Last year, my friends and I celebrated my birthday at a cosy French bistro in Calgary. It was winter, so we enjoyed watching snow fall gently outside while savouring the delicious coq au vin.
For a few hours, it felt like we’d been transported straight to Paris.
That moment made me realise why French cuisine holds such a special place in my heart. Aside from the food, the experience of slowing down, appreciating craftsmanship, and creating memories around a beautifully set table is all worth it.
It also made me wonder where else in Calgary you can find that magic. So I went looking and discovered that this city has its fair share of French restaurants that bring that sense of Parisian charm to life.
If you’re craving that experience, here are the best French restaurants in Calgary to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a little corner of France. Bon appétit!
Table of Contents
1. Cassis Bistro
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Website: https://thecassisbistro.ca/
Address: 105, 2505 17 Ave SW
Contact Details: +1 403 262 0036 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Pricing: $
Cassis Bistro is a multi-award-winning restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere that you shouldn’t ignore when you’re craving some French food. They proved many times that their numerous awards are not just for show.
This restaurant is a classic French bistro—steak frites, moules marinière, and foie gras ravioli, all prepared with local ingredients. The icing on the cake is when the chef adds his style to the dishes.
I highly recommend trying their beef tartare. Many of their frequent guests love feasting on it, including me. It’s made with locally sourced AAA prime beef striploin that brings a juicy and tender texture that’s relaxing to eat.
Pro Tip:
Book a reservation in advance when visiting on Friday, as the restaurant is often crowded on that day.
2. Fleur de Sel Brasserie
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Website: https://www.fleurdeselbrasserie.com/
Address: 2015 4 St SW #2
Contact Details: +1 403 228 9764
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
- Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Pricing: $
If you want to feel like you’re in the movie Amélie, Fleur de Sel Brasserie can give you that. The ambience of this intimate, classic Parisian brasserie is reminiscent of that movie’s restaurant scene.
When it comes to food, I suggest trying one of their traditional French dishes. Their Marseille fish soup is great for lunch and dinner. What’s great is that they can serve it as a two-course meal or as a single stew, giving you options of how you want to enjoy it.
For drinks, you can choose from their wide range of red and white wines. If you want a sophisticated drink (and have a budget for it), Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine would be the best choice.
Pro Tip:
This place is great for a romantic evening date with your significant other, as it has an authentic feel and an intimate setting.
3. Purlieu Bistro
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Website: https://www.purlieubistro.com/
Address: #14, 3109 Palliser Dr SW
Contact Details: +1 403 280 7474 and [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 5 PM to 9 PM
Pricing: $
Many people love the vibe Purlieu Bistro provides to their guests. It has a warm atmosphere and a pleasant vibe that radiates to people within it.
For starters, I recommend trying their tasty escargot with au gratin, persillade butter, and roasted mushrooms. The pairing with the mushroom is absolutely delicious, giving the dish a slightly sweet and savoury taste.
For the main dish, you will not regret opting for their Bouillabaisse maison. It’s packed with many ingredients that can leave your stomach full, such as prawns, fish, and more.
Pro Tip:
Their menu changes regularly. We recommend contacting them first before visiting to know if they have the dish you want on the menu.
4. Rouge Restaurant
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Website: https://rougecalgary.com/
Address: 1240 8 Ave SE
Contact Details: +1 403 531 2767 and [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Pricing: $$
Rouge Restaurant is a good dinner spot if you’re hoping for a relaxing evening. The vibe here is cosy yet elegant, with various relaxing dining spots, like dining rooms and a serene garden patio.
Most people love their foie gras parfait, and I can’t blame them. They serve it with rich, buttery, and delicate meaty flavour, and with a silky smooth texture. The garden rhubarb ingredient is also sourced from their own garden.
What I love most is the combination of palmiers and tarragon mousse in a serving. It’s not overly sweet, so it’s not sickly to eat.
Pro Tip:
Although they’re a venue solely for dinners, you can still book a reservation for lunch. Additionally, kids under 10 years old are not allowed in their establishment.
5. The Continental
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Website: https://www.continentalyyc.ca/
Address: 1131 Kensington Rd NW
Contact Details: +1 587 319 6776 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Pricing: $$
The Continental is an ideal destination for locals and tourists to experience an upscale restaurant in Calgary. It has a sophisticated but not overly formal atmosphere, making it suitable for corporate and casual gatherings.
I was very impressed with the range of red wines they offer. You may have a hard time picking what you want to sip from the over 20 choices you’ll have. Their red wine list is a combination of French and Italian wines.
For dining, you’ll surely love their five-course gourmet dining style. Like their drinks, the menu has French and Italian dishes, allowing you to enjoy two foreign dishes in one go.
Pro Tip:
Their outdoor patio is the best spot to unwind after having your meal. You can watch a live sport there!
6. Bar Chouette
– Media credit: thebarchouette
Website: https://www.barchouette.ca/
Address: 227 11 Ave SW #130
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 4 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 11:30 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 11:30 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 4 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: $
One of the things I love about Bar Chouette is the offering of small and large plates, allowing people of all budgets to afford them. It also attracts groups of various sizes.
The amazing thing about this restaurant is that there are two happy hours. They offer the same deals every afternoon and evening, so expect to save a decent amount of money at any time of your visit.
When it comes to food, I really love their snacks, particularly the smoked trout pâté. I find the combined savoury and umami flavours of nori chips and the tangy taste of vinegar delicious.
Pro Tip:
Try one of their house cocktails, especially the stonefruit Negroni. It’s a mix of gin and Campari, together with other ingredients.
7. The Eden
– Media credit: the.eden.inglewood
Website: https://edenbistro.ca/
Address: 1219 9 Ave SE
Contact Details: +1 403 266 1005 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Pricing: $
The Eden is the place I highly suggest if you’re looking for a spot with amazing views. You’ll have sweeping mountain views here while feasting on French cuisine!
Choucroute garnie is, no doubt, one of their standout dishes. It contains sauerkraut and numerous other ingredients, including various types of pork. It has a distinctive blend of sour and salty taste that will hook you.
For drinks, you can either have their French sparkling, red, and white wines. Try their Café de Paris Brut sparkling wine for a thirst-quenching, fresh, and balanced blend of Chardonnay and Colombard.
Pro Tip:
If you want to have brunch here, visit on the weekend as they have a separate brunch menu on those days. It runs from late morning to early afternoon.
8. Yellow Door
– Media credit: yellowdooryyc
Website: https://yellowdoorbistro.ca/
Address: 119 12 Ave SW, Calgary
Contact Details: +1 403 206 9585
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 6:30 AM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 6:30 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 6:30 AM to 2 PM
Pricing: $
Yellow Door is another bistro-style cuisine on my list, and like others, it passed the vibe check. It brings a casual neighbourhood vibe, perfect for catching up with your people.
I love visiting here for brunch, mainly because of the buffet they offer from mid-morning to early afternoon. You shouldn’t miss their croissant with melted mortadella. The croissant itself is buttery and flaky, making it very satisfying to eat.
For dessert, their espresso crème brûlée would be a great pick. What’s special about it is the homemade marbled biscotti, allowing you to savour an Italian biscuit in French cuisine.
Pro Tip:
Yellow Door guests can park for free at Hotel Arts, including both the surface lot and the underground area. Just show your parking ticket and restaurant receipt to the hotel’s front desk.
9. Le Comptoir, by François
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Website: https://www.lecomptoirbyfrancois.com/
Address: 1928 34 Ave SW
Contact Details: +1 403 455 4550
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Pricing: $
Le Comptour is a welcoming cafe loved by many locals in the renowned Marda Loop. It’s naturally cosy here, whatever the season, as they always personalise the things in their cafe. If you visit here during winter, rest assured that you will have a blanket.
The highlight of this cafe is the outdoor patio with a fireplace. If you don’t mind sitting close to everyone around you, this is a great spot to chill while reading a book or just holding your phone.
While relaxing here, it would be great to feast on their tasty quiche. It has a creamy and soft texture that you can easily digest while reading your favourite book.
Pro Tip:
Your four-legged furry friend is allowed to hang out with you on their patio!
10. The Living Room
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Website: https://livingroomrestaurant.ca/
Address: 514 17 Ave SW
Contact Details: +1 403 228 9830 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 4 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 12 AM
Pricing: $
The Living Room is the favourite dating venue of many locals in the city. The establishment’s dim lighting is the reason behind this. It perfectly creates a romantic ambience, especially at night.
What’s great about this restaurant is that it has group menus. For a fair price, you can enjoy three-course meals that are usually a combination of French and Italian dishes.
If you’re a French seafood lover, I recommend trying their mussels à la buzzara. It’s made from Prince Edward Island mussels, which are known for their sweet flavour and tender texture.
Pro Tip:
Have a virtual tour of the place on their website and see if it’s the one you’d like to visit with your family or friends.
