10 Best Local Restaurants in Banff

Chuck’s Steakhouse is where you can experience ethically raised Alberta beef in a ranch-inspired dining room and with stunning Banff mountain views from every table. The menu features a variety of perfectly grilled, high-quality beef cuts, which are dry-aged in-house then grilled over hardwood and mesquite.

The delicious a la carte sides are big enough for sharing. Pick your favourites from pan-fried mushrooms, garden salad, polenta or creamed spinach. And with a wine collection featuring bottles from around the world, you’re bound to find the right pairing. Bookings are recommended, but the restaurant does leave space for walk-ins.

Tooloulous is where you can tuck into authentic Cajun-Creole cuisine infused with a touch of Canadian Rocky Mountain comfort food in Banff. Everything is fresh and made in-house, from the sauces and sides to the main dishes. Expect to find southern staples such as gumbo, Jambalaya, and Po ‘Boy sandwiches, plus fresh seafood, BBQ ribs, and burgers.

While Tooloulous’ lunch and dinner menus are fantastic, it’s the extensive and varied breakfast menu that draws the crowds. Pick from omelettes, pancakes, waffles, French toast, and eggs Benedict or your favourite Cajun meal. The alcohol-infused “9 am Eye Openers” drinks are sure to charge your morning vibe.

Farm & Fire serves creative, ranch-style farm-to-table dishes in a beautiful modern dining room in Banff. The chef uses fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers to prepare the slow-roasted and wood-fired cuisine. You can find the restaurant set inside the Elk + Avenue Hotel on Banff Avenue.

On the menu, you’ll find a handful of flatbreads, a variety of large plates, and sides. Standouts include the mushroom pan-loaf, rotisserie chickens, and brunch bowls. Get 50% off selected drinks and food during Happy Hour from Monday to Thursday, between 4 pm and 6 pm. If the weather is pleasant, ask for a table on the outdoor patio for alfresco dining.

Eddie Burger Bar is a relaxed, diner-style sports bar in Banff where you can appease your cravings for gourmet burgers. It serves 12 unique burgers, including an elk burger with blueberry chutney. Vegans and vegetarians will be happy to know that they can replace any beef burger with a plant-based BEYOND patty.

You’ll also find juicy wings, hot dogs, poutine, and salads on the menu. Wash it all down with a beer, boozy milkshake or one of their famous ‘trashcans’ – a massive beer mug filled with vodka, gin, rum, triple sec, lime juice, and a can of Red Bull. Eddie is open until late every night, making it the ideal spot to satisfy late-night munchies.

Elk & Oarsman Restaurant & Bar is a casual sports pub popular with Banff locals and visitors. Even if you aren't interested in watching a sports game, "The Elk", as it's locally known, has a fun atmosphere with affordable food and drinks.

They serve standard pub fare such as pizza, burgers, steaks, salads, and fish and chips, plus a fantastic selection of Canadian microbrews on tap. In summer, try and grab a table on the rooftop patio to soak up panoramic views of Banff and the Rocky Mountains.

Ticino Swiss-Italian Restaurant is a beloved local eatery and one of Banff’s longest standing restaurants. Since 1979, the family-run spot has prepared delicious European cuisine that combines Swiss, Italian and Canadian influences. Many patrons return again and again to enjoy the house speciality: cheese fondue with imported gruyère and Emmenthal.

Order the fondue as an appetiser, so you’ll have space for one of the mains and dessert. Try a fresh seafood dish, the pan-fried veal scaloppini in cheese batter, or Alberta buffalo with wild mushroom. Service is what you’d expect from a family-run Swiss restaurant – quick, friendly, and professional.

Banff Poutine is a laidback fast-food restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Quebec-style poutine. Poutine is an iconic Canadian dish consisting of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy and originated in rural Quebec in the 1950s. Poutine toppings at Banff Poutine include fried onions, bacon, chicken and peas, smoked meat, and ground meat.

The servings of poutine are large enough for 2 to share. If you’re still hungry afterwards, you can order a smoked meat sandwich, hot dog or hamburger. Service here is quick and friendly.

Banff Ave Brewing Co., known as 'the spot' among locals, is the place to go for classic Canadian pub food and a lively mountain beer culture any time of the year. Menu mainstays include burgers, steaks, and grilled fish served with fries. Plus, there's a variety of craft brews made with Canadian Rockies glacier water.

The pub is cosy and warm to enjoy a delicious après ski in winter. In summer, the pub's outdoor patio is great for a couple of drinks while people-watching along Banff Avenue. Don't forget to ask the waiter if you can have a free impromptu tour of the brewery.

Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub is a fun spot in Banff where you can enjoy local pub grub and mingle with locals. It may be small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in its warm, welcoming atmosphere and delicious homemade food made with local ingredients. Go for the well-priced steak sandwich with fries or order one of their famous burgers in unique options: elk, salmon, or buffalo.

Banff resident or not, everyone feels like a local at Tommy's. So pull up a chair, play darts or video games, or watch a game feed on its TV. It can get quite lively in the evening, so if you're looking for a quiet dinner, this might not be the best spot.

After a big night out at one of the clubs or pubs in Banff, it’s easy to build up an appetite. Fortunately, Aardvark Pizza & Sub is open until 4 am every day and is ready to satisfy midnight cravings. The tiny take-out spot serves soft shell tacos, salads, sub sandwiches, and pizza by the slice.

You can also order whole pizzas, as well as a variety of cold drinks, chocolate milk, and Gatorade. If you’re feeling lazy, Aardvark offers free delivery service anywhere in Banff.