Nestled in a chic restored park building, this upscale eatery serves expertly crafted meat and seafood dishes, perfect for a cozy night out.
"The vibe is completely different at newer icons of the Calgary dining scene like River Café, which opened in the ’90s, where the kitchen’s local, sustainable ethos is echoed in a naturalist aesthetic of tall windows, wiry farmhouse chairs, and an expansive patio." - Dan Clapson
"This decades-old restaurant, located on the picturesque Prince’s Island Park, was embracing the whole local and sustainable ethos before those were marketing buzzwords. Owner-operator Sal Howell’s unfaltering leadership has kept River Café feeling fresh and at the top of its game year after year. Executive chef Scott MacKenzie maintains the culinary bar with creations that celebrate all things Canadian, but especially hyperlocally grown and raised ingredients during the warmer months. Having a meal here in the summer, while the on-site garden is in full bloom, is nothing short of magical. [$$$-$$$$]" - Dan Clapson
"That chilly fall evening I ate at the River Café, a rustic building that sits on an island in the middle of a river. There the chef presented me with a vegetarian stew, which worked perfectly in her fine-dining restaurant although I think she made only the one serving since it wasn’t on the menu. The stew was based on winter root vegetables, but this handsome dish also contained black lentils and a potato puree and it was all circled with a rich, deeply flavored red wine sauce. The flavors were harmonious and complex. There were different textures to go to so that the dish was interesting to eat. It was also gorgeous to look at and extremely satisfying in every way. It was a perfect vegetarian entree." - Deborah Madison
