Living in Calgary, Banff is just a short drive away so we are fortunate to visit often. When you visit a town with this kind of frequency, you’re bound to have some favourite spots to eat. In this post I’m going to share what I think are the keys to where to eat in Banff! My best piece of advice here, though, is to make reservations! These spots fill up quickly so be sure to plan ahead if you can.

Park Distillery

Park Distillery is a great crowd-pleaser as their menu has something fresh and fantastic for everyone in the group. Not only do they offer delicious dining options but their in-house craft cocktail list is quite lovely as well. We visit this restaurant almost every time that we’re in Banff – almost as a rule!

I love their fresh fish \ and my husband always orders their rotisserie chicken. This is a favourite spot of ours for big group dinners or a romantic night out. In the summertime they offer patio seating and open-air dining on their main floor.

Farm + Fire

Farm + Fire is a newly opened spot in Banff and it is sure to be a favourite of ours for years to come. This modern spot offers indoor and seasonal patio dining and a variety of seating options. The ambiance is wonderful – perfect for a date or a family dinner.

The family-style tapas menu is meant for sharing – and you’re going to want to share so that you can order more amazing dishes to try! My favourite dishes include the Pig Wings, Poutine Croquette, Fungi Wood-fired Flatbread, carrots and potatoes. Their catch of the day is always a lovely feature and you can’t go wrong with their Whole Rotisserie Chicken or the Flank Steak.

The Grizzly House

The Grizzly House is one of Banff’s oldest restaurants and a definitely must-try for first timers. This Swiss-style fondue restaurant offers an incredibly fun interactive dining experience. You can choose to cook your main course on a hot rock or traditional fondue!

I highly recommend their local meat selection with bread and cheese fondue to start and chocolate fondue to finish. This is a great way to experience the restaurant and local cuisine at the same time. The Grizzly House is fun for all ages.

Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant

Located at Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Sleeping Buffalo Restaurant is a great place to eat. I love that it is located up the mountain from the main town making it more quiet and secluded (and romantic). We love to stay at this hotel, so having such a great restaurant on site is always nice.

Their breakfast/brunch buffet is quite lovely but I highly recommend popping in for dinner. For a more detailed review, be sure to check out my post here.

Balkan Restaurant

The Balkan Restaurant is one of those spots that’s been in Banff for years and anyone who has eaten here will give you rave reviews. They offer lunch takeout and a great vegetarian menu as well.

Fresh mediterranean cuisine is always welcome and roasted meat and vegetable dishes provide warm comfort on snowy winter nights. This is another great spot for a family or group dinner or date night.

High Rollers

High Rollers is more commonly known as “the bowling alley” because that’s exactly what it is. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior because inside it’s a really nice spot – think bowling alley meets upscale ski chalet. This pub-atmosphere is great for an evening out or a few beers après-ski!

Even if you don’t bowl, it’s a fun place to hang out. It’s the perfect spot for watching sports or playoff hockey during your spring ski trip! The menu offers great pizzas and traditional yet upscale pub fare perfect for groups.

Beaver Tails

I know that Beaver Tails is more of a take-out spot than a restaurant but I feel it’s worth mentioning because their offerings are so delicious. A beaver tail is a Canadian take on the traditional state fair elephant ear.

Customize your beaver tail with all sorts of topping options or opt for it plain with just a dusting of sugar (my preference). These are a great dessert choice or perfect with your morning coffee! There are a couple of locations on the main street, too!