Reader Rock Garden

Went to Reader Garden Cafe for brunch and it was fantastic! The atmosphere and staff were warm and welcoming, especially on such a cool, drizzly day.

I ordered the special "Paprika Chicken with Spaetzle" it had a little bit of zip to it, but with a dollop of sour cream, was perfect!

Tried the Apple Strudel for dessert, and it was also perfect, with thin, lite layers of students between layers of apples. Made fresh every morning, it was a wonderful suggestion by my server, Sarah.

Cannot wait until next Season to come back with friends. Last day of the 2023 Season is tomorrow and closes Monday, October 1,2023, re-opening for the 2024 Season next April 26,2024.

Blessings to All

Was a beautiful walk through a flagstone path with lots of pretty flowers and spaces to at and reflect.

A tucked in garden in the city that brings all sorts of flowers for nature lovers. I love going there, enjoying the beautiful blooming flowers, and relaxing at the cafe in between or after the walk. Just lovely.

A beautiful treasure nestled in the heart of Calgary. Come for breakfast lunch or just an ice cream treat, it won't disappoint.

The location is not bike friendly. Access up the gravel and cobble stone utility road is "fun" like the Paris-Roubaix race but isn't for the average person or family. The single bike rack is not close and not readily visible from 95% of the tables, which deters anyone concerned with bike security. The area has sensitive flora and was built before cycling became a popular sport.

The menu and food looked good enough but we didn't stay due to the bike situation. It is a very beautiful location nestled in the sidehill forest.

We shall return by alternate means of transport to better enjoy the garden steps, to attempt a meal.

A beautiful garden hidden in the middle of the city, I loved it so much I got married here and the reception at the cafe was wonderful. So much thanks to all the people who work hard to maintain this space, it’s clearly a labour of love.

Reader Rock Garden is a beautiful and serene spot located in Calgary, Canada. The garden is situated on a hillside, providing visitors with stunning views of the city and the Bow River below. The garden is filled with a diverse array of plants and flowers, including roses, lilies, and irises, as well as a variety of trees and shrubs. The garden also features several water features, including a small pond and a waterfall.

One of the highlights of the garden is the rockwork, which gives the garden its name. The rocks have been arranged to create a natural-looking landscape, complete with small cliffs, caves, and pools. The rockwork is also home to a variety of mosses, lichens, and ferns, which add to the garden's lush and verdant feel.

The garden also features a number of walking paths, making it easy to explore all the garden has to offer. There are also several benches and picnic tables, making it a great spot for a relaxing lunch or a quiet place to read a book.

Overall, Reader Rock Garden is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Calgary. The garden is well-maintained and offers a peaceful and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's perfect for a relaxing stroll, a picnic or for photographers.

Beautiful place and interesting history. We had our engagement photos done here a few years ago.

This place is a paradise within the metropolis! You can almost forget you are in a city! Love this beautiful garden!

Reader Park used to be an amazing oasis in the middle of the city. We used to visit often because the flowers and plants were beautifully cared for. We were there today and we're so disappointed because the beds are all overgrown, weedy, and filled with dead and dying plants.

The Reader Rock Garden and Cafe was a lovely spot for our group's end of year lunch. The day was marred by a storm and a fallen tree made getting our handicapped member to the Cafe an ordeal. On a good day the garden is a delightful route to a delightful lunch.

This is a wonderful place close to the downtown core yet seemingly miles from the hustle and bustle. The cafe provides great ambiance for some ice cream on a hot summer's day also:)

Gem in the heart of the city. Food and service are great. I recommend the elder flower sprites. The daily special was a roast beef wrap and either the soup or salad for $17.75. Soup if the day was curried carrot soup which was delicious. The curry was just enough to enhance the flavor of the carrot. The roast beef was real roast beef not the deli meat kind.

Now this is the quintessential hidden gem. It's just south of Stampede Park, by the LRT, but you wouldn't know it once you get into the garden. It's situated on a hill, with lots of stone paths. Plus there is a cafe/restaurant. It's a beautiful place to walk, relax in the sun and even sit down for tea or coffee. Enjoy!

Best place in town, a wonderful little gem The cafe got a great atmosphere and wonderful service! Eunice is a Pearl, gave us the best service! Will always recommend it

Beautiful garden right in the middle of the city. There are signs all over the place introducing you to the types of plants and explaining some of the history of the garden.

Very nice gardens. Nice plants, shrubs and trees but not a lot in bloom when we went Aug 30,2021. Need to research ahead of time to determine best time of year to go.to.see the most blooms.

Very nice well maintained garden. Always a pleasure to walk alongvthe numerous winding paths surrounded by a variety of flora.

Very pleasant experience if visiting early morning hours and during the week.
Small garden, but tasteful developed and maintained.
Reading and painting opportunities. Relaxing oasis of green trees and local flowers.

Absolutely stunning! The landscaping is breathtaking and there is so much to see. It is a bit of a hike up hills and stone stairs, but worth it for all the pretty flowers and greenery. We went for a picnic and it was everything we imagined and more. We didn't get to the cafe that day but the outside was beautiful and I can't wait to go again!

Beautiful place. I wish it had more flowers and was even bigger than it is. Great place for grads and weddings. Very secluded and not well known. Keep it that way.

Amazing place with scenic natural beauty, must visit. Cafe serves exceptionally great Lasagna and Lemonade. It is easily accessible from CTrain station and hosts adequate parking space as well.

It was amazing place to visit, was able to get my son's graduation photos done with no disruption! We are going back soon just to visit!

Beautiful gardens and a nice place for a quiet walk.
Mostly shaded so it’s a great spot for a hot day.

Eerily quiet and would not recommend if you are not comfortable strolling through a cemetery (as the paths seem to connect). There is not much of a path to stroll but there are a handful of benches to sit and relax. Would recommend visiting when flowers are in bloom, otherwise not much to see.

Winter time here is pretty cool, too! It’s not very busy and there a lot of great little trails and interpretative signs. Plus. If you’re not weirded out by walking through the cemetery, it is a beautiful walk, too. I think of it as visiting a beautiful resting place for past Calgarians. And a great view.

One of the recommended parks to visit in Calgary. Just note that not all paths are accessible by stroller or wheelchair.

It's a restaurant in a park and it was packed when I went. Nice place and the food was good. Service was a little slow as the limited number of staff were trying to cope. It seems to attract an older clientele.

Besides the creepy senses of cemetery, it has its own sense of arts that's really interesting for those who like to do such differences in out doors.

Beautiful garden in the city. Close to Stampede Park. Hope to try the cafe next year when it reopens.

No idea what this is quite Frankly? No money to do anything enjoyable anyway in this ongoing hostage scenario

Beautiful set of gardens within Calgary. The history of the gardens is very interesting. If you like horticulture it's a must visit with plants flowering from spring through fall.

Love this place - always interesting for anyone that would like to get some gardening ideas. They are still working on overhauling - big task that takes time.

Limited menu selection, very expensive, but great ambiance and environment. Service was rather slow.

One of Calgary's true gems. Always a pleasure to walk through and there's something new to see every time you visit.

Directly across from the Stampede grounds, the garden has many quiet benches and places to sit and enjoy the peaceful gardens which have a large variety of flowers. There's also a cafe and info on the flowers provided throughout.

Beautiful park. Small but pretty trails to climb into flowered gardens. Great for quiet time, reading, picnics.

Gardens are full of beautiful flowers. We went there on a Thursday afternoon and it wasnt very busy. Watch out for the pollinators though. One flew up my skirt and stung me.

This garden is truly a hidden gem. There's lots of small footpaths to explore the gardens and the cafe at the top of the hill is really nice.

The variety of plants make it seem like an oasis in the busy city. The verdant landscape will be even more beautiful when the plants mature

A hidden oasis of lush plants and trees hidden here. We were at the cottage for a private event. Well done and staff were attentive and friendly.

Beautiful tresure in Calgary! Not very visited which makes it more special. Best moment to go is in spring when you can see all the plants blooming.
Beautiful!
No dogs allowed in the premises

Public transport (Erlton C-train stop) makes it very easy for anyone to reach this beautiful attraction. Reader's gardens are best visited on a nice day and those are usually the days that it gets most busy here. The gardens are not very big, but they're divided into a few distinct areas. I'd suggest you first get to the cafe and work your way from there. Exploring is best done when you aren't hungry.

What a hidden gem! Come for breakfast and wash it down with their delicious lava cake. The waitress had me sold on it when she said it would be a 10 minute wait for it to bake in the oven. Well worth the wait!

I'm glad more people don't know about this place because it allows you to take it in and enjoy it in peace. I also recommend taking a stroll through the connecting cemetery, Calgary has a lot of history, why not learn some while honoring our heroes.

Great ambience and very beautiful location. Good for making a soothing and refreshing.
A must go place to attain calmness and ofcourse for taking great pictures!