Villa Maria

Courtney Slater

This is our favorite Italian restaurant in the city and have been visiting as often as we can for the past two years of living in Calgary. The owner makes you feel apart of the family in true Italian culture. I don't know any other restaurant owner that that knows the majority of their patrons by name and we are always greeted with a hug. All this and I haven't even mentioned the food yet! My god, the best lobster ravioli you will ever eat! Much of our family has tried other items on the menu and have been equally satisfied but that dish is a must try! I can't say enough good about this place - go there and you will understand.

Josh Newton

Villa Maria is hands down the best Italian Restaurant in Calgary!! I've been here a few times and can't say enough good things about the staff and the food. Both are amazing! The prices are bit higher than the Chiantis chain, but the food is so much better here. If you're looking for quality Italian cuisine, this is the place. Highly recommend.

Ronaye Willington

Recommend you make a reservation. Glad we did. Friendly welcome at the front door, shown to our table immediately and looked after for the evening by pleasant, friendly wait staff and were brought a free delicious bruchetta appetizer once we had ordered beverages, which we eat while we comtemplated the menu. The bruchetta was just a teaser for the wonderful meal that followed: For the appetizzer we each ordered a Caesar Salad, which had a very nice light dressing and shared Calamari Alla Napoletana. We picked the red sauce option for the calamari and the sauce was so good we were spooning it up like soup and dipping our bread in it, as we didn't want to leave a single drop. For our main course, my husband ordered the Fettucine Di Mare, which was pasta with shrimp, scampi and garlic in a creamy sauce. I tasted his and will try it next time. I ordered my favourite Italian pasta option, the Penne Puttanesca, which is penne pasta with garlic, capers and black olives in a tomato sauce, also very good; nicely spicey, but not too spicey. The meal came with warm Italian rolls and there was no problem getting extras when we asked. We used up our first set on the calimari sauce! We were offered the dessert menu, but declined as we were deliciously stuffed! Maybe next time. The restaurant is lovely inside with ample free parking in the lot behind. We were there in the evening and the lighting was low and intimate, just right for our date night, but there was a large family group there enjoying the atmosphere as well. Although, it got much quieter in the room after the family group left. Unlike some restaurants, we never had a problem hearing each other across the table nor did we feel that we were being overheard by nearby tables. There were large windows on the north and east sides of the restaurant, which I'm sure make for a well lit atmosphere during the day, perfect for the lunch crowd. Not only was the food delicious, but the price was right. We shared an appetizer, each had salad, and an entree for $85, including tip and GST. I think that is pretty good for fine evening dining in Calgary. We will definitely eat here again.