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Interior - charbar, Calgary, AB

charbar

4.6 (2356)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
618 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G1

Make a reservation

A photo of charbar restaurant

charbar

4.6
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 20 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Neighborhood gem
Located in East Village and housed in the historical Simmons Building along the Bow River, charbar is spearheaded by executive chef Jessica Pelland with the support of co-owners and Top Chef chefs Connie DeSousa and John Jackson. One of Canadas best restaurants partners with Sidewalk Citizen Bakery and Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters to create a collaborative and communal destination. Charbar restaurant features cuts of ultra-dry aged Alberta beef and an ocean wise seafood raw bar, that spills out onto the open air riverfront patios with views of the bow river. At its heart is a custom-made Argentine wood-fired grill honouring the art of asado and the culinary inspirations of Spain and Italy.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Argentinean, Steakhouse
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Catering
    Chefs John Jackson, Connie DeSousa and Jessica Pelland are ready to bring their shared culinary vision to a venue of your choice. Let us help create a truly memorable event that will have your guests talking for days. Our culinary team is devoted to creating a memorable dining experience and our professional service team is at your disposal. Our team will work with you every step of the way to create a personalized and stress-free event that your guests will never forget.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, charbar can accommodate all your special event needs. on-site and off-site custom catering, private washrooms, state of the art a/v, glass divider wall, wheelchair accessible, river views, rooftop patio.
  • Private party contact
    Event Sales Team: (403) 452-3115
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    Riverfront Ave SE
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Wine Wednesday!

    1 - 10 people

    Multiple dates available
    Wine Lovers Unite! Enjoy 50% off all bottles every Wednesday, all day long!

Private dining

Offers

  • Rosé-y and Bubbly Brunch

    1 - 10 people

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - 10:00 AM - 3:45 PM,Sat - 10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
    Do you recall your last Sunday Funday? Been awhile? Treat your friends to a rosé-y and bubbly brunch with half-price select bottles every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.

  • Wine Wednesday

    1 - 10 people

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Sip, Sip, Hooray! Half-price bottles of wine all day! Send out an invite, because there will be no remorse when you say, "This one's on me!".

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at charbar.

4.6

4.6
(2356)
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Charbar offers a memorable dining experience with "phenomenal food" and "friendly service." Known for its "exceptional steak" and vibrant atmosphere, it's a favorite spot for many. While service may fluctuate during busy times, the attentive staff and "amazing" cocktails make it a standout choice for special occasions.
2,356 Reviews
  1. Janice

    Calgary2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. We had the Beef Tenderloin, Calamari, and Shrimp - all three were delicious and the server was so helpful with helping us choose each selection.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Darcy

    Edmonton1 review

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious pizza. The crust was amazing, so buttery and pillow-y. Tallow fries will change your life.
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for the great review, Darcy! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the pizza, the beef tallow fries, and the overall experience. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Rocky and the team. It's wonderful to know the food, service, ambiance, and historic building all stood out during your visit. Also thank you for the extra note we are working to reduce the issue.

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  3. Kayla

    Calgary2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    I thought to give this place another try but unfortunately it disappointed again. It took 40 mins just to get a drink. This used to be my favourite restaurant but in the last few years the service has just gone downhill. Sad to say that I won’t be returning again.
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for giving us another try, Kayla. We're disappointed to hear that your visit fell short of expectations, particularly given your history with us. A 40-minute wait for drinks is certainly not the experience we aim to deliver, and we understand how that would impact your overall impression of the evening. We also recognize your comments about service over the past few years and will share that feedback with our team. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and for the support you've shown Charbar over the years.

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  4. cynthia Gold

    Calgary5 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was average. The server was all over the place and not attentive.
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for your feedback, Cynthia. We're sorry to hear your visit didn't leave a stronger impression. While we're glad you chose to dine with us, it's disappointing to hear the food felt average and that the service did not meet expectations. Attentive, consistent hospitality is something we take seriously, and we'll be sharing your comments with our team for review. If there was anything specific about the food or service that stood out during your visit, we'd appreciate any additional details you can provide. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We value the feedback and the opportunity to improve.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Nicholas

    Calgary6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 29, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Overall experience. First half of the meal the service was excellent, it dropped off quite a bit during the second half once the restaurant got busier - almost like they were understaffed. We rarely got attention from our server after that and had to hunt him down for our bill about 20 mins after our plates were cleared. I'm not sure which of the menu items required char/burning but the restaurant became incredibly smoky at one point, so much so that our eyes were watering. We all left with our clothes smelling strongly of whatever that entree/appetizer was that was being cooked.
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for the feedback, Nicholas. We're glad to hear Rocky took good care of you early in the evening. We're sorry, however, that service became less attentive as the restaurant got busier, particularly when it came time to settle your bill. That's not the level of hospitality we strive to provide. Regarding the smoke, our open-fire grill and tableside smoked beef tartare are signature parts of the charbar experience. That said, we apologize that the smoke impacted your comfort and detracted from your meal. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will share your comments with our service and culinary teams. Thank you for dining with us, and we hope to welcome you back for a more enjoyable visit.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Mike

    Calgary2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and ambiance as usual, I feel fortunate to have such a great place in Calgary that you can always trust to deliver!
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Thank you for the kind words, Mike! We're honored to be one of your trusted spots in Calgary and thrilled to hear we delivered another great experience. Comments about our food, ambiance, cocktails, and overall consistency mean a great deal to our team. Thank you for your continued support of charbar. We look forward to welcoming you back for many more memorable meals and celebrations in the future.

    Is this helpful?

  7. John

    Calgary1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 24, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We sat in a somewhat secluded table in the corner of the restaurant. We had a simple entre (the empanadas) which were some of the best empanadas I have ever eaten ! this was followed by the best steak (Filet Mignon) I have ever had in my life! The food was exceptional, and our server Mark was on his game that night. Just the right amount of attention and gave us honest and frank answers to items on the menu. They were sensitive to our food allergies. Great dinning experience.
    charbarResponded 3 days ago
    Hi John, Thank you for the wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that your experience was such a memorable one. It's especially rewarding to know you enjoyed the empanadas and filet mignon, and that our team was able to accommodate your food allergies with confidence and care. Providing exceptional food and warm, attentive service is what we strive for every day, and we're delighted Mark hit the mark during your visit. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back to Charbar again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Marlene

    Calgary1 review

    2.0

    Dined on October 23, 2026

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    I have been to university district and it was awesome. Expected better .
    charbarResponded on October 24, 2026
    Hi Marlene, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're happy to hear you've enjoyed visiting our University District location, and we're sorry this experience wasn't on the same level. Guest experience is important to us, and we'd love the opportunity to better understand where we fell short. I can see the scores were low across the board. Feel free to reply back through OpenTable or contact us though our website.

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  9. Mickey

    Calgary7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 16, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Business lunch, very comfortable ambience. Server was great; friendly and attentive but discreet. Food was great.
    charbarResponded on October 24, 2026
    Hi Mickey, Thank you for the wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed a comfortable business lunch with us. It's great to know the atmosphere was just right and that Chris provided friendly, attentive service while allowing you the space to enjoy your meeting. We're also thrilled you enjoyed the food. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Chris and the team. We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back soon!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Alex Gold

    Calgary1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service and food! More than enough portions, the steak was fantastic. We shared a 36 oz porterhouse and it was cooked perfect.
    charbarResponded on October 16, 2026
    Thank you, Alex! We’re so glad you had such a great experience. It’s wonderful to hear the 36 oz porterhouse was cooked perfectly and that Mark took such great care of you. We’ll be sure to pass along the kind words. We look forward to welcoming you back!

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Canadian, Argentinean, Steakhouse
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Catering
    Chefs John Jackson, Connie DeSousa and Jessica Pelland are ready to bring their shared culinary vision to a venue of your choice. Let us help create a truly memorable event that will have your guests talking for days. Our culinary team is devoted to creating a memorable dining experience and our professional service team is at your disposal. Our team will work with you every step of the way to create a personalized and stress-free event that your guests will never forget.
  • Private party facilities
    Whether celebrating a special occasion with family and friends or hosting a corporate outing, charbar can accommodate all your special event needs. on-site and off-site custom catering, private washrooms, state of the art a/v, glass divider wall, wheelchair accessible, river views, rooftop patio.
  • Private party contact
    Event Sales Team: (403) 452-3115
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    Riverfront Ave SE
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Weekend brunch at charbar is a popular pick, brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and guests praise the brunch breakfast tower and quality of the bacon and eggs.

Yes, guests celebrate anniversaries and special evenings at charbar, praising attentive service, thoughtful wine pairings, and multi-course prix-fixe dinners.

Business casual is the guide, aim for neat, put‑together clothing that’s polished but not formal, which fits well for dinners and the celebrations many guests bring (birthdays and anniversaries).

For a relaxed visit to charbar, aim for weekend brunch or a mid‑afternoon patio seat, guests describe the patio as peaceful mid‑afternoon and brunch as a quieter kitchen moment; busy special nights like Valentine’s tend to be very crowded.

Yes, charbar welcomes private parties and events; guests have used the rooftop for ceremonies and held receptions in named spaces such as the North Room, with the events team coordinating details.

Charbar feels lively and convivial, set in the historic Simmons Building with exposed brick and wood, an open layout, riverfront patios and a rooftop; the main dining room can be buzzy during events, while the patio and rooftop offer more open, relaxed spots.

Yes, guests report charbar is easy to navigate in a wheelchair and staff arranged a suitable table to accommodate mobility needs.

Guests commonly describe portions as just right, many say they leave full but not stuffed, and shareable items like the charred Napa cabbage salad are noted as big enough to split.

Yes, charbar has riverfront open‑air patios and a rooftop patio, both mentioned by the restaurant and enjoyed by guests for drinks and dining with Bow River views.

Yes, charbar welcomes families: guests have celebrated with their children and said every family member felt taken care of, and third‑party reviews describe it as family friendly with a lovely patio.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Calgary / Southern Alberta
  4. Calgary
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

A photo of charbar restaurant

charbar

4.6
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 20 times today
Experiences are available.
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