10 Great Places to Eat in Banff

From casual cafés to high-end dining experiences, there are countless options when it comes to getting a good meal in Banff.

Photograph courtesy of Lupo Banff Risorante.

Banff has always had some incredible dining options, but in the last few years, more and more restaurants have helped to turn this small mountain town into a true foodie’s paradise. From casual cafés to high-end dining experiences, there are countless places to get a good meal in Banff. Plus, that view.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, here are just a few of the great spots to eat next time you visit Banff.

 

Bluebird

Modelled after the classic steakhouses of yore, Bluebird serves up modern versions of all the old favourites, including the restaurant’s specialty — slow-roasted prime rib. Pair a thick or thin slice of the prime rib with all the fixings: steakhouse-cut fries with Manchego cheese, wood-roasted mushrooms and Yorkshire pudding. You can also try something from the steak menu, or opt for one of the other available entrees, like the prime rib cheesesteak dip — a mashup between a beef dip and a cheesesteak. Bluebird also has a daily brunch menu, as well as a cocktail menu with an array of modern concoctions, tropical drinks and house specialties.

218 Lynx St., 403-985-9163, bluebirdbanff.com

 

Eden 

 

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Located inside The Rimrock Resort Hotel, Eden is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Banff — for good reason. Inspired by international tastes and cooked with a French influence, the dishes here are served in three- and five-course options, or you can choose the eight-course dégustation menu (which comes in a vegetarian version, as well). Eden also has a cellar with more than 17,000 bottles of wine, meaning you’re sure to find something you like.

300 Mountain Ave., 403-762-3356, rimrockresort.com

 

Farm & Fire

 

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This restaurant is centred around the idea of fire-roasted dining, using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Wood-fired rotisserie chicken, brined in coffee, is one of the signature dishes on the menu at Farm & Fire, but the pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven are also a big draw. Accompanying the main dishes are a number of decadent sides, such as the risotto made with farro, barley and mushrooms, or the bannock with a trio of butters.

333 Banff Ave., 403-760-3298, banffjaspercollection.com

 

Magpie & Stump 

For great Mexican fare in the mountains, look no further than Magpie & Stump. Here you’ll find several styles of tacos, quesadillas, nachos and more. Be sure to pair your meal with a tequila-based cocktail. In the summertime, the rooftop patio, known as El Patio, is one of the best places in town to relax and soak in the warm mountain air.

203 Caribou St., 403-762-4067, magpieandstump.ca

 

Nourish Bistro 

 

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With a focus on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, Nourish Bistro has carved a niche for itself in Banff by offering healthy and nourishing plant-based food. From fully loaded nachos with pickles and strawberries, to housemade plant-based burgers, to vegetable ramen and noodle bowls, there’s something for everyone at this restaurant. Nourish also features an impressive list of carefully crafted cocktails to round out your intimate, plant-based dining experience.

110, 211 Bear St., 403-760-3933, nourishbistro.com

 

Lupo

 

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Lupo is one of the newer restaurants in Banff. Located on Wolf Street (fitting, as lupo means “wolf” in Italian), this spot focuses on upscale, handmade Northern Italian fare. Headed by chef Justin Leboe, Lupo stays true to its Italian comfort-food heritage, with house-made pastas, pizzas and antipasti. Must-tries include classics like the rigatoni alla vodka, spicy Lupo meatballs and veal parmigiana. Don’t forget to check out the drink menu, with beers from local Three Bears Brewery, a sizable selection of Italian wines and classic, Italian-inspired cocktails.

208 Wolf St., 403-985-9180, lupobanff.com

 

Park Distillery

 

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Known in Alberta for its hand-crafted spirits, Park Distillery has an impressive and varied cocktail list, with drinks that feature rye, vodka and gin of various flavours — all made in-house. The laid-back atmosphere and cocktails complement the campfire-inspired cuisine, which includes gastropub favourites like burgers, pastas, baby back ribs and rotisserie chicken.

219 Banff Ave., 403-762-5114, parkdistillery.com

 

The Eddie Burger + Bar

 

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The Eddie Burger + Bar brings the quintessential burger and milkshake diner experience to Banff. At The Eddie, you’ll find simple, fresh-cooked burgers made from Alberta beef, as well as a few options made with elk, bison and fried chicken, plus some vegetarian choices. You will also find milkshakes, with flavours that can be mixed and matched, plus a few boozy versions.

137 Banff Ave., 403-762-2230, eddieburgerbar.ca

 

The Grizzly House

This well-established Banff restaurant is famous for one thing, which it does incredibly well — fondue. The dining room has a back-in-time ski lodge vibe, as well as an oily yet welcoming aroma that comes from the many years of fondue dining that have happened here. The menu consists of cheese, butter, oil and chocolate fondues, as well as plenty of ingredients for dipping, from exotic meats like ostrich and alligator, to wild game meats like caribou and buffalo, to Alberta beef and chicken options and more.

207 Banff Ave., 403-762-4055, banffgrizzlyhouse.com

 

Wild Flour Bakery 

If you’re looking for a quick bite in Banff, or maybe just a delicious loaf of bread, Wildflour Bakery is the place to go. Wildflour’s main draws are its loaves, which are made with organic flours and sourdough starters and are then used to create a variety of tasty sandwiches featuring ingredients that change daily. Grab one to go, or sit in the bakery with a coffee and enjoy the mountain views.

101, 211 Bear St., 403-760-5074, wildflourbakery.ca

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