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River Café

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 44 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
Neighborhood
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
CA$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 DozenCA$30.00
Hydragreens Red Romaine LyonnaiseCA$21.00
HGB Bison Pemmican, Mans Organic Hardboiled Egg, Grizzly Gouda Sourdough Pearls, Barrel Pickles
JD Farm Carrots & BeetsCA$20.00
Molasses Gel, Crème Fraiche, Caraway Rye, Dill Sauerkraut and Walnut Vinaigrette
Benchmark Beef TartareCA$25.00
Molnar Taber Corn, Basil Emulsion, Corn Husk Oil, Puffed Amaranth, Cornmeal Cracker
Red Lentil HummusCA$18.00
Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread, Okanagan Sumac, Basil Pistou
Forno Baked Sourdough FlatbreadCA$26.00
Farming Worx Duck Sausage, Blue Cheese Mornay, Spiced Maple Vinegar Glaze, Pear
Fish & Game BoardCA$35.00
Selection of House Cured Meats, Seasonal Potted Seafood, Smoked Salmon, River Café Pickles, Preserves & Crackers
Great Northern White Bean SoupCA$18.00
Confit Shallot Petals, Rosemary & Bacon, Leffers Pickled Carrot, Southern Skies Kale Chips

Main

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

What 4,887 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.

4,887 Reviews

C
Clarice
Calgary1 review
5.0
Dined today
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?
L
Libs VIP
Calgary21 reviews
3.0
Dined today
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 4 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 7 days ago
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?
OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Calgary2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved the 5 course chef’s tasting menu, and the matching wines. Will definitely be back!
Is this helpful?
C
Cassandra VIP
Calgary12 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Last night my boyfriend I celebrated a promotion at River Cafe. What a great experience! It was the first time I had been to the River Cafe. Our server was super knowledgeable and tentative. The food was incredible, we had the hummus and oysters to start. Everything was so fresh and thoughtfully prepared. For our mains I had the arctic char and my boyfriend had the pickerel. Incredible, perfectly cooked fish, balanced and absolutely delicious. I asked our server to choose a wine wine to pair with my arctic char and she brought me a Chardonnay. It was the perfect pairing. I will be a repeat customer. This was such a great restaurant— I need to come back to try all the other delicious options for dinner. I will also have to pop in for brunch— the menu looks delicious! Thanks River Cafe for making my promotion celebration even more special!
Is this helpful?
R
Ruth
Calgary18 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wow. Awesome service. Excellent food. Beautiful wine. Our server Jared was a real gem…he made our evening fun. We enjoyed the Chef’s tasting and Christine created works of art…each course was a tasty delight. The sommelier was so generous and knowledgeable (I’m sorry…I’ve forgotten your name) and his complementary tasting was a real treat. A lovely evening with great friends. Thanks again!!!
Is this helpful?
T
Trevor
Calgary1 review
3.0
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Everything was decent from a food and drink perspective, however the 20min wait time between service / water refills / drink orders / 45 wait between ordering and getting food admittedly took away from the experience. Note we dined at Noon; so I think the lunch rush / not prepared for the business was a factor. Ambience is nice; particularly if you can get a table by the window. It’s a good spot and I wouldn’t scratch it out, but will give it some time before returning
Is this helpful?

FAQs

River Café is rated 4.7 stars by 4887 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 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 44 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
Neighborhood
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 LyonnaiseCA$21.00

JD Farm Carrots & BeetsCA$20.00

Benchmark Beef TartareCA$25.00

Red Lentil HummusCA$18.00

Forno Baked Sourdough FlatbreadCA$26.00

Fish & Game BoardCA$35.00

Great Northern White Bean SoupCA$18.00

Main

Broxburn Kuri SquashCA$31.00

Hand Cut LinguineCA$31.00

Pan Seared Yukon Arctic CharCA$34.00

Benchmark Angus Beef Flank SteakCA$38.00

Farming Worx Duck ConfitCA$36.00

Benchmark Beef BurgerCA$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