Where are the Top Calgary Restaurants for Game Meat?

Calgary's many restaurants are great for offering excellent game meat. You'll find flavour, great taste, and lean cuts like elk and rabbit. If you're looking for the top places in Calgary to enjoy game meat, here are the best choices.

The Lake House - 747 Lake Bonavista Drive S.E.

If you like slow roasted wild boar shoulder, bison cross ribs, seared northern caribou and crispy duck confit, try The Lake House on Bonavista Drive. It is a popular choice for game-lovers seeking high quality dishes served with gourmet side dishes amid an elegant environment. As one walks into the recently renovated space, an impressive glass encased wine cellar filled with award-winning labels leads to a magnificent 21-foot bar from the 1800s. The locally inspired Rocky Mountain cuisine at The Lake House is prepared by chef Thomas Neukom and his team, who have earned numerous culinary accolades in Canada for exquisite wild game creations. Reservations are recommended, as this is a wildly popular establishment with limited seating.

River Café - 25 Prince's Island Park

People go to River Café for the tasty hog tenderloin, bison, and fish. It's located at beautiful Prince's Island Park and features beautiful views of the Bow River's rushing waters. The natural setting and rustic decor makes guests feel that the chefs probably caught the hog tenderloin nearby before serving it for dinner. People love the varieties of fish and the game board appetizer.

Highly regarded chef Matthias Fong and his culinary team meticulously create menus that reveal local flavours with dishes from around the world. Seasonal offerings include rural game and forage options with a twist of urban finesse. River Café once again tops major lists and has recently been dubbed one of Calgary's Best 25 Restaurants 2018 by Avenue Magazine and listed as one of Canada's Top 10 by Wine Enthusiast.

BIG FISH & OPEN RANGE - 1114 Edmonton Tr. N.E.

The Open Range is the perfect place to get apricot glazed wild boar, grilled bison burger, and local elk with organic cream. Their menu offers plenty of game for entrees and appetizers. This relaxing establishment serves up savory wild game, lamb and Alberta beef with a Southwestern touch, and they have a phenomenal wine list and extensive dessert selection.

In fact, on Wine Wednesdays there are no corkage fees, and wine by the glass and bottle are half price on bottle selections under $100. A local favourite on Sunday Supper days, guests are treated to a causal three-course meal of Alberta prime rib topped with truffle bourbon jus, homemade Yorkshire pudding and tasty, fresh vegetable selections.

Bonterra Trattoria - 1016 8th Street S.W.

If you aren't familiar with game meat, try Bonterra Trattoria. It's an Italian restaurant on 8th Street that allows you to try game meat mixed in to pasta dishes. For example, they offer their linguini with wild boar bacon. They also have a breaded rabbit dish with polenta bread pudding. Inspired by the beauty of Italy and the culinary traditions of Italian trattorias, Chef Benjamin Mills doles out contemporary dishes with freshness of ingredients being a priority. Patrons can enjoy their meal in the dining room, wine room or upon the lovely Tuscan-style terrace at Bonterra.

Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue - 100 5920 Macleod Trail S.W.

The Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue offers grilled game like quail, elk, and bison and actually offers a daily selection of seven meats with their all-you-can-eat dine in option. Guests can feel very much a part of Brazilian traditions at this churrascaria with locations in Canmore and in Calgary. Traditionally dressed servers continually roam the dining room carrying succulent cuts of wild game and other perfectly prepared meats in both traditional roasted and barbecue style. The ideal location for any occasion—or none at all—is Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue.

When you're looking to try game meat, head over to one of these great options in Calgary. They will all gladly allow you to experience something new and exciting.