Inside Calgary's newest French bar – and what you should order
Of all the restaurant openings we’ve seen so far in 2026, none have been hyped up quite like Francine’s.
Brought to life by Chef Garrett Martin and Bar Manager Nate Wry, the spot has garnered attention for its old-world cocktails and approachable menu of French-inspired bites.
Speaking to Dished, Martin explained that the idea for Francine’s had started a few years ago, when he and Wry decided they wanted to open a spot offering French food that was more cocktail-focused, rather than a classic bistro or brasserie.
“We wanted to do something that felt maybe a little bit more lively, a little more convivial,” he explained, adding that they wanted Francine’s to feel like somewhere you’d stumble into in Paris late at night.
“We want people to come and feel comfortable in our space, to walk around and chat with people that they know. Less formal and more fun,” Wry added.
From pop-up to permanent
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Francine’s first debuted in Calgary in the form of a long-term pop-up at Meat & Bread, running for a successful six-month stint back in 2024, where the concept proved to be a hit.
After winding down operations and several popular short-term stints at hot spots such as Paper Lantern and Canmore’s Sauvage, the first permanent Francine’s location finally opened its doors in Calgary’s Chinatown neighbourhood in January.
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“If you look at what happens in Chinatown and some other cities like Vancouver or Toronto, there are a lot of younger owners coming in and opening up little bars […] So we wanted to be a part of that,” Martin added.
Since opening, the pair said the Chinatown community had been extremely welcoming.
“People just come in our door all the time and shake our hands and say they’re so excited we’re here,” Wry said.
The Chinatown space has been renovated to perfectly encapsulate what Francine’s is all about. It’s cozy, with exposed brick and wood. There’s plenty of seating, whether it’s at the large bar, along the banquettes or by the window overlooking Centre Street.
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“The music’s loud, the food’s good, it’s not pretentious. There are no white tablecloths. It’s just a place to kind of come enjoy yourself, meet the people next to you, have some great drinks, have some great kind of snacky, salty food, and enjoy yourself,” Martin said.
What we ordered
While the menu is certainly French-inspired, it isn’t authentically French, leaving plenty of room for creativity at Francine’s. Sure, there’s still a lot of butter and cheese on the menu (as well as Lactaid pills for those who might need them), but there are plenty of lighter dishes too.
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We had to start our visit with a cocktail, opting for the Francine’s 75, a take on the classic French 75 using St-Rémy, with blueberry, basil, lemon, and sparkling wine.
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For snacks, we started with the Cheesy Puffs, served with warm Parmesan mousse. The puffs themselves are light as air, and perfect to dip into the savoury mousse.
Another Francine’s classic is the Ham & Chips. The honey butter chips are piled high with Bayonne ham and Comte cheese, for the ultimate sweet and savoury snack.
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As for the larger plates, we couldn’t recommend the Steak Frites enough. It was perfectly pink, tender and paired deliciously with the peppercorn glaze. If you’re a chunky fries truther (they’re just better than skinny fries), these will not disappoint.
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t leave Francine’s without trying, it’s the French Toast. The dish has become synonymous with the restaurant at this point and has been on the menu since the pop-up. Thick slices of bread, soaked in custard and caramelized to perfection, with honey ice cream and shavings of Comte cheese.
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Whether you’re looking for a spot to grab a leisurely lunch or for a fun spot to grab drinks and a snack, Francine’s is one to add to the list.
Francine’s is open Monday to Saturday.
Francine’s
Address: 306 Centre St. S., Calgary
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