20 of the Best Banff Restaurants You Have to Check Out
I expected to see some amazing scenery in Canada, but I also didn’t expect to find so many awesome Banff restaurants on our trip! With so many different options, many situated right off the beautiful Banff Avenue, you have places to grab a quick bite before or after your hike, or exquisite restaurants for a finer experience, as well. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it right near the park!
Banff Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss
You’re not going to want to miss these Banff restaurants on your trip to this awesome Banff National Park!
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Sky Bistro
Mountain Ave
+1 403 762 7475
If you’re on the lookout for the best restaurants near Banff National Park, then there’s no better place to start than the Sky Bistro. The award-winning restaurant sits atop the Sulphur Mountain and provides impressive views across Banff National Park.
Your journey at Sky Bistro begins with an eight-minute gondola ride (which needs to be booked separately) before you’re introduced to an exquisite menu that will rock your taste buds.
The chef has teamed up with local suppliers, farmers, and food artisans to provide a stunning array of menu ideas. This ensures you’ll have a memorable dining experience from the Banff gondola ride to incredible local courses.
The Bison
211 Bear St #213
+1 403 762 5550
The Bison is a restaurant near Banff National Park that focuses on bringing one of the best farm-to-table experiences in the country. They wanted to provide a dining experience that presents the country’s best produce with a menu that changes with the season.
But of course, the focus of the restaurant is serving their famous slow-cooked bison.
All the food is freshly prepared in an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs work their magic. Or you can choose to sit outside on the patio to gaze up at the spectacular mountain views right on the doorstep of this bison restaurant.
Juniper Bistro
1 Juniper Way
+1 403 762 2281
There are few restaurants in Banff, Canada, that match up to the exquisite dining experience provided by Juniper Bistro. It’s located in the heart of the National Park and has become well known for its handcrafted ingredients and award-winning dishes.
And when it comes to food, you won’t be disappointed, especially with the signature duck breast dish, which is smoked in-house and served with du puy lentils.
If you want to give yourself a truly unforgettable experience, make sure you grab yourself a patio or window seat. It provides you with the best views Banff National Park offers.
Eden
300 Mountain Ave
+1 403 762 3356
One of the Banff restaurants that really stands out above the rest is the Eden Bistro located in Rimrock Resort Hotel. The eatery is renowned for its carefully prepared French cuisine, which was influenced by the freshest local ingredients.
Eden has been blessed with awards since 2003 with AAA/CAA 5-Diamond and “Best of Award of Excellence” wine spectator award.
And when it comes to food, they really don’t hold back. They offer a 6-course Chef’s tasting menu and a 4-course Table D’hote menu, and for the real foodies out there, they have a 10-course Degustation menu. All of this was designed to give you the ultimate dining experience during your visit to Banff National Park.
Cliffhouse Bistro
Mt. Norquay Scenic Dr
+1 403 762 4421
Another one of the many restaurants in Banff that needs to be mentioned is the Cliffhouse Bistro. The restaurant has an excellent look that resembles a European chalet with mid-century décor and stunning views.
It sits at an elevation of 6,900 feet and is accessed by the North American sightseeing chairlift. And this is why you get such stunning views of the Canadian Rockies while you’re sitting there enjoying the incredible food they have to offer.
Everything is thoughtfully prepared – influenced by the Canadian Rocky Mountains but infused with urban trends.
Whitebark Café
401 Banff Ave
+1 403 760 7298
If you’ve been hiking in Banff for the day and fancy a quick spot for lunch and coffee, Banff has no better restaurant than the Whitebark Café. This charming little café is a local favorite and voted the “Best of the Bow: Coffee.”
They pride themselves on serving the most delectable coffee the area offers and some exquisite food. They provide some very niche recipes that can cater to all dietary restrictions, making it a vegan favorite.
Some of the dishes that really stand out are the quinoa & muffin roll, the tofu & spinach pastry, and of course, the banana mango vegan muffin.
Lakeview Lounge
111 Lake Louise Dr
+1 403 522 3511
One of the Lake Louise restaurants that might tickle your fancy is the Lakeview Lounge. It sits on the edge of Lake Louise and opens you up to stunning views of the Canadian Rockies across the lake.
And this makes it the perfect place to enjoy sophisticated cocktails and stunning wines. You’ll also be able to admire the seasonally inspired menu crafted by Chef Nicholas Issel, who has 25 years of experience in the industry.
Whitehorn Bistro
1 Whitehorn Rd, Lake Louise,
+1 403 522 1310
Welcome to the Whitehorn Bistro, another stunning restaurant on the edge of Lake Louise. The menu at the Whitehorn Bistro has been carefully planned out to offer the finest seasonal ingredients sourced locally near Banff National Park.
The bistro is located 6,700 ft above sea level and proudly offers a contemporary menu with a Canadian Alpine theme. Here, you’ll be able to tantalize your taste buds with cheese fondue, seafood chowder, a Rocky Mountain game platter, and much more.
And you can do all this in their famed dining room or the patio, which provides stunning panoramic mountain views you can’t see anywhere else.
Storm Mountain Lodge
Banff National Park of Canada, Highway 93 South
+1 403 762 4155
The Storm Mountain Lodge is a series of high-end cabins located in the heart of National Park between Banff and Lake Louise, and they are truly exquisite. The private cabins provide stunning accommodation and beautiful cuisine in the Canadian Rockies.
Storm Mountain Lodge prides itself on providing incredible takeout food for the lodges. But they also have a beautiful dining room where people from outside the resort can come and enjoy the food.
The place gets jam-packed all year round, so you’ll need to make a reservation if you want to get a table and try some of their local cuisines.
La Terrazza
201 Lynx St
+1 403 760-3271
La Terrazza is a Banff restaurant found in the Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel. All the food has been locally sourced and tastes exquisite. And it is the perfect place to check out if you’re looking for delicious and authentic Italian cuisine.
One of the most noticeable features of the restaurant is the floor to ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views from Sulphur Mountain to Mount Norquay. So, why not sit back and enjoy the view with a carefully curated wine list, outstanding desserts, and authentic Italian food.
Magpie & Stump
203 Caribou St
+1 403 762 4067
Magpie & Stump is one of the oldest establishments in Banff and has been running for over 36 years. It serves a beautiful array of Mexican food that you can enjoy from its rooftop taco bar in the sun. This restaurant has expertise in serving craft cervezas and margaritas under the fantastic night sky of Banff.
With over 60 tequilas and counting and a stunning plethora of Mexican food, you’re guaranteed to have a night you won’t forget… hopefully!
Park Distillery
219 Banff Ave
+1 403 762 5114
If you’re looking for something slightly different in Banff, you should definitely check out Park Distillery off Banff Avenue. The working distillery produces award-winning craft spirits, which they pair perfectly with their campfire cuisine.
Since the dawn of day, humans have been drawn to fire, which is probably why we still can’t get over the flavor an open campfire provides. The restaurant provides a campfire experience, but with food that’s out of this world and a pairing of spirits to die for.
Saffron Bistro
205 Wolf St
+1 403 985 2005
One of the go-to Banff restaurants when you’re looking for Indian cuisine is the Saffron Bistro. When you walk into the restaurant, you’ll be punched in the nose by a lovely aroma of exotic herbs and spices that makes your mouth water. And when the food is placed in front of you, you won’t be disappointed. And the décor of the restaurant doesn’t disappoint either.
Farm & Fire
333 Banff Ave
+1 403 760 3298
At Farm & Fire, they believe that good food doesn’t have to be complicated, and they nailed it. The menu is derived from the finest and freshest ingredients they can find. They literally bring it from farm to fire.
Much of the food has been slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven, releasing the natural flavors in a smoky environment. The menu has a very homely feel to it, but everything is cooked to perfection and makes your taste buds tingle with joy at every bite.
As for the décor, this restaurant off Banff Avenue has a modern mountain interior that goes hand in hand with the food they serve.
High Rollers
110 Banff Ave
+1 403 762 2695
If you’re looking for a fun night out, there aren’t many restaurants in downtown Banff that compare to High Rollers. It’s a lively spot featuring bowling alleys, pool tables, 40 craft beers, and NYC-style pizzas.
And to wash down all the fun, why not try one or two (maybe three?) of the 40 craft beers available at your fingertips.
Banff Ave Brewing Co.
110 Banff Ave
+1 403 762 1003
The Banff Ave Brewing Company was founded by three best friends born and raised in Jasper. And now they own a sizable 2-storey brewpub that focuses on producing ales by the glass or growler in the heart of Banff town off Banff Avenue.
You’ll be able to find something for everyone while they produce some of the finest craft ales in the area for locals and tourists to enjoy. And while you’re there drinking beer, you can try out their exciting medley of bar food, from poutine to jerk pork to classic fish and chips.
Ramen Arashi
3rd-floor #213 Sundance Mall, 215 Banff Ave Box 4153
+1 403 760 0908
If you’re looking to dabble in some Asian cuisine while on holiday, Ramen Arashi is an excellent option. The Japanese-style restaurant focuses on bringing the most delicate ramen dishes and exceptional service to the area.
The business was established in 2018 by head chef Kentaro Seki after having multiple success stories in numerous restaurants in Canada. He uses his Japanese roots to create authentic and passionate cuisines.
Hello Sunshine
208 Wolf St #101
+1 403 985 7225
Banff is full of stunning restaurants that take your breath away, and Hello Sunshine is definitely one of them. It focuses on bringing top-class sushi, Japanese BBQ, and karaoke to the center of Banff.
The bar/restaurant is beautifully designed from top to bottom, with the standout features being the open-fire style circular sitting area. And it’s not just the décor that stands out; the food that comes out of the kitchen is mind-blowing.
The dishes are presented beautifully, and the Japanese BBQ aroma entices you into the restaurant. And you can enjoy all of this with an incredible karaoke experience that really tops the night off.
Balkan Restaurant
120 Banff Ave
+1 403 762 3454
The Balkan Restaurant off Banff Avenue is a traditional Greek eatery that was built around the tradition of philoxenia. They wanted to treat all their clients, old or new, like a long-lost family member, and they haven’t failed to deliver on the promise.
The Greek families of the area focus on bringing authentic Mediterranean flavors to the beautiful mountain town of Banff to enjoy the fresh mountain air. And they did this using simple yet fresh ingredients while offering both Halal and vegetarian options.
Famed for their Greek night, you’re bound to have a good night belly dancing the night away and smashing plates.
The Waldhaus Restaurant
405 Spray Ave
+1 403 762 6860
The final restaurant in Banff to make it onto the list is the Waldhaus Restaurant. It’s an upscale bar/eatery in a Bavarian-style cottage, and it’s famed for providing German-inspired alpine cuisine with beautiful outdoor seating.
The old cottage provides beautiful views towards Fairmont Banff Springs, the stunning 5* resort. But it’s not the view people go for; it’s the exquisite homely food served at the restaurant that brings people knocking.
If you’ve finished a long day in the mountains, there is no better place to warm up with a classic fondue than the Waldhaus Restaurant.
Have you ever tried any of these Banff restaurants? Let me know your favorites in the comments!
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