Located in the northeast of Calgary, Bridgeland is a charming community known for its ample green space, pedestrian-friendly streets, and local businesses. It’s a neighbourhood rife with urban convenience, without the hustle and bustle of downtown, and visitors and residents alike can spend hours wandering the streets and nearby amenities.
From unique shops to delicious eats, we have your complete guide to all things Bridgeland.
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, Bridgeland boasts a diverse range of unique, high-quality businesses that cater to specific niches.
Bridgeland Market has a little bit of everything, including fresh flowers, artisanal cheeses, specialty coffee, and custom gift baskets. Whether you’re hosting a get-together or want to surprise a special someone, this is definitely your one-stop shop.
If you want a wardrobe refresh, all things gq is the stylish and sustainable way to go. The secondhand clothing and styling studio focuses on fashion that never goes out of style, and all inventory is hand-selected by owner and fashionista extraordinare Grace Quinn.
And if you’re looking for a gift for a young one, or are just young at heart, Cherry Tree Lane Toys has all sorts of toys, dolls, games, and books for kids of all ages. The store is both a blast from the past and an example of what can still be — when we get the kids to put down the iPad from time to time.
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Coffee
Much like its shopping, Bridgeland’s coffee scene is varied and unique, with a perfect pick for every preference.
Lukes Drugmart may sound like a run-of-the-mill drugstore, but it’s actually so much more. Along with shopping records, home goods, and other grocery items from local businesses, you can also enjoy rotating soft-serve ice cream flavours and a full cafe menu.
Do you like coffee and also biking? So do the good folks at Bike and Brew, a full-service bike shop and cafe. Shop bikes, clothes, and accessories while sipping on a latte or getting your bicycle serviced.
And for a standard no-bells-and-whistles cafe experience, Bono Coffee Roasters is the way to go. The family-owned business serves exceptional Ethiopian blends in celebration of coffee, culture, and community.
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Restaurants
What are you in the mood for? For breakfast through dinner, a tasty meal is only steps away when you’re in Bridgeland.
Blue Star Diner is locally sourced with love, serving a combination of classic diner fare and creative cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also plenty of vegan options available, so no need to compromise amongst your herbivorous friends.
Craving a carb? LaBrezza Ristorante is a quaint, family-run restaurant that serves up an impressive menu of classic Italian fare. A community staple since 1987, you know it’s worth a reservation.
And if you’re wondering what that lineup over there is, chances are it’s made up of hopeful diners for Shiki Menya. The high-demand ramen restaurant specializes in Tonkotsu ramen using 20-hour pork bone broth and house-made noodles. The first-come, first-served dine-in only restaurant is open until 3 p.m. — or until they run out of broth.
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Drinks
Where there’s good food, there’s usually good drinks, and the restaurants and bars in Bridgeland prove to be no exception.
Get bubbly at Moonlight & Eli, a chic champagne and fondue bar that’s the closest you’ll come to a trip to France without actually booking a plane ticket. The local business has had a difficult year, with intense road construction followed by a fraudster draining their bank accounts, so you can feel good about ordering a second glass.
If a casual vibe is more your cup of tea (or whisky), Bridgeland Distillery combines rustic ambience with an impressive drink menu, with creative cocktails crafted from spirits created in-house.
And newer to the neighbourhood is Small Bar, an every-person establishment with a mindfully crafted menu meant to be approachable and enjoyable. It’s back to the basics here!
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Activities
Bridgeland is just a hop, skip, and jump away from both the Calgary Zoo and the Telus Spark Science Centre. Both feature plenty of extra experiences and adults-only events on top of their regular family-friendly fun, so there’s always something new to be discovered!
You can also always count on a lovely walk, with the Bow River Pathway being right there. Bonus points if you stop for a cone at Village Ice Cream first.
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