Before you go
★★★★☆ 4.8 · 312 Google reviews
Photos by Sophia Krystek · Bar Gigi · Brian Espiritu · Janet M via Google
Had a really good experience at Bar Gigi. What I especially appreciated was leaving the meal having learned something about some of the dishes, there was a lot of thought…Had a really good experience at Bar Gigi. What I especially appreciated was leaving the meal having learned something about some of the dishes, there was a lot of thought behind the food, and it made the experience more interesting than just going out for dinner. We tried the grilled bread, Hokkaido scallop, zucchini flowers, prawn toast, and cacio e pepe, while our friends had the rigatoni. We finished with the lemon posset and chocolate ganache. Overall, everything was very well executed. My personal standouts were the grilled bread, zucchini flowers, and especially the desserts. The bread was simple but so good, and the desserts were a fantastic way to finish the meal. The one dish that didn’t quite work for me was the cacio e pepe. I found the cheese and salt a little too overpowering, which made it difficult to appreciate the pasta itself. My friend complained about the over cooked Rigatoni pasta but they liked the taste. We were seated outside, and while the restaurant has heaters and blankets which definitely helped, it was also windy. More than the weather, though, I felt the outdoor seating just didn’t quite match the vibe of the restaurant. The interior has a much more intimate and polished feel, so next time I’d definitely prefer to sit indoors.
Bar Gigi is much more than a great meal—it is a small restaurant with a very distinct personality. We sat outside on a cool early-fall evening and tried several dishes.…Bar Gigi is much more than a great meal—it is a small restaurant with a very distinct personality. We sat outside on a cool early-fall evening and tried several dishes. The prawn toast was rich and buttery, brightened beautifully by yuzu. The Hokkaido scallop crudo was delicate and refreshing, while the charred cabbage—perhaps the humblest ingredient on the menu—was one of the most memorable dishes of the night. It perfectly reflects chef Sandro’s philosophy: “There are no boring ingredients, only boring chefs.” What makes Bar Gigi special is the story and spirit behind it. Sandro Chinea, Jaden Kanomata and Kayla Blomquist left established restaurants to create something of their own, transforming an old fish-and-chip shop into this intimate 20-seat neighbourhood gem. The atmosphere is lively, relaxed and unpretentious, while the cooking is confident and highly creative. It is small, crowded and a little noisy—and that is part of its charm. Bar Gigi feels less like a formal fine-dining restaurant and more like being invited to a very talented friend’s dinner party. One of the most interesting and memorable meals I’ve had in Calgary. Reservations are difficult to get, but absolutely worth the effort. （Update: Hi owner, feel free to share my review! Glad you liked it!）
booked a spot three weeks in advance since the reservations are almost booked up for the entire month of the availability. little intimate restaurant that transports you straight to a…booked a spot three weeks in advance since the reservations are almost booked up for the entire month of the availability. little intimate restaurant that transports you straight to a hidden restaurant in the back alleyway of montreal. started off with drinks, good but not extraordinary. then came the food with a little wait but good things take time to be prepared. food was perfectly spaced out with one dish coming after another. every single dish screamed quality, freshness and love behind it. great combination of textures and flavour in every dish that left us craving for more. still having a hard time getting mussels and prawn toast out of my mind. absolute gem that the city has!
Experience did not disappoint! Went for a Birthday dinner for a friend and was so excited to finally experience this place. It’s a neighborhood spot and I love the ambience.…Experience did not disappoint! Went for a Birthday dinner for a friend and was so excited to finally experience this place. It’s a neighborhood spot and I love the ambience. Tried most of the classic recommendations. The scallops, crispy carrots, charred cabbage, and prawn toast. All were delicious and I can’t wait to try the things I didn’t end up getting this first time around. We tried the denver steak as well and it was one of the tastiest and tender steaks I’ve had. 13/10 experience and excited to come back.
This boutique restaurant is something special. The atmosphere was chill and the music was awesome which made the dinner vibes great. The drinks tasted great and it was nice that…This boutique restaurant is something special. The atmosphere was chill and the music was awesome which made the dinner vibes great. The drinks tasted great and it was nice that they offered to make something that wasn’t on the drink menu. For dinner we had the Prawn Toast which was phenomenal. I could eat it everyday. The Scallops which were good, nothing wow about them. The Rigatoni was very delicious, I will definitely get this again. But the Chicken was very disappointing. It unfortunately lacked any seasoning or flavour, it was so bland. Even hot sauce couldn’t help it. It was very disappointing how underwhelming the chicken was since it had a price tag of $52. We did also order a bottle of wine, I just don’t remember which one. Apart from the chicken it was a wonderful experience and I will definitely be back. I just won’t order the chicken.
Reviews shown as returned by Google, sorted by relevance. Unedited.
YumYak's take
Twenty seats in Bridgeland and No. 65 on Canada’s 100 Best 2026.
Bar Gigi is No. 65 on Canada’s 100 Best 2026. The Bridgeland restaurant has 20 seats, and Canada’s 100 Best calls it one of Calgary’s toughest reservations, built on a tightly edited list of shareable plates.
- Order: Prawn toast and the charred cabbage skewers
- Best for: A small-group dinner booked well ahead
- Skip if: You want a walk-in table on short notice; there are only 20 seats
The background
Canada’s 100 Best singles out two starters that regulars order: buttery prawn toast and charred cabbage skewers with a hot mustard sesame sauce. Mains change with the seasons and run to fish, Alberta beef and pasta, with a short list of wines and cocktails.
What to order
- Prawn toast
- Charred cabbage skewers with hot mustard sesame sauce
- A seasonal main: fish, Alberta beef or pasta
Menus change, so treat these as examples, not promises.
Plan your visit
With 20 seats, plan ahead. Google lists dinner daily from 5 to 10 p.m.; check Bar Gigi’s Instagram for booking details.
FAQ
How hard is it to get a table at Bar Gigi?
Canada’s 100 Best calls it one of Calgary’s toughest reservations. The room has 20 seats.
When is Bar Gigi open?
The Google listing shows daily, 5 to 10 p.m.
Sources
Show 2 sourcesHide sources
Hours and prices were checked against these sources on Oct. 31, 2026. Hours may change, so call ahead to confirm.
- Canada’s 100 Best 2026: Bar Gigi (No. 65) (accessed Oct. 31, 2026)
- Google Maps listing (hours, phone) (accessed Oct. 31, 2026)
Related on YumYak
YumYak curates from public sources, press releases and community reviews. We haven’t visited these spots ourselves — always check the restaurant’s own channels for hours and prices.
