Inglewood is one of Calgary‘s hippest neighbourhoods. It has a reputation for being an artsy, bohemian, and quirky place to live and visit. From its eclectic shops and homey restaurants to its community spaces, this neighbourhood has it all!
Spend a day in Inglewood, and you will experience an eclectic mix of vintage clothing stores, modern eateries, family-owned cafés, independent boutiques, natural health stores, and more! This tour will show you the best parts of Inglewood and why you should spend your next day there!
History
Inglewood has the distinction of being Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood. It was established in 1875 after nearby Fort Calgary was built. When the area was built, Inglewood had the very first “main street” in the city! Over the years, the central part of downtown moved westward, but still, much of the historic nature of the area remains. Since the area also borders the Elbow and the Bow rivers, it is home to several nature preserves. This makes it such a wonderful place to visit as you can get a taste of the urban city and the peaceful natural environment all in one place.
Where to Eat
Rosso Coffee Roasters
Inglewood doesn’t rise early, but if you find yourself in the area looking for your morning cup of coffee, you should head over to Rosso Coffee Roasters. Rosso is extra special since they source and roast their own beans and have even won awards for their top-notch brews! If you’re looking for something to bring home with you, their roasted beans are a great treat to enjoy long after your trip is over.
Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar
Gravity Espresso is one of those coffee shops that feels like a staple of the community. Their little artist gallery inside featuring new local talent is such a beautiful way to learn about the artisans who make their living in Inglewood. Sitting in this comfy shop you’ll get to watch locals meet up, chat with their favourite baristas and smile at strangers as their morning begins with a great cup of coffee. And the coffees are really that good!
Red’s Diner Ramsay
As fun as trendy and hip brunch places are, nothing really hits the spot better than a traditional greasy spoon-type diner. And Red’s Diner is the best of the best. Red’s Diner serves incredible all-day breakfasts inside a friendly and comfortable interior. They have all the classics and a specialty Prairie Breakfast Plate, which adds potato cheddar perogies and Rocky’s kielbasa to a traditional breakfast platter. Their Blueberry, Basil & Goat Cheese Stuffed French Toast was INCREDIBLE! Portions are enormous, so don’t hesitate to share.
Madison’s 12|12
Madison’s 12|12 is known for its community-focused and community-funded approach to owning a restaurant. They have created a beautiful space for people to gather, create, enjoy, share, and become inspired. Their menu is a ridiculous mix…And I mean that in a good way! They have their iconic poke bowls, a large selection of vegan options and their most popular item: craft nachos! There are over 10 different bonkers varieties of nachos: macaroni & cheese nachos, wilted kale & roasted yam nachos, loaded perogies jack nachos, and the Reuben nacho. But the nacho selection doesn’t end there! They even have dessert nachos. You can try their apple pie nachos, cinnamon sugar tortilla chips or the Inglewood dream cake with cinnamon sugar tortilla chips and creamed almonds.
The Blue Store
The Blue Store is where you need to come to find your essential groceries plus some truly extraordinary delights! If you’re looking for Korean Fried Chicken, this is the place for you! Grab some to-do along with a tray of Yakuza Sushi and a large iced slushie! Their aim in creating this general store was to bring affordable groceries to everyone in the community and embrace the nostalgia of this heritage building. They have restored the original hardwood floors and tin ceilings and added a 60’s & 70’s inspired mural outside. This is the perfect place to grab a handful of snacks and ready-to-eat meals and head over to the edge of the Bow River to enjoy your meal with the best view in town!
Inglewood Drive-In
If it’s time to get something to eat for lunch, head on over to the Inglewood Drive-In. This retro Diner is one of those classic spots you just can’t miss. Don’t let the dated exterior fool you; this place is an iconic Calgary destination. Everything from their mouth-watering handmade burgers, thick milkshakes, crispy onion rings, and perfectly seasoned french fries will make you coming back for more. They even serve up a Dole Whip ice cream! One of the only places you can get this pineapple treat outside of Disneyland. But the old-school foods aren’t without a few modern twists. They have new additions like the curry veggie burger and the spicy kimchi burger.
Deane House
One of the best ways to end off your day is with dinner at Deane House. Deane House was initially built in 1906 for Captain Richard Deane, who worked at Fort Calgary. Eventually, the house was moved the where you find it today. It was moved in 1929 to an area with a better view of the Elbow River. Over the years, the house was used as a boarding home and then purchased by the city to be used as a gallery.
Today, it’s home to one of the best restaurants in the city. In the summertime, you can dine outside in their immersive garden, rain or shine. Although they have a complete a-la-carte menu, the best option is their delightful 5-course chef’s tasting menu. The chef curates this selection weekly to suit the flavours and fresh produce of the month. The 5-course menu is $90 per person, which is truly a great price for the quality of food you receive. It’s such a fantastic way to cap off your evening.
Where to Drink
Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co.
To end the night, take a walk over to the Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co. Ol’Beautiful Brewing Co. is located in this little hidden away corner of Inglewood, where you’ll want to while the night away. I’m not going to lie; the design of the beer cans drew me in right away but it was the amazing atmosphere that made me want to stay. The time-worn and well-loved interior designs of their taproom feels like it belongs in the hippest streets of Los Angeles or New York City. Inside this chic and vintage-adorned interior, you can sit and enjoy any of their amazing craft brews. Best of all surrounded by their friendly staff and incredible regulars. They are more than happy to help you find your perfect brew! If the weather is nice, their outdoor patio is a lively and fun place to enjoy your drinks.
Cold Garden Beverage Company
Revival Brewcade
If you’re a night owl and aren’t yet ready for your night to end, head back up to 9th avenue to Revival Brewcade. While the bar is stocked with incredible drinks, the best thing about this place is the retro pinball and arcade machines that line the walls. One of my biggest pet peeves about so-called “retro arcade bars” is how expensive the games can be. But here at Revival Brewcade, you can buy a $5 all you can play pinball card!! This will keep you there all night trying to get the top score!
Where to Shop
Fair’s Fair Books
Inglewood is home to some of the best shopping in all of Calgary. Make your first stop at the famed Fair’s Fair Books. This shop has been open since 1988, curating one of the best-used books stores in the province. While some used bookstores are a real shot in the dark for finding what you’re looking for, this enormous store really feels more like a high-end new bookstore as their selection is so deep! Plus, the cute and quirky decorations really make the place so inviting.
The Apothecary in Inglewood
If you’re looking to relax, then you need to visit the Apothecary in Inglewood! You’re overwhelmed with the intoxicating smell of aromatic herbs, spices, and more just walking in the door. This store is known for its zero waste goods, pure essential oils, bulk herbs and refillable products. Forget Lush bath bombs and instead grab yourself a few of their handmade herbal bombs to pamper yourself in an indulgent bath. I love their selection of locally crafted candles as well. Nothing better than scents to bring back travel memories!
Moonstone Creation
Moonstone Creation is an Indigenous-owned and family-run business proud to represent over 60 Indigenous makers and artisans from across Turtle Island. So many people buy Moccasins as a souvenir when visiting anywhere in Canada but rarely are these created by Indigenous makers. To purchase an authentic pair of Moccasins is expensive, but that is because they are intricately made by hand, with genuine leather and embellished with meaningful beading. But most importantly, you are supporting and honouring the Indigenous culture by buying them from Indigenous creators.
If you are looking for a beautiful gift or souvenir, they also have lovely beaded feather & orange shirt brooch kits. It’s a great way to learn about the history of beading and the methods which they have used to create these crafts for hundreds of years. The kits come with all the supplies you need. They also run beading workshops throughout the year, so check their website to see if one is running while you’re in town!
The Livery Shop
If your style is chic minimalism, then The Livery Shop is the place for you! Just walking inside makes me feel lighter. The shop carries a great selection of local and Canadian designers. It’s also a fantastic place to come for gifts, especially during the holiday season. One of their most popular brands is Camp Brand Goods which sells the most adorable and cozy casual outdoor wear inspired by vintage camp aesthetics.
Smithbilt Hats Inc
There’s perhaps no better accessory to shop for in Calgary than a cowboy hat. And no better place to do so than Smithbilt Hats Inc. The Smithbilt’s company was started by Morris Schumiatcher in 1910. The Schumiatcher family immigrated from Russia to Canada and changed their name to Smith when they arrived. The family made and sold dress hats with small brims, as was the style in Europe at the time. But as they spent more time in the prairies, the Stampede Board wanted to have Smithbilt’s create a special hat to promote western wear. This was where the white cattleman hat was invented. The white cattleman hat soon became the symbol of the Stampede and of Calgary itself.
You can still buy your very own white cattleman hat today in the shop. But there are so many more designs to choose from. Everything from classic styles to modern, brightly coloured hats withs feather and jewelled embellishments. Even if hats aren’t your thing, checking out the artistry required to handmake these hats is well worth your time. Drop-in and visit this truly historic Calgary establishment.
Tea Trader
Walking into the Tea Trader feels like stepping back in time. Tins line the walls on one side and wooden crates of freshly imported tea line on the other. Tea Trader was established in Calgary in 1993 and chose historic Inglewood as its destination since the business seemed to fit right into the old main street. It recently moved south to the Ramsey Design Centre. But is still easily accessible on a day out in Inglewood. They even have an old cash register on display which makes shopping here so unique. In terms of the tea, they carry you can find lots of traditional teas with complex flavours. They even have unique seasonal flavours that will really make warming up on a cold day all the more enjoyable.
Purr Fine Clothing & Accessories
Shopping for clothes in Inglewood is terrific as you can find such unique stores. Purr Fine Clothing and Accessories is one of the best examples. It carries everything from designer pieces, locally handmade clothing to casual streetwear and fantastic accessories. The curation inside this store is phenomenal! I’ve been somewhere that felt more lovingly hand-selected. The staff is always more than helpful to recommend great items you might not immediately lend towards but might really surprise you! Some of the things are on the pricer side, as they are often small batch and ethically made, but their sale section is always a great place to find amazing deals.
Elysian Alchemy
Elysian Alchemy is where to come if you are into the metaphysical and spiritual goods. It’s a mystical general store. Walking inside, the smell of incense fills your nose, and the beautiful stones are simply dazzling. Here, you can get everything from handmade beauty products with herbal healing qualities, candles, crystals, tarot, and oracle cards.
That Old Retro Store
That Old Retro Store is the perfect place to come if you’re a fan of vinyl and vintage records. It’s a dream for music lovers. Floor to ceiling is thousands of records, vintage music posters and gorgeous retro Stereo Equipment, which they repair and restore. The staff here are so friendly and will help you find whatever you’re looking for. Very important in sorting through such a treasure trove of vintage vinyl.
Recess
For anyone who loves stationery as much as me, visiting Recess is like being a kid in a candy store! There’s nothing better than a bright white interior filled with vividly bejewelled paper treasures. If you haven’t grabbed a new journal to document your travel memories, this is the perfect place to get one. If you’re interested in learning how to create beautiful hand lettering to take your journaling game to the next level, then you should grab one of their customs Learn to Letter Guides. They have so many unique items that will spice up any desk drawer.
Plant
Even if you can’t bring any of these little beauties home with you, a visit to Plant Shop is sure to brighten any grey day. The Plant Shop aims to help re-connect people with the natural world and inspire them to build and maintain more beautiful spaces! Just walking around the shop and looking at all the exotic plants is such a serene experience. They have great selections of handmade and ceramic planters as well in a myriad of exciting designs. So if you have some green beauties at home, you can bring these home as a memento of your trip. Plus their custom DIY Terrariums are a gorgeous gift for anyone who wants a low-maintenance plant to bring some greenery into their home office.
The Silk Road Spice Merchant
The Silk Road Spice Merchant is my favourite shop in town. This is the perfect place to come to upgrade your pantry! The colours, smells and flavours of the spices on offer here are captivating. The Silk Road Spice Merchant started up when the owners couldn’t find the kinds of international spices they wanted to try in their cooking. So they aimed to start up their own store where they would carry every type of spice imaginable! One of my favourite things in their shop is their Hot Cocoa blends. They offer Spicy Mexican Hot Cocoa, Winter Spice (with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and mace,) Cinnamon Cardamom Hot Cocoa and even Chai Masala Hot Cocoa. All of these warm, exotic flavours are the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold night.
What to See & Do
St. Patrick’s Island Park
St. Patrick’s Island Park opened in 2015 after a major facelift. Today, you can ride down the immaculate bike paths along the Bow River, admiring not only the natural beauty but the incredible public works of art along the way. The kids have lovely play areas, and the restored river channels make beautiful swimming spots in the summer heat. A place called ‘the rise’ is this large grassy knoll that literally rises up nine meters high. From this vantage point, you can look out over the parks around you, and it is an excellent place for sunset picnics and great toboggan runs in the winter.
Harvie Passage
The Harvie Passage Lookout is wonderfully designed to give visitors a stunning view of the rapids below. Harvie Passage is a fast-running channel off the Bow River. After a massive flood in 2013, the city went about an extensive redesign to not only make this part of the river safer (for the rafters who would constantly sneak onto the waters) but provide a more enjoyable experience for river-based recreationists.
Inglewood Wildlands & Bird Sanctuary
The Inglewood Wildlands is a vast wildlife reserve spread out over 36 hectares on the southeast edge of Inglewood. Inside the reserve, over 270 species of birds can be spotted at different times of the year. The best time to come is in the Spring and summer, but you can still find life here in the park, even in the fall and winter. The peaceful park is a great place to come to escape the busy city. Here you can stroll along the serene walking pathways, cross bridges over the river and even find a lagoon.
Scotsman’s Hill
If you’re looking for a spot to watch the sunset over the city, take a walk through ENMAX Park to the top of Scotsman’s Hill. To get there you’ll walk through the Elbow Riverpath which is the most serene walking path surrounded by Calgary’s relaxing natural landscape. Scotsman’s Hill is one of the best places in the town to give a view of Calgary’s skyline set behind a steep escarpment facing the Elbow River.
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