25 BEST Banff Restaurants To Try

Are you seeking out the best restaurants in Banff or wondering where you should eat in Banff? While most small mountain towns might struggle to supply visitors with a wide selection of restaurants, that is certainly not the case in Banff. There are over 150 restaurants in Banff and Lake Louise alone!

Banff offers a wide range of cuisines, restaurants, price points, and places to eat. It’s the perfect place to fill yourself up after a long day exploring the wild Canadian Rockies. From authentic Japanese ramen to Indian to Alberta beef, here is all the best food you can get!

*Please make reservations at these Banff restaurants during the summer months.

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The Best Banff Restaurants

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Fat Ox

• Location: 415 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Alpine Italian
• Price: $$$
• Make Reservations: Website

Right on Banff Ave, with an awesome summer patio, Fax Ox is one of the newest establishments in the Banff restaurant scene. Here, diners can enjoy a modern take on classic Italian. Created by Chef Glen Manzer, we’ve coined the phrase “alpine Italian.” The creations combine Northern Italian cuisine’s various aspects with the Rocky Mountains’ best.

Must-tries on the menu include imported Burrata, spiced Tuscan fries, and Shrimp Fazzoletti. If you want to feed the entire table, some delicious items are on offer, like the whole lobster risotto. Or go big and get the 36-oz Bone-in Rib Steak. The restaurant’s interior is beautifully decorated, but the patio won’t disappoint on a nice summer day.

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Brazen

• Location: 138 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Canadian/ Americana
• Price: $$$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

Brazen, situated within the historic Mount Royal Hotel on Banff Avenue, introduces a distinctive dining experience to the town. Embodying the adventurous spirit of Banff’s mountaineers and explorers, this establishment offers a bold concept, featuring contemporary renditions of classic cocktails, seasonally inspired Canadian cuisine, and a touch of timeless elegance.

Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner, the menu offers almost anything you want. If you’re traveling with the kids, there is an affordable kids’ menu with classics like chicken fingers and French toast. Experience Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. daily and savor the delights of $5 Negronis, $6 Pursuit wines, and $7 draft beers.

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Good Folk

• Location: 600 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Modern Canadian
• Price: $$$
• Make Reservations: Recommended

Brand new on the Banff restaurant scene, Good Folk is located in the new Otter Hotel. It offers an intimate and cozy setting and scrumptious offerings like the Local Rainbow Trout and Alberta Wild Boar Chop. If you’re after a romantic dining atmosphere with a great menu, we recommend making a reservation here.

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Hankki (For Cheap Eats)

• Location: 206 Buffalo Street
• Cuisine: Quick Korean Street Food
• Price: $
• Make Reservations: Not required

Fairly new in the Banff restaurant space is Hankki, one of the most affordable places to eat in Banff. This is a place where you can grab a quick meal for lunch or dinner. Their specialty? Korean barbeque and street food! Originating in Calgary, Hankki made waves there and was so popular it was brought to Banff! Make sure to try one of their signature Hankki Bowls and fries – our favorite is the Korean BBQ bowl!

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Block Kitchen and Bar

• Location: 5 Banff Ave #201
• Cuisine: Eclectic small plates with Asian flair
• Price: $$
• Make Reservations: First come, first serve

Discover the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of Block Kitchen + Bar, where an enticing menu and inventive cocktails await. This restaurant exudes a warm and inviting ambiance in an urban-rustic environment. It’s the perfect destination for enjoying handcrafted cocktails, sharing small plates, or savoring a full meal.

The menu showcases influences from Izakaya cuisine, a passion for flavorful curries, and a dedication to sustainable practices, including Ocean-Wise certified seafood and locally sourced ingredients. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey that combines global flavors with a commitment to quality and sustainability at Block. A few of my favorite nibbles include Tokyo fries, duck spring rolls, and their signature Asian lettuce wraps! Note that they do not take reservations, and it’s a small restaurant, so you may have to wait a bit for a table, but it’s well worth it.

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Banff Social

• Location:  221 Bear St
• Cuisine: Global Menu
• Price: $$-$$$
• Make Reservations: Reservations

Banff Social is brand new on the restaurant scene and serves fresh and bold-inspired dishes that aim to highlight the very best of Canadian cuisine.

The unique menu 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 patio to soak up the rays when the weather is nice. Head upstairs to the balcony, and you can enjoy your meal with peek-a-boo views of Mount Rundle.

You can enjoy a nice crafted cocktail here, followed by unique appetizers like Roasted Corn & Jalapeños Cheddar Fritters (a highlight!) and entrees such as Alberta Bison Meatballs and Sweet Soy & Ginger Ribs. Their menu celebrates Alberta’s finest meats, seasonal produce, and grains. They also have a pretty great Happy Hour from 3pm to 5pm & 9pm to Close everyday, offering $6 appetizers and a few $5 cocktails.

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Bluebird

• Location:  218 Lynx St
• Cuisine: Steakhouse
• Price: $$$$
• Make Reservations: Bluebird

Set within a mid-century mountain chalet next to the Peaks Hotel, Bluebird offers a cozy ambiance and roaring fireplace that create a welcoming haven where every day feels like a bluebird day! Certainly one of the more expensive restaurants in Banff, this intimate establishment is best reserved for special occasions! Once you walk in, you’ll immediately fall in love with the mountain feel and thoughtful decor.

Their main choice here is their all-day slow-roasted prime rib of beef, with Bluebird steak spice, natural beef jus, horseradish crème, and gluten-free Yorkshire pudding. If you love prime rib, this is the place to indulge! Fondue Happy Hour (50% off!) is also offered every day from 4-5 p.m. – the perfect post-ski or post-hike treat!

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The Bison

• Location: 211 Bear Street
• Cuisine: Canadian/ Americana
• Price: $$$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

This is one of our favorite restaurants in Banff. It has a great atmosphere and high-quality farm-to-table food. The seasonal menu and exceptional service have won several national awards in Canada. It’s well-known as the best spot in Banff for brunch on Sundays.

The menu is more varied than several other restaurants in Banff, and although it’s mainly a steakhouse, there are still several options for vegans or vegetarians. You’ll find options like elk poutine, butternut bruschetta, duck breast, steelhead trout, and roasted cauliflower. Then, of course, there is their most famous dish – a Bison Tomahawk. It’s a hip Banff restaurant with tasty cocktails and wonderfully creative food options. Long has it been our go-to for date nights and the perfect spot for couples or special occasions.

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Eden

• Location: The Rimrock Resort Hotel
• Cuisine: Modern French
• Price: $$$$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

Experience fine dining with incredible views at Eden in the Rimrock Hotel. This is one of the most scenic Banff restaurants and serves up some of the best food in the province, let alone Banff. It is the only Five-Diamond Restaurant in all of Western Canada. The modern French restaurant serves up playful and delicious dishes that leave a lasting impact, much like the views.

The menu offers several tasting options, including 4, 7, and 10-plate chef tasting meals. They have an extensive wine menu curated by a team of sommeliers to pair with these. This is an excellent selection if you’re looking for an extraordinary dining experience.

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Anejo

• Location: 111 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Price: $$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

This is a local hotspot in Banff that serves delicious Mexican dishes. Mexican food has long been my favorite cuisine, so they get the nod for my favorite restaurant in Banff. The interior is inviting, and you get a Mexicana cantina vibe the moment you set foot inside. Order a hearty burrito and pair it with a Cerveza for a tasty apres-ski or snowshoe meal.

They also launched a great outdoor patio for summertime in Banff to soak up all the vibes. It’s an amazing place to soak up the gorgeous weather we have in Banff during the summer months.

In the summer months, this is my go-to spot. I love the environment, creative margaritas, paletas (popsicles), and fresh tacos. Who doesn’t love a margarita in the sunshine? Make sure to try their $3 classic tacos and $6 margaritas during their twice-daily Happy Hour (3pm-5pm & 9pm – close).

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Farm & Fire

• Location: 333 Banff Ave.
• Cuisine: Americana/Canadian
• Price: $$$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

Farm & Fire is a fantastic restaurant in Banff serving new Canadian cuisine focused on farm-to-table. Their mouth-watering menu is open for brunch and dinner and offers a good selection of options for most diets. We haven’t had brunch here yet, but highlights from our dinners include fried Brussels sprouts, rotisserie chicken, and forno carrots.

It is a fantastic spot for dinner, thanks to a well-decorated interior and full-service bar. It’s located in the Elk & Avenue Hotel, which is convenient for those staying in the nearby hotels.

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Park Distillery

• Location: 219 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Modern Camp Food / Canadian / Distillery
• Price: $$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

With a prime location on Banff Ave, it’s tough to miss the local distillery. Park Distillery is the only distillery in a national park in Canada, where we take friends and family to eat when they’re in town. Park Distillery has quickly made a name for itself in town for its spirits, such as Gin and Vodka distilled with Rocky Mountain water. We love the modern mountain interior, and they have large garage doors to open up the restaurant to fresh mountain air in the summer months.

The food here follows the theme of the camp and Canadian mountain food, along with many vegan options. You’ll find everything from tofu bowls to cornbread, short ribs, burgers, and baked beans, or a modern twist on s’mores for dessert on the menu. They also have an extensive cocktail list of inventive cocktails made with their spirits.

If you’re looking for a classic, try their Caesar made with chili vodka at brunch. For the international crowd, Caesar is a classic Canadian cocktail similar to a bloody mary but made with Clamato juice, tomato juice mixed with a bit of clam juice. It’s a popular spot and draws a crowd, so expect to wait in peak summer or call ahead for reservations. Take a bottle of one of their spirits home for a gift or souvenir, perhaps both.

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Castello

• Location: 405 Spray Ave
• Cuisine: Italian
• Price: $$$$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

Located in the Fairmont Banff Springs, Castello serves upscale Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting. The intimate and cozy environment is ideal for special occasions.

Some of their must-try dishes are Lobster Carbonara, Veal Parmigiana, and delicious calamari. The staff is also very attentive and can cater to any dietary requirement. As this is a small restaurant, reservations are a must.

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Hello Sunshine

• Location: 208 Wolf St
• Cuisine: Sushi/Japanese Fusion
• Price: $$
• Make Reservations: OpenTable

Hello Sunshine is one of the newer Banff restaurants, and they made sure to make it fun! This is a retro restaurant with a funky interior, and a karaoke bar that only gives off positive vibes.

It’s a groovy place with a sushi bar and modern bar food like Duck Tataki and Miso Aged Shortrib. If you’re really in the mood for something special in Banff, make sure to book their tiny bar. The tiny bar only seats 6 people, so reservations are necessary.

Here, you can enjoy an 8-course omakase tasting menu! Hello Sunshine also has daily Happy Hour drink and food specials. Every day from 4-5 p.m., you can get 50% off select sushi, $15 Ramen bowls, and $6.50 Pints and sake.

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High Rollers

• Location: 110 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Pizza / Bowling
• Price: $ – $$
• Book a Lane: Online

If you’re after one of the best (and cheapest) burgers in Banff mixed with some fun, head to High Rollers for some bowling. It’s a fantastic thing to do in Banff when it’s raining outside, or the weather isn’t ideal. It’s far from your old-school bowling alley that feels grungy; instead, you’ll find modern decor, craft beer, wings, and delicious NY-style pizza. Don’t miss out on their super tasty wings, waffle fries, or poutine. However, the best deal on their menu is easily Ronnies Burger for just $10.

Perfect for a relaxed evening with friends or family, High Rollers has limited hours for kids in the evening as it shifts towards a bar. However, during the day and early evening, it’s definitely family-friendly. Kids even eat FREE at High Rollers with the purchase of a regular-priced beverage or food item on Sundays between 12 and 6 p.m.

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Banff Ave Brewing Co.

• Location: 110 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Brewery Pub
• Price: $
• Reservations: Opentable

If you’re not much for cocktails at Park Distillery, go down the street to Banff Ave Brewery. This Banff brewery was opened by the same crew who opened the Jasper Brewing Co (Canada’s first National Park Brewery) after great success.

Located on Banff Avenue, this two-story restaurant and bar serves delicious food and great beer. It’s an updated take on bar food with a nice selection of options like nachos, smoked BBQ cauliflower, buffalo chicken sandwiches, halloumi fries, and bison burgers.

It’s well worth a stop for anyone visiting Banff. Try to get a seat outside in the summer and watch life go by! Warning: The deck space is pretty limited, so you’ll be lucky if you snag a seat over the weekend. They’re also our favorite local brewery, beating out the Grizzly Paw and Canmore Brewing in the neighboring town of Canmore.

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Ramen Arashi (for Cheap Eats)

• Location: 2nd floor Sundance Mall, 215 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Ramen / Japanese
• Price: $
• Reservations: Not Necessary

This is an excellent and cheap spot to eat in Banff. We love to have ramen after a cold day in the mountains as it’s one of our favorite comfort foods from Japan. Ramen Arashi is located in a small location on the second floor of the Sundance Mall, so it’s good if you’re a small group or if you want to order some takeout, as there is not a lot of seating, and there is often a wait.

It’s pretty authentic ramen with your usual base and topping options. We love Black Veggie Tan Tan and Devil’s Arashi ramen. Japanese food is our favorite cuisine, so it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Ramen Arashi and Banff Sushi House are two of our most frequented Banff restaurants. There’s also a location in Canmore as well that has the same menu but is often less busy.

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Sushi House Banff

• Location: 304 Caribou Street
• Cuisine: Sushi Train
• Price: $
• Reservations: First Come First Serve

For cheap, authentic, and high-quality sushi, check out Banff Sushi House. It’s a pretty small hole-in-the-wall spot, and there isn’t much of an ambiance, but we still consider it a fantastic Banff restaurant, especially for kids who need some entertainment while eating. The sushi is affordable, delicious, and the staff is amiable. Plus, we love the fact the sushi plates ride around on a Canadian Pacific toy train.

It’s a local spot that is Japanese-owned and run and has been around for decades now. We love to stop in for a quick bite to eat right when we get off the ski hill as the food is ready immediately if you can get a seat. They offer takeaway if you feel like grabbing sushi, but we prefer it fresh (and quick!)

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The Eddie Burger Bar

• Location: 137 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Burgers
• Price: $$
• Reservations: Opentable

If you’re after the best burger in town, then The Eddie Burger Bar is naturally the spot unless you’re in Canmore (and head to The Tavern). It’s a small bar that fills up pretty fast, so you’ll either have to wait or get there early. It’s great for small groups looking for a burger. The Eddie Burger Bar is definitely more of a bar, so probably not as family-friendly as other restaurants in Banff. They serve up tasty milkshakes, mouthwatering burgers, and of course, poutine.

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The Grizzly House

• Location: 207 Banff Ave
• Cuisine: Fondue / Steak House
• Price: $$$
• Reservations: Call Ahead (403-762-4055)

If you can’t quite tell by its exterior, The Grizzly House is a little quirky. However, the food here is delicious, and they do offer some great fondue. While we’re on fondue, if you’re surprised to find it at so many Banff restaurants in town, it’s due to the Swiss mountaineers who helped pioneer mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies. Swiss influence is easily found throughout much of Banff National Park.

The fondue experience is paired with a meat course featuring a wide selection of meats, from beef to elk, bison, or even ostrich. Similar to the fondue, a pot of oil is brought out to cook the meats at your table. To drive home that Swiss influence even more, they finish off the meal with a Toblerone fondue. The one downside to this feast is that you’ll leave smelling like the food.

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Sky Bistro

• Location: Banff Gondola Summit
• Cuisine: Canadian
• Price: $$ – $$$
• Reservations: Online

For most jaw-dropping views from a restaurant in Banff, you can not do better than the Sky Bistro at the top of Banff Gondola. Sitting at 2415 meters, the restaurant operates on a “farm to summit” premise and, when available, sources as many local ingredients as possible. If you book one of their dining experiences, it’s a pretty good deal if you had plans to head up the Banff Gondola anyway.

They also offer two unique combo tickets that include the price of the Banff Gondola: one for a daytime Banff lunch for around $105 and the other for their dinner option for around $144. Keep in mind that they use dynamic pricing based on demand, so it’s possible you find different price points. However, you can always order a la carte if you want to book your gondola ticket separately. Reservations are only available 30 days in advance, but walk-ins are welcome based on availability.

We’ve only dined here once, and it was a special experience. Sky Bistro is one of the most scenic restaurants in Banff, and we’ve climbed to the top of Sulphur Mountain many times and can attest to the view.

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Nourish Bistro (Great for Vegetarians)

• Location: 211 Bear Street
• Cuisine: Vegetarian
• Price: $$
• Reservations: OpenTable

If you’re after some delicious vegetarian food, you can’t do better than Nourish Bistro. Most of the restaurants in town have at least a couple vegetarian options, but Nourish Bistro is dedicated to vegetarian food, so you’ll be spoilt for choices.

The amazing food offered here is more like a gourmet restaurant with a wide range of creative dishes. There are also options for vegan, raw, and gluten-free dietary requirements. To top it off, they have a craft cocktail menu with several wonderful drinks. Head to this Banff restaurant if you’re in search of a healthy meal!

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Tooloulous

• Location: 204 Caribou Street
• Cuisine: Cajun
• Price: $$
• Reservations: Call (403) 762-2633 (Dinner Only)

This is an unassuming spot because not many expect to find cajun food in the Canadian Rockies, and the restaurant has an unassuming decor. However, Tooloulous has some solid cajun food on offer and serves up some of the best breakfast in Banff.

Expect spicy food and lots of comfort food. Since I’m from the South, I love good comfort food, like tasty cornbread. Prices are pretty affordable, too, considering Banff can be pretty expensive for dining.

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The Waldhaus Restaurant

• Location: Banff Springs
• Cuisine: Fondue
• Price: $$$-$$$$
• Reservations: OpenTable

If you’re looking for a more refined setting to celebrate Banff’s Swiss connections, check out the Banff Springs Hotel Waldhaus Restaurant for fondue. They serve an incredible Alpine Cheese Fondue with Gruyere, Emmental, kirsch, and white wine.

We love fondue in the mountains, particularly on a cold evening, as it’s tough to beat the hearty, calorie-rich mountain food. We also love it for the German beer and amazing views on a summer afternoon! It’s the perfect spot for a pretzel and a scenic Banff lunch!

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Shoku Izakaya

• Location: 304 Caribou St.
• Cuisine: Japanese
• Price: $$-$$$
• Reservations: First Come First Serve

To get authentic Japanese Izakaya food, I used to have to travel to Japan, but that is no longer the case with Shoku Izakaya. An Izakaya is a type of Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks.

In Japan, there are often places where after-work drinking is done later in the night. At Shoku, you can arrive and have sake with friends while enjoying Tako Yaki or Chicken Yakitori! Shoku Izakaya does not take reservations and is a first-come, first-serve only. There’s been plenty of hype about this place, so arrive early to ensure seating. Head here between 4 and 6, Monday through Friday, and enjoy a great Happy Hour!

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Three Bears Restaurant and Brewery

• Location: 205 Bear St
• Cuisine: Brewery/Bar Food
• Price: $$
• Reservations: OpenTable

Three Bears is one of our favorite restaurants on the Banff beer scene, and boy, is it a good one! Located on Bear Street, this is a great restaurant to head to after a long day in the mountains. They’ve got some great cocktails, pizzas, burgers, and eclectic gastropub mains.

While their brews are delicious, I love that they serve vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options like their gluten-friendly Tuna Tostada or amazing vegan Three Bears Summer Salad. If you hit them up between 3 and 5, you can take advantage of their awesome Happy Hour specials: $6 Shrimp Bao Buns and cheap cocktails.

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Banff Food Items to Try!

While it’s tough to consider this “local food” or Canadian, there are some classic staples in Banff you can try while visiting, and you’ll find them on many Banff restaurant menus. Here are our favorite Banff food items to add to your foodie bucket list.

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Poutine

Along with maple syrup, this is possibly nothing more Canadian than poutine. It’s the ultimate, savory late-night dish that’s become ubiquitous with Canada. The dish’s origins are debated, but it is at least credited as a Quebecois dish. It consists of french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. You’ll find this dish all over the town of Banff, and it’s most common in the bars. When we want poutine, we usually head to Banff Poutine on Bear Street.

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Beavertail

A beavertail is right up there, with poutine as a quintessential Canadian food item. Of course, 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.

The novelty of having a beavertail is not lost on visitors and the two shops on Banff Ave. Frequently have a line around the corner. It’s tough to blame anyone as they’re devilishly sweet and warm, so they hit the spot on a cold evening while walking around the town.

It’s basically a funnel cake brushed with butter and topped with cinnamon sugar. You can also add a variety of different toppings if you feel like mixing it up.Even if it comes from a chain, this is a pretty fun food to try in Banff.

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Cowboy BBQ

For an awesome activity and a fun meal, try a Cowboy BBQ. It’s one of those “Banff foods” that taste so much better in the mountains. It’s a tour that takes to the trail on horseback around Banff before arriving at a cowboy BBQ. Expect an evening with cowboy beans, cornbread, steak, and live entertainment around a campfire.

Banff Trail Riders offers the tour, which is appropriate for even beginner riders. It’s one of the most quintessential ways to explore Banff and an activity that’s been popular with park visitors since its earliest days.

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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 wild range of restaurants that serve wild game in Banff. The two classic options for meat in Banff are elk and bison.

I enjoy elk a bit more as I’m a fan of the taste of wild game like venison or duck, which is similar to elk. While Bison is a more mild red meat that you’ll find very similar to traditional beef. Chefs in town make all manner of dishes using these meats that range from tartare to burgers or steaks.

If you want some weird options for meat, you can head to The Grizzly House which serves meat options like ostrich and crocodile, although very far from anything local.

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A Caeser

A Caesar is the Canadian equivalent of an American Bloody Mary: tomato juice, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. While a caesar is Clamato juice – tomato juice mixed with a bit of clam juice. One of the best places to have one is Park Disterilly.

It’s one of the best bars in the Canadian Rockies – though Caesars can be found all over! They also offer daily distillery tours if you want to learn more. Take a bottle of one of their spirits home for a gift or souvenir, perhaps both.

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Steak

While steak is far from revolutionary, the beef industry and cowboys have long been a staple of Alberta. Calgary even hosts the largest rodeo in the world every summer called the Calgary Stampede.

Head to one of Banff’s many great steakhouses and order some local Albertan-raised beef. If you’re looking for suggestions, two of the most famous are Chuck’s Steakhouse and The Bison.

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Fondue

There are a plethora of restaurants around Banff that serve up this classic mountain dish originating from Switzerland. In part, this is because of the Swiss influence on the Canadian Rockies. It all stems from the first mountaineering death in 1896 that occurred near Lake Louise. Afterward, the Canadian Pacific Railway hired several Swiss Mountaineers to help develop tourism and guide guests in the Canadian Rockies.

Over time, more Swiss mountaineers followed and helped guide early mountaineers and guests as they continued to explore the Canadian Rockies. Along with their knowledge of accessing these amazing peaks, their culture bled over, and its impact can still be seen today in Banff National Park.

Fondue is a mixture of melted cheeses served in a large communal pot. Patrons will then traditionally dip bread in the fondue, but many places offer more exciting options like vegetables to dip. Be warned, it’s a vibrant flavor and packed full of calories, but who cares – you need to reenergize after exploring the Rockies.

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Best Banff Restaurants Map

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Our Favorite Banff Hotels