Whether you are a local or simply stopping by the city, Calgary’s Beltline District is a must-visit for more reason than one – you can find 2.5 acres of lush trees and plants at Devonian Gardens, explore the expansive indoor walkways and shops of the Plus 15, and spend the night visiting an endless lineup of the city’s most revered bars and restaurants. Rodney’s Oyster House, a sophisticated take on the relaxed seafood joint, is one notable hangout spot known for both a nautical-themed interior and one of the best oyster selections in the city.
Located on the corner of 4th Street and 10th Avenue, Rodney’s stands out as a large, single-storey building. The unassuming industrial brick exterior proves a stark contrast to the eccentric – and appropriately themed – interior which boasts a spacious layout and bright colour palette.
The dining room is open concept, with a clean and contemporary theme of white marble and wood accents. Dining tables are spaced evenly throughout the restaurant, creating plenty of seating options in an expansive and communal environment that balances contemporary dining with the cosy and easy-going ambience of a small, maritime pub.
Hints towards Rodney’s oceanic theme are peppered throughout the interior, the grandest of which is the central bar, which is designed to take the shape of a fishing boat’s front half, with the “bow” pointed towards the front of the restaurant. The bar’s high-top seating offers an excellent view of the shucking station at its centre, where you will often find the night’s election of oysters assorted into groups, each one piled high.
There are plenty of restaurants in Calgary that offer freshly shucked oysters. However, Rodney’s varied and seasonally rotating selection is hardly matched, especially considering the price at which they’re offered and the delectable assortment of house-made hot sauces which accompany them. Each order is expertly shucked by Rodney’s experienced staff and served overtop crushed ice.
Rodney’s website offers some insight to how their oyster menu changes throughout the year with supplies relying heavily on the season, availability, and oyster populations throughout the East and West Coast. While it means that the same species won’t always be available throughout the year, this sourcing method – in which all seafood is brought in direct from producers – guarantees freshness and transparency.
Regardless of availability, Rodney’s attests that they will always be shucking between 6 and 12 different oysters daily. On any given night, Rodney’s staff could be shucking from a selection of over 50 different varieties from North America’s east and west coasts, – including a few from Europe and Japan! Whether you prefer sweet, briny, small, or large, any oyster lover will have no problem polishing off one or two dozen (or more) by the time the night is over.
While Rodney’s is known across Calgary for their oysters, the menu has a lot more to offer – diners are given a selection of just about anything the sea has to offer including live Lobster, Dungeness Crab, Scallops, Green Curry Shrimp, and an assortment of seasoned and smoked Salmon. “Turf” dishes include a 6oz AAA Alberta Beef Tenderloin and a Pan Seared Pork Belly, although both dishes come with a healthy serving of Scallops.
It’s clear to see that Rodney’s Oyster House strives to provide in equal parts quality and diversity, sourcing seafood themselves directly from independent farms and fisheries. The restaurant’s charismatically-themed interior provides the perfect setting to enjoy this vibrant and sustainable menu – regardless of whether you’re celebrating a special event or a casual night out with friends and family.
