Barbaretta reimagines upscale dining through craft cocktails, shareable plates, and an intimate, community-driven vibe
Spruce Grove’s dining scene reached new heights in January 2025 with the opening of Barbaretta, the chic sister spot to the beloved Barbacoa restaurant. While Barbacoa is known for its elevated steakhouse experience, Barbaretta takes that same refined quality and applies it to a more relaxed, cocktail-forward concept—a place equally suited to a celebration or casual night out.
“Barbaretta offers the same elevated style of Barbacoa, but with a more laid-back atmosphere,” says general manager Kayla Boyer. “I always like to think it can be anything you want it to be—date night, hang out with friends, or a celebration—but it’s more cocktail forward.”
That focus on creativity and connection has resonated with guests from Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and beyond. “We are getting a lot of people from the surrounding areas as well, coming to check us out,” Boyer says. “We’re really creating this little community… people visit our staff just to hang out. We’ve built a really loyal fan base.”
Executive chef Benjamin Perez says Barbaretta was designed to offer something different for locals. “We wanted to grab the people of Spruce Grove and Stony Plain before they head into Edmonton,” he explains. “There are a lot of great options in the city, but we really wanted to capture that opportunity to keep people dining out here.”
Barbaretta’s menu of smaller plates and signature cocktails reflects that balance of sophistication and comfort. Guest favourites include the Indigo Sky—a creamy vanilla-coconut cocktail—and the Midnight Margarita, a blackberry-forward drink with a fiery habanero lime kick. “Our bar manager is so passionate about exploring flavours,” says Boyer. “The bar and kitchen teams collaborate constantly, experimenting with new techniques and pairings. It’s a really creative environment.”
On the culinary side, Perez’s menu bridges global inspiration and familiar indulgence. The standout siu mai dumplings—filled with shrimp and pork, served with truffle aioli, crispy shallots, cilantro, and chili crunch—have quickly become a top seller. “It’s been on both of our menus so far and the feedback has been amazing,” he says.
But even humble comfort foods shine under Barbaretta’s care. “It pains me as a chef to admit our smash burger and fried chicken sandwich are among our top sellers,” Perez laughs, “but every time I eat one, I’m impressed with how good they are.” His dip trio, featuring family recipes and a truffle-honey fromage blanc inspired by his travels, is another favourite. “It’s a fun item that encourages sharing,” he adds.
The restaurant’s intimate layout offers distinct moods: a lively lounge with low lighting and music, a cozy dining room for quieter meals, and a private dining room ideal for celebrations or corporate events. The latter also hosts exclusive wine dinners, where menus are paired with selections from Barbaretta’s unique wine list.
“We have one of the most extensive wine lists in the area—maybe even including Edmonton,” says Boyer. “We work with small boutique wineries, many with exclusive labels. Every bottle is chosen to complement our food profiles.”
With its blend of refined flavours, collaborative creativity, and effortless charm, Barbaretta is redefining what luxury dining means in Spruce Grove—one cocktail, one shared plate, and one intimate evening at a time.
Places To Be
See this month's local flavours, products, and services.
