Cheap eats in Calgary: how to eat well without spending much

Eating out has become more expensive everywhere in Canada, and Calgary is no exception. But the city still has plenty of places where you can eat very well for not much money, and it has one built-in advantage: Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so the only tax on your bill is the 5 percent GST. Here is where to look.

Where can you find cheap food in Calgary?

Area	What to look for
Chinatown	Vietnamese subs, pho, dim sum, bakery buns
International Avenue (17th Avenue SE)	Family-run restaurants from dozens of countries
Northeast Calgary	Pakistani, Indian and Afghan restaurants, sweet shops
Forest Lawn and Chinatown	Pho and Vietnamese rice plates
Plus 15 food courts	Quick weekday lunches downtown
Farmers markets	Market food stalls and bakeries
Kensington and 17th Avenue	Slices, noodles and lunch specials among pricier spots

What are the best cheap meals in Calgary?

• A Vietnamese sub (banh mi), one of the city's best-value lunches.
• A bowl of pho, filling and comforting.
• Dim sum, if you share a few dishes.
• A donair or shawarma, especially late at night.
• Pakistani or Indian thali or combo plates in the northeast.
• Ethiopian platters to share on International Avenue.
• Pizza by the slice.
• Market food at the Calgary Farmers' Market or Crossroads Market.

How do you save money eating out in Calgary?

1. Eat your big meal at lunch, when many restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus.
2. Use happy hours for discounted drinks and appetizers.
3. Share plates, especially at Chinese, Ethiopian and Middle Eastern restaurants.
4. Choose counter service, where tipping is optional.
5. Pick up takeout yourself instead of paying delivery fees.
6. Look beyond the inner city: suburban strip malls often have better value.
7. Drink water; alcohol adds up fastest.

Is Calgary cheaper than Vancouver or Toronto for eating out?

Often slightly, partly because of tax. In Alberta, a restaurant bill only adds the 5 percent GST, compared with 5 percent GST plus 10 percent PST on alcohol in BC and 13 percent HST in Ontario. Menu prices vary more than tax, though, and inner-city restaurants in Calgary can be just as expensive as in other big cities.

Do you still need to tip at cheap restaurants in Calgary?

At table service, yes: 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount, even at an inexpensive restaurant. Servers' work is the same whatever the bill. At counters, food trucks and takeout, tipping is optional, though many people leave something for good service.

Are food courts good for cheap eats in Calgary?

Yes, especially downtown in the Plus 15 on weekdays, and in suburban malls. Many food court stalls are independent and family-run, serving Asian, Middle Eastern and comfort food at lower prices than sit-down restaurants. Downtown food courts are often closed on weekends and evenings.

Are Calgary farmers markets good for a cheap lunch?

Yes. The Calgary Farmers' Market and Crossroads Market both have stalls selling ready-to-eat food, from perogies and sandwiches to baked goods and coffee, and grazing a few stalls can be a cheap and fun lunch. Market bakeries often sell day-old bread and pastries at a discount near closing. Check opening days before you go, since the markets are not open every day of the week.

What about lunch specials and happy hours?

Many Calgary restaurants, including some of the pricier ones, offer lunch menus or lunch specials that cost noticeably less than dinner for similar food. Happy hour, usually in the late afternoon, often includes discounted appetizers as well as drinks. A happy hour of shared plates can be one of the cheapest ways to try a restaurant you would otherwise save for a special occasion.

Where can you eat cheaply late at night in Calgary?

Donair and shawarma shops, pizza by the slice and some restaurants in Chinatown are among the most reliable late, cheap options. Hours change, so check before you go.

What Prairie comfort foods make a cheap meal?

Alberta has deep Ukrainian and Eastern European roots, and some of the best cheap, filling food in Calgary comes from that tradition:

• Perogies, dumplings filled with potato and cheese, often fried with onions and served with sour cream.
• Cabbage rolls, cabbage leaves wrapped around rice and meat, baked in tomato sauce.
• Kielbasa, smoked sausage, often with sauerkraut.

Look for them at farmers markets, delis and family restaurants, and in grocery freezers if you want to cook at home. Add Calgary's other cheap staples, donairs, Vietnamese subs and pho, and you can eat well for a week without a pricey dinner.

How do you find good cheap food, not just cheap food?

Cheap is easy; good and cheap takes local knowledge. Look for busy places with locals, a short menu and a specialty, and ask friends where they actually eat. On Mosey you can see where people ate and what they ordered, rate the dishes you loved, and keep a list of reliable cheap eats for the end of the month.

More guides to read next:

• A food day trip from Calgary to Canmore and Banff
• Calgary Chinatown food guide: dim sum, Vietnamese subs and bakeries
• Coffee shops and bakeries in Calgary: where to look and what to order

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.