15 Banff Restaurants For Your Canadian Rockies Trip

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Banff may be a small town but it’s a popular tourist destination, being at the heart of the Canadian Rockies. This also means that Banff has some incredible, award winning places to eat. There’s a good mixture of casual to fine dining, local fare to international cuisine, and restaurants centered around Alberta beef all the way to vegan cafes. Banff has such great variety that you’ll need to stay longer just to try it all. Plus with so many outdoor activities in the area, you’ll always be hungry for your next meal. This is the only Banff restaurants guide you’ll need.

Where is Banff

Banff is the busiest and most populated town in the Canadian Rockies, in Alberta, Canada. Located only a couple of hours from Calgary, Banff is the perfect weekend getaway for Alberta residents. And the proximity to Calgary also makes it easy to get to for visitors flying into Alberta’s biggest airport. Banff is about an hour away from Lake Louise and a 4 to 5 hour drive from Jasper, further north in the Canadian Rockies. With a population of less than 7000 people, you wouldn’t think Banff would have a lot of shops and services, but with over 4 million visitors each year they have really upped their game to cater for the crowds.

Are Banff Restaurants Expensive

Banff is popular, and unfortunately popular usually equals expensive. But although you won’t find Banff the cheapest vacation, there are still cheaper options if you look hard enough. You don’t have to stay in luxury hotels like the Fairmont Banff Springs. There are moderate hotels in town like the Elk & Avenue or the Banff Park Lodge. There are even a couple of hostels.

The same goes for food. There are of course the high end restaurants, usually situated within the high end hotels, with more expensive dining options (such as afternoon tea the Fairmont Banff). But there are also quick and easy cafes serving delicious locally made snacks and sandwiches to go, and more budget friendly restaurants and pubs. The best thing you can do when visiting Banff is to plan your trip and look into some of the restaurants before you go. Not only will this help you budget, but it will also give you the opportunity to make reservations, which are often recommended.

Banff Restaurants For Breakfast

Start your say off right with a visit to one of Banff’s favorite restaurants for breakfast. Whether you’re a “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” person or a “light snack before I start the day” person, Banff has something for everyone.

Vermillion Room

This restaurant is at the heart of the luxurious and famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. You can work up an appetite wandering the never ending corridors of the historic property on the hunt for ghosts, so it makes sense they have one of the best breakfasts in Banff. You can order off menu but I recommend splashing out one day and paying for the breakfast buffet. Hidden budget tip: With every food group imaginable laid out in the most lavish spread, you won’t need lunch after this so it’s like two meals in one.

Good Earth Coffee House

For a much cheaper option the Good Earth Coffee House is right next to the Elk and Avenue hotel on Banff Avenue. The healthy food options do not sacrifice flavor at this quiet coffee shop just a little away from some more busy, but less tasty options in the downtown area. Breakfast can be dine in or takeaway if you’ve got places to be. With good coffee, fresh baked goods and yummy breakfast sandwiches there’s something for everyone. I especially loved their build your own yogurt with granola, fruit, nuts, seeds and other toppings. Day trip tip: Grab some extra snacks or lunch items for your day trips, perfect for any day Banff hikes you might do.

Nourish Bistro

Calling all vegetarians (and non vegetarians). This vibrant bistro bar is good any time of day, but their breakfast is especially delicious. Full of colorful and creative menu items that prove vegan and vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring. The food is so good you’ll forget there isn’t meat here. Omelets without eggs, meatless sausages and more avocado than your average hipster needs, this place has it all. Wow menu item tip: Try the jungle pancakes – made with mashed bananas and served with lashings of fresh fruit, syrup and coconut whipped cream!

Melissa’s Missteak

Sometimes there’s nothing you want more for breakfast than a good ol’ fashioned classic breakfast. Melissa’s is the place to get that. Breakfast sandwiches, waffles and pancakes, or eggs benedict. What’s great about Melissa’s is that there are options of one to three eggs for most dishes, and different prices depending on how many you choose. So you don’t need to be the type of person to eat a huge breakfast to go to Melissa’s. In fact the basic breakfasts of eggs, toast and hashbrowns start at $7 which is a really budget friendly breakfast. Happy hipster tip: Build your own avocado toast starting from $5 for a healthy but yummy breakfast option.

Banff Restaurants For Lunch

No matter whether you want something on the go to rush to that afternoon hike, or a liquid lunch with a side of fries, we’ve got you covered. Banff has so many diverse lunch menus at its amazing restaurants that can’t be beaten.

Banff Ave Brewing Co.

Every time I visit Banff I have to see what new beers are on tap at the Banff Ave Brewing Co. On a nice day they have a lovely second floor patio area where you can pull up a stool to look out on Banff Avenue. Their beer is so good, the atmosphere is casual yet friendly, and the food is really top notch. Great for dinner or mid-afternoon happy hour, but I also think it’s a great lunch spot. There are bigger menu items or lighter options such as the incredible pretzels with dips. Their pizzas are also superb, with unique flavor combos such as the Big Mac pizza, Breakfast Pizza or Pickle pizza. Beer lover’s tip: Can’t decide? Try a six choice sampler. Or commit big time on Thursdays with a discounted 32oz Stein.

Wild Flour Bakery

This place isn’t really for dining in but there are instead many good options you’ll be able to take away. Grab some lunch and head down to the river or pack a sandwich for your day trip. They make really good hot and cold sandwiches as well as soups. And there’s a huge choice of sweet baked goods and unique teas. Fancy bread tip: If you’re stuck between the focaccia sandwich option and anything else, go with the focaccia. It’s. So. Good!

Larkspur

Larkspur is the lounge at Banff’s second most famous luxury hotels, the Rimrock Resort. They don’t have the historical bragging rights that the Banff Springs does, but they have a sophisticated lounge with a kick-ass view of the national park’s mountains out of floor to ceiling windows. This lounge was my favorite place to spend some time when I stayed there. The food is spectacular, putting innovative spins on classic lunch-time meals, and you can’t beat the atmosphere. Luxurious lunch-time tip: Savour the full Rimrock experience with a local hand-crafted cocktail and a devilishly decadent dessert.

Eddie Burger & Bar

Classic burgers with a twist, this lunch time hang out celebrates Alberta’s love of meat while still catering to the vegetarians with more than just a tired old veggie patty. With beef, elk and bison burger options, they really spice up your classic burger bar while still remaining a casual dining experience. Canadian classic tip: While in Canada, upgrade your regular side of fries to the poutine. You’ll only need a light dinner after this meal, but it’ll be worth it.

Park Distillery

Right in the middle of Banff Avenue is the town’s very own distillery making local handcrafted spirits such as vodka, gin and rye whiskey. And they serve some pretty spirit-ed food too because many of their tasty food items contain their famous local booze. The tomato chili vodka soup is a good place to start for a light lunch-time meal option. But with lots of sandwiches, salads and as many vegetarian options as meat-based you’ll have plenty to choose from. Save some for later tip: The Park Distillery has a little shop next to the restaurant, so you can buy some of your favorite tipple to take away.

The Banff Grizzly House

Got your attention already, right? Boy if this place isn’t the place where cheese lovers come to truly live. That’s right, this is Banff’s very own fondue restaurant. For a restaurant that will have you leaving in a cheese coma, you’re probably wondering why I classed this as a lunch place and not dinner. Two reasons. One: This popular eatery means you’re more likely to get a table earlier in the day. Two: You’ll need the afternoon to walk it all off. Dip anything from Alberta beef or chicken to ostrich, alligator and lobster. This place means business. Light cheese tip: Appetizer size fondue is available, or order melted raclette cheese over potatoes and pickles.

Banff Restaurants For Dinner

After a big day exploring the town or the trails of the national park, these Banff restaurants are the best places to refuel. Local cuisine to international dishes, Banff has a lot of variety that you’ll need to book a longer vacation to experience it all.

Silver Dragon

One of the first places I ever ate in Banff and still as good today. The Silver Dragon is Banff’s premier Chinese restaurant. The portions are big, the food is delicious and it’s always busy. Located just over the bridge out of the downtown core, this family restaurant has a good mix of western and traditional Chinese dishes. I recommend the dumplings and the egg and tomato dish. Reminds me so much of my travels in China. Family style tip: Order a bunch of dishes for the table and eat family style sampling a bit of everything. The best way to enjoy Chinese cuisine.

Balkan Restaurant

Enjoy mouthwatering Greek dishes right on Banff Avenue at Balkan Restaurant. Start with some pita and dips or some sizzling Saganaki fried cheese. Authentic Greek food is one of my favorites, and their dishes here are worth whatever wait you might have to get a table. Try the Souvlaki or the Spanakopita and don’t hold back when ordering. Food of the (Greek) Gods tip: Don’t leave without ordering some baklava for dessert. One of my favorite treats, this sticky sweet walnut pastry is to die for.

St James’ Gate

You’ll be hard pushed to find any town or city no matter how big or small that doesn’t seem to have an Irish pub. Banff is no different. My favorite pub there is St James’ Gate. The cozy pub has a great sports TV situation and an even better menu. With a draught list as long as your arm (of which Guiness is most certainly included), you’ll have to stay for another after your meal. And another. And another. Hearty Irish pub meals and Canadian classics, you really have to try at least one of their pies. Traditional Irish tip: Don’t forget to look around the pub which has some interesting imported artifacts and woodwork. Personally I love the vintage Guinness advertising signs.

Coyotes Southwestern Grill

This might be one of the best meals I’ve had in Banff over the years. The variety of dishes with a home cooked feel are only surpassed by the friendly staff. Go hungry as you won’t can decide on a dish and you’ll end up over-ordering like we did. I was particularly impressed with the plant based options. The corn and sweet potato chowder was divine. My house made veggie burger was a refreshing change from the usual boring burgers. And if you get the choice for roasted potatoes with anything, take it! The stand out dish though? Sweet potato polenta with ratatouille. I kept eating long after I was full. Carb lovers tip: Order the bread basket of so-fresh-it’s-still-warm focaccia and corn bread. They are equally amazing and you won’t can stop eating.

The Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf is one of Banff’s high end restaurants, and is incredibly popular due to it serving fully Canadian cuisine. Primarily working with steak and seafood, the food is beautiful, as is the restaurant itself. Canadian oysters, Alberta beef and wild salmon, every dish just screams eh! Even the drinks are Canadian: Banff distilled spirits, Canadian brewed beer and British Columbia wines. Don’t be disappointed tip: The popularity of The Maple Leaf means you might want to book ahead before you arrive to make sure there’s a table for you. Plan to enjoy this as a special dinner on your last night in Banff.

Banff After Dinner Bonus Location

My personal favorite place to eat and drink in Banff, I love how remote this place is and how it reminds me of the European pubs back home I miss so much.

Waldhaus Pub

Just as this list started, it ends at the Fairmont Banff Springs. The Waldhaus is a German inspired pub down by the river away from the main hotel resort building. It’s a little more expensive than your average pub but the location can’t be beaten. On a summer evening watch elk graze by the river and catch the evening sun silhouetting the nearby mountains. They serve amazing German beer, and as well as some really good pub food they have delicious traditional German foods like pretzels and fondue. Bavarian Banff tip: Even if you don’t go here for dinner, at least order an apple strudel to go with your beer. You won’t regret it.

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