Inglewood Neighbourhood Guide

Inglewood is not only Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood, it's also one of its coolest. Sitting where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet, Inglewood has long been a gathering place and remains a creative, community-first area today.

Just minutes from downtown, it still feels like a small town, with a bustling main street, brick heritage buildings, and plenty of local characters. It’s walkable, bike-friendly, and easy to access by bus, with street parking available throughout the neighbourhood.

Inglewood's food scene is an eclectic mix of local institutions and exciting newcomers that will keep you wanting to come back for more.

Fine dining restaurants

• Rouge - An award-winning restaurant set in a historic Victorian estate, known for seasonal tasting menus and ingredients sourced from its own backyard garden.

• Deane House – Refined Canadian cooking set inside one of Calgary’s oldest homes, surrounded by picture-perfect gardens.

• The Nash - Seasonal ingredients and local history are on display in the old National Hotel.

• SOT - Elevated Korean classics made with seasonal ingredients.

Casual sit-down restaurants

• Mumbai Bites – Bold Indian street food inspired by the flavours of Mumbai, from savoury chaats to comforting curries.

• The Eden – A cozy blue-collar bistro serving French-inspired classics.

• Madi's – Craft nachos, poke bowls, and creative cocktails.

• Vegan Street – Creative plant-based tacos downstairs and a hidden speakeasy upstairs called The Attic.

• Blackfoot Truckstop Diner – A true time capsule with pink-uniformed servers, model trains overhead, and legendary flapper pie.

Bars and burgers

• The Hose & Hound – Community watering hole inside a beautifully restored 1906 firehall.

• Rain Dog Bar – A cozy, old-world beer bar with a rotating, European menu.

• Inglewood Drive-In – Widely considered as one of Calgary’s tastiest burgers, best enjoyed with a riverside picnic.

Inglewood has a rich brewing history. It was home to Alberta's first brewery, the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company, from 1893 until it closed in 1994. The Inglewood and Ramsay area is still known today as Brewery Flats.

• Cold Garden – An eclectic Inglewood brewery known for creative small-batch beers, a dog-friendly taproom, and an always-rotating lineup.

• High Line Brewing - A cozy taproom just off 9th Ave SE. The beers are easy drinking and the gourmet hot dogs are worth the trip alone.

• Burn Block Social Club – Nano-brewery and social hangout pouring crisp beers to go with a serious collection of pinball machines.

• Eighty-Eight Brewing Co - A bit off the beaten track but worth seeking out. Expect plenty of hoppy IPAs, great pizza, and loads of neon.

• Dandy Brewing - One of the early craft breweries in the city. They've well-known for their welcoming taproom and delicious sours.

Most people walking down Inglewood's main street have a locally-roasted coffee from one of the independent nearby cafés. There used to be a Starbucks, but it didn't last.

• Rosso Coffee Roasters – A staple on 9th Ave SE with an industrial-chic interior and expertly roasted coffee that makes it a natural first stop in the neighbourhood.

• Canela Vegan Bakery & Café – Calgary's first all-vegan bakery, known for its decadent plant-based pastries and cakes.

• Café Gravity – A daytime community hub for remote workers and commuters that transforms into a live music venue in the evening.

• Good News Coffee – A charming little red house at the east end of 9th Ave pouring espresso drinks and serving soft serve in the warmer months.

• Analog Coffee – Long-time Calgary chain serving ethically sourced, small-batch roasted coffee in a modern space just off 9th Ave.

Independent boutiques, specialty retailers, bookstores, and record shops line 9th Ave SE, making Inglewood one of Calgary’s best neighbourhoods for discovering something unexpected.

Clothing and accessories

• Smithbilt Hats – A Calgary icon and the maker of the city’s signature white cowboy hat since 1919.

• Cody & Sioux – High-end western wear with a major emphasis and craftmanship, design, and quality materials.

• Change is Good – A beautifully-curated thrift shop where 100% of profits support The Calgary Dream Centre, blending fashion with purpose.

• Moonstone Creation – An Indigenous-owned boutique that features handcrafted jewelry, art, and home goods. They also host in-person classes like beadwork.

Books and records

• The Next Page – A beloved independent bookstore and coffee shop filled with staff picks, local authors, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

• Fair’s Fair – A sprawling used bookstore where readers can browse for hours through new and secondhand finds.

• Recordland – A classic vinyl shop that has one of the largest record collections in Canada.

Novelty stores

• Plant – A lush indoor jungle of houseplants, pottery, and accessories for seasoned and aspiring plant parents.

• Recess – Sister store to Plant. A colourful paper goods shop stocked with fancy stationery, cards, and playful design-forward gifts.

• Campland – Home to the wildly popular local clothing brand Camp. An outdoor lifestyle shop that offers retro-inspired camping goods.

• Kent of Inglewood – A thoughtfully curated shop specializing in quality grooming goods, axes, knives, and heritage-inspired apparel.

• Silk Road Spice Merchant – A sensory stop filled with globally sourced spices, local blends, and hard-to-find ingredients.

Inglewood blends culture and nature in a way few neighbourhoods can. From live music on the Music Mile to birdwatching along the Bow River, it’s a place where creativity and the outdoors meet.

Music and culture

Inglewood is home to some of Calgary’s most beloved arts and music venues.

• Festival Hall – The Calgary Folk Music Festival hosts concerts throughout the year at their intimate performance space.

• The Ironwood Stage & Grill – A long-standing live music venue pairing nightly performances with a cozy, Nashville-inspired atmosphere.

• Café Gravity – Coffee shop by day, performance venue by night. Lots of local folk and jazz acts pass have a home here.

• The Attic Bar & Stage - Upstairs from Vegan Street, known for high-energy drag shows, live performances, and plant-based pizzas.

• Esker Foundation – A free contemporary art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions and programming that spark conversation.

Parks and pathways

The Bow River bends around Inglewood, connecting some of Calgary’s most scenic green spaces.

• Inglewood Bird Sanctuary – An ecological haven where more than 270 bird species have been recorded since 1929. Quiet walking trails weave through wetlands and forest.

• Pearce Estate Park – A riverside park made popular by its two main attractions, Harvie Passage and the Bow Habitat Station. Harvie Passage is a purpose-built whitewater channel where kayakers, surfers, and paddleboarders play in the summer. Bow Habitat Station is a hands-on environmental education centre focused on Alberta's fish and aquatic ecosystems.

• Bow River pathway - A flat, paved pathway runs along the eastern edge Inglewood, from The Deane House to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. The entire stretch is 4 km (2.5 mi) with stunning views of the Bow River the whole way.

Events

Inglewood’s calendar is packed with community events and celebrations throughout the year, including two major draws.

• Inglewood Sunfest – A summer street festival that transforms 9th Ave SE into a pedestrian-only display of supporting local, celebrating diverse cultures, and neighbourhood pride.

• Inglewood Night Market – A popular free outdoor market held on select weekends from May to September featuring artisan vendors, food trucks, live music, and beer gardens.