Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Downtown

This little gem of a local, authentic Italian restaurant is a must visit. The food is amazing, as is the service. Great value and charming ambiance. Will definitely go back.

Great waiter ans service staff .. knew when to service out table and when to hold back with the discussions going on etc .. cleaned plates and glasses away efficiently between courses with smiles and humour !! Food was very good and good variety served hot ! Thank you for the great evening !!

Always a must stop when I am in Calgary. Great food. Great people. Thank you.

Perfect spot for lunch as a nice atmosphere, casual, prompt service, perfectly cooked pasta and more very enjoyable!

Last Sunday, my friend and I finally tried Teatro, a restaurant I’ve walked and driven past for years. Neither of us had been before, but we love good food, and my friend, who’s training to be a sommelier, was especially excited about their extensive wine list. It seemed like the perfect spot to explore together. From the moment I arrived, the experience was exceptional. The staff was incredibly friendly—they took my coat and led me to our table. One standout detail? They noticed I had a purse and brought over a tiny purse table. Genius! Every restaurant should have these. Since it was Sunday, we took advantage of their special no-corkage fee and brought our own bottle of wine, which made the night even more enjoyable. We decided to order a variety of dishes to share. To start, we had the Seared Scallops and the Zucchini Salad. The scallops were perfectly cooked, served with avocado mousse, pomelo, and a touch of ginger chili. The combination of pomelo and fennel added a bright, refreshing contrast. The zucchini salad was another standout—zucchini ribbons on a ricotta base, with toasted pine nuts and charred lemon vinaigrette. The mandarin orange segments gave it a zesty twist. Next, we shared the Feature Pasta, a cacio e pepe topped with fresh black truffle. It was absolutely divine—rich, creamy, and perfectly cooked. For our main, we went with the Dry-Aged Ribeye. The steak was tender and flavorful, served on creamy polenta with sherry mushrooms and bordelaise. Each element was delicious on its own, but together, it was the perfect bite. For dessert, I had the Chocolate Pot de Crème, a rich and flavorful dish with spiced nut brittle, rosemary meringue, and passionfruit sorbet. My friend chose the Feature Dessert, a poached pear panna cotta, which they loved for its light and silky texture. Overall, Teatro was an incredible experience—amazing food, excellent service, and a warm, welcoming ambiance. Highly recommend! We will be back.