This article by Sharon Thach originally appeared in our 2021 Summer Guide.
Feast Your Eyes Here
MEXICAN
Caffé Sole | 9911-72 Ave, 825-436-9972. caffesole.ca
This cozy little café specializes in artisan-crafted Mexican espresso, tea, and coffee. Owner Jersen Reyes originally lived in Tijuana, Mexico, where he owned a popular espresso bar with his wife. Once they moved to Canada, they thought they’d be done with the coffee business, but quickly realized
the passion for it was still there and opened the Edmonton version of Caffé Sole. If you love chocolate based drinks, tea, or espresso in any form, this is the place to be. I recommend trying any of the frappés or one of their signature drinks—my personal favourite being the Stela—and pairing it with one of their sandwiches. Their Mexican flan cake and churros are also must-tries!
FILIPINO
Kanto 98 St | 10636-98 St., 780-860-1471. kanto-98-st-eatery.business.site
Chef and owner Edgar Gutierrez has quite the experience under his belt, previously running Mexican eateries Rostizado and Tres Carnales. He eventually moved on to open Kanto 98 St. to pay homage to his Filipino roots, creating a menu with a bold and unique take on classic Filipino street food. The space is casual, laid-back, and definitely a great spot to visit if you’re looking for some good comfort food. Think meat-centric, carb-heavy dishes, aka the ultimate combination for a (bittersweet) food coma. Come with an empty stomach and fill up with the Sisilog (thrice cooked pork belly over garlic fried rice), their BBQ skewers, and Taho (a tofu dessert drink).
EL SALVADORIAN
Acajutla Restaurant | 11302-107 Ave., 780-426-1308. acajutlarestaurant.ca
This hidden gem serves up authentic El Savadorean and Mexican food, and despite not having much of an online presence (doesn’t get more local than that) they have been in the Edmonton food scene for over 20 years. While my experiences with El Salvadorian cuisine are minimal, Acajutla has never disappointed, and—because it’s reasonably priced, locally owned, family-run, delicious, and “low-key” on the web—it’s certainly one of those places I have to recommend through word of mouth. If you plan to visit, definitely order some Pupusas (corn flour cakes stuffed with meat/cheese/beans) and the Pasteles (crispy corn tortillas stuffed with corn and potato).
VIETNAMESE
An Chay | 11203 Jasper Ave., 780-752-2203. facebook.com/anchayyeg
While there are numerous Vietnamese restaurants in the city, An Chay stands out in a particular way: it is the only Vietnamese restaurant in Edmonton that has a fully vegetarian menu. The family-run and family-owned business—which includes mother Lieu Nguyen, who ran a vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver for several years—serves up vegetarian-style Vietnamese favourites. As a regular meat-eater, I am always impressed with my meals at An Chay, which have been consistently tasty and flavourful. Their Bun Hue (a vegetarian version of spicy lemongrass noodle soup, normally made with beef) and the Bun 3 Mau (tri-color vermicelli) are delicious—but truthfully, everything here is worth a try.
JAMAICAN
Irie Foods | 2807 Mill Woods Rd., 780-414-1341. iriefoods.ca
The family-run Irie Foods, located in south Edmonton, is well-known for its Caribbean flavours. Since 1996, the Ricketts family have offered a great selection, including stews, curries, and their famed and affordable Jamaican patties. For something spicy, try the Jerk Chicken Meal—the chicken is always so moist (like, fall-off-the-bone tender) and vibrantly flavoured with all the jerk spices. Keep an eye out for their daily specials for some great deals, too!
MEDITERRANEAN
Alsalam Bakery & Restaurant | 10141-34 Ave., 780-944-0000. alsalampita.ca
What makes Alsalam a unique spot is that half of the establishment operates as a bakery and grocery store selling imported Mediterranean groceries and goods, while the other half is a restaurant serving Mediterranean food, including their amazing pitas. The Araji family opened Alsalam in 2009, when owner Abe Araji wanted to open a bakery like he had back in Lebanon and create a convenient one-stop shop. The restaurant portion, inspired by his three sons, opened in 2020. I often frequent Alsalam for their shawarma, but they have a lot of great options on their menu, which includes halal and vegetarian or vegan choices. The best bang-for-your-buck menu items are definitely the platters, which come with your choice of protein, rice, a side of fattoush salad (with fresh lettuce/veggies and an olive oil, sumac dressing), house-made hummus, the best garlic sauce, and a ginormous fresh pita. The friendly service and quality food will have you wanting to visit again. Every dish is made to order, and you can even watch from the counter as they slice the vertical slabs of meat or bake your pita bread from scratch.
