Savour a sunny outdoor patio brunch in Calgary

Calgarians love brunch. And, given our long Prairie winters, we also pop our corks for restaurant patios from spring thaw to fall freeze-up. Put the two together and controlled culinary chaos ensues. These restaurants offer that rare and sought-after combo of pleasant outdoor seating and great brunch munching.

Savour a sunny outdoor patio brunch in Calgary
Ian Doig By

National

1
180 Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8

A hugely popular local beer hall and restaurant chain, National serves independent ales and a now-and-wow pub menu. National Westhills serves brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm as well as select all-day breakfast items. When weather permits, you’ll want to chow down on its sunny, family-friendly patio. Tater tots anchor the rich breakfast poutine, which is dressed with bacon, eggs, cheese curd and mornay sauce. Brunch entrees include breakfast tacos, French toast and eggs Benedict. As well, its duck, lobster and pork-belly skillets feature a luxurious combo of hash and eggs.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Earls

2
3030 23 Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8R7

The Earls location at Barlow Trail and 32 Avenue Northeast features a generous patio roughly the size of its indoor seating are. Brunch is served Saturday, Sunday and holidays between 11 am and 2 pm. Eggy mains include the croque madame, which consists of a poached egg with white cheddar, Virginia ham and Serrano cream on grilled sourdough. Also try the sourdough French toast prepared with Chantilly cream, seasonal fruit and maple syrup.

La Chaumière Restaurant

3
139 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0A1

The lunch menu at the fabulously French La Chaumière is served from 11:45 am to 2:30 pm and on it you’ll find a gorgeous array of brunch-appropriate dishes. Relax on its side-yard patio and open with hors d’oeuvres such as smoked salmon or seafood croquettes. Soups include lovely lobster bisque, and the salad selection begins with Hotchkiss organic tomatoes with basil and olive oil. For your entree, it’s got to be a soft omelet with truffles.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Ship & Anchor Pub

4
534 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1

One of the inner city’s best-loved Brit pubs and indie-music venues, the Ship & Anchor Pub boasts a south-facing, two-part patio just off the busiest corner of 17th Avenue Southwest. Sit in the sun for weekend brunch from 10 am to 2 pm on weekends (11 am to 2 pm on holidays). Bestselling dishes include huevos rancheros and the ploughman’s lunch, a buffet on a plate served with baguette, boiled egg, various cheeses and salad. Fish and chips as well as the Ship Burger are also perennial favourites.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Dairy Lane Cafe

5
319 19 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2J2

Facing quiet 19th Street Northwest, Dairy Lane Café features a petite street-side seating area and a combo breakfast-lunch menu served between 7 am and 4 pm daily. Local ingredients are emphasized. The breakfast side of this extended brunch includes western diner-classic plates, omelets and one hearty breakfast sandwich as well as breakfast burritos and tostadas. If you’re leaning to the lunch side of brunch, go for substantial beef, chorizo, turkey or veggie burgers. The chicken club and Sylvan Star grilled cheese are also top sellers.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
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Ian Doig’s week may include dim sum lunch with friends, rummaging through indie bookstore shelves as well as scribbling in his notepad at Calgary shops and farmers’ markets. It most often concludes with a relaxing Friday evening pint of locally brewed craft beer.
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