River Café in Calgary

We went to River Cafe for a special lunch today. We shared the Benchmark Beef Tartare, Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread, and each of us ordered the Farming Worx Duck Confit. Our server, Michael brought us the complementary Sourdough Bread to start. The food was amazing! We really enjoyed each item we tried. The Duck was done to perfection and we particularly enjoyed the Flatbread. Michael suggested a red wine Temprenillo Dolcetto from Spain that pared nicely with my meal. To finish off, we enjoyed Glen s Plum & Chèvre Parfait and a Chocolate S mores Tart with a cup of coffee. The server Michael, was wonderful, had great suggestions and well informed about all of our choices. We felt spoiled and well taken care of. 10/10. Would definitely go back.

Amazing

River Café in Calgary is undoubtedly a beautiful and atmospheric spot. The interior is stunning, and the ambiance is perfect for a romantic evening. However, the food didnt quite meet our expectations. I had the soup and hot chocolate unfortunately, the hot chocolate lacked richness, and the soup was slightly too tangy for my taste. My husband ordered the steak and a beet and cheese salad. While they were decent, they didn t feel exceptional enough for the high price point. It seems the menu pricing reflects the prime location, which is undeniably gorgeous right by the river in the heart of the city. This place is great for a date or special occasion, but perhaps not the best choice for a hearty, satisfying dinner.

When researching venues for our wedding, my husband and I only had two major criteria - we wanted to be married in nature (with a reliable rain plan!) and we wanted the food to be tasty. When I googled get married in Princes Island Park , River Café Weddings popped up as the first result and the rest, as they say, is history. Jessica was our initial point of contact who turned into our event planner, and she patiently communicated the deposit and booking procedure, the function order, and the details pertaining to how weddings usually run on the day itself. My husband and I (and the majority of our family and friends) travelled from out of town for the wedding so it was really important to have a calm and competent event planner coordinating the details for the day itself. It was nice because there was enough structure to make decisions easy, but with enough freedom to personalize our day and make it unique. We made a trip about a month before the wedding to make some final decisions and although Jessica was taking some well-deserved time off between event-filled weekends, she stopped in to introduce herself and say a quick hello while we were having dinner at the restaurant. We genuinely appreciated this kind gesture and commitment to service and can t thank her enough for contributing to our special day. Having our wedding at the River Café also meant that we didn t have to make as many decisions (HOORAY!), as much of the décor, tableware, and seating arrangements are part of the restaurant and overall package. The wedding package details some amazing vendors which helped us a lot, and we couldn t be happier with the selections we made from their recommendations (Kendal and Kevin Photography, Flowers by Janie, Pie Junkie for wedding pies). The food and drink were INCREDIBLE everything was delicious, but the charcuterie/cheese boards, late-night sliders and poutine bar, Arctic char, and beef tenderloin really stood out. The staff were very accommodating in kids meals and were very attentive to allergens. We had our wedding on the lawn and our guest count was around 70 people, which fit comfortably into the space provided. The only consideration I would make for this venue is the fact that it is in a park which is pedestrian access only, however the event planner provided permits and instruction for driving onto the island and our family generously helped to escort drivers to the venue and ask pedestrians to make way (we gave them high vis vests, which I like to think helped). Overall we had an amazing day filled with good food shared with the people we love most. We highly recommend the River Café to anyone planning a wedding or large event, and hope that someone we know will get married at the River Café so that we can attend as guests!

Great food, great service and location. The music was a bit loud for my liking. Chef s fall special was very special! Parking: You must walk 600 metres from the nearest parking lot. No on site parking.

Seriously, the worst place for a first date, it was so loud we couldnt hear ourselves think... We left before we could even order... More of a loud bar than a fine dining restaurant. Ruined the evening

We had the tasting menu and it was delicious, inventive and the courses were well timed !

Been here a couple times for brunch and each time I tell you it s amazing. Food service atmosphere all amazing.

Had the chefs menu, very good. Wine pairings were good but nothing mind blowing. Gorgeous atmosphere.

Cute little date night spot. Had the chef-tasting menu with a wine pairing and it was amazing. Food

This place is still as atmospheric as before, but the menu has become much less interesting and more meager, there is practically nothing to choose from, I couldn t choose a normal salad. The beet salad that they brought me was not particularly good, the taste was boring, they didn t even have any fresh leaves or greens for it, those few sprigs of sunflower prophecies are clearly not enough for this dish to become a salad, rather it s not a very good cold one snack. Of the main dishes, the duck was not so bad, but again I didn t like the executioner and the overall presentation of the dish, the combination of flavors was not quite right, it looks like they changed the chef and management, and these changes were not at all for the better. Parking: They have no parking at all. You have to walk to the restaurant

Best restaurant in Calgary!

Good

I have been to this place 3 times... every single time they are closed. Staff party, private event, etc. My recommendation - call in advance before going because even the online information is incorrect.

Princes Island Park is a beautiful place with lots of trees and a nice little river cafe. That is, until the park gets swarmed by cars because the cafe allows patrons to call for a taxi from their location. This place wants its cake and eats it too -- idyllic location relatively far from noise, but if you cant be bothered to walk 100m to the nearest road, the cafe has no problem allowing a fleet of cabs to trample all over the island. I just passed 3 in the 5 minutes that I walked by there. Shame.

My family and I came to eat here last night and had an amazing experience. As someone who works in the restaurant industry I enjoyed every moment of our visit here from the food, to the service it was all just amazing. Our server Michael was excellent, had very great knowledge of the menu and was super funny too, it was definitely a highlight of the evening. And the food was just amazing, we all tried eachothers meals because we just couldn t resist because of how nicely it was put together on the plate. Overall everything was 10/10 and will definitely be coming here again.

An atmospheric place in the middle of a beautiful park with incredibly tasty coffee

I did the November tasting menu and really enjoyed it. The dishes provided the right amount of food such that you didnt leave feeling uncomfortably full.

We went here for our anniversary. The tasting menu was amazing. They were accommodating for my pregnant wife. Would highly recommend

The food? AMAZING! Small portions but SOO WORTH IT! We went for a special occasion and the food definitely special!

Must visit place.....!!

Still in my top 5 in Calgary! Location on Princes Island is beautiful and our our server was fun and our meals were amazing!

Came from out of town, and spent the day in Calgary. We planned to have dinner here, paid for parking, the bridge was closed due to construction so we had to walk the long way to get to this place only to have it closed for a private event. This wasn t posted anywhere on their website or socials. We could have called in advance but since there was no notice of this, we figured it would ve been fine. Too bad, was looking forward to their tasting menu. Probably won t come back.

Food is not good.

really nice atmosphere. Top quality food. friendly staff.

Gourmet

Enjoyed an anniversary lunch on the patio. Food as usual was fantastic and the service was great!

Amazing overall! Our server was amazing (I m sad I didn t get her name but she was blonde) the food was out of this world and my fiance and I had just the most perfect date night! The view is also beautiful.

Came in for a quick brunch & wine. The food was very tasty, just lacked a bit of salt. The menue has a good selection and we were able to order an appetizer and entree while being on Keto

Food was great, the service was great too (our host was Spanish speaking) she was friendly, polite and very welcoming. However at the end, I can t tell if he was the manager or the dessert person was extremely rude and condescending.

Used to be really good. Last few times just mediocre. Certainly not worth the price. They need to find staff who care a little bit more. But thats almost everywhere. Would not recommend River Cafe anymore.

Dishonest front desk. Just avoid. Not worth the hassle. Dropped in at 1pm on a Friday afternoon. Been here several times.Asked for somewhere quiet. Resturant was 1/3 full and was told there were no tables. Asked several times and was told no that there werent enough servers. Friend really wanted to go... so out of curiosity checked a dining app and sure enough there were three tables available right away. So booked the table and got seated 15 min later. No acknowledgement from the hostess.promptly seated in the noiseist part of the resturaunt. Service took forever but friendly. Really not worth it.

Walked in for a table and turned away by the hostess saying they were only taking reservations and refused to seat us. We left, made a reservation online and were seated at one of the many open tables 5 minutes later. We watched this happen to another couple too, when we returned for our reservation. Our server was very nice once inside. First impressions matter and this one was very poor.

Came here for an anniversary dinner and left pretty dissapointed. Atmosphere was great, starters arrived quickly, but mains took nearly an hour to come out and were lukewarm like they had been sitting for some time. To make matters worse the price for the Pork Belly was higher on the bill than it was on the menu, $51 on the bill vs $47 on the menu. For the price point of the restaurant this seems very unprofessional. All things considered I don t think I ll be coming back anytime soon.

I took a taxi, but the taxi dropped me off in the middle of the street, so I thought they had abandoned me... They kept putting up signs from the moment I entered the island, so it wasnt difficult to find, and I think Ill go again if I have to eat fine dining in Calgary. I had two mains, two desserts, and two drinks, and surprisingly, everything tasted healthy and the potato dishes served on the main menu were generally very delicious. Rösti and mashed potatoes were brought out, and both were very delicious haha. The portions were small, but my friend and I both finished our plates even though there wasnt a lot of portions! It might be a bit lacking for a lot of people! Wild boar meat review: Wild boars are also pigs

River Cafe was once the go to place for fine dining, especially brunch. But something has changed recently. The food is not the same, not as well prepared and all the dishes were overly salty. Same great service and atmosphere.

One amazing place definitely highly recommend for a date night or a good friend meet up

A perfect venue with excellent food and service. Thank you for making our little family reunion a wonderful time. Til next time. Food : 5/5 | Service

Very disappointing brunch today, 2 eggs, 8 pieces of bacon??? and 2 slices of toasted sour dough. $23 Ran out of water and found some on my own and had to physically get up from table after 10 minutes to ask for jam. Really disappointed. Didn t look appealing and Denny s really would have been better.

Delicious food but terrible service. We waited 20 minutes before we were acknowledged, another 20 minutes for drinks, lunch, then 20 minutes more for coffee after our lunch. Very disappointing customer service.

Really great food, consistently. The staf are always friendly, courteous and attentive. Fantastic location.

The atmosphere is fantastic. Laid back, cozy and rustic but still classy. The food is locally sourced and excellent. Just got back from an anniversary dinner at the cafe and I had maybe the best lamb of my life. It was cooked absolutely perfectly and the wild rice and zucchini in the red pepper huancaina (whatever that is) was unique, interesting and delicious. The poached pear pavlova made for a great dessert as well. My wife and I have been going for years and they havent lost a beat. The prices have gone up, but thats the deal with every restaurant. Its expensive (for us), but I highly recommend it. The value is definitely there. The place seems timeless and I cant wait to go back.

Their butterscotch budino is excellent. Salty balances with sweet. Fat balances with crunch and lime. I will definitely try the other desserts next time here! The oysters are not so fresh, though. This is why I can t give 5 stars for food.

Great food and and drink and the service was wonderful! Awesome overall vibe

Overpriced. Service was brutal. Since it s 30 C, we ordered a bottle of white wine. Since we had a guest from out of province, we let her test it. Waitress poured all 3 glasses. I tasted it and it was luke warm. Plus she put the bottle by the window in the sun. I commented this fact to our guest; she must have overheard this and then offered to get a wine chiller and put the bottle away from the window. Another point I have, we were a party of 5 and the waitress brought a bread plate. With 4 slices of bread. If she was a new waitress, with no one experience, I get it but have a veteran waitress/waiter shadow her. For 5 people, a $550 bill is outrageous for the service. Do not go to the River Cafe overpriced, underserviced, but good food.

Wow

Great flavours! But take this review seriously! What the heck is going on with the vegetarian meal size?! We are not rabbits. The reasonable portion sizes for every. Other. Order. were pretty jealousy-inducing. There are no calories in an eggplant! So include something in addition! Minutes later and I am hungry! The end!

Restaurant is great especially the staff. The food is amazing. Dietary restrictions: Dairy free food and dessert. Food : 5/5 |

Delectable. Awesome location.

We had lunch with a friend on a thursday. It was really a nice place. We both had the fish and it was very well cooked, so tasty. Also very friendly staff and a very relaxed atmosphere. If I come back to Calgary I will try to come back here! I recommend it

What a fun brunch here!! We had such a nice eggs benny here as a date! They have great coffee and a lovely patio! The outdoor patio was the best part, service was good! It would be nice if there was a more shade outside but it was still really nice.

Strangely, a tall white complexioned server placed his hand on my wife s shoulder which was completely unprofessional & spoiled our mood. Other than that, everything was great. Beautiful ambiance and the lady server who served us was very nice. But one server s behaviour made us uncomfortable & for that very reason we won t go back there. We forgot to ask that server s name but I have given the brief description here for you all and also reported it to the receptionist who was nice.

While I expected a big bill, the food-to-price ratio was not great, plus the service was awful. The auto tip on the machine was almost 100 for being seated in one of the worst tables even though it was not full. Disappointed.

Had a wonderful lunch here on a warm, sunny day. The restaurant was airy, we sat looking out the riverbank and garden ground outside, what a lovely spot in the middle of a busy downtown area. I had the Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread, a fancy name for a thin type of pizza. I usually dont care much for pizzas, but this one is outstanding. Their hand cut linguine with bison bolognese was also very good (portion could be more, though). Overall, it was a great meal, especially the fruity beer, which made the meal even more memorable.

It made my day eating there. With a delicious Benedict egg and a lovely staff, I m sure everyone will take pleasure stopping by!

food was incredible however our service was very subpar. we saw our server pass by us multiple times catering to other tables while neglecting us. we waited over ten minutes to order and then our food came out half an hour after that but not our coffee we had to ask someone else for our coffee which should have been brought out when we arrived. the server did not acknowledge this and charged us for the coffee. very disappointing. hats off to the main host for their service and to the chefs for the exceptional food. we wish the server would have met the same standard.

Enjoyed the afternoon picking up a picnic lunch. Loved all the edible flowers around the building

Its a nice location, especially when dining on the patio. The food is delicious but a bit pricey, so I wont be going there often.

Brunch perfection! Location is supreme, tables are nicely shaded and the food was spectacular. Pancakes and croquemadame along with cocktails at noon - what more could you ask for? Ethan served us with attention and detail, on time quality checks and a great attitude. Best brunch around!

Wait for an hour for average food. Not worth the time and price in my opinion.

We had the oysters for an appetizer and the Lambtastic Farm Lamb Sirloin & Top Grass Beef Tenderloin for entrees. The lamb was fantastic! However the Beef Tenderloin was incredibly tough (and we ordered medium rare as recommended to us), and felt like we were chewing excessively on it. It was not great. Our waitress was really nice, however she d made several comments to us as well as the tables around us about how slow we were drinking our wine, which was a bit pushy and uncomfortable.

We hadn t been to the River Cafe in quite a while. My wife and I had dinner there last night for her birthday and it did not meet expectations. Ambiance on the patio is amazing. Our server was great. The red lentil hummus had no flavour - it used to be amazing. We both ordered a fish entree and it took more than one hour for our meals - not a service reflective of their prices. And they used to have a chocolate truffle ball as a dessert option that s no longer available. A nice experience on the patio, but overall quite disappointing.

Way overpriced and extremely slow service

Great atmosphere, especially on the outside. Prices are rather high.

The staff is extremely negative. From the very beginning we were met with negativity and refusal. I ordered myself some coffee. We prepared coffee at our own discretion. She didn t ask if I needed milk, cream or sugar. Just prepare it with sugar and drink it as given. Horror

Great service, fish and duck are great. Charred cabbage agnolotti is not that good, requires very acquired taste Amazing bread and butter

Honestly the food is just ok here. The ambiance and location is great if you are a tourist and want to eat here. The food is just ok for the price you pay. The steak was the best dish. The linguine and cold cuts were just ok.

Called for a reservation but I was told that it was unnecessary. When we arrived the next table was available in 2 hrs. We had a tradition of going there every year for our anniversary. That tradition no longer exists. Thank you for letting us explore new restaurants with brunch for our anniversary.

Dessert was just delicious!

Setting: A+ Service: B- The food? Somewhere between meh and disappointing. Bland, over salty hamburger. Served lukewarm beside a dump of potato salad. Was the Arctic Char farmed? Equally bland and blandly plated. We are not causal complainers; we spent a lot and left underwhelmed. This restaurant does great disservice to its prime location. Wont be returning.

We love the vibe and atmosphere of the patio, but the food just isn t incredible. We found our meals to be very oily and lacking flavour.

Extremely slow

A long-time favoured restaurant, very Canadian, in a terrific spot on Prince s Island, which is a summer place that should be a must-visit.

We arrived and got a lovely table. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. The waitress was very nice and took the time to explain the menu to us. The fish and game board was a perfect start for both of us to kill the time while waiting for the main course. We waited an hour for the main courses to be served, but we were happy with them and didn t complain. The waiter who brought the dishes out was very nice and friendly. The food presentations were beautiful and eye-catching. Here are my thoughts on the food, which is why I am giving this restaurant only 3 stars: Fish and game board: 10/10 The board looked great and tasted delicious. Two of us had a lot of fun trying this board. The salmon: 10/10 A piece of art. The taste of all the ingredients was balanced, the salmon skin was perfectly crispy, and the salmon was well-cooked with a touch of herb (I m not sure of the name, but I loved it). We finished the whole dish without any hesitation. The duck breast: 5/10 Beautiful presentation, but it was saltier than the dead sea . I tried to have the duck with the beans and bok choy to find a balance, but it didn t help. My friend tried a piece and totally agreed with me. We left two-thirds of the dish unfinished and had to drink a lot of water afterward. When the waitress came to clear the table, she didn t ask us about the plates, which was a bit disappointing. I wanted to give some feedback about this dish, but I guess it was 10:30 PM and everyone was already tired. That s my thought about the first experience at River Cafe.

We loved the place, the food, the atmosphere, 10/10 super recommended, the service and the staff, my wife and I had an anniversary dinner, and we were fascinated, we will definitely return, thank you River café

The most enviable restaurant in Calgary. The experience was lovely. The only issue was the so it ends of delivery. Our server was totally charming and professional but was slowed down either by the kitchen and/or having too many tables. Still, a great lunch, will be back!

It is a lovely place, worth it to go and have a coffee or something for the view and the place. The food is ok, but I was expecting way better taste for the reviews. What it s worth is the place.

If this is one of the ten best restaurants in Canada, I am Queen Charlotte. The food is bland, borderline tasteless. The pavlova was almost inedible: hard, chewy and really not at all sweet. The service is really slow (2 and 1/2 hours for a 2 course meal). The best thing is the location (amazing) and the place itself (the atmosphere is beautiful). Overrated.

Why did I wait so long to check this place out, walked past it a gazillion times and always thought I needed to try it out. The food was so delicious. I tried the Bison Bolognese and it was mouth wateringly delicious, one of the gentlemen in our group had the Arctic Char and he couldnt stop talking about it all afternoon into the evening. The service staff were attentive, knowledgeable and very friendly. We were inside due to weather but I am glad I got to experience the old cabin style interior. I will be making this a more regular stop go forward!

They are so warm and welcoming! Truly the friendliest country on earth!! We enjoyed our food and hot drinks. The place has such a great vibe! Highly recommend.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!! We asked SOOOOO many times about the menu and told them of my son s dairy and egg allergies. We ordered a kids burger with no cheese no bun. They added cheese!!!! Wrapped it around in lettuce so we didn t notice. He started to react mid dinner. Swollen, rash. He will vomit. All the manager could say is I understand you re upset, we are sorry. NOT OKAY for my son. We will never come back. We eat at restaurants and travel all the time. This has never happened and we would NOT expect a high end restaurant to make such a terrible mistake!!!

I am extremely disappointed and angered with our recent experience at River Cafe. Despite informing the waitress multiple times about my sons severe allergies to dairy, nuts, and eggs, the kitchen still served him a hamburger with cheese. The cheese was hidden under the lettuce, and we only realized it after he had already eaten half of the burger. Due to his extreme sensitivity to dairy, my son experienced vomiting and diarrhea shortly after. This incident not only caused him significant distress but will also force me to miss work the next day to take care of him. It is evident that the restaurant does not take allergies seriously, and the kitchen staff lacks proper training in handling allergy requests. This negligence is unacceptable and poses a serious risk to anyone with food allergies. I urge the management to address this issue immediately to prevent future incidents. Update: the operation manager called us back. Basically took no responsibility or accountability. This is a red flag of an establishment that does not take allergies seriously. We were just looking for assurance that there will be future steps to mitigate the risk. Not only is this establishment incompetent, they also dont know how to handle valid customer health concerns.

Delicious! Had the halibut. Amazing service...she was quite exceptional.

Just nake sure that the manager know that you re eating outside because they don t just let you use their restrooms inside. The manager suggested that there are Public restrooms outside the park.

Had lunch there today. Expensive buwe tt great is never cheap. Beautiful day healed but the patio was a great place to be (inside looked really nice too). Had char and burger. Both great choices. Wait staff was bright, cheerful, made the day even better. Well worth t u e visit

Good service!

We held our wedding at the river café and we absolutely loved the venue! The staff were super friendly, the food was great, and the location absolutely beautiful. Special thanks to Jessica the events manager for being so helpful during the whole process. The team at the river café went above and beyond to make our day perfect!

We sat outside on a warm afternoon, had the Red Lintle Hummus, a beer, and a peach cider. A perfect way to spend an hour or two!

Very impressed with service and food; it was excellent and a beautiful restaurant setting. Will definitely will be back.

Best Egg benny I ever had in my life. Ive been so many famous brunch places and when I have half of it, always I fell greasy or salty, so hard to finish all but you were the best of the best to me. I was already happy and fun when I have potatoes, It was crispy and not that hard to chew it, some other places one is crispy because its burn but this was not. also I couldnt feel it wasnt that greasy. Also your sauce was another level. Its was fish benny so can be little fishy and greasy but your sauce which contains yogurt, dill and fried shallots, it was refreshing my every single bite so keeping me to eat again and again. If I didnt have my next schedule, Id like to stay and try the other foods but couldnt. Thank you for good food and services and hope to go there once again for another pleasant experience. Thank you!

Love the patio in the summer. Gorgeous day today. Unfortunately our tomato salad took almost an hour to arrive, and then our burgers took another 30 minutes from when the salad came. Was a really long and seemingly disorganized experience. What really prompted me to write this review however, is that my friend has a serious egg allergy, and after really clear communication they almost sent him to hospital by still putting aioli on the lettuce wrapped burger. The manager was then not overly apologetic, and it was a really poor experience overall. River Cafe patrons deserve far better!

Very good service and great variety of very delicious dishes

Great food. Great service!

I never post reviews as me and my husband work in the restaurant industry (BOH and FOH supervisors) and we know stuff happens, but as a young couple that saved money to go here, we left so disappointed. We were celebrating a really important milestone and been saving so we could splurge at what we were told was the best restaurant in Calgary. The lovely host saw we put in our reso that we were celebrating something special and that was the first and last time that was mentioned :/ she sat us at a lovely table outside. Our server was super nice but the service was just lacking. He asked us if we were ready to order drinks like 30 sec after starting reading the menu and I could tell right away see he was in a rush. Got drinks and an appetizer (and entrees a couple min later) that took like 25 min. Just for him to bring the wrong one. All good mistakes happen. Waited a couple more min for the right one. It was good, but just ok. 30 min after our right appetizer came we still didn t have our entrees. My husband was getting impatient and wanted me to ask the server, but me being one, didn t want to stress him out. We water us couple times but said nothing to acknowledge the wait or our celebration. My drink was gone for many minutes, server not offering another one so I had to ask for the menu myself. Almost 1 hour and 15 min after arriving, our $66 and $62 meals came (no apologies for the wait). They were incredible just ok. Bison dish was ok and my striploin was super tasty but sauce was SO salty I couldn t finish the last couple bites, gave it to my husband who agreed how salty it was. Asked for the dessert menu, order it. Dessert was tiny and again, just ok. I could tell there was a section change and our server got completely lost for many minutes. Had to ask for the bill to the server that apparently took over (?) and then our initial server came over to take payment. Again no mention about our special celebration. $210 bill and we left terrible disappointed after saving money to be able to celebrate there. As a FOH supervisor I felt like the service provided, even though servers was nice, is not at all what I was expecting as such restaurant. Not interested in us, rushed, not present, we really didn t feel welcomed or appreciated as guests. Food was ok but not at all worth the price point. We were looking forward to try its brunch but know we really don t think it will be worth it.

Beautiful spot. Professional service. Cool vibe

Be ready that u have to wait appetizers for more than 40 min. Honestly, it was not tasty and worth that money. Will not come again. Food : 2/5

Came with my friends to get coffee and some desserts and the server was looking at us in a very rude way that made us leave the place.

The worst service, I went with my friends and the waitresses were looking at us badly. We were there for literally 5 minutes and we left. Very uncomfortable and the staff is unprofessional.

Rude servers. We didnt even stay to try it because of the waitresss attitude.

Looooooove the River Café! The vibe is immaculate, the decor is so classy, and the food is to die for! Cant wait to go back! The service was also great! I had the boar, it was phenomenal, and the pavlova was so tasty!

The good old River Cafe offers amazing food and good service. We went there on a busy Sunday and had to wait at least 20 minutes for our order, though the server forgot to mention this. Even if you book well in advance for a special event like a birthday, you wont receive any complimentary items such as a drink or a cookie. Overall, Id give it 4.5 stars.

Tasty food, great atmosphere, had the tasting menu, every dish was well seasoned and unique.

I had been really looking forward to this dinner but was actually a bit underwhelmed. The meal was good. The server was really pushy for us to have drinks. And generally the vibe the day i went was off

I havent tried it yet but its in my list, but its ambience speaks from its outer view and esthetic arrangements of boutique woods sitting.

Beautiful place and delicious coffee.

We were paying customers and our server was great. We later returned to see if they could warm our baby s food. The host went to ask the manager, then told us that they don t have a microwave. What kind of restaurant doesn t have a microwave/turns away paying customers requesting to warm an infants food.

One of the finest dining places in the city . Ive been here a couple of times and am always impressed with the food and the place . Its one of a kind experience there . Good to see that their food is based on locally sourced ingredients. This is an upscale establishment and recommended for going on special occasions. Food

We had a drink here, the staff was very friendly. The price for drinks was ok. The view was very nice. Service : 5/5

We recently celebrated our intimate wedding ceremony and reception at River Cafe, and it was an absolutely magical experience. This beautiful venue has always been one of our favorite spots, and now it holds an even more special place in our hearts. The setting of River Cafe is stunning, offering a picturesque backdrop that made our day truly unforgettable. The staff were exceptional, ensuring that every detail was taken care of seamlessly. Our guests couldnt stop raving about the delicious food the empty plates after each dish spoke volumes about how much everyone enjoyed their meals. A special thank you goes to Jessica Hitzer, the Events Manager, whose dedication and expertise made the planning process smooth and stress-free. Jessica and her team went above and beyond to make sure our day was perfect. We are deeply grateful to everyone at River Cafe for making our wedding day so memorable. If youre looking for a venue that combines breathtaking beauty, outstanding service, and exquisite cuisine, River Cafe is the place to go.

Absolutely magical. We walked from our hotel across the river to the cafe and it was such a lovely dining experience. Wonderful service and delicious food. I hope to come back next time I m in Calgary!

We booked weeks in advance and reservations are a good idea. Oddly, the host wanted to plop us at the door at a table for four and we had to press for a spot farther away from the entry. Service was nice and professional. We had the tasting menu which was a bit hit and miss. Steak tartare was amazing but crab tortellini were a bit boring and I d argue overly al dente. All in all, a great evening. Over $240 with a bottle of wine. It was a bit noisy so not a place for quiet meal.

Delicious carefully crafted food and great service!

The waiter was awesome! We got the tough looking guy, he was so friendly and kind. I will add its not the most child friendly place, but the service was phenomenal. Kid-friendliness: Theres no options to keep kids occupied (coloring pages etc.) And its tight quarters so kids may bump tables or other people. Wheelchair accessibility: Theres no buttons for the bathroom doors to open automatically, I also believe moving around the restaurant may be impossible as the chairs/tables are so close together.

Never Again ! the host is super rude disrespectful and Racist , i wouldn t recommend the place for any body especially families.

I loved the food here and the ambience. It was a great experience.

Good food, great service from our waiter. However, I was arranged a crappy table that people kept kicking my chair when they walked behind me. I have reservation and they still have lots of empty tables.

The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere, but its unfortunate that the food is overly salty and the staff arent very friendly.

We came right River Cafe first time, the atmosphere is great, it is super cozy. The waiter was polite and helpful but the Manager or Hostess made us feel uncomfortable as we were talking on the phone and our voice wasn t loud at all, she was not polite and she was passing next to us and while speaking on the phone she asked us to close the speaker in a very rude way, we did it and we requested the bill immediately. Note: the music was loud- people voice was super loud. But our small phone call was the issue !

The River Cafe used to be my go to place for a special occasion. Recently I chose the restaurant for a milestone birthday. While in all appearances everything was good the food beautifully presented the service attentive enough, the experience was flat. It lacked the warmth and ambience it used to have. I believe food is only one part of a dining experience of this caliber. Sadly I will definitely consider other options in future.

Great ambiance and a wonderful server. Food was delicious

Delicious food in a great atmosphere if the weather cooperates. Enjoy.

My family has been going to River Cafe for over 20 years - it s our absolute favourite spot! Always INCREDIBLE food, super kind staff, and warm atmosphere. Thank you River Cafe! You will continue seeing us for years to come ;) We celebrated Mother s Day! Vegetarian options: Red lentil hummus, salads, eggplant main course, and lots of Oceanside fish (if pescatarian), artisan cheeses. Dietary restrictions: Many gluten free or nut free options! Parking: Parking close to the Calgary Curling Club OR a couple of blocks away from Eau Claire. Kid-friendliness: Many kid options! I attended the restaurant when I was a kid, and it was always so welcoming!

Beautiful restaurant, fantastic ambience, and fantastic service. The food was delicious and absolutely worth the cost. Would recommend to anyone

Very good menu, nice local chefs creation. Good service as well, proud of local gem

Such a wonderful restaurant! We have been here so many times and are always impressed. The room is so pleasant and inviting, views are great both inside and out. Service is so attentive, yet understated. An every-day lunch feels like a special occasion. We had the YYC EXP lunch today, an excellent value at $35. A beautiful fresh kale salad, a long-braised beef shank and a small bite of fruit pate for dessert. All local, all delicious. Take a walk across the bridge to Princes Island, youll be rewarded!

Beautiful dreamy location . Beautiful interiors . Amazing staff . Very few options for vegetarians . I ordered red lentil hummus, was good but too dry . Their house wine was good . They need more options on their food menu , thats my only complaint but otherwise a perfect place for a date .

Love the stunning view and the cozy inside

Always great good. The restaurant was super busy and food was a little slow to be served. However, service was gracious and the waiter offered a little plate of baked goods. The house made donut was to die for. The rest of the food was great as always.

Update - Management provided the *actual* 5 course tasting menu on the house. We were provided a much better table and exceptional service from our server, Eric. The food was delicious and the wine pairings were excellent. This was absolutely the experience we were hoping for on our wedding night. Had the most disappointing experience here tonight. My husband and I got married this morning and we were generously gifted a $400 gift certificate from my mother in law to enjoy the 5 course chef s tasting menu with wine pairings. We did something similar at another restaurant in Canmore on the night of our engagement and absolutely loved it, so we thought this would be perfect. When we arrived at the restaurant we confirmed with the hostess that we were eating the tasting menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant was beautiful, although we were seated at a table directly in the centre of the room with servers walking past on either side of us, and our server was lovely. Unfortunately, it was after the second course of our meal when we realized there was a mistake. We were handed two gelatin cubes and our bill after only 2 courses and 2 glasses of wine. We brought it to our servers attention that there was a mistake we apparently had been served the taste of YYC menu (that is only $45 a person) instead of the tasting menu we wanted. I let our server know that it was our wedding night and we were hoping to have a special night, and this was disappointing. We even showed her our reservation on open table which shows that we had booked the 5 course meal. Our server apologized and seemed super uncomfortable, but didn t offer any solution. I had to ask to see a desert menu because we certainly were not finished our experience. A solid 15 minutes went by until she brought a desert and desert wine to our table. It was on the house which was nice, but the desert was disgusting (oat milk ice cream yuck) and the smallest portion imaginable. She apologized again and apparently felt as if that was adequate after ruining our wedding night dinner. Eventually the manager approached our table, but only to give us the machine to pay the bill. He didn t mention anything about the mistake and didn t make eye contact with either of us. When we let him know we were paying by gift card he said Oh, I didn t know it was a gift card and walked off. Our server came back a few minutes later and took our payment. She tried to make small talk about my wedding but at that point I was so upset I was near tears. And yes we still tipped our sever 20%. It wasn t her fault and we are not cheap. On our way out, a hostess handed us our coats and congratulated us on our wedding. Apparently all of the staff were talking about us (we never told this hostess we had gotten married) but no one could be bothered to make things right. Unfortunately I will not be back to River Cafe after the way my husband and I were treated tonight, and I m stuck with a half used gift card that is not enough to purchase the 5 course tasting menu that I originally wanted. The food was amazing so it s really sad that I simply have to refuse to spend any of my own money at this place after this experience. The staff at River Cafe certainly does not care about its customers.

Incredible experience dining at the River Cafe today. The food and drinks were fantastic and the service was top notch. Our server, Melanie was hands down one of the best I have encountered. She is clearly passionate about the food and knew the menu inside out. Her recommendations were on point. Our glasses were never empty and we never waited more than a few minutes for anything we asked for. Not to mention she was extremely personable, friendly, and attentive. Very pleased and impressed! Will be returning very soon.

Excellent! A memorable brunch with family. The chefs are outstanding. Everyone was impressed with the food.

Lovely service with a smile, and was kid friendly nothing but a positive experience and meal.

4.5-5 overall. It was a great experience from the friendly + attentive service to the warm cozy atmosphere. This review is based on brunch only. One particular dish I highly recommend (that I would probably get again as a meal for myself) is the red lentil hummus. The texture, flavour and especially that sourdough flatbread was one of the most amazing dishes ive ever had. The brunch itself was ok - a tad greasy with the mini potato hash. It was good and in a large quantity but at one point, you do taste more of the oils than the potatoes since it was fried also (small pockets hold more grease than diluted..in that manner). Everything was very flavorful and well presented. The mushroom Benny was really good but at one point the flavours, although good, gets to be too much/heavy feeling at one point. Would also recommend the pressed cider and the sorbet dessert. Would need to come back to try the regular meals.

Vegetarian options: Hardly any. Food

Our server Jared helped by their wonderful kitchen turned a fairly ordinary Thursday into a great experience. Thank you to the whole team!

It s such a beautiful restaurant with an amazing vibe. I ve been here many times during brunch, lunch, and dinners. The sommelier has never led us astray and has amazing wine suggestions. Food is definitely better than most places in Calgary, but on occasion has come out cold. Taste wise has been pretty good over all. Service is always great and very attentive. EDIT: Feb 22 24: if you are lucky enough to have Jared as your server, he goes above and beyond. It is obvious he has worked in fine dining, my partner and I had dinner this evening and he was amazing. He even ensured the say goodnight to us outside after we left. Absolutely amazing service.

From the moment you enter, you are encapsulated by the tranquil atmosphere which makes you feel instantly relaxed and at home. A friendly face welcomes you to the restaurant and caters you to your table for an evening you are sure not to forget! After ordering appetizers and a main course, the food is brought out in perfectly timed windows which allow for great conversation without feeling rushed or hungry. Both courses were plated with finesse and care, but the flavors are simply incredible. Throughout the night you are engaged in conversation by the team of the River Cafe who simply cannot do enough to ensure you are enjoying your dinning experience. After you conclude your stay and start walking back to your car, the memories created will simply bring a smile to your face for times time come! Thanks to the team at the River Cafe for an amazing night and perfect culinary experience!

River Cafe is all by itself in this beautifully isolated location on Prince s Island Park adjacent to downtown Calgary. Here you are, in the woods, on the river, in a park, with trails, and the city skyscrapers poking up through the trees. The menu doesn t have a whole lot to choose from and everything is a bit pricey, but whatever you choose will be fabulous, and the aesthetics of the rustic building and its surroundings can t be beat. Very much recommended.

First rate. Terrific seasonal preparations. Red lentil hummus, beet salad with halloumi cheese, and arctic char are highlights. Finest meal in Calgary so far.

Had the chef s table and it was divine. Every detail was outstanding. The atmosphere is tremendous and conducive to conversations. Just an amazing experience. I ll come back more often for sure

The dinner at the River Café was delightful. Ordered the chef menu, five courses of absolutely beautiful surprises.

Amazing and highly recommended. Food drinks and atmosphere are amazing . Will return. Also nice to walk in the park!

River cafe has been a stalwart top restaurant in Calgary for decades and its obvious why. Our server Aisha, was phenomenal and made thoughtful suggestions for our food to pair with our wine. The cod appetizer was excellent and the beef tartar was a gorgeous texture. My companions dinners were very good and I got the bison - I should have remembered what xo sauce is as it was a little different than I was thinking when I ordered it. Very well cooked, the flavors were exactly what the menu described, just my personal preference that I dont prefer xo sauce. Big shout out to the service team and staff there, you gave us a phenomenal evening. Thank you!

Went in to try some of their dessert and it was delicious and the location and the view and the aesthetic of the place is amazing, My only negative experience was that they brought the bill without us asking for it maybe there was a mix up and or a misunderstanding but it wasn t a very welcoming gesture.

They won t allow dogs on the patio. It s a park and other restaurants allow dogs on the patio.

Very intentional spot. Very good. Excellent service

Truly a wonderful experience, always look forward to visiting here on my trips out West to visit family!

I really enjoyed tasting experience in this cafe. Food and service were awesome

Firstly, this place s location is beyond prime. The sole restaurant in a beautiful downtown park with a lot of foot traffic. These guys could be selling microwave hot dogs for $10 a piece and they d still be doing ok. A lot of places take advantage of their location and the effort is clearly lacking simply because it is seen as unneeded. That is not the case here. This place clearly cares a lot about their product and it shows in so many ways. Our server was such a great guy to deal with. Very knowledgeable on the menu and concept. It was a delight. Our table collectively started with cappuccino, latte, drip coffee, and an espresso martini. All of them were lovely (I m told). Three of us ordered variations of the eggs Benedict. Mine was the one with braised short rib and I was quite pleased with it. I was told to prepare for the best Hollandaise sauce I ve ever tasted. Well, it was good, but it s not winning any awards today. No complaints. I like it a bit more tart and seasoned. The choice to serve Benny on a homemade seasoned biscuit was a good one. Those things were very rich and so tasty. One of our table members had the buttermilk pancakes and just to look at them you can see the quality. I didn t taste them but I m told they were fantastic. The price point will appear high to some, but don t be discouraged. The portions are beyond fair and I m sure many people take home half of their meal for later. I ll definitely return. Thanks for a great brunch with friends!

Besides the countless awards accumulated over the past few decades, this cafe boasts great service from each staff member and a nice view of the park. Its food is second to none. The ingredients are fresh and come together nicely, especially in dishes such as the arctic char and the boar belly. They also have unique drinks (the one in the photos included in this review was created specifically by the bartender based on what one of our guests was looking for). Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian options including appetizers, entrees and desserts. Parking: You would need to park at least a five minute walk away given that it is on the island.

Had dinner on day of winter reopening with high hopes as it was one of the top resto. Service was great with reservations. The food was disappointing due to it being salty. The grass fed beef with sides were absolutely salty needing lots of water while the lamb was not much better. Really expected better.

I had River in my wishlist for a long time. I wanted to impress my friends from another country and finally booked a table here. What could I say.. it was a disappointment of the year. Location is great and beautiful, but food is not even average. I would say super overpriced and not tasty. Fish and something plate is just a few paper thin pieces of salmon, salami, two pieces of kielbasa (I don t really know what it was), beet root and apple sauce. Ribeye was completely dry and unbeatable. Chocolate desert again was dry. Only latte wasn t that bad. I m really disappointed, because I had expectations on this dinner, but ended up filling guilty for the broken meeting.

The most terrible dinner of my life for $569. I spent a lot of money and left hungry, and what s more, it s just not tasty.

We went specifically to try the tasting menu, and as expected everything on the menu was phenomenal but what really blew my mind was the mocktail pairing. My friends all had the wine pairing and when asked if she could make an alcohol free pairing, the waitress went above and beyond. Each mocktail was carefully thought out to pair with each dish and each one was amazing. It was a genuinely happy experience and I m incredibly impressed by the fact she (and the bartender) were able to pull something together. It made my night and I really appreciate it.

Enjoy a savoury smoked salmon tartelette (flaky pie crust) with a special hot chocolate, the Nutty Bliss for the YYC contest. The pumpkin scone for appetizer was scrumptious.

I visit Calgary often and always eat here once. River Café evokes a northwoodsy charm that works in each of the distinctly four seasons. The food is new Canadian, sustainable farm-to-table, and absolutely delicious in both form and content. The service attributes are everpresent smiles and attentiveness. River Café is smack downtown on the island straddled by the Bow River. It is an easy and pleasant walk from anywhere as the river paths provide a best-of hiking/biking opportunity. Love this place.

Love this place. It s a combination of posh and cozy. The food and service is superb. I would go back again!

Such a beautiful get away in the park.

Used to frequent this cafe when we lived in Calgary 2014-16, loved it. Now that were back in the city we were excited to visit one of our former favorite restaurants again. Went with our 16 week old in the mid afternoon (3pm) as to avoid crowds. Let them know wed be bringing a baby. When we arrived we were then told we couldnt bring the stroller to the 4 top table, but the baby could use a highchair. Hes a baby lol so clueless. Our plan was to have him fall asleep in the stroller, keep him quiet and happy. The restaurant was at about 40% capacity, and no one mentioned this policy during booking. There was no need to enforce the rule and we ended up leaving. Poor service not to accommodate when it was fully possible to do so. Ask more questions if you have little ones, or elders or there is someone in your party who requires other accommodations than a basic chair and place setting, bc they dont offer advisement or flexibility. Disappointing and not inclusive.

Awesome location, Soothing ambience, Perfect Menu match .

This place has been on our list for quite a while. Unfortunately the food was disappointing. We got the Hydragreens Red Romaine, a bit overdressed and felt like poor value for 3 halves of Romaine hearts. The Top Grass Ribeye was very over salted (mainly the sauce), there were two small pieces of ribeye and a sirloin cap piece, all 3 pieces were very dry considering it was ordered mid-rare. The charred cabbage on the Duck Breast sounded very appealing as we love charred broccolini and Brussels sprouts, but it came out tasting literally burnt on every layer of the cabbage rather than a nice charred accent. Overall, the quality felt low and the items felt overpriced for the current innovative landscape of Calgarys food scene.

Excellent restaurant. Exclusively Canadian ingredients, wide variety of selection, great ambiance inside and views outside. Service is very good, servers are well trained. Perfect place for date night, unless you are cheap.

Beautiful spot with the food and wine to boot. We had the arctic char, duck, and a French wine recommendation from the sommelier. A perfect evening. Dietary restrictions: Gluten-free was no problem.

My husband and I had a lovely brunch here. We both opted for the Croque Madame, which is phenomenal, and a feature Prosecco. The meal was artfully prepared, the scenery was gorgeous, and our service was top notch. Thank you, Jane, for the great service and menu recommendations. We enjoyed our experience very much.

Had the chefs choice dinner during the winter. Cozy and delicious.

Great little space in Prince Island Park. Perfect stop for pictures too. The decor inside is rustic and quaint, very beautiful. Prices are on the higher side but the food was amazing. The croque madame in particular was amazing. We find brunch has more reasonable prices than lunch/dinner.

took my daughter here for brunch with a bunch of her friends for her 16th birthday. everything from start to finish was amazing. I normally hate eggs Benny but they did something magical to the mushroom eggs Benny. they were amazing.

Beautiful and cozy place. Perfect for a couple dinner. Rustic atmosphere, makes you feel like youre in an episode of the Virgin River series lol

My recent dining experience at River Café, ranked 23rd in Canadas Top 100 Restaurants, was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the stage for an unforgettable culinary journey. Starting with the Kyuquot Sound Smoked Sablefish, the delicate flavours of the perfectly smoked fish were a testament to the chefs skill. The balance of smokiness and tenderness left me craving for more. Paired with Amiable Organics Salt Baked Celery Root, the dish achieved a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, elevating it to a true work of culinary art. The Fairwinds Farm Goat Halloumi Salad is an absolute delight. The grilled halloumis creamy richness, paired with sweet Sudo Farms Beets, crisp Frisée, and a hint of smoky Charcoal, creates a delightful medley of flavours and textures. The Fish & Game Board at River Café is a culinary triumph. A divine selection of Cured Meats, Seasonal Potted Seafood, and Smoked Salmon promises an exquisite journey for the taste buds. Paired with River Cafés Pickles, Preserves & Crackers, each element complements the others, creating a harmonious balance of flavours and textures. A must-try for those seeking a charcuterie experience that effortlessly combines sophistication and indulgence. The mains were nothing short of spectacular. The Top Grass Beef Ribeye was amazing, cooked to perfection and served with Forno Roasted Leffers Farm Carrot, Charred Shallot, and Poplar Bluff Agria Potato Fondant. Each element on the plate showcased the chefs dedication to quality ingredients and culinary precision. Equally impressive was the Rangeland Bison Striploin (Way more flavour), accompanied by Poplar Bluff Hasselback Potato, Wise Eats King Oyster Mushrooms, and Southern Skies Swiss Chard. The Brassica Jus tied the components together, creating a symphony of flavours that left a lasting impression. To conclude our culinary adventure, we indulged in the dessert offerings. The Vital Green Farms Yogurt Mousse with macerated strawberries and fennel crumble was a refreshing and delightful conclusion to our meal. The Haskap Sorbet, featuring Smoked Gosford maple and meringue, showcased the chefs creativity with a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. Smoke was very subtle and did not over power at all. The impeccable service, combined with the picturesque setting of the restaurant, made our dining experience at River Café truly exceptional. Highly recommend River Cafe! Parking: The walk to the restaurant is very beautiful. As it is located on the island.

Had lunch. Bison option was not available so we settled for the pan fried / roasted Arctic Char. It s listed as a main course Presentation terrible. First time I had fish presented in a giant nest of fresh uncooked vegetables (spinach etc) Taste it totally doesn t go. There was some sour balsamic vinegar dressing on the nest of vegetable. Surely some bbq asparagus in hollandaise would be much better than sour fresh spinach? The Arctic Char slightly overcooked but still edible. The sharper taste of char was missing and for all intents and purposes, it does not differ much from any salmon. The grey (instead of orange pink) flesh is a big turn off. We each got a fillet the size of a child s hand and about 1 to 1,5 cm thick. Yes. It was that thin. Conclusion my worst meal ever in Calgary. I won t go to river cafe again