We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Reserve a table
2
Tue, 10-03
20:00
About
Perched directly above Lake Bonavista with large glass windows overlooking the lake, The Lake House, formerly The Ranche restaurant, is home to one of Calgary's finest and most creative restaurants as well as a unique setting for weddings and corporate events. Exuding rustic elegance, the interior is illuminated with ornate elk antler chandeliers and accessorized with a grand stone fireplace. Catching your eye when you enter the restaurant, a brand new 130 square foot glass encased wine cellar as well as a refurbished 21 foot bar from the 1800's, previously housed in a mercantile shop in Montana, speak to the recent renovations. The outdoor patio provides the perfect opportunity to savour sips
PRICE RANGE
US$15 - US$29
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
CUISINES
Canadian
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Waterfront
Reviews (213)
Filter reviews
207 results
Traveller rating
115
61
24
7
0
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
More languages
Traveller rating
115
61
24
7
0
Show reviews that mention
All reviews scallops bison lamb burger appetizers
Sort and selected filters
Sort FilterEnglish
Updating list...
Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

I’ve been here a number of times for lunch since it opened and I think the only thing that has changed in the past 3 years is the daily soup and quiche. There are no new options and quite frankly, it’s no longer exciting to...go to, regardless of service and quality. I also haven’t seen a full dining room in quite some time. Mene change is good to implement to keep them coming back. They need to do this.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 4 weeks ago

First of all, this is one of my two favourite places to go for lunch in Calgary and I have been here many times. The place has a very nice atmosphere and the views in fall of the lake out the window are beautiful. It...can be a very peaceful spot, a good place to celebrate something, or catch up with friends. But not this time. The place was not busy - about 25% full, maybe less on the Friday we had lunch. Historically I have had women serving me here, but this time it was a guy and I'm not sure what kind of drug he was on, but wow, he was like a hummingbird at our table lol. I kept wondering if he wanted us to hurry up eat and leave? or relax? or what exactly. He was loud too. It's not a big room, so loud voices really stand out. These days I hear about all the places who can't find staff, or the staff are poorly trained or the food is not good. Today it was like the staff were just too much, I can't describe it any other way. Too much in your face. Too many people serving our table, too many times our conversation was interrupted mid sentence. Three different people constantly at the table asking us about something, making suggestions I never requested. It was weird. Anyway - the food. Today I tried the fish and chips. It was OK. They must have run out of coleslaw in the kitchen from the look of my plate, but it was all fine. Served nice and hot and they make their own sauces which were great. I just hope the next time I'm here it will be a more relaxing atmosphere.More

Date of visit: September 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed August 6, 2023

Was here 40 years ago then 2 years ago. Last night a wedding. So many others I know have used this venue for a wedding, and the service, and everyone stated this, was 'superb.' Wine chosen was good. Open bar and selective nice drinks. All...4 courses just excellent. While I understand there might be a bad night once in a while, I would say that anyone I talked to loves this place, the ambience everything, and last night was just plain memorable.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed July 19, 2023

This restaurant right on the lake has an ambiance of a cottage and a very relaxed atmosphere. The menu is varied which allows parties to each get something much different. Sitting by the window we watched families paddle and row around the lake and kids...swimming off the beach. Food and wine was top notch and the waiter Frank was a treat. The duck was outstanding.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 20, 2023

Very disappointed. We had been there three years ago and absolutely loved the meal. At that time had 13 people with us and everyone loved their meal and most of the meals were different. Now the selection is very limited. I had Halibut which the...piece of fish was good but the rest of the plate was covered with a very pale cream bean. Very boring with little taste. Partner had the chicken a little difficult to eat with the shape of bone and the rest of the plate was couscous with little flavor. Menu had little variety so disappointed as it was our 40th anniversary.More

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 24, 2022

We celebrated our friends 60th Wedding Anniversary Lunch at The Lake House. We were seated at a table with plush chairs beside the huge fireplace. What beautiful ambiance. It was also very quiet. Our server was knowledgeable and very attentive. Three of us had Battered...Cod and chips. It was one of the best I have ever had. Another guest had an awesome burger, another scrumptious blackened chicken and the other the Daily Quiche. We enjoyed a glass of delightful wine with lunch. We declined dessert on this visit but it was truly memorable. We will be back.More

Date of visit: November 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 13, 2022

WE went here for a romantic birthday dinner. Went early to get a window view. The service was perfect. The restaurant was very loud and not the ambience we were hoping it would be. Then they came by and closed the blinds as the sun...was bothering people. Not impressed as we came for the view. After that decided to skip desert and coffee and left. Who wants to stare at a blind in a dark restaurant. Food was decent. Not the experience we were hoping for.More

Date of visit: August 2022
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed May 15, 2022

My partner and I are foodies and decided to give this restaurant a shot. The food was absolutely amazing but must admit that we have had better service in the past. Not saying the service was bad it just wasn’t memorable.

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 26, 2022

Took a friend here for a birthday lunch. Pleasant atmosphere because of lovely locaton, good service, but meal was not exceptional. Standard fish and chips, chips appeared to be from a package.

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed April 18, 2022 via mobile

Food was okay. Portions were small and, price was insane. 3 scallops and 2 popcorn shrimp over $40. Two small pork tenderloin medallions and a tiny pork belly over $40. Go up the street to Wellingtons and get a beef Wellington for the same price...as either of these. Insane they are asking these prices for so little and simple food, even with inflation this place is out to lunch (literally) on the menu prices.More

Date of visit: April 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed March 21, 2022

The atmosphere in the restaurant with views of lake Bona Vista were incredible. The appetizers and mains were outstanding and the wine recommended by our server to pair with our meal was perfect. Our server Darcy was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Would absolutely recommend for...date nights or occasions.More

Date of visit: March 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed March 4, 2022 via mobile

We visited The Lake House for our first wedding anniversary last month and were so impressed. It is gorgeous in there when it’s dark, the fire going and the pretty lights. The food was great, I had the lamb and my husband had the bison....We received complimentary champagne for our anniversary. The service was wonderful. Can’t wait to go back one day.More

Date of visit: February 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 28, 2021

With more people vaccinated and restaurants finally open in the summer after the lockdown, we decided to eat here. We could only get a table on a weekday, weekends were all booked until the end of summer. This was our first time here, we arrived...for dinner at around 7 pm and could not get a window table. If you want to get a window table, try to be there as early as you can specially if you are a group of more than four. The restaurant was quite busy and a little noisy. Tables were well spaced. We started by sharing a charcuterie board which was not elaborate but had great choices of salami, ham and pickles accompanied by bite-sized rye bread. For my entree I ordered the Peri peri marinated Haloumi cheese and it was absolutely delicious. The quinoa was so flavourful. My friends ordered the Duo of Alberta Lamb which tasted great as well. My friends also ordered the Pinot Noir as recommended by our server Darcy that went well with the lamb. Darcy was nothing short of a rockstar. He was so warm, friendly and very attentive. Overall the service was exceptional. We were full after the appetizer and entrée so for the dessert all of us shared a Sticky Toffee Pudding, which tasted very well. Some of us ordered coffee, I wish the coffee was a little more warm. Yes it is a bit pricey, but quality of food and service are top-notch. If I had one complaint - it would be that I could not get a table by the window and enjoy the gorgeous lake view.More

Date of visit: July 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 16, 2021

Pleasant setting. Beautiful view of the lake. Fancy table cutlery and napkins, extended wine selection. Food portions very generous, friendly service. Good coffee selection. Elegant crowd of customers at lunch. Quiet, distanced and safe environment.

Date of visit: November 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed October 12, 2021

Such a beautiful setting in amongst the fall colours surrounding the lake. Staff are extremely knowledgeable on the food and lengthy wine list. We had an appetizer, main and dessert and was quite full afterwards. What a flavour explosion in every mouthful from start to...finish. We started with the crab and salt cod samosas and Heirloom tomatoes and prosciutto. Followed by cured bison striploin and beef ribeye. The vegetables that went with both were so well prepared and paired nicely with the meat. Didn’t think we would have room but we then managed the peach creme brûlée and peanut butter swirl cheesecake….absolute heaven. We will be back.More

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best nearby
Best nearby hotelsSee all
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Calgary South-Macleod Trail S, an IHG Hotel
303 reviews
1.50 km away
Stetson Village Inn
44 reviews
2.55 km away
Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South
697 reviews
2.78 km away
Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre
1,930 reviews
3.65 km away
Best nearby restaurantsSee all
Piccola Napoli Ristorante
94 reviews
1.40 km away
Ricky's All Day Grill
58 reviews
1.40 km away
Brewsters Brewing Company & Restaurant Lake Bonavista
51 reviews
.14 km away
Best nearby attractionsSee all
Southcentre Mall
58 reviews
1.58 km away
Avenida Food Hall and Fresh Market
29 reviews
1.36 km away
Fish Creek Library
6 reviews
1.24 km away
Trico Centre For Family Wellness
13 reviews
1.28 km away
Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Tourist318554
January 28, 2019|
Answer
Response from Michael K | Reviewed this property |
Yes, Lake House has a small elevator for wheelchair access and wide open floor space. Expect about $30 per person for a good lunch with wine etc
0
Votes
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing

THE LAKE HOUSE, Calgary - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu, Prices, & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Lake House

The Lake House is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5