


Calgary
Dairy Lane Cafe
Calgary's oldest restaurant, serving homestyle breakfast, brunch, burgers, milkshakes, and locally sourced Canadian comfort food since the 1950s.
canadian · diner · breakfast · brunch · burgers
Our story
At Dairy Lane Cafe, we have been serving Calgary since the 1950s, when we first opened as a milk bar offering homestyle meals and milkshakes to teenagers. As the city and its fashions changed, we stayed rooted in the values that built our reputation: delicious meals, wholesome ingredients, and a welcoming neighbourhood spirit. Today, we are proud to be Calgary's oldest restaurant, carrying tradition forward with a contemporary approach.We build relationships with local suppliers, source locally whenever possible, recycle diligently, and stay on a first-name basis with our butcher. From breakfast and brunch to burgers, dinner, drinks, and milkshakes, our focus remains simple: good food made with care and a community that feels at home at Dairy Lane.
Meet the chef
Chef Drew Masterman worked as a chef at Dairy Lane Cafe and Blue Star Diner, where he focused on slow food, local ingredients, and relationships with Calgary-area farmers and producers.
— Drew Masterman, Chef
Drew Masterman
Chef
Signature Dishes
Menu
Restaurant highlights
Ways to enjoy
Gallery










Reviews
Google reviews
This is a locally owned establishment using locally sourced products to produce great food in generous portion sizes.As soon as we walked in, we knew this was "the place" to be.We visited for lunch/brunch in a Spring Break trip because of the gluten free/Celiac safe reputation of this little restaurant.This is a busy little place with maybe 8 tables inside and a couple on the patio.We found the staff to be busy but very attentive and knowledgeable.I had the GF bison chili with a locally sourced GF bun on the side. Delicious.He had the breakfast burrito.Great flavors.I am only disappointed that we were too full to try the gluten free brownie with pralugr sauce and ice cream. That sounds divine.This restaurant has a great reputation for gluten free / celiac awareness. It is one hundred per
I don't often give such great reviews, but this place totally is worth it. I've come here twice now. My friend is Vegan and i'm not. This place offers a variety for all. I came all the way from Airdrie and my friend from deep south. Worth the drive! Exceptional food and service.. mushroom swiss burger was the best burger I've ever had and, my vegan friend had the breafast burrito and said it was awesome. It's a small place but worth the wait to get in!!!
Naturally gluten free should be the goal, these guys get it!I had the delicious fried buttermilk chicken, nice and crispy, and absolutely packs the heat with flavour, 10/10 best gluten free (or any fried chicken) I've ever had! The honey sauce they sneak on there is an amazing touch. Sweet and savory gets my vote any time!Staff were very nice and attentive, the space is a little tight but understandable considering the history of this business and the culture it's brought, if it's not broke don't fix it and i love that. I love the aesthetic!Oh, and don't leave without having a milkshake! The salted caramel was amazing, brought memories back from when a cafe used to make similar shakes, but closed down unfortunately, brought a tear or two.Price is a bit up there, but is to be expected, for
We went here because it was in my book that I read and honestly, I just thought it was OK. It’s kind of away from downtown area if you are staying downtown. I had the omelette. My mom had the French toast. All delicious but the service was kind of slow even though she was super nice and the food was just OK. You can’t make reservations, which is annoying, you have to just show up and hope a spot is available or put your name on the list which is what we did and we were called 30 minutes later. We got to sit outside, which was nice because it was a nice day! I feel like the spot is more for the locals in the area that can just walk here. I thought it was good but not great.
Had a great time at this cosy little spot on a chilly winter Calgary morning. The herbal lemon tea and the fluffiest omlette were a highlight♡ And the service was really great as well. The time between ordering and being served was amazing. Would definitely go again!
Guest testimonials
We visited for lunch/brunch in a Spring Break trip because of the gluten free/Celiac safe reputation of this little restaurant. We found the staff to be busy but very attentive and knowledgeable. I had the GF bison chili with a locally sourced GF bun on the side. Delicious.
I've come here twice now. My friend is Vegan and i'm not. This place offers a variety for all. I came all the way from Airdrie and my friend from deep south. Worth the drive! Exceptional food and service.. mushroom swiss burger was the best burger I've ever had and my vegan friend had the breafast burrito and said it was awesome.
I had the delicious fried buttermilk chicken, nice and crispy, and absolutely packs the heat with flavour, 10/10 best gluten free (or any fried chicken) I've ever had! The honey sauce they sneak on there is an amazing touch. Sweet and savory gets my vote any time!
Had a great time at this cosy little spot on a chilly winter Calgary morning. The herbal lemon tea and the fluffiest omlette were a highlight♡ And the service was really great as well. The time between ordering and being served was amazing. Would definitely go again!
Classic high quality Canadian brunch. I had Hillhurst Breakfast Sammy and my wife had the Spinach, Sautéed Onion & Mushroom Egg Benedict and we both loved our foods. It’s a small cozy restaurant and you definitely need to make reservation (or join the waiting list) if you want to go there for a weekend brunch.
This is a wonderful little spot. Yes small, but dont be fooled, your meal is freshly prepared, arrives hot at your table, is perfectly seasoned, and served with a smile and some conversation. We had breakfast, now I want to go back and try lunch! And we live 3 hrs away! Worth the trip!
Awesome little place. I’ve been dining here since it was a sweet little ‘Mom & Pop’ restaurant back in the early 2000’s. The place is still a gem. Always a creative menu offered, with delicious food, & generously portioned meals.
This is a hidden gem in Kensington. They also own the coffee shop next to them so if they are full they open seating in the coffee shop. Excellent food and superb staff.
Amazing friendly service. Food was delicious- I had a breakfast burrito and my daughter the eggs Benedict accompanied by the smoothest of lattes. Definitely worth a second visit
Dairy Lane has the best brunch in Kensington. The ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is cosy, the staff are authentic, and the barista bar is an added bonus.
Visit Us
Opening Hours
Open · closes 9:00 PM
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday