Best Restaurants in Downtown Calgary

Winner

Major Tom

Reservations book up months in advance for this downtown restaurant, and it’s not hard to see why. At 40 floors above Stephen Avenue, Major Tom offers spectacular views of the city during the day and evening. Have your pick of hors d’oeuvres like the potato doughnuts or the crab and shrimp roll before trying the restaurant’s beef program, which features Benchmark Angus, Alberta Prime and A5 Wagyu beef.

700 2 St. S.W. (40th Floor), majortombar.ca, @themajortombar

Runners-up

River Café

River Café has been a Calgary staple for more than three decades. While the restaurant’s dining room offers a cozy dining option year-round, the patio overlooking Prince’s Island Park provides a beautiful dining experience in the spring and summer. No matter when you visit, beautifully plated seasonal dishes made with local ingredients await.

25 Prince’s Island Park, 403-261-7670, river-cafe.com, @rivercafeyyc

Barbarella Bar

At Barbarella Bar, escape the daily hustle and bustle by indulging in coastal Italian cuisine. Delivering “sun-drenched food” directly to your table, Barbarella offers everything from small plates of 30-month aged prosciutto and crispy calamari to larger dishes such as pizza, pasta, roasted tiger shrimp and crispy lamb calzoni.

240 8 Ave. S.W., 403-888-1658, barbarellabar.ca, @thebarbarellabar

Cafe Alchemist

This downtown café offers an inviting, modern space to relax with a cup of coffee and a snack. Pair a caramel latte or americano with a croissant or heartier dishes like egg wraps or the Greek lamb bowl. For more handcrafted meals, check out Alchemist Bistro, a pop-up dining series hosted by Cafe Alchemist on Saturday evenings.

850 2 St. S.W., 403-261-0938, cafealchemist.com, @cafe.alchemist, @alchemist.bistro

FinePrint

Located in the former home of the Calgary Herald on Stephen Avenue, FinePrint offers a cool nod to Calgary’s storytelling history with your night out. Menu items like the Alberta bison and truffle tartare, seafood bouillabaisse and braised lamb shank demonstrate the restaurant’s commitment to providing a delicious and sophisticated dining experience.

113 8 Ave. S.W., 403-475-5655, fineprintyyc.com, @fineprintyyc

Caesar’s Steak House

A Calgary staple for more than 50 years, Caesar’s offers a classic steakhouse dining experience at both its downtown and Willow Park locations. Treat yourself to a prime bone-in ribeye or filet mignon, which you can pair with the restaurant’s classic Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, lobster tail and more to complete the experience.

512 4 Ave. S.W., 403-264-1222, caesarssteakhouse.com, @caesarsteak

Fortuna’s Row

Fortuna’s Row’s riverfront location and sophisticated dining room offer an elevated dining experience for brunch and dinner. Here, guests can dig into Latin American share plates ranging from fried octopus to grilled chicken al pastor. If you’re feeling adventurous, choose the “let us feed you” option to have the chefs curate a selection of menu items for your evening. Those who just want to grab a cocktail and chat can also check out the restaurant’s Standing Room Only bar.

421 Riverfront Ave. S.E., 403-243-0069, fortunasrow.com, @fortunas.row

Teatro

Teatro’s team of passionate chefs bring the flavours of Italy to your plate. The serving staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the team is ready to recommend perfect pairings from the award-winning wine cellar. For the full Teatro experience, try the chef’s tasting menu for an indulgent, five-course meal to experience with your whole table.

200 8 Ave. S.E., 403-290-1012, teatro.ca, @teatrorestaurant

Modern Steak

With its sophisticated atmosphere and steak-forward menu, Modern Steak’s Stephen Avenue location has become a popular dining destination. Whether you opt for a locally produced Modern Benchmark Black Angus ribeye or a filet of wagyu beef from Japan, you’re in for a memorable dining experience. In the summer, try to snag a seat on the rooftop patio to add some stunning city views to your night.

100 8 Ave. S.W., 403-244-3600, modernsteak.ca, @modernsteakca

Charcut Roast House

Charcut offers locally sourced, urban-rustic cuisine with a bit of Italian flair. The butcher-cut steak from Gemstone Ranch and house-made charcuterie are good examples of what you can expect from the menu, which changes seasonally and includes lunch options, quick bites and larger feasts to enjoy with family and friends.

899 Centre St. S.W. (Hotel Le Germain), 403-984-2180, charcut.com, @charcut

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