Northwest Calgary is home to many hidden gems and unique places to visit and shop. From special cultural bakeries to adorable cafes and coffee shops, here are five must-stops in northwest Calgary that may not be on your radar.
1. Caspian Bakery & Supermarket
Caspian Bakery & Supermarket, located on Bowness Road in Parkdale, opened in 2020 and is an authentic Persian grocer and bakery. Famous for its Ashe Reshteh, a specialty Persian soup, this shop is filled with delicious and authentic persian flavours.
Says owner of Caspian, Morteza, “We chose to open Caspian Bakery and Supermarket in Parkdale because of the proximity to the river and convenience for our customers in both the northwest and southwest ends of the city. It has been a great community to run our business and we are so thankful for the customers who have supported us.”
In addition to Ashe Resheh, you will find specialty halal ingredients, spices and desserts at Caspian including Iranian rice, Persian-style chicken and more. If you haven’t tried their flat bread yet, it is worth the stop!
Visit Caspian Bakery and Supermarket at 3404 3 Ave NW.
2. Salsita Mexican Food Market
Salsita Mexican Food Market is located in the heart of Cambrian Heights and offers authentic Mexican food, pre-prepared meals, ingredients and even cooking classes. Having opened in 2008, this Mexican specialty store is famous for its wide variety of salsas and guacamoles, all prepared in-house by Salsita’s small but mighty team.
Says Owner Jane Williams, “After I purchased Salsita in 2008, we decided to relocate from the Beltline to Cambrian Heights because we felt there was a gap in the market for specialty Mexican cuisine in this area of the city. We have loved connecting with the local community here, learning about their adventures in the kitchen and providing our expertise where we can.”
In addition to salsas and other ingredients, Salsita is proud to prepare authentic Mexican freezer meals, offering its customers quality dinner options that are easy to reheat and aren’t filled with preservatives as they focus on fresh ingredients.
Visit the Salsita website or visit them at 777 Northmount Dr NW.
3. Pelican Pier – Seafood Restaurant & Fish Market
Pelican Pier is located on 14th Street in North Haven and offers freshly imported seafood, as well as operating a seafood restaurant. Pelican Pier has access to the best quality seafood, importing it weekly from around the world. They stock fresh and frozen products and also offer custom orders for special events.
Pelican Pier also operates a family seafood restaurant seven days a week. With fan favourites like coconut shrimp, clam chowder, fresh oysters and of course, fish and chips, this restaurant is the perfect place for seafood lovers alike.
Visit Pelican Pier for your next dinner out or seafood restock at 4404 14 St NW. For more information, visit the Pelican Pier website.
Craving Indian? Lotus Fine Indian Cuisine opened in 2016 and is located in the heart of Charleswood. Offering authentic and delicious Indian cuisine, Lotus is a fan favorite for those living in the neighborhood.
Says owner, Yogesh Hundekari, “Some of our most popular dishes include our butter chicken, garlic naan, korma, vindaloo and biryanis. We are proud to provide the authentic flavours of India to customers and appreciate all of the love we have received from the community.”
Lotus also offers a daily lunchtime buffet from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. For only $16.95, customers can enjoy all you can eat indian dishes at Lotus. To learn more, visit the Lotus website or visit them at 3843 19 St NW.
The Lazy Loaf & Kettle has been situated in the heart of Parkdale since 1994 and has been a favourite for members of the community ever since. Offering specialty sandwiches, soups and bakery items, The Lazy Loaf is a must stop for feel-good food.
Says Front of House Manager, Leah Funke, “Our customers love coming to the Lazy Loaf for our build-your-own sandwiches with fresh baked breads and meats that we smoke in-house. Everything we serve is made from scratch, making our dishes different from any of the other sandwich shops in the city.”
Lazy Loaf offers a new special offer and soup each day to customers and it is well-known for its quality bakery items. To learn more, visit the Lazy Loaf website or visit them at 8 Parkdale Crescent NW.
Calgary’s northwest is full of hidden gems and local retailers that you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re from the NW or live farther away, check out some of these stops the next time you are in the area.
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