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11 of Calgary’s Best Date-Night Restaurants

A photo of Red logo
by Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
Updated January 24, 2022

Nothing makes for a night of romance like a nice dinner out with your sweetie, and Calgary is full of restaurants that serve romantic vibes alongside some pretty fantastic food. An ideal date night means different things to different people — some couples like the addition of conversation-stimulating elements such as sharing tapas plates or the chance to sample a beverage flight, while others want a fine-dining tasting menu full of impeccable chef-prepared dishes and expensive imported wines.

Whether couples are looking to spend some intense personal time together over oysters and foie gras or want to share some lighthearted laughs while munching on Korean fried chicken and specialty pizza, these 11 local restaurants are ready to set the stage for a perfect Valentine’s Day date and beyond.

A photo of MAJOR TOM restaurant
4.7
4.7 (4030)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Continental
Downtown
About the restaurant

Even though it’s a relatively large venue, reservations are a must at Major Tom, which is indisputably Calgary’s hottest new restaurant. At first glance the menu reads as classic steakhouse fare — locally raised beef, gooey cheese toast, and baked Alaskas for dessert — but the kitchen gives everything a distinctively modern twist to make every item special. Sharing makes a Major Tom meal all the more romantic, and even the steaks come sliced to make them easier to split between two. The cocktails are also not to be missed, with creative creations as well as ice cold martinis poured out of tiny bottles tableside.


Top review
WidaadA
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Food was very good. Really loved the vibes. Would recommend 10/10
A photo of JINBAR restaurant
4.7
4.7 (434)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary Korean
Downtown
About the restaurant

When superstar chef Jinhee Lee announced that she was opening her own restaurant in 202,0 many Calgarians didn’t expect her to open something as casual as JINBAR, which specializes in pizza and fried chicken. But these aren’t your typical bar bites: Lee has created a super-charged version of extra-crispy Korean fried chicken, made irresistibly tender thanks to a long brining process, and her pizzas feature unique toppings such as beef bulgogi or sweet corn with honey butter chips. Pair that with a lively atmosphere and some shared snacks, and you’ve got the ultimate no-sweat date night.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 3 days ago
This place is Awesome! Great Everything! Can't wait to go back!
A photo of Carino restaurant
4.9
4.9 (847)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Italian
Mission
About the restaurant

A bit of a hidden gem in the heart of the busy Mission neighbourhood, Carino offers a culinary adventure through the fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s pastas are made with Japanese dashi broth and topped with anything from Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce to yuzu and clams — there’s even a dish called “gyozanga” that’s a mash-up of gyoza dumplings and lasagna. This is delicious food that inspires exploration and conversation, the cornerstones of any good date night.


Top review
CarrieL
Dined 5 days ago
As usual, the food is delicious and soul- satisfying! I love Carino, it’s our go to restaurant for all our special occasions!
A photo of Sukiyaki House restaurant
4.9
4.9 (881)
CAN$30 and under
Japanese
Downtown
About the restaurant

One of Calgary’s more upscale Japanese restaurants, Sukiyaki House is ideal for a special night out thanks to its contemporary setting and dedication to using top-tier ingredients. Chef Koji Kobayashi is trained in the art of kaiseki, which is regarded as the highest form of Japanese fine dining. High-quality sushi and sashimi and creative giant sushi rolls are on the menu, but couples can also spend their romantic meal sharing luscious plates of tuna or wagyu beef tataki or indulging in main courses such as miso sablefish or a Japanese-style AAA tenderloin steak.


Top review
BarbEvip
Dined 2 days ago
The food was very good and fresh. The service was very good too. They were always coming around to fill your water or tea.
A photo of Teatro Restaurant restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2726)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary Italian
Calgary
About the restaurant

This restaurant on Calgary’s famed Olympic Plaza sits in an old bank building, giving it a sense of elegance and grandeur thanks to a marble-topped bar, sleek white columns, and a gleaming facade. The food falls into the category of exquisitely prepared Italian fine dining, with a menu fit for special occasions and couples who truly want to treat themselves. An opulent chef’s tasting menu is always available for those who want to take their dining to the next level, with special five-course Valentine’s Day experiences available to book through OpenTable on February 12 and 14.


Top review
ALIWvip
Dined 2 days ago
Well reservation was for 1:15. Got there at 1 and got seated. Nice table. Told us they had a party coming in that night but all good for us - we could stay until 3-3:30 as we out of the way. Ordered couple of appys. Then the pressure was on to order mains as they were closing. We said we were told we good until 3. Guess they changed their minds (it’s only not quite 2). Said just give us order and we hold the order but kitchen can prep the food. So we ordered a pizza. Well it came within five minutes. Was the pizza that had been cooked for the staff. Wasn’t quite done. Little cold. They did take off the bill. Bottom line - if you need to clear the room by 2 then don’t take a 1:15 reservation. Side note Calamari and caprese salad delicious. Servers great but the rushiness made it a poor experience
A photo of D.O.P. restaurant
4.8
4.8 (673)
CAN$51 and over
Italian
Downtown
About the restaurant

With just a handful of tables and some bar seating, D.O.P. is one of Calgary’s smallest restaurants, but it’s also one of the most in-demand, so reservations are a must at this intimate hotspot. The food is a reflection of the Italian dishes that owner Tony Migliarese grew up with, with a selection of antipasto designed to be spread on the restaurant’s excellent grilled bread, rich and creative pasta dishes, and impressive bone-in veal chops. The restaurant offers a nice selection of Italian wines, as well as house wine sold by the glass or the litre.


Top review
OpenTable Dinervip
Dined 2 days ago
My favourite restaurant in Calgary. Very cool New York vibes atmosphere - amazing food. Their rotating pasta selections never disappoint and the staff are always amazing.
A photo of MODERN STEAK on Stephen Avenue restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1184)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Steakhouse
Downtown
About the restaurant

A classic Alberta steakhouse with light, contemporary decor that lives up to the restaurant’s name, Modern Steak has made a name for itself with an exclusive selection of locally sourced ranch-specific beef. The restaurant even owns its own bull, which produces its signature Modern Benchmark Black Angus dry-aged tomahawks for two. The emphasis on date-appropriate sharing is a hallmark of Modern Steak — in addition to those big steaks, the menu features large-format share plates and has a weekly Wednesday date-night event. All three locations are also offering a four-course Valentine’s Day experience through OpenTable. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available for couples who don’t share a love of meat.


Top review
ChariseT
Dined 4 days ago
The best steakhouse:) i love there wagyu dumplings and signature warm crab in a jar 😋the best! And of course our main course which is the striploin and grassfed ribeye, it was perfectly cooked ( medium rare ) Will be back soon for sure !
A photo of Ten Foot Henry restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5506)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary Canadian
Calgary
About the restaurant

Couples who don’t share the same eating regimes can still cozy up together at Ten Foot Henry and enjoy a shared meal that caters to everyone’s tastes. The restaurant bills itself as being “vegetable forward,” with seasonal veggie small plates prepared with creative garnishes and flavour-packed sauces making up the bulk of the menu — though meat eaters can add a meat or fish dish or two to the mix. The fresh, plant-heavy decor makes the restaurant feel like a contemporary oasis, giving diners a chance to focus on each other and the food rather than the outside world. Don’t skip on dessert: The famous butterscotch pudding makes for a luxurious end to any meal.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 1 day ago
The food was fantastic! The service was also fast and amazing.
A photo of Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar restaurant
4.5
4.5 (675)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Calgary
About the restaurant

In the spring of 2019, the Fairmont Palliser replaced its Rimrock Room restaurant with the new Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar, a restaurant designed to attract diners beyond those staying overnight at the hotel. The restaurant’s decor is a combination of contemporary elegance and old-school charm, paying homage to the hotel’s history while providing a grand backdrop to a special occasion date. The food is contemporary Canadiana fare with classics such as raw oysters, fried Brussels sprouts, and premium steaks, all elevated with beautiful plating and creative flavours.


Top review
CesarV
Dined on Jan 1, 2023
Classy and timeless. Great food quality and impecable service
A photo of CHARCUT restaurant
4.2
4.2 (4187)
CAN$30 and under
Contemporary Canadian
Downtown
About the restaurant

One of Calgary’s most celebrated restaurants, the rustic-chic CHARCUT is the flagship restaurant from co-chefs John Jackson and Connie DeSousa and a major player in the city’s culinary community. Meat is the name of the game here with expertly prepared beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and fish entrees all on the menu. For a truly romantic endeavour, couples should try CHARCUT’s signature cured meat boards featuring house-made charcuterie, preferably with a side of truffle-topped poutine and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.


Top review
Flowerdrumsongvip
Dined 3 days ago
Had a fantastic visit and had delicious Lunch All at once with a colleague. It was very busy and our wait staff was very gracious.
A photo of Vin Room Mission restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1100)
CAN$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates
Calgary
About the restaurant

Fine wines have long been associated with romance, and this Calgary restaurant offers a huge selection that will keep any wine lover happy. While there are plenty of nice bottles on offer, part of the fun of a date at Vin Room is getting to try a variety of wines that are available by the flight or in tasting sizes as small as two ounces. The food menu also offers a little bit of adventure, with lots of charcuterie as well as small tapas plates and larger entrees influenced by Middle Eastern, Asian, and European cuisine, all of which pair very well with a glass of wine. A special three-course menu is available over the Valentine’s Day weekend.


Top review
RickA
Dined on Nov 25, 2023
Best after work happy hour in Mission! We stopped in at the Vin Room for an appie and glass of wine and were not disappointed. Wine was great, food was great, all and a fantastic value. We will be back.
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