Best Restaurants Downtown Calgary: Why Toscana on 10th Ave Is a Must-Visit
If you’re scrolling through options for restaurants downtown Calgary has to offer, and trying to figure out where is actually worth your evening, we get it— the list is long, and not every spot on it lives up to the reviews. Toscana Italian Grill has been serving the downtown crowd since 2011 from our original location on 10th Avenue SW, and it’s still the spot a lot of Calgarians go back to when they want a proper Italian meal without the fuss.
This isn't a chain trying to check a box on a map. Toscana was built by Hektor Askushaj around a simple idea — real Italian cooking, a wine list that means something, and service that treats every table like a regular one. Whether you're planning a business lunch, a first date, or just a Tuesday night out, here's why we keep showing up on the shortlist.
A Downtown Address With a Real Story Behind It
Our 10th Avenue SW location isn't a satellite outpost of a bigger brand — it's where Toscana started. The building itself has character, tucked into a stretch of the city that's become one of Calgary's more interesting inner-city dining corridors. Close enough to walk from the core, far enough to feel like an actual neighbourhood rather than a food court.
As the restaurant grew, we opened two more locations — Heritage Plaza and Mahogany Plaza — but 10th Avenue is still the one most associated with our downtown regulars, the after-work crowd, and anyone looking for a sit-down Italian dinner that doesn't require a drive to the suburbs.
Restaurants Downtown Calgary Regulars Keep Coming Back To
There’s a difference between a restaurant that is downtown and a restaurant that actually feels built for the people living and working there. We are in the second category. Our menu, hours and atmosphere are built around what downtown diners want — a place you can walk to on a weeknight and sit for as long as you want and trust to deliver the same quality every single time. A lot of that comes down to consistency in the kitchen. Our pasta is made the way it should be, our wood-fired pizzas come out of the oven properly charred and our wine list is curated by people who actually care about pairing, not just stocking recognizable labels. It is the kind of detail that makes a one-time visit into a weekly habit.
If you’re scrolling through options for restaurants downtown Calgary has to offer, and trying to figure out where is actually worth your evening, we get it— the list is long, and not every spot on it lives up to the reviews. Toscana Italian Grill has been serving the downtown crowd since 2011 from our original location on 10th Avenue SW, and it’s still the spot a lot of Calgarians go back to when they want a proper Italian meal without the fuss.
This isn't a chain trying to check a box on a map. Toscana was built by Hektor Askushaj around a simple idea — real Italian cooking, a wine list that means something, and service that treats every table like a regular one. Whether you're planning a business lunch, a first date, or just a Tuesday night out, here's why we keep showing up on the shortlist.
A Downtown Address With a Real Story Behind It
Our 10th Avenue SW location isn't a satellite outpost of a bigger brand — it's where Toscana started. The building itself has character, tucked into a stretch of the city that's become one of Calgary's more interesting inner-city dining corridors. Close enough to walk from the core, far enough to feel like an actual neighbourhood rather than a food court.
As the restaurant grew, we opened two more locations — Heritage Plaza and Mahogany Plaza — but 10th Avenue is still the one most associated with our downtown regulars, the after-work crowd, and anyone looking for a sit-down Italian dinner that doesn't require a drive to the suburbs.
Restaurants Downtown Calgary Regulars Keep Coming Back To
There’s a difference between a restaurant that is downtown and a restaurant that actually feels built for the people living and working there. We are in the second category. Our menu, hours and atmosphere are built around what downtown diners want — a place you can walk to on a weeknight and sit for as long as you want and trust to deliver the same quality every single time. A lot of that comes down to consistency in the kitchen. Our pasta is made the way it should be, our wood-fired pizzas come out of the oven properly charred and our wine list is curated by people who actually care about pairing, not just stocking recognizable labels. It is the kind of detail that makes a one-time visit into a weekly habit.
What You'll Find on the Menu
Our menu leans into classic Italian cooking without feeling stuck in the past. Expect wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, fresh seafood, and a wine program built to match whatever you're ordering.
Wood-fired pizzas — thin, blistered crust, classic and specialty toppings.
Handmade pasta — from a simple aglio e olio to richer, slow-cooked sauces.
Fresh seafood — rotating dishes built around what's in season.
A curated wine list — Italian-forward, with staff who can actually walk you through it.
Shareable appetizers — great for a table that wants to order a few things and share.
Nothing on the menu is there just to fill space. Every dish reflects the same standard, whether you're ordering a $16 appetizer or the evening's seafood special.
Why Toscana Ranks Among Downtown Calgary's Top Dining Choices
Rankings and lists come and go, but the reason we keep showing up on them isn't a mystery — it's the combination of food, service, and atmosphere all being handled with the same level of care. A lot of restaurants nail one of those three. Fewer manage all three at once, night after night.
The guests say the same thing when they talk about us: a warm welcome, food that tastes like it was actually made for them and a wine recommendation that turns out to be exactly right. That combination is something many people consider Toscana one of the best restaurants downtown Calgary has, especially if you want a full meal instead of a quick bite.
The Atmosphere Matters as Much as the Food
Toscana isn’t trying to be the loudest room downtown. The lighting is warm, the tables aren’t crammed together, and conversation is actually possible— more than people realize when you’re deciding where to take a client, on a date, or with your parents visiting from out of town. It’s this mix of food, service, and atmosphere, all handled with the same care, that keeps Toscana on the list when people talk about the top restaurants downtown Calgary has, rather than just another name on a directory page.
What Toscana Is Perfect For
A business lunch or dinner where you actually want to impress the table.
A date night that feels a step above the usual downtown options.
Out-of-town guests who want a real taste of Calgary's dining scene.
A group dinner where everyone can order something different and still be happy.
Anyone craving proper Italian food without booking a flight to Rome.
A Few Tips Before You Visit
Reserve ahead for weekend evenings — our downtown location fills up fast.
Ask about the day's seafood special; it changes based on what's fresh.
Let your server know if you're celebrating something — we're happy to help make it a bit more special.
Combine a dinner visit with happy hour if you're coming straight from work — our window runs 2 to 6PM daily.
Comparing a few different downtown Calgary dining spots before you commit is normal, but if you're looking for somewhere that consistently delivers, it's worth starting with a reservation at Toscana rather than ending up there after a few disappointing tries elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What kind of food does Toscana serve?
We serve classic Italian food— wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, fresh seafood and a wine list that matches the menu. Not too trendy, just food made the way it’s supposed to be made.
Q. Where is Toscana's downtown location?
Our original location is on 10th Avenue SW, just minutes from the downtown core. It’s the place most closely tied to our reputation among restaurants downtown Calgary diners search for.
Q. Is Toscana good for a business dinner?
Yes. It’s easy to talk and to listen to what is being said in a warm, friendly way that is very much like a client's dinner and work lunch.
Q. Do I need a reservation?
Walk-ins are always welcome but we recommend reserving for weekend nights in advance, because our downtown location tends to book up quickly.
Q. Is Toscana a top pick for downtown dining in Calgary?
It’s a title our guests have given us more than anything else— through repeat visits and word of mouth. Between the food, the wine program and the service, we’re consistently listed as one of the best restaurants downtown Calgary has, especially for guests who are looking for a great sit-down Italian meal.
Q. Where should I go if I want Italian food specifically near downtown?
If Italian food is what you want, Toscana is built to do that. Between wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and curated wine list, we’re one of the more complete places to eat downtown Calgary for anyone who wants an authentic, sit-down Italian experience. It’s also a good choice if you’re comparing downtown Calgary dining spots particularly for Italian cuisine.
Come See for Yourself
There’s no shortage of restaurants that downtown Calgary diners can choose from, but not many of them have been doing it for as long as Toscana. Since 2011, we’ve built our reputation from the table up— food that is made properly, wine that is made with respect and service that treats everyone like they’re important. If you haven’t been in yet or it’s been a while, this is the time to change that. Come see why our 10th Avenue location has become such a fixture in Calgary’s downtown dining scene.
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Tuesday -Saturday: 11am-10pm • Sunday 11am-9pm
© Toscana Italian Grill | 2020 All rights reserved. • Tel: 403 255 1212 • 1B 8330 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB