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. 

Best East Village Restaurants

Choose from many local favourite restaurants including fine dining, hip cafes, and edgy local eats.

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

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.

Other must-try restaurants

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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.

Where to stay in the East Village

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.

Things to Do in East Village

East Village is jam packed with great destinations and activities such as:

• Central Library - Opening in 2018, the Central Library was named as one of the ‘Top 52 Places to Visit’ in 2019 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 revitalised during the construction of Studio Bell and continues to serve as a cornerstone of Calgary’s live music scene.
• The Bounce Games Park - Nestled between the Central Library and Studio Bell and is a popular drop-in park featuring a full-sized basketball court, ping-pong tables, hopscotch, four-square, and an impressive art mural.
• Calgary’s RiverWalk - Stretching along 4km of the Bow River, RiverWalk is a dedicated pathway system for bikes and pedestrians. Much of the path borders East Village and offers a relaxing way to take in the Calgary skyline, the Bow River, and surrounding parks such as St. Patrick’s Island. 
• Bow Cycle E-bikes + Rentals - For those looking to move a bit faster try biking the RiverWalk pathway with rentals from Bow Cycle located right along the pathway.
• Fort Calgary - Learn about diverse cultures, the lands at Fort Calgary, stories from early-days Calgary, colonialism, and truth and reconciliation at this local museum.
• Fort Calgary cross country skiing - In the winter, the green space next to the historical Fort Calgary is turned into a free 1 km x-country ski loop open to the public.