Great date night dining destinations in Calgary

The kids are with the babysitter and the night is yours, and all you need to complete a carefree adults-only evening out is a suitably special restaurant. The following eateries encourage visitors to linger over great food and enjoy conversation accompanied by wine or a well-mixed cocktail.

Great date night dining destinations in Calgary
Ian Doig By

Custom Kitchen

1
113-1803 60 St Se, Calgary, AB T2B 0M5

Your new favourite dinner retreat, this cheerful spot in Mount Royal Village serves French brasserie food that’s extremely wine friendly. Handsomely appointed in black-and-white tile and warm wood, seating revolves around a central bar. Its à la carte menu features a generous assortment of dishes in several courses including mains such as steak frites, orange-sauce duck with lentils and a French-accented burger that’s magnifique. Regular nightly features include classic French dishes from beef bourguignon to cassoulet.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

One 18 Empire

2
110 9th Ave Se, Calgary, AB T2G 5A6

This contemporary downtown restaurant features a whiskey-themed lounge and a glossy, uptown atmosphere. ONE18’s satisfying fare is rustic yet sophisticated Canadian cuisine. Dinner includes shareables such as bourbon short ribs and Dungeness crab dip as well as mains like cedar plank Skuna Bay salmon and Brant Farms grass-fed beef rib.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Bonterra Restaurant Ltd

3
1016 8 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1K2

Deceptively spacious and casually elegant, Bonterra Trattoria serves beautifully crafted contemporary Italian cuisine at the intersection of Eighth Street and 10th Avenue Southwest. Its seasonal menu features mains such as duck breast with date puree and charred broccolini and pork chop with romanesco broccoli, guanciale (crazy-good ham) potatoes and chanterelles. Also new is the mouthwatering steelhead trout in lobster-saffron broth.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Redwater Rustic Grill

4
9223 MacLeod Trail S, Calgary, AB T2J 0P6

Choose from any of three Calgary locations and cozy in for fine steak and seafood with no pretense. Pastas, flatbreads and burgers are also on the menu. At the Redwater on MacLeod Trail, dine in view of the establishment’s circular, glass wine room or at the elegant semi-circular bar.

The Nash Restaurant & Off Cut Bar

5
925 11 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R4

Helmed by chef Michael Noble of Notable, The Nash serves meaty Canadian cuisine in the chicly refurbished National Hotel building. Local ingredients are the order of every day. Sharable small plates include Quebec foie gras press and lobster mushroom velouté. Mains include lamb shoulder and roast duck breast as well as highly recommended wood-and-charcoal grilled salmon, chicken and beef, including a daily rotisserie selection.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Rouge

6
1240 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0M7

This restaurant in the stately, red A. E. Cross heritage home in Inglewood is simply one of the city’s finest. Chef and co-owner Paul Rogalski serves French-influenced food that is militantly local, incorporating Alberta meat and produce as well as veggies from the restaurant’s own garden. Rouge’s seasonal menu features entrees such as seared, coriander-crusted albacore tuna, grass-fed beef flatiron steak as well as lamb loin with lamb confit.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Fire Kirin Ltd

7
12101 Lake Fraser Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2J 7G5

Enjoy an Asian fusion cuisine adventure for two just south of Anderson Road and Macleod Trail Southeast. Fire Kirin’s critically acclaimed menu features contemporary takes on everything from Korean beef barbecue and pad Thai to Szechuan noodles and Malaysian curry laksa. Accompany your meal with a glass or well-priced bottle of Mission Hill wine.

Avec Bistro

8
105-550 11 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1M7

Settle into this pleasantly refined downtown corner bistro for its can’t-go-wrong menu of French-style bistro cuisine. Celebrate your great little escape with pairing recommends from wine-savvy staff and/or a sparkling cocktail. A refreshing concoction dubbed Speak French Fluently will do nicely. C’est bon!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Trib Steakhouse

9
118 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B3

A jewel of a downtown restaurant retreat, Trib Steakhouse gives fine steakhouse dining a beautifully crafted update. Definitely order a house roast for two. Carved tableside, cuts include reserve Angus chateaubriand and duck a la presse. The sommelier-approved wine list includes a smart selection of Old and New World wines.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
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