Friends and I stopped in for an afternoon cocktail. The space is beautifully decorated and the furniture is classy and comfortable. We were seated near the window, which provided a beautiful view of the river valley. The servers are very quick, professional, and friendly. I ordered a spiced orchard mule and truffle gouda fries. My drink was made with high quality ingredients and was flavourful. My fries were perfectly cooked- crisp and golden, and the gouda and truffle oil provided a rich flavour. I highly recommend this lounge for a relaxed, upscale experience. read more

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We celebrated a special occasion on the Conferation Lounge Patio. So memorable and special there as always!! We brought our infant twins with us and they happily provided two high chairs for us. The patio is spectacular and customer service top notch. We really enjoyed the food and drinks - can't wait to come back! read more

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This is the more relaxed dining room in the Hotel MacDonald. Prices though are similar to the Harvest room but a different menu. It is lovely inside with fireplaces, comfortable couches and seating. Reminds me of an elegant cigar room. I would like to come here during the summer, because the patio has one of the best views of the river valley. Service was great. Our server came repeatily to make sure that we were comforable and happy with what we had ordered. A breakdown of what we had HEIRLOOM PUMPKIN SOUP - coconut cream, toasted pepitas, plantain chips ORGANIC SALMON - Pan seared salmon, Thai Laksa sauce, tiger prawns, tender bok choy, rice noodles, crushed nuts and NANAIMO BAR MARTINI Custard cream, coconut crumb, chocolate ganache inspired by the traditional Canadian dessert from Vancouver Island Food was delicous. The standout was the salmon. Delicous Laksa sauce. Absolutely beautiful. The Nanaimo bar martini was good, but extremely rich. I would say if you are not a huge sweet fan try something else. However, if you love chocolate, this one is for you. For us this was fairly pricey so it would be a once a year treat. read more

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This place is so cool, love the old school look and the chill vibes. The oysters are amazing. The fries and various dips were so tasty. Also the veggie wrap looked great and the wife said it was tasty. I have to say the service was top notch. The waitress was super friendly and understanding when helping pick things out. Drink menu was great and would go back again! Also again, bring your wallet!!! read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Place looks awesome inside! - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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I came to the Confederation Lounge a while back. The books and paintings really set the experience apart from other places. In terms of food, I've tried their striploin and a couple of other items. The quality is decent but the flavour felt off. Their price was a bit on the expensive side too...so I'd give them 7.5/10. read more

Salmon was amazing. Staff very friendly and service was quick. Would definitely try again.

My wife and I have gone to the Harvest Room of the Hotel MacDonald on a number of occasions (which we really enjoy because the food (and service) is great), but it was my first time going to the Confederation Lounge. It was a very enjoyable evening! My wife brought me there, making it one of the first things I did upon my return to Canada from a six-month stay abroad. The Confederation Lounge has a more relaxed atmosphere than the Harvest Room, but is still a fancy place to go have dinner and / or drink. Seats were available inside the lounge but we chose to sit outside; the weather was absolutely perfect that evening!! My wife had the Alberta Beef burger, and I had the Baja Halibut tacos, and oh my goodness they were delicious. Super fresh ingredients and nicely seasoned. Service was excellent and friendly. The view is quite nice from the hotel - you can see a very magnificent view of Edmonton's south side. After dinner, we went for a walk in the hotel grounds, through the garden, and finally we took a look at the bee hotel, which was my first exposure to such thing!! A bee hotel is a hotel for migrating bees, which is a good way to make sure they survive. read more

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Aesthetic pleasing, very calm and relaxing. Food was absolutely amazing. Tried the lamb and mashed potatoes. read more

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Friday after work and this place was hopping! We stayed in the hotel and had a look before 6 and the place was packed. After we came back about an hour later, it was still full so we went to our room and then came back after 7. There weren't any empty tables but one party was leaving to we waited for that table. After clearing the table, our server brought us food menus a bowl of nuts and oriental mix while we browsed the drink menu. They have a good variety of cocktails and I started with the raspberry one. The food menu offers quite a few decent options. There is a good selection of appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. I decided on the crab cake sliders from the appetizer menu and our server said it came with 3 which was ample as I was wanting to try a dessert. There are 2 TVs in the room and both were on the Oilers game but most people were enjoying their company whether it be work colleagues, family, or friends. The lounge is nicely decorated with wreaths and it's a comfortable atmosphere with a fireplace inside too. Our server was fairly attentive and when are drinks were emptied, he asked if we went another. I decided on the summer crush cocktail. Our food arrived at the table and my 3 crab cakes looked appetizing. I liked when they weren't breaded and fried but still held together and I could take the crab. After dinner, we browsed the dessert menu and the creme brulee was eggnog which sounded tasty and I should have tried that instead of the peach crumble. The temperature was warm but not as hot as I like it and the pieces of peach and crumble were ok but something I could replicate at home. The meal was more of a hit than the dessert. Although we were in the lounge for more than an hour and half, it didn't seem that long and relaxing and comfortable. With the round glass table for our food, it wasn't still comfortable to each with our armchairs. During our stay a few more tables opened up but it was a constant stream of people coming in so definitely a popular lounge in the city. read more

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The Confederation Lounge at the Hotel McDonald holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the locations on the first date with my wife. We have returned for lunch, supper, and desserts on various occasions and the food has always been the least impressive part. Not that it's bad, you just expect better. Instead, the comfortable yet elegant atmosphere inside and the amazing patio view of the River Valley outside are the stars of the show. Downtown Edmonton has better food to offer but rarely a better view. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Our table. My wife and I sat at this table when we shared a dessert on our first date. - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I was in Edmonton on business and on the hunt for poutine and a comfortable place to have a drink. The confederation lounge was an absolute god send. It is inside the hotel (which looks like a castle) and has big cozy fancy furniture and a large patio with a gorgeous view of the river. I sat down and was immediately greeted by a waiter who brought me a glass of water and a bowl of snack mix. completely unexpected and delightful. I ordered a manhattan with bourbon and the drink was delicious. For food i was planning to order an appetizer and entree but when i ordered the poutine to start the waiter said the portion was huuge so i settled for one dish. There is a choice of butter chicken or bison for the poutine; i was feeling adventurous and chose the bison. The french fries were the perfect thickness and cooked well. The bison gravy was really rich and the bison was so tender it practically melted. The wait staff did not rush me at all as i slowly munched on fries and read a book. Overall a wonderful place! read more

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Having the good fortune of staying at the Fairmont MacDonald however, arriving on the Canadian Thanksgiving Day where most restaurants were closed I was in a foodie dilemma. Needing to grab a bite to eat midday before supper time, I came to the Confederation Lounge where I ordered the local crab cake sliders with fennel, srirachi ketchup and brioche bun which was spot on. The three sliders were a perfect size and hit the spot. Prices were what one would expect for this hotel category and The Confederation Lounge was the saving grace for satisfying my stomach on a Canadian Holiday!. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Anytime I come here, I am always impressed with the professionalism of the staff. You immediately feel at home and well taken care of. The ambience is magical with the 1915 vintage setting situated in the Hotel MacDonald. The drinks are wonderful here - I love me a good Old Fashion here. Sometimes the bartenders will whip up their own concoction if you are willing. I have never been disappointed. My favourite time to come here is in Spring/Summer when the terrace is open. The gardens of the hotel and the view of the river valley are incredible! I would have to say it is probably one of the best patios in town. The menu has a good variety of sharables, gastro pub fare and some entrees to select from. The food has always been delicious when I have eaten here. My most recent try was the vegetarian lentil burger. It had so much flavour - I didn't miss the meat. My friend had the salmon and it was equally delicious and cooked to perfection - the fish was soft like butter. This is a wonderful place to hang out with family, friends, your romantic partner or even by yourself. It is nothing but good vibes here. I look forward to coming back again soon! read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Salmon and cuscus - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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Depending on where you stay, hotel food is usually on par with how luxurious the hotel is. Hotel Mac is well known for it's stellar brunch but the offerings at the Confederation Lounge is something worth looking out for. Had some eggs benny for a late bfast here and everything tasted super dope. The English muffin kinda hard and cold. So make sure to cover that bad boy in the warm creamy yolk. Lunch fared a lot better with tacos, poke bowls and chicken wings. Tacos had great flavor with the pork tasting juicy as hell. Fish in the poke bowl followed suit as the quality was superb. The shining star however were the wings. I feel like I've eaten some good wings in my day and these are pretty incredible. These fried (air fried?) salt and pepper wings were so lightly crisp which went well with the spicy dipping sauce. These are quite possibly the best wings in Edmonton and because it is the nicest hotel in Edmonton, these are also the most expensive wings as well at $18 for 12. Despite the weather slowly becoming winter after 2 weeks of fall, the patio here might not be the best option. However the inside has that old turn of the twentieth century feel (i'm old), where you wouldn't be out of place if you had a thick bushy white mustache and had to smoke your pipe. Need to try the variety of food here as I've been impressed so far but as service may be slow at times the lounge is definitely worth getting a drink and enjoying views. Sal says: Just Try It (3.8/5) Angelo says: Slow service. Despite how busy they were for a high end hotel they need to account for that. I don't care what their excuses are. Food was good tho. Above average. read more

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This is my favorite place to go for a drink after or before a concert, play etc. A library-style lounge, with plush chairs and 1900 s decor -the best place to unwind with a beverage and admire the picture-perfect view of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. I already have plans to go three more times after three separate Christmas concerts and plays. I love how it's totally cozy, clean and comfortable. The noise is never too loud. And they decorate so lovely for Christmas. The prices here are reasonable and the service is always great The coffee here is great I've also ordered TV and light appetizers and they have always been good. I really appreciate how they have milk alternatives for coffee or tea's. In the summer or you can hang out on their beautiful patio. There is some parking next to the building but if not you have to park on the street or across the road at paid parking. Still very well worth it I highly recommend for dinner or lunch. (They're open at 11 am) or just a drink. read more

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We visited and ordered the cauliflower appetizer (YUM) and the mushroom bisque (Good, but lukewarm). The service initially was alright, a delayed service of beverages and taking of the order, but still going ahead well.....got the food. 2 burger platters ordered, the potato and sweet potato fries were overdone, over salted and kinda awful. If you go, choose a salad. The sauces for the sweet potato tasted rancid, when we told the server, she shrugged and didn't seem to care. Then the "gravy" for the regular fries tasted like plum sauce with honey gone wrong, not gravy at all. Again, mentioned it to server, she didn't seem to care. We pretty much had to keep asking for water, or a refill on soda and when we did get the soda, it had mint leaves and the stems (or at least we hope that's what it was!) floating. AGAIN we mentioned it, she didn't care and brought a fresh one, joking that this one was without mint. yeah with a pandemic - hardy har. We requested the bill, and EVENTUALLY got it, as she stood over us with debit machine in hand...um, we weren't suddenly going to hurry as she had not moved fast even once all night. It's as if she thought that we were lucky to have this sh!tty service and should be grateful. UM, NO. NOW: To the good: the view is amazing, the air was beautiful, with social distancing it was less noisy and very relaxed, great music. Yes, the menu was limited but that's to be expected with Covid. We were grateful for a night out after all these months!! Just a shame about the server :( Burger-5 Star! Cauliflower and Mushroom Soup -5 Star! Potato/Sweet potato/Associated sauces - 1 star. read more

The Confederation Lounge is probably the most stunning lounge in the city of Edmonton. Forget those trendy hipster places... the Confederation Lounge is a timeless classic! Not only can you come here on a cold winter day to enjoy a hot toddy in one of many comfy chairs, you can also come here in the summer for THE BEST patio in Edmonton! In the summer months, they have a barbecue menu which I actually didn't try until I was there with the Yelp Elite crew. I had actually been to the Confederation Lounge a couple weeks prior, sitting outside on a hot sunny day. I was present the barbecue menu, and asked for the regular menu as I had already eyed up something from that menu when I was checking it out online. The waitress was more than accommodating. I must say though, the "smoked chicken sandwich" I ordered did not live up to my expectations. It was okay, but not as fantastic as I had expected. I will say though, the Confederation Lounge menu is fairly extensive, and very affordable. This would be a great date spot.. Hotel MacDonald without the Harvest Room prices :) Now, onto the purpose of my review... the barbecue! I was able to try 3 items from the barbecue at the Yelp Event. Eggplant shrimp burger, beef burger with an amazing pepper relish, and an even more amazing pork taco. I must say, I was extremely impressed. The flavours were mouth watering, and I sincerely highly recommend coming here to try to the barbecue. I will definitely be back in the near future with my BF and I know he will enjoy the barbecue. A gorgeous view overlooking the river valley, great service, and delicious food. Perfect-o! read more

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This place is pretty swanky. Not surprising considering it's located inside the Hotel McDonald. Came in to enjoy the afternoon weekday high tea with friends. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this restaurant. The high tea was completely enjoyable. But I did notice that service is much slower in the lounge then in the regular dining room. After tea we decided to share a burger because what goes better with tea and cucumber sandwiches then a beefy burger. To say the least the burger was one of the best I've ever had. Definitely recommend and will be back to have it again. read more

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I am a huge fan of the Confederation Lounge. It's been a few years between visits for me but I'm happy to report that it lives up to the standards in my memory. This is probably my favourite place to go in downtown Edmonton when you're craving a cocktail and you want to indulge a little more than usual. I like to pop in here after dinner for cocktails and dessert. It's a great place for conversation and the atmosphere is oh-so-elegant. I love sinking into one of their lucious armchairs and feeling the warmth of the wood-panelled room. The cocktails served here are divine. They're a bit pricier than you'd get elsewhere but definitely worth it once in awhile. My new favourite is the Firefly: a gin-based drink with limoncello, mint, and cucumber. I wish I'd discovered it earlier in the season as this would have been the perfect summer drink. read more

I've been here a couple times with groups of people.it's a nice lounge area with a bunch of places to sit and especially like the bar area where you can actually see the view and the entire place at the same time I like the beat salad, and wings.there's a great variety of drinks as well but I still like to stick with the green tea but there's a lot of other stuff you can drink obviously. read more

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My favorite bar in the city. Upscale, refined, great ambiance. I don't drink much but my mates have mentioned their drinks being on point. The prices are not cheap but not insane either. The views are grand, the room is what I imagine a smoking room to feel like. Dark wood, ornate finishing a, comfortable leather chairs and a roaring fireplace in the winter. For business, pleasure or even a quick afternoon snack, this is a great place. I sometimes would come here in University by train, grab a tea or coffee and study for hours in a dark corner. Stop reading and go. Why 4 and not 5 stars? Sometimes the service is slow and if you drive parking is annoying. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Given the impeccable service, the delicious food and drink, the wonderful atmosphere and the great view/room architecture, it's hard not to like the Confederation lounge. It's expensive, certainly, but you get great service out of the amount of money you pay, and realistically it's not as expensive as I might have imagined. The quality of food and beverage makes the price logical. I've always loved the patio here but I especially liked the good selection of warm alcoholic beverages available here. The truffle popcorn and the delicious drinks of all types (along with the complimentary nibbles) make this a great place to spend some time and have some good discussions. I'm particularly fond of the blueberry tea and the fact that they offer numerous other warm alcoholic beverages. Our server checked in with us and was very prompt at taking our orders and removing dishes and answering questions/providing service. One of our party requested a copy of the drink menu to keep and was provided one -- something that the Fairmont does at their various similar establishments from my understanding -- asking being key here. The architecture (it being in a 100 year old building) is quite nice. I look forward to visiting again sometime soon. read more

I was staying at the Fairmont for just one night on business and was looking to stay indoors for dinner and a cocktail since it was quite cold outside! I got to the lunge around 6:30 on a Tuesday night and it was buzzing with other patrons (and even families) so I grabbed a seat at the empty bar. The friendly bartender quickly approached and offer me menus and a cocktail. I ordered a Makers Mark old fashioned and it was delish, not to sweet and just string enough. For dinner I was a but stumped by the menu but ultimately settled in the salmon. It was AMAZING! I don't even like Brussels sprouts and I basically licked the plate clean. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Salmon dinner - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I came here for the view - and what a view it is. I got some incredible scenic shots of the North Saskatchewan River, as well as the patio itself which was adorned with foliage and flowers (it was late summer). Lots of tourists were there, asking to have their photos taken with the majestic backdrop. The menu is quite nice but very much on the pricey side. A cup of coffee was something like three dollars. We split a small (and I mean small) tiramisu dessert, which was delicious, but around ten dollars. For a main course, even a burger, you are looking at close to twenty dollars on average. Still, sometimes it pays to be pampered. I would like to return in the winter to experience the view from a different season. read more

I'll be honest, after getting married at the Hotel Mac, I have a sentimental soft spot for the hotel. That being said, Confederation Lounge is one of my favorite spots to have a drink or meal in the city, at any time of the year. Confederation Lounge is so classy, with tall ceilings, a large fireplace and huge chairs you can sink into on a cold evening in the winter. Even though it feels very elegant, it's also comfortable enough to go while in jeans. In warmer months, you can drink and dine on the patio, featuring some of the best views of Edmonton's river valley in the city. When it is snowy and dark out, the interior is cozy and welcoming, with low ambient volume perfect for conversation. I have always found the service here to be top notch. Their drink menu features unique seasonal cocktails, and one of the appeals of visiting is trying something new that isn't a standard high ball. Food wise, there are a lot of good snacking and meal options, with the high quality expected at a Fairmont establishment. I find the nachos to be a great value, as they are perfect for sharing and a large portion. Visiting the Confederation Lounge feels indulgent, and is like taking a mini-vacation while at home. Perfect for an impromptu visit, or a romantic evening with beautiful views. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Raspberry champagne cocktail. - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

The service in this place (as expected) is impeccable. Any excuse to hang in the confederation lounge and I'm there, from business meetings to just a quick drink with friends. I think people have a predisposition to the Fairmont, they think then need to be suited and booted but the lounge is definitely more relaxed than that. It's a great place to go for an after work cocktail. The cocktails guys!! Currently they have some specials on with Eau Claire Distillery (located south of Calgary so it's still kinda local, right?). The spirits from that place are out of this world so pair it in a fizz and served with Fairmont hospitality.... it can't be beat. Look around while you are there, so much to enjoy from your cosy armchair, the real fireplace makes every visit feel cosy. Look up, the painting above is actually a mural on the wall (no women in the painting tho?) . Go outside, the patio behind the lounge is privy to some of the best views in the city. That river valley view - love it! read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Cocktails - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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I have always loved coming here. It is so cozy if you can get a seat by the fireplace in the winter time. It is a more casual atmosphere than the Harvest Room. The staff make sure that you are well cared for. The cocktails are always hand made and delicious. There is a great selection at the bar for some top shelf brands. Anything that comes out of the kitchen is going to be amazing. If you get a chance to try the seasonal Egg Nog Crème Brulee during the Christmas season, you should definitely take it! The Fairmont MacDonald has a "Canine Ambassador" by the name of Smudge who hangs out in the lobby during daytime hours. She is adorable and loves attention. A visit before you go for lunch (if you are a dog person) hits the spot. read more

It was my first-ever high tea experience. High tea originated from England back in the past. It's usually tea accompanied by scones and finger foods, viewed as a light meal enjoyed during the day. The Fairmont offers two options for high tea: royal tea & tour and weekday high tea. Royal tea occurs on the weekends and includes a historic tour as well for $45. Weekday tea is available Monday to Wednesday without a tour or sparkling wine for $25. I attended the weekday option. I'm assuming that it's busier on weekends because when I went, it was nice and quiet. The lounge provided a very cozy environment while overlooking the river valley. Service was excellent and attentive, I felt like a queen! Reservations are required beforehand because as soon as we arrived, our table was already set up. The food came out within 5 minutes. The menu changes quite often, almost monthly. Although everything is a finger food, it gets very filling in the end! The food is accompanied by hot tea, of course. There is a quite selection of tea to choose from with refills being constantly made through the afternoon. There was a choice of 2 scones to start off with, classic and raspberry white chocolate. They were buttery and crumbly, which is how a scone should be. The scones came with Devonshire cream and mixed berry compote to be spread with. For the savoury finger sandwiches, there were four different ones. The organic egg salad was served on brioche bread. It was one of the more lighter sandwiches. There was sundried tomato bruschetta on focaccia which was flavorful. The smoked salmon pinwheel was my favorite! Good thing each person got 2 portions. It was wrapped with cream cheese. It's funny because normally I'm not a big salmon friend. The pinwheel was fresh and delicious though! Lastly, we had Moroccan spiced chicken salad croissant sandwiches. This one was the savoriest out of the four. By the time my friend and I reached the dessert part, we were almost full! For dessert, we had cute lemon and strawberry tartlets. The crust was incredibly flaky. We also had red velvet madeleines and house made cheesecake. Overall, I had a great high tea experience! I would certainly return for a second time. I recommend trying it out if you've never been to high tea or if you want to catch up with a few close friends. Don't forget to make reservations and wear your favorite outfit! read more

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The best part about this patio is the view. It overlooks the North Saskatchewan River and is one of the only places in the city where you might feel like you are on a vacation. The service is excellent and the menu is great. It is pricey but that is expected here. I would suggest everyone comes here at least once. The patio is covered with flowers and I can't stress how much it feels like you are out of the city here. Tourists love taking pictures with the river in the background and I don't blame them. I wanted to do the same. read more

Sometimes I just crave to go somewhere where I'm certain I'll be taken care of with excellent service and a perfect atmosphere. I'm a people/relationships person, so rude or weird service is a huge turn-off regardless of the product. If you're like this too, Hotel Mac is worth the money. The patio has one of the most beautiful views in the city, and the lounge menu is basic, but exceptionally done. The service is professional and enhances the experience of relaxing and taking in the river valley view. I came here for a birthday dinner and had an excellent time. We lingered with drinks, a starter salad, meals and dessert for about 2 hours. There is a lovely garden space below the patio and I noticed other people taking a break from their tables to stroll through the paths...apparently you can even take your drink with you! If you are from Edmonton, coming here does feel like a little vacation, as other reviewers have noted. I noticed that the prices were on par with restaurants on 104 street downtown and not much higher than anywhere else. The burger my partner ordered was delicious, in my opinion better than other 'burger bars' that are popular, and with a quality side included, at a lower price point. Drinks were about 1 dollar more than other lounges downtown or on Whyte avenue. Other reviewers have noted that it's on the pricey side, yet it seems to me like 3 dollars for a coffee or 15 for a salad is going rate at most downtown restaurants. The crowd was mixed - some older rich looking folks, some out of town business men types, and a table of young adults celebrating a birthday. We didn't feel awkward as a gay couple, and didn't feel like we had to seem rich to be there. The server noticed a birthday card on the table and wished me a happy birthday. At the end of our meal, before offering a dessert menu, I was presented with a plate of fruit and chocolates with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate and a candle. It was tasteful and appreciated, and I liked this idea rather than a full piece of birthday dessert. We ordered the creme brulee as well and it was *amazing*. I can't wait to bring friends and family here - it certainly feels like a special treat. read more

I feel lucky that I've been able to enjoy some time out on the Hotel McDonald patio. What a view! It truly makes me think we don't need to travel to NYC to get some great city scape or Central Park experience. This river valley - it's no joke, kids! It's like this spot was made with the question, "How can we create the most perfect proposal spot in the city?" in mind. Come here - even just to enjoy an iced tea or a coffee! (It is the Hotel Mac after all - $$$) read more

Food and service here were great! A little pricey, but I have to remember that the pricing is in Canadian $. They have a good wine list, and cocktails that they have made up. I tried a few cocktails off their menu, something called a French 75. I love my sparkling, and it was a nice try, but I prefer a straight glass of champagne. It was an interesting take, though, and those who like sweeter drinks might like it. I had a few cosmos here and they were delicious! Great patio out back. Didn't spend much time there because it was FREEZING when I went, but looking forward to drinks out there in the warmer months. I had lunch here one day and the food was good! Mushroom bisque soup with a brussel sprout salad. It was the perfect amount and very tasty! Convenient location right in the lobby of the Fairmont MacDonald hotel. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - French 75 - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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It's often been called the best patio in the city. It's certainly the one with the best view. The Hotel Mac garden patio overlooks our river valley. On a clear, warm day, the Saskatchewan River and green banks are spectacular. As one would expect, at the most high-class hotel in the city, the service is superior, the menu has a wonderful selection and the prices are high. But you've got to do it at least once. I brought my parents here for a treat when they visited from out of town, and they were impressed. It's a good introduction to Edmonton when often people just think we live in a cold, boring city. Our architecture's nothing to write home about, so the Hotel Mac is a nice glimpse of the character and history we do have in this city. read more

Confederation Lounge & Patio - Best patio view. Photo courtesy of Hotel Mac. - Lounges Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

This is one of my favorite places to eat and drink in Edmonton. The lounge is fairly fancy yet has a relaxed, casual vibe. The plush seats are great, and when the patio is open it feels like you're somewhere nicer than Edmonton haha. The service is always pretty good, and the food is quite good as well. I wasn't happy they took the mussels off the menu, since that was my go-to order, along with a bowl of fries (their fries are awesome). The mussels they had a while back with the curry sauce were to-die-for (please bring them back if you're reading this!). read more

My friend had her graduation banquet here a few months ago; her class had chosen Hotel Mac to be the venue for the special occasion. The architecture inside is spectacular. I must admit, my attention wandered during the speeches and I found myself admiring the ceiling and cornices of the hall we were in. It had a grand and classic Victorian style, cherubs were painted on the ceiling, and large crystal chandeliers hung down. They had a buffet for the banquet that night, and we ended up going twice because there was so much. The food was alright, pretty much your typical fancy buffet fare like pot roast, grilled fish, salads and pastas. For all the fanciness, I expected more flavour. Everything was kind of bland, not rich enough. The only thing that really stands out in my memory is the mango salad. Fresh chunks of mango in a bed of greens makes one sweet and tangy salad. Dessert was the best part. My friends and I made a point of taking one of each to share. We had our own mini dessert buffet at our table! The creme brulee was one of the best I've ever had, and the strawberry cheesecake was the runner-up. The service was really good. Our server came by our table often, making sure we had everything and were satisfied. She constantly refilled our coffees and water glasses, and chatted with us in a friendly manner. The view from the terrace is amazing, you can see the river valley and the city spanning out before your eyes. It's more limited at night, but it also looks more romantic at night too, with all the city lights staring back at you. I will say one thing about the patio: they could stand to decorate it a little more, it looks pretty bare with just concrete. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would consider coming back for a fancy girls' night out. I'd have to make it dessert and drinks though, otherwise it could get quite pricey. read more

Beautiful evening! Alcohol is pretty pricey, food just average, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it. A local artist was creating a beautiful painting, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz greats played in the background all in the elegant comfort of a 100 year old majestic lounge. read more

A great winter spot here in Edmonton, especially when you're lucky to sit by the fireplace. Great crowd, great atmosphere! Real unique drink selection too. Have always been treated really well by the staff there. read more

This has been one of our best lounge experiences. The room was filled and really bustling. We sat at the bar and experienced a real treat with the service from our bartender Ronaldo. He set an Olympic pace that set up the entire show. Nobody had to wait for anything and the waitresses just kept coming. We sat at the bar and received special treatment with superbly smoked old fashion drinks. Our food was excellent. Our service was second to none. But the real star of the evening was simply to watch just how hard Ronaldo worked and how good at his job he is. read more

Came for a drink and supper. Nice feel to it. Was quite busy with some noisy patrons.Wine selections were varied and nice and the duck stew was very good but quite salty. Setting was great and I wish I had been here during the summer as the view would be great of the river valley. Even though noisy the ambience was nice and in fact there was a local artist doing some painting. I thought this was quite neat read more

Stopped in for lunch on a chilly Edmonton day. I really liked the ambiance - distinguished, yet cozy. Service was friendly and attentive. We tried their crispy chicken wrap and their lentil & spinach kebab burger. Both were delicious. I recommend this place, if you are in the area. read more