Summer has arrived and with it comes a ton of new Calgary restaurants and some seriously enticing patios to hit up.
Calgary’s dining scene is ever-expanding, so there are always new restaurants, cafes and bars to try. If you’re looking for some hip spots, we’ve rounded up a few must-try eateries for you, including new spots as well as classic neighbourhood favourites.
From breezy patios to trendy spots for drinks, and romantic restaurants for a date night, these are some of the top restaurants every Calgary local needs to try this summer.
Ryuko in Christie Park
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 40 Christie Park View SW #3150, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Ryuko has earned a solid reputation for serving sublime sushi, sashimi and modern Japanese creations from its South Calgary spot. Now it has a second location in Christie Park that’s just as sophisticated.
The new Ryuko in West Calgary serves many of the same dishes diners have grown to love, as well as some new creations. Dishes include agedashi tofu, seared hamachi sushi and kaiseki bento boxes filled with an array of bites.
The new location has seating for up to 100 people at tables or along the long bar where you can watch the chefs in action. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and reservations are highly recommended.
The Sweatered Hen
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Brunch
Address: 819 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go:
Calgary has some pretty amazing brunch spots that serve eggs benedict, loaded hash browns, waffles and more. Now there’s a new spot to get your brunch fix at The Sweatered Hen.
Brought to us by chef Andrea Harling of L’il Black Rooster, The Sweatered Hen is located in the space formerly occupied by V Burger. You can grab a seat on the patio or in the newly renovated dining room.
The menu features an array of breakfast and lunch dishes like roasted strawberry french toast, huevos rancheros and the hearty Italian Job sandwich. You can pair your meal with an iced coffee or a brunch cocktail.
Cold Beer & Pizza
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Pizza
Address: 1019 17 Ave SW #102, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: The name is a dead giveaway for what you can expect at Cold Beer & Pizza. This easy-going eatery on the corner of 17th Ave. and 9A St. is a sweet spot to grab a slice of Roman-style pizza and cold craft beers.
Saunter up to the pizza counter or bar to place your order, then you can grab a seat on the patio. Inside there are booths and tables, as well as a jukebox and photo booth in the back.
You can order pizzas by the tray or slice with several options to choose from like ‘Rata with burrata, tomatoes, olives and basil or the Diablo with pepperoni, jalapeños and hot honey. You can also try one of the massive focaccia sandwiches. Best of all, the prices are very affordable.
River Café
Price: 💸💸💸💸
Cuisine: Seasonal Canadian
Address: 25 Prince's Island Park, SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you’re looking to escape the city streets and dine amid nature, River Café is a scenic oasis in the midst of Prince’s Island Park. The patio is a picturesque spot to sip cold drinks and savour seasonal fare on a sunny day.
The space where River Café sits was once a humble park concession stand. In the 1990s, it was transformed into a gorgeous restaurant with a spacious patio overlooking a lagoon. The restaurant is open year-round, but it’s especially popular in the warmer months.
Swing by for lunch or dinner to sample fresh oysters, vibrant salads and contemporary meat and fish dishes. River Café also does a great brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bar Gigi
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Contemporary
Address: 336 9 Ave NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Located in the old Halibut Hut on Edmonton Trail, Bar Gigi is a hip new spot to grab tasty bites and glasses of wine. It’s helmed by Alessandro Chinea, Kayla Blomquist and Jaden Kanomata, who formerly worked at D.O.P.
From the outside it looks pretty unassuming. The old Halibut Hut sign is still there, but with a neon Bar Gigi sign added on. Step inside though and you find yourself in a chic space with patterned, tiled floors and dark blue walls.
The menu features small plates like hamachi crudo and crispy oyster mushrooms with yuzu aioli. Larger plates include skate wing with herb butter and spaghetti with confit duck leg. Cocktails and wines are also on offer.
Tropical
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 1011 1 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: It’s all about good vibes at Tropical’s new location in the Beltline. While the original location is more of a nightclub, the new locale is all about tasty Mexican bites accompanied by fresh cocktails.
The new Tropical takes over the space formerly occupied by Foreign Concept. You can sit outside on the patio or grab a seat in the spacious dining room that’s decked out in tropical-inspired decor.
There are plenty of plates that are great for sharing like the ahi tuna tostadas and brisket cotija dip. Other dishes include the birria tacos, al pastor chicken bowl and the Tropical burger. Be sure to try some of the signature margaritas like the spicy chili mango or passionfruit.
Prosperity Bar
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Tiki Bar
Address: 107 2 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta
Why You Need To Go: If you’re a fan of speakeasy-style bars, you may be familiar with Paper Lantern. The trendy underground bar is known for its creative cocktails and Vietnamese fare. The owners have now opened a new spot just a few doors down in Chinatown.
Prosperity Bar offers major tiki vibes with island-inspired decor and fun, nostalgic cocktails like mai tais, Singapore slings and zombies. You can also throw back some drop shots to get the party started.
Food options include a selection of Asian-inspired bites. Snacks like the shrimp rangoons, big mac egg rolls and Szechuan chicken wings are great accompaniments to the cocktails. If you want something more substantial, try the kung pao chicken or Korean short ribs.
The Office
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Cali Cabo
Address: 318 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: The Office is a pretty new restaurant and bar that brings the spirit of Baja California to downtown Calgary. Located in the CORE Shopping Centre, this coastal-inspired spot offers up fresh seafood, tasty tacos and a wide range of mocktails and cocktails.
If the sun is shining, the patio is the place to be at The Office. It’s pet-friendly, so you can bring your pup to soak up some sunshine and cool off with a few Coronas. Inside there are roomy booths and inviting tables.
Your meal could start with some street corn guacamole or jalepeño salt and vinegar fries. Main courses include Baja fish tacos, Malibu lobster mac and cheese and the Pacific ahi tuna burger.
Bonterra Trattoria
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 1016 8 St SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Bonterra Trattoria is a quintessential summer dining spot in Calgary thanks to its gorgeous patio. Lush greenery, flowering trees and brick walls give the terrace an Old World atmosphere that will make you feel like you’ve been whisked off to Tuscany.
You’ll find classic Italian dishes with a modern twist on the menu at Bonterra. For example, the linguine vongole includes classic clams as well as pork sausage in a garlic white wine sauce. Meat dishes include the bison striploin in a vibrant salsa verde.
Bonterra Trattoria also offers weekend brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m, to 3 p.m. The menu includes eggs benedict, a weekend strata casserole and special chef’s creations that can be sweet or savoury.
