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River Café

Name: River Café
Address: Prince's Island Park 25 Prince's Island Park SW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2P 0R1
Telephone: (403) 261-7670
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.7

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 36 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Charming
Great for scenic views

An extraordinary dining experience is to embark on a journey. We have created a beautiful place in an extraordinary setting and have tended to the details that make you feel at home: staff who care, chefs who are passionate about quality and the regional seasonal ingredients that bring to your palate a taste of place.

Getting to River Cafe is just a walk in the park.

Access River Café on Prince's Island Park from:
1. North side crossing the Bow River and Memorial Drive at the Calgary Curling Club.
2. South East end of the island at the 2nd street SW bridge, directly East of Eau Claire Market.
3. South West end of the island at 6th Street SW and Eau Claire Way near the Peace Bridge.
Eau Claire Plaza is currently closed for construction.
Please note, only our Afternoon Menu is served daily from 4:00pm-5:00pm.

Thank you for choosing to dine with us, we look forward to serving you!

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Kristen Livingston

From the OpenTable editors: River Café has been at the forefront of the locavore dining movement since 1991. Set in scenic Prince Island Park by the Bow River, the restaurant’s rustic decor and menu are both inspired by the surrounding nature. Local, seasonal ingredients star in dishes like Lambtastic Farm lamb sirloin with Sudo Farms zucchini. The Wine Spectator-recognized wine list highlights sustainable vineyards.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Canadian, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Canadian
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(403) 261-7670
Website
http://www.river-cafe.com/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
Enjoy an exclusive cocktail party or dinner in your home presented and prepared by River Café. Our accomplished culinary team will prepare an exquisite menu tailored specifically to your event, executed by our professional service team. Experience a culinary journey presented with the elegance, beauty, and professional service. You and your guests can relax while we look after all of the details.
Private party facilities
For an intimate gathering of 8 guests or a stylish cocktail party reception of 250, we are pleased to cater to your every need. Private and semi-private events are available. Please contact our Event Manager for more information, events@river-cafe.com

Location
Prince's Island Park, 25 Prince's Island Park SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1
Neighbourhood
Calgary
Cross Street
1. Memorial Dr bridge 2. SE of island at 2 St SW 3. SW of island at 6 St SW
Parking details
Paid parking is available on the street during the day and no charge after 6pm. Free street parking on Sundays. Heated underground parking at Eau Claire Market for a $5 flat rate evenings and weekends. Calgary Parking Authority lot near the Calgary Curling Club across memorial drive.
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

Chef's Tasting Menu
$120.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Let the Chef take you on a 5 course culinary journey. An ever changing showcase of Canada's best organic, seasonal ingredients including Oceanwise seafood and Alberta grass fed beef.

Private dining

Popular dishes

Fresh Shucked Oysters
Pickled Mans Organic Ginger, House Made Hot Sauce, Seasonal Mignonette
- Half Dozen$30.00
Hydragreens Red Romaine Lyonnaise$21.00
HGB Bison Pemmican, Mans Organic Hardboiled Egg, Grizzly Gouda Sourdough Pearls, Barrel Pickles
JD Farm Carrots & Beets$20.00
Molasses Gel, Crème Fraiche, Caraway Rye, Dill Sauerkraut and Walnut Vinaigrette
Benchmark Beef Tartare$25.00
Molnar Taber Corn, Basil Emulsion, Corn Husk Oil, Puffed Amaranth, Cornmeal Cracker
Red Lentil Hummus$18.00
Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread, Okanagan Sumac, Basil Pistou
Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread$26.00
Farming Worx Duck Sausage, Blue Cheese Mornay, Spiced Maple Vinegar Glaze, Pear
Fish & Game Board$35.00
Selection of House Cured Meats, Seasonal Potted Seafood, Smoked Salmon, River Café Pickles, Preserves & Crackers
Great Northern White Bean Soup$18.00
Confit Shallot Petals, Rosemary & Bacon, Leffers Pickled Carrot, Southern Skies Kale Chips

Main

Broxburn Kuri Squash$31.00
Chicpea Purée, Alberta Hemp Heart Za'Atar, Buckwheat Tabouli, Pickled Ontario Golden Turnip
Hand Cut Linguine$31.00
Springbank Bison Bolognese, Sylvan Star Grizzly Gouda, Cold Pressed Canola Oil
Pan Seared Yukon Arctic Char$34.00
Organic Mixed Greens, Green Goddess Dressing, Gull Valley Tomato, Buckwheat
Benchmark Angus Beef Flank Steak$38.00
Sudo Farms Squash and Barley Risotto, Cilantro & Pumpkin Seed Pistou, Jalapeno Gastrique
Farming Worx Duck Confit$36.00
Broxburn Farm Red Cabbage Sauerkraut, Agria Knödel, Pickled Chantrelles, Hunter Sauce
Benchmark Beef Burger$29.00
Horseradish Demi-Glace, Cheese Curd, Sudo Farms Cabbage Slaw, Red Wine Onion Jam

What 4,890 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.9Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Calgary / Southern Alberta
Great for scenic views
Calgary / Southern Alberta
Canadian
Calgary
Great for scenic views
Calgary
Canadian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

River Café offers a unique dining experience in a picturesque setting on Prince's Island. Guests praise the "amazing food," "beautiful location," and "great service." The ambiance is elegant and cozy, with attentive staff knowledgeable about wine and dishes. Some highlight the "incredible" chefs tasting menu and "fantastic" brunch options.

4,890 Reviews

J
Juliya
Calgary8 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing dinner place, very cosy, rustic atmosphere… Excellent service! Thank you for having us!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Calgary1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Got both options for the main course and both were cooked nicely. Service was attentive. Ambiance was pleasant. Overall experience was remarkable.
Is this helpful?
E
Ed
Calgary1 review
2.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
If you want to pay $24 for $3 worth of food, then this is the place for you! If you appreciate value for your money, this is about as bad as it gets. We took out-of-town guests here for brunch. I ordered the Braised Beef Short Rib & Caramelized Onion Eggs Benedict, which cost $24. Half of the plate was finely diced hash browns, while the other half consisted of two pieces of English muffin topped with the beef short rib, hollandaise sauce, and a soft poached egg. The total portion of beef short rib was disappointing. There was a maximum of 100 grams of meat on each English muffin. For context, if you were to spread it like butter over the top of the English muffin, it would barely cover it. I give this dish a 3 out of 10.
Is this helpful?
C
Clarice
Calgary1 review
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had a lovely Chef’s Choice 5 course tasting menu for my birthday! Loved the waiter, service and food! Would recommend to try!
Is this helpful?
C
Curtis
Calgary1 review
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
As always a good place to eat. The food is tasty and interesting and staff are competent and friendly
Is this helpful?
L
Libs VIP
Calgary21 reviews
3.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
I usually have excellent meals here but for the second year in a row, the three course Calgary YYC experience was not stellar.
Is this helpful?
C
Cody VIP
Calgary6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great all around! Everything we tried was delicious.
Is this helpful?
O
Octavian
Calgary3 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great overall experience. Wonderful service. Price reflects the quality and environment. Highly Recommended!
Is this helpful?
L
Luke
Greater Boston2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The waitstaff was excellent. The food was of superb quality, making the taste stand out.
Is this helpful?
R
Ricci
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Service was excellent. The lamb pastry special, available for a limited time only, was unexpectedly delicious. The salads on the side were fresh and generously portioned. I must mention that the farm eggs were poached just right!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

River Café is rated 4.7 stars by 4890 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 36 times today

Experiences are available.

Prince's Island Park, 25 Prince's Island Park SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0R1

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
1. Memorial Dr bridge 2. SE of island at 2 St SW 3. SW of island at 6 St SW
Neighbourhood
Calgary
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Canadian, Farm-to-table, Contemporary Canadian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Paid parking is available on the street during the day and no charge after 6pm. Free street parking on Sundays. Heated underground parking at Eau Claire Market for a $5 flat rate evenings and weekends. Calgary Parking Authority lot near the Calgary Curling Club across memorial drive.
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.river-cafe.com/
Phone number
(403) 261-7670
Catering
Enjoy an exclusive cocktail party or dinner in your home presented and prepared by River Café. Our accomplished culinary team will prepare an exquisite menu tailored specifically to your event, executed by our professional service team. Experience a culinary journey presented with the elegance, beauty, and professional service. You and your guests can relax while we look after all of the details.
Private party facilities
For an intimate gathering of 8 guests or a stylish cocktail party reception of 250, we are pleased to cater to your every need. Private and semi-private events are available. Please contact our Event Manager for more information, events@river-cafe.com

River Café

Make a reservation

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

33 Calgary Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

86 Calgary / Southern Alberta Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Top 100 des restaurants romantiques au Canada en 2025

Chef's Tasting Menu

Custom inquiry

Fish & Game Board

Haida Gwaii Halibut Cakes

Yukon Arctic Char

To Start

Fresh Shucked Oysters

Hydragreens Red Romaine Lyonnaise$21.00

JD Farm Carrots & Beets$20.00

Benchmark Beef Tartare$25.00

Red Lentil Hummus$18.00

Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread$26.00

Fish & Game Board$35.00

Great Northern White Bean Soup$18.00

Main

Broxburn Kuri Squash$31.00

Hand Cut Linguine$31.00

Pan Seared Yukon Arctic Char$34.00

Benchmark Angus Beef Flank Steak$38.00

Farming Worx Duck Confit$36.00

Benchmark Beef Burger$29.00

Featured Item

Complimentary Highwood Crossing Rye Sourdough Bread

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is River Café restaurant rated?

Is River Café currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

33 Calgary Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

86 Calgary / Southern Alberta Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Top 100 des restaurants romantiques au Canada en 2025