The sunny, casual interior of Boxwood in Central Memorial Park.
As we all know, sunshine can be terribly misleading when it comes to determining how warm it is outside. If you want to soak up some spring sunshine from the warmth of the indoors, choose one of these sunny rooms, some of which can open the windows for a fresh air experience.
Avec Bistro
Sit down in this restaurant by the floor-to-celing windows to have a glass of wine, an order of tartare and a sweet dessert and watch the people go by, bracing against the wind in their spring jackets.
(550 11 Ave. S.W., 587-352-0964, avecbistro.com, @avecbistro)
Beer Revolution
This casual craft beer and pizza establishment has south-facing windows that can open slightly, letting a little breeze (but not too much) slip in while enjoying some warm sun. If it really warms up, snag a spot in the back room where the garage-style window can open up completely.
(1080 8 St. S.W., 403-264-2739, beerrevolution.ca,@revolutionyyc)
Boxwood
The small restaurant in Central Memorial Park gets no shortage of natural light with windows on three walls. Sit for a bite with the flowing water fountains outside in plain view, even if it’s a little too cold to put spalsh around in them – not that we encourage that sort of thing.
(340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-265-4006, boxwoodcafe.ca,@boxwoodcalgary)
Candela
With its giant central skylight above the bar and a eastern wall that’s basically all windows, this global small plates restaurant in Mission catches a lovely amount sunlight throughout the day.
(1919 4 St. S.W., 403-719-0049, candelalounge.com,@candelacalgary)
Cibo
It’ll be a couple more months until you’ll be able to snag a spot on the gorgeous side patio, but at least Cibo’s interior is lined with windows on the west and east sides of the building, making for a sunny lunch or early dinner.
(1012 17 Ave. S.W., 403-984-4755, cibocalgary.com,@cibocalgary)
Craft Beer Market
Much like its gigantic next-door neighbourhood, National, Craft can seem a little bit cavernous at times. Saddle up close to the windows on the north side of the pub and feel the greenhouse effect in action.
(345 10 Ave. S.W., 403-514-2337, craftbeermarket.ca,@craftbeermarket)
Diner Deluxe
Unless your head is aching from a late night out with friends, breakfast and brunch should always be served up with a side of sunshine and Diner Deluxe has got that covered. The adjacent Affogato also has a big garage “door” in the front that can be opened up to let the outdoors in.
(804 Edmonton Tr. N.E., 403-276-5499, dinerdeluxe.com,@diner_deluxe)
MARKET
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if Market is light and bright because of the black and white colour scheme or if most of it is au natural. Whatever the case, it’s easy to ignore the less-than-lovely spring weather inside this busy spot on 17th Avenue S.W.
(718 17 Ave. S.W., 403-474-4414, marketcalgary.ca,@market_calgary)
Sky 360
Well, if you don’t have some sunshine gracing your table in this sky-high restaurant, you must be sitting in the stairwell. Best of all, as the restaurant revolves, the view changes so you if you get bored of what you’re seeing, just wait a while.
(101 9 Ave. S.W., 403-532-7966, sky360.ca, @sky360calgary)