Avenue Magazine Edmonton

It’s our second best annual 25 Best Things to Eat in Edmonton and we’ve been busy searching markets, restaurants and bakeries for the most noteworthy eats our city has to offer. Foodie Gail Hall visited new and long-standing businesses that were not awarded last year and uncovered a cross-section of fabulous food and drinks. Whether gourmet, casual or classic, for dining in or taking out, these are our 25 favourite finds for this year, and we hope they will become yours, too.

Buttercrunch candy

Sweet Lollapalooza Confections

The rich, buttery, chocolatey goodness of Sweet Lollapalooza's buttercrunch candy was a must-stop at the downtown farmers' market. Now it's available year-round at chocolatier Brett Roy's new outlet in Commerce Place. Bite into the delicate band of caramel, sandwiched between two thin layers of French chocolate, lightly dusted with toasted ground almonds and hazelnuts, and then let it melt in your mouth. (Commerce Place, 10155 102 St., 780-436-3190)

Frozen yogurt

Kiwi Kiss

Booster Juice founder Dale Wishewan has created another winner. Kiwi Kiss features a first for local fro-yo. With a tart tanginess that's high in probiotics, the dessert is prepared and served in a European style - meaning the fruit toppings are fresh, not frozen. There are four flavours and countless toppings to select from, so at your whim, each combination tastes special. And, if that's not enough to entice you, a small size is just 110 calories (minus the fruit). (City Centre East, 10205 101 St., 780-497-7229)

Smoked tuna

Ocean Odyssey Inland

If you like smoked salmon, you're going to love smoked tuna. Like all the fish products at Ocean Odyssey Inland, the tuna is wild and sustainably caught. Best of all, it is really smoked, not just treated with "liquid smoke" marinade like most smoked fish products sold at retail counters. The natural fatty goodness and smoky flavour make this pre-packaged fish an excellent choice to top your bagel, accompany your seafood platter or curl around your sticky rice. (10027 167 St., 780-930-1901)

Spicy salmon rolls

Maki Maki Japanese/Vietnamese Restaurant and Lounge

This roll of rice, nori and fresh sockeye salmon is a refreshing and light meal. Hot chili flakes and fresh chili paste, made from imported Japanese ingredients, are worked into the fresh salmon to give this dish its flavour and subtle spiciness. Made fresh to order, the eight rolls are garnished with salmon roe. (8109 101 St., 780-438-8298)

Spanakopita

Hellas Foods

Hellas does one fine job of making this Greek classic. The large rectangular pastry is filled with spinach, dill, onions and feta - all wrapped in a delicate phyllo and baked to a golden brown. The Greek market's spanakopita, and their similarly made tyropita (a phyllo with a savoury cheese filling), are worth leaving the house for in any weather. (12407 109 Ave., 780-455-8168)