Step downstairs into this historic Brewery District building and you’ll be transported back in time. Here at Next of Kin, thanks to the records spinning on the hi-fi and the 1970s-inspired furniture and lighting, it’s easy to turn off your phone and escape into the past.
Chef Ben Staley set out to “reinvent the neighbourhood bar,” and in its first year, Kin has cemented itself as both a hot cocktail bar and an ideal spot for a casual weeknight drink.
A small, curated food menu complements the pared-down wine list (one red, one white, one orange, one rosé), which makes ordering a great glass of wine easy and approachable. In fact, everything about Next of Kin feels approachable and even plain cool, from the decor to the bartenders to the vintage matchbooks.
The cocktail menu is food-inspired, with unexpected ingredients. Where else would you find kefir in a cocktail? The popular Clover Club is a sophisticated blend of gin, raspberry, lemon and egg whites. Non-alcoholic options are equally grown-up and playful.
Kin’s signature dish is the Kin Burger, a thick, medium-rare burger topped with melted white cheddar and white onion. It’s emblematic of the bar’s whole ethos — simple, quality ingredients, assembled with such care that the flavours shine through, proving a dish doesn’t need to be flashy to become the talk of the town. When I mentioned at a party that I was food writing for Edify, an acquaintance brought up the Kin Burger unprompted, declaring it the best thing to eat in Edmonton. Next of Kin proves that even without a lengthy wine list or complicated dishes, a restaurant can shine by doing simple things well. — Caitlin Hart
Next of Kin
Wîhkwêntôwin | 10425 121 St NW, Edmonton | kinbar.ca
A new taste experience in one of Edmonton’s oldest and most storied locations awaits diners at Nero, the latest venture by long-time restaurateurs Dave Manna and Joe Viana. Located in the historic Molson building in the Brewery District, Nero adds a layer of pomp and polish to its Italian offerings for diners who have long enjoyed the business partners’ wildly successful pizza and pasta ventures, Rosso and Bianco. The food at Nero covers some of the same ground but kicks things up with an inspired restoration of the building featuring a cocktail bar characterized by old-world elegance.
Nero’s large menu reflects the cuisine of central Italy: there is no shortage of cheese. But for the modern diner as interested in greens as gnocchi, there is a pleasing array of vegetarian options. And breads are made in-house; don’t miss the Crostini al Funghi, a savoury jumble of maitake, shimeji and shiitake mushrooms served on buttery, lightly grilled sourdough.
But what makes Nero an outstanding experience is the way the restaurant feels. It’s like being in Rome — really. The black and white banquettes are etched in velvety brocade. The wallpaper channels Raphael.
As is the trend now and seemingly forever, restaurant patrons are encouraged to share plates. Nero servers bring out the food in a careful procession so that it doesn’t overwhelm. There are Italian classics (Parmigiano this, mortadella that) but executive chef Kunal Sawhney keeps it fresh with infusions of mint, basil and lemon. You may feel sated by the meal, but you would be foolish to skip the rich espresso chocolate budino for dessert. Moderation? That’s for another day. — Liane Faulder
Nero
Wîhkwêntôwin | 12068 104 Ave NW, Edmonton | neroeats.com
Days after an evening at Atrium at Sabor — the latest in the Sabor coterie of eateries — my mind drifted back to its spareness and its detail. This new location provides chef and co-owner Lino Oliveira a fresh canvas after his 30 years in the business in Portugal and Edmonton.
There is a luxe raw bar featuring fresh chilled seafood, with such surprises as Smoked Scallop Ceviche with jalapeño crema and pickled shallots. The Continental menu focuses on a small selection of dishes, each carefully composed. Braised Beef Cheek atop layers of spinach and potato purée comprises an elevated comfort food. Lobster Spaghetti with cheddar, cream and tomato is a sassy invitation to make mischief.
The downtown restaurant is in the soaring lobby of the Revillon Boardwalk Building, arguably cavernous with towers of brick and black ductwork on two sides and extravagant glass panels on two more, but it feels intimate. Each granite-topped table is cast in the light of a tiny lantern, creating a gathering spot for conversation, delicate sips and thoughtful flavours. Tables for two cluster around a grand piano, where co-owner Christian Mena (a Broadway alumnus) and other musicians entertain diners, but there are also nook-ish corners for larger parties.
Bright orbs hang from the ceiling like multiple moons of a distant planet. I cannot get those moons out of my mind. The long, lean cocktail bar anchors the room in an elegant, understated fashion. Its mirrored shelves sparkle with bottles, the counter gleaming from the underside. So much to think about. — Liane Faulder
Atrium by Sabor
Downtown | 10310 102 Ave NW, Edmonton | sabor.ca
It took a long time for chef and owner Andrew Fung to get where he really wanted to be. Happily, it’s a short journey for Edmonton diners to reach the same place: Fung’s dream restaurant, Juu•Ku, a pan-Asian experience located beside the chef’s acclaimed restaurant XIX Nineteen in Terwillegar.
Launched 13 years after that flagship eatery, Juu•Ku is inspired by the Hong Kong-born chef’s love of the flavours of Japan, China and Korea. But there’s an east-meets-west flair, with traditional dishes served in bold new interpretations. Juu•Ku’s Shumai Dumpling, its version of the dim sum staple, is fragrant with truffles.
The menu is extensive, featuring dozens of sushi choices as well as noodle and rice bowls, plus crowd-pleasing options like Barbecue Pork Char Siu. For lovers of dim sum (and even those unfamiliar with its charms), Fung has assembled a small and carefully curated selection of snacky bites — such as bao and wontons — designed for sharing.
Service and food at Juu•Ku are excellent. What surprises and delights, however, is the design of the new restaurant. Bathed in red and black, the room feels like a gallery; the eye is drawn to three impressively large portraits by Japanese-Canadian artist Tim Okamura, and a handsome cocktail and sushi bar centres the room.
Juu•Ku is perfect for a robust celebration. But if you’d rather sip sake while watching the talent at work, the restaurant’s sushi chefs are on full display. One moment they’re slicing tight rolls of rice and seaweed with surgical precision, the next they’re torching near-transparent morsels of fish to smoky perfection. Juu•Ku may be Fung’s dream restaurant, but it can also be yours. — Liane Faulder
Juu•Ku
Mactaggart | 5946 Mullen Way NW, Edmonton | juuku.ca
A menu that boasts something for everyone risks spreading itself too thin. But at Golden Sparrow, head chef Taimoor Mirza serves up a diverse range of global dishes executed with style and craft.
The nimble appetizer menu features Nepalese Chicken Momos as well as Japanese Beef Tataki and Korean Fried Chicken. For entrées, Steak & Frites, classically French, beckons beside Salmon Laksa, with southeast Asian tastes. At brunch, a simmering Middle Eastern Shakshouka offers perfectly baked eggs in a tomato and pepper sauce fragrant with cumin.
Mirza puts the menu’s confident variety down to a desire to please customers, but also to his background. The chef was born and raised in Oman, and has more than 10 years of experience with international flavours. He is fluent in more than a few culinary dialects.
Attentive service and luxe design add to the experience. Tufted velvet barstools are plushy and intimate. Wall murals are a lush tangle of birds and botanicals. The lighting is low, but high-tech menus are lit from behind, so you can see even when you and the mood are romantic.
Golden Sparrow knows what it’s doing; there’s confidence behind every plate. Case in point: the 16-layer chocolate cake garnished with a golden spun sugar is a master class in finesse. Yes, the kitchen is ambitious, but diners can relax: this restaurant’s got your back.— Liane Faulder
Golden Sparrow
Westmount | 10704 124 St NW, Edmonton | 780.244.3371 | goldensparrowyeg.com
This article appears in the March 2026 issue of Edify
