The 8 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Calgary That We Want to Come Back to ASAP
This might sound over the top, but my oldest friend group has a pact. Every 6 months, we have dinner somewhere fancy and just chat about what’s been happening in our lives.
For context, we’ve known each other since we were little. But at this point, we’re all very busy with our careers and families. So, unless we make it official and schedule a nice dinner, we’ll never be able to meet.
As a result of this pact, we’ve been to a bunch of upscale places in the city. If you’re in need of a recommendation, we’ve compiled a list of the best fine dining restaurants in Calgary that we found delicious and unforgettable.
1. Chairman’s Steakhouse
– Media credit: chairmansyyc
Address: 2251 Mahogany Blvd SE
Contact details: +1 587 291 9898
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 4:30 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: 36oz Canada Prime Bone-In Smoked Ribeye
Whenever fine dining is mentioned, there are people whose minds immediately go to steak. If you’re one of them, then Chairman’s Steakhouse is for you.
This restaurant is where you can truly indulge. If you don’t believe us, just look at their signature dishes: Black Truffle Gnocchi, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and even Lobster Poutine.
All of those sound great, but of course, you can’t dine here without trying their premium meat cuts. Their Smoked Ribeye, in particular, is fantastic. It melts in the mouth and has that signature smoky Chairman’s taste that we can’t get enough of.
It’s an especially great dish for a date, since the serving size is good for two and it comes with two of their signature sides.
At the end of the night, you can go on a lovely stroll along the water. The restaurant is located right beside Mahogany Lake, which is famous for its beautiful shores.
| Pro tip: Go to Chairman’s Steakhouse if you want to know more about steak. Right before you order, they’ll give you a meat presentation where they talk about all the different cuts they offer. |
2. River Cafe
– Media credit: rivercafeyyc
Address: 25 Prince’s Island Park SW
Contact details: +1 403 261 7670
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: Eggs Benedict with Cured Arctic Char
River Cafe feels like it was plucked straight out of a fairytale. This charming cafe has the Bow River as its backdrop, which makes it seem even more magical.
The cafe is just as lovely inside, with its rustic interiors. It’s really a beautiful place all year round, but the best time to come is for weekend brunch in the summer. That’s when it gets warm and you can hear the birds singing.
Plus, you can order some of their best dishes, like their decadent Eggs Benedict. It comes with roasted garlic, hash, and hollandaise.
You also get to choose if it’s served with Oyster Mushrooms, Braised Beef Short Rib, or Cured Arctic Char. All of these are superb, but we recommend getting the char for its sweet buttery flavor. We can’t imagine having Eggs Benedict any other way.
| Pro tip: You can drop by the River Cafe right before having a picnic along the Bow River or at the nearby Prince’s Island Park. They have a picnic menu that you can order from. And once it’s ready, they’ll serve it all to you in a picnic basket. |
3. Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
– Media credit: hyssteakhouse
Address: CORE Shopping Centre, 8 Avenue at 3 St SW
Contact details: +1 403 663 3363
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday – 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Beef Wellington
Just in case you’re unfamiliar, Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is a Calgary institution. It opened all the way back in the 50s, and it’s been one of the city’s finest dining establishments ever since.
Until now, the restaurant has retained its old-school charm. The interiors are plush, intimate, and elegant, and the service is as warm as ever.
As for the food, all their steaks are wonderful, and you really won’t regret ordering any of them. But we want to put a spotlight on their classic Beef Wellington, which might just be the best in the city.
We’re always impressed by how flaky the pastry is while the meat inside stays juicy. Regardless of how high your expectations are for this dish, we’d bet that it’ll still blow you away.
Make sure to save some room for their tableside Bananas Foster as well. Everyone agrees that this iconic dessert is the perfect way to end any meal.
| Pro tip: Catch happy hour at Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar every 4 PM to 5:30 PM. Apart from the cocktails and the champagnes, some of their signature dishes (such as the oysters, scallops, and sliders) are available at a discounted price. |
4. Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant
– Media credit: bowvalleyrancherestaurant
Address: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
Contact details: +1 403 476 1310
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Wednesday, Friday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday – 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Monday – Closed
Must-order: Surf & Turf
Whenever we dine at Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, we can’t help but wonder about how many important Calgarians must’ve walked in this house.
In fact, some people even speculate that the very concept of the Calgary Stampede was conceived within its walls.
But despite its rich history and grandeur, it always feels peaceful and inviting inside. This is largely due to the wonderful staff who are always pleasant to interact with.
If there are any available, try to get a table on their old-fashioned veranda. Its beauty won it an award as one of ‘the best outdoor dining experiences’ in Canada.
Don’t worry if you’re unable to, though. It won’t take away from the taste of their food, especially if you order something like their Surf & Turf.
This comes with a robust bison striploin, a buttery bone marrow, sweet Hokkaido scallops, and meaty tiger prawns. Just thinking about it is enough to make our mouths water.
| Pro tip: Despite being more than a hundred years old, the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is a pretty inclusive dining establishment. Families are allowed to bring young kids, as well as service animals. They also have designated parking and wheelchair-friendly facilities. |
5. Teatro Ristorante
– Media credit: teatrorestaurant
Address: Dominion Bank Building, 200 8 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 290 1012
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Saturday – 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Must-order: Roasted Halibut
Teatro Ristorante is where many people choose to celebrate special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. Regulars know that they won’t be disappointed about any detail of the experience, from the food to the service.
You can expect high-quality ingredients here, with most coming from local artisans. But the ones that aren’t, such as their cheese and olive oil, are shipped all the way from Italy.
It’s also a must to try a drink from their award-winning cellar. They’ve got over 10,000 bottles to choose from, and they have a sommelier who can help you make the correct choice.
On the other hand, choosing a meal isn’t as complicated. We always tend to gravitate towards their seafood. Their Roasted Halibut is one of our favorites, since it’s always fresh and delicate. We’re tempted to have it each time we dine here.
| Pro tip: Teatro is located inside a beautiful heritage building in Downtown Calgary. In case you arrive with a car, you’ll find parking in the building across. |
6. Modern Steak on Stephen Avenue
– Media credit: modernsteakca
Address: TELUS Convention Centre, 100 8 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 244 3600
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM
- Saturday – 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM
- Sunday – 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Must-order: Modern Steak Tartare
All steak enthusiasts have to dine at Modern Steak at least once in their lives. This upscale restaurant has some of the best cuts of meat you’ll ever find in Alberta, including Japanese A5 Wagyu and their award-winning Black Angus Beef.
When you arrive, there’s a huge chance that the place is busy, especially on the weekends. Don’t let this deter you, though. Once you’re seated, the attentive service will make you feel like you’re the only customer in the restaurant.
The chefs here are masters of their craft. Each steak that comes out of the kitchen is perfectly cooked and expertly seasoned.
However, you should really consider getting their Steak Tartare. I never thought I’d love raw meat until I tried this dish. It’s silky, savory, and rich, yet also surprisingly refreshing. We guarantee that you’ll never forget the first time you try it.
| Pro tip: Modern Steak is a great choice if you’re in the mood to party. Every Friday, they have DJs perform sets on their rooftop patio. |
7. The Lake House
– Media credit: thelakehouseyyc
Address: 747 Lake Bonavista Dr SE
Contact details: +1 403 225 3939
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 1:45 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
Must-order: Teriyaki Elk Striploin
The Lake House is famous for being every couple’s dream wedding location. This elegant venue is situated along Lake Bonavista, meaning that it’s surrounded by a picturesque scene of the water and natural landscapes.
Inside, the restaurant is decorated with vintage furniture, majestic chandeliers, and a splendid grand fireplace.
Lucky for us, we don’t have to get married just to dine here. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation, though, since it can get busy.
This restaurant is best known for serving Canadian cuisine. And for us, elk is one of the most Canadian meats out there. Their Teriyaki Elk Striploin is incredibly tender and flavorful. You barely even have to slice and chew through the meat.
Don’t miss their sweet Stick Toffee Pudding, as well — it’s the most popular item on their dessert menu for a reason. It’s also quite common to see a customer order another once they’re done with their first.
| Pro tip: If possible, try to get seated next to the window for dinner. This will give you a front row seat to see the sunset, along with the lake reflecting its romantic golden hues. |
8. Alloy
– Media credit: alloydining
Address: 220 42 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403 287 9255
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday – 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Sunday to Monday – Closed
Must-order: Truffle Gnocchi
Looking at Alloy’s menu is almost like exploring the world, with its array of Latin, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors.
From all the times we’ve been here, we’ve never seen a detail out of place. The charming servers are always on top of everything.
Their cocktails are sublime as well. The bartenders always craft the most unexpected and well-balanced drinks that pair really well with the food.
And speaking of food, we suggest trying their Truffle Gnocchi, which is simply divine. The gnocchi is always so soft, and the truffle elevates the dish to a whole new level. It’s the kind of dish you still dream about months after you’ve had it.
| Pro tip: Nature lovers will enjoy eating their meal on Alloy’s outdoor patio. It’s very much like an oasis in the middle of the city, with its thriving plants and succulents. |