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. This article shares the best Banff patios to add to your summer trip.
Banff is known for its endless mountain adventures and scenic landscape, but the vibrant restaurant scene in Banff should not be overlooked. 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: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
At the top of my Best Banff Patios list is the rooftop patio offered by Rose and Crown. This third-story rooftop offers 360-degree views from every table, allowing you to enjoy each of the famous Banff mountains while you sip on a summer cocktail. This rooftop patio easily offers one of the best views in Banff.
This restaurant offers a casual, laid-back vibe for enjoying a refreshing beverage or pub food lunch on a summer day. The food offered by Rose and Crown covers a wide range, making it a great spot for larger groups or families with young kids – everyone should be able to find something on this casual menu. The Rose and Crown offers daily drink and food features and specials that change daily, which are always worth checking out.
The Juniper Bistro
- Location: 1 Juniper Way
- Cuisine: Canadian
- Price: $$ – $$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Yes
The Juniper Bistro at the Juniper Hotel offers a secluded, picturesque patio often unnoticed by Banff’s many visitors. The Juniper’s patio arguably offers the best brunch location in Banff – from their delicious, local menu to the views of the surrounding landscape, this patio is a must-visit.
This patio is often referred to as Banff’s hidden gem since it’s just beyond walking distance from the town of Banff at the base of Mount Norquay. When visiting this patio, you get a taste of how the locals live. With tall, lush trees hiding the patio from the highway and the perfect mountain backdrop in the distance, this is easily one of the best Banff patios.
The Juniper offers an award-winning brunch and dinner menu featuring plenty of traditional Canadian food made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. The Juniper Benny from their brunch menu is a must-try! Check out this full article on the Juniper Hotel and Bistro.
Waldhaus Pub & Beer Garden
- Location: Banff Springs
- Cuisine: German-Inspired
- Price: $$$-$$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
The Waldhaus Patio is located at the cozy yet elegant cottage in the woods of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This unique dining location is off the beaten path, often overlooked by many due to its refined setting.
The Waldhaus offers unique German-style cuisine, with a special focus on fondue. Enjoying their Alpine Cheese Fondue is a fun, involved way to connect with friends in this relaxing environment. The patio offers scenic views of Mount Rundle and the Bow River while overlooking the beautiful Banff Springs Golf Course.
One of our favorite things to do in the summer is ride our bikes from Canmore to Banff and finish with a beer here! Do not miss the opportunity to indulge in the patio’s unique experience.
Three Bears Brewery and Restaurant
- Location: Bear Street
- Cuisine: Pizza and bar food
- Price: $$$
- 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. They have some fun and quirky brews on tap, and their pizzas are some of our favorites in Banff!
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 Ave. The brewery’s main patio is their second-story balcony that 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 Steakhouse
- Location: 101 Banff Ave
- Cuisine: Steakhouse
- Price: $$$-$$$$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
Chuck’s Steakhouse is arguably the best in town, with their cozy rooftop patio also adding them to the list of best Banff patios. Chuck’s serves high-quality steaks and beef with a wide selection of cuts and delicious sides. This local restaurant’s style encompasses Alberta’s beauty, from the décor to the dishes to the servers.
With its large canopies and glowing string lights, the rooftop patio from Banff Ave doesn’t go unnoticed. This is a romantic spot to enjoy an eclectic meal as you enjoy the gorgeous view of Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain from this rooftop Banff patio.
Magpie and Stump’s “El Patio”
- Location: 203 Caribou Street
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No.
If you are looking for the patio that offers 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 you 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, they have done an excellent job making this a prime patio for other reasons!
Peak Patio
- Location: Sulphur Mountain Gondola
- Cuisine: Light fair and Drinks
- Price: $$
- Wheelchair Accessible?: No
Easily the most unique patio in Banff, Peak Patio is located at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. To enjoy this patio, you must ride the scenic Banff gondola or test your endurance on the Sulphur Mountain hike. Once atop this famous Banff mountain, soak up the views of Banff from the incomparable Peak Patio.
Peak Patio is a stunning location to enjoy the sunset while you sip on a cocktail, wine, or beer and enjoy a light bite to eat. This unique mountain-top patio is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, making it one of the best Banff patios that is a must-visit this summer season.
Bison Terrace
- Location: 211 Bear Street
- Cuisine: Canadian/American
- Price: $$$
- 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 their stylish rooftop terrace. Atop The Bison terrace, 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: $$
- Limited reservations are available between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Call 1 (403) 522-1310 to make a reservation.
There aren’t many restaurants at the Lake Louise Ski Resort, but Whitehorn Bistro is the absolute best out of the ones there! It’s where you’ll head on a winter day in Banff when the sun is shining and snow is glistening. It’s truly one of the best places to enjoy Banff patio in summer and winter.
You can enjoy a light meal here, like Cauliflower Wings with King Mushrooms or an Alberta Whitehorn Burger! Whitehorn Bistro is also open in the summer during lunch hours, though you’ll need to hike to it or take the Lake Louise Gondola. Consider purchasing a Gondola and Gourmet ticket, which gets you a discount on the combination.
Lakeview Lounge
- Location: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Price: $$$
- Address: 111 Lake Louise Dr
- Make Reservations
The Lakeview Lounge is easily one of the most scenic restaurants in Banff, and they have 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 Banff restaurants with a patio to go to.
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
- Tours (New in 2024): The Banff Blog is partnering with one of the leading tour companies in Western Canada so readers can experience the magic of the Rockies with other travelers – without having to think about a thing. See all our 2024 tour offerings here!
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service connecting you from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff or Canmore.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. Or embark on an epic campervan trip. We like to compare prices on Motorhome Republic and Outdoorsy.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going to watch for cheap airfare deals!
- Hop On, Hop Off: This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus bound for all the best attractions at your own pace!
