OMFG! It's really tough to write a review when you actually have a fine dinner somewhere (and I did!) but feel ripped off (and I do!)... I had a very fine 'traditional Italian' dinner... your Nonna would be proud... but I could have made this for a lot less than $150/person... sadly brutal read more

Excellent meal. Started with Caprese 5/5 for presentation 4/5 for taste. Nice balsamic reduction, tomato's looked perfect but we're hard and crunchy. Penne Calabrese was 5/5 sooo good Tiramisu was a lemoncello flavor. Not my taste 4/5 Service was excellent! read more

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I took my family to Franca's last night. My nephew was visiting from Korea and was looking for a taste of home which for us is New York Italian home style cooking. Franca's pizza is light crisp and the ratios of sauce to cheese are perfect. The dough is airy and light and flavorful. We split a large pie among five of us as an appetizer. No regrets there. My son and nephew ordered the gnocchi. A generous portion of light soft clouds. These little marvels are made by hand starting with 40 lbs of perfectly cooked potatoes. There is no recipe. They just know when it is right. You can taste the skill it takes to create them. Order them with the rose sauce. The eggplant parm is perfectly baked and flavorful. Franca often has exceptional wines at reasonable prices. Ask for their recommendations. Finally, you cannot pay anyone to create the genuine and generous welcome and celebratory nature of an Italian meal. The energy, joy and sense of joining their family is lovely. We'll be back soon and often. PS The limoncello is amazing and unusual - the essence of lemon enrobed in cream. You can purchase a bottle at the restaurant. Once you taste it you'll want your own supply. Great food. Great people. read more

Amazing food, great service. Franca takes care of each table to make sure everyone is welcomed, happy and loving the food. You can taste the authentic Italian cooking style paired with incredible quality of ingredients. This restaurant is a must visit in Calgary! read more

Celebrated my son's birthday at Franca's Restaurant this evening. The food was outrageously good and the service was fabulous; its a wonderful place to go for dinner. Franca and Mario do a top notch job. Thank you for the wonderful dinner. read more

I am an Italian American from NY and have many good Italian restaurants to choose from in NY. This place took me home. Food was homemade. From the mom as hostess to the son as waiter and aunt in kitchen. A full family effort with awesome results. Had the antipasto buratta and prosciutto was a hit for the table. All pastas tasted homemade. Wine was inexpensive and tasty. They even gave us complimentary homemade lemoncello shots for desert. A class act all the way around. read more

Franca's is a hidden gem in Calgary and known to the Italian local community apparently. My company's owner is Italian and we hired Franca's to cater a lunch event with only two days notice. We had: - Caprese salad - Mixed greens with balsamic dressing - Rigatoni with bolognese sauce - Chicken and mushrooms in a wine sauce - Large shrimp with garlic sauce - Green beans with silvered almonds - Vanilla chocolate cake with raspberry icing - Strawberry shortcake Everything was surprisingly delicious even though it was made in large quantities. The tables were set up with table clothes and cutlery and they were prompt and ready to go by lunch time. I've never heard about Franca's before until now but I'll have to stop by their restaurant some time. They are the real deal!! read more

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This place was our first stop for our trip to BANFF. We got the fresh made sausages and fettuccine with scampi. Everything was delicious, the sauce was not too strong and food was cooked perfectly. The staff were super friendly, the owner sat down with us and told us their story and even gave us a free biscotti basket! Would highly recommend! read more

Franca's Italian - Fresh made sausages, fettuccine with scampi, and a piece of bread I bit lol - Italian Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

A true family run Italian gem that makes you think you are in the southern Italian countryside. The food is outstanding and the staff, which is the entire family, is even better. We were made to feel special which added to the wonderful experience. If you do not dine here you will miss out on a very memorable evening. Excellent Italian wines as well' Excellent read more

Some jerk smashed my car window, which lucky for me, I got to discover Franca's as a result. Franca's is in a rather industrial area along Edmonton trail with several mechanic and auto glass shops near by, so if you break down or some sad lowlife breaks your car window to steal $2.73-ish in change make sure you go to a place that's near Franca's. They've changed the layout from a coffee shop to more of a restaurant feel with table service. They're still happy to have you hang out and have a coffee, but I'd recommend you stick around for lunch as well. I had an arugula salad with chicken. It was simple and delicious. When you're working with ingredients like olive oil, parmesan, sea salt, balsamic, and arugula, you don't need much more - but quality goes a really long way. What a smashing salad... And that reminds me of my car window again. What a jerk. Franca's comes across as a solid Italian restaurant run by a really nice family. I don't know if it's family owned but it feels that way. Its the type of restaurant you could bring your entire family to for a great meal. Hopefully someone slits my tire soon because I'm eager to head back to Franca's for the dinner experience. read more

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5-stars for being so unexpectedly pleasant in an industrial area just off Edmonton Trail. I headed in search of a new coffee shop today to hang out in. I figured I'd drive up to an area I hadn't been in for awhile, pull up Yelp and see what showed up for coffee shops. Enter Franca's! I looked at the building and wondered what I was in store for. From the outside, I was thinking maybe it would be a cute little hole-in-the-wall. Instead, I walked into a well-decorated little cafe. 8 or 9 tables, dark floors and furniture, a little kitchen in the back and a menu with paninis, soups, dessert, coffee and tea. I settled in by the window with my laptop after ordering this ridiculously yummy looking peach dessert and an Americano. The peach is light and moist with a pudding filling and a dusting of sugar on the exterior. And my Americano? Smooth. Pop in for lunch or an afternoon coffee and snack if you're in the area. Come when it's quiet and you might just be the only non-Italian in the place... like I was this afternoon! PS... wifi, they've got it! read more

Franca's Italian - Fresh dessert peach and an Americano. Perfect afternoon snack! - Italian Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

The Bottom Line: This is one of the best Italian places I've been to in a while. The service goes above and beyond almost anything I've experienced elsewhere, and the food is absolutely delectable. Try: Gnocchi Della Mamma Penne Arrabiata Linguini Con Scampi Beef Fillet with Roasted Peppers (special of the day) Pro: The restaurant has a clean, welcoming look that is not evident from the outside. The service is extremely personal, with the restaurant owners providing recommendations themselves. The beef was thick, juicy, and very well prepared. The gnocchi was delightful, with just the right amount of sauce, soft and tasty. Con: The penne was simply alright, and that comes from an arrabiata afficionado. Not enough to ding the restaurant significantly, still highly recommended! read more

Very nice and innovative way to cater to their clients My second time there, will try again . read more

A hidden treasure on Edmonton trail with the BEST authentic Italian food in the city. Always fresh and served with a warm smile. Franca helped me with a customized menu to share with my friends for our anniversary, and they did not disappoint! Fresh homemade sausage, the best pasta I've had in my life (and I'm Italian) and beautiful fresh scampi, salads and meats. A genuine family run business, with a lot of heart. A beautiful quaint atmosphere with excellent service. They also have amazing takeout pizza and lasagna for times you want to dine in. Hands down - best Italian in the city. It's a MUST. read more

Best Italian in the city by far. Best customer service. There's nothing like a family run Italian restaurant. This is the cream of the crop.

Met my girlfriend here for a coffee around lunch time. After looking at the menu we decided to stay for lunch. I had the special which was a chicken breast with penne. The chicken was flavourful and tender. The penne was okay with a red sauce. the meal didn't come with a vegetable or salad. The price seemed on the high side, so a salad or vegetable would have added a bit more value. At one point there was a meal being set up for a group of six. I noticed their table had two big bowls of salad, so there was salad available. I also ordered an espresso - 'cause that's what I do - I sample espresso wherever I go! It was somewhat bitter. I think there was way too much water for an espresso. The espresso cup was big and it was almost full. Overall, it was a nice surprise to find this restaurant in this area. Certainly a bonus for any business people looking for a nice place to eat in an industrial area. read more

Franca herself sat with us and discussed catering a charcuterie plate for after our mother's funeral. She made great suggestions and customized the plate for our taste. She was very kind and the restaurant was clean and romantic. I am looking forward to trying Franca's for lunch or dinner, the menu looks amazing! - will update once charcuterie plate is received but based on our first experience I'm sure it will be amazing! read more

We were passing through town and just happened to drop in for lunch and had the most amazing meal ever. We were welcomed in as family and my only regret is there is not one of these in Nashville Tennessee. read more

If you have never been to Franca's you are missing out on a truly 5 star restaurant in the middle of the industrial area on Edmonton Trail. We discovered this gem through a year end celebration dinner with my golf group from the Winston many years ago and it is now our favourite restaurant in Calgary. My wife and I mostly reserve for dinner but have been lately going for lunch dates as well. We have also attended a few wine tasting events hosted by Franca and Mario who invite wineries from their home area in Italy. When we first started going they catered to the lunch crowd in the area and were only open for dinner on Sat night with a set menu. They later changed Sat night to an open menu and have now added some Fri nights too. I guess it's getting too popular so yes you need a reservation. And the food, OMG, the best Italian food in Calgary! We celebrated dinner for our friends parent's 50th anniversary and her parent's father who is a very staunch Italian said it passed the test and the baccala was the best he had ever tasted. One of my favourites is the gnocchi which just melts in your mouth. When have you had pasta that melts in your mouth! This is a family run business with Franca and her kids running the front along with her sister on occasion and Mario in the kitchen perfecting these marvellous meals. Mario will come out for a short visit to make sure you have enjoyed your food and experience. They are all so friendly and caring. When Franca has time she will sit with you and share their story about the restaurant and their roots in Italy. They have decorated the restaurant with pictures from the old farm in Italy too. Very interesting story. If you are looking for some of the best Italian food in Calgary with with great friendly people, Franca's is a must! read more

OMG this place is amazing, Franca and her family are super friendly and the food is true authentic Italian food. Trust me I am Italian I know what I am talking about. You have to go, she is now open Saturdays for dinner and OH MY GOD is it amazing, screw some fancy pants place, bring your loved one or even your family on a dinner here and your pants will be blown off from the food to the atmospher. Franca's is a must go.... read more

My brother and his wife took us to this little gem last Saturday night for a set four course meal for $55.00 per person. We started with Caprese salad, pasta, a chicken dish and a desert. All of it was fabulous! All 6 of us agreed that this was one of the finest little Italian places in north Calgary. Franca was so sweet and the service was outstanding. She said that they are going to a full menu in January and I can hardly wait. I've been to most Italian restaurants in Calgary and this is right at the top. We will be trying lunch there in the immediate future. This is our new favorite Italian restaurant! read more

Updated, clean and really great food. We had the caprese salad and veal meatball appetizer. Great flavors and service.

Franca's is a little Italian jewel in an industrial area. Went for a weekday lunch and had the gnocchi which was perfectly done by Franca's husband. He knows what he's doing and cares a lot about the quality of food he produces out of their kitchen. I don't usually ever get a dessert but was intrigued by what they call Peaches. These are an artful creation that look like a peach but is actually cake with a dark filling to mimic a peach pit. Franca is very nice and took the time to show us photos of events she has been hosting there at the restaurant. She does an incredible job of transforming the restaurant into whatever the clients are seeking. It was a good thing we got there early because the place became packed out. Given the location, I was rather surprised by how busy it had become. By the time I was finished my meal, I understood. This place is a standout. read more

A really quaint and tidy little Italian cafe, that specializes in catering. The Mochaccino is flavorful and beautiful. Pleasant staff and wonderful service. Some interesting gifts as well. read more

The service was good and the pasta dish we had was good, but the shrimp was quite bland. We were told about a special-bouratta, a cheese from Italy. We ordered it as an appetizer for the two of us, it came with a bit of prosciutto and cherry tomatoes, and it tasted good, but they charged us $40 for it! We thought it would be about half the price, being as it was only an appetizer. The price wasn't listed on the menu. The waiter should have at least told us the price. I'd never pay that amount again for some cheese and small amount of prosciutto. read more

We had our company Christmas party here and I had the pleasure of dealing directly with Franca herself. She made everything easy for me as the planner and the whole evening went smoothly. The food was FANTASTIC, and the atmosphere was decorated beautifully for the holiday season. We are still raving about the wonderful service we received and I will definitely be going back! read more

Absolutely fabulous food. We attended the Mother's Day dinner and were very impressed. The meal was three separate courses as well as a wonderful dessert. The atmosphere was inviting and service was impeccable. Will definitely go back. read more

Jeez, the best place in town. Do not miss it. The eggplant Parmesan is the best you will ever eat. The pastries...not over sugarly, just perfect. The owners and staff are amazing, I could go on but just eat there and you will be as happy as me. read more