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SHOKUNIN

Name: SHOKUNIN
Address: 2016 4th St SW, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2S 1W3
Telephone: (403) 229-3444
Price range: CAN$31 to CAN$50
Rating: 4.8

Visa Dining Collection

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Japanese

2016 4th St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 14, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 18 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Hot spot

Located in Calgary’s Mission neighborhood, Shokunin is led by Chef Darren MacLean and fuses Canadian ingredients with Japanese techniques. Since 2016, it has earned recognition among Canada’s Top 50 Restaurants for its modern izakaya flavors.

At its core are Yakitori and Omakase offerings, where grilled meats and seasonal ingredients shine. “Shokunin is a symphony of fat, salt, and fire,” says Chef MacLean. As Calgary’s first yakitoria, it features over 25 cuts of chicken and meat, prepared on a Japanese Robata Grill for unparalleled flavor.

The menu includes Chef MacLean’s Okami Kasu beer, brewed with sake kasu, and a curated sake selection. Seasonal produce, often from Chef MacLean’s own garden, highlights Shokunin’s dedication to local ingredients. This blend of tradition, innovation, and artistry has made it a leader in Canada’s culinary scene.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Darren MacLean

From the OpenTable editors: Shokunin, the flagship of Chef Darren MacLean (of Netflix fame), has earned eight consecutive appearances on Canada’s 50 Best Restaurants. This must-dine Calgary restaurant marries Japanese tradition with Canada’s finest ingredients, some sourced directly from the chef’s own farm. Renowned for its Yakitori Omakase Experience, Shokunin offers an immersive dining experience with expert grilling, inventive cocktails, and a curated sake list. Late-night energy and old-school hip-hop create a vibrant atmosphere, solidifying its place among Canada’s top culinary experiences.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Japanese, Izakaya, Yakitori
Hours of operation
Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(403) 229-3444
Website
http://www.shokuninyyc.ca/
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
2016 4th St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3
Neighborhood
Mission
Cross street
Free underground parking located on 4th st between 20th and 21 ave SW
Parking details
Public Lot
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Yakitori Omakase Experience
CA$95.00 per person
Prepaid
Multiple dates available
Experience the exclusive Shokunin Yakitori Omakase, a 12-course journey with only four seats available each evening. Set at the Robata grill, this intimate yet relaxed setting offers direct interaction with the chef, evoking the charm of a hidden Tokyo izakaya. Savor sashimi, six yakitori preparations, and a consommé crafted from paitan ramen broth, culminating in dessert. Paired with cocktails, sake, or Japanese wine, this is an unforgettable dive into Japanese flavors and craftsmanship. Chefs tip: Upgrade to the beeswax aged Japanese A5 Wagyu beef to really enhance the experience.
Dining Table Reservation
Multiple dates available
Welcome to Shokunin. Our classic dining experience is available for table reservations, while patio seating is weather-dependent and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Chef's Bar Reservation
Multiple dates available
Join us for our classic Shokunin experience with a seat at our Chef's Bar overlooking the kitchen.

What 81 people are saying

SHOKUNIN reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Calgary / Southern Alberta
Innovative
Calgary / Southern Alberta
Japanese
Calgary
Innovative
Calgary
Japanese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

SHOKUNIN offers an incredible dining experience with "amazing food" and "exceptional service." Guests rave about the "Yakitori Omakase" and "sushi" for their unique flavors. The ambiance transports diners to Japan, and the enthusiastic staff enhance the experience. While some find it pricey, the quality and creativity make it "worth every penny."

81 Reviews

A
Anke VIP
Dallas - Fort Worth25 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a great experience - as it was our first visit, our server walked us through the menu and guided us around the shareable items. We enjoyed salad, yakitori, tempura and ramen dishes - all super delicious and flavorful. We were happy and content when we left, are planning our next visit!
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T
Tamara VIP
Calgary / Southern Alberta5 reviews
1.0
Dined on June 2, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
The food was chewy and fatty and all tasted the same Over priced .. very disappointing
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M
Manivannan
Calgary / Southern Alberta3 reviews
1.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Our anniversary dinner at this restaurant turned into a deeply upsetting experience. The waiter’s behavior was not just rude—it was blatantly racist. From the moment we arrived, she made us feel unwelcome, refused to answer basic questions, and treated us with clear disregard and disrespect. It was not a busy day, so there was no excuse for the way we were singled out and ignored. We came here with high expectations, especially after being inspired by Chef Darren on the Netflix show. But the service we received was appalling and humiliating. This was not just poor service—it was discriminatory and unacceptable. We will never return and strongly urge others to think twice before dining here. The only redeeming aspect of our visit was the food, which was genuinely excellent. Sadly, that alone cannot make up for the painful experience we endured.
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K
Kairvee
Calgary / Southern Alberta3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Thanks for making our triple birthday celebration so special!
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M
Michael
New York City6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All a round amazing evening! Service was top notch, Chelsea and the other servers were very knowledgeable about the menu, quick to deliver food and ensure that we had the best experience possible. The chef was informative, and had no issue with explaining dishes as we sat at the chef's bar and watched the brigade do their thing! Will definitely dine there again!
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L
Levent
New York City10 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 26, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food is great, atmosphere is so-so. A bit on the expensive side though.
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E
Ewan VIP
Calgary / Southern Alberta6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What an experience. Will be back! The knowledge of the staff and the chef was amazing and the taste of the food fantastic. Chelsea was an awesome waitress.
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E
Elizabeth
Kent2 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner experience at Shokunin. They were patient with us newbies, explained things clearly without condescension, and did not hesitate to provide meaningful guidance as we made our choices. The food was exceptional as was the service. We look forward to coming back another time.
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B
Bill VIP
Phoenix / Arizona17 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service guy worked our table. Helped with the menu choices and was spot on for getting what we liked.
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J
Judah
Calgary / Southern Alberta5 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Sushi is bomb, skewers are delicious, cocktails are great. They don’t miss
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FAQs

SHOKUNIN is rated 4.8 stars by 81 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 14, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 18 times today

Experiences are available.

2016 4th St SW, Calgary, AB T2S 1W3

Additional information

Cross street
Free underground parking located on 4th st between 20th and 21 ave SW
Neighborhood
Mission
Hours of operation
Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Cuisines
Japanese, Izakaya, Yakitori
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Payment options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.shokuninyyc.ca/
Phone number
(403) 229-3444

SHOKUNIN

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Why they're an Icon

Additional information

Experiences

Yakitori Omakase Experience

Dining Table Reservation

Chef's Bar Reservation

Menu

What 81 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is SHOKUNIN restaurant rated?

Is SHOKUNIN currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information