A contemporary Mexican restaurant in Calgary, known as 'La Casita Azul' for its warm atmosphere and blue façade, offering a fusion of Mexican and Asian flavors.
Chef Colby Tio is an award-winning chef recognized for his innovative fusion cuisine. He currently leads the kitchen at Bar Chouette and previously honed his skills at Milpa. His culinary creativity was recently...
Milpa, affectionately known as “La Casita Azul” (The Little Blue House) due to its signature blue façade, offers a warm, inviting atmosphere and unique design. It aims to provide a dining experience that makes customers feel like they are on vacation, focusing on contemporary Mexican cuisine with an Asian fusion influence. The restaurant is located at Unit 3, 1531, 5th Street SW, Calgary.
Customer Perception
Customer feedback for Milpa is generally positive, highlighting the amazing food, incredible experience, and delicious dishes. The staff are frequently praised for being superb, knowledgeable, interactive, and attentive, with one notable instance of accommodating a pregnant guest's dietary needs without being asked. The restaurant's beautiful design, great vibe, and cocktails also receive commendation. However, some reviews mention small portion sizes for certain dishes (e.g., beets), slow service, and perceived high prices, with a few finding the food mediocre or just 'alright' (e.g., steak). Parking can also be challenging.
Additional Details
Milpa is affectionately known as “La Casita Azul” for its distinctive blue exterior and welcoming ambiance. It offers a family-style dining option.
Had 4 orders shared between 2 people, the food is good, I can suggest the tuna tartar also the peppers and the fried cheese, but I found on the ribs that one has all the cartilage in pieces so wasn’t ideal. Very quiet place for a Sunday evening, about the service a personal opinion, the person serving asked a bit too many times if everything was good, I think once or twice is good, but if is more is just not ideal getting interrupted again.
What an amazing experience! The food was so incredible, little bit of a fusion/modern take on Mexican and Asian. The staff were incredible, knowledgeable, interactive, and attentive. The restaurant was beautiful in its design and atmosphere. Will definitely be returning to enjoy again, thank you to the staff and chefs for an amazing afternoon!
This is and will be one of my favorite spots in Calgary for sure!
5
Milpa has been on our “must try” list for a while now so we figured there was no better time to go than for the YYC Exp event! We were so pleasantly surprised by all the dishes that came out, each delicious in their own way. My husband and I had a hard time picking which course was our favourite because we would eat them all again!
Not only was the food amazing, the service from the staff was superb and has made us want to come back. My husband casually mentioned I was pregnant when we were ordering non-alcoholic beverages at the start of our evening. When we placed our food order, I didn’t ask for anything to be changed or cooked differently but the staff must have taken my husband’s comment to the chef and they specifically cooked my duck course longer for food safety (if you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ll understand!) That gesture and attention to detail was so surprising for us, I don’t think I’ve ever been treated so well by strangers and it made our whole evening.
If you have an adventurous palate, I would highly recommend that you partake in their YYC exp this year!
5
What a great dinner . Everything was amazing the food was and the service! Great price as well and beautiful vibe inside the restaurant as well ! 10/10
My favorite was the el pastor ribs . I asked them
To make it spicy for so they did ! Also the tacos yummy . And the tomato salad I love the freshly made croutons !
4
Our first time at Milpa, and we are already making plans to return. We ordered the tomato salad, quesabirria taco, beef tartare, and tuna tostada, along with two cocktails. Although my cocktail (La Botanista) was not my favourite as it was not savoury enough for my preference, I still cannot complain because of how well it was crafted; thoughtful and aromatic. The beef tartare was a cut above the rest. Very unique, with a dill based sauce. I've had dozens of beef tartares all over the world which can begin to taste the same, this one was unforgettably number 1. Each dish was very generous in size, and quality. I asked for tabasco which they didn't have, but our server brought a different hot sauce from the kitchen which was incredibly delicious and had excellent heat. Service was very kind and attentive. This is a place to savour your food, where you can understand that good food takes time. If you don't have this attitude best to go to a different place that can churn out quantity over quality.
