Calgary is quickly growing into one of Canada's powerhouses
and is the largest city in Alberta (which has become the strongest province
economically over the last ten years due in large part to the crude oil and gas
industry). Say what you will about its tar sands, there are plenty of
opportunities to achieve a balance by eating green and Calgary has some of the
best.
Higher Ground
1126 Kensington Road Northwest
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 270-3780
An operation spanning 30 years, Higher Ground is a
longstanding institution in Calgary offering organic drinks, fair trade
coffee, and a variety of meal options. In addition to being a great place to hang out, they have also been preaching green for some
time and include a green mission on their website.
The Coup + Meet Restaurant and Lounge
924 17th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 541-1041
Certainly among the restaurants at the vanguard of
the green movement, The Coup offers an eclectic menu serving breakfast, lunch,
and dinner, as well as goodies in their lounge area. In an effort to ensure their clients can eat with a good
conscience, The Coup utilizes the following green techniques: powering by wind, composting raw material, recycling products, offering tax-free take-out to those who bring their own containers, and planting 36 trees each month to offset their waste. Wow - and I hear the food is pretty great too!
Rouge Restaurant
1240 8th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 531-2767
Rouge represents the fine dining option of the
Calgary organic scene. They have a philosophy where the ingredients come first,
and that the best and most flavorful ingredients are found locally. As such, they
work closely with local farmers and growers to get the best from the land and
list on their menu the farms that they have close associations with.
Vue Cafe
816 11th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
(403) 263-4346
Mainly a place to stop for lunch, Vue specializes in
panini sandwiches, big salads, and artisanal cheeses all made from organic
ingredients. Vue, besides being a full-service lunch café, is also an art
gallery and is available for private functions.
Farm Restaurant
1006 17th Avenue Southwest
Calgary, Alberta
403-245-2276
In partnership with other local farms, where produce is grown
organically and animals are treated ethically, Farm is a place to not only eat
but to learn about how what you eat is raised and grown; they are quite literally a farm where everything served comes from right nearby. They offer a la carte
options as well as Harvest (table d'hote) menus designed for groups.
