I.C.Y.M.I.: This Classic Alberta Diner Is Famous Around The Country For 40 Years Of Comfort Food

Highlevel Diner is a beloved institution that’s been serving locals and visitors for nearly 40 years. The hotspot has been featured on the TV show You Gotta Eat Here, gaining notoriety around the country.

If you weren’t aware, Alberta is an absolute goldmine for phenomenal diners. From hidden gems in tiny towns to cult favourites in metropolitan areas, it seems that folks in our province are big fans of home-style cooking and a little burst of nostalgia during their dining experiences. Among Alberta’s favourite diners is Highlevel Diner, located in Edmonton on the south end of the High Level Bridge. The place is known for its incredible atmosphere, super friendly staff, and massive menus filled with mouth-watering comfort food. Two of their main claims to fame are their famous cinnamon buns, which are baked daily and their signature dish: dill pickle soup. While those two things might sound strange together, they both deserve a spot on your must-try bucket list.

The diner has several expansive menus: the Hygge Comfort Food Menu, the Breakfast & Brunch Menu, the Lunch & Dinner Menu, and the dessert and beverage menus. In terms of comfort food, you’ll find things like black bean chili, tourtiéres, the famous cinnamon buns, and more. If you’re visiting in the morning, you’ll find a variety of egg-forward dishes like benedict, huevos, omelettes, and more. If you aren’t feeling eggs, there are plenty of other options.

If you’re not an early bird, lunch and dinner might suit you best. On that menu, you’ll see salads, classic sandwiches, burgers, fish & chips, curry, steak, and more. There are also a ton of beverage options, including a whole beer menu if you fancy a pint to go with your home cooking.

One of the many great things about this establishment is that they’ve got a special every day of the week, apart from Monday. On Tuesdays, you can get cheap tequila cocktails. On Wednesdays, you can get super affordable bottles of wine, Thursdays have beer specials, Fridays have cocktail specials, caesars are on sale on Saturdays, and Sundays have sangria on special. On top of that, each of those days has a happy hour from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. with great drink prices.

While you might not expect this from an old-school diner, Highlevel actually has a ton of options for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free guests. Everything here is as locally sourced as possible, and even the sauces are made in-house. The staff members are so attentive and friendly that you’ll feel at home within seconds of walking in, and we know you’ll be back before long.

If you’re having trouble deciding where or what to eat in Edmonton, this is an amazing option because there are so many incredible dishes to choose from, and you know they get each dish just right.

Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This content has been republished for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.

This article was originally published on August 31, 2023.