Hidden gems throughout Edmonton
Ditch your usual haunts and try something out of the ordinary for dinner tonight. These hidden gems are scattered throughout the city but they all have two things in common: They are often overlooked and they are always, always worth finding.
Sofra Turkish Restaurant & Wine Cellar
108-10345 106 St Nw, Edmonton, AB T5J 1H8This Turkish restaurant is beloved by those who know it. The pita bread, dips and swordfish kebabs are all big hits. Be sure to finish your meal with traditional Turkish coffee and baklava. The restaurant is small, so reservations are recommended, and they don’t allow kids under the age of 10. There is an extensive wine list, courtesy of the wine room in the basement of the restaurant. They also have a private room upstairs, which is perfect for parties of six to eight people.
XIX Terwillegar
5940 Mullen Way NW, Edmonton, AB T6R 0S9Eschewing a typical downtown location, Chef Andrew Fung opened this elegant, fine dining restaurant on the far south side of the city, just off of Rabbit Hill Road. Why? Well, perhaps he was drawn by all of that room – which XIX takes full advantage of to create a spacious with elegant atmosphere. The menu is creative and changes seasonally, while Fung’s reputation draws in diners from all over the city. It’s worth the drive and there’s always plenty of parking spaces awaiting you.
Sage Restaurant at the Marriot River Cree Casino
East Lapotac PO Box 300, Enoch, AB T7X 3Y3While I don’t normally associate casinos with fancy food and elegant surroundings, that is exactly what is happening here in this huge space just outside of the city. Sage has a famous chef, a well-curated menu and a lot of class – making it a special occasion restaurant, for sure. Their steaks are exquisite, as is their crème brulee. And, since not many think to check out this space for anything other than VLTs, you don’t need a reservation for the dining room.
Bistro Praha
10117 101 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0T4While its location is easy to find, not everyone thinks to check out Bistro Praha – but they should. It’s old-school European dining at its best. The menu is full of European comfort dishes, such as goulash, cabbage soup and several varieties of schnitzel. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and you might just spot a Hollywood celeb or two at the table next to you. The founder of the restaurant was Czech, and he modelled the restaurant after the cafes in Prague that he missed once he moved to Canada.
Sabor Divino
109-10220 103 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0Y8Not only is Sabor Divino a fantastic restaurant, it now doubles your pleasure with a tapas restaurant within the original Sabor Divino. That’s right, it’s a restaurant within a restaurant. Two fabulous hidden gems in one location. The tapas place is a great spot to check out if you’re in the mood to try a variety of dishes with a group of friends.
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