. Biera is going to be a beacon of quality and creativity that draws diners worldwide for years to come.

Best brunch

Twyla: XIX

Classy space, well-executed food, great service: three reasons to seek out either location of XIX. Five-spice baobenny, banana french toast, chicken and waffles with maple whisky sauce? All excellent choices.

Adrienne: Golden Rice Bowl

If you're in the mood for Chinese brunch, also known as dim sum, this is the place to go. It's been around forever, and knows what it's doing. The restaurant is very large and busy, meaning there's lots of selection.Make sure to order the pork dumpling with the red dot on itand the shrimp dumpling in the translucent-white wrap. Don't be afraid to try the chicken feet. Go with at least fourpeople as most dishes come in fours. Make it for 10:30 a.m. by11:30, you'll be waiting in line asthe food carts torturously rollby.

Phil: Pip

The third restaurant for the owners behind The Next Actand Meat, and food-wise, it might just be their best. Pip's elevated take on comfort food focuses on quality, and it shows. Eggs and bocconcini is a piping hot dish of delicious tomato sauce and cheese, with the eggs baked right in it.

Best vegetarian

Twyla: Cafe Mosaics

In business for 20 years now, thespace is homey with lots of plants and local art on the walls. The service is genuinely friendly and their playlist is jammed with good tunes. The food is creative, packed with flavour and they definitely don't skimp on ingredients. Go for the unicorn burger (truly a rarity to find a vegetarian burger this good!) or the green onion hemp and flax cakes.

Adrienne: Padmanadi

More and more people are going meatless. Happily, the choices for plant-based meat are getting really good. Open since 2002,Padmanadi is a veteran in the meatless meat game in Edmonton andI've never had a dish here I didn't like. I can't say you won't be able to tell the difference between textured soy protein and the real thing, but you won't care. It's delicious in its own right. I always order the roti canai and the mushroom deluxe. And, as stated45 ways to Edmonton like a local, be sure toget a hug from owner Kasim before you leave.

Phil: District Caf& Bakery

Roasted cauliflower andsage pizza with provolone and lemon. OK, so maybe it would be cool to pick a wholly-vegetarian restaurant here, but this pizza is a fantastic example that proves that skipping the meat doesn't have to mean skipping the flavour. This true sourdough, slow-fermented dough, and perfectly seasoned toppings might make you forget pepperoni even exists.

Best old-school Chinese

Twyla: All Happy Family Restaurant

This is one of the few places in the city for late night food they're open until 4 a.m., seven days a week, 365 days of the year. The ginger beef and deep fried squid are great, but if you get to know the servers, they just might cook you up a dish that's off-menu. They deliver, but you really want to dine in to get the full experience.

Adrienne: Chin KeeRestaurant

We've all heard in relation to Chinese restaurants: "the worse-looking the restaurant, the better the food." It's not a golden rule, but there's truth to that statement,and my pick in this category reflects that adage. It looks rundown, the hours are erratic, the decor is dated and the service is indifferent (if not occasionally rude), but the food is good. The menu here offers dishes you won't find anywhere else in the city, and that's where it excels. Get the deep fried dace fish skin, ginger fried rice, sweet and dark vinegar pork hocks, and chicken and vermicelli in Chinese herb soup. And, if you're really adventurous, the white rice fish omelette.There is "Canadian" Chinese food here.Don't order it.

Phil: The Barbecue House

When I think of Edmonton classics, The Barbecue House immediately comes to mind. I've been stopping by for the super combo (BBQpork and BBQ sausage over rice and noodles) for 20 years which seems like nothing, given they've been doing this since 1980. All the meats are barbecued in-house, and yes, you can order just the meats like at a deli counter. Heck, you can even bring in your own turkey and they'll barbecue it for you for a paltry $1.50/lb. Next Thanksgiving just got tastier and a whole lot easier.

Best oldie but goodie

Twyla: Bistro Praha

Praha is Czech for Prague, and this restaurant has been serving eastern European-style dishes for 40 years. Their beef tartare is legendary. The room is always full of energy, lots of chatter, people bent over clunky antique tables, digging into goulash, schnitzel and smoked pork hocks.

Adrienne: Ph Hon Pasteur

The key to good pho is the broth. It should be clear, beefy, and rich in spices star anise, clovesand cinnamon. When it's done well, it warms the soul. In Edmonton, I find the best broth at PhHonPasteur.Personally, I like meatball, tendonand brisket in my pho. Bean sprouts, thai basiland a squeeze of lime completethe dish. No need to add hoisin or sriracha in my opinion.Pho,you complete me.

Phil: Bauernschmaus

Sometimes saying a place hasn't changed in decades is an insult, but at Bauernschmaus, it's definitely a compliment. The room is homey and warm, and the food is unabashed Austrian comfort food goodness. Every entree comes with a starter salad and every table has a basket of buns and butter. What says 1980 dining more than that? You're not going to find tweezers for plating or fancy cocktails here, but you'll struggle to find a better wienerschnitzel and potato salad in Edmonton than this.

Best place to spend under $10

Twyla: Avila Arepa

Rolando and Samantha Sandrea of Venezuela are happy to feed you the foods of their culture, specificallyarepas, a hefty, Venezuelan sandwich. either vegetarian or packed with meat, cheese and veggies, and a heck of a deal at $8-$10.

Adrienne: Zwick's Pretzels

This place embodies beauty in simplicity: pretzels to perfection. The $2 basic butter andsalt does the trick, but I love it paired with the dill and onion cream dip (an extra $1). If you like cheese on your pretzel, get the guajilloandfeta for $3. All the pretzels come to you hot out of the oven. There's often a lineup out the door,but it's worth the wait.

Phil: Zwick's Pretzels

What I love about Zwick's is that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a really well-made and delicious meal or snack. Pick your favourite pretzel, whether its basic, cheesy, or even sweet, full pretzel or a bag of nubs. Plus, Zwick's has one of the best sandwiches in Edmonton, the McZwick, featuring roasted chicken, candied bacon, mozzaand paprika aioli on a pretzel bun. This is one of the first places I take out oftown guests.

Best place for takeout

Twyla: Chix Shack

Owned by the same people asSawadee in Sherwood Park, Chix Shack serves upauthentic Thai food with chicken as the menu's focus at their 109th Streetlocation.It's all about fresh, bold, layered flavours cooked by people genuinely thrilled to have you walk through their doors.

Adrienne: Tiffin Fresh Kitchen

You can get takeout from virtually any restaurant in Edmonton these days with things like SkipTheDishes, so I've decided to choose a place specifically set up for to-go food. Tiffin Fresh Kitchen, open insouth Edmonton sinceSeptember, offersIndian fast casual. You fill up a tiffinwith your choice of rice, vegetableand meat dishes. Then, top it off with yummy finishes like roasted garlic and cashews. Make sure to sop up all the rich, and generally spicy, sauces with fresh naan. There's no table service, but the space is decked out with some cool art if you want to eat-in. A second location is opening downtown in Spring 2018.

Phil: Little Village

This Greek take-out counter in the west end gets my vote because on top of providing time-tested Psalios family (original Koutouki owners) favourites like rosemary roasted chicken, Greek salad, spanakopita, and their famous lemon potatoes, you getsomething that is a take-out rarity: vegetables! With a minimum of twopeople, get the meze, which gives you a great mix of everything for $19.50 per person. It's a great spot to stop for a quick lunch as well.

Best coffee shop

Twyla: Lock Stock Coffee

Olive oil cake, ham and cheese tartine, breakfast sandwiches. It's hard to pick a favourite, but one thing you have to try is the KouignAmann, a heavenly, layered Breton pastry. The space is always warm and inviting and with free Wi-Fi and good music,it's a great place to bring the laptop and do a bit of work.

Adrienne: Transcend Coffee and Roastery at Ritchie Market

The ever-increasing numberand quality of great independent coffee shops in Edmonton makes me proud, but this is my go-to. Their flat white is my favourite coffee in the city. You'll also see a$7.50 coffee milkshake on the menu there get it. You deserve it.For a cool spot to drink your coffee in-house, head to Coffee Bureau. It's tiny with a cool vibe, and the Jasper Avenuelocation makes for great people watching. Pastries supplied by the excellent FanFan. Some love as wellfor Iconoclast Koffiehuis.

Phil: Lock Stock Coffee

A coffee shop is about much more than the coffee, and Lock Stock has the whole package for me. Great coffee of course, but it's made all the better with a roster of baked goods that is a step ahead of everyone else. If you haven't tried their Kouign Amann yet, put down your phone and go right now.

Best doughnuts

Twyla: Doughnut Party

Open for a year and there are still lineups. It's no wonder. These fluffy treats taste as good as they sound and look: raspberry rosewater, maple snickerdoodle and pear chocolate.

Adrienne: Frickin' Delights Donuts

Is it worth driving 20 minutes south of Edmonton to go to a vegan cafefor cake doughnuts? Yes. You won't find any dry, flavourless fried dough here, applesauce and coconut milk make sure of that. I also found their soy Nanaimo bar doughnut a tasty delight.

Phil: Bliss Baked Goods

These days, there are great doughnuts everywhere you look in Edmontonbut when you strip away the fancy topping and get right down to the dough, Bliss makes the best. These are simple, straight-ahead doughnuts with a soft and airy base you just can't beat.

Best wildcard

Twyla: Dogwood Cafat Victoria

Understated, unpretentious and cozy venue with rock solid comfort food under the direction of Brad Lazarenko. French onion soup, roast beef, duck confit andcheese fondue. Also a great place for Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Adrienne: Pip

Pip describes itself as "a cute little space in the heart of Old Strathcona."I like this trend of small, intimate restaurant spaces this one has just 28 seats. But don't worry, the menu is big on flavour. It's bistro fare, inviting, easy, and satisfying. I haven't heard one negative review of a dish on the menu, andcan personally vouch for the trout on bread (spectacular sourdough made specially for Pip)and the chimichurri steak. The pork belly is the most popular dish, and crispy and succulent in all the right places.

Phil: Fuge Fine Meats

A well-made sausage is a thing of beauty, and Fuge is grinding out perfect 10s. I always have at least one pack of Fuge sausages in my freezer, and I think you should too. They've got everything from the chorizochili verde to the special whiskey-smoked bratwurst, and even the tasty breakfast sausages aretop-notch. It's no wonder a number of Alberta's finest restaurants have begun serving Fuge sausages.

What to watch for in 2018

Twyla:

Single focus food do one thing and do it well. We're seeing it with Zwick's, Salz, Mayday Dogsand Honest Dumplings. We're going back to the art of craft, and this is good. If there is one person to watch, though, it's Mai Nguyen, a finalist on Master Chef Canada, whose Vietnamese food is a thing of beauty. She's currently working part-time at Prairie Noodle Shop and part-time at Biera, but watch for her pop-ups and grab a ticket if you can.

Adrienne:

Looking forward to trying out two new places opening this month: Ohana Donuterie'sstorefrontjust off Whyte Avenue and a new vegan/vegetarian restaurant in The Quarters by the folks behind Cafe Mosaics:The Moth Cafe.

Phil:

More, more, more ...I expect to see a great follow-up on an outstanding 2017 for Edmonton restaurants. More accolades, more recognition for our great dining sceneand more talented chefs pushing each other to alwaysbe better. The rest of Canada is taking notice that Edmonton is coming on strong and we're not going away.

Watch the whole review:

Edmonton's best restaurants, 2017

7 years ago

Duration 4:25

Adrienne Pan, Twyla Campbell and Phil Wilson give their takes on Edmonton's best food.