The 9 Best Burger Joints in Calgary That’ll Make You Realize That Burgers Can Be More than Just Fast Food Fare
Like plenty of other kids, burgers were one of my favorite foods. Back then, my parents would just buy from the fast food place closest to us, but it would always feel like Christmas came early.
Now that I’m older, I still love burgers, but I’m a bit more discerning. I’ve been looking for burgers that are more of an elevated experience instead of just a quick meal.
Fortunately, Calgary is full of them. Listed below are all the burger joints in the city where I found the most unforgettable bun and patty combinations.
1. Inglewood Drive In
– Media credit: inglewooddrivein
Address: 802 12 Street SE
Contact details: +1 403 265 5198
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Must-order: Inglewood Burger Combo
Inglewood Drive In is a picture-perfect example of a classic diner. Judging by the decor, you’ll be able to tell that this place has been open for decades. But once you taste the food, you’ll be convinced that it’ll be around for many more.
They’ve got an extensive menu with everyone’s go-to grub. There are hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, soft serve, and more.
Out of all of these, the burgers are definitely the best. They’re made fresh in-house with 100% pure Angus beef.
You’ll be able to appreciate this the most when you order the Inglewood Burger Combo. It comes with double the patties and double the deliciousness. It’s also served with crispy, well-seasoned fries on the side.
| Pro tip: You can’t leave the Inglewood Drive In without a dessert. Their tangy Dole Whip soft serve is especially popular among the locals. |
2. Major Tom Bar
– Media credit: themajortombar
Address: Scotia Centre, 700 2 St SW #4000
Contact details: +403 990 3954
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Must-order: MT Cheeseburger
If you’re in the mood for something fancy, Major Tom Bar has got you covered. This upscale restaurant is situated on the 40th floor, so you’ll get nice views along with your meal.
You’ll have to keep in mind, though, that they only serve their famous MT Cheeseburger in the afternoon from 3 PM to 5 PM. Although it may seem like a bit of an awkward meal time, it’s totally worth it since this might be the most luxurious cheeseburger in Calgary.
It has American cheese, caramelized onions, and flavorful aged brisket. The meat is so tender that it just straight up melts in your mouth.
And on the bright side, this 3 PM to 5 PM timeslot perfectly coincides with their happy hour. You can get one of their signature cocktails, such as the smoky Peach Old Fashioned, at a discounted price.
| Pro tip: You can reserve the entirety of Major Tom Bar for any event, such as weddings or corporate functions. The restaurant can comfortably seat up to 140 people. |
3. Boogie’s Burgers Renfrew
– Media credit: boogiesyyc
Address: 908 Edmonton Trl
Contact details: +1 403 230 7070
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Blazin’ Saddles Burger
Boogie’s Burgers has been in Calgary since 1969. It’s one of the longest-standing shops in the city, but it doesn’t feel stuffy or outdated whatsoever.
In fact, they’ve kept a variety of fun elements from the different decades. For example, their color palette is inspired by the 70s, and they’ve got 80s arcade games displayed in the shop. Plus, most of the tunes they play are from the 90s.
This playfulness extends to their menu, with burger names like ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ and ‘The Hawaiian Vacation’.
But the one we tend to order the most is the Blazin’ Saddles Burger, which is just as exciting as it sounds. It’s got tons of flavor, thanks to two juicy patties, sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, and BBQ sauce.
| Pro tip: Remember to bring quarters when you eat at Boogie’s Burger. They’ve got a ton of arcade games that you can play while waiting for food, such as Donkey Kong and Street Fighter. They even host a Ms. Pac-Man tournament annually for enthusiasts. |
4. Class Clown Hamburgers
– Media credit: classclownhamburgers
Address: 1711 4 St SW #106
Contact details: +1 403 243 8284
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Must-order: Donald McRonald Burger
Class Clown Hamburgers definitely lives up to their name. Everything about them is whimsical, from the decor to their creative soft-serve sundaes.
You’re going to be entertained just by going through their menu. With burger names like the ‘Winnipeg Fat Boy’ and ‘Szechuwanna Be Hot Chicken’, you can already tell that a lot of thought went into the dishes.
Funnily enough, the menu item with the wackiest name ended up being their bestseller: the Donald McRonald Burger.
It has 2 patties, American cheese, raw onions, and pickles squished between buttered buns. Its taste will remind you of the best burger you had as a child, but better.
And even though it feels like an unconventional order, we highly recommend pairing one of their natural red wines with your meal. You never know, it might just end up being your new favorite combo.
| Pro tip: Class Clown Hamburgers can only seat 25 people, so it gets packed fast. You can join the online waitlist on their website as you head to the restaurant to lessen your waiting time. |
5. REGRUB – Beltline
– Media credit: regrub_love
Address: 625 11 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403 700 0912
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Must-order: Bison Bison Burger
REGRUB makes the kind of food that kids dream of. So much of their menu is unique, colorful, and over-the-top, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s honestly the perfect restaurant for those who want to indulge.
For instance, they have a Mac N’ Cheese Addiction Burger, and you can guess what it’s loaded with. There’s also the Smoke N’ Fire Burger, which has all the stuff that’ll make your tongue go numb, including jalapeno jack cheese and habanero pineapple salsa.
But the real standout on their menu is the Bison Bison Brisket, filled with sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, Asiago cheese, and bacon ranch. Each bite is an explosion of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors.
| Pro tip: Burgers aren’t the only over-the-top menu items at REGRUB. You also have to try one of their milkshakes, which is overflowing with sweet treats and toppings. The Cookie Monster Milkshake is the best one, with whipped cream and Oreos on top. |
6. Citizen Brewing Company
– Media credit: citizenbrewingcompany
Address: 227 35 Ave NE
Contact details: +1 403 474 4677
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: Citizen Smash Burger
Citizen Brewing Company is the perfect restaurant to unwind at the end of a long day. Here, you can enjoy a nice meal and knock back a couple of delicious craft beers.
The best thing to enjoy with one of their brews is the tasty Citizen Smash Burger. It has top-notch meat, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and their secret house sauce.
What’s even better is that you can opt to get this burger with one, two, or three patties. You can even add toppings like fried egg, kimchi, bacon, or cheddar.
You can enjoy your meal at their outdoor dining space, right in front of their hop and vegetable garden. Plenty of diners prefer eating here since it’s pet-friendly, and you get plenty of fresh air.
| Pro tip: Round up a bunch of your friends and join Citizen Brewing Company’s weekly trivia night. Winners get a nice gift card and bragging rights. |
7. V Burger – 17 Ave
– Media credit: heyvburger
Address: 819 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 587 387 7272
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Monday, Wednesday – 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday – Closed
Must-order: BBQ Bac’n Cheezburger
V Burger is the restaurant where you can satisfy your cravings without any guilt. They offer plenty of plant-based, vegan-friendly, and dairy-free alternatives to all of your favorite comfort foods.
And it’s not as simple as them swapping out the meat parts in their dishes. The chefs at this restaurant took a long time to develop recipes that would complement the flavors of their plant-based ingredients.
It’s so good we’re willing to bet that even the most passionate carnivore wouldn’t be able to taste the difference.
Their BBQ Bac’n Cheezburger is just as hearty as any other burger, but with a more complex flavor profile. It has a buttery brioche bun, pea protein patty, bold BBQ sauce, and really flavorful coconut bacon.
| Pro tip: For dessert, you have to try one of V Burger’s dairy-free ice creams or milkshakes. They have a soft yet firm texture without any of those weird and artificial dairy alternative flavors. |
8. Lil’ Empire Burger – Bridgeland
– Media credit: lilempireburger
Address: 1105 1 Ave NE
Contact details: +1 403 455 4007
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Spicy Korean Burger
Lil’ Empire Burger is a straightforward burger joint that doesn’t need any gimmicks to stand out. The consistency of their food and service is enough to keep people coming back.
Even when they get busy, customers never have to wait long. You can expect that they’ll always serve you within 15 to 20 minutes of being seated.
This is a huge blessing considering that your mouth will be watering from the moment you step into the restaurant. You’ll be able to smell the hot dogs, chilli fries, and most importantly, the burgers.
Our go-to is their Spicy Korean Burger, which contains kimchi, lettuce, mayo, and gochujang BBQ sauce. The fried patty is uniquely thin and crunchy, but it brings every component of the burger together.
| Pro tip: Lil’ Empire Burgers isn’t just pet-friendly; they also have a menu item just for your furry friends. The Puppy Patty is an Alberta beef patty that your pets are sure to love. |
9. Rocky’s Burgers
– Media credit: rockysburgers
Address: 1235 26 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 336 0405
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
Must-order: Rocky Special
Those who have been to Crossroads Market have probably seen a line leading up to a stationary bus. This vehicle has been the home of Rocky’s Burgers for over 29 years.
Although their menu looks pretty simple, what sets them apart is the quality of their food. They use Alberta beef to make their hand-rolled burgers, which are prepared and cooked fresh daily.
As a result, something as simple as a cheeseburger tastes out-of-this-world. It also feels like you’re getting way more than you paid for when you see how thick and juicy their patties are.
You can get a complete meal by ordering this cheeseburger as part of the Rocky Special. You’ll also get medium fries and a can of pop on the side.
| Pro tip: If you want something more than just regular fries, you can go for Rocky’s Burgers’ poutine. They’re known for being extremely generous with gravy and cheese |