‘Tis the season for outdoor dining in Calgary.
While many Calgary patios are year-round or three-season, the summer months make opening a patio easier. And Calgary has a wonderful number of places for outdoor dining of all kinds. You may be after a patio for brunch and cocktails or a patio on which your furry friend can join you. Plus, Calgary has some patios (rooftop or otherwise) with epic views.
There are many types of patio experiences in Calgary, so you can pick according to your favourite type of food, type of view, or according to atmosphere.
Scenic Patios in Calgary
- Poolside by Hotel Arts can give off vacation vibes, even if you’re not a guest at the hotel. The pool area is open-air during the warmer months and is open with a full menu. It is the only restaurant patio in Calgary that offers a swim with your meal.
- Stop by the gorgeous Deane House (806 9 Ave. SE) patio for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, or high tea. The restaurant also hosts summer events on the patio.
- Bonterra Trattoria is considered one of the more scenic patios in Calgary, not necessarily for the views, but for the atmosphere and décor. The garden-style patio will transport you straight to Italy.
- Located on the patio overlooking Lake Bonavista, Lake House Restaurant (747 Lake Bonavista Dr SE) offers special dinners and brunches complemented by an extensive wine and cocktail menu.
Rooftop Patios in Calgary
The amazing views of the cities or western landscapes around Calgary can be enjoyed with a solid meal. These restaurants and bars and Calgary will elevate you and your entire dining experience for good views, craft drinks, and tasty food.
- You can consider the Charbar (618 Confluence Way SE) patio as one of the best rooftop patios in Calgary or one of the patios with the best Bow River views.
- The Wilde (525 5 Ave. SW) on the 27th floor of the Dorian Hotel has some of the best restaurant views in Calgary. The patio looks out over downtown Calgary.
- Porch YYC (730 17th Ave SW) offers backyard vibes with complete bar and food service that you can’t get on your own patio at home! Their extensive menu runs from early afternoon to late at night.
- Four of Calgary’s Canadian Brewhouse locations have rooftop patios! These include Mahogany, Northgate, Township, and U of C.
Patios for River Views
You can enjoy a variety of dining experiences near the scenic Bow River, and these restaurants offer patio dining with direct riverside views! Choose between café vibes, bistro vibes, or a sweet dessert location.
- The River Café’s (25 Prince’s Island) patio sits steps away from the Bow River’s shores. The shady and treed-in patio is open all week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
- Nove Nine Diner (3303 3 Ave NW) is direct across the street from the Bow River and trails, with and quaint and cozy café patio.
- Angel’s Café (4105 Montgomery View NW) is known for its riverside location, but also its sweet ice cream menu. Also on their menu are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Simmons Rooftop Bar (618 Confluence Way SE) offers a relaxing rooftop vibe with unbeatable views of the Bow River and the surrounding hilltops.
Pet Friendly Patios
You don’t always need to leave the dogs behind for a nice meal or beer on the patio. These Calgary restaurants, plus many others, offer a dog-friendly environment and a great outdoor space for you.
- Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch at Leopold’s Tavern (6512 Bowness Rd NW) with your pup. The Tavern is also near scenic places to walk your dog before or after your patio time.
- Bottlescrew Bill’s (140 10 Ave SW) has room for your dog to relax on their patio, and over 300 beers for you to try.
- Calgary’s two Vin Room (8561 8A Avenue SW, 2310 4th Street SW) locations have pup-friendly patios.
- Bring your pupper along for an afternoon on the patio and fill your own belly with Irish eats, and whiskey or beer. The St. James Corner patio is pup friendly.
Around Parks & Green Spaces
Surround yourself with a bit of nature while you treat yourself to a meal. These Calgary restaurants can help you get back to nature, back to social time, and to a good meal.
- The Lynx Ridge Golf Club is home to the Lookout Kitchen & Bar patio located in a quiet foothill paradise complete with stunning rocky mountain views.
- World Bier Haus is ready for you after a day at Glenmore Park with cold beer, pub food, and a parkside patio table!
- The entire Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant (15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE) property is a beauty to behold. And much of the garden which surrounds the building is used in the restaurant’s menu.
- Experience the enchantment of the Patio at the Seasons Restaurant ( 8900 48 Avenue Northwest), nestled in the scenic Bowness Park. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the deck, overlooking the tranquil waters, ideal for a delightful summer Sunday brunch.
Patios in Calgary for Family Dining
Sometimes, it is handy to know that certain places offer patio seating, and a children’s menu. Luckily, there are some great family restaurant patios in Calgary that offer a variety of cuisine types between each of them.
- After a visit to Calgary’s Heritage Park, you can treat your group or family to a meal at the Selkirk Grille. The onsite restaurant offers a garden-style patio, and a children’s menu.
- Calgary’s Brokin Yolk locations (5691 Signal Hill Centre SW, 7 Mahogany Plaza SE #1410, 12580 Symons Valley Rd NW #130) are all perfect for a family afternoon out for brunch on the patio.
- The 4th Spot Kitchen & Bar offer a great variety of food for families and people of all ages. (2620 4th Street NW)
Patios for Beer & Wings
Beer, wings, and patio time, all pair together quite nicely in the summer. Spend your summer days sipping local or import brews with these patio bars who also offer a mean set of wings on the menu.
- You won’t want to miss the wings from Last Best Brewing (607 11 Ave SW), who offer their locally brewed beers for pairing. Their Alberta Fried Chicken Wings pair well with beer and the Last Best Poutine. Their sheltered courtyard patio is the perfect place to enjoy it all.
- The Unicorn (223 8 Ave SW) has a sunny downtown spot where you can relax on the patio and enjoy their feature food specials, and the Unicorn Wings in a wide array of flavours.
- The CRAFT Beer Markets (345 10 Avenue SW, 100 Anderson Road SE) in Calgary have a lot to offer when it comes to patio dining. First, the markets are known for sourcing tons of local craft beers around their different locations. Second, the downtown patio is a spacious rooftop location with great views. The Southcentre location is a perfect patio for beer and wings and other eats after shopping all day.
Patios for Brunch & Mimosas
You may want only the brunch, or only the mimosa, with your patio dining experience. These restaurants offer both and with some variety. Enjoy your next brunch outing in the sunshine with refreshing cocktails and filling food.
- The walk-in-only weekend brunch at Vendome (940 2nd AVE. NW) pairs beautifully with patio time, and their fruity mimosas.
- The Monki Breakfastclub & Bistro (1301 10 Ave SW, 4-1420 9 Ave SE) offer one main reason to visit for brunch besides the patios: the mimosas and other craft cocktails.
10 Calgary Restaurants For a Boozy Mimosa Brunch on Weekends
Ice Cream Shop Patios
All you need in an ice cream shop patio is somewhere to sit with your dessert. These are usually simple patios but are handy to have when dealing with cool treats like ice cream.
- Take advantage of the four Village Ice Cream locations (431 10 Ave. SE, 820 49TH Ave. SW, 2406 34TH Ave. SW, 69 7A St. NE) in Calgary this summer and cool off on the sidewalk with one of their seasonal flavours.
- There are a few bright pink tables and chairs outside of XO Ice Cream & Waffles (#808 100 Auburn Meadows Drive SE) where you can cool down with their unique treats.
Patios with Live Music
Pair your patio time with some tunes. These pubs and restaurants in Calgary will host live performances throughout spring to fall. Check each restaurant’s socials or website for lineup schedules.
- The Shoe & Canoe Public House (209 4 Ave. SE) now have their Stargazer Patio open for summer, with guaranteed live music each Wednesday and Thursday.
- Hayden Block (1136 Kensington Rd. NW) may not feature the live music right on the patio all the time, but you can relax on the cozy space with the live tunes to soundtrack your evening.
- Similarly, King Eddy often hosts concerts and parties on the iconic rooftop patio during summer.