25 Best Canmore Restaurants


Seeking out the best Canmore restaurants or wondering where you should eat in Canmore? We share our favorite spots in our little picturesque mountain town. While most mountain towns might struggle to supply visitors with a wide selection of restaurants, that is certainly not the case in Canmore.

You can find various cuisines, restaurants, price points, and places to eat in Canmore. Our favorites are Rocket Pie for pizza, Ramen Arashi for affordable comfort food, and The for Sensory for views. No matter what, there’s a place to dine for everyone. These Canmore restaurants are the perfect place to fill yourself up after a long day exploring the wild Canadian Rockies.

*Please make reservations at these Canmore restaurants when possible, especially during the summer and on weekends.


Must-Try Foods in Canmore

Airbnb in Canmore
Downtown Canmore on a beautiful fall day

While it’s tough to consider these items “local Canadian Rockies food” or uniquely Canadian, there are some classic staples to try while visiting. If you see these on the menu of any Canmore restaurants you visit, make sure to order!

Fondue: Many restaurants serve up this classic mountain dish originating from Switzerland. This is partly because of the Swiss influence on the Canadian Rockies. Besides being in Switzerland, there is nothing better than fondue in the Rockies.

Poutine: Along with maple syrup, there is possibly nothing more Canadian than poutine. It’s the ultimate, savory late-night dish that’s become ubiquitous in Canada.

Beavertail: A beavertail is right up there with poutine as a quintessential Canadian food item. It’s not some beautiful culinary feat as it comes from a chain found throughout Canada. However, the crispy, spongey, and sweet fried “beavertails” are delicious. There is a Beavertail shop on Main Street inside Rusticana.

Alberta Beef: While steak is far from revolutionary, the beef industry and cowboys have long been a staple of Alberta. 

Wild Game: With its rich ranching and exploration history, the concept of wild game is still prevalent in Alberta. Many Albertans enjoy elk and deer hunting when in season (not in the park), and you’ll find a wide range of restaurants that serve wild game on the menu.


The Best Canmore Restaurants


The Sensory

The Sensory canmore
The view from The Sensory

Look no further than The Sensory for fine dining in Canmore and one of the best Canmore restaurants. This is one of the best Canmore restaurants with a view! Great for group outings or date nights, The Sensory was shortlisted for one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants.

Their menu is mountain-inspired, with items like Elk Osso Bucco and Beef Ribeye as mains. We recommend the Baked Goat Cheese and Mushroom Tartar for starters. The Sensory has a decent wine selection (they even have wine flights!) and innovative cocktails.

Perhaps what they are most well known for is that you can enjoy a refined dining atmosphere surrounded by all the gorgeous Alberta mountains. They are only open in the evening, and reservations are highly recommended. So that you can take advantage of the views while you dine, we recommend booking an hour or so before the sun sets.


Crazyweed Bistro

Crazyweed Bistro
Crazyweed Bistro

Crazyweed has been a hit since it opened its doors in Canmore, and we find it one of the best places to eat in Canmore. It’s a casual eatery with many dishes to choose from. The menu is eclectic, and it feels like the owners just picked out all their favorite dishes from around the world.

You’ll find poke bowls, gnocchi, Thai grilled chicken, labneh, chorizo con queso, Alberta steaks, pickle marinated fried chicken, and pan-seared arctic char on the menu. Your guess is as good as ours as to what category all of that falls into; let’s just call it good food.


Wood Restaurant

Wood Restaurant canmore
The Wood Restaurants on a Summer Day

The Wood makes this list of Canmore restaurants because of their laid-back atmosphere, unassuming food, and for having the best terrace in town. If it’s a beautiful day in Canmore, The Wood Patio is where you want to hang out. Located right at the corner of 8th Street and 8th Ave, views don’t get much better than here, as it’s one of the best Downtown Canmore restaurants.

It’s a fantastic place to head with friends for a drink after a mountain bike ride or a hike at Grassi Lakes. Some of their best-sellers are Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich and Crispy Yam Fries!


Rhythm and Howl

Rhythm & Howl is Canmore’s newest culinary destination, just a short drive from Downtown Canmore. It’s ideal for those visiting the Rockies with a vehicle. Rhythm & Howl is a 90-seat upscale restaurant in MTN House By Basecamp.

Here, you’ll find a commitment to environmental harmony, as the restaurant embodies a farm-to-table ethos, exclusively showcasing the finest locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. Stand-out dishes include the Bison Surf and Turf, Hanger Steak, and Elk Carpaccio!

What we love most about Rhythm and Howl are their amazing everyday specials. Every day, there is a three-course lunch special for just $25. For those who just want a quick drink with friends, they offer an amazing daily happy hour special from 3pm – 6pm and 10pm – 11pm, where you can get 50% off all cocktails, beers, and wine!


Sauvage Restaurant

Sauvage Restaurant

Said to be the most romantic restaurant in Canmore. Perhaps all of Alberta is Sauvage. Sauvage is tucked off Main Street in Downtown Canmore, next to the Paint Box Lodge. Sauvage is best known for its Chefs’ Tasting Menu. For $90, diners can indulge in a seven-course meal.

Paired with a nice bottle of wine, it makes for a lovely evening out and a place to celebrate a special occasion in the Rockies. The Hunter (meat-embellished) and the Gatherer (plant-based) are both equally delicious tasting menu options on offer. Reservations are encouraged!


4296

4296
  • Cuisine: Global Pop Culture Cuisine
  • Price: $$$
  • Address: 626 8 St Unit 3
  • See Menu
  • Call for Reservations (403-688-4296)

This hidden gem is next to Grizzly Paw Brewing and Where the Buffalo Roam. 4296 is elevated dining great for a nice evening out. They serve up hip cuisine and cocktails you wish you could make yourself.

Not only is the food here insta-worthy, but they have different-sized dishes to cater to you. Small, medium, and large plates are available, so you never have to worry about ordering too much (though you’ll probably think you ordered too little once you tried this place!)

My favorites are the Vietnamese tartar, wagyu flank, and beef yakitori. Stay a little after dinner and find Bar Deja Vu, a speakeasy with an entrance hidden behind a trick mirrored door in the back of 4296. Enter, and you’ll forget you are even in a Canadian mountain town and think you are in a hip NYC underground establishment. Go on and try to find it!


The Roaring Rolls

The Roading Rolls - Best Canmore Restaurants
  • Cuisine: Modern Indian
  • Price: $$
  • Address: 101-837 8 St
  • See Menu

The Roaring Rolls is a new Indian restaurant just a short distance from downtown. You don’t have to venture to Calgary for delicious Indian food anymore. The Roaring Rolls does delicious Indian classic dishes with a twist. The staff here are delightful, know their stuff, and are so happy to bring modern Indian food to this little mountain town. Try the Short Rib Dosa – the flavors are out of this world!


Gaucho

Gaucho
  • Cuisine: Brazilian Steakhouse
  • Price: $$$
  • Address: 629 8 St
  • See Menu
  • Make reservations on the website.

It’s hard to believe you can enjoy a fine Brazilian steakhouse in a small mountain town, but we have the amazing Gaucho Brazilian steakhouse in Canmore. In the middle of Main Street, you can have a special meal and be transported to Brazil. Watch this Canmore restaurant come alive with Brazilian traditions and some of the richest flavors. The most common thing to order here is the Dinner Rodizio for $60. This is your entrance into the world of Brazilian BBQ.

Barbecue chefs will come around with massive Gaucho-style skewers, each with a tender selection of cuts like Picanha, Garlic Top Sirloin, Parmigiano Beef, Beef Ribs, Rosemary Pork, Honey Mustard Lamb, Barbecue Pineapple & Pão de Queijo. There are too many to name! The meals all come with sides and a salad; it’s a fantastic value in Canmore and best reserved for special occasions!


Ramen Arashi

Ramen Arashi
  • Cuisine: Japanese/Ramen
  • Price: $-$$
  • Address: 1000 7 Ave #105
  • See Menu
  • First Come, First Serve

It took us a year living in Canmore to realize we didn’t need to fly to Japan for authentic Japanese Ramen. Ramen Arashi is a fantastic spot where you can get huge bowls of ramen for under $15. After hiking in the mountains, we always head here when we just want something quick, hot, and delicious. Our go-to is the Vege Tantan Men – the perfect cheap vegetarian meal in Canmore.


Kain Tayo

Kain Tayo
Kain Tayo
  • Cuisine: Asian Fusion
  • Price: $$$
  • Address: 725 9 St
  • See Menu
  • Make Reservations (403-675-3345)

Kain Tayo means “Let’s Eat!” in Tagalog. And that’s exactly what you should do in Canmore’s newest restaurant. This vibrant restaurant focuses on international street cuisine from Japan, The Philippines, and Bangladesh. It’s one of the most unique restaurants in Canmore and does a great job of creating inspiring and vibrant dishes. They are open for lunch and dinner but also do a one-of-a-kind Sunday brunch!


Best Pubs and Bars in Canmore


Tavern 1883

Tavern 1883
Tavern 1883 / One of the Best Canmore Restaurants
  • Cuisine: Bar Food
  • Price: $$
  • Address: 709 9 St
  • See Menu
  • First Come, First Serve

Consider this when you are really stumped on where to eat in Canmore. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Canmore for its low-key atmosphere, delicious pub food, and rotating craft beers. While Grizzly Paw gets a lot of love from visitors, we love the range of beers from Alberta and BC that you can find at Tavern 1883.

If you’re looking for the best burger in Canmore and possibly all the Canadian Rockies, you can find it at Tavern 1883. They also host many entertaining events such as a Jam Night, Trivia, and Bingo. Check out their social channels for the latest times and dates.


Where the Buffalo Roam Saloon

Best Restaurants in Canmore
Where the Buffalo Roam
  • Cuisine: Cocktails and Upscale Bar Food
  • Price: $$-$$$
  • Address: 626 8 St #2
  • See Menu
  • First Come, First Serve

I love Where the Buffalo Roam, and it’s a fantastic bar and restaurant in Canmore. This saloon serves up the best craft cocktails in an intimate setting. Cocktails here are top-notch and inventive. Our favorites are the Thai One On and High Violet. Granted, picking just one cocktail is tough, so you may need to sample multiple!

The Saloon also serves up some tasty food of modern bar bites. Expect to find dishes like gnocchi, short ribs, calamari, roasted veggies, duck wings, and burgers. It’s perfect for a romantic meal or a lovely evening with friends. They also serve a great Canmore brunch on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A small outdoor patio is open year-round, as they have some toasty heaters to keep you warm.


The Grizzly Paw Brewing Co

Best Restaurants in Canmore
Grizzly Paw / Best Canmore Restaurant and Brewery

The largest craft brewer in town with outdoor seating, a large interior, and a separate brewery/tasting room. They offer some tasty brews and have large enough tables to handle groups of 10, so enjoying a beer with friends is great.

Try to score a seat outside on the patio to soak up the warm weather after a hike in Kananaskis Country in the summer. Vegetarians or health-conscious people will have a tough time ordering food here; at least, we do. They’ve got some decent pub classics like fish & chips, pizza, and chicken sandwiches.


Best Lunch Restaurants in Canmore


Communitea

  • Cuisine: Cafe and Tea
  • Price: $-$$$
  • Address: 117-1001 6 Ave
  • See Menu

This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Canmore. Communitea is an excellent option for health-conscious food in a modern cafe atmosphere. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I find the atmosphere and menu too relaxed for dinner. It’s easily the most popular Canmore lunch spot in town, and we love the light, airy atmosphere.

They have a wide selection of health-conscious food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Of course, given the name, they have a wide range of teas to sample! Our favorite meal is the Budha Bowl. Coffee is on the menu, but it’s from a push-button machine — it’s better to go to Eclipse Coffee. Instead, opt for the tea specialties here.


Rocky Mountain Bagel Co

Rocky Mountain Bagel Co
Rocky Mountain Bagel / Best Canmore Restaurants
  • Cuisine: Bagels and Breakfast
  • Price: $
  • Address: 830 8 St #102
  • See Menu

I love a good bagel, and there is no place better to start your mornings than the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co. They’re an institution in town and now have two locations, including a massive new bakery. Pick from their wide range of bagels for a mouth-watering sandwich, or choose one of their homemade cream cheese spreads. This is mountain food done right! If you’re in town for a while, you can grab their bag of a dozen bagels for a good deal.


Harvest Cafe

Harvest Cafe
  • Cuisine: Breakfast and Lunch
  • Price: $-$$
  • Address: 718 10 St #2
  • See Menu

Harvest Cafe is right across the Street from Basecamp Resorts and Communitea. This locally owned and operated Canmore cafe claims to have the best cinnamon buns on this side of the Rockies. They are delicious but only available on weekends!

Beyond the cinnamon buns, Harvest has memorable baked goods made in-house, great soups, wraps, and paninis. They’re well known for having Gluten-Free and Vegan options in the valley! This is a breakfast/lunch joint as they close in the evening, so make sure to hit them up before venturing out on a Canmore walk.


Best Breakfast in Canmore


Le Fournil

Le Fournil canmore
  • Cuisine: Bakeries Creperie
  • Price: $-$$
  • Address: 101-1205 Bow Valley Trail
  • See Menu

If you’re looking for a low-key restaurant in Canmore, try here. This French-inspired bakery creates beautiful pastries, bread, and desserts. This is a fantastic option if anyone loves a good croissant and coffee in the morning. Sit down for a nice coffee and pastry, or stop by and grab a mouth-watering dessert. Their hot chocolate is fantastic on a cold winter day!


Craigs’ Way Station

Craigs' Way Station
  • Cuisine: Breakfast/Diner
  • Price: $
  • Address: 1727 Mountain Ave
  • See Menu

Right off, the TransCanada Craig’s Way Station offers a classic diner-style breakfast at an affordable price. Many locals consider it the best breakfast in town as an old-school family restaurant. The menu provides many options: pancakes, eggs, benny, home fries, hash, or a classic fry-up. It’s tough to beat Craigs ‘ Way Station if you want a classic spot for breakfast with no frills and great service.


Chez Francois

Chez Francois
  • Cuisine: French Cuisine
  • Price: $$
  • Address: 1716 Bow Valley Trail
  • See Menu

This French restaurant off the Bow Valley Trail is conveniently located next to many of the accommodation options in Canmore. We’ve only been twice to try out their eggs benedict, considered by many to be the best in town. I can’t say they won me over as the best eggs benny in town, but they are darn good.

They have an extensive menu of omelets, smoothies, crepes, and eggs benny poutine. If it’s a nice summer day, they also have a small patio if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot, as it’s a popular spot for brunch in Canmore.


Best Coffee Shops/Cafes in Canmore


Eclipse Coffee

Eclipse Coffee
  • Cuisine: Coffee and Pastries
  • Price: $
  • Address: Multiple (817 8 St and 1516 Railway Ave)
  • See Menu

Okay, it’s not a restaurant in Canmore and doesn’t offer any Canmore food besides pastries, but Eclipse deserves mention! If you’re looking for the best coffee in Canmore, visit the Eclipse Coffee Roasters. They now have two locations, one downtown and one on Railway Avenue near Safeway.

You can find artisan roasts made in-house or order a range of specialty coffees at the shop. Expect to see the usual ranging from a flat white to a latte and even an excellent pour-over for true coffee aficionados. This is our favorite spot and where we like to pick our coffee roast for home. It’s a great place to pick up a local roast for camping in Banff or a coffee before tackling a hike there.


JK Bakery

JK Bakery
  • Cuisine: Bakery
  • Price: $
  • Address: 9570 76 Ave NW
  • See Menu

Right next to Ramen Arashi is JK Bakery. This is where you can head to Canmore to get a special baked treat. They have pastries, cakes, and freshly baked bread, and all the Canmore locals love heading here. There is indoor seating, but I prefer to grab a coffee and pastry and sit outside on a nice summer day!


Best Pizza in Canmore


Rocket Pie

Rocket Pie / One of the Best Canmore Pizza Restaurants
Rocket Pie / One of the Best Canmore Pizza Restaurants
  • Cuisine: Pizza and Canmore Takeout
  • Price: $$
  • Address: 9570 76 Ave NW
  • See Menu

Rocket Pie serves some excellent wood-fired pizzas. We were surprised when we got takeout here, and it felt like we had purchased a pizza from Naples! It’s classic Italian-style pizza with a wonderful crust and delicious toppings. Prices are a little high at about $20 for an individual pizza, but no one seems to mind once they taste that first bite.

We were more than happy with the pizza and will gladly return. The interior has a nice bar and lively atmosphere, so it’s a good spot to try if you’re looking for a hip night out with pizza.


Best Breweries/Distilleries in Canmore

These options offer little food, but if you want a great mountain brew with light snack options, here are a few of our favorites.


Canmore Brewing Company

Canmore Brewing Company
  • Cuisine: Brewery
  • Price: $
  • Address: 9570 76 Ave NW
  • See Menu

The Canmore Brew Co. offers some of my favorite beers of the Canadian Rockies breweries and always has a long list of fresh brews to choose from. Canmore Brew Co. has an appealing tasting room and a fantastic patio. While they don’t offer full meals, they have a light snack menu from local eateries to pair with your drink. 

They typically have 5 beers and 1 cider on tap and are always creative in brewing their seasonal rotation. If you are keen to learn more about this impressive local brewery, book a tour with them to check out the behind-the-scenes action. After you taste one of their drinks, you will search every liquor store for these popular Rocky Mountain pints.


Sheepdog Brewing

Sheepdog Brewing
  • Cuisine: Brewery
  • Price: $
  • Address: 9570 76 Ave NW
  • See Menu

Sheepdog Brewing is a hidden gem of Canmore, tucked away on the outskirts of the main town. If you want a taste of life as a Canmore local, visit this epic craft brewery. While many visitors head to Grizzly Paw downtown, locals will head to Sheepdog after running up a mountain for the day.

The Sheepdog rocks an industrial-style interior, with the main floor taproom and upstairs seating area. In the warmer months, they open up the front wall of the taproom to connect it to the parking lot patio.  

Sheepdog Brewing always has a wide range of beers on tap, constantly switching up their selection. It is always fun to visit their taproom and try something new. For food, they offer light snacks to pair with your pint. With their food options being fairly limited, they also allow you to bring in or order any food you want! Why not combine your favorite take-out options with your favorite craft brewery? 


Wild Life Distillery

Wild-Life-Distillery-Canmore
  • Cuisine: Distillery
  • Price: $$
  • Address: 9570 76 Ave NW
  • See Menu

If craft gin is your thing, visiting Wild Life Distillery in Canmore is necessary. You can find these craft bottles of gin in the local liquor stores, but it’s worth visiting their location on Bow Meadows Crescent for tastings and tours.

Here, you can tour the facilities, do some gin tastings, and try one of Wild Life’s amazing craft cocktails. They rotate their specialty cocktails based on the season, but my favorite is the Take Flight!


Notable Canmore Bars and Pubs

  • The Drake Pub
  • Rose & Crown Restaurant & Pub
  • Tavern 1883
  • Where The Buffalo Roam Saloon
  • Deja Vu Speakeasy
  • Sheepdog Brewing

Notable Canmore Takeout

  • Ramen Arashi
  • The Roaring Rolls
  • Mii Sushi & BBQ

Fine Dining Canmore

  • Gaucho Brazilian Barbecue
  • Stirling Grill and Lounge
  • The Sensory

Kananaskis Restaurants

Best Canmore Lunch

  • Communitea
  • Harvest
  • Crazyweed
  • Iron Goat Pub & Grill

Canmore Pizza

  • Rocket Pie
  • Red Rock Pizza Canmore

Hopefully, this dining guide helped you determine which of these Canmore restaurants is best for you! If you have any other questions, comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, etc.


Things to Do in Canmore

After eating at one of these Canmore restaurants, there are plenty of things to do nearby for everyone. From hiking up Ha Ling to strolling around Policemen’s Creek boardwalk, it’s hard to ever get bored. Trust us – we’ve tried, and it’s impossible. See all the best things to do in Canmore in the winter here, or click the button below for all the summer activities.


Kananaskis Country Hikes

Before eating at the restaurants in Canmore, you’ll probably want to work out an appetite! There are many more great hikes in the Kananaskis Country Provincial Park, or you can check out some awesome Banff hikes. Both are home to some of the region’s all-time favorite hikes and scrambles. To learn more, we’ve got a post on our favorite hikes in Kananaskis Country.


Canmore Restaurants Map


Where to Stay in Canmore

The Malcolm Hotel Swimming Pool Canmore
Enjoying the pool views at The Malcolm

While enjoying all these things to do in Canmore, you’ll need a great base to stay at. Here are a few of our favorites.

  • Basecamp Resorts: One of the best places to stay in Canmore is Basecamp Resorts in Downtown Canmore. There are multiple apartment styles to stay in, and many can accommodate larger groups of people. Complete with a hot tub to be enjoyed in the winter or summer.
  • The Malcolm: The Malcolm Hotel is the nicest in Canmore and sits right along Policemen’s boardwalk, just far enough away from the hustle of Downtown. It’s a fantastic place to stay and have a unique experience in Canmore.
  • Solara: Solara is a resort community that offers small apartments to visitors. It’s well located right next to the Trans Canada and Downtown Canmore. Book here.

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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!
  • Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service that will connect you right from YYC to the town of 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!
About Cameron

Cameron is a resident of Canmore, Alberta. After traveling the world for six years, he settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley with Natasha. He has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. You can learn more on the about us page.

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2 thoughts on “25 Best Canmore Restaurants”

  1. Thank you for sharing this helpful list of the best Canmore restaurants. I’m intrigued by the mention of Beavertail as a quintessential Canadian food item. Can you tell us more about what makes Beavertail special and where we can find it in Canmore?

    Reply

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