The Best Family-Friendly Patios in Calgary
The sun is here to stay, which means patio season has begun! If you’re on the hunt for the best outdoor eating spots that are also kid-friendly, here’s a roundup of our favourite patios in Calgary…
The Best Patios in Calgary for Kids & Families
Cold Garden | coldgarden.ca
5155 130 Avenue SE
Cold Garden is a microbrewery that has a seat for all members of the family – even your pups! Head to Inglewood and grab a spot under an umbrella to enjoy a pint of your favourite traditional or eccentric beer. While Cold Garden does have a few snacks on their menu, they highly recommend bringing in food of your own and are happy to recommend a great neighbourhood restaurant to order delivery from. Family members of all ages (in both human and dog years) are welcome during all open hours.
Citizen Brewing Company | citizenbrewingcompany.com
227 35th Ave NE
Citizen Brewing Company is a great spot to bring your kids and your dog for a drink and a bite to eat, often with live music as your soundtrack. They’ve got an extensive selection of food and bevvies and even have fun daily specials and events like trivia night. Their location is tucked away between the communities of Tuxedo and Highland Park, at the end of Calgary’s Greenview industrial area. Find a spot on one of their two patios with both covered and uncovered seating for over 200 people and pups of all ages, any time during their hours of operation.
Hotel Arts | hotelarts.ca
119 12 Ave. SW
A patio with a pool? Count us in! Whether you’re a guest of Hotel Arts or just want to pop in for a visit, Poolside is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot day. From Thursday to Sunday, non-hotel guests are welcome on a first come, first served basis, and from Monday to Wednesday, a few spots are available to reserve through OpenTable. On peak days, additional fees may apply for pool usage, so call the hotel ahead of time to be sure what’s available.
Two House Brewing Company | twohousebrew.com
1901 10 Avenue SW
Grab your crew and make your way to Two House Brewing Company – your one stop shop for delicious Acme Pizza, European and North American classic beers, and a cozy atmosphere your whole family can enjoy. For the kids, there are plenty of non-alcoholic options to drink, including chocolate milk on tap! Take a seat on their large back patio or additional side patio and grab a game from one of the shelves to play while you hang out!
Thomsons Kitchen and Bar | thomsonskitchenbar.ca
112 8 Ave. SE
If delicious food and fantastic people watching are must-haves for your patio experience, Thomson’s Kitchen and Bar, located in the Hyatt, is a no-brainer. Worried about parking downtown? Don’t sweat it! Guests dining in at Thomsons are offered free self-parking at Hyatt’s underground parkade (subject to availability). Their Kids Menu comes with all the classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner (like pancakes, waffles, burgers and chicken fingers) while the grown up menu is full of mouthwatering options. Check their website for upcoming live performances.
PZA Parlour | pzaparlour.com
297 9737 Macleod Trail SW
Delicious pizza, pasta, appetizers, and one of the dreamiest patios in Calgary are what you’ll find on the menu at PZA Parlour, located just off of McLeod Trail and Southland Drive SW. They’ve even got a Kids Menu with items like pizza pops, kids pizza, pasta, and dessert. If you’re in the mood for Italian fare, this patio is one you won’t want to miss!
Photo via Faye Chow
4th Spot | 4thspot.com
2620 4th Street NW
Our family loves 4th Spot (and their sister restaurant near Mount Royal University – Spot On). 4th Spot is the perfect place for families, with a buzzing atmosphere (which makes it the perfect spot for families), and, best of all, incredible food that will keep you coming back time and time again. Their cozy little patio is the perfect spot to dig into a mouth-watering burger, ooey-gooey pizza, or one of the many other yummy dishes on the menu. They have daily specials every day of the week and one of the best Happy Hour menus around daily from 2-5.
Schanks Sports Grill | schanks.com
9627 Macleod Trail South
For the family who loves to add a bit of playtime to their meal, Schanks Sports Grill will definitely hit the spot. Families are welcome until 9pm from Sunday to Thursday and until 6pm Fridays and Saturdays. Their patio has pretty twinkling lights, plenty of heaters to keep you warm, and TVs to catch whatever game is on during your meal. Their giant menu will have something even the pickiest eater will love, and their arcade games, mini golf and pool tables are sure to be a hit with everyone!
Brewsters McKenzie Towne | brewsters.ca
11 McKenzie Towne Ave. SE
Brewster’s in McKenzie Towne boasts one of the best rooftop patios in Calgary. Minors are welcome any time you’d like to visit, and their menu includes classic pub fare as well as gluten aware and vegetarian items. Their kids menu includes items like Bacon Mac and Cheese, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Caesar Salad, Fish and Chips and more. If you’re looking for a great deal, visit during their daily Happy Hour, between 3 and 6 pm.
Palomino Smokehouse | thepalomino.ca
109 7 Avenue SW
The Palomino is a go-to for Calgarians craving some delicious smoked meats (cooked in western Canada’s largest smoker) and a country-western vibe. Guests under 18 are welcome to check out the courtyard patio until 8 pm from Sunday to Wednesday and until 4 pm from Thursday to Saturday.
Taiko Canteen | taikocanteen.com
5155 130 Avenue SE
Outside Taiko Canteen you’ll find picnic tables with umbrellas for shade, perfect for a low-key patio setting to enjoy Asian-inspired food that you’ll be dreaming of long after you leave (trust us when we say you’ve got to try their Bao Tacos!) Inside is where the fun is really at, though – they’ve got a 9-hole Lucky Putt mini golf course that your kids will be begging to try out! Minors are welcome until 9 pm daily.
Is one of your favourite patios in Calgary missing from this list? Are you planning to head out to visit one of our faves? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
