Calgary went sandwich crazy, and the burgers kept up. Smash burgers, Italian subs stacked to the ceiling, French baguettes, Montreal smoked meat and breakfast sandwiches worth setting an alarm for. These are the ones worth the line.
Smash burgers good enough to land on Avenue's 13 best restaurants for 2026. A small, clever room with a shelf of tiny clowns and a lineup out the door.
Must try: The California Classic, the Donald McRonald, Nashville Hot Cod Sandwich, a Chocolate Malt Sundae.
Pro tip: Join the waitlist online before you go. Closed Mondays.
1711 4 St SW · Map for Class Clown
The name says it: the cheese is melted fresh off a wheel, not peeled off a slice. Soft buns, flame-grilled patties and a friendly owner behind the counter.
Must try: A double with the house sauce, Truffle Fries.
Pro tip: Evenings only, closed Mondays.
601 17 Ave SW · Map for Meltro Burger
Two things, done exceptionally well: smash burgers and fries. Find it through the back-alley door at Sea Change's Skelly Club, and grab a $5 beer while you're there.
816 11 Ave SW, inside Sea Change · Map for Flat Boy Burgers
Fresh, juicy smash burgers at fair prices, and all halal. Bright, clean and kid friendly, open late every day.
Must try: Double Smash Cheeseburger, the Chicken Burger, the Kebab Burger, a Taro Milkshake.
Crispy fried chicken sandwiches and sliders at The District food hall, with a poutine that earns a Quebecer's seal of approval. Order a single slider if you're grazing the hall.
Must try: The Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, the Poutine, Onion Rings.
Pro tip: Weekday lunch only, 11 to 5.
The District, 227 11 Ave SW · Map for Birdie
A Calgary classic with more than 50 years behind it and thousands of happy reviews. Colourful, retro and always busy. Burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, poutine, mac and cheese bites and milkshakes.
Pro tip: Go double. The patties are thin, and they'll tell you two is the right ratio. You also get a free burger on your birthday.
908 Edmonton Tr NE · Map for Boogie's Burgers
Empire Provisions' burger-loving little brother. Burgers, hot dogs, fries and fried chicken sandwiches, everything you want with a good beer. Four locations: Bridgeland (1105 1 Ave NE), Beltline (1103 4 St SW), Capitol Hill (1837 20 Ave NW) and next door to Annex Ale Project (4321 1 St SE).
Must try: The Dirty Fries, then Made by Marcus ice cream for dessert.
For three decades, Buchanan's has done two things exceptionally well: beef and whiskey. One of the country's biggest whiskey lists, juicy burgers and a patio made for a long lunch.
Must try: The Bacon Cheeseburger.
Pro tip: The Saturday three-course set menu is a deal. Closed Sundays.
738 3 Ave SW · Map for Buchanan's
The 17th Ave late-night institution is gone, but Clive lives on downtown. Local beef, crinkle fries and a dedicated gluten-free fryer, now a weekday lunch spot.
Pro tip: The double cheeseburger combo is still about $15.
225 7 Ave SW · Map for Clive Burger
If you're a lunch lover in a circle of brunch fans, Holy Grill is your middle ground. Known for breakfast, but the burgers and panini are the move.
Must try: Beef Dip Panini, Chicken Burger, homemade chips.
You'd go for the tacos, but don't overlook the Hamburguesa al Carbon: a fantastically messy cheeseburger with thin-sliced potato chips and a cold cerveza.
Not the first place you think of for a burger, but a steakhouse that takes its beef this seriously makes a great one.
Everything here is made from scratch, so the burger is no ordinary handheld. Ask about the double burger.
If you've been on Instagram, you know Regrub. Mac and cheese burgers and over-the-top milkshakes, like the Oreomania topped with deep-fried Oreos.
Pro tip: There are vegan milkshakes for your lactose-intolerant friends.
A cute little French shop where the bread is the star, the kind that reminds you how many places get it wrong. Fresh meats and veg, a welcoming owner, and sandwiches that taste like a trip to Europe.
Must try: The Bonjour 2.0, the Turkey Move, the Burgundy Dip on a cold day.
Pro tip: Pre-order and take them up the mountain for lunch.
1909 34 Ave SW · Map for Bonjour Sandwich Shop
Avenue's pick for the best sandwich shop in the city, on a toasted sesame bun that makes the whole thing. Good music, a relaxed room and a cannoli for the road.
Must try: The Italian Combo, the Chicken Parm (with pesto), the Hoagie, the Hot Eggplant Parm.
Pro tip: Eat it there if you can. It's best before the bread has time to soften.
1004 17 Ave SW · Map for Scozzafava's Deli
A self-described sandwich and liquor bar, and that pretty much says it all. Great sandwiches and cocktails in a laid-back, retro diner room, with huge portions and gluten-free bread on request.
Must try: The Chicken Parm, the Tuna Melt, the Rosemary Beef Dip, Parm Fries.
725 17 Ave SW · Map for Alumni Sandwiches
Chef-owner Dan makes everything from scratch, down to every sauce, and the sandwiches are aggressively big. You'll tell yourself you can finish one. You won't.
Must try: The Brooklyn Chopped Cheese, the Hot Chick, the L.T. Smash Burger, the Chicken Caesar Baguette.
Pro tip: Open Wednesday to Sunday only. Watch for their live music and comedy nights.
1022 17 Ave SW · Map for Munch
A small, cozy Inglewood shop that's part sandwich counter, part bottle shop and bar. Creative sandwiches you won't find anywhere else, and fries that people come back for.
Must try: The Buckin' Brocc (charred broccolini, halloumi and honey harissa), the Hometown Hero, the Uncle Phil, the fries.
Pro tip: Closed Mondays. Its sandwiches are also on the menu at Business & Pleasure next door.
1327A 9 Ave SE · Map for Super Variety
The downtown lunch run. Fast, friendly, and built around the porchetta.
Must try: The Porchetta, the Alberta BBQ Beef.
821 1 St SW · Map for Meat and Bread
A Calgary institution, and bigger and warmer inside than it looks from the street. Order at the counter and they bring it to your table. Take home a bag of their sausages.
Must try: The classic Sausage on a Bun with tomato sauce, a Panzerotti, Mama's Meatloaf, the big cookie.
Pro tip: Closed Sundays.
1308 9 Ave SE · Map for Spolumbo's
More than 40 Italian sandwiches, stacked high, with a great gluten-free bun and even gluten-free mortadella. Sal at the counter makes you feel like a regular on day one.
Must try: Joe's Special, the Breakfast Sandwich, and a cappuccino.
Pro tip: Ask for your sandwich warmed up. The Beltline shop is open daily and stocks frozen Italian dishes to take home for dinner.
1240 Kensington Rd NW, plus Beltline · Map for Peppino Gourmet Foods
Tuscan schiacciata bread, crisp outside and airy inside, filled with ingredients imported from Italy. Takeout only, and worth the drive.
Must try: The Mortadella Burrata, the Meat Lovers, Chef's Choice.
3515 32 St NE · Map for Fenoma
Bread baked fresh daily and custom subs at fair, tax-in prices. Go as big as you can: every size up adds a meat and a cheese.
Pro tip: Lunch hours only, 10:30 to 2, closed Sundays. Grab a cannoli.
5310 5 St SE · Map for Calgary Italian Bakery
A family-owned Italian grocery with a deli counter that regulars swear makes the best sandwich in the city. Eat it at the tables with an espresso.
Must try: The Spicy Sandwich.
265 20 Ave NE · Map for Italian Super Market
The market side of Mercato, with imported meats, cheeses, antipasti and a butcher. As of November 1 it serves Mercato Pranzo, a fresh lunch menu of soups, salads and new sandwiches in the newly renovated market space, served every day of the week.
Pro tip: The market is open daily, 10 to 6.
Erin's tip: I got to try the Pranzo sandwiches before the launch, and they're delicious. Served on puffy pizza-dough bread, with everything from chicken Caesar to a proper Italian sub.
2224 4 St SW · Map for Mercato Market
Montreal smoked meat on rye in four sizes, house-made mustard, and a poutine with Montreal's stamp of approval.
Must try: The Montreal Smoked Meat, the Tribeca, a poutine.
1411 11 St SW · Map for Myhre's Deli
The soup-and-sandwich combo, on bread baked in house. Build your own, or go for the classics.
Must try: The Tuna Melt, the BBQ Brisket, a BLT, and carrot cake.
8 Parkdale Cres NW · Map for Lazy Loaf & Kettle
Crunchy, fresh baguettes and generous fillings from a family-run counter. Open until 1 most nights and 3 on weekends, which makes it the best late-night sandwich in the city.
Must try: The Special Kim Anh Sub, the Lemongrass Chili Beef.
626 17 Ave SW · Map for Kim Anh Vietnamese Submarines
Word-of-mouth banh mi that people call the best in the city. Overflowing fillings, a great meat-to-veggie ratio and a friendly owner. Mostly takeout, with a couple of small tables.
Must try: The Satay Beef Banh Mi (add cheese), the Sticky Pig, the Smokin' Pork Patties Salad Rolls, Pandan Sponge Cake.
Pro tip: Closed Sundays. Online orders default to a 30-minute pickup, but a banh mi takes about ten, so just walk in.
3604 52 Ave NW · Map for Bang Bang Banh Mi
Still the first place that comes to mind for a donair or shawarma. Rows of rotisserie spits turning in the back, wraps that are properly stuffed, and a family-run counter that treats first-timers like regulars. There's a Lebanese grocery inside and a lovely patio for summer.
Must try: The Beef Donair with garlic and sweet sauce, the Chicken Shawarma, a plate with the gluten-free dolmades.
Erin's tip: Amazing, and still top of mind for a donair or shawarma.
Pro tip: First time? Ask for a taste. They're happy to put together a sample plate.
1401 20 Ave NW · Map for Jimmy's A&A
Small-batch sourdough bagels, fermented for 72 hours, hand-rolled and kettle-boiled. Sea salt, sesame, everything, and asiago rosemary, with cultured butter or flavoured cream cheese.
Pro tip: They're sold from early morning until they run out, so go early. For a dozen, order online at least four days ahead.
Wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, chewy inside with a little crunch outside, and big bagel sandwiches with a pickle on the side. The Beltline shop bakes for every location.
Must try: The Smoked Meat Brekkie, the Lox, a Sesame or Rosemary Rock Salt bagel.
Pro tip: Get a baker's dozen. The Beltline shop is open daily, 8 to 5.
831 10 Ave SW, plus Calgary Farmers' Market South and West and Crossroads · Map for Wayne's Bagels
Wood-oven bagels seasoned on both sides, and some say the best outside Montreal. Ask for extra sesame or poppy.
Pro tip: Cash or e-transfer only. Flavours sell out by noon.
2638 Parkdale Blvd NW · Map for St. Lawrence Bagels
A bakery with huge, excellent bagels at prices that can't be beat. A plain one with butter is all you need.
Must try: The Everything Bagel toasted with butter, a blueberry muffin, the lemon tart.
8303 Fairmount Dr SE · Map for Good Bread
A sunny westside bakery café with fresh bagels and beautiful pastries.
Must try: The Everything Bagel Sandwich, a Garlic Bagel, the Almond Croissant.
Pro tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Parking is tight.
3003 37 St SW · Map for Millo Millo Bake Shop
Soft buttered milk bread, big fillings and a mashed-potato hash brown you'll order a second of.
Must try: The Meat Lovers (add cheese), the Classic Egg and Cheese, the Chipotle Lobster, an extra hash brown.
140 11 Ave SW · Map for Egg Club
A cozy downtown café with hot sandwiches big enough to skip dinner, and an egg salad the office fights over.
Must try: The Salmon Croffle, the Smoked Brisket, the Spicy Bulgogi, a Seoul Latte.
440 2 Ave SW · Map for Bread & Brew
Also see: Stoop Café and Apprentice Café on the Coffee page. Erin's picks for a breakfast sandwich.