15 Amazing Banff Patios to Enjoy This Summer
Banff is known for its endless mountain adventures and scenic landscape, but the vibrant restaurant scene in Banff should not be overlooked. Visiting Banff in the summer comes with endless perks when considering everything the warm months offer, but the plethora of fun Banff patios in this bustling mountain town is a summer highlight.
Banff’s downtown core offers a patio to suit every visitor, whether for the unbeatable views, tasty eats and brews, or all-around ambiance – find your ideal Banff patio in this article!
The Best Banff Patios
Rose and Crown
- Location: 202 Banff Ave
- Cuisine: Bar Food
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
At the top of my best Banff patios list is the rooftop patio offered by Rose and Crown. While you can sit at ground level if you wish, this third-story rooftop patio offers 360-degree views from every table, allowing you to enjoy each of the famous Banff mountains while you sip on a summer cocktail. This rooftop patio easily offers one of the best views in Banff.
This restaurant offers a casual, laid-back vibe for enjoying a refreshing beverage or pub food lunch on a summer day. The food offered by Rose and Crown covers a wide range, making it a great spot for larger groups or families with young kids – everyone should be able to find something on this casual menu. The Rose and Crown offers daily drink and food features and specials that change daily, which are always worth checking out.
The Juniper Bistro
- Location: 1 Juniper Way
- Cuisine: Canadian
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
The Juniper Bistro at the Juniper Hotel offers a secluded, picturesque patio often unnoticed by Banff’s many visitors. The Juniper’s patio arguably offers the best brunch location in Banff – from their delicious, local menu to the views of the surrounding landscape, this patio is a must-visit.
This patio is often referred to as Banff’s hidden gem since it’s just beyond walking distance from the town of Banff at the base of Mount Norquay. When visiting this patio, you get a taste of how the locals live. With tall, lush trees hiding the patio from the highway and the perfect mountain backdrop in the distance, this is easily one of the best Banff patios.
The Juniper offers an award-winning brunch and dinner menu featuring plenty of traditional Canadian food made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. The Juniper Benny from their brunch menu is a must-try! Check out this full article on the Juniper Hotel and Bistro.
Waldhaus Pub & Beer Garden
- Location: Banff Springs
- Cuisine: German-Inspired
- Price: $$$-$$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
The Waldhaus Patio is located at the cozy yet elegant cottage in the woods of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This unique dining location is off the beaten path, often overlooked by many due to its refined setting.
The Waldhaus offers unique German-style cuisine, with a special focus on fondue. Enjoying their Alpine Cheese Fondue is a fun, involved way to connect with friends in this relaxing environment. The patio offers scenic views of Mount Rundle and the Bow River while overlooking the beautiful Banff Springs Golf Course. One of our favorite summer activities is riding our bikes from Canmore to Banff and finishing with a beer here before returning back to Canmore.
Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant
- Location: Bear Street
- Cuisine: Pizza and bar food
- Price: $$$
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
One of the newest breweries in the Canadian Rockies is Three Bears, right on Bear Street. One block away from Banff Avenue, strolling Bear Street is one of the best things to do in Banff. The pedestrian-friendly street has cute art galleries, shops, and restaurants galore.
Three Bears has a fabulous patio that is perfect for taking in the views of Cascade Mountain. They have some fun and quirky brews on tap, and their pizzas are some of our favorites in Banff! If you’re in Banff in May or June and the weather isn’t quite warm enough, they also offer heaters and blankets to their guests!
Elk and Oarsman
- Location: 119 Banff Ave
- Cuisine: Bar Food
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
The Elk and Oarsman offer a patio similar to the Rose and Crown, a rooftop patio with epic views three floors up. This patio puts you above the hustle of Banff Ave, giving you 360-degree views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
“The Elk,” as the locals refer to it, offers a casual menu, from bar snacks to a burger bar – be sure to try their Elk Burger for a truly local experience. This is the perfect spot to share appetizers and drinks with friends after your mountain adventures or watch the town light up overnight over dinner.
Banff Ave Brewing Co.
- Location: 110 Banff Ave
- Cuisine: Pub Food
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Street-level patio is, second-story patio is not
The Banff Ave Brewing Co., also known as the Brew Pub by Banff locals, is the town’s original brewery. The Brew Pub offers two unique patios on the famous Banff Avenue. The brewery’s main patio is its second-story balcony, which faces Mount Norquay and looks out over the busy Banff Avenue. This patio only offers a few seats, so you may need some luck and patience to score one.
Over the last three summers, Brew Pub has also hosted a street-level patio, thanks to Banff Ave being pedestrian access only. This fun patio, with a handful of large picnic tables, places you right in the heart of Banff Ave. The Brew Pub offers delicious beer brewed on-site, with a casual menu that pairs well with the fresh pints. Most locals will argue that Brew Pub offers one of the best Banff patios in the summer!
Chucks Patio
- Location: 101 Banff Ave
- Cuisine: Steakhouse
- Price: $$$-$$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
Chuck’s Steakhouse is one of the best restaurants in Banff. With its cozy rooftop patio that is a bit hidden, it has one of the most unassuming patios in Banff. Chuck’s serves high-quality steaks and beef with a wide selection of cuts and delicious sides. This local restaurant’s style encompasses Alberta’s beauty, from the décor to the dishes to the servers.
With its large canopies and glowing string lights, the rooftop patio from Banff Ave doesn’t go unnoticed. This is a romantic spot to enjoy an eclectic meal as you enjoy the gorgeous view of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain from the rooftop.
Magpie and Stump’s “El Patio”
- Location: 203 Caribou Street
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No.
If you are looking for the patio with the most upbeat, lively atmosphere in Banff, Magpie and Stump’s El Patio is the spot to go. This bright and tropical rooftop patio offers an island oasis in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
With their Mexican-style menu, there is no better place to enjoy a margarita or a “Bulldog.” El Patio vibes with fun music, friendly staff, and happy customers. Grab a couple of tacos and your favorite island-style drink to kick back for a perfect summer afternoon on one of the best Banff patios.
Just to note – this rooftop patio has walls built up on all sides, so this is not the best spot to go for mountain views. However, it’s fantastic for soaking up the sun and vibes!
Peak Patio
- Location: Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- Cuisine: Light fair and Drinks
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
Easily the most unique patio in Banff, Peak Patio is located at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. To enjoy this patio, you must ride the scenic Banff Gondola or test your endurance on the Sulphur Mountain hike. Once atop this famous Banff mountain, soak up the views of Banff from the incomparable Peak Patio.
Peak Patio is a stunning location to enjoy the sunset while you sip on a cocktail, wine, or beer and enjoy a light bite to eat. This unique mountain-top patio is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, making it one of the best Banff patios that is a must-visit this summer season.
Banff Social
- Location: 221 Bear St
- Cuisine: Canadian-inspired
- Price: $$-$$$
- Make Reservations: Reservations
Banff Social is a new restaurant that serves fresh, bold-inspired dishes that aim to highlight the very best of Canadian cuisine.
They have a unique menu that features fresh ingredients and beautifully flavored dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in Banff. The location is right on Bear Street, and they have a fantastic downstairs patio that is quite large and great for groups.
Alternatively, you can head upstairs to the balcony and enjoy your meal with views of the tip of Mount Rundle. Head here for Happy Hour from 3pm to 5pm and 9pm to close every day to get some delicious $6 appetizers and $5 margaritas and Palomas.
Bison Terrace
- Location: 211 Bear Street
- Cuisine: Canadian/American
- Price: $$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Restaurant, yes. Terrace, unknown.
The Bison offers impressive farm-to-table dishes inspired by local ingredients that suit each season. This extensive menu is only made better by its stylish rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy mountain views and a vibrant atmosphere.
The rooftop terrace overlooks the newly updated Bear Street, where nightlife is calm yet exciting. With a welcoming ambiance and Mount Rundle vistas, what better place to enjoy one of the most creative menus in Banff.
Maclab
- Location: 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
- Cuisine: “Healthy Comfort Food”
- Price: $$-$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
If you want to escape the hustle of downtown Banff while still enjoying Banff’s stunning landscape, Maclab Bistro’s patio is the spot for you. This quiet bistro is tucked away in the Banff Arts Centre on Tunnel Mountain and often goes unnoticed despite its impeccable offerings.
The Maclab Bistro offers a plentiful “Summer Food Menu” with fresh salads, flatbread pizzas, and sandwiches inspired by local ingredients. Enjoy this tasty menu from their gorgeous patio overlooking the beautiful Bow Valley. The patio at Maclab Bistro is easily one of the best Banff patios, thanks to its unique location and superb atmosphere.
Whitehorn Bistro
- Location: Lake Louise Ski Resort
- Cuisine: Canadian Lunch
- Price: $$
- Limited reservations are available between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Call 1 (403) 522-1310 to make a reservation.
There aren’t many restaurants at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, but Whitehorn Bistro is the absolute best there is! It’s where you’ll head on a bluebird winter while skiing, and in the summer, it’s the best place to enjoy a meal looking over the brilliantly blue Lake Louise.
You can enjoy a light meal here, like Cauliflower Wings with King Mushrooms or an Alberta Whitehorn Burger! While Whitehorn Bistro is also open during lunch in the summer, you’ll need to take the Lake Louise Summer Gondola to it. Consider purchasing a Gondola and Gourmet ticket, which gets you a discount on the combination.
Cilantro Cafe
- Location: Emerald Lake
- Cuisine: Light Lunch
- Price: $$
Although not located in Banff but nearby in Yoho National Park, we felt the Cilantro Cafe was well worth a mention. Sitting under the President Mountain Range at Emerald Lake, it has one of the best patios in the Canadian Rockies.
Open for breakfast and lunch, Cilantro on the Lakes serves up light and hearty fares, meaning there is something everyone can enjoy. Here, you can have a classic poutine, Greek salad sandwich, or something extra filling like a Wild Boar Chorizo Pizza.
Lakeview Lounge
- Location: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Price: $$$
- Address: 111 Lake Louise Dr
- Make Reservations
The Lakeview Lounge is easily one of the most scenic restaurants in Banff. It has a beautiful patio right on Lake Louise that you can enjoy in the summer. Seating here is given priority to hotel guests, so reserve a table in advance.
Hopefully, this helped you determine which patios to visit. If you have any other questions, leave a comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, and everything else.
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendation is the Banff Gondola – a must do experience!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
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