These Are the 14 Best Calgary Restaurants for Celebrating Special Occasions

by OpenTable

Updated July 27, 2021

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has altered how we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions, most of us are still inclined to mark milestones with some kind of food. Some people are choosing to gather at home with a lavish take-out spread ordered from a favorite restaurant, while others are getting together with small groups of close friends or family to savor a good restaurant meal. Calgary is full of restaurants ideal for celebrating life’s special occasions, whether you’re looking for a luxurious multi-course tasting menu or beers over a fully loaded pizza. While the pandemic has limited how many revelers can come to the table, most of the city’s celebratory restaurants are open for business and ready to help diners feel like they’re escaping the weight of the world, even for a couple of hours or so. These Calgary restaurants are all worthy of hosting small celebrations.

Alloy

4.7

4.7 (4384)

CAN$51 and over

Global, International

Calgary

About the restaurant

Despite its unusual location near an industrial park, Alloy has been a go-to date night spot for Calgarians for more than a decade. Not only do the dining room and adjacent patio offer a gorgeous contemporary oasis that belies the restaurant’s oddball location, chefs Rogelio Herrera and Uri Heilik’s fusion of Latin, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines also never fails to impress. Dishes such as the pork striploin with grilled apple salad and organic salmon with lemongrass coconut sauce always offer the right balance between surprisingly unique and comfortingly familiar.

Top review

Tony

Dined 6 days ago

We attended a wine paired dinner with Terrasole. The drinks and wine were really done well. The meat was cooked really well too. However, when you make Carpaccio and dump a ton of salad and a pound of grated cheese on top of it, you loose the taste of the Carpaccio. I had to dig out the meat and waste great cheese and half a salad patch. FAIL The Gnocchi were not Gnocchi. FAIL The Gorgonzola Polenta was the most ridiculous Polenta I have ever had. My companion thought it was mashed potatoes. Polenta is a corn based staple famous in Northern Italy and made into a dense bread. In middle Italy it can be more creamy. The Polenta served was a disaster. I will return, but I won't be ordering any Italian food that has been destroyed.

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Anejo Restaurant - Calgary (4th St)

4.6

4.6 (2394)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Mission

About the restaurant

There’s no need to wait for a Tuesday to celebrate with a plate of tacos and one of Anejo’s famed chile coconut margaritas. Located on a strip of 4th Street SW that has long been a hotspot for independent restaurants and bars, even in pandemic times, Anejo is a vibrant and lively restaurant. Its selection of over 200 bottles of tequila is probably the best in Calgary, matched with a menu full of Mexican fare like ceviche, flautas, and, of course, tacos.

Top review

Cherylvip

Dined 5 days ago

The whole experience was outstanding. Food. Tequila. Will say our service really made the afternoon. She was amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t write down her name. I believe she was the previous GM. Will 100% be back.

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Chairman’s Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (3567)

CAN$51 and over

Steak

Calgary

About the restaurant

For those nights that call for white tablecloths and servers decked out in tuxedos, Chairman’s fits the bill. A rare fine dining restaurant located in the deep suburbs, the large dining area has plenty of room for social distancing, with the convenience of being in a residential development. Obviously, the house special is high-quality steak, with many cuts on offer along with classic sides like hickory-spiced fries or an over-the-top black truffle double-stuffed potato.

Top review

Haroldine

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service! Steak was good but wouldn’t say it was the best we ever had. One member in our party had salmon, found it very good but it was a rather small piece. Since a rather pricey restaurant,not one we would go to often. Probably just for a special occasion.

Goro + Gun

4.8

4.8 (326)

CAN$30 and under

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

During non-pandemic times, the downtown Goro + Gun is an after-work happy hour hot spot. While it may be a bit quieter these days, it’s still a great place to safely share a toast over a glass, bottle, or flight of sake chosen by the in-house sake sommelier. As for the food, the rich and tasty ramen is the specialty here, but the kitchen also puts out some top-notch sushi and Japanese appetizers.

Top review

rossvip

Dined 1 day ago

We sat in the atrium area. The service and food was great. Noise in the restaurant was loud but on the atrium it was very good

MODERN STEAK on Stephen Avenue

4.6

4.6 (1387)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Calgary has its fair share of opulent steakhouses decorated with dark wood and classic décor, but Modern Steak’s owner Stephen Deere wanted to do something a little bit different while still serving some of the best beef in Alberta. Both of Modern Steak’s locations (and their sister restaurants Modern Burger and Modern Ocean) boast contemporary styling, cool music, and a laid-back atmosphere, but the menu is completely serious when it comes to the steak. All of the cuts are specific to Alberta ranches, with the prized Modern Benchmark black angus beef coming specifically from the offspring of a bull owned by the restaurant.

Top review

Ruth

Dined 7 days ago

Super staff and our food was totally delicious! We did the Weds date night deal, which is such great value. Thanks for a tasty night out!

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Experience

Happy Hour & Club Frites at Modern Steak

Experience

Happy Hour & Club Frites at Modern Steak

Experience

Magnum Monday

Moti Mahal Restaurant - 17th Ave

4.5

4.5 (651)

CAN$30 and under

Indian

Calgary

About the restaurant

Calgary is full of restaurants that serve tasty meals from every region of India, but Moti Mahal has thrived for decades thanks to its refined décor, family-run atmosphere, and extraordinarily prepared Indian dishes. The menu is extensive, featuring a wide range of complexly flavored curries and other Indian fare, including a large selection of vegetarian items. Because of the pandemic, Moti Mahal is currently only open for dinner, and diners who would rather celebrate at home can order take-out from a specialized menu for items that travel particularly well.

Top review

Sierra

Dined on Nov 17, 2024

Food was absolutely wonderful as always. Staff were great as always and very helpful. We love this place. It is one of the best Indian cuisine restaurants in the city.

National on 17th

4.5

4.5 (92)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Calgary loves its beer halls, as is apparent from local success of the National chain. The original National is the location on 17th Avenue, which got a light and bright renovation shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The large room has plenty of space for safe celebrations involving brews from the lengthy beer list and above-average bar food ranging from meal-sized salads and bowls to one of the best (and possibly most underrated) pizzas in town.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 30, 2024

Fries portion with burger was pretty small comparing… and otherwise regular tasting, so only 3* for this. also had rigatoni and a yuzu salad. Latter was great, however the chicken again fairly small. Service was nice, but forgot the starter completely without even noticing or mentioning. As the main had already arrived we decided not to insist. On the positive side, the ambience is lovely and the food came fast, and even the soft refills without even asking. So overall a 4*

Teatro Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2916)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Italian

Calgary

About the restaurant

Sitting in a gorgeous old bank building right across the street from Calgary’s Arts Commons theatre complex, Teatro is without a doubt one of the city’s most iconic places to celebrate a special occasion. With tall white columns, a gleaming bar, and a bustling open kitchen, the room itself is all class, but it’s the expertly prepared food and robust wine list that truly dazzles. Some of the best chefs in the city have worked in this kitchen, and current chef Daniel Pizarro is no exception, with his menu of Italian-inspired dishes such as risotto with roasted mushroom, chicken with brown butter gnocchi, and Teatro’s legendary seafood lasagna.

Top review

Louisvip

Dined 4 days ago

Food is excellent, the service is better. Beautiful room, great atmosphere. It’s been some time since my last visit, will definitely repeat.

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4.8

4.8 (6229)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Calgary

About the restaurant

One of Calgary’s most consistently well-regarded restaurants, Ten Foot Henry isn’t a vegetarian restaurant, but it prides itself on having enough veg-based dishes to let vegetarians and meat eaters dine together in harmony. Sharing is the best course of action here (for those dining with others in their family or cohort, of course), as the restaurant specializes in small plates that are packed with flavour. Everything tastes good, but first-time customers shouldn’t miss out on the cauliflower with spicy gochujang, the tuna crudo with chimichurri, or the much-lauded butterscotch pudding with salted caramel and sponge toffee.

Top review

Julievip

Dined 2 days ago

The food at ten foot Henry has always been consistent and is always delicious every time we come and we’ve been coming here for yearssssss. We tried two new to us dishes as we always order our usual ones and they were both pretty good!! We had the Henry salad, tomatoes and sourdough, spaghetti, the chicken and butterscotch pudding. We were happy with all of our choices. The service was amazing - from the hostess to our server. They were so accommodating to my requests and I look forward to my next visit.

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4.8

4.8 (2125)

CAN$30 and under

Italian

Calgary

About the restaurant

Vero Bistro isn’t the most famous restaurant in Calgary, but it definitely has one of the most loyal customer bases. Regulars flock to the small Kensington restaurant to enjoy food prepared by chef Jenny Chan, whose passion for Italian cuisine shines strong in all of her dishes. Her regular menu is full of Italian classics such as veal meatballs in Bolognese sauce, bucatini cacio e pepe, and Broxburn Farms tomato bruschetta, but Chan is also known for her specials, including evolving creations available for take-out meals.

Top review

Olesha

Dined 4 days ago

This is a phenomenal dining experience it’s intimate, but it has exquisitely plated , all the food is time to perfection, which is actually quite a feat, considering what’s on their surf and turf. Cocktails are exceptional ! I waited way too long to come here and I cannot wait to go back. The staff are absolutely lovely and quite accommodating. I would give this place six out of five. ! 👌🏽

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Experience

Seafood Platter Special - Every Thursday!