Icon

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

Visa Dining Collection

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 22, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 54 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for special occasions
Great for scenic views

Why they're an Icon

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.

Staff spotlight

Philosophy

At the heart of everything we do is a deep and unwavering commitment to sustainability. Its the foundation of every decision we make. We make intentional choices in every part of our operation, using only local Canadian ingredients and minimizing our environmental impact through energy and water conservation, waste reduction, and ongoing innovation to support a healthier community.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Canadian, Steakhouse, Seafood
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
Description
An extraordinary dining experience is a journey—one of taste, place, and connection.We've created a beautiful space in a remarkable setting, where every detail is designed to make you feel at home. Our passionate chefs craft menus rooted in regional, seasonal ingredients, offering a true taste of place, while our caring team ensures every moment feels special.Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, we are proud to be a regular on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and France’s World's Best Restaurants 'La Liste', in addition to enRoute and Avenue Magazine’s best restaurants year after year. Step into our warm wooden interior, relax by the inviting stone fireplace, or dine al fresco on our serene, water-facing patio. Surrounded by lush gardens and open green space, we also offer seasonal picnic baskets for those seeking a more leisurely experience.
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, Gluten-free Options, 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.

Popular dishes

Fresh Shucked Oysters
Pickled Mans Organic Ginger, House Made Hot Sauce, Seasonal Mignonette
- Half DozenCA$30.00
Hydragreens Red Romaine CA$21.00
HGB Bison Pemmican, Grizzly Gouda Sourdough Pearls, Southern Skies Radish, Fermented Tomato Remoulade
Gull Valley TomatoesCA$20.00
Old West Ranch Buffalo Mozzarella, Compressed Broxburn Cucumber, Black Garlic Emulsion, Bee Pollen, Basil, Strawberry and Honey Vinaigrette
Benchmark Beef TartareCA$25.00
Pickled Edgar Farms Asparagus, Oyster Caramel, Seaweed Aioli, Cured Egg Yolk, Lavosh Flaxseed Cracker
Red Lentil HummusCA$18.00
Forno Baked Sourdough Flatbread, Okanagan Sumac, Basil Pistou
Forno Baked Sourdough FlatbreadCA$26.00
Lambtastic Lamb Sirloin, Brie & Garlic Mornay, Roasted Ceres Oyster Mushrooms, Pickled Sweet Banana Peppers, Sudo Farms Red Onion Caramel, Sylvan Star Gouda
Fish & Game BoardCA$35.00
Selection of House Cured Meats, Seasonal Potted Seafood, Smoked Salmon, River Café Pickles, Preserves & Crackers
Deepwater Farms GreensCA$18.00
Radicchio, Highwood Crossing Sunflower Seeds, Quince Vinaigrette

Main

Fresno-Maple Miso Glazed Broxburn EggplantCA$32.00
Trafford Farms Lions Mane Mushroom, Sudo Farms Kimchi, Sunflower Seed Emulsion
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
JD Spuds Fingerlings, Grilled Hydragreens Romaine, Caramelized Hemp Hearts, Galimax Red Pepper & Neveridle Hemp Heart Romesco, Aioli, Chimmichurri
Farming Worx Duck ConfitCA$36.00
Great Northern Bean Ragu, Chewy Tomatoes, Green Garlic Buttermilk, Butter Butter Crumble
Benchmark Beef BurgerCA$29.00
Pickled Green Tomato, Southern Skies Butter-Leaf, Broxburn Jalapeño Aioli, Hillview Bacon Jam

What 4,957 people are saying

River Café reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

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

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

River Café offers a captivating dining experience in a picturesque setting on Prince's Island. Known for "exceptional service" and "outstanding food," the restaurant shines with creative dishes and a cozy ambiance. Highlights include the Chef's Tasting Menu and the "delicious arctic char." Perfect for special occasions and "highly recommended."

4,957 Reviews

M
Meriya VIP
Calgary / Southern Alberta6 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The patio was beautiful. All dishes were delicious and beautifully presented. The waiter took extra time and care to explain the wine selections and the menu. They also took note of our anniversary and had a signed card from the staff for us! What a thoughtful touch.
Is this helpful?
B
Betty
Calgary / Southern Alberta10 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was good … the table was too small for 3 different shared dishes. I feel like the decor is a little tired . There’s a beautiful fireplace that could be such an opportunity… but instead there’s a fish I do love the location. I will dine here again
Is this helpful?
M
Mike
Calgary / Southern Alberta12 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
River Café has been around forever and it’s easy to see why great food served a comfortable environment by very professional staff. We were sitting outside in the shade absolutely perfect glad we weren’t inside music inside was too loud.
Is this helpful?
T
Todd
Calgary / Southern Alberta1 review
3.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Review: A Lesson in Awareness and Hospitality We chose this restaurant to celebrate my wife’s 48th birthday and specifically requested their beautiful patio. We arrived 10 minutes early and saw two open tables on the patio. To our surprise, we were instead seated at the back of the restaurant between two tables with very young children — one with a toddler running around under tables, the other with a crying baby. Mind you, the rest of the restaurant was nearly empty. So on a milestone birthday, for a 5-course meal we were looking forward to, this is where we were placed — between chaos and crying. It felt like our experience and request weren’t valued at all. We were actually about to leave and go elsewhere when, after standing there for about 3 minutes discussing our options, the staff finally offered to move us outside to the patio. Thankfully, from that point on, the evening turned around. The patio was stunning, service was excellent, and while the tasting menu wasn’t exactly to our taste, it was still a pleasant dining experience overall. To the hostess: one day you’ll likely have kids, and in 20+ years, maybe someone will seat you and your partner next to a table full of toddlers on your special night out. Maybe then, the importance of awareness and empathy will hit home.
Is this helpful?
AT
AlrilT
Calgary / Southern Alberta5 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Enjoyed our meal and had an excellent experience!
Is this helpful?
N
Nicolas
Hungary1 review
3.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The chef cant cook egg white only!!! He should go back to school!
Is this helpful?
C
Crystal
Calgary / Southern Alberta2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Chef’s Tasting Menu was an interesting mix of dishes and the associated wine pairings went perfectly with the food. The fire morels were hands down a favourite item. Overall, we had a wonderful time.
Is this helpful?
l
lisa
Calgary / Southern Alberta13 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 13, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Surprise dish- Eggplant was crispy, flavourful best ever. The haskap sorbet was underwhelming. Disappointed they wouldn’t allow us to order the bison Bolognese as we were minutes past the lunch.
Is this helpful?
K
Kelly
Calgary / Southern Alberta1 review
5.0
Dined on June 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of the best restaurants in Calgary with the best service. Every dish was a beautiful treat!
Is this helpful?
E
Emily VIP
Houston6 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 12, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The setting is beautiful and the food is good; service was spotty (took a long time for our entree to be served).
Is this helpful?

FAQs

River Café is rated 4.7 stars by 4957 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 22, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 54 times today

Experiences are available.

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

Dining areas

Additional information

Description
An extraordinary dining experience is a journey—one of taste, place, and connection.We've created a beautiful space in a remarkable setting, where every detail is designed to make you feel at home. Our passionate chefs craft menus rooted in regional, seasonal ingredients, offering a true taste of place, while our caring team ensures every moment feels special.Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, we are proud to be a regular on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and France’s World's Best Restaurants 'La Liste', in addition to enRoute and Avenue Magazine’s best restaurants year after year. Step into our warm wooden interior, relax by the inviting stone fireplace, or dine al fresco on our serene, water-facing patio. Surrounded by lush gardens and open green space, we also offer seasonal picnic baskets for those seeking a more leisurely experience.
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, Steakhouse, Seafood
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, Gluten-free Options, 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

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Staff spotlight

Sal Howell

Owner

Kristen Livingston

Executive Chef

Philosophy

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

Fish & Game Board

Yukon Arctic Char

Eggs Benedict

To Start

Fresh Shucked Oysters

Hydragreens Red Romaine CA$21.00

Gull Valley TomatoesCA$20.00

Benchmark Beef TartareCA$25.00

Red Lentil HummusCA$18.00

Forno Baked Sourdough FlatbreadCA$26.00

Fish & Game BoardCA$35.00

Deepwater Farms GreensCA$18.00

Main

Fresno-Maple Miso Glazed Broxburn EggplantCA$32.00

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