Banff

DELICIOUS DINNER

You’ve spent the whole day outside enjoying the winter wonderland in Banff, and now it’s time to enjoy a nice meal! There are plenty of delicious restaurants that are perfect for a night out. Where are you enjoying dinner tonight?

Fine Feasts If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience, Banff has several fine dining establishments ready to delight your senses. Enjoy dinner under the stars in the dome atrium at La Terrazza (right) or try dining in a fine atmosphere at Evergreen Restaurant and Lounge (right). For a special occasion, visit one of the excellent restaurants in the Castle in the Rockies and enjoy a dressed-up dinner at 1888 Chop House (right) or a unique cocktail at Rundle Bar (right). Evening Entertainment Looking for more than just a bite? Have fun bowling and eating at the Canadian Bowling and Entertainment Centre (p 47) in the Fairmont Banff Springs. Take in a show at The Radiant (p 74) and mingle at one of the local’s favourite hangouts. Take dinner to the sky at the top of Sulphur Mountain with a gondola trip to Sky Bistro (p 74) for a heightened experience. Winter Warmth If you’re looking for good food with some spices to ward off winter's chill, visit Saffron Indian Bistro (p 75) for authentic Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes. For a delightful mixture of Canadian, Spanish, and Mexican dishes, visit El Toro (right). For the flavours of the southwest, Coyote's (p 75) has delicious and nutritious comfort food to finish your day!

-KATE BARKER

FINE

1888 CHOP HOUSE Executive Chef Robert Ash celebrates Alberta with foods from local farms and organic producers. Prime grade beef steaks and chops: filet mignon, AAA porterhouse, striploin, and ribeye plus lamb and elk. Rocky Mountain trout and East Coast scallop and lobster. Specialties include Black Angus tomahawk, recommended for 2. Cocktail bar overlooks the lobby. Serving dinner. Mezzanine Level 1, Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-2211, 1888chophouse.com

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

EVERGREEN RESTAURANT AND

LOUNGE Canadian regional cuisine includes elk loin, Arctic char, and vegetarian options. Impressive wine list. Casual lounge. Royal Canadian Lodge, 459 Banff Ave, 403-762-3307, royalcanadianlodge.com

LA TERRAZZA Classic Italian recipes with a uniquely Alberta twist. Lounge serves a more casual menu and relaxed atmosphere. Banff Park Lodge, 222 Lynx St, 403-760-3271

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RIGHT: BANANA FOSTER FROM TOOLOULOU'S // DAMIAN LAMARTINE

UPSCALE

CASTELLO Italian menu with wines and service that transports guests to Italy. Dishes inspired by fresh local ingredients include veal parmesan, lobster ravioli, pacific halibut, and chicken piccata. Vegetarian and gluten-free options. Serving Dinner. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

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

MOUNTAIN CLASSICS

With all the dining options in Banff, there are few that have stood the test of time. These restaurants survive because they're popular with locals and visitors alike. Grizzly House (below) is a family run business that's been around since the '60s. Their classic and exotic fondues are so much more than just a dinner out! When it comes to Cajun cuisine, Tooloulou's (p 75) has been a local favourite for years, and this family-run, intimate restaurant has something for everyone. -TAYLOR JAINE

GRIZZLY HOUSE “For lovers and hedonists.” Local's favourite, family owned and operated restaurant specializing in traditional and exotic fondues. The interior reflects the restaurant’s heritage as a local disco. Menu features oil and hot rock fondues, including beef, buffalo, chicken, snake, lobster, shark, cheese, and chocolate options. Also serving wild game and Alberta steaks. 100 wines and a large beer and liquor selection. 207 Banff Ave, 403-762-4055, banffgrizzlyhouse.com

JUNIPER BISTRO Superb views of Mount Rundle and Tunnel Mountain through floor to ceiling windows, and from the huge, award-winning patio with fire pits and fireplace lounge. Creative menu changes frequently to go with the seasons. Excellent brunch and après skiing options. 1 Juniper Way, 403-763-6219

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NOURISH BISTRO Fresh, innovative vegetarian and vegan cuisine for everyone! Globally inspired plantbased comfort food in a vibrant and intimate setting. Fresh, farm-to-table ingredients and innovative, flavourful dishes mean even carnivores will love eating the delicious creations. Featuring “Best in the Bow” loaded nachos as well as noodles, burgers, tapas, and “mac n squeeze.” Also serving specialty artisan cocktails. Discover how delicious eating healthy can be! 110-221 Bear St, 403-760-3933, nourishbistro.com

RUNDLE BAR Stunning views of the Fairholme Range, Bow River, and golf course. Upscale dining featuring globally inspired small plates. Signature cocktails with local Wild Life gin. Afternoon Tea with loose leaf teas, finger sandwiches, and pastries. Fairmont Banff Springs, 405 Spray Ave, 403-762-6860, fairmont.com/banff-springs/dining

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

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

SALTLIK A rare steakhouse. Using only AAA Prime and Certified Angus Beef steaks, flame-grilled in a 1200°F infrared oven that quickly seals in juices for tender, flavourful results. 221 Bear St, 403-762-2467

SKY BISTRO Mountaintop dining 2900 ft above Banff with spectacular views. Regionally sourced, Canadian inspired menu, local craft beers and spirits, and Canadian wines. Gondola and dining packages available. Northern Lights Café and Castle Mountain Coffee. Top of Sulphur Mountain, accessible by the Banff Gondola, 403-762-7486, banffjaspercollection.com

TICINO Swiss, Italian, and Canadian cuisine. Fondues, game meats, poultry, and pasta, all made in house from scratch. Second-generation familyowned and operated. 415 Banff Ave, in the High Country Inn. 403-762-3848

THE PROW Rocky Mountain cuisine featuring local produce and game raised on their own ranch. Relaxing and inviting fireplace lounge. Menu changes regularly. Examples include charcuterie, elk striploin, wild boar, cod, pasta, and flatbreads. Kids menu. Award-winning wines. 700 Tunnel Mountain Rd, 403-760-4484, crmr.com/buffalo/dining

THE RADIANT Boutique cocktails and drinks with a dynamic menu of sharable dishes. Live entertainment in a space that's both comfortable and audacious. Inclusive atmosphere welcomes everyone. 101, 111 Banff Ave, 403-985-0730

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

CHILI’S Bold flavours and classic meals such as house smoked ribs, craft burgers, Fresh Mex, and handcrafted margaritas. No one does Margarita’s better! Dine in or takeout. Excellent après-ski warm-up potions. The Fox Hotel & Suites, 461 Banff Ave, 403-760-8502, foxhotelandsuites.com

COYOTES SOUTHWESTERN GRILL

Homemade Canadian cuisine with a southwestern flair served in a cozy, inclusive atmosphere. 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

CRAVE MOUNTAIN GRILL Casual, relaxed dining caters to all ages, budgets, and tastes. Excellent brunch. 2nd floor, Banff Park Lodge, 222 Lynx St, 403-760-3255,

FARM & FIRE A remarkably simple wood-fired craft kitchen serving only the freshest ingredients from Canadian farmers. Homemade flatbreads, locally produced pork, specialty cocktails, and more. Dine on or take out. 333 Banff Ave, 709-760-3298, farmandfirebanff.com

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

MASALA Banff’s first Indian restaurant combines tradition and passion, creating authentic cuisine from the northern and southern parts of India. Vegetarian specialties, biryani, tandoori, and indo-Chinese. 229 Bear St, 403-760-6612, masalabanff.com

OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY

Spaghetti classics including vegetarian and Gluten-free dishes. All meals include unlimited bread, starter salad, and ice cream. Pickup and delivery. 2nd floor, Cascade Shops, 317 Banff Ave. 403-760-2779 PACINI Italian menu includes antipasti, pizza, pasta, and Italian feast for two. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. $1 to charity for every lasagna served. Kids menu. Dine in or takeout. Moose Hotel & Suites, 345 Banff Ave, 403-760-8580, moosehotelandsuites.com/pacini-restaurant

SAFFRON INDIAN BISTRO Named after the most precious spice in the world, this bistro serves traditional Indian cuisine including vegetarian, gluten free, and jian options. 205 Wolf St, 403-985-2005, saffronbanff.ca

SEOUL COUNTRY Family owned and operated for over 20 years. Healthy Korean cuisine from family recipes. Also serving Korean beer and sake. Dine in and takeout. Sundance Mall, 215 Banff Ave, 403-762-4941

SILVER DRAGON Authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine from accomplished chefs includes crispy chicken, ginger beef, seafood chow mein, and Peking duck. Offering dine in, takeout, and delivery. Reservations recommended. 109 Spray Ave, 403-762-3939, silverdragonbanff.ca THE KEG Steaks are aged, seasoned and grilled to perfection. Feature cuts include peppercorn New York, sirloin Oscar, and blue cheese filet. Prime rib, pistachio salmon, chicken supreme, and dinner salads. Gluten-free and kids menu. Two locations: 521 Banff Ave, 403-762-4442; 117 Banff Ave, 403-760-3030, kegsteakhouse.com

TOOLOULOU’S A small, cozy restaurant serving a little Louisiana, a little Acadiana and a little Canadiana. Generous menu includes classic 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. Enjoy some of the best seafood in Banff! Local's favourite breakfast and brunch. 204 Caribou St, 403-762-2633, tooloulou’s.com

PIZZA PIE

Sometimes we all just need a pizza night. But not all pies are created equal. Get fresh, artisan pizza, handcrafted from local ingredients and cooked to perfection in a wood fired oven from Farm & Fire (left). Whether you want to dine in or take it to go, you're be satisfied with delicious and wholesome pizza! New in town, UNA Pizza (p 76) serves up California style, thin crust pizza with the best toppings. This pizza is already loved in the city, but it's now making its debut in Banff! -KB

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CHEF'S TABLE

Earlier this year, The Vermillion Room (p 74) welcomed Executive Chef Chi How Kit: “I chose the Fairmont Banff Springs because it’s a Canadian landmark and beautiful destination. I’m proud to showcase this iconic hotel. There are lots of opportunities to continue working with local venues and suppliers while creating new dishes. My plan is to make it the best restaurant in town. I also want to make it the place to go for both locals and guests to enjoy themselves and have a nice meal."

UNA PIZZA AND WINE Neighbourhood restaurant serving Californian influenced thin crust pizzas and hand picked wines. Artisan flatbreads are cooked on stone deck ovens, which create the perfect, thin crust, artisan style pizza that is crispy on the bottom and chewy in the middle. Supporting local farms including The Bear and the Flower pork, Bowden Farms chicken and eggs, Chinook Honey natural honey, and Poplar Bluff Organics root vegetables. Dine in or take out. 201 Caribou St, 403-453-1183, unapizzeria.com

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FAMILY

A&W Hearty, all-day breakfasts, classic burgers from grass-fed beef, chicken burgers and strips from antibiotic-free farms, and pork from Canadian farms. Classic root beer and organic fair-trade coffee. Environmentally friendly initiatives. 601 Banff Ave, web.aw.ca BOSTON PIZZA Family restaurant and sports bar. Extensive menu featuring gourmet pizzas and pastas, juicy burgers, and famous BP wings. 201, 225 Banff Ave, 403-762-2192, bostonpizza.com

MELISSA’S MISSTEAK Banff’s classic steakhouse is open in a new location! Serving Canadian classics and 100% Alberta Certified Angus Beef for over 40 years. Extensive kids menu, arcade, and live events. Town Centre Mall, 201 Banff Ave, 403-762-5511

PATRINO’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

Homemade pizza and pasta. Classic breakfast, eggs benedict, pancakes, and combos. Kids’ menu. Fireside Lounge with HDs. 537 Banff Ave, 403-762-2622

CAFÉ, BAKERY & ICE CREAM

COWS “Canada’s best ice cream,” according to Reader’s Digest. Serving premium ice cream in handmade waffle cones. 34+ flavours. Original shirts and souvenirs. 134 Banff Ave, 403-760-3493

GOOD EARTH COFFEEHOUSE

Fresh baking, flatbreads, and deli sandwiches. Barista drinks with fair-trade coffee and tea. Hot specials and combos. 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

TIM HORTONS “Proud to serve Canada’s favourite coffee.” Hot and cold beverages, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and wraps, salads, soups, doughnuts, muffins, and cookies. Also selling signature ground coffee, tea, mugs, and more. Bus Station, 100 Gopher St, 403-762-8701, timhortons.com

WHITEBARK CAFÉ Espresso drinks from fair-trade, organic beans. Tea steeped with premium Banff Tea Co. loose leaves. Made-on-site pastries. Yogurt parfaits and light fare that reflects the season. Award-winning café. Banff Aspen Lodge, 401 Banff Ave, 403-760-7298, whitebarkcafe.com

WILD FLOUR BAKERY Fresh pastries, cakes, cookies, muffins, and artisan bread. Gluten-reduced, vegan, and raw options. Breakfast all day, grilled sandwiches, salads, soup, and espresso. Friendly staff and loyalty cards. Bison Courtyard, 211 Bear St, 403-760-5047. Also Little Wild, 119 Banff Ave, 403-762-0329, wildflourbakery.ca

DELIVERY SERVICE

FOODIE ONLINE Canmore's trusted delivery service has now expanded to Banff! Order takeout with zero contact delivery from over 11 of 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