2018 Best Restaurants in Edmonton

Welcome to our annual celebration of the best food in Edmonton! This year, we’re shining our spotlight on six categories, sixteen winners, and all kinds of deliciousness. Check out the January/February 2019 issue of WHERE Edmonton magazine for the list of finalists and more great dining recommendations.

Best New Restaurant: Noi Thai Restaurant

10724-95 St. | 780-423-3213 | noithairestaurant.com
Subtle, simple, and satisfyingly scrumptious—that’s what you want in a best new restaurant, right? Noi Thai set up on the edge of Little Italy, in the space previously housed by Viphalay. This casual restaurant has a stocked menu of flavourful dishes, each well priced and well made. Definitely try the Drunken Noodles—it has enough spice for a little kick without blowing out your palate for the rest of the meal. Plus, we have it on good authority that it’s the perfect plate of leftovers for the occasion it describes. And like at any great Thai place, the meals here end with a handful of guava candies. No reservations required.

Best Tried & True: Tony’s Pizza Palace

9605-111 Ave. | 780-424-8777 | tonyspizzapalace.com
If you’re an Edmontonian, chances are you have a favourite Tony’s pizza that you always order. For many, it’s the Original New York Style—a thin and crispy-yet-chewy crust, topped with spicy homemade tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Tony’s special spices. It also only comes in one size: extra-large, which is never a problem. Other house favourites include Mario’s Special (prosciutto, capicollo, artichokes, and capers) and Sal’s Delux (marinated tomato sauce, prosciutto, capicollo, and bocconcini). There’s also a terrific menu of appetizers, pastas, and entrées to choose from. Reservations recommended.

Best Breakfast: OEB Breakfast

10174-100 A St. | 587-520-0936 | eatoeb.com
At long last, Edmontonians don’t have to trek all the way to Calgary for this mouth-watering breakfast spot. Enjoy modern, colourful, and playful décor at OEB, where they’ve also got waffles, pancakes, crêpes, omelettes, breakfast poutines, Bennys, and more. Whatever you opt for, the spot-on flavours and high-quality ingredients ensure there are no wrong choices. Weekday reservations available; use the Yelp app to join the waitlist remotely.

Best Drinks: Baijiu

10359-104 St. | 780-421-7060 | baijiuyeg.com
Shanghai chic meets hip-hop in this trendy cocktail joint with Asian-inspired plates. Order yourself a kicked-up creative Last Days in Vietnam cocktail (lemongrass soju, cognac, oloroso sherry, a Thai basil syrup, and a bird’s-eye chili), or finish off the evening with a Hennessy & Green Tea shot. Add a little Prohibition-style ambience with the new secretive speakeasy, Little Hong Kong, found discretely behind a cabinet within Baijiu. Reservations recommended for the dining room, though Little HK is “first come, first discovered.”

Best Treat: Gelato at La Carraia

The Mayfair, 10067-109 St. | 780-244-0648 | lacarraia.ca
For traditional gelato that sends your taste buds on a one-way trip to Florence, check out La Carraia Gelateria. Priding itself as “Edmonton’s own sweet taste of Florence, Italy,” this tiny café serves 30 rotating flavours of gelato served in cones, cups, and even between brioche buns topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce! Sorbets and lactose-free options are also available. Leave your restraint at home.