Take Shane Chartrand's Food Tour of Lethbridge
Take Shane Chartrand's Food Tour of Lethbridge
Shane Chartrand, an Indigenous chef from the Enoch Cree Nation, recently visited Lethbridge to explore our local food scene. He owns a restaurant in Edmonton and has appeared on many of our favourite television shows, including Chopped Canada, Iron Chef Canada, and many more! With that kind of resume, you can rest assured that he knows his way around food.
Chef Shane was brought in by Savour Alberta's South, a joint initiative between Tourism Lethbridge, Tourism Medicine Hat, the Town of Taber, Waterton Lakes National Park, and the South Canadian Rockies. Southern Alberta is located in Canada's Premier Food Corridor, meaning we have some of the best growing conditions in the country. If you want a taste for yourself, follow the itinerary we set up for Chef Shane (as detailed below) or click here to build your own food tour through Lethbridge!
Lethbridge Polytechnic Garden Court Restaurant
The Garden Court Restaurant is run by students in the Culinary Arts diploma program at the Lethbridge Polytechnic. They offer lunch buffets and evening dinners on select days each month, so be sure to check their schedule when planning your culinary tour! With an emphasis on using local ingredients, these student create masterful dishes, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavour.
We recommend: try out their lunch buffet, so you can get a little taste of everything!
Lethbridge Polytechnic Indigenous Plant Walk
The Indigenous Plant Walk begins behind the Lethbridge Polytechnic (just past the Garden Court entrance), and takes visitors on a scenic walk through the coulees. This self-guided tour tells a story of Indigenous life in the area, covering native plants and their medicinal uses. There are informational boards along the route to make sure you leave this coulee walk with more knowledgable than you had to begin!
We recommend: scan the QR code at each stop to learn more about each plant and its uses!
Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Translated to mean "Japan-Canada friendship," Nikka Yuko is a serene, Japanese-style garden in the heart of the city. During the spring, summer, and fall, this space offers a relaxing environment where guests can find their zen, and in the winter, the garden comes to life with over 170, 000 lights strung up for the Winter Lights Festival. Throughout the year, visit the Bunka Centre to learn about Japanese history in Southern Alberta and Cleo's Café for some traditional Japanese snacks!
We recommend: participate in a tea ceremony and have a taste of traditional Japanese tea!
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Theoretically Brewing
Committed to sourcing their ingredients from local farms, Theoretically Brewing gives all their customers a sip of Southern Alberta. This local brewery is known for their unique and rotating flavour combinations that keep us coming back again and again. They also host D&N kitchen in their space, allowing visitors to take advantage of their delicious menu.
We recommend: try their specialty Highway 3 Ale Trail brew!
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Sonder Coffee
The owner of Sonder home-roasts all their coffee beans, giving their brews a unique flavour you won't find anywhere else. Other than coffee, you can find a variety of tasty drinks, including their famous blue matcha! And if you're feeling peckish, you're in luck because Sonder is known for their specialty waffles. With both savoury and sweet options, there's a flavour to satisfy every tastebud.
We recommend: try their brie and bacon waffle!
Conscious Café
The Conscious Café is the only plant-based café in Lethbridge, but you'd never be able to tell. The café's owners aim to make their food and drinks taste no different than their meat- and dairy-based counterparts, and we can safely say they succeed. In fact, they do it even better! With a variety of sandwiches, baked good, and unique beverages all designed with their customer's health in mind, the Conscious Café isn't a stop you'll want to skip!
We recommend: try their famous mushroom coffee latte!
Little Gem Winery
Located just outside of the city, Little Gem Winery specializes in haskap wines. The haskap is a local super fruit, known for their bright and bold flavours. Little Gem takes advantage of this berry's uniqueness and crafts up a variety of different wines and ciders, ensuring there is something to sate your every craving. When visiting their tasting room, you can choose from a variety of light bits and appetizers, ranging from the classic charcuterie board to dishes that embrace the owners' Dutch heritage.
We recommend: try their Oak Aged Reserve Red!
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Lethbridge has many more restaurants and producers to visit, these locations are just the tip of the iceberg! To discover more locations and taste even more local food, click here!