The Beltline is packed with hundreds of eclectic businesses that make it one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the Calgary. Show off this neighbourhood to visiting friends and family or make it your new go-to spot for urban adventures. The best way to experience the Beltline is to explore on your own. You’ll be writing your own list of your favourite things to do in the Beltline soon enough.
Sidewalk Citizen Park
Bridgette Bar oven roasted duck with kuri squash polenta, granny smith apples and prepared in brown butter and thyme.
The neighbourhood is one of the premiere dining districts in all of Canada. Bridgette Bar and Ten Foot Henry are consistently awarded for their culinary excellence and recognized as some of the top restaurants in the nation; both made the list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants in 2020.
Looking for great atmosphere? Park by Sidewalk Citizen is a must-visit. Sidewalk Citizen has been a Calgary staple for years, and now their one-of-a-kind solarium creates a space filled with 360 degrees of natural light, curated art and an Israeli-inspired menu built from the best local food and drink around. In the warmer months the restaurant’s garage style door opens onto Central Memorial Park, creating a patio experience with a beautiful city view.
Donna Mac is a go-to spot for locals for its ever changing menu of comfort food favourites, sharing plates, and delicious cocktails. Orchard Restaurant is an elegant but casual Asian Mediterranean dining experience and a throwback to a European supper club.
A few blocks east, #REGRUB cooks up some of the most Instagram-ready meals you’ll find anywhere. Burgers topped with crazy concoctions and quality local ingredients go hand-in-hand with imaginative milkshakes. The menu also features everything from Beyond Meat, black bean patties, and crispy cauliflower to diary free milkshakes topped with treats like vegan cheesecake and ice cream sandwiches.
Or check out The District, a chef-driven food hall serving locally inspired dishes from some of Calgary's top chefs. Look for the Asian fusion taqueria, Modern Burger, ramen, rice, poke bowls, Korean comfort food, vegetarian dishes, and the first fully sustainable quick service sushi restaurant in Canada.
Chinook Arc - photo by: @mikey__travels
Central Memorial Park - photo by: Chris Bolin
One of the most memorable parts of the Beltline is its public art and parks. From incredible plants and flowers, water features, murals, and statues, beauty is around every corner of the Beltline.
Be wowed by this giant sculpture that emits a colourful glow across Barb Scott Park. Pick which colour the sculpture turns by holding something up to the interactive receptor and watch as the arc mimics the tone. This masterpiece by artists Joe O'Connell and Blessing Hancock, inspired by the chinook arc phenomenon that sometimes covers Calgary’s sky, has been one of Calgary’s coolest photo opportunities since 2014.
The Beltline Urban Mural Projects (BUMP) is annual festival that transforms the walls in the Beltline into an expansive open-air art gallery. The festival takes place throughout August and includes muralist panels and meet ups in Central Memorial Park where you can enjoy beats by local DJs and meet the artists to learn about their practice and inspiration. While the festival only take place once a year, you can enjoy the murals year-round with self-guided tours by walking, biking, running and scootering to the different mural sites.
The BIG Winter Classic is the ultimate winter festival, pairing arts and entertainment with local craft beer and an all-around good time. The four-day winter wonderland features awesome local talent and the chance to dance the night away when the colder months hit.
Where: 1221 2 St SW
This tranquil oasis in the heart of the Beltline is Calgary’s oldest park. Enjoy a relaxing lunch or a picnic while being surrounded by gorgeous flower beds, walking paths, water fountains and a view of Calgary’s tallest buildings. The park is also home to Remembrance Day ceremonies and features a 35-foot-tall Boer War Memorial statue by Quebec artist Louis-Philippe Hébert.
Where: 707 13 Ave SW
Beaulieu Gardens is a massive terraced garden that surrounds the historic sandstone mansion Lougheed House. Extravagant patterns of red and yellow roses grace the paths and public green spaces to create one of Calgary’s most popular spots for weddings and wedding photos. The park’s knowledgeable volunteer gardeners also grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that are used in seasonal cuisine at the Lougheed House restaurant.
Where: 340 10 Ave SW
Escape in the city to High Park, an urban rooftop public park and event space on the rooftop of the City Centre Parkade. Walk the 200-metre boardwalk, check out the colour-themed parklets, and murals from the BUMP Festival, for some seriously breathtaking views and Instagram worthy moments in Calgary.
Where: 607 11 Ave SW
Cyclists love The Beltline BLOX for its bike lanes and awesome bike racks to lock up when you are visiting local businesses in the neighbourhood. Check out the artfully designed bike rack in front of Last Best Brewing & Distilling on 11th Ave SW for a tribute to the neighbourhood you can’t miss.
Rooftop patio at CRAFT Downtown Calgary
Home & Away on 1 St
The Beltline is one of Calgary’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, filled with entrepreneurs, young professional, and artists, many of whom like to play just as hard as they work. This has resulted in an amazing bar scene with plenty of options for whatever mood you are in.
Where: 345 10 Ave SW
The bar with the ultimate craft beer selection also serves up the ultimate patio experience. Catch all those summer vibes you’ve been looking for while enjoying the backdrop of Calgary’s towering skyline. The patio serves a full menu with daily specials of wine-on-tap, summer cocktails and local beer, providing endless options to quench your thirst. The patio also features an authentic 1967 Volkswagen van turned DJ booth where the summer vibes are kept alive late into the night. Your patio season won’t be complete without a visit to CRAFT.
Where: 1207 1 St SW
Tucked in the Beltline’s trendy 1st SW is a true dual threat. On the main floor, Home & Away delivers the perfect sports bar experience, with TV screens, great local beer selection and avid fans of both the Calgary Flames and the Toronto Raptors. Expect to find watch parties popping up for every big game and playoff run. The bar also has basketball games and skee-ball to keep you entertained between periods.
Downstairs on Friday and Saturday, Shuffle Club throws it old-school with a groovy space equipped with a disco ball, giant shuffleboards, tropical décor and drinks to match. The bar has even started its own shuffleboard league, so you have all the excuses you need to spend hours honing your slide.
Where: 213 10 Ave SW
Everyone has a little nostalgia for spending an evening playing arcade games with friends while old rock n’ roll plays in the background. Break out your inner kid at this two-story game bar that features over 50 vintage and new games. Most games even have built in cup holders so you can enjoy a beverage while playing. The setting is the perfect place for a date night and even has a classic photobooth to make the memories last forever. Hungry? Greta Bar serves street food out of a food truck with international favourites in the back. Travel around the world with ginger beef boa buns, Korean noodle boxes, Montreal hot dogs and Nashville chicken sandwiches.
Where: 1006 11 Ave SW
Calgary's premier LGBTQ2+ venue is one of the liveliest spots for a night out in the city. Presenting themed drag and burlesque shows, regular DJ dance nights, and hosting famous performers from RuPaul's Drag Race and Canada's Drag Race. Every Wednesday, Twisted‘s Got Talent presents an open stage for local drag performers to showcase their skills and check out Twisted's calendar for more regular & upcoming special LGBTQ2+ events.
Where: 1011 1 St SW
Koi is one of Calgary’s bests venues for local musicians to show off their talents. Check out Koi's event calendar to catch amazing performances from up-and-coming bands, local favourites, and even artists getting on stage for the first time. Tuesday open mic nights feature live jams as artists from different genres team up for original performances. Koi’s pan-Asian menu offers tasty gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options and pairs nicely with a side of warm sake or local beer.
Classic pub food and craft beer on tap make National on 10th a neighbourhood favourite. With over 60 beers on tap from great local craft brewers, it’s the perfect place for a pint. They even have a bowling alley if you want to kick off your meal with a few frames.
Where: 820 11 Ave SW
Inner City Brewing produces their beer in house with small batch brews and twenty different taps ready to pour. Their unique fusion system lets you experiment with flavour combinations you won’t find anywhere else. Remember to bring an empty growler!
Where: 607 11 Ave SW
Well craft beer, spirits, and Alberta-inspired cuisine come together at Last Best Brewing & Distilling. They brew their own beer in house and leave guest taps open so you can get a taste of other local breweries. Lock your bike up outside and get ready for an authentic Alberta experience.
Café Niko at Kawa Espresso Bar
Calgarians are crazy for their coffee and the city has a robust scene of local roasters and talented baristas.
Where: 1221 8 St SW
This spacious café has all the qualities that will make you want to you spend the whole day here. The floor to ceiling windows bring in lots of light, making it a go-to work spot, and great place for a long catch up with a friend. Comfortable seating overlooks the patio space, perfect for gazing off and getting lost in your thoughts. Enjoy expertly brewed coffee from local roasters Phil & Sebastian, as well as a great selection of fresh baked breakfast and lunch specials.
Where: 348b 14 Ave SW
I Love You Coffee Shop is a cute café inspired by Japanese jazz bars and serves Japanese baked goods like red bean donuts and melon pan. Unassumingly located downstairs from a convenience store, if it weren’t for the hilarious sandwich board outside you might never know it was there. Retro furniture, delicious Calgary Heritage Roasting Company coffee, and super friendly staff make for a comfortable atmosphere that is great for spending a few hours reading a book or just listening to the selection of old vinyl albums that play all day. The walls are lined with local art from Burnt Toast Studio, all available for purchase and affordable for anyone.
Where: 1333 8 St SW
This Polish style café is one of the best spots in Calgary for an authentic European coffee experience. Pair their special Café Niko, a triple shot espresso with orange blossom mist, with any of the fresh baked cakes for a flavour explosion. Sip your coffee slow from the sun-soaked patio or meet up with a group of friends in the roomy indoor seating. They’re also open late and serve a selection of wine and beer including specialty European imports you won’t find anywhere else.
Where: 602 11 Ave SW #102
Traditional Italian technique makes the difference at Milano Coffee with a combination of premium coffee beans perfect for a cup of drip or French press brew. Stop in for a hot drink and baked good in the heart of the neighbourhood in this modern, rustic space.
Where: 1007 8 St SW
Coffee and a pastry is always a good combination and Sucre Patisserie & Café has mastered both. Hand craft French croissants, pastries, macarons, and cakes are great for an early morning wake up call or afternoon break.
For outdoor adventurers, the Beltline provides all the ways to get out and enjoy the Rocky Mountains. Gear up at MEC on top quality brands for all your hiking, running, climbing and camping needs. This downtown MEC location even sports a climbing wall.
The Bike Shop is your one-stop-shop to get riding and offers amazing selection on all types of bikes with trade-in options.
Looking to shred on the mountain this year? The Source Snowboards has stylish boards and apparel to make you look your best while you seek out that pow. They also specialize in skateboards for any of your urban shredding needs.
The Beltline also has several stores with great specialty food options. Community Natural Foods has been bringing Calgary top-notch organic and local produce since 1977 and is a regular Best of Calgary winner for the Best Place to Buy Organic Food. Check out their selection of locally brewed kombucha brands and home brewing kombucha kits.
If you like to cook Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, Kalamata Grocery imports thousands of specialty products from Greece, Bulgaria, and Italy to North Africa, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Impress your charcuterie loving friends with a selection of over two dozen varieties of olives.
The BLOX is a small but mighty area in the heart of the Beltline neighbourhood, home to everything from home décor and lifestyle brands to entertainment, nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs. The new zone spans from east to west from 2nd and 9th Street SW and north to south between 10th and 13th Avenue SW.
