East Village Neighbourhood Guide

Stunning modern architecture, trendy restaurants, and picturesque pathways make Calgary’s East Village neighbourhood a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. The neighbourhood is tucked into the east side of Calgary’s downtown core, with the Bow River to the north and the Elbow River to the east.

The area has been designed to be incredibly walkable, bikeable and connected to transit. The City Hall train station is the perfect starting point for a day of exploration. For those driving, East Village has plenty of surface lots, as well as Platform, a massive parkade and innovation centre that is itself an architectural masterpiece.

Choose from many local restaurants including fine dining favourites and the perfect trifecta inside the historic Simmons Building.

In many ways, the Simmons Building is the heartbeat of the East Village. This restored bedding factory from 1912 houses an eclectic collection of local restaurants including:

• Phil & Sebastian - A Calgary coffee institution that is known for great brews, espresso, and special to this location, fresh baked goods from their neighbours at Sidewalk Citizen Bakery.

• Sidewalk Citizen Bakery - The perfect stop for sourdough aficionados, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery has become a local staple for fresh breads, pastries, breakfast, and lunch.

• Charbar - A sustainability-driven culinary destination that brings Argentine wood-fired cuisine to the prairies.

The Alt Hotel is home to three restaurants, two being some of Calgary’s top fine dining experiences:

• Nupo - Calgary’s first restaurant to offer an omakase sushi experience, a chef-driven meal at a six-seat sushi bar, which is in addition to its a la carte offering for guests.

• EIGHT - Exclusive and intimate, EIGHT is an exploration of the cultural mosaic that makes up our view of Canadian food. True to the name, this restaurant only has eight seats and must be reserved months in advance.

• Chix Eggshop - A neighbourhood diner meets country fried chicken joint, Chix Eggshop is the perfect place to start a day full and happy.

• Fortuna’s Row - Located in a century-old warehouse, this 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant transports you to the airy beach fronts of Latin America with dishes spanning Mexican, Peruvian, and Brazilian cuisine.

• Strip Joint Chicken - A unique dining experience with an outside-of-the-box menu that features expertly prepared chicken tenders in a vibrant and stylish atmosphere.

• Parlour Ice Cream - Ice cream lovers will delight in the creative handcrafted treats in the cooler at this classic ice cream shop.

• cochu Chocolatier - Enjoy award-winning chocolates at this Calgary favourite, offering perfectly made creations that will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Three hotels are located right in the East Village with many more just to the west in the downtown core.

• Alt Hotel by Le Germain - A modern hotel that offers the perfect basecamp to explore the East Village. Located across the street from the Simmons Building and within walking distance of all East Village attractions.

• The Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites by Hilton are side-by-side right in the centre of East Village. Their proximity to the Central Library, Studio Bell, and City Hall train station makes them ideal places to stay while visiting the area.

East Village is packed with some of Calgary's top attractions.

• Calgary Central Library - After opening in 2018, the Central Library was named as one of the ‘Top 52 Places to Visit’ by New York Times. Undeniably photogenic, the library is filled with public art, cozy sun-filled nooks, and 450,000 books.

• Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre - Located one block east of the library, Studio Bell is part performance venue, recording facility, broadcast studio, and museum. The building provides a literal gateway into East Village as it arches over one of the main entrances into the neighbourhood.

• King Edward Hotel - Directly on the other side of the arch you will find the legendary King Edward Hotel, one of Calgary’s oldest buildings, which was revitalized during the construction of Studio Bell and continues to serve as a cornerstone of Calgary’s live music scene.

• The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland - Learn about diverse cultures, the lands at Fort Calgary, stories from early-days Calgary, colonialism, and truth and reconciliation at this local museum.

It's easy to connect with nature and get in some exercise during a visit to the East Village neighbourhood.

• Calgary’s RiverWalk - Stretching along 4km of the Bow River, the RiverWalk is a dedicated pathway system for bikes and pedestrians. The path is a beautiful way to see downtown Calgary on foot, from The Confluence to the Peace Bridge. For those looking to move a bit faster, try biking the RiverWalk pathway with rentals from Bow Cycle located right along the pathway.

• St. Patrick’s Island - Connected to the RiverWalk by the George C. King Bridge is St. Patrick's Island. It offers something for everyone with hiking trails, boardwalks, a protected beach, and even a grass amphitheater that's often used for events like outdoor movie screenings.

• The Bounce Games Park - Nestled between the Central Library and Studio Bell, The Bounce Games Park is a popular rec space with a full-sized basketball court, ping-pong tables, hopscotch, four-square, and colourful murals.

• East Village Nordic Loop - In the winter, the green space next to The Confluence is turned into a groomed 1 km cross-country ski loop open to the public.