Banff

NEW LOCAL FAVOURITES

While Banff is known for Canadian cuisine with an alpine flare, there’s a growing constellation of restaurants serving ramen, banh mi, and curries. These restaurants offer a surprising range of Asian fare for a mountain town—and an unexpected range of price points.

Taking a walk down Wolf Street from Banff Ave you run into three. Saffron Indian Bistro (p 82) is the newest addition to Banff’s roster of Indian restaurants. With entrées fit to share and friendly pricing, you can expect an enthusiastic bustle looking in from the street. Walk a little further and you will find Hello Sunshine (p 80) and Masala (p 80). Hello Sunshine has brought a dedicated karaoke venue to Banff, while Masala has a buffet lunch special and customer service that are both hard to beat. Visitors and locals alike are spoiled for choice with ramen options. There’s few things as satisfying as walking into Ramen Arashi (p 82) to a spirited “Irasshaimase!” from the staff and sitting down to a tub of ramen. Amu Ramen Bar (p 79) looks like it could just as easily be slotted into a hole-in-the-wall at a Tokyo subway station. That shouldn’t be taken as a criticism—it’s one of the reasons people love going there. It might be lacking in seating capacity, but it more than shores up the difference in flavour and authenticity.

These restaurants aren’t just providing cheap alternatives to Banff’s concept restaurants or fine dining, they’re also leading the charge on innovative offerings. The Japanese fusion menus at Block Kitchen + Bar (p 79) and Shozu Izakaya (p 82) are crafted with sophistication and balance. They're a must for any diner wanting a virtuoso demonstration in how Banff’s culinary culture is diversifying.

FINE

1888 CHOP HOUSE Multi award winning restaurant. Expert chefs present a modern twist on the authentic chop house experience with a menu focused on prime cuts of Alberta beef, sustainably sourced wild game, and Ocean Wise seafood. Everything is made in house, from the butter to the cocktail garnishes. Serving dinner. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-2211, 1888chophouse.com

EDEN 5 Diamond restaurant. Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence. 1200 label wine list. Rimrock Resort, 300 Mountain Ave. 403-762-3356

THE EVERGREEN Restaurant and Lounge Canadian regional cuisine includes elk, Arctic char, and vegetarian dishes. Royal Canadian Lodge, 459 Banff Ave, 403-760-6974, royalcanadianlodge.com

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UPSCALE

CASTELLO Italian cuisine transports guests to Italy. Vegetarian and glutenfree options. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

GRIZZLY HOUSE Family owned and operated. Specializing in traditional and exotic fondues. Menu features oil and hot rock fondues, including beef, buffalo, chicken, snake, lobster, shark, cheese, and chocolate. Also serving wild game and Alberta steaks. Large wine, beer, and liquor selection. 207 Banff Ave, 403-762-4055, banffgrizzlyhouse.com

JUNIPER BISTRO Sit on the award-winning patio. Creative menu changes with the seasons. 1 Juniper Way, 403-763-6219

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SUMMER SENSATIONS

Some things just taste like summer. Whether it's enjoying a creative cocktail on the terrace at Rundle Bar (below) or sampling some sweet ice cream from Cows (p 82), Banff knows the best summer sensations! Visit UNA Pizza + Wine (p 82) for California style pizza in a neighbourly environment or try the traditional Grizzly House (below) for unique fondues in the heart of downtown. Take your iced latte on the patio at Good Earth Coffeehouse (p 82) and soak up the sunshine! -KB

NOURISH BISTRO Innovative vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Farmto-table ingredients and flavourful dishes that even carnivores love. “Best in the Bow” loaded nachos, noodles, burgers, and cocktails. 221 Bear St, 403-760-3933, nourishbistro.com

RUNDLE BAR Views of the Bow River and golf course. Serving globally inspired small plates and unique cocktails. Afternoon Tea with sandwiches and pastries. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

SKY BISTRO Dine 4667 m/2900 ft in the sky. Regionally sourced, Canadian inspired menu, local craft beers and spirits, and Canadian wines. Top of Sulphur Mountain, access via Banff Gondola, 403-762-7486, banffjaspercollection.com

THE PROW Rocky Mountain cuisine from local produce and game raised on their own ranch. Menu changes regularly with kids options and award-winning wines. 700 Tunnel Mountain Rd, 403-760-4484, crmr.com/buffalo/dining VERMILLION ROOM French-inspired brasserie in Banff’s Castle in the Rockies. The menu designed by Executive Chef Robert Ash features seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. The drink menu includes beers on tap, limited edition beverages, and an intriguing wine list. Serving breakfast, dinner, and brunch. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, vermillionroom.com

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CASUAL

AMU RAMEN BAR Banff's newest locally owned ramen bar. Signature ramen dishes, seasonal dishes, vegan ramen, and take home kits. 119 Banff Ave, 403-985-2888

BLOCK KITCHEN + BAR Serving a global menu and creative cocktails within an urban-rustic setting. Menu reflects Izakaya influences and sustainable products. Corner of Caribou St and Banff Ave, 403-985-2887

OUTDOOR SEATING AVAILABLE

view menu online tooloulous.com

A Little Louisiana… A Little Acadiana… A Little Canadiana…

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Downtown, 204 Caribou St just off Banff Ave 403 762 2633 tooloulous.com

CHILI’S Bold flavours and classic meals such as ribs, craft burgers, Fresh Mex, and handcrafted margaritas. The Fox Hotel & Suites, 461 Banff Ave, 403-760-8502, foxhotelandsuites.com

COYOTES SOUTHWESTERN GRILL

Homemade Canadian cuisine with a southwestern flair. Everything is made from scratch in an open kitchen by expert chefs. Gluten-free items and kids menu. 206 Caribou St, 403-762-3963, coyotesbanff.com

EL TORO Canadian, Spanish, and Mexican cuisine made from scratch. Serving a tapas-style menu. Proceeds from Sunday dining support charities. Irwin's Mountain Inn, 429 Banff Ave, 403-762-2520, eltorobanff.com

FARM & FIRE A remarkably simple wood-fired craft kitchen. Homemade flatbreads, locally produced pork, and specialty cocktails. Dine in or take out. 333 Banff Ave, 403-760-3298, farmandfirebanff.com

HELLO SUNSHINE Retro restaurant and karaoke bar serving sushi and Japanese BBQ with good vibes. 208 Wolf St, 403-985-7225

INDIAN CURRY HOUSE Authentic Indian and south tiffin specialties prepared by chefs from India. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, jain, and gluten-free dishes. Specialty Indian cocktails and lassi. 2nd Floor, 225 Banff Ave, 587-222-8779, banffcurry.com

MASALA Combining tradition and passion, creating authentic cuisine from the northern and southern parts of India. Vegetarian, biryani, tandoori, and indo-Chinese. 229 Bear St, 403-760-6612, masalabanff.com

PACINI Italian menu includes antipasti, pizza, and pasta. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. $1 to charity for every lasagna served. Kids menu. Moose Hotel & Suites, 345 Banff Ave, 403-760-8580, moosehotelandsuites.com/pacini-restaurant

PATRINO’S Homemade pizza and pasta. Classic breakfast and combos. Kids’ menu. Dining room and fireside lounge. 537 Banff Ave, 403-762-2622

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING

Dining out can be a fun family bonding experience that pushes you to explore new spots and expand your young one’s palate. Patrino's Banff (p 80) is a great family-friendly dinner option, with an $11 menu for children under 12. For a family brunch outing, Tooloulous (below) has a wide variety of dishes, making it easy for those picky eaters. Stressed out parents are also in luck because Toolouous serves multiple alcoholic breakfast drinks, to help get you through the day. -PARIS HOFER

RAMEN ARASHI Traditional Japanese dishes including ramen, appetizers, bowls, and desserts. 215 Banff Ave 403-760-0908

SAFFRON INDIAN BISTRO Authentic Indian cuisine including vegetarian, gluten free, and jian options. 205 Wolf St, 403-985-2005, saffronbanff.ca

SEOUL COUNTRY Family owned for over 20 years. Korean cuisine from family recipes. Korean beer and sake. 215 Banff Ave, 403-762-4941

SHOZU IZAKAYA Japanese-Asian kitchen and bar with excellent food, Japanese beer, sake, and cocktails. 304 Caribou St, 403-985-1112

SILVER DRAGON Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine from accomplished chefs. Crispy chicken, ginger beef, seafood chow mein, and Peking duck. 109 Spray Ave, 403-762-3939, silverdragonbanff.ca

THE KEG Steaks aged, seasoned, and grilled to perfection. Also serving prime rib, salmon, and chicken. Two locations: 521 Banff Ave, 403-762-4442; 117 Banff Ave, 403-760-3030, kegsteakhouse.com TOOLOULOU’S A little Louisiana, a little Acadiana, and a little Canadiana. Generous menu includes Canadian breakfasts, po'boy sandwiches at lunch, crab cakes, Creole jambalaya, shrimp, and lobster etouffée, black fish, smokehouse chicken sourdough pizza, Bourbon Street ribeye steak, and steamer bucket with crawfish, clams, and mussels. 204 Caribou St, 403-762-2633, tooloulous.com

UNA PIZZA AND WINE Californian influenced thin crust pizzas and handpicked wines in a friendly restaurant. Artisan flatbreads cooked on stone deck ovens create the perfect, thin crust, artisan style pizza. Supporting local farms with quality ingredients. Dine in or take out. 202 Caribou St, 403-453-1183, unapizzeria.com

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WALDHAUS Original 1927 clubhouse. Mountain, golf course, and river views with a heated patio and lower-level pub. Serving Dinner. Fairmont Banff Springs, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

CAFÉ, BAKERY, & ICE CREAM

COWS “Canada’s best ice cream,” according to Reader’s Digest. Serving Banff's favourite premium ice cream in handmade waffle cones. More than 34 unique flavours such as Wowie Cowie and Gooey Mooey. Original shirts and souvenirs. One of the best spots to visit during the hot summer days! 134 Banff Ave, 403-760-3493, cows.ca

GOOD EARTH COFFEEHOUSE

Fresh baking, flatbreads, and deli sandwiches. Barista drinks with fair-trade coffee and tea. 333 Banff Ave, 403-985-0989

STOCK FOOD & DRINK A scratch bakery with made-to-order sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, and pastries. Barista drinks, beer, and wine. By the Lobby, Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

WILD FLOUR BAKERY Fresh pastries, cookies, muffins, and artisan bread. Gluten-reduced, vegan, and raw options. Bison Courtyard, 211 Bear St, 403-760-5047. Also Little Wild, 119 Banff Ave, 403-762-0329

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DELIVERY SERVICE

FOODIE ONLINE Order takeout with zero contact delivery from Banff's favourite restaurants including Boston Pizza, Indian Curry House, Masala, El Toro, A&W, and more. Driver tracking and live-time delivery updates. Local business with a growing restaurant base. Download the app for easy ordering on your phone. 403-888-0807, foodieonline.ca