River Café

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Calgary

   4 reviews

   4.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   Restaurant wasn’t full. Server was very attentive even though she was dealing with a few tables. Food is awesome. I had the burger and was warned it was cooked medium rare. It was more well done but was still juicy. Came with some arugula and cucumbers and tomatoes. Not sure why it was $29 though. Pretty expensive considering the prices of the other dishes. Either way it’s a great place for brunch.
   

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2. JL

   JulieL

   Ottawa

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food5service3ambience4

   We were there for brunch, my husband and I, for the first time. Food and ambiance were excellent but the service was lacking. We saw staff consistently attempt to sit people in the spots directly exposed to the sun and saw that several clients asked to be moved or made due but eventually had to move. We asked to be moved and ended up in another server’s section and despite our food order having been done with the previous server, we were left waiting and eventually had to reiterate our order to the new server. I asked for sugar with my coffee and ended up drinking it without, asked for pepper and had to go inside to get a small dish with salt and pepper ( do they not have even ordinary salt and pepper shakers…). Dishes and utensils were taken away despite the fact that we ordered more items and once they came, we were not provided new plates or utensils. Given the reputation of the establishment, we were expecting more.
   

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3. B

   Bennylover

   Calgary

   22 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   22 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always perfect. Beat patio in Calgary. The food is always delicious and the staff is the best.
   

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4. NG

   NeridaG

   Calgary

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   The halibut was succulent, but I found the potatoes a bit dry. Fortunately, the bouillabaisse added much needed moisture. For dessert we had the dark chocolate (outstanding), but the buttermilk pannacotta's texture was not as smooth as I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, we ate everything and enjoyed ourselves, but I have had better meals from the River Cafe before.
   

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5. D

   Donna

   Calgary

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   My husband is in wheelchair , love the table space between one another that my husband has no problem maneuvering. Food is good, great wine list.
   

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6. DO

   DougO

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   River cafe was outstanding, during the dinner evening the weather was great the windows were open and the patio was lit up very nice and with a romantic feeling. The waitress we had was phenomenal, she was there when we needed something but she respectfully gave us our privacy. The food, OMG!! it was prepared perfectly, it taste amazing and how we wanted our meat was to the T. Great job River Cafe, totally recommending this place.
   

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7. JH

   JustinH

   Toronto

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   Great atmosphere, wine selections and staff. Thank you
   

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8. G

   Gord

   Calgary

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall3food2service3ambience5

   Beautiful place on an nice day on their patio. Criticisms: - No alcohol free beer (it's 2023 right?) - You can't get a lemon or lime wedge for a soda. This is due to their strict local sourcing policy. I didn't ask for a coffee, but wonder if that's a no also... - Ordered a flank steak. I think It was 4oz at best, so plan to eat before or after lunch if you have a healthy appetite. To sum it up, the ambience is definitely pleasant. Food is very good, but portions are small.
   

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9. D

   Dave

   Calgary

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall3food3service2ambience4

   We found the menu selection limited, surprised there was not at least one chicken option and most were very meat focused. We were a party of 7 and everyone other than the vegetarian felt their meals included too few vegetables. Everyone felt the portion sizes were too small, particularly for the vegetarian dish, and that service was very slow. Finally, our group included 2 individuals with gluten allergies and they were not provided anything when the rest of us were served bread, which was awkward and surprising for such a high end establishment. Would not return as I didn't receive the value I from for such a high end restaurant.
   

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10. RS

    RichardS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Guests from Australia were blown away. Thank you for an amazing lunch experience!!!!!
    

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11. JM

    JonM

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Most beautiful patio in the city! The food and cocktails were excellent. Perfect place for a lunch date (or any other meal).
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience5

    Drinks were terrible. This was a first at River Cafe. Food was so / so. Again, a first at River Cafe. Have been many times personally, and with my firm. Usually it is top notch. This visit was disappointing for our 1st anniversary.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Exceptional and unique. A lovely location for a special occasion.
    

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience5

    Such a great location! Our meals were good however our tenderloin was under done (we ordered medium and came out rare) so we sent back for a quick cook. Wasn’t as tender as you’d expect a tenderloin to be as well. Other items order were good!
    

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15. SR

    ScottR

    Calgary

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    very nice restaurant for a special occasion dinner
    

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16. PK

    PaulK

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great place and great staff. Love the location near the river.
    

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17. KG

    KellyG

    Calgary

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    First time there and thoroughly enjoyed it!! Great service, great food and lovely atmosphere!! Even got to watch baby geese scurrying around from our table at the window!! Will be back soon!
    

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18. W

    Williamson

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience5

    Kitchen could not get poached eggs right. I asked for poached eggs with firm whites and runny yolk. First time came out with runny whites, second time came out with firm yolk.
    

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19. TF

    TcyF

    Calgary

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful and delicious! The bacon is amazing. Highly recommended!
    

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20. E

    Eliza

    Calgary

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Beautiful outside setting. Brunch was exquisite!
    

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21. A

    Anne

    Calgary

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    River Cafe is consistently a wonderful gem in our city much like a best kept secret. The ambience is calming and picturesque in its river setting. The Chefs skillfully create beautiful food presented in a beautiful way, this not a cookie cutter menu. The staff, from the moment you enter, to the staff on service, is always excellent. Attention to detail always. I love coming to this special place for a casual lunch with friends, and for special occasions and suppers with family. Such a classy and unique part of our city's restaurant culture. Bravo everyone!
    

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22. DK

    DarK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Favorite place to eat in Calgary! The setting and the unique quality and flavours of the food make the trip worthwhile every time!
    

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23. LM

    LadouceurM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great place to experience different great tasting food presentation
    

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24. JC

    JulieC

    Calgary

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We went to the River Cafe to celebrate our anniversary. The food was fabulous and the service amazing. They were able to accomodate my food sensitivities and we had a beautiful evening on the patio to celebrate. Highly recommend River Cafe!
    

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25. MS

    MrsShandy

    Calgary

    20 reviews

    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    The food always looks scrumptious and tastes very good indeed.
    

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26. KE

    KevinE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic as always. Most beautiful spot in the city
    

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27. SP

    SpencerP

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Food and service very good. Menu was limited; didn’t even see salads as an option. Enjoyed halibut, but eggplant was bland
    

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall2food4service1ambience4

    Waited for more than one hour to get the main dishes after finishing the starter. It was very exhausting for the starving guest.
    

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29. AW

    AngelaW

    Calgary

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Our food took 1 1/2hrs + to come out. Portions were very small. I’ve been coming for years and was very disappointed.
    

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30. AH

    AdrianneH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Its was a delightful way to celebrate Mother's Day, our server, whose name I can't recall, was very attentive!
    

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31. v

    vaughnt

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Still a great place after all these years! Service outstanding as usual. One of our dishes, the eggplant was a little underwhelming but all other dishes were really good.
    

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32. KB

    KarineB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Its was delicious and very charming ! Surely we will come back.
    

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33. DL

    DaveL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Great service and atmosphere. Nice Mother’s Day treat.
    

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34. J

    Jeff

    Calgary

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    Boar pork belly is an amazing dish. The tartar was really really good
    

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35. D

    Danny

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Don’t come into the city much, was a very cool experience to take my date here. Great staff, awesome environment and amazing food.
    

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36. B

    Bobbby

    Calgary

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Very cool location and atmosphere. Food was good but not mind blowing.
    

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37. MW

    MelW

    New York Area

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is always great and the location is perfect. I couldn't ask for a better restaurant or location.
    

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38. ED

    ErikaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    We celebrated a birthday with lunch at River Cafe. The ambiance inside is lovely, our server was very nice and not "intrusive" (which I sometimes find disruptive to table conversations), we all enjoyed our food and even had a choice of ciders! It's a bit pricey, but we knew as we checked the menu ahead of time online. I imagine it being a great place for sitting outside when the weather gets warm this weekend. It is a place to go to for a special treat, for sure.
    

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39. S

    Susie

    Exclusive

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a beautiful location, we really enjoyed our visit to the Rivercafe
    

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40. f

    foodie88

    Calgary

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall3food5service1ambience3

    Food was great. Service was crazy slow. The last person in the group just sat down, asked for the drink menu which the waitress gave them. Waitress was gone for at least 25 minutes. We finally saw her and flagged her down to order food (and the one drink from this person). It was at least 1 hour before food was served. Food was tasty. Smaller portions, so I would recommend an appetizer first. It wasn't particularly busy, so I guess they were more relaxed and not rushing us, but for a table that ordered 2 glasses of wine total, no appetizers, mains only, our dining time was over 3 hours. I really love the ambiance and food quality of this place, but having to look for and flag down the waitress so many times really changes the experience.
    

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