Inspired by the spirit of fire.

Koyla is a modern Indian restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar on 16 Ave NW in Calgary. Bold Indian and international food, a serious bar, and a room you can stay in until 2 AM.

The KOYLA mural above the red leather booths: a steam locomotive pulling into a lamp-lit station

Coal

Koyla means coal.

In Hindi, koyla is the coal that feeds a tandoor. Everything here starts with it: the char on the tikka, the smoke in the old fashioned, the warmth of the room.

Fire

The tandoor runs hot.

Chicken tikka marinated overnight, fish tikka, paneer and soya chaap come out of the clay oven with real char. The naan follows, brushed with butter.

Spirit

Then the bar takes over.

A smoked Old Fashioned, the Devil Margarita, and the Koyla Secret, a recipe the bartenders keep to themselves. Seven mocktails for anyone not drinking.

Lounge

Stay until 2 AM.

Red leather booths, a fireplace, the game on the big screen and live entertainment on the floor. Bring a date, the whole family or the birthday crew.

Koyla

koy·la, Hindi: coal

Coal is what a tandoor burns. It gives Indian cooking its char and its smoke, and it is where the name comes from. The menus carry an old steam locomotive, and the mural over the booths does too: coal, fire and a long night ahead.

The tagline on the neon by the fireplace sums it up. Where fire meets the spirit: the kitchen on one side, the bar on the other.

The stone fireplace with neon KOYLA and Where fire meets the spirit signs

One room, a few different nights.

Koyla describes itself as a place for elevated dining, handcrafted cocktails and nightlife. In practice that means a quiet lunch at 2 PM, a family dinner at 7, a game on the big screen at 9 and a dance floor after that.

The room is dark slate and warm wood: a slatted wood ceiling, red leather booths, pendant lamps, a stone fireplace and a long backlit bar. It is busy and lively, and families say it still works for a relaxed meal with the kids.

The KOYLA LOUNGE bar with its backlit shelves

The bar pours until close.

Seventeen signature cocktails, seven mocktails, whisky and spirits, beer on tap, shakes and masala chai.

What comes out of the kitchen

The tandoor

Chicken tikka marinated overnight, tandoori chicken on the bone, fish tikka, jumbo prawns, paneer and soya chaap, plus naan, roti and lachha paratha baked to order.

Kebabs on a slate board with a mint and lemon mocktail

The curries

Butter chicken, handi chicken, kadhai and saag goat, and a full vegetarian side: dal makhani, shahi paneer, palak paneer and malai kofta.

Handi chicken in a brass bowl with a curry pot and a basket of naan

The street food

Momos four ways, golgappa shots, chilli chicken and gobhi 65 from the Indo-Chinese street kitchen, and tandoori tacos for the table to share.

Crisp spring rolls on a slate board with red cabbage

The KOYLA LOUNGE sign above the entrance on 16 Ave NW

On 16 Ave NW, in Mount Pleasant.

Koyla sits at 320 16 Ave NW, on the Trans-Canada strip near 3 St NW, with a free parking lot and street parking. Neighbours walk over; everyone else can see the flame sign from the road.

The restaurant accepts reservations by phone, has a private dining room for groups, and offers takeout, curbside pickup and delivery.

Plan your visit See the menu