South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co.

Few dishes rival the cozy, indulgent appeal of mac and cheese.

Calgary’s food scene is home to some standout versions, from elevated classics to creative twists that are sure to satisfy any craving.

Photo Credit: South Block Barbecue & Brewing Co.

Sometimes you just need a bowl of gooey, cheesy comfort food and mac & cheese certainly fits the bill. It’s a dish that is so versatile, everyone can put their own spin on it. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or as a complement to other dishes, there are many ways to go with this classic.

South Block Barbecue and Brewing
When you can’t choose between brisket or mac and cheese at South Block, why not enjoy both with their Brisket and Pimento Mac and Cheese. Cheesy pasta is topped with mouthwatering brisket – cheesy and meaty!

J Club Grill and Bar
Located in McKenzie Towne, J Club has locally sourced, farm-to-table dishes packed with flavour. Their Wild Boar Bacon Mac & Cheese has double smoked wild boar bacon tossed with corkscrew pasta and house made cheese sauce topped with parmesan cheese bread crumbs. Served up with fragrant garlic bread.

The Ship & Anchor
The baked mac & cheese is definitely a classic at the Ship and Anchor. This pasta dish is made with garlic mornay sauce, aged cheddar, and finished with panko bread crumbs. Perfect with a pint!

The CattleBaron Steakhouse & Bar
While the Cattlebaron is best known for their steaks, don’t miss out on their Lobster Mac & Cheese. This dish is made with cream bechamel combined with a mix of cheeses including aged cheddar, and a generous portion of succulent lobster meat. Topped with seasoned breadcrumbs, this is a real treat!

Namo Café Bistro
If you’re looking for a serious twist on mac & cheese, check out the Gnocchi Mac & Cheese at Namo Café Bistro. Macaroni is replaced with fresh gnocchi and is tossed with truffled mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and a pecorino cheese sauce. Enjoy with warm focaccia.

The Lazy Loaf & Kettle
The Lazy Loaf and Kettle serves up a hearty mac and cheese featuring tender macaroni smothered in a housemade cheese sauce and topped with a golden panko crust. For an extra indulgent twist, you can add pulled pork or BBQ brisket to elevate this classic comfort dish.

Scotsman’s Well Pub
Located in Creekside, this pub has local draught on tap. They also have homemade baked mac & cheese topped with cheddar and breadcrumbs. You can add pulled pork or grilled chicken to take it to the next level.

Tipsy Pig Kitchen + Bar
The Tipsy Pig Pub offers their “Tipsy Famous Mac & Cheese,” a rich and creamy dish featuring classic mac noodles tossed in a cheesy parmigiana sauce and served with garlic toast. Customize your bowl with options like bacon, ham, crumbled Italian sausage, or chicken breast for an even more satisfying meal.

Primal Grounds Cafe
Margaret and the team at Primal Grounds Café offer a Three Cheese Mac and Cheese featuring a blend of cheeses enveloping tender pasta, creating a comforting and flavourful dish that is a must-try for all mac and cheese lovers.

The Food Chemist
The Food Chemist takes their mac & cheese very seriously; they offer 25 varieties! While the classic version is available, of course, options also include pasta with garlic-Cajun shrimp, Philly cheese steak, tandoori chicken, and even Szechuan fritter chicken. Several repeat visits may be in order.

Seoul Fried Chicken
While this cold version falls into the salad category, the Mac & Cheese Pesto Salad at Seoul Fried Chicken is worthy of being called mac & cheese. It’s made with creamy asiago sunflower pesto and makes a great side to their Korean fried chicken.

Best of Kin
Best of Kin Brewery serves up a Double Smoked Bacon Mac n Cheese that combines a rich cheese blend with serpentini noodles, roasted tomato, pickled jalapeños, and a garlic spent grain crumble. This dish can be made vegetarian by skipping the bacon, or you can go all in with an $8 brisket upgrade.

Diner Deluxe
Diner Deluxe puts a spin on mac and cheese with Quebec cheese curds, cheddar, and basil breadcrumbs, served alongside garlic bread for a comforting meal. Customize your dish with add-ons like BBQ pulled pork, double-smoked bacon, truffled mushrooms, or fresh veggies, and opt for a gluten-free version if needed.