Welcome to the Top100 2022
The love fest for homegrown food and drink continues, with breakfast sandwiches, sweets, breads, pita, noodles, vegan and plant-based foods, soups and a cocktail.
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51. Pain Paysanne, Boulangerie Bonjour
This well-loved Mill Creek area bakery grinds its own flour from Prairie grains. Nominators love the whole wheat pain paysanne, available in half or whole and baguette and various ryes (the rye and raisin walnut makes decadent croutons). Different breads are available on different days and don’t forget to check out the cheese selection.
52. Toasted Hay & Saskatoon Berry Ice Cream, Made by Marcus
“This is a seasonal offering that is to die for. I cannot wait to see it return. Decadent is the only word to describe MBM’s ice cream. Amazing,” Steven F. The Douglas fir and pine brittle ice cream had plenty of nominations, as well as the vanilla. Special mention to the gluten-free Valentine’s Cake (pictured).
53. Croissant, Eleanor et Laurent
Construction made this adorable spot hard to reach this summer, but nominations kept coming for the excellent pastry and bread. The butter and almond croissants (pictured), the feather-light quiche and the sourdoughs. “Our Sunday routine—enjoying a croissant and coffee at E&L. It feels as though we are in Paris. Happy we can sit inside again and not do takeout only,” Aiko T.
54. Arancini Rossi, Italia Mia
“Not fancy or fine dining, Italia Mia’s arancini remind me of the ones (giant balls with the tomato sauce in the middle) you get at the Palermo Airport or some fast-food place in Sicily,” Check out this homey, opened-during the-pandemic west side resto, it’s tasty and fun.
55. Tequeños, Ávila Arepa
“These cheese sticks wrapped in dough are made with house-made cheese, not to be mistaken with a mozza stick. They are called Venezuelan cheesy goodness for a good reason!” Samanta G.
56. Rhubarb Fritter, Doughnut Party
“Everything they make is fantastic, but this is the perfect fritter. Tangy rhubarb, perfect level of sweetness in the dough and glaze, crispy outside and fluffy inside. A generous portion that’s just right to leave me wishing for one more bite,” Peter K.
57. Bacon Pepper Smash Burger, Fox Burger Bar
“So many good burgers at Fox, but the savoury bacon, with bright pickled peppers and the signature, well-browned burger is the one I keep coming back to. The garlic fries and Thai cabbage salad also deserve a mention,” Kyle M. “Blue cheese tomato burger. The combination of salt, cream, acid and sweet on a bun. A side of garlic fries makes it the perfect meal. You will crave it again and again,” Lori R.
58. Pickle Soup, Continental Treat
“Their pickle soup always makes me feel better, warms and fills me up,” Leah H. The venerable resto now has a location downtown too, in the old Hardware Grill space.
59. Plant-Based Meal Bowls, She Cooks
“These amazing healthy plant-based lunch bowls have seriously improved mine and my husband’s nutrition. Actually, having a nutritious, delicious and filling lunch instead of constant snacking is game changing,” says Colleen S. “Indigenous, female-owned small business. Uses local ingredients, healthy food, convenient for busy people, tons of variety and bold flavours,” Gina C. “Because they’re affordable, delicious and super nutritious!” Photine L.
60. Baguette, Brio Bakery
“A perfect baguette; transports you to France in one bite,” Alexis B.
61. Green Onion Cake, Green Onion Cake Man
Sui To, the green onion cake man, has navigated the pandemic with aplomb, offering a wide variety of items, including bagels and butter chicken, cook at home kits and delivery. The green onion cakes remain supreme and the dumplings are no slouch either.
62. Good Morning Bunwich, Brown Butter Café
The softly scrambled egg enlivened with pickled onion is delicious, but it’s the house-made sweet egg bun that distinguishes this delightful sandwich at this friendly, deep in the south-side café.
63. Duchess Cake, Duchess
Decadent Valrhona chocolate ganache and salted caramel in a dense and delicious chocolate cake—beautiful and absolutely luscious. In personal and party sizes. The Duke remained the favourite of nominators who also love the croissants and the fruit pies.
64. A5 Wagyu, DOSC
“A5 Wagyu, imported from Japan and the highest-grade Wagyu, can be had in steak form, or on a hot stone as an appetiser. It’s awesome. The Wagyu Old Fashioned is a unique savoury cocktail. The bar team infuse the A5 Wagyu into the Japanese whisky and hand cut their ice,” Bianca C.
65. Spinach Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce and Hot Chili Oil, Noodle Feast
“The minced pork has so much flavour and the hot chili oil really brings it all together. Addicting. The noodles are made fresh every day, the spinach ones with puréed spinach so you can tell yourself you are getting your veggies while you shovel more into your mouth. I cannot get enough of this dish, and more people need to know about it,” Angela B.
66. Pita, Happy Camel
“They make the most amazing pitas. Other pitas can be a struggle to open, break easily. Theirs are tender, moist and delicious. Definitely deserve to be in the Top 100,” Laura S. And the dips? The hummus, smoked salmon and caper and the roasted garlic hummus have many, many fans.
67. Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Rosewood Foods
“The chicken is juicy inside and breaded perfectly, with the best sauce; homemade milk bun which is phenomenal. Unique and crunchy and fresh and I crave it literally every day,” Alyssa M. The daily baking is also pretty phenomenal at this downtown spot.
68. Spicy Miso Ramen, Tokiwa Ramen
“The broth is made carefully and is chock full of flavour. The broths (spicy miso, yuzu shio) are a combination of fun, new flavours and classic ones. Their chashu and noodles are the cherry on top—well prepared, delicious and crave-worthy. Takeout innovation (uncooked noodles and vegetables, to cook at home) made their ramen the best takeout ramen in town, hands-down,” Radha S.
69. Chicken Brie and Homemade Fries, Café Bicyclette
“Ambiance Française, bonne nourriture et service”, says Lucie L. “Poutine,” says Christina S. “Everything is fresh and locally bought and the chef is amazing.”
70. Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares, Sugared & Spiced
“I do not enjoy marshmallows. Not naked. Not in a ‘smore. I do not adore. But somehow, some way, the marshmallows are not just tolerable, they somehow make it airy and delicious. It also helps that there is a strong peanut butter flavour. Yum! I do adore,” Marcel H.
“Meringues They are massive, sweet, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The flavours change monthly and never disappoint,” Deb T.
71. Chicken Morro, Kathmandu Rasoi
“This is a great little restaurant in the west end. Everything they make is hot, fresh, and delicious, including these tasty little morsels,” Holly B.
72. Lemon Oregano Ribs, Little Village
“Theo Psalios makes the best Greek ribs in Edmonton. His family operated the Koutouki restaurants providing great Greek food and entertainment for years. Theo uses the Koutouki family recipe for these tender roasted baby back ribs, perfectly seasoned with salt, herbs and lemon. Finger lickin’ good,” Rod K. “The keftedes wrap is like a great big Greek meatball donair. Not your average meatball. They are made from minced beef, pork, bacon and mint, wrapped in a pita with pickled cabbage, lettuce, tomato and onion and topped with tzazitki. This little hole in the wall, located in a strip mall off Stony Plan Road, is definitely a hidden gem,” Charn J.
73. Kouign-amann, Lock Stock Coffee
The chewy sweet kouign-amann tops the pastry list at this cozy Jasper Ave coffee bar. Not to be missed are the breakfast tartine and the savoury scones as well, along with coffee.
74. Take and Bake, A Cappella
“A Cappella’s Holiday Take and Bake made my Christmas so special. I was able to enjoy all of the traditional meal items, with no hassle, no clean up and no time. A Cappella was amazing at offering advice on the meal, and the delivery was perfect. This allowed me to spend time with my family, and since we were not able to see each other last year, it made it all the more special,” Michelle R.
75. Avocado Benny, Tiramisu Bistro & The Lift Me Up Marketplace
The Avocado Benny has this amazing savoury tomato jam and the hollandaise sauce is to die for,” says Jacqueline O. “Both the regular and vegan arancini are the best this side of the ocean.”
76. Fettucine, Vivo
“Every time you go to Vivo it is exactly the same in the best way. It’s never not been perfect. Have you ever had fettuccini that the sauce was just cheese? No? Go there. It is heaven,” Emily V.
77. Sambusa, Mama Asha Café
“My favourite thing to order from this cafe is the samosas (sambusa). Both the beef and chicken are delicious and I always being extra home for my family,” Amira I. This 118 Avenue resto is a treat, with delicious food, warm atmosphere and great value. Also nominated—Mama’s beans, the flatbreads and sweets for tea (asariya).
78. Torched Salmon Roll, Izakaya Tomo
“The combination of torched salmon on top of Tomo’s chop chop roll is absolutely a match made in heaven. I order two so I don’t have to share,” Melanie C.
79. Brekky Poutine, 142 Street Bistro
“All the guilty pleasures of great tots and poutine somehow made into fancy classy food. When your wife wants sophisticated date night and you want great bar food,” Patrick O. “The 3B burger is not your average burger. Made with locally-sourced bison, a delicious house-made blueberry compote, brie, and caramelized onions, it not only looks amazing, it tastes extraordinary,” Stephanie P.
80. Bavarian Pretzels, Artistic Bake Shop
The chewy pretzels topped with salt are the real deal. Dot with butter, smear with mustard and transport yourself to Munich.
81. Cheddar Chive Pepper Bread, Breadlove
“This store and especially the cheddar chive pepper bread—it is incredible. The product is natural, comforting, well-made, and insanely delicious. Absolutely everything that you want bread to be,” Susannah W.
82. Spicy Beef Sate Pho, Dang Good
“This has been my go-to treat meal for my birthday, or any other occasion I can think of, for the last four years. Try it and you will be singing the same tune,” Christopher M.
83. Sweet Potato Fries, Dadeo
“Dadeo is an Edmonton staple and their sweet potato fries have been a delicious mainstay for many, many years. There is a reason they been a favourite for so long; they are so good,” Mike T.
84. Honey, Good Morning Honey
“Excellent locally grown and produced unpasteurized honey and other bee products,” Marilynne S. “Cinnamon honey, it tastes wonderful and is so versatile,” Verna P.
85. Khao Soi, Hom Kitchen at 5th Street Food Hall
Northern Thai Chicken Curry Noodle Soup. “This dish is so delicious and flavourful. You can tell effort and heart has been put into it,” Kevin S.
86. Hand Held Benny, Juniper Bistro
“It’s a comforting take on a classic eggs benedict, with the most delicious hollandaise sauce, a perfectly poached egg and lemon aioli on a fresh bun. One of the best things to eat in the city,” Paula S.
87. Almond Croissant, Arno’s Fine French Pastry
“The best in the city. You can pick them up at the Strathcona Farmer’s Market too. The café itself is authentic and underrated— not bougie; the food is decadent and the decor is simple,” Danielle L.
88. Dorito Mac & Cheese, Northern Chicken
“Long-time favourite, very juicy and flavourful, with varying levels of heat. Love the crunchy coating,” Donna P. The chicken fingers and chicken sandwiches have fans.
89. Peaches and Shrimp, Grain of Rice
“Tempura shrimp with peach sauce is tasty and they always get the fry correct,” said one of the nominators. This west end spot also has terrific salad rolls and lemongrass tofu.
90. Butter Tarts, Gramma Bears Home Baking
Just like your grandma used to make. The Harold and Evelyn Dickout’s stand in the Old Strathcona Market is mobbed for these gooey delights. And that’s probably a grandchild (or great grandchild) manning the till.
91 Crispy Kare Kare, Manila Grill Express
“Crispy deep-fried pork served alongside rich peanut stew and vegetables, funky-briny bagoong alamang (sauteed salted baby shrimp condiment). Absolutely heavenly,” Andrew D.
92. Buffalo Chickun Pizza, Seitan’s
“This is not only the best vegan pizza in Edmonton; it’s the best pizza, period,” says Caitlin H.
Enya R said this about the vegan Donair Pizza; “the taste is eerily similar to donair meat, but it has its own flavour that gives this dish a unique taste. Exquisite.”
93. Tastia Hazelnut Spread, Tastia
“Tastia, the original local product, is not only the most delicious hazelnut spread I’ve ever tasted, it’s a healthier substitute for other hazelnut spreads,” Lindsay T.
94. Northern Eyes Whisky, Hansen Distillery
“Not only is it Edmonton’s first whisky, it is a true Alberta whisky made with all-Alberta rye grain,” Josee M. Susan S is a fan of the Gingerbread Cookie Cream Liquor. “It tastes just like a gingerbread cookie without the cookie, awesome on ice and amazing in coffee. Everyone, this is a must have.”
95. Deep Fried Chicken with BBQ Sauce, Seoul Fried Chicken
“The barbecue sauce is the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. I have tried several other Korean fried chicken, but always come back to SFC,” Henri St. P.
96. Savoury Buns, Malina Bakery
This newish Ukrainian bakery in Cameron Heights has a lock on all the eastern European favourites, such as the heart-shaped plushka. Nominators are especially fond of the savoury and poppy seed buns, oh yeah.
97. Strawberry Panna Cotta Drink, Dagu Rice Noodle
“Nothing but the freshest fruit in Dagu’s drinks. I’m sure there are an abundance of calories but it tastes amazing—with a super smooth texture and fresh, perfectly cut cubes of strawberries. All of their drinks are delicious. Jasmine Milk Tea with Tapioca, Coconut Mango Smoothie with Jelly. If I want a treat, this is as good as it gets,” Leanne S.
98. Cabbage and Ground Pork Steamed Buns, Yan’s Family Restaurant
“They are always freshly made, and perfectly cooked and always piping hot. The best part is how juicy they are. The filling will end up all over your shirt and pants because it is impossible to wait until you get home to have one,” Angela B.
99. Porker Combo, BBQ House
“The boneless barbecue pork with fried rice and chow mein is the best bang-for-your-buck lunch. Delicious Chinese BBQ. An Edmonton staple for decades,” Jimmy S.
100. Woahnuts
“The waffle/donut hybrids are delicious in every flavour. The unique flavour combinations are to die for and are just the right amount of sweet,” says Vanessa A.
101. Double Bakes, La Boule
“I miss many things from La Boule, but these delicious breakfast sandwiches from heaven are what I miss most. I sometimes think about recreating myself, but don’t want to ruin the magic. Come back, La Boule,” Amanda M. We all hope that chef Jennifer Stang and team find a new location soon.