Riverside Bistro

Did you know that you can have dinner inside a winter igloo right in Edmonton?

The Courtyard Marriott Hotel in downtown Edmonton has recently set up its winter igloos! They had it last year but I didn’t have a chance to check it out. These winter igloos are located on the patio of the Riverside Bistro, which is the hotel’s restaurant. The menu comes from that same restaurant. There are 3 igloos in total and reservations must be made for either 5 PM or 7 PM seatings (1.5 hours max can be spent inside). You can have up to 6 people in an igloo. Note that there is a minimum spend of $150 no matter how many people you have.

The inside of the igloo is very cute and intimate. Although you’re dining at night, the lights surrounding the igloo actually provide a lot of light! You can hear noise carry over from other igloos if they’re loud but they won’t be able to hear what you’re saying. It’s private for sure. There is a small heater but I would definitely recommend layering up or bringing a light blanket with you. I only wore a wool jacket and wish I had worn my winter jacket instead! Although I did feel a bit cold, it wasn’t unbearable and didn’t take away from the experience.

I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the food was! My boyfriend and I decided to share a variety of appetizers. We had the Shrimp Gyoza, Sweet Potato Fries, Coconut Curry Poutine, and Beef Carpaccio. I enjoyed them all but my favourite items were the Shrimp Gyoza and Coconut Curry Poutine.

For dinner, I had the Steak Sandwich and my boyfriend had the Mushroom Demi-Glace New York Steak. We both enjoyed our entrees as well, our steaks were cooked to the right temperatures. Since we needed to rack up the bill to hit the $150 minimum, we also ordered a few drinks and side items. The service was excellent and very attentive. The servers came by multiple times to check on us (from the outside).

I’m not too big on alcoholic drinks but I liked how their cocktail menu had a few hot cocktails. I had the Bailey’s Hot Chocolate which was tasty and warmed me up a little!

If you’re looking to make reservations, you can call 780-423-9999. I would recommend booking ASAP because last year when I tried to book, weekends were sold out a month in advance. For parking, there is a parkade right beside the hotel for $5 per hour. Overall, I would definitely say it was worth it. It’s a cool dining experience, unlike anything I’ve been to in Edmonton.

Update: It looks like they’ve added on a fourth igloo this year due to popular demand! There are also 3 PM seatings available now.

Riverside Bistro at Courtyard Marriott Downtown

Address: 99 Street & Jasper Ave

Reservations: Call 780-423-9999 ext 4747