Eating out with kids in Calgary: family-friendly places and tips

Calgary is a family city, with plenty of restaurants used to high chairs, kids' menus and spilled juice. The key to eating out with children here is the same as anywhere, choosing the right kind of place at the right time, plus one Calgary twist: planning around the weather, from minus 30 in January to sudden summer storms.

What kinds of Calgary restaurants are good for kids?

• Dim sum restaurants in Chinatown and around the city, where food arrives fast in small portions.
• Pho and Vietnamese restaurants, where a bowl of noodle soup suits most ages.
• Pizza, burger and family restaurants, the reliable standbys.
• Food courts and indoor markets, where everyone can pick something different.
• Japanese restaurants, where rolls, udon and teriyaki are easy wins.
• Brewery tasting rooms that welcome families at certain times, often with food trucks and space to move.

When is the best time to eat out with kids in Calgary?

Early. A 5 p.m. dinner means a quieter room, faster service and a calmer child. Weekend brunch can be hard with small children if it means a long wait outside, so arrive before the rush or choose a place that takes bookings. Lunch is often easier than dinner.

Where can families eat indoors in a Calgary winter?

Place	Why it works
Indoor farmers markets	Warm, lively, lots of snacks and treats
Shopping centre food courts	Variety, space and washrooms
Chinatown dim sum	Warm, noisy and fast
Family restaurants	Kids' menus, crayons and high chairs
The Plus 15 downtown	Food courts connected without going outside, on weekdays

Where can families eat outside in summer?

• Prince's Island Park, for a picnic by the river.
• Farmers markets, with outdoor sections in summer.
• Marda Loop and Kensington, with bakeries and ice cream shops.
• Fish Creek Provincial Park and other big parks, for picnics.
• Festivals such as Marda Gras and Taste of Calgary.

Can kids go into restaurants that serve alcohol in Alberta?

Generally, yes, in licensed restaurants where food is the main business. Bars, lounges and some tasting rooms may be adults-only, depending on their licence. Look for signs, or call ahead. The legal drinking age in Alberta is 18.

How do you eat out with a toddler in Calgary?

1. Book or arrive early, so you are not waiting with a hungry toddler.
2. Ask for a high chair when you book or arrive.
3. Order the kids' food first, or ask for something simple to come out right away.
4. Bring something to do: crayons, a small toy or a book.
5. Choose a table near the edge, not in a walkway.
6. Tip generously if the table needs a big clean-up.

What about food allergies when eating out with kids?

Tell the server about any allergy clearly at the start of the meal. Canada's priority allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans and shellfish, soy, wheat and mustard, among others, and staff should take allergy questions seriously. Kids' menus often include fried foods cooked in shared fryers, so ask how things are prepared.

Are kids' menus common in Calgary?

Yes, at many casual and family restaurants, usually with simple dishes in smaller portions. At sharing-style restaurants such as dim sum or Chinese family restaurants, you can simply order a few extra simple dishes for the table.

What are good family outings with food in Calgary?

A few classics combine a meal with something to do. A morning at an indoor farmers market, with breakfast from the stalls, works in any season. In summer, a picnic at Prince's Island Park or in Fish Creek Provincial Park lets kids run while adults eat. Dim sum in Chinatown followed by a walk along the river is a good weekend lunch. During the Stampede, the family areas on the grounds have plenty of kid-friendly food, though lines can be long, so eat before the busiest hours.

How much does eating out with kids cost?

Food courts, pho and casual restaurants are the most affordable. Alberta adds only the 5 percent GST to the bill. Tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service.

What should families know about Stampede food?

The Calgary Stampede is a big family outing, and the food is part of the fun, but it can add up quickly. A few tips:

• Start with a pancake breakfast. Many are free or low-cost, held across the city by businesses and community groups, and they are a great Stampede tradition for kids.
• Set a snack budget before you go through the gates, because the midway's novelty foods are tempting and pricey.
• Bring water bottles and refill them where you can.
• Eat outside peak times, before noon or mid-afternoon, to avoid the longest lines.
• Check allergens, since busy food stands may not be able to guarantee anything.

How do you find family-friendly restaurants?

Other parents are the best source. On Mosey you can see where people actually ate, follow friends with kids, and keep a list of places that worked for your family, with notes on high chairs, space for a stroller and the dish your child actually finished.

More guides to read next:

• A food day trip from Calgary to Canmore and Banff
• Farmers markets in Calgary: where they are and what to eat there
• Restaurant lists, food trails and rewards: getting more from eating out in Calgary

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