Sabor is so tried and true I was surprised to see that childhood friends Christian Mena and Adelino (Lino) Oliveira opened the seafood-focused restaurant in 2008 — I could’ve sworn I’d been there with family as a child.
But that’s just a testament to the tried-and-true feeling of a seafood-focused restaurant that “marries the Iberian flavours of Spain and Portugal” and made a great date-night or pre-game meal long before Rogers Place went up.
The food could easily be served at a fancier, stuffier place, but Sabor’s vibe is of a music-filled oceanside restaurant with the sounds of waves crashing outside the door. Sure, in Edmonton it’s more likely the sounds of tires sloshing through the snow, but when you’re in a warm place with friends eating food this good, it doesn’t matter what’s outside the door. — Cory Schachtel
Sabor
Downtown | 10220 103 St NW #109, Edmonton | 780.757.1114 | sabor.ca
What’s old eventually becomes classic — and what’s classic is undoubtedly cool. Bistro Praha is very cool, and my Gen Z brain can hardly comprehend the history that goes into a place like this. I’m flabbergasted. From the vintage green velvet and carved wooden furniture to the brass-framed photos of the European countryside, Bistro Praha oozes antique continental couture (think The Grand Budapest Hotel, but green instead of pink). The cordon-bleu schnitzel brings out a sweetness in my Czech Pilsner that just makes sense. But many of you already know this about Bistro Praha — I’m just a happy newcomer to this long-held Edmonton tradition. — Liam Newbigging
Bistro Praha
Downtown | 10117 101 St NW, Edmonton | 780.424.4218 | bistropraha.com
There’s a trend on the internet these days where users post scenes like these — little artifacts from a bygone era lost to time — accompanied by grainy filters and music designed to make you yearn for the lost days of childhood. If there’s one Edmonton landmark that deserves to be featured in that trend, it’s Coliseum Steak & Pizza.
The decor hasn’t changed much since 1976, and neither has the menu (flame-grilled steaks, charbroiled ribs, homemade pizzas and foil-wrapped baked potatoes accompanied by a tray of fixings are still the staples). But that’s part of its appeal. After so many years, Coliseum has become not just a restaurant, but a feeling — and for many people, that’s the feeling of coming home. —Jesse Cole
Coliseum Steak & Pizza
Parkdale | 8015 118 Ave NW, Edmonton | 780.474.1640 | coliseumsteak.com
This article appears in the Mar/Apr 2024 issue of Edify
