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Restaurant list

15 Top Calgary Restaurants for Outdoor Dining

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by OpenTable
Updated July 15, 2021

As a city with notoriously unpredictable spring and fall weather, Calgary has a tragically short patio season, which is why Calgarians tend to make the most out of any day that’s warm enough to go out for a long and leisurely outdoor meal. The COVID-19 pandemic has given local businesses even more motivation to improve their patios and expand outdoor seating areas while adding in more features for comfort such as heat lamps, overhead coverage, and wind protection. From elegant rooftop dining areas with birds-eye views of the downtown core to quaint lines of tables on sidewalk patios at casual spots, more than ever both restaurants and diners are embracing opportunities for fresh air dining. There’s a fun and interesting place to eat outside around almost every corner in Calgary during the summer months, but these 15 restaurants go the extra mile when it comes to combining good food and the great outdoors.

4.7 (2389)
CAN$30 and under
Pacific Rim
Downtown
Hawaii is a long way from Calgary, but this Pacific Rim-themed bar and restaurant offers a taste of the tropics, especially when it’s warm enough to roll open the big garage-style doors at the front of the building that lead out to the sidewalk patio. Fresh and flavourful food dominates the menu, with playful bites such as hot dog bao buns, house-made spam skewers, and loco moco rice, all of which pair nicely with the bar’s over-the-top tiki-style cocktails and a little bit of sunshine.
Top review
LorettaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The alcohol free cocktails were phenomenal. The food was absolutely delectable.
Hawaii is a long way from Calgary, but this Pacific Rim-themed bar and restaurant offers a taste of the tropics, especially when it’s warm enough to roll open the big garage-style doors at the front of the building that lead out to the sidewalk patio. Fresh and flavourful food dominates the menu, with playful bites such as hot dog bao buns, house-made spam skewers, and loco moco rice, all of which pair nicely with the bar’s over-the-top tiki-style cocktails and a little bit of sunshine.
Top review
LorettaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
The alcohol free cocktails were phenomenal. The food was absolutely delectable.
4 (383)
CAN$30 and under
Latin American
Calgary
Calavera Cantina’s patio may be located in the parking lot of a large suburban retail development, but the patio is designed to make diners feel like they’ve been whisked away to a beachside taqueria in Mexico, with high walls to block out the fast food joints and big box stores nearby. The food is bright and fresh, with dishes such as tuna crudo tostadas and a melon salad as well as the requisite (but very tasty) tacos and burritos.
Top review
Michelle
Dined on Jan 26, 2025
Our server Cadenze was amazing! For a Saturday night place was dead. We only came because Starbelly could not seat us. Hockey game was on so that was good. Margarita tree was excellent. Food yummy. But the vibe was kinda lame because the resto was empty. Cadenze made it all worth it! Keep her!
Calavera Cantina’s patio may be located in the parking lot of a large suburban retail development, but the patio is designed to make diners feel like they’ve been whisked away to a beachside taqueria in Mexico, with high walls to block out the fast food joints and big box stores nearby. The food is bright and fresh, with dishes such as tuna crudo tostadas and a melon salad as well as the requisite (but very tasty) tacos and burritos.
Top review
Michelle
Dined on Jan 26, 2025
Our server Cadenze was amazing! For a Saturday night place was dead. We only came because Starbelly could not seat us. Hockey game was on so that was good. Margarita tree was excellent. Food yummy. But the vibe was kinda lame because the resto was empty. Cadenze made it all worth it! Keep her!
4.7 (1270)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Calgary
Downtown’s Stephen Avenue is Calgary’s premium place for sitting and watching the world go by. Closed to cars during the daytime and bubbling with energy in the evening, the strip is always full of interesting pedestrian traffic and plenty of action. Klein/Harris’s street-level patio is a lovely place to drink in the Stephen Avenue vibe while eating chef James Waters’s uniquely Canadiana dishes and sipping on one of co-owner Christina Mah’s much-celebrated cocktails.
Top review
JanetVIP
Dined 5 days ago
The Duck special and the salmon were both excellent, as was the warm seasonal vegetables and mushroom starter! Service great. Music just a tad too loud!
Downtown’s Stephen Avenue is Calgary’s premium place for sitting and watching the world go by. Closed to cars during the daytime and bubbling with energy in the evening, the strip is always full of interesting pedestrian traffic and plenty of action. Klein/Harris’s street-level patio is a lovely place to drink in the Stephen Avenue vibe while eating chef James Waters’s uniquely Canadiana dishes and sipping on one of co-owner Christina Mah’s much-celebrated cocktails.
Top review
JanetVIP
Dined 5 days ago
The Duck special and the salmon were both excellent, as was the warm seasonal vegetables and mushroom starter! Service great. Music just a tad too loud!
4.5 (989)
CAN$30 and under
Contemporary French / American
Downtown
The Living Room has been a fixture on 17th Avenue for 20 years and is well-known for its breathtaking patio, which has a secluded backyard feel despite being right on one of Calgary’s busiest commercial streets. The wood-walled space is fit with plenty of lights, gorgeous plant life, and a fireplace to make the restaurant’s contemporary shareable cuisine and much-loved fondue dinners feel even more special.
Top review
JolantaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We love coming to The Living Room. The service and food was great as always.
The Living Room has been a fixture on 17th Avenue for 20 years and is well-known for its breathtaking patio, which has a secluded backyard feel despite being right on one of Calgary’s busiest commercial streets. The wood-walled space is fit with plenty of lights, gorgeous plant life, and a fireplace to make the restaurant’s contemporary shareable cuisine and much-loved fondue dinners feel even more special.
Top review
JolantaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We love coming to The Living Room. The service and food was great as always.
4.6 (1133)
CAN$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates
Calgary
This chic wine bar has two patios, one on the street level and another on the rooftop, and while the upper deck offers great views of the vibrant Mission neighbourhood, the lower area is popular with dog lovers looking to enjoy a nice international meal and a glass or two of premium wine with their pets at their feet. Owner Phoebe Fung is a true dog lover (her dog Dom is practically a local celebrity) and not only allows dogs on the patio but also hosts dog-related events and provides treats and “pawsecco” for canine friends.
Top review
Yvonne
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Always a great experience! Service is fabulous and the food is delicious.
This chic wine bar has two patios, one on the street level and another on the rooftop, and while the upper deck offers great views of the vibrant Mission neighbourhood, the lower area is popular with dog lovers looking to enjoy a nice international meal and a glass or two of premium wine with their pets at their feet. Owner Phoebe Fung is a true dog lover (her dog Dom is practically a local celebrity) and not only allows dogs on the patio but also hosts dog-related events and provides treats and “pawsecco” for canine friends.
Top review
Yvonne
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Always a great experience! Service is fabulous and the food is delicious.
4.7 (3781)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Italian
Calgary
Bonterra has become a local go-to because of its consistently delicious higher-end Italian fare, but the trattoria’s most powerful asset is its luxurious patio, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Calgary. The outdoor dining area is technically part of an inner-city parking lot, but its clever construction, terracotta tiles, rustic styling, and abundant greenery make it feel like a scene straight out of Tuscany.
Top review
Valeriia
Dined 4 days ago
I love this place! Food and service are excellent!
Bonterra has become a local go-to because of its consistently delicious higher-end Italian fare, but the trattoria’s most powerful asset is its luxurious patio, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Calgary. The outdoor dining area is technically part of an inner-city parking lot, but its clever construction, terracotta tiles, rustic styling, and abundant greenery make it feel like a scene straight out of Tuscany.
Top review
Valeriia
Dined 4 days ago
I love this place! Food and service are excellent!
4.7 (3001)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Italian
Calgary
Situated in a historic bank building, dining indoors at Teatro is a quintessential Calgary experience, but the venerable restaurant also has a lesser-known outdoor dining space. Sitting just off of Olympic Plaza and steps away from both Calgary’s Municipal Building and Arts Commons theatre complex, this tucked-away corner offers a serene spot to indulge in some Mediterranean-inspired fine dining and a bottle from Teatro’s legendary wine list.
Top review
Anna
Dined 3 days ago
The food and services is great. The carpaccio was still frozen and a bit of a challenge to eat. Was glad your kitchen can accommodate preparing the duck without ordering the set dinner. Overall experience was amazing. Will def be back when we come to visit Calgary again.
Situated in a historic bank building, dining indoors at Teatro is a quintessential Calgary experience, but the venerable restaurant also has a lesser-known outdoor dining space. Sitting just off of Olympic Plaza and steps away from both Calgary’s Municipal Building and Arts Commons theatre complex, this tucked-away corner offers a serene spot to indulge in some Mediterranean-inspired fine dining and a bottle from Teatro’s legendary wine list.
Top review
Anna
Dined 3 days ago
The food and services is great. The carpaccio was still frozen and a bit of a challenge to eat. Was glad your kitchen can accommodate preparing the duck without ordering the set dinner. Overall experience was amazing. Will def be back when we come to visit Calgary again.
4.6 (410)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Steakhouse
Calgary
A Calgary institution since 1988, Buchanan’s boasts a dark, wood-lined interior, representing classic chophouse style. Diners looking for the same great steakhouse fare but in sunnier surroundings can opt for a seat on the restaurant’s expansive sidewalk patio, enclosed by glass panels and adorned with flowers and umbrellas. Close to the Bow River, it’s an ideal place to stop for a steak or a glass from the bar’s extensive whiskey collection after a stroll on the riverside pathway.
Top review
LisaVIP
Dined 5 days ago
We went last night for dinner, and maybe I'm new to the party, but they have an awesome Friday night special. We shared a 29 ounce T-bone steak, wasabi caesar salad, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and whisky peppercorn sauce. Meal for 2 cost only $99. We each got a dram of whisky from their massive collection for dessert, GlenAlacchie and Caol Ila (they have real dessert too - ha) Excellent service - friendly and professional to boot! We also sat on the west facing patio, watching the world go by, to/from the river pathway - so lovely.
A Calgary institution since 1988, Buchanan’s boasts a dark, wood-lined interior, representing classic chophouse style. Diners looking for the same great steakhouse fare but in sunnier surroundings can opt for a seat on the restaurant’s expansive sidewalk patio, enclosed by glass panels and adorned with flowers and umbrellas. Close to the Bow River, it’s an ideal place to stop for a steak or a glass from the bar’s extensive whiskey collection after a stroll on the riverside pathway.
Top review
LisaVIP
Dined 5 days ago
We went last night for dinner, and maybe I'm new to the party, but they have an awesome Friday night special. We shared a 29 ounce T-bone steak, wasabi caesar salad, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and whisky peppercorn sauce. Meal for 2 cost only $99. We each got a dram of whisky from their massive collection for dessert, GlenAlacchie and Caol Ila (they have real dessert too - ha) Excellent service - friendly and professional to boot! We also sat on the west facing patio, watching the world go by, to/from the river pathway - so lovely.
4.5 (201)
CAN$30 and under
Comfort Food
Beltline
Billed as a “modern diner,” The Beltliner is best known as a laid-back brunch spot, but also has a nice happy hour, with wings, burgers, and various cocktails all on offer at a discounted rate. The patio along the side of the building faces a park for great people-watching opportunities and is also dog-friendly, making it a top choice for brunchers who want to while away the day with their pups in tow.
Top review
Heather
Dined on Jan 10, 2025
Great food, great service, excellent for location for breakfast meeting.
Billed as a “modern diner,” The Beltliner is best known as a laid-back brunch spot, but also has a nice happy hour, with wings, burgers, and various cocktails all on offer at a discounted rate. The patio along the side of the building faces a park for great people-watching opportunities and is also dog-friendly, making it a top choice for brunchers who want to while away the day with their pups in tow.
Top review
Heather
Dined on Jan 10, 2025
Great food, great service, excellent for location for breakfast meeting.
4.7 (4373)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Calgary
Located way down in the south end of the city in a landmark historical home, it’s hard to beat a special occasion Canadian meal on Bow Valley Ranche’s picturesque outdoor veranda. For a different view of the property, the fine dining restaurant’s parent company, the Great Events Group, also hosts gourmet outdoor private dome dinners in the restaurant’s back garden under its “Foodies in the Park” banner.
Top review
Brittany
Dined 1 day ago
All our food was absolutely incredible. The service was extremely slow based on the fact that there was just as many staff as there were diners, but we weren’t too bothered by this as we were there to catch up with each other. If we had somewhere to be, it would’ve been a bigger issue. All three of us enjoyed the dishes we picked out, the food was fresh, and seasoned perfectly. This is such a gem of a restaurant for Calgary.
Located way down in the south end of the city in a landmark historical home, it’s hard to beat a special occasion Canadian meal on Bow Valley Ranche’s picturesque outdoor veranda. For a different view of the property, the fine dining restaurant’s parent company, the Great Events Group, also hosts gourmet outdoor private dome dinners in the restaurant’s back garden under its “Foodies in the Park” banner.
Top review
Brittany
Dined 1 day ago
All our food was absolutely incredible. The service was extremely slow based on the fact that there was just as many staff as there were diners, but we weren’t too bothered by this as we were there to catch up with each other. If we had somewhere to be, it would’ve been a bigger issue. All three of us enjoyed the dishes we picked out, the food was fresh, and seasoned perfectly. This is such a gem of a restaurant for Calgary.
4.2 (281)
CAN$30 and under
Dining Bar
Downtown
Part of the Charcut/Charbar family of restaurants, this bar on the top of the historic Simmons Mattress factory offers an absolutely unparalleled view of the Bow River, historic Inglewood, or downtown Calgary, depending on which direction you’re facing. Once up top, diners can relax with a drink and a pie from Connie and John’s Pizza, a New York-style pizza project run by Charbar proprietors John Jackson and Connie DeSousa.
Top review
Mark
Dined on Sep 6, 2024
First time there and was excellent - great vibe going on !
Part of the Charcut/Charbar family of restaurants, this bar on the top of the historic Simmons Mattress factory offers an absolutely unparalleled view of the Bow River, historic Inglewood, or downtown Calgary, depending on which direction you’re facing. Once up top, diners can relax with a drink and a pie from Connie and John’s Pizza, a New York-style pizza project run by Charbar proprietors John Jackson and Connie DeSousa.
Top review
Mark
Dined on Sep 6, 2024
First time there and was excellent - great vibe going on !
4.7 (606)
CAN$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Downtown
From the outside, Last Best doesn’t look like it has an outdoor dining area, which makes its courtyard patio feel all the more secretive and magical. Sheltered from the wind and fitted with a firepit to help extend the patio season, it’s a popular fixture in a brewpub that is already much embraced for its excellent line of beers and above-average pub food.
Top review
ShahanVIP
Dined on Apr 27, 2025
Always a great experience. Tried the smash burger again, as it has been a while, and it was AMAZING! We had Minye again as our server and she is exceptional.
From the outside, Last Best doesn’t look like it has an outdoor dining area, which makes its courtyard patio feel all the more secretive and magical. Sheltered from the wind and fitted with a firepit to help extend the patio season, it’s a popular fixture in a brewpub that is already much embraced for its excellent line of beers and above-average pub food.
Top review
ShahanVIP
Dined on Apr 27, 2025
Always a great experience. Tried the smash burger again, as it has been a while, and it was AMAZING! We had Minye again as our server and she is exceptional.
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