International eateries on Macleod Trail in Calgary
Excluding its downtown-Beltline stretch, Calgary’s central north-south traffic artery was once an ugly duckling thoroughfare lined with shabby strip malls and gas stations. However, Macleod Trail has been admirably beautified and the revamped roadway features a surprising array of international eateries between 42nd Avenue Southeast and Anderson Road.
Bolero
Kitty corner to Chinook Centre, Smuggler’s Inn may be the quintessential Macleod Trail landmark: a steak-and-seafood shack patronized by generations of diners, but its conversion to a multi-eatery complex has only boosted its cuisine cachet. One of four restaurants under the Smuggler’s roof, Open Sesame serves Asian-fusion food in a chic, Shangri-La setting accented with deep-red walls and varnished beams. Dine à la carte or visit the build-your-own stir-fry bar.
Little Spice Restaurant
9669 MacLeod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2J 0P6Located just south of Ranchmans’ in Southland Crossing Shopping Centre, Little Spice’s unassuming digs and tiny title belie its big flavours and growing reputation. Its northern Indian and Pakistani menu features a wide variety of tastes including rogan josh, biryani and vindaloo dishes as well as much more. Also try south Indian, coconut-and-chili korma stews and Brit-style fish and chips. Is it halal? You bet.
Bagolac Saigon Restaurant
6130 1A St SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0G3Also convenient for Chinook Centre shoppers and CTrain travellers, Bagolac Saigon draws consistent crowds. Suitably casual enough for post-mall munchies, its neat polish also befits business lunch. Generous, brothy beef, seafood and sate noodle soups are the signature meal. Stir fries, steamed-rice plates and vermicelli bowls round out the mile-long Bagolac menu.
Surahi (Restaurant)
8906 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0M4The big green building tucked behind the Swiss Chalet just south of Heritage Drive, is home to Surahi. An East Indian eatery whose interior is colourfully dressed in a variety of tapestries, its crowd-pleasing menu features familiar dishes such as its acclaimed butter chicken, tandoori meat and seafood dishes as well as masala, vindaloo and madras plates. Open for dinner and lunch buffet, it’s closed Mondays.
Sushi Ginza Japanese Restaurant Willowpark
276-10816 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2J 5N8The central feature at this charming and disarming Japanese restaurant in Willow Park Village is its indoor waterfall garden. Not content with one water feature, it also features a central floating sushi bar. Tables and semi-private tatami rooms are also seating options. As well as sushi, order entrees such as teriyaki steak, tempura rice bowls as well as soba and udon soups. After dinner, browse the front display case for Japanese pottery items such as tea and sake sets.
Los Mariachis Restaurant
1-7400 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0L9Brightly painted in red, white and green, this is one cheerfully decorated cantina. Located at Macleod and 73rd under the Dollarama sign, Los Mariachis is riding the city’s welcome incoming wave of better Mexican food. The restaurant’s menu features familiar burritos and chimichangas as well as a house-signature mole chicken. Assorted tacos feature Mexi and SoCal styles, and the sharing platters are muy grande. Bilingual servers will take your order in English or Spanish.
7 Seas Seafood & Grill Restaurant
7521 MacLeod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0L8There’s a wee strip mall nestled in the arms of the Econo Lodge on Macleod and 75th. Within this nondescript shopping spot, you’ll find 7 Seas Seafood & Grill, a Filipino restaurant. This plain-Jane diner serves burger combos, fish and chips and a variety of Western-style seafood dishes, but the main draw is authentic Pinoy meals. Entrees include grilled squid with chili flakes, marinated beef ribs as well as adobo pork and chicken. Philippine breakfast plates include cured sweet pork, beef or sausage with eggs on garlic rice.
Pasquales on Macleod
6806 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0L3Serving house-made pasta, this white-tablecloth Italian-Canadian eatery serves entrees that include veal scallopini, chicken parmigiana, sea bass in lemon-white-wine sauce and rack of lamb with peppercorn sauce. Take a seat near the fireplace in winter or in the flowered shade of the patio in summer.
Keiths Deli
206-6100 MacLeod Trail SW, Calgary, AB T2H 0K5With a loyal following for its simple and oh-so-satisfying sandwiches, when you just need a deliciously quick ‘n’ meaty meal right now, visit Keith’s in Chinook Plaza at the corner of Macleod and 61st. This deli-style eatery features counter service. Highly recommended, the house-special sandwich features a house-made sausage on a white or whole-wheat bun. Also try the corned beef, Reuben (corned beef and sauerkraut) and Rachel (ham and sauerkraut).
