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Top 15 Must-Try Restaurants in Banff, Alberta

Top 15 Must-Try Restaurants in Banff, Alberta

Clever Canadian Written By: December 2023

It’s no secret that Banff National Park is an attractive place, well-known for its stunning mountains, pristine lakes, and vast wildlife. It’s so famous that over 4 million people from all over the world visit it each year to hike, swim, or enjoy the gorgeous views.

But that’s not all Banff has to offer. This Albertan town has plenty of delectable cuisines that will satisfy your cravings and quench your thirst after a tiring day of outdoor activities.

Don’t know where to go to satiate your hunger? Check out our favourite restaurants in Banff to try on your next trip to the Canadian Rockies!

Block Kitchen + Bar

Website: https://www.banffblock.com/ 

Address: 5 Banff Ave #201, Banff, AB T1L 1C6, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 985-2887

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

This vibrant place offers food and conversations. Its intimate space gives locals and tourists a place to go for small talk over food and drinks—while it can get a little tight inside, its food is worth it!

Expect delicious Asian cuisine with its famous pork belly lettuce wraps (or opt for the vegan-friendly smoked chili tofu) and steamed bao buns. Don’t forget to add a small plate of our favourite takoyaki (Japanese balls with octopus chunks) in Banff.

No dining and chatting is complete without sipping one of their cocktails. Sit at the bar and try their espresso martini that will awaken your senses if you suffer from jet lag!

Pro Tip:
Don’t be shy and ask the servers for food recommendations. They have seasonal offerings that are worth trying out when in Banff!

High Rollers Bowling & Beer Hall

Website: https://www.highrollersbanff.com/ 

Address: 110 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A4, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 762-2695

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 2:00 AM
  • Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM

High Rollers Bowling & Beer Hall is a fun ‘n dine restaurant in Banff. If you’re looking for a fun activity during your downtime, this is the retro-style place to go!

Bowl with your family and friends and choose from any of the 48 craft beer taps (many are from local breweries) and feast on chicken wings and Margherita pizza. There are three pool tables inside, and you get to meet new people during your trip!

Pro Tip:
It’s best to book a reservation as there are only six bowling alleys, which can get booked fast.

Visit during happy hour and pay only $6.50 for pints from any tap and a 2-for-$10 deal on selected pizza flavours.

Añejo Restaurant

Website: https://www.anejo.ca/ 

Address: 111 Banff Ave Unit 101, Banff, AB T1L 1A4, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 985-0084

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Along Banff Avenu, you’ll find many eateries lined up—one is Añejo Restaurant, a Mexican restaurant to go to for a happy hour. It serves a large selection of tequilas, and each will keep you wanting more.

Try the guacamole, which the server will make in front of you—and it comes with warm tortilla chips! It also wouldn’t hurt to taste the delicious chili coconut margarita.

Pro Tip:
Visit during happy hour for great discounts on tacos from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM until closing.

amu -Ramen Bar-

Website: https://amu-ramenbar-banff.square.site/ 

Address: 119 Banff Ave #1A, Banff, AB T1L 1C9, Canada

Contact Details: 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Located inside Kirby Lane is amu -Ramen Bar-. There, you’ll find smooth and refreshing Japanese beer straight from the Kiuchi Brewery in Japan.

If you’re looking for your ramen fix, we recommend the tan-tan and the miso-kimchi. The rich and creamy warm miso soup goes perfectly with a cold beer.

Pro Tip:
The restaurant offers a wide selection of Japanese food essentials and snacks. If they’re not sold out yet, you can buy the famous Kewpie (Japanese mayonnaise) and some matcha powders to bring home!

Zyka Elevated Indian Restaurant

Website: https://www.zykabanff.com/ 

Address: 211 Banff Ave 2nd floor, Banff, AB T1L 1H1, Canada

Contact Details: 

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM

In Banff, Alberta, Zyka Elevated Indian Restaurant offers exquisite Jain, halal, vegan, and vegetarian food options. 

The lunch buffet offers a wide (and good!) selection of authentic Indian dishes, including fresh garlic naan, which you can dip in delicious curry sauce. Try the butter chicken, too, which is tender and melts in your mouth.

Pro Tip:
If there’s an available table on the patio, we recommend sitting there so you can see the stunning mountain views while eating delicious Indian cuisine.

The Canadian Brewhouse

Website: https://www.thecanadianbrewhouse.com/ 

Address: 317 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C1, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 778-9681

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM

The Canadian Brewhouse is the go-to place in Banff for sports, food, and beer! It’s a Canadian pub where you can hang out with locals and tourists and cheer for your favourite hockey team!

The ambience is fun, especially during live matches. It’s even more perfect when munching on buffalo wings(best wings in toronto) and your favourite craft beer—and don’t forget to add a side of fries!

Pro Tip:
Ask for the daily specials, which are available from 4:00 PM until closing. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the restaurant offers ¢69 wings!

Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant

Website: https://threebearsbanff.com/ 

Address: 205 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1A1, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 985-8038

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

This is a must-visit for an open-air dining experience in Banff. Don’t worry; this craft brewery and restaurant has a retractable roof to protect you during winter seasons.

This is also a great spot for a quick drink during your vacation at Banff National Park. Think live music, classic beer, pizza, Alberta striploin, and beer-battered fish and chips. Yum!

Pro Tip:
Try visiting during nighttime on a Monday to catch some live music. On Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, live music is available from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The Bison Restaurant

Website: https://www.thebison.ca/ 

Address: 211 Bear St # 213, Banff, AB T1L 1E4, Canada

Contact Details: 

  • (403) 762-5550

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Friday – Saturday: 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The best part about The Bison Restaurant is its seasonal and regional dishes. For every season you visit Banff, there are always new Canadian dishes to try.

Some of our favourites are the bison ribeye that comes with gouda cream and the rack of lamb with a side of ratatouille—both cooked to perfection! There’s also a long and good list of Canadian wines, from sparkling to reds.

Pro Tip:
The restaurant can get busy, so we suggest booking a table ahead.

Try to reserve a table on Thursdays if you want to wine and dine while listening to live music.

Bear Street Tavern

Website: https://www.bearstreettavern.ca/ 

Address: 211 Bear St, Banff, AB T1L 1A1, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 762-2021

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Bring your dog to the Bear Street Tavern and enjoy patio dining in Banff. It’s the perfect afternoon spot in Banff, especially during hot summer days!

Pizza’s the best thing you can order here—try the Margherita and the Godfather and sprinkle some chili oil and honey for a perfect combination! Top it off by sipping on local wine or try their classic cocktails.

Pro Tip:
Don’t forget to bring your dog on a leash for safety. You can also only bring your dogs to dine at the outdoor patio.

Don’t forget to check the doggie menu for your furry friend so everyone can enjoy soaking up the sun! 

Wild Flour Bakery

Website: https://www.wildflourbakery.ca/ 

Address: 211 Bear St #101, Banff, AB T1L 1B8, Canada

Contact Details: 

Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

If you’re looking for healthy pastries and sweet desserts, Banff has an artisan bakery situated on the adorable stretch of Bear Street. Freshly baked croissants, baguettes, and sandwiches make for a perfect meal with a gorgeous mountainous backdrop.

Locals and tourists alike love this bakery, so you’ll most probably see a line—but it’s worth the wait! During cold, snowy days, dipping croissants in a decadent cup of hot chocolate is a perfect pairing!

Pro Tip:
Try to visit in the morning. It’s a great spot for breakfast, especially with the gorgeous mountain views.

Take home a bag of granola. It tastes incredible with yogurt and some fresh berries.

Hankki Banff

Website: https://hankki.ca/ 

Address: 206 Buffalo St, Banff, AB T1L 1E4, Canada

Contact Details: 

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

If you’re into Korean food(best korean restaurant toronto), you might want to head over to Buffalo Street and try the Calgary-based restaurant Hankki. It’s a perfect on-the-go food and is pretty affordable, considering it’s in Banff!

It’s pretty famous for its corndogs—we love the mozzarella sausage combo and the ugly potato (it’s coated in potatoes!). The Hankki bowls are ideal to quickly satisfy your hunger—try our favourites: the sweet and savoury Korean BBQ and bulgogi chicken.

Pro Tip:
You might want to order take-out because the place is small. There isn’t enough seating, so don’t expect to find an available table all the time.

If you still have space in your tummy, try a bowl of honey butter fries with spicy mayonnaise sauce for a satisfying finish.

St James’s Gate Irish Pub

Website: https://stjamesgatebanff.com/ 

Address: 207 Wolf St, Banff, AB T1L 1C2, Canada

Contact Details: 

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM

Grab a Guinness in Banff at St James’s Gate Irish Pub along Wolf Street. There’s a vast selection of alcoholic drinks, including whiskey, wine, and cider.

For starters, a must-try is the Yorkies (Yorkshire pudding stuffed with roast beef and horseradish sauce) and rosemary focaccia with spinach and artichoke dip. To complete your Irish dining experience in Banff, try the delicious steak and Guinness pie. 

Pro Tip:
Visit the pub on Thursdays during Irish Night for live music and discounts on pints and mains!

Bluebird Wood-fired Steakhouse

Website: https://www.bluebirdbanff.com/ 

Address: 214 Lynx St, Banff, AB T1L, Canada

Contact Details: (403) 985-9163

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

This cozy restaurant is one of the top places to visit if you want to taste prime Alberta beef. A must-eat is the slow-roasted prime rib with bluebird steak spice, which you can get in 10oz, 12oz, or 16oz cuts, or opt for another famous beef, the BB cheesecake dip.

To offset the rich beef flavour, order the fantastic key lime pie for dessert. Don’t forget to try the delicious house cocktails, especially the rhubarb negroni.

Pro Tip:
This is a great place for small celebrations, like birthdays or anniversaries. You can even dress casually despite the upscale feel of the place.

Hello Sunshine Sushi & Karaoke

Website: https://www.hellosunshinebanff.com/ 

Address: 208 Wolf St #101, Banff, AB T1L 1B3, Canada

Contact Details:

Operating Hours: 

  • Monday – Friday: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM
  • Saturday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Hello Sunshine Sushi and Karaoke is one of the best spots for yummy sushi in Alberta, with its relaxed atmosphere with a charming and homely feel. Sing your heart out in the karaoke room that can fit up to 14 people!

A bestseller you must try is the flavourful spicy miso king salmon press. Other crowd favourites are the tasty Hello Lobster maki roll and the scallop sashimi.

Pro Tip:
Book a reservation for happy hour, as the restaurant usually gets full during this time. You even get 50% off on sushi!
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