Best Patios in Calgary: 32 Patio Restaurants You’ll Love
- April 1, 2024
- By Cody Battershill
Best Patios in Calgary: Eat, Drink and Enjoy!
What are some of the best patios in Calgary? We’ve compiled a list of more than 30 of our favourite patio destinations for enjoying food and drink during the spring and summer heat.
Which places would be on your list of best Calgary patios? Let us know, and we’ll add it to our growing list as soon as possible! Also see:
Rooftop Bar @ Simmons
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 618 Confluence Way
- Phone - 403-452-3115
The Rooftop Bar @ Simmons building in East Village is an excellent spot to enjoy the summer heat. Lounge around on comfortable outdoor pub-style seating with umbrella shades and heat lamps for the nighttime.
Overlooking the Bow River and pathways, it is the ideal rooftop patio to enjoy a romantic night out with your significant other and is a good stop-in for larger parties in between other activities in the area.
Serving up gourmet pub food, we especially love the hot wings and the pizzas. The Rooftop Bar also has an impressive list of cocktails, beer, and wine to boot. If you're lucky, you may catch a live music event during the Stampede or another time during summer.
Rec Room Deerfoot
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 1180-901 64th Avenue NE
- Phone Number - 587-535-6077
The Rec Room's two-storey patio is by far one of the best patios in north Calgary. Located at Deerfoot Mall, this massive facility has all the food, games and drinks you could ask for.
Upstairs features an "adults only" section with more mature games such as pool tables, foosball and more. Downstairs you'll find arcade-style games great for the whole family.
Overall, we love the Rec Room's patio because of its sheer size; there is more than enough room to go around, meaning you won't be waiting for a table all that long even during peak times.
River Café
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 25 Prince’s Island Park
- Phone Number – 403-261-7670
Found on Prince’s Island Park, the River Café patio is perhaps THE best patio in Calgary hands down! That’s because you’re immersed in the sights and sounds of Prince’s Island Park - a true refuge from the concrete jungle of nearby downtown.
Enjoy the sounds of tree leaves rustling in the wind, water rushing down the Bow River, birds chirping and geese quacking while eating gourmet menu items made with locally sourced / seasonal ingredients.
The Wilde on 27
- Address - 525 5th Avenue SW
- Phone - 403-300-6633
The Wilde on 27 (the 27th floor of the Dorian Hotel) is one of Calgary's newest patios to enjoy. Situated at the top of the recently built Dorian Hotel, it offers stunning views of Calgary's downtown and features an upscale, but chill ambiance perfect for groups of all sizes.
Indulge in delicious culinary offerings sourced largely from local organic ingredients, and enjoy an extensive cocktail, wine, and beer menu to wash it all down.
The Wilde's vibrant atmosphere and good food/drink will leave you coming back for more.
LuLu Bar
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 510 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-930-5707
LuLu Bar is one of the newest restaurants on 17th Avenue with one of the best patios in Calgary featuring a spacious seating section in an L shape running around the restaurant’s perimeter. Just recently, they also extended a frame around the patio to form a complete enclosure, which opens up during the summer.
We enjoyed this patio’s atmosphere with its open, airy feel and comfortable, spacious seating arrangement. The interior was also well designed for spring and summer weather – almost like a half patio - with sliding doors that create an open and wall-less interior that walks right out onto the patio.
Indulge in Asian / Pacific-style cuisine on this summer patio and enjoy browsing an extensive drink menu of beers, wines and alcohols.
Highline Brewing
View this post on Instagram
- Address - #113 - 138 9th Avenue SE
- Phone Number - 403-827-6985
Highline Brewing is a hidden gem of a patio in Inglewood just off Electric Avenue. Inside this huge brewery, you'll find ample pub-style seating and dozens of housemade brews to try fresh from the tap.
The quaint pub interior spills out into the parking lot where you'll find picnic tables covered by umbrellas, perfect for enjoying food and drink on a warm summer day.
Highline is the perfect place to catch a brew, then head to the Bow River pathways for some fun in the sun. It also is just a short walk away from East Village, St. Patrick's Island and the Calgary Zoo.
One Night Stan's
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 520 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number - 403-452-4407
Just a few storefronts down from Lulu is One Night Stan's, a youthful, vibrant and eclectic bar with one of the best patios in Calgary for people-watching.
If you're lucky enough to get a seat on the patio, aim high - as in literally, as there are elevated patio stools facing onto 17th Avenue SW that make enjoying the sights of one of Calgary's busiest streetscapes a breeze.
Inside One Night Stan's, you'll find a pub-like atmosphere with relatively limited seating capacity compared to other larger venues. Therefore, you'll want to arrive early and get a table for the crew before peak times, especially on weekends.
Trolly 5 Brewpub
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 728 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number - 403-454-3731
This relatively new establishment has a superb double-floor patio - one above and one on ground level - with ample seating to go around. Like One Night Stan's, it is an excellent restaurant of choice to take in the sights of 17th Avenue SW in Calgary.
Trolly 5 Brewpub has great food and drink specials every day of the week and an extensive list of beer on draft, making it a great pub to watch the Flames game or visit after seeing them play at the dome.
Blanco Cantina 17th
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 723 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number - 403-228-1854
Just across the street from Trolley you'll find Blanco Cantina, a sister restaurant to the well known Anejo found in Mission. If you can't get a spot on the Trolley patio, this one is your next best bet -- and vice versa.
Blanco Cantina serves up delicious authentic Mexican cuisine ranging from tacos to enchiladas to burritos and more. They also have some of the best margaritas in the city, with daily food and drink specials on all week.
This restaurant also has crazy awesome happy hour deals, with $3 tacos, $6 beers, $6 margaritas and 50% off tequila shorts from 2-5pm and 9pm-close daily.
Modern Steak 8th Ave
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 100 8th Avenue SE
- Phone Number – 403-244-3600
If you love downtown rooftops, then Modern Steak's new patio is for you! We love this patio for its sunny vibes and comfortable booth seats, plus the views of the downtown core if you’re lucky enough to get a good spot.
Well known as one of the best patios in Calgary, space is limited at Modern Steak's rooftop so you’ll want to get a seat during non-peak times. On weekends, this rooftop patio is one of the most hype around.
UNA Pizza + Wine 17th Ave
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 618 17 Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-453-1183
What more could you ask for than spectacular pizza and an encyclopedic selection of wine, to enjoy on an outdoor patio that feels like a quaint European cafe?
Although small – and very busy during the summer patio season – if you can get a spot on the UNA Pizza + Wine patio it’s well worth it.
Enjoy one of UNA’s top-notch pizzas and tapas until 1:00 am nightly.
Craft Beer Market
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 345 10th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-514-2337
The recently renovated Craft Beer Market rooftop patio is out of this world.
Featuring a central roofed bar on the east and a more sunny sitting area to the west, this eclectic and modern rooftop is now one of the best patios in Calgary hands down.
Arrive early if you're looking to get a spot during the summer heat!
Earls Westhills
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 140 Stewart Green SW
- Phone Number – 403-246-7171
Earls Westhills has an excellent patio space for groups of all sorts.
Whether you’re with the family, friends or co-workers, this patio space as comfortable as it gets with spacious seating, large tables and even larger table umbrellas.
It’s also sectioned off from the outside of the restaurant, providing more of a personal and intimate setting for you and company.
Earls Tin Palace
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 2401 4th Street SW
- Phone Number – 403-228-4141
Another one of Calgary's best patios is found at Earls Tin Palace in the heart of Cliff Bungalow / Mission.
With a handful of renovations starting in 2013 after the floods, this spacious patio has comfortable seats and an overhanging wall with lots of plants and other neat decor that makes it one of the best in the area.
The ambience is sectioned off from the streets of Mission and has a rustic Mediterranean feel, perfect for a summer drink!
Ship & Anchor
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 534 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-245-3333
It’s by far one of the most popular patios on 17th Avenue SW.
During the summer, the Ship & Anchor pub is always packed to the max with an eclectic mix of faces both young and old.
This unique mix of people of all ages makes the Ship & Anchor Pub a great place for networking while having fun with people you do and do not know.
Container Bar
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 1131 Kensington Road NW
- Phone Number – 403-457-4148
This little bar is an a-typical patio destination in Kensington with pub-style food served out of a – you guessed it – shipping container.
Two rows of wooden tables are usually in the shade at Container Bar because of the taller buildings it sits between, making it the perfect spot if you’re trying to chit-chat and escape the summer heat.
But evident from the picture above, it's not always like that either. You might just catch a few rays!
Joey Eau Claire
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 208 Barclay Parade SW
- Phone Number – 403-263-6336
Joey Eau Claire is undoubtedly one of the best patios in downtown Calgary.
Spacious tables and comfortable seats in a spacious outdoor section make for one of the best patio experiences in the city centre, hands down.
All this is just steps from RiverWalk, Bow River and Prince's Island Park.
Heating lamps and large umbrellas make sure you stay warm/cool depending on the weather, while Joey’s extensive drink and food menu keeps the patio vibes going.
Charbar YYC
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 403-452-3115
- Phone Number – 618 Confluence Way SE
Charbar YYC's rooftop at the Simmons Building in East Village is one of the best riverside patios in the city.
With epic views of the Bow River, RiverWalk and parkside areas, you’ll have difficulty staying any shorter than a few hours.
This is another spot that sees a lot of traffic. Try to make a reso or arrive during non-peak times to ensure your spot.
There's also curbside patio seating at the restaurant just in case you don't make it up to the top.
Alloy
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 220 42nd Avenue SE
- Phone Number – 403-287-9255
You might find Alloy’s location as strange as a pink giraffe. But it’s something you get used to and appreciate after a while, especially living in the south end of the city.
What Alloy lacks in location makes up for with its succulent food and romantic interior ambiance, not to mention its lush, shaded patio space found along Macleod Trail South.
Make sure to check out this best romantic dinner restaurant and its seemingly limitless selection of wine.
Murrieta’s
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 808 1st Street SW
- Phone Number – 403-269-7707
Murrieta’s has an epic patio section lining the side of the second-story restaurant which overlooks Stephen Avenue Walk plus a rooftop patio section available for dining and private events.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of 8th Avenue SW below while indulging in some of the best pasta there is in the city.
This may just be the best people-watching patio in the city!
Vin Room – Mission
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 2310 4th Street SW
- Phone Number – 403-457-5522
This pet-friendly patio in the heart of Mission has an award-winning selection of wines and an extensive list of tapas to choose from.
Heck, it even has a dog-friendly tasting menu just in case your furry friend wants some too!
Stroll down the 4th Street SW BIA after visiting Vin Room to poke your head into other nightlife and entertainment venues on the way to 17th Avenue SW.
Rouge
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 1240 8th Avenue SE
- Phone Number – 403-531-2767
Found in Inglewood near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, Rouge’s patio backs out onto an expansive green space with lush vegetation.
This entire outdoor seating area is engulfed by the sound of rushing water, creating a relaxing ambience amid the city centre.
Delicious, locally inspired menu items with a French twist make the food at this patio some of the best around.
After lunch or dinner at Rouge hop onto the RiverWalk just a few meters away and head to St. Patrick’s Island or perhaps west towards East Village.
Thomsons Kitchen & Bar
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 700 Centre Street SE
- Phone Number – 403-717-1234
Found on Stephen Avenue Walk, there’s no better place to enjoy one of the best weekend breakfast/brunch buffets in the city than at this epic streetside patio.
Thomsons Restaurant has everything from gourmet benedict to custom omelettes ready to go. They even serve Tropicana as their juice!
It’s also a great spot to grab a drink and enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown on a warm summer’s day.
Hayden Block
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 1136 Kensington Road NW
- Phone Number – 403-283-3021
This pop-up patio is one of the best in Calgary because of its near-river location in the heart of the walkable and shopable Kensington District.
It also has a back-end patio with a roof that opens up during the spring and summer, doubling its patio space!
Try one of the meat trays that come with your choice of sides. Also try a wide selection of craft beers from local, national and international brewers.
After an hour or two on the patio, check out the river pathways or perhaps go for an ice cream down the street.
Sunterra Market Bar
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 200 12th Avenue SE
- Phone Number – 403-261-6772
Sunterra Market Bar sets up a barbecue on the spacious second-story patio during the summer and cooks everything from beef, chicken and lamb offered in shockingly affordable lunch specials for around $10.
Found in the Keynote condo and office complex, there’s lots of patio space to go around while enjoying views of the surrounding Beltline.
We highly recommend checking out this best Calgary patio because of the wicked deals and also the health-oriented grocery shopping available on the bottom floor.
Chilitos Taberna
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 1309 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-228-5528
Chilitos Taberna is a favourite in town not only for its authentic Mexican cuisine, but also its hype patio that sits on the west end of 17th Avenue SW.
Enjoy a cold Mexican beer under large umbrellas and tables that can easily seat six people or more.
Bonterra Trattoria
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 1016 8th Street SW
- Phone Number – 403-262-8480
Bonterra Trattoria’s patio is one of the best in Calgary to go to for enjoying authentic Italian cuisine while soaking up the summer heat.
The patio itself is a little oasis in the middle of the Beltline with superb décor and lush plant life all around. It truly is a little piece of Italy right here in Calgary.
On the backside of the restaurant is customer parking which makes it convenient to visit the restaurant without looking for a spot on the street.
The Living Room
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 514 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-228-9830
The Living Room is host to yet another one of the best Calgary patios on 17th Avenue SW.
Combine its classic French & Italian cuisines with a spacious patio section that’s dimly lit during the late evening and you also get one of the most romantic patios in the city.
Heating lamps and two fireplaces make sure you’ll stay warm too!
National on 8th
View this post on Instagram
- Address – #360, 225 8th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-237-5556
Located on the rooftop of the Scotia Centre in downtown, National on 8th Ave has one of the largest rootop patios in Calgary.
Ping pong tables and more than enough space to go around for dancing, wining and dining means this best patio in downtown Calgary should be on your bucket list.
Make sure to arrive early or get on the guest list if you can for the rooftop as it’s always packed during our sweet but short patio season.
National on 10th
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 341 10th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-474-2739
Like its sister developments, National on 10th Ave also has one of the best patios in Calgary located on the rooftop of the building.
Also like its sister developments, you’ll be hard-pressed to get a spot during peak times so try to arrive early.
National on 17th
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 550 17th Avenue SW
- Phone Number – 403-229-0226
National’s curb-side patio on the corner of 5th Street and 17th Avenue SW is great for soaking up some sun while enjoying the sights and sounds of Calgary’s most vibrant streetscape.
An impressive selection of drinks has quickly carried all National locations onto our list of best beer halls in Calgary.
Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant
View this post on Instagram
- Address - 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
- Phone Number - 403-476-1310
Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is home to a stunning outdoor seating area which is one of the absolute best patios in Calgary.
Also known as BVRR, this reputed restaurant is also well known for its gourmet menu that places a large emphasis on regionally sourced ingredients for a truly authentic Canadian dining experience.
The restaurant's historic landmark building is found in Fish Creek Provincial Park, one of Canada's largest urban parks, making it the perfect place to stop for leisure and recreation activities.
Selkirk Grille
View this post on Instagram
- Address – 2437 4th Street SW
- Phone Number – 403-245-2345
This casually Canadian, historically-inspired restaurant has one of the most laid-back patios you'll find in Calgary.
Located in Heritage Park, it makes for the perfect summer patio lunch or dinner with the family while experiencing the sites and sounds of Heritage Park.
What is Your Favourite Patio in Calgary?
What are your favourite patios in Calgary? Leave us a comment below and let us know so we can add it to our list of best patios in Calgary!
Until next time, be sure to check us out on Instagram and Facebook for more of everything to do with Calgary restaurants, activities + events. See you there!