The Best Burgers in Calgary
There really is nothing like sinking your teeth into a delicious, juicy burger on a freshly baked bun, that’s loaded with all of your favourite toppings. If your mouth is watering as you dream of where to get your next burger fix in YYC, we’ve got you covered with our list of ten of the best burgers in Calgary.
10 Best Burgers in Calgary
Phat-Tee Foods
phatteefoods.ca
110 2 Ave SE
If you’re looking for an unforgettable burger at an unbeatable price, look no further than Phat-Tee Foods, located in Chinatown. The Phat-Tee burger, which comes with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, a fried egg, and phatty sauce is their number one best seller. For something a little different, try the Bun Mi Burger, inspired by the flavours you’ll find in a Vietnamese sub. It comes topped with lettuce, pickled veggies, cilantro, jalapeno, and bunmi sauce.
Clive Burger
cliveburger.com
736 17 Avenue SW
Clive Burger has long been one of my favourite spots to grab a burger in Calgary. Their burgers can be as simple or dressed up as you want them to be, since you can choose whatever toppings you like to craft the ultimate burger. Take my advice though – don’t skip the Clive Sauce (and get extra for dipping your fries!) Fans of Clive Burger also rave about their delicious custard shakes, which come in five different flavours. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available.
Buchanan’s
buchanans.ca
738 3 Ave SW
The made-to-order, hand-ground chuck bacon cheeseburger from Buchanan’s comes highly recommended by many. The price point may be a bit higher than what you’d find your average burger at, but this angus sirloin classic goes far beyond average. For the vegetarians in your party, Buchanan’s also offers a veggie burger option on their menu.
Pigot’s Burger Club
pigotsburgerclub.com
345 – 10 Avenue SW
Chances are, you’ve already heard the buzz about Pigot’s Burger Club – a legendary burger spot housed out of a ghost kitchen on 10th Ave. If the idea of a ghost kitchen has you spooked, trust us – these burgers, cooked up by Chef Mike Pigot (who was voted Best Chef 2020 by Best of Calgary), are the stuff dreams are made of. Whether you’re a meat-eater looking for a custom ground Beretta Beef patty, or a veggie-lover who prefers the beyond-meat version, Pigot’s spice blend and secret sauce are just two ingredients that will take your burger experience to the next level.
Alumni Sandwiches
alumnisandwiches.com
725 17 Ave SW
Okay, so technically Alumni is famous for their sandwiches, but they also have a burger on their menu that simply can’t be ignored. The double burger comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion on a brioche bun and goes perfectly with a side of parmesan fries. I know it’s not a burger, but please don’t leave Alumni without ordering their hot chicken sandwich – you can thank me later.
The J Spot
facebook.com/thejspotyyc
12445 Lake Fraser Dr SE
If you’ve ever had a chance to try out Takori in the Avenida food hall, you’ll have a pretty good idea of the quality food experience you can expect from The J Spot, since it’s the same restaurant with a new name. Although I’d never heard of a “cheese skirt” until I saw photos of the J Spot Burger, I’m now on a mission to get this crispy creation in my hands immediately.
Lil’ Empire Burger
lilempireburger.com
1105 1 Ave NE
In their words, the menu at Lil’ Empire Burger is small, but focused on bringing customers the best quality cheeseburgers, as well as fried chicken burgers, quirky hot dogs, simple and dirty fries, and a salad option. They’ve got Alberta beef patties and Beyond Meat patties to satisfy burger cravings for everyone in the family. The Empire with Cheese is a classic that’s sure to leave you wanting seconds, and if you’re looking for the perfect side, they’ve got chili cheese fries!
N9NA
n9na.com
121 17 Ave SE
Formerly known as Naina’s Kitchen, N9NA made its way onto Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here! because of their mouthwatering stuffed burger creations. For a one-of-a-kind burger experience, try the mac and cheese stuffed burger or the Philly cheese steak stuffed burger. We’ve definitely got our eyes on the N9NAlicious burger, which comes stuffed with sweet pulled pork, cheddar cheese, tart granny smith apples, and caramelized onions. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even request your own ingredients to be stuffed into a customized burger.
Gorilla Whale
gorillawhale.com
1214 9 Ave SE
As one Gorilla Whale fan put it, the Kong Burger, which comes with a double beef patty, tempura onion rings, butter lettuce, pickled daikon, cheddar, and gorilla mac sauce, is so dang good, it lives in their head rent-free. This tasty creation can also be made gluten-aware for those with dietary restrictions. Definitely one of the best burgers in Calgary!
V Burger
heyvburger.com
819 – 17 Ave SW
Who said having a plant-based diet means you can’t enjoy a burger and a shake with the best of ’em? Or a burger that contains no meat can’t be one of the best burgers in Calgary? V Burger offers a fully plant-based menu including burgers, fries, poutine, shakes, ice cream sandwiches, and more. Some burger options you’ll definitely want to check out are their Falafel Burger, The Impossible V Burger, and The Big Kahuna Burger.
Where do you think the best burgers in Calgary are? We’re talking chains, mom and pop shops, and foodie favourites. We want to hear them all in the comments!
