10 Great Restaurants in Banff

The Grizzly House has drawn locals and visitors to its delicious fondues and unique atmosphere since the 1970s. The Swiss-Canadian themed menu includes a variety of fondues and hot rocks with local and exotic game meat selections. You can try elk, buffalo, caribou, Alberta beef, seafood, alligator, rattlesnake, or ostrich.

The restaurant’s 4-course fondue dinner comes highly recommended. The experience includes traditional cheese fondue, your choice of meat and a chocolate fondue dessert with fresh fruit, wafer cookies and marshmallows. Reservations are essential.

SALTLIK is an upscale steakhouse in the centre of Banff that's frequented by both locals and out-of-towners. The interior is elegant yet inviting – the wooden beams and fireplace give the restaurant a warm, cosy feel. The outdoor terrace is an excellent spot for a steak and a couple of cocktails on bright days.

The menu features a wide variety of high-quality certified Angus beef and popular cuts that include ribeye, filet mignon, and bison tenderloin. When it comes to sides and accompaniments, SALTLIK shines – try the lobster mashed potatoes, maple roasted Brussel sprouts, or truffle mac and cheese.

The Bison Restaurant is where to head to in Banff for slow-cooked gourmet Canadian cuisine in a relaxed setting. Dishes are made from seasonal, locally grown, sustainably farmed meat and produce. To name but a few of the signature dishes, there’s bison onion soup as well as braised bison short ribs with roasted potatoes. Also worth trying are the poached halibut, Alberta lamb, and wild British Columbia steelhead trout.

You can enjoy your meal in the dining room or on the rooftop terrace built to enjoy the mountain views and all the action on Bear Street. If you're in Banff over a weekend, check out The Bison's à la carte Sunday brunch.

Maple Leaf is a comfy place in Banff to relax and enjoy drinks and Canadian-inspired dishes beside a roaring fireplace. It’s one of the cool go-to spots after a day of sightseeing or outdoor action. The chef only uses the best regional ingredients to prepare their flavoursome dishes, including Alberta beef, game, and fresh seafood.

The extensive award-winning wine list is excellent to pair with your meal. The homely, lodge-like restaurant is located on a busy corner, offering its patrons a scenic view of the neighbouring area through the large windows.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is a modern, laidback chain restaurant with 2 locations in Banff – one downtown, and the other at the Banff Caribou Lodge. The reasonably-priced menu features salads, seafood, and various cuts of meat. The slow-roasted prime rib, seasoned with special Keg spices, is the star of the show.

Vegetarians are treated well here, with a variety of salads and a veggie meatloaf among the choices. Pair your meal with a glass of wine, signature martinis, or a couple of freshly squeezed juice cocktails. The Banff Caribou Lodge location serves a delicious breakfast buffet and a la carte menu.

Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar is where to go if you want to woo your significant other with great food and stunning views in Banff. Make a reservation by the window and be served exciting dishes made with locally sourced and environmentally sustainable ingredients.

The menu includes octopus carpaccio, organic Alberta red fife saffron pappardelle, and braised Alberta lamb shank with B.C. cherries. Three Ravens' location at the top of the Sally Borden Building at The Banff Centre means you'll get to soak up a breathtaking vista of the Bow Valley through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sky Bistro takes the dining experience to new heights, sitting at the top of Sulphur Mountain and with the Rocky Mountain range as a backdrop. You can only access the restaurant by taking the Banff Gondola. After an exhilarating 8-minute ride, enjoy a romantic dinner of Canadian cuisine and local drinks while enjoying unparalleled views over the mountaintops through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The menu includes world-renowned Alberta beef, seafood caught on the B.C. coast, and a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes. Extend your experience and take a pre-and post-dinner stroll along the boardwalk. The scenery is particularly magical at sunset.

Magpie & Stump is a longstanding establishment in Banff serving classic Mexican dishes and over 60 tequilas. This is where locals and visitors go in Banff when they want to indulge in delicious Mexican flavours, inventive margaritas, and a lively Mexicana cantina vibe. The chef recommends the Banffo Burrito – spicy ground bison, roasted red peppers, guacamole, queso, and chimichurri.

There are 2 happy hours, namely from Monday to Thursday from 3 pm to 5 pm, with discounted food, cocktails, and beer. Happy hour drinks are available every night from 10 pm to 1 am. In summer, the rooftop taco bar, El Patio, serves Mexican street food like tacos and margaritas – it’s a vibrant place to soak up the gorgeous weather.

Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar is a hip eatery in Banff that’s made a name for itself for its campfire-inspired menu and in-house-distilled glacier water spirits. You’ll find a wide variety of comfort food, from tofu bowls and cornbread to short ribs, burgers, and plant-based dishes.

The spirits are hand-distilled and include gin, vodka, rye, and whisky. You can try them neat or in one of the many creative cocktails. In winter, the modern mountain interior is warm and cosy. And in summer, you can enjoy the fresh mountain air that flows in through the restaurant’s large garage doors.

The Waldhaus Restaurant is a charming place to dine above the Bow and Spray Rivers on the outskirts of Banff. The venue is reminiscent of an old hunting cottage. The menu is inspired by authentic Swiss and German alpine cuisine. And while there are plenty of options to order, most guests go straight for the cheese fondue experience with white wine.

The cheese fondue consists of kirsch, gruyere, and Emmental and is served with vegetables and potatoes, with the option of adding charcuterie. End the meal with the Toblerone fondue with fresh fruit, marshmallows, and brownies. Reservations are strongly recommended.