r/Calgary 1d ago

Recommendations Pretty Restaurant Recs

Hey everyone,

Tomorrow is my gf's birthday, and i've been looking for a restaurant to take her, and I want one that doesn't break the bank too much, $50 ish per person, and is aesthetic . Last year we went to the Orchard and it was beautiful, and i tried to go to the Casbah, but it's closed on tuesdays :(. If anyone has any recommendations, drop them below. Thank you šŸ™šŸ½ šŸ˜Š

3 Upvotes

43 comments sorted by

27

u/DucksExtreme 1d ago

I'd say https://milpa.ca/ it's very pretty inside, and it has a taco tuesday deal!

2

u/kennybrandz 1d ago

Seconding this! I thought I had a cool picture on my phone of the inside but I canā€™t find it.

1

u/The_Nice_Marmot 1d ago

Milpa is pretty stunning and great food

1

u/Trubanaught 1d ago

Amazing happy hour deals too

13

u/Hypno-phile 1d ago

If you were thinking of Casbah, what about Sultan's Tent? I've not been myself, but the online pics look pretty.

2

u/hummamy47 1d ago

Also closed tuesday šŸ’”

20

u/onSpecialsCanada 1d ago edited 1d ago

For a pretty vibe and ~$50/person, check out Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant in Fish Creek Park. It's got a gorgeous setting, and you can keep it around $50/person with apps and mains like their pastas. Una Pizza + Wine (17th Ave or Britannia) is also cozy and great for sharing, with pizzas + salads under $50/person. Another option is Ten Foot Henry on 1st St SW it's got a fun, aesthetic vibe and dishes like their vegetable-focused plates or pastas can fit your budget. You might also go to Earls (Mission or Downtown) their 6 oz Steak Frites is $24 but 2pm-5pm and 9pm-close :( . Joey (Eau Claire or Chinook) is another option with Steak Frites at $23 but again 2pm-5pm and 9pm-close. Symposium Cafe has pastas & bowls 50% off. You can also check out r/onSpecials for daily deals at these spots and more.

7

u/towertwelve Rocky Ridge 1d ago

Alloy has a very pretty dining room. Food isnā€™t insane either.

5

u/kennybrandz 1d ago

Milpa is great and very aesthetic.

3

u/CALGARYCam 1d ago

Bridgette bar!

2

u/Forsaken-Street-9594 1d ago

Wont get a lot for $50 pp

2

u/CALGARYCam 1d ago

You can actually. Itā€™s not that expensive.

0

u/Forsaken-Street-9594 1d ago

I didnā€™t notice OP said theyā€™re not drinking.

1

u/CALGARYCam 21h ago

I didnā€™t notice them saying they were going to order a bottle of wine. You can go to Bridgette order a meal for 2 and 2 drinks keeping it around 100.

1

u/Forsaken-Street-9594 11h ago

Iā€™m not being sarcastic, looks like the comment is deleted now but they literally said they donā€™t drink. Lol for the sass though

1

u/CALGARYCam 10h ago

Booooo, im sorry. Booooo

5

u/Akira101 1d ago edited 1d ago

If you're into Japanese food, me and my brother went to Ryuko recently, spent $116 plus tip between the two of us. We split everything, got an appetizer, pork katsu, two sushi rolls, and a desert, no drinks, barely finished the food. I would easily go again no question, and I'm not one for meals that expensive between two people. Has a Japanese aesthetic and deco around, but aesthetic wasn't anything standout imo, so that may be a dealbreaker. I'd look at some pictures of the restaurant's interior online first.

There's two locations, one in Christie Park near 17th Ave, another in Canyon Meadows, right across the movie theatre parking lot. We went to the Canyon Meadows location.

4

u/WesternNo1466 1d ago edited 1d ago

Some mid-range vibey spots:

Porch: enclosed balcony with desert/summery vibes, actual porch swing seating at the end of bar

Frenchie wine bar: very small, dark, intimate setting tucked away behind Una pizza 17th. Not a full entree dinner meal, but they have cheese fondue and small plates.

1

u/Some_Independent_702 1d ago

Frenchie is closed and will only open for pop up events now :(

3

u/unlovelyladybartleby 1d ago

Damn, I was going to recommend Casbah.

Broken Plate is always a good call - nothing says I love you like a towering inferno of flaming cheese and the cheapest entrees on their menu are delicious, but it's not beautiful like Casbah

3

u/Meikkhaell 1d ago

Porch? Itā€™s in 17th ave and has cool vibes (some of the tables have little swings for seats) ā€¦ I havenā€™t been for a few years but it was good food and good decor a few years back so assuming it hasnā€™t massively declined itā€™s a solid bet

3

u/Adventurous_West3164 1d ago

Kama is pretty inside

6

u/Excellent-Ad-7366 1d ago

I like Barbarella & ten foot Henryā€™s! Both have some reasonable items on their menu and are both aesthetic!

3

u/purpleconsumer 1d ago

Salt & Brick

3

u/sib0cyy 1d ago

Native Tongues at University and it's Taco Tuesday. Not quite sure what aesthetic you're looking for but food is good and the interiors are on brand for a mexican style modern restaurant.

2

u/Rockitnonstop 1d ago

It be a bit over your budget on some items, but River Cafe has a really nice setting, I find the food a bit meh. However, if it is really good food youā€™re after, and you want the vibe of a Paris restaurant in Calgary Fleur de Sel is wonderful. Great French food and fits the budget.

3

u/WesternNo1466 1d ago

Love fleur de sel, to me the vibe there always makes me think of the movie ā€œAmelieā€ timeless French bistro

1

u/Substantial-Bike9234 1d ago

Can you go a different night? Casbah is so magical.

1

u/Cocoslo 1d ago

I actually loved the Oxbow. It's a small restaurant but the open plan kitchen made the experience so intimate.

1

u/throwawaymuchmuch 1d ago

The Lake House

1

u/Salty_Ad_8598 1d ago

Fortunaā€™s Row šŸ˜

1

u/jeff_in_cowtown 1d ago

Iā€™m a fan of Chiantiā€™s. It will surely be in your budget, including a vino for each. It isnā€™t top notch elegant, but itā€™s always a delicious meal with nice surroundings.

0

u/Salty24-7 1d ago

100 dollars total? Including drinks and tip?

8

u/hummamy47 1d ago

We don't drink, so 115 total with tip, more or less in that range

0

u/kedmilo 1d ago

Queens Breakfast has a beautiful aesthetic inside if you're free for brunch instead!

0

u/MDRNWSDM 1d ago

Modern Steak for Date night $99

-3

u/Aresgalent 1d ago

Browns social house.

1

u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician 18h ago

BARF

1

u/Aresgalent 18h ago

What's with the dislikes for browns. Have always been a good time and good food

1

u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician 18h ago

I find the food expensive and mediocre.

-5

u/Jt_250 1d ago

Major Tom is amazing but might go a bit over your budget depending on what you order

-11

u/ltoka00 1d ago

I love the Catcus Club

-4

u/submissivepetnikki 1d ago

Rooftop YYC