Franca's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Calgary

If you have never been to Franca’s you are missing out on a truly 5 star restaurant in the middle of the industrial area on Edmonton Trail. We discovered this gem through a year end celebration dinner with my golf group from the Winston many years ago and it is now our favourite restaurant in Calgary. My wife and I mostly reserve for dinner but have been lately going for lunch dates as well. We have also attended a few wine tasting events hosted by Franca and Mario who invite wineries from their home area in Italy. When we first started going they catered to the lunch crowd in the area and were only open for dinner on Sat night with a set menu. They later changed Sat night to an open menu and have now added some Fri nights too. I guess it’s getting too popular so yes you need a reservation. And the food, OMG, the best Italian food in Calgary! We celebrated dinner for our friends parent’s 50th anniversary and her parent’s father who is a very staunch Italian said it passed the test and the baccala was the best he had ever tasted. One of my favourites is the gnocchi which just melts in your mouth. When have you had pasta that melts in your mouth! This is a family run business with Franca and her kids running the front along with her sister on occasion and Mario in the kitchen perfecting these marvellous meals. Mario will come out for a short visit to make sure you have enjoyed your food and experience. They are all so friendly and caring. When Franca has time she will sit with you and share their story about the restaurant and their roots in Italy. They have decorated the restaurant with pictures from the old farm in Italy too. Very interesting story. If you are looking for some of the best Italian food in Calgary with with great friendly people,...

I have to say this place is a fantastic surprise , when we walked in I enjoyed the small dining area as it was visually appealing a very homely ; felt very authentic in atmosphere. We ordered sausage and capresse salad to start : the salad was easily a 9/10 in terms of taste and freshness , the sausage was a little underwhelming but still flavourful ,7/10. As mains we ordered gnocchi along side the lamb with a bottle of the house red: the lamb was pretty disappointing considering the price and the portion size but still well cooked despite a lack of seasoning 6/10. The Gnocchi which was recommended by the waiter (in rosé sauce) was perfectly hand crafted , it was light and airy and cooked to perfection , however, the sauce was extremely bland and boring if not for the perfectly cooked pasta this dish would be sub 5 in my books 7/10. After our mains we saw someone enjoying what looked like pretty good pizza and so we order the Mario pizza in a 12 in size. I have to say this saved the night , this is pizza is easily top 3 in the city only behind maybe noble pie , incredibly light , crispy with flavourful sauce and a perfect crust this pizza is easily a 9.5/10 and is 100% what I would recommend to anyone who came here . We also ordered a tiramisu Classico which is nothing special but still an okay dish to end the night on 6/10 . Highlight here is the pizza and the great service would...

Our experience at Franca’s for our son’s baptism reception was nothing short of exceptional. We put our trust in Franca for this event and she impressed us and our guests at every opportunity!

Franca’s provided an authentic Italian menu and experience that made us feel like we were being cared for by family. The ambiance was perfect for our 40 person celebration, with a cozy yet elegant atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable gathering. The attention to detail in the decor and table settings added an extra touch of sophistication.

Now, onto the food – it was outstanding! Each dish was not only beautifully presented but also simply delicious. Franca’s truly captures the essence of Italian cuisine, and our guests couldn’t stop raving about the Pollo Tartufo and the homemade peach pastries!

The staff at Franca’s went above and beyond to cater to our needs, ensuring everyone felt welcomed and taken care of throughout the event. They were attentive, friendly, and genuinely invested in making our celebration unforgettable.

Overall, we couldn’t have chosen a better venue for our son’s special day. Franca and her team were wonderful. We wholeheartedly recommend Franca’s to anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience and...