Very enjoyable

Went to Brava to celebrate two birthdays at once. Everyone thought their meals were very good or excellent. Service was efficient and friendly. Had a gorgeous Italian red with our meal. Only small complaint was the noise level -- bit hard to hear each other. Wouldn't hesitate to go back and maybe sit outside next time.

Odd situation

Made the reservations by phone, the next day while driving there, we called to get the exact address and we were told hey were closing for a private party. Poor communication between employees - the person took the reservations not knowing of the private party. Too bad - we really wanted to try it

Always fabulous

I was here recently for dinner. What more do I need to say - fantastic food and fantastic service, as always at Brava Bistros.

Perfect

A Sunday night, Father day at that & I had no idea how hard it is to find a place to dine. Starting down town blink closed, catch closed & on & on we decided to hit 17th ave & open for suggestion or please just open. I had been to Brava before but mid evening cocktails. Most welcome to... more

Really good food and service

I went for my birthday lunch and enjoyed it immensely. I am not easily pleased when dining out but found the portions to be larger than average, the quality was above average, and the wine menu was vast and reasonable. I highly recommend Brava Bistro.

Bravo to Brava

We celebrated our daughter's 32 birthday here and had a fantastic evening. Service was impeccable, food terrific and wine choices stellar. Yes, it is not cheap but in Calgary when you fine dine you pay. We had lamb, beef tenderloin and halibut and they were all very, very good.

Worth a try, a wee bit pricey though

Had a pretty good little meal here awhile back. I say little because that is what it was. I was expecting a little bit more umph from the salad and appy (flatbread) I ordered as a meal, but left with plenty of room to spare for a large frozen yogurt. I wish the portions were bigger because it was pretty... more

Lobster Gnocchi

That is all you need to know.....eat the lobster gnocchi. It literally melts in your mouth and is just ecstasy to eat. Had the lobster poutine and it too was good. The beef tenderloin was cooked properly and was very tender. Also shared in the mussels and the cheese plate. We have eaten here many times and never been disappointed.... more

Not sure what all the hype is about

We went here based on the reviews in Avenue magazine, which generally seems reliable. We recently went to Cassis and it was phenomenal. Brava, not so much:
1. Very slow. Numerous apologies about the delay but that gets a bit old and for a restaurant of this calibre, not what you would expect.
2. Food was just ok. Scallop appetizer... more

Disappointing

All three of us were disappointed with the food and service at this restaurant. The waiter had to be asked three times for water to dilute the coffee that was too strong. The entrees were disappointing - a tiny avocado and prawn salad, average mussels and a mediocre salad with the ahi tuna bagel.
The toilet paper roll was broken... more

Why haven't we eaten here before

We went to Brava Bistro to celebrate with family. What a great experience. The food was excellent, good portion size, tasty and creative. The waiter was excellent, knew the wine list, could offer suggestions based on our food selections. Was there when needed. All in all a great evening.

average place at lunch

It's a Calgary bistro - the 'local' beer was from Whistler BC, and the second local option came from Toronto. That was strange.
We were there for lunch and had two sandwiches - the daily carver's special and the short rib sandwich. Both were fine. Neither was amazing. Not sure what the hype/excitement is about though. Maybe it's better in... more

Awesome Service, Great Place to Celebrate

This was my first time to Brava and I have to say I was blown away by their selection of food and wines. One of the things that made it great was we were able to bring our own bottles of wine and just pay the corkage fee. But the one true thing that blew me away about this place... more

Brava made Avenue Magazine's top 10 restos in 2013 so I took my spouse for Father's Day. All of the food was fine and cooked well, not spectacular but fine. We had lobster gnocchi, which was actually the best dish of the evening, scallops, short beef ribs and crispy roast chicken. Similar to things I would make myself at home. No fancy plating or presentation here.

But the service was so... more

Celebrating a Friend's Birthday

A friend and I celebrated her special birthday at Brava on a Friday night. Because we were late making a reservation the only seats available were at the Bar, which was fine. It was my first visit but my friend had eaten at Brava many times and recommended it. The atmosphere was vibrant and the service was great but I... more

We have been meaning to eat here forever and finally got a chance on Saturday night. We had a reservation and walked in and was kind of surprised with the layout of the restaurant. We had to stand there for a good 5 minutes until a waiter came by to help us. There is no hostess desk at the front so it is a little awkward standing there waiting as tables are being served in front of you. We were... more

Food was great. Had the lobster poutine to start and the pork shoulder entree. Delicious!!

However the service was poor. Took forever to even order our appetizers and get our drinks despite indicating we were in a rush. It wasn't even that busy. The worst was when we told our server we were ready to order our entrees and he told us we had to wait for our appetizers to come out first. Weird?
... more

Everything we had was ok. I was really hoping it would had been better.

Probably the best thing I tasted was the flat bread pizza and chocolate brownie sundae. The pasta, short ribs and vegetables tasted bland and cheap.

The service was also very slow for drinks. The food came out shockingly fast which scared us all too, because we were still waiting on drinks.

I give it 2.5 stars.

Poutine Lobster?? YES PLEASE

This restaurant is fantastic!...a very diverse menu. The service was alright, but I felt the staff could put on a smile ....at times, you sort of felt you were bothering them by asking for something. My favourite here is the Lobster Poutine...it is divine and I highly recommend it!

Should be in the top 10

Personally We find making a reservation to an answering machine
with instructions that they will call back---lacking interest and just
about rude. Patrons should come before Restaurantours'
convenience! However---the reservation was handled with diligence.
It had been a long time since We had visited Brava, and it was great
to see and feel the energy We remembered, from the staff... more

Enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, decent wine list and good service. The one missing star is mostly due to the short menu, they could had a few menu choices without overdoing it.

Made our Day

I really wanted to treat a friend/client and celebrate our years of work together. We met at Brava for lunch on a Friday at 1:00 and were seated immediately without a reservation. Although it wasn't packed at this time - when it is - they have always managed to sqeeze our group in.
We had alot of catching up to... more

Great Appies

Some friends and I have been wanting to try Brava for quite awhile. They were fairly busy through the Christmas season so it's taken us awhile to get there. I have to say that the decor is very nice, the staff was friendly and helpful and attentive without being annoying.
We decided to share a bunch of apps: The Lobster... more

Great location- Ok food and service

I have been to this restaurant several times now; overall it is OK but not great. Location is superb, in a trendy area of town ( of course this brings parking challenges but that is not the restaurant's fault). On entering, one is met with a buzz , suggesting a 'happening' place. As the meal progressed, it became apparent that... more

Brava Bistro - A Small Piece of Cool in Calgary

When I am travelling on my own I prefer to eat at lunch times and leave the evenings free for reading and relaxing. So, recently whilst in Calgary Alberta, it was suggested I visit Brava Bistro for luncheon. After some initial research I must confess to being apprehensive - Avenue Magazine described Brava as being the "bearer for contemporary cool... more

Holy smokes!! I have seen several reviews about Brava Bistro and although I was a little worried that it was over hyped...it did not disappoint. We started off with the muscles and they were incredible! I was using my muscle shell to slurp up some of the broth that it came with (classy!). Hahaha...on top of that, the fries that accompanied the muscles had a touch of aoili and anyone who knows... more

Splendid, as always. We are

Splendid, as always. We are regulars at their first Sunday of the month special menus. Top-class food, especially the Irish Cheddar Soup, interestingly tangy lamb chop, and the biggest dessert we've ever been served. Waitress Laura was efficient, friendly, humorous, and - best of all - did not pester us with Is Everything Alright? every few minutes, which is the curse of so many restaurants.... more

Our #1 Restaurant in Calgary!

We absolutely adore Brava! We always try new places, and while we find restaurants to add to the favourite list - Brava is always our #1. Love the energy, love the service and love the food! I also love the wine list. Always something on there to fit our budget and anyone elses really. Simple, delicious flavours that aren't pretentious, yet they still impress.

Took my cleints for lunch.

Took my cleints for lunch. 10 people. We were all very full and very satisfied. Great place and will be back again with my wife.

My favourite in Calgary - by far!

Brava is always going to be my favourite restaurant in Calgary I think. There's just something about this place. The food is good, and I love the decor. It's so trendy and not stuffy. I always feel comfortable there no matter what I am wearing and who I am with. Love love love!

Love their menu and atmosphere

I've been there many times, really like the menu and the atmosphere is great. It's a nice place to go on a warm evening and people watch from their patio on 17th Avenue

Worth a try

I found some of of the food very good (eg. lobster sauce with the gnocchi), and some was fresh, but nothing special. The decor is great, and the service was excellent. Overall I would definitely recommend giving this place a try.

Scallops were meh

The first time I went to Brava Bistro, I was super impressed the food was good, and the restaurant was charming. Been back 3 times since and cant rekindle the magic. I've ordered several different things and they were just sub par. No love it felt like, things under flavored, or coming out cold etc etc. I'd definitly give it... more

great experience

This restaurant delivers for food and beverage. The meals are worth every penny you pay.
I am not a wine drinker but those I have enjoyed this venue with have been pleased with the selection.
Service is freindly and casual, some are better than others but that is usually the case in any setting.

The food was great and the

The food was great and the service was outstanding. Great cocktails and wine list. Definitely worth the price.

The food was absolutely great!

The food was absolutely great! Very high quality food, although the quantities were leaning a little to the small side. Tenderloin and short ribs were some of the best. The food arrived in a timely manner and the staff were very friendly. Only complaint would be that seating was crowded, and we ended up seated between two full tables which made getting in and out of the seats difficult.

I dream of the mussels

We ordered the mussels, calamari pasta, braised pork shoulder with perogies and the lobster poutine. All of it was delicious especially the mussels which came with fries and a generous dollop of garlic aioli. When we ran out of fries, we used the remaining divine aioli on everything else. I need to return really soon. We finished the evening with a creme brule, a panna cotta and gingerbread... more

One of my fave restaurants in Calgary

We continue returning to Brava time and time again. It always has excellent food and service with good prices. The lobster poutine is fabulous and so is the Lebanese salad!! And always great wine to pair with dinner. Great atmosphere, romantic and in the hub of 17th ave.

Consistently good. I always

Consistently good. I always enjoy my dining experiences at Brava. The service is always great, the food is always tasty. The house wines are good value for the price, the appetizers and salads are among the best available in the city. My biggest lamentation is that my favourite appetizer is missing: where's my mushroom, asparagus, pine nut bruschetta? (I know, the menu needs to be refreshed... more

Ahhh, my holiday break was full of so much FOOD! My boyfriend & I celebrated my birthday here last week. We walked past the restaurant a few months prior and I wondered how I had never noticed such a gem! The menu looked great and after reading the reviews, I was sold. Our table was located next to the door, which made for a slightly chilly and uncomfortable meal. We weren't going to let it... more

Think twice before going to Brava

$350.00 tab. $110.00 bottle of Pinot Noir! It appeards we were treated by our looks not by our culture, taste or "We'd love to have you back"! 2 adults & 2 kids were seated at the far end of the restaurant, far away from custumer's view, just in case! While 3 of us were having appetizers, the olders son got... more

Yummy

Can't say I've every had bad food at Brava. I have on one occasion had some pretentious service but not as a rule and I have eaten there several times. I love the cozy urban atmosphere. Once I was craving a green apple and fennel salad which wasn't on the menu and the chef did one up for me!

Lots of Sizzle, But...

After several attempts to get a reservation throughout the year, we were finally proactive enough to book well in advance for New Year's Eve. We had heard a lot of hype about this place, so we were anxious to try it out. We were seated at an excellent table, and had a wonderful server. She was absolutely great! But...that's where it peaked. The food was only average. It was good, but nothing to... more

This was my second time at

This was my second time at Brava. Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, but we were sat at the bar and given complimentary sparkling wine. The service was excellent, and our waitress allowed us to sample three wines to find one we both enjoyed.

I ordered my pasta without bacon and unfortunately the kitchen still added the pork to the dish, but the waitress was apologetic and offered a free... more

I expected more from Calgary's #1 for 2012

I would have expected that a restaurant voted Calgary's #1 for 2012 would "wow" me but it was sort of average. It wasn't the over-the-top experience I was expecting.
Started with Lobster Gnocci and Lobster Poutine. Gnocci was good, sauce was silky and tasty but a LOT of peas and carrots for an appetizer - not a lot of gnocci... more

Brava!

We went for dinner at Brava to celebrate the Christmas season (my brother and I with our spouses) and couldn't have asked for a better evening. The host was friendly and welcoming, opening the door for us on our way in. Our waitress (Heather) was AMAZING - so personable, very knowledgeable about the wine list and everything on the menu.The food - delicious. Everything was simple but fresh and... more

We went to this restaurant

We went to this restaurant for our anniversery celebration. Very nice quiet environment; very fitting for bringing your date for dinner or for a wine. The seat was very comfortable and relaxing, feel like your own living room. The salmon steak with boiled spinach I had was a great piece of art!! Nicely displayed and the salmon was soft inside and juicy, yet the surface is crunchy. Overall, I... more

Brava Bistro - More than a Bistro

Loved the wine selection app using a tablet. The wine was superb.Tremendous food at very reasonable prices. Service was excellent.Adding Brava to our list of favorite places to dine in Calgary for 2013.

Disappointed

I've been to Brava Bistro several times and it had become my favourite restaurant. This recent visit disappointed me. The lobster poutine in particular. The fries were overcooked and tasted as if burnt. Four of us had two poutines to share and both dishes were the same. Each time I've had the poutine the amount of sauce has become less as well. Will be giving Brava Bistro a miss for a while.

My boyfriend and I celebrated

My boyfriend and I celebrated my birthday at Brava after reading reviews about the wonderful food and service. Overall, I was impressed, but the restaurant was really cold inside and it was quite pricey for what you get. I will definitely return in the future!

Perfect for a Birthday Dinner

We had made a reservation for four for 8 pm on a Saturday night. We got in right away and were seated quickly. Our server was very good and the drinks were brought out quickly. We had started with a few appetizers and one of them being the Lobster Poutine which was very good and was perfect to share. Three... more

Service sub-par as far as

Service sub-par as far as keeping beverages flowing. Maybe server was allotted too many tables for her to attend well to.

Fantastic wine list and seasonal

Fantastic wine list and seasonal bistro cuisine.

Perfect place for an intimate dinner for two, a business lunch or for dining with a group of friends.

Overall excellent - went for

Overall excellent - went for a dinner date with my sister for her birthday and we loved it - we will definitely be returning!

Our experience at Brava was

Our experience at Brava was top notch as usual. Thank you for consistently being the perfect dining experience.

Great Food, Always Reliable, Great Value

We have eaten at Brava many times over the past 10 years and have always found it great. I finally thought I should review it. We ate there last night, on short notice they fit us in nicely. The staff is always pleasant and very responsive. The food is consistently excellent. We had the crispy chicken which was superb and... more

This has been a favourite

This has been a favourite restaurant of mine but the food was less than good on this visit. Everything else was great.

The food was very good but.

The food was very good but. I left hungry. I don't normally have to order an appie. I think a bit more on ththe plate would be wise

Always consistent and very

Always consistent and very good.

Ok I am not telling you the name of this place

It is already hard enough to get into... amazing, enough said. Every time. GREAT date place - book on opentable, they are reliable to get a seat. Parking can be a challenge - be sure not to leave your car out front past 3:30... those tow truck drivers have a hay-day at that time. Love this place, it is my... more

Always a favorite

I keep Brava on my list of great Calgary staple restaurants. The service and food are always great, and have been going there for years.

Kind of Average

A friend of mine had been raving about Brava Bistro for some time, and so I was excited to try it out. We went on a Monday, early evening and the place was more or less deserted when we got there. The server who greeted us took a bit of time to warm up and smile, her demeanour was somewhere... more

Really good restaurant for lunch. Good service and very good quality food. Recommend the Lobster gnocchi. They have really good Sangria as well.

Although we loved the salads

Although we loved the salads and desserts we had at Brava Bistro, our main courses were good but not great.

It's been a while

I haven't been to Brava in years. Used to love it, but so many other restaurants began opening in Calgary that I just hasn't been back. I was happy that it was still just as good as I remember it. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is because 1/3 ppl at our table didn't like their meal. Our... more

The food was excellent and

The food was excellent and the Lobster poutine was the best I have every had. Many thanks to chef Kevin for coming out to talk to us after the meal. it was a very personal touch. We will be back.

Service was amazing! Food

Service was amazing! Food was good, but dessert was awesome. Gave us a complementary dessert for my Birthday :)

Can only repeat previous reviews.

Can only repeat previous reviews. We regularly attend the First-Sunday special dinners, which tells its own story. Food, wine, service all splendid. Shall recur as often as possible.

We went on a Sunday when all

We went on a Sunday when all that was offered was a set Sunday dinner menu. The food was okay. I had a chicken pot pie. The other main dish choices were a seafood risotto and red meat dish.

Service was great and ambiance was nice.

Perhaps I'll try it again when they have the regular menu.

Great service!! Very friendly

Great service!! Very friendly and accommodating, took my wife here for her 30th bday and absolutely loved it.

A disappointment

Avenue Magazine had picked Brava Bistro as the #1 overall best restaurant in Calgary. There is no way it is even close. The food was average. I had the chicken and it was nowhere near as good as at, say Boxwood for a lot less, or at restaurants like River Cafe. The mussels were fine, but my wife's are much better, and desser was just average. Service though was excellent and it definitely has... more

great food and outstanding

great food and outstanding service.

Wonderful all round

Have been to some of the best restaurants in Calgary, Brava matched the likes of Rouge in my opinion. Service was great, food was delicious yet reasonably priced, overall, just nice to be able to go out to a great restaurant and not feel like it is trying to do anything extraordinary, other than serve wonderful food in the right way.

Pleasant lunch - nothing special

I've never understood why this restaurant gets such accolades. The food is reliably good but not particularly inventive or creative. Service was pleasant but again, nothing special - just solid and reasonably attentive.

Over all a pleasant business lunch but personally, I would come back if someone else wanted to go but I'm not excited about going back any time soon.

Can't wait to go back!

We held our small company Christmas party (10 adults) at Brava. None of us had ever been before but we booked there based on reviews found on the internet. Within our group, we have some world travelers and food and wine lovers. All of us agreed that is was one of the best meals we've had. We are all looking forward to our next visit to Brava, hopefully in the near future.

For my retirement luncheon,

For my retirement luncheon, two friends and I decided to try a something new and booked a reservation at Brava Bistro.

Although this restaurant has a lovely ambiance, the overall experience was subpar. The presentation of the food was unappealing and the chicken burger and fries were cold. The bacon on the burger was so dried out, it fell out of the bun.

I ordered a latte; which arrived... more

Food was excellent. Heard

Food was excellent. Heard of Brava's previous awards and recognition as being one the city's restaurants to take in while in Calgary. Also came highly recommended by one of the locals in my party.

We had an amazing time here

We had an amazing time here and would highly recommend! Heather and Justin were fantastic servers.

We always enjoy Brava - great

We always enjoy Brava - great soup & warm gingerbread cake!

Great waitstaff and hostess.

Great waitstaff and hostess. Party of 5 and well looked after. Meat preparation, presentation and flavor was great. Pasta dishes were so-so. Clam specialty was big disappointment. Pasta was over done to the point of being mushy and was very cool in temperature. Likely sitting on the sideline waiting for the other dishes to be finished. Would have sent it back if it wouldn't have disrupted our... more

Went as a party of 6: all

Went as a party of 6: all ordered different dishes & all enjoyed them; server was friendly & attentive; would definitely recommend this restaurant to friends.

The hanger steak was a bit fatty

Overall, our dining experience was fabulous. From being greeted at the door to leaving for the night, we felt we were special guests. The food and wine were excellent, prices good, service excellent. Loved the window table looking at 17th Ave.Can't be lieve we took so long to visit this restaurant. Definitely recommend Brava Bistro.

A group of us dined out for

A group of us dined out for a birthday so we had a reservation for 8:30 that was set days ahead. We didn't get seated until after 9 and it was a table for 4-5 and we had a party of 6 (way too squished). What's the point of making a reservation when we had to wait over half an hour? Aside from that the food was delicious and our server was great, but I would definitely be wary of a reservation... more

Cold night, so took away from

Cold night, so took away from ambiance. Food was OK, but not to what we were led to believe.

Took my wife here for her

Took my wife here for her birthday. mentioned this to the restuarant and they gave us a glass of sparkling wine each and a dessert on the house. Excellent food and service.

A stylish bistro!!

Impressive service, fine food and great attention to detail.

A Must for Foodies

Fabulous food, great bar menu and very friendly service. The menu is very creative,fresh and over the top delicious. If you love food you must plan to have lunch or dinner at Brava Bistro. Love it!

WE regularly attend the first

WE regularly attend the first Sunday-of-month special dinners. Never been disappointed. Food is always superb, as is service. Since we tend to dine early, the restaurant is usually far form full, and so refreshingly quiet. Waiters/Waitresses are professional in approach, know the menu, and don't keep pestering us with "How is everything" every few minutes, as happens in too many other places.... more

We went there for lunch on

We went there for lunch on a Saturday and the restaurant was very quiet. There weren't a lot of people there but the restaurant was really nice. We were seated right away and had our coats checked without charge. Our waiter was very nice and helpful; she did not rush us and gave us plenty of time to decide. I ordered the Shrimp Curry, which was delicious but was a bit cold and my friend ordered... more

A great find for a leisurely

A great find for a leisurely lunch outside the downtown business core. A short but varied menu of superbly prepared and presented appetizers and entrees.

Did not meet the hype- not great!

My wife and I went for a special occasion and the food did not meet our expectations. We went on October 30, 2012 at 6 pm. The biggest shortfall is the tempature of the food. We had the lobster gnocchi, seared scallop, crispy chicken and the pulled pork. In general, the food had adequate flavors but the tempature of the food was lukewarm and was plated on cold plates. Even a place like Joeys... more

Wonderful atmosphere for a delicious dinner

I was treated by my friend to a birthday dinner and the two of us had a secluded corner by the kitchen in a low-sided booth were we chatted for hours enjoying our food and drink. We shared a Lebanese salad which was filled with all kinds of interesting flavors. We each had a different flatbread that were both featured... more

Great food and service once

Great food and service once again. One of my favourites.

Hidden Gem on 17th

We had a great, casual dinner at Brava the other night.. place was pretty busy for a week night but it had a nice ambiance to it, the menu was good (just enough items) and they also had a feature menu which was nice too. The service was excellent (not the "casual" service that seems to be taking over Calgary... more

As always very good experience.

As always very good experience. Staff very busy but that's good!

pretty tasty in Calgary. I got the Lebanese salad, beef tenderloin (amazing, melts i your mouth). Cute place with yummy food and great service.

Great spot for a quiet dinner

i would suggest the steak frites and lobster poutine. The steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned good as well. The lobster was a nice touch for the poutine and I would eat this again when I go back there. The ambiance of the restaurant is great and is ideal for a small or large group. I also found the portion... more

Continues to be the best in Calgary

Amazing food for amazing prices. They really could charge more than the $14 I paid for the lunch special (huge plate of pasta with bacon, brussel spouts, pine nuts and alfredo). You can dress up or dress down (i.e. jeans). The vibe at lunch is cool casual and at night it feels a bit trendier. The general menu easily has... more

Lebanese chopped salad is now my favourite - yum

A very enjoyable lunch - service was superb, the soup was delicious and the salad is now my favourite dish. I will be back soon as I saw several other items that I am dying to try.

A truly enjoyable evening

Met up with a colleague for dinner, saw a restaurant I wanted to try but not open Sundays...browsed trip advisor and Brava popped out as worthy of a cab ride. A quick call found a friendly helpful voice on the end trying to work us in...and succesfully. They have high and low tables and seats around the bar...we were at... more

nice and quiet

I took my wife for her Birthday to this restaurant and according to the website it just had won first prize for best restaurant in Calgary and that is why I booked a table with them.
I have to say that we were very surprised in how romantic the bistro was and the food was excellent, we had appetizers and... more

(I Do try to not write so much but sometimes I just cannot help it!!!)

WOW!

I had heard good things about Brava - I had no idea I was going to be dining here at all until we walked in. Just like that! It was worth the drive through killer traffic. Needed a night off from the kitchen and we found the right place. Brava - a French Bistro with modern fusion is how it was described to me.

We had... more

Great service Very good food

Made reservations for a Saturday night and could only get seats at the bar. Turned out fine since the bar servers were great. Very attentive and offered lots of suggestions for dinner items all of which were bang on. Ordered a reasonably priced bottle of Malbec which was excellent for the price. Shared a tuna tartare and then ordered a... more

Great for Special Events

My husband's company has booked Brava Bistro two years in a row for his Christmas party, so it's probably a way different experience than most. I had a great time both times because the bartender was fantastic, the food was AMAZING and the service impeccable. I would, and have, recommend this place to anyone for their special events.

Amazing food, horrible service

We had to wait 30 min just to get our drinks. Finally got it after finishing our appetizer (lobster pouting highly recommended). Waiter would chat for 10 minutes with the table next to us and completely blow us off. I read about the bad service in other reviews but didn't believe it would be that bad. It really was that... more

Don't eat at any restaurant on a long weekend

We ate at Brava Bistro on the Monday night of the labour day weekend. I think on that evening they were either short staffed in the kitchen or the food is very mediocre.
Our food took a long time to arrive and my main dish was served at room temperature (steamed mussels with soggy pomme frites) and my husband's flatbread... more

Lobster Poutine is a Highlight

We were surprised that as a Wednesday night 7pm walk-in couple we had to sit at the bar, but goes to show how popular the restaurant is, so reservations are a good idea. Nevertheless, the bar service was great and from what I saw, the bar staff were very accommodating to some very particular wine connoisseurs. Lobster Poutine was great... more

Delicious food, but not a spot for a quick meal

Visited Brava for a business dinner; food was good with well prepared appetizers (scallops with a lovely sauce and veg), salads and poutine. Ok beer selection but good wine recommendation by our waiter. Both meat and pasta offerings met with positive reviews from our group and the salted caramel ice cream was worth the calories. Would definately dine at Brava... more

Probably the Top Bistro in Calgary

Great staff and the food was unique and reasonably priced. The lobster poutine was fabulous. The staff was helpful and friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and conducive to couples or families.

A memorable evening

Went here with a couple of girlfriends and had a truly memorable night. Our waiter was personable and attentive. He had great recommendations regarding the menu. I will be craving the mussels and the crispy chicken for a long time.

Intoxicated and hungover from the night before, I was walking down 17th looking for a lunch option. Walking by Brava, I remember hearing nothing but good things about it. Many a fine dinners had recommended the place and did mention that it was "classy." With traces of alcohol on my breath, dressed in a T-Shirt and wearing sandals, I thought to myself how perfect my attire would be for a Brava... more

I have been here on a number of occasions, this used to be a fave spot of mine, but after my last visit, it will be a while until I come again. The food was good, pretty expensive for the amount (especially the salads). They do not cater to gluten free, which is always a make or break for me. As well, we had the worst server. In the two hours we were there we maybe saw our server 5 times, my... more

Easily on my top 5 date spots. The service is always top notch, and its totally unpretentious.

The lobster gnocchi is unreal, as is the Lebanese Salad. I'm going back soon

Quality over quantity. Brava Bistro's is a fine dining bistro: a small restaurant and not to be confused or compared to large plated restaurants or chains. Situated in the heart of 17th ave, Brava's contemporary setting is inviting and not pretentious. The menu (back in the summer 2011) offers simple and more importantly, great tasting dishes. From reading previous reviews, I'm not sure why... more

I've been twice. Once for YYC eats with a booking of about 20 or more of us. The second time was for a birthday party of 5.

Both times I enjoyed the Lobster Poutine and split it with friends. The first time there, there was a mix up and they delivered a second lobster poutine for free, but then went on to charge us for it. They did fix it, so that was good as it was not ordered. However, we... more

I was here for a friend's birthday. The service was great, warm, friendly and unpretentious. If it was solely based on that, I'd probably give it a 4. However, it's not, hence the final rating of 2. We started with the margherita flat bread and lobster poutine, which were decent - I would never crave it again, but it was good. For mains, there was a selection of braised beef, bbq pork, basa and... more

Brava Bistro hands down has the best lobster gnocchi you'll find this far inland. I have had lactose-intolerant dinner guests try the gnocchi and say, "ya, that's worth it."

It's not just the gnocchi that makes Brava special. It's the patio in the summer, the attentive-but-not-in-your-face service, the wine list, the hard lemonade, the lebanese chopped salad, the cracklin' chicken and the... more

When four people head out for dinner, it's inevitable that three of them may have a four star experience and one of them comes out feeling like their visit was a three star. I'm the "one of them" in this story, or rather in this short anecdote.

A reso was made for 3 people during Yelp Eats for 730pm. All was well there! We arrived to a table already set and waiting for us. We added an extra... more

My first experience at Brava was for a business dinner. That visit was an absolute disaster for both food and service. I vowed never to return again.

Thankfully a twitter group organized a dinner out and Brava was chosen for this nights outing. I decided to give it another go and I was suitably impressed. With the large group service was attentive and everyone enjoyed their meals.

Since then... more

Nice place, I dined here alone when travelling and felt quite welcome at the bar. Servers and bartenders were well versed in their wide selection of wines, and the menu, and were also very friendly.

I had the crispy chicken, which came with some carrots and mashed potatoes. The serving was slightly small but it was quite good, a well made comfort food meal, which was what I was after that... more

Surprisingly, I dislike this place...must be a first! After all the rave about the lobster poutine and the oohs and ahhs... I decided to give this place a try. My boyfriend asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate and after reading reviews I chose Brava Bistro.

We made reservations a few days prior but could only get in at a later time (8:45pm) No biggy cuz we had plans before that but we... more

One of my favorite restaurants by far. Very classy yet laid back atmosphere, Dewey runs a great place. Everyone working there is crazy friendly and very knowledgable, you can tell they love their job. And the food........holy c@!p. My wife and I have been here several times over the past few years and will keep coming back. Lobster poutine is a must (looks small but you can share with someone... more

I don't really know what type of food to classify Brava Bistro under but I know I will surely be back to try some other dishes on their menu.

The lobster poutine was definitely the bees knees!!!!! Its nicely cut fries with marscopone cheese, lightly drenched in shellfish butter sauce topped with little pieces of lobster was just the ticket to end a weekend of fine dining. It automatically... more

I was Kenny M's wingman on Saturday night @ Brava bistro.

I ordered their infamous lobster Poutine, along with an avocado/bacon salad. The Poutine lived up to its reputation, it was intensely savory and buttery and the lobster's essence transitioned well into the gravy and the fries. I kinda wished there was more Mascarpone cheese, but after a few bites, the dish didn't really need it because... more

Brava was a pretty cool little bistro. I came here for a UYE and I came for the famous lobster poutine!

And did the lobster poutine deliver? in short YES, it was great! really unique and a ton of flavor. At first when it arrived I saw that their was only a tiny bit of actual lobster meat in the dish ( not surprising) but as I started to delve into the dish I got a fry soaked in sauce and OH... more

The food at Brava Bistro is delectable. If you're a poutine-lover, you have to try the Lobster Poutine. The creamy seafood butter sauce (also available in the gnocchi dish) is divine - while the plate looks small, don't be deceived. The sauce will fill you up. All in all, the food was fairly good, aside from the gnocchi being slightly too soft and the burned mushroom fritters on my friend's... more

Dear Brava Bistro,

I had to wait an hour for my food and you managed to burn my salad. However, you gave Wendy two Lobster Poutines for the price of one, so I can't hate too much. Also, your drink prices are reasonable, your restaurant is pretty and the guy who got my coat was equally pretty. If I could rate the servers separately, I'd give them 4 stars, because even though I'm pretty sure... more

Hands down one of the best in the city! A must try!

I find the menu changes so everytime I am there, its something new. I just love the decor and ambiance of the restaurant and the service is alway great! Service is steller.

The food is always good and the ingredients are fresh and most of all they always suggest a really good wine pairing :)

One of Calgary's best

I am inspired by the food and service here. A great experience for lunch, dinner or in between.

Dewey leads a great team and the menu's constant shifting keeps my palate excited.

My fiancee surprised me by taking me to this place. It doesn't look like much from the outside, so my expectations where kinda low. I was expecting patio food, or at best Joey Tomatoes style of cooking.

When we walked in we were greeted right away by one of their waiters, and barely waited until we were seated. She read the reviews before we went there and ordered the lobster poutine right... more

I went here without reading any reviews, at the suggestion of the person who took me here.

It was fantastic!!!! Great food, beautiful interior, service was attentive but not overwhelming. It is a very classy place, and you would expect the prices to be a lot higher for the quality of food and for the atmosphere. The patio is set up with white lights and it's absolutely beautiful.

I ate the... more

Love, love Brava Bistro. Everytime I'm in Calgary, we stop in for dinner or lunch. The relaxed atmosphere encourages us to linger and enjoy a few great bottles of wine.

On our last visit, the mussels with aioli and pomme frites were amazing. The Fettucini with smoked bacon and peas was perfect. Wine recommendations by the server were spot on.

The lobster poutine stole the show and overshadowed my main course. A nice place for a bite. I'd go back (after trying what else Calgary has to offer).

Brava Bistro was highly recommended to us by the staff at the hotel we where staying at, which was only three blocks away.

Getting a reservation on a Thursday evening was tough so plan ahead, we wanted to get a reservation for 7:15pm but where only able to get in at 8:15pm. The wait was well worth it and dinner went from good, better and then best.

We started with the Mussels' which come with... more

For a bit of a higher-end meal, Brava is certainly a good option. The food was great and it is the first place in Calgary that had decent fish (I'm from the east coast). Everything seems to be made with quality in mind and the service was very professional yet friendly. The wine selection is nice and the general atmosphere of the place is classy but also comfortable.

Great French-inspired cuisine. The service and food was very good. Like other Yelpers have mentioned, the Lobster Poutine really stands out as the key appetizer. But the mussels and scallops were both great as well. I had arctic char with thai green curry/coconut milk/pas/cabbage/noodles/pea shoots. The fish was flavorful and tender and the portion size was large. I could barely finish it.

The... more

I have read rave reviews about BB and decided to go and see for myself last night. After all it is only about 10 blocks from my home and I don't mind driving if I know I can at least walk home if I do get stuck in the snow.

You need to make reservations online or on a voice mail before you come here; otherwise you do not actually get a human voice to book one for you. This was a little... more

There were 9 of us at Brava last night and we had such an excellent time! Everyone really enjoyed their food. I had the lobster poutine, the wedge salad and the baked chocolate pudding. The lobster poutine seemed a bit weird at the beginning b/c it's essentially fries with a buttery sauce with chunks of lobster and blobs of marscapone cheese. I guess I didn't read the description very well b/c... more

Two words: Lobster. Poutine.

Five stars.

What's that? A vote for best restaurant in Calgary. They do know the way to my heart. The folks at Brava must have broken into my dreams and stolen all the best parts. Everything about this place is amazing: food, service, location, decor. The patio is gorgeous.

If lobster poutine isn't your thing, how about this: Lobster Gnocchi. Yum.

If you have not yet been to the Brava Bistro, I've got ONE question for you:

WHY?

As some of you know, I've been playing hostess in Calgary this week and my sister recommended that we go to Brava Bistro on 17th Ave. I was a little nervous because I'm really trying to show these people a good time, and let me just tell you; I think my guests LOVE Calgary BASED on their experience at Brava.
... more