Bridgeland food guide: where to eat on 1st Avenue NE in Calgary

Bridgeland sits on the north bank of the Bow River, just across from downtown and the East Village. It is one of Calgary's older neighbourhoods, and for much of the twentieth century it was home to a large Italian community, so much so that locals called its main street, 1st Avenue NE, Little Italy. Some of that history survives in its restaurants and delis, and the street has added a new generation of cafés, brunch spots and small restaurants.

Where is Bridgeland in Calgary?

Bridgeland is north of the Bow River, east of Edmonton Trail and Centre Street, close to the East Village and the Calgary Zoo. Its commercial heart is 1st Avenue NE. The Bridgeland/Memorial CTrain station, on the Blue Line, is a short walk away, and you can walk from the East Village across the river.

Why is Bridgeland called Little Italy?

Bridgeland was first settled in the late 1800s by German-speaking immigrants from Russia, and by the middle of the twentieth century it had a large Italian population. Italian bakeries, grocers and restaurants clustered along 1st Avenue NE, and the street became known as Little Italy. Many of those businesses have since closed or moved, but the name is still used affectionately, and a few long-running Italian restaurants keep the tradition alive.

What should you eat in Bridgeland?

What	Where to look
Italian food	A few long-running family restaurants and pizza spots on 1st Avenue NE
Brunch	Neighbourhood cafés busy on weekend mornings
Coffee and baking	Independent cafés and bakeries
Casual dinner	Small restaurants with a mix of cuisines
A drink with a view	Places near the river and the bluff

Is Bridgeland good for brunch?

Yes. Bridgeland has become a popular brunch neighbourhood for people who want something a little calmer than Kensington or 17th Avenue. Weekend mornings are busy, so arrive early or expect a short wait. Afterwards, walk down to the river or up to the Bridgeland bluff for views of downtown.

What can you do in Bridgeland besides eat?

• Tom Campbell's Hill and the bluff, for some of the best skyline views in the city.
• The Bow River pathway and St. Patrick's Island, a short walk across the river.
• The Calgary Zoo, at the eastern edge of the neighbourhood.
• The East Village, across the bridge, with the Central Library and the National Music Centre.

Is Bridgeland a good place for dinner?

It is a good choice for a relaxed neighbourhood dinner, especially Italian. Restaurants here are often smaller and quieter than downtown, which suits a date or a dinner with friends. Book ahead on weekends at the most popular places.

Where can you buy Italian groceries near Bridgeland?

The neighbourhood's Italian grocers and delis have thinned out over the decades, but the tradition has not vanished, and a few places in and around 1st Avenue NE still sell Italian staples, cured meats or fresh bread. For a wider choice of imported Italian products, Calgarians also visit specialty grocers elsewhere in the city. If you are planning a picnic by the river, pick up bread, cheese and something sweet before you walk down to the pathway.

How much does eating in Bridgeland cost?

Bridgeland is mostly mid-range: cafés and casual spots are affordable, and a sit-down Italian dinner is moderate. In Alberta, only the 5 percent GST is added to restaurant bills, because there is no provincial sales tax. Tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service.

How do you combine Bridgeland with the East Village?

The two neighbourhoods face each other across the Bow, connected by pathways and bridges. A good half day is: coffee in Bridgeland, a walk across to St. Patrick's Island and the East Village, a visit to the Central Library or the river walk, then back to 1st Avenue NE for dinner. The East Village also has its own restaurants and cafés if you want to split the day.

How do you pair Bridgeland with a zoo visit?

The Calgary Zoo sits at Bridgeland's eastern edge, which makes the neighbourhood a natural place to eat before or after a visit. Food inside a zoo is usually basic and busy, so many families do better eating in Bridgeland instead.

A simple plan with kids:

1. Brunch or an early lunch on 1st Avenue NE, before the zoo gets busy.
2. Walk or take the CTrain one stop to the zoo, which has its own Blue Line station.
3. Finish with a treat, such as gelato or a bakery stop, back in the neighbourhood.

Pack snacks and water for the zoo itself, and check its current hours and ticket options before you go.

What is the best time to visit Bridgeland?

Weekend mornings for brunch and a walk; weekday evenings for a quiet dinner. In summer, the river pathways are busy and the views from the bluff are at their best around sunset. In winter, the cafés are a warm stop on a cold walk.

On Mosey you can rate the places you ate at in Bridgeland and the dishes you ordered, with photos, and keep a list of neighbourhood spots to return to. Following friends lets you see where people who live nearby actually eat.

More guides to read next:

• A food day trip from Calgary to Canmore and Banff
• Business lunch in Calgary: where to take a client downtown
• Cheap eats in Calgary: how to eat well without spending much

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.