When it comes to popular Calgary neighbourhoods, East Village is wildly underrated. Nestled on the east side of the downtown core, this area is home to all sorts of gorgeous pathways, impressive architecture, and things to do. Whether you’re looking to try a trendy restaurant or just want to spend a rainy day not in your house, you’re sure to find just the thing. Here’s your guide to all the best places to eat, shop, and hang out in Calgary’s East Village.
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, East Village is a prime example of “quality over quantity.”
Who Cares Wear is a boutique curated with stylish clothing, shoes, and accessories, with extra services like personal shopping and styling available. A quick browse is all it will take for you to find your next closet-worthy purchase.
Prefer something secondhand? Wild Rabbit Vintage has a range of pre-loved Western, Canadiana, romantic prairie, and cottage-core styles. The store also hosts local vendors and has a workshop space that highlights local artists, teaching classes, and rotating coffee roasters. It doesn’t get more Calgarian than that.
Other recommendations:
Cafés
The only thing better than a morning coffee is a baked good to go along with it, and there are plenty of places in East Village to get your pastry fix.
The Phil & Sebastian head office, training lab, and roasterie are located in the Simmons Building, along with their standard cafe, so you know your cup of Joe is about as fresh as it gets. As for meals and baked goods, Sidewalk Citizen Bakery is just a few feet away and has some truly mouthwatering pastries.
And if you want to take your sweet tooth to-go, 8 Cakes Bake Shoppe has all sorts of goodies. We’re talking cupcakes, cake sandwiches, cakesicles, cookies, cream puffs, and of course, classic cakes.
Other recommendations:
Restaurants
You won’t be hungry after a day in East Village. In fact, the neighbourhood has some of the hottest dining places in Calgary.
Eight is an exclusive eight-seat restaurant serving a menu of Canadian cuisine, comprised daily. Not only are you sure to get an incredible meal, but you’re guaranteed to never have the exact same experience twice.
Back in the Simmons building, Charbar boasts a menu inspired by the culinary influences of Argentina through a blend of Spanish and Italian cuisine. But don’t let the wood-fired grill mislead you — along with delectable meats, half of Charbar’s menu is made up of vegetarian options.
And if you’re in the mood for something more casual, Connie & John’s Pizza is a favourite among locals. Take a pie to go, or enjoy your meal on the rooftop patio.
Other recommendations:
Drinks
Where there’s fine dining, there’s usually finer cocktails, and East Village is no exception.
The cocktail menu at Fortuna’s Row pairs perfectly with its Latin-influenced menu, or for a stand-alone evening bevvie. From fruity and floral to savoury and smoky, this curated menu has a little bit of everything. And if those options don’t quite cut it, Magpie has over 50 cocktails on its menu. Waiter, we’ll need another minute, please.
If you enjoy a show along with your drink, there’s no better place than the King Eddy. The iconic bar hosts all sorts of local musicians, and guests can enjoy a cocktail, a sleeve of draft, or a glass of wine with a meal as they take in the talent.
Other recommendations:
- Rated Ultra Lounge — A high-quality lounge dedicated to electronic music lovers
- Nupo — A Japanese-inspired cocktail menu
Activities
You can get a full day of exploration in at East Village thanks to its variety of cultural attractions and outdoor areas.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (formerly Fort Calgary) unravels the complex stories that have shaped the region through tours, workshops, shows, and other educational experiences. Meanwhile, Studio Bell preserves Canadian culture and identity through musical heritage. Visitors can check out exhibits, performances, and educational opportunities for all ages.
And if you haven’t already been to the Central Library, what are you waiting for? It’s an incredible architectural feat, and you can get hours of free fun just by having a library card. You can also check their website to see what sort of events are happening — you’d be surprised just how lively a library can be!
Other recommendations:
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