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- Ranking The Best Banff & Canmore Restaurants: We Asked 6000+ Locals
Ranking The Best Banff & Canmore Restaurants: We Asked 6000+ Locals
At the end of 2024, we asked 6000+ locals to name their top restaurants in Banff and Canmore and the reasons behind their choices.
We’ve had a bit of time now to pour over the results and have come up with a definitive list of the top 10 spots.
Here are the favs as voted on by locals…
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10. Tooloulous
Why it made the list: This place is a part of the fabric in Banff, opening its doors in 2012. Blending Cajun flavors with a touch of the Canadian Rockies, this place is especially well known for its extensive breakfast menu. All the classics are there, think omelets, French toast, and pancakes. If you like to eat outside the box, though, head there for dinner to try more exotic items like alligator or catfish.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Amazing breakfast!” - Lisa
“Great place to try something different, tasty food” - Erika
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: A perfect place to get a good quality breakfast in Banff, with lots of variety. Tooloulou’s has a unique atmosphere to immerse yourself in, bringing a touch of the deep south to Banff. Their yearly Mardi Gras weekender is always a blast and is a great place to try some new and unique foods.
9. LUPO
Why it made the list: LUPO prides itself in giving exceptional service, and this shows with how you guys voted. The memories of flavor are fleeting, but how you feel in a particular place is a memory that lasts a lifetime. LUPO makes sure that you’re well looked after as soon as you step through the doors, and this attention to detail transcends to their food, too.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Memorable food - great service - yummy!” - anonymous
“Fantastic pizza, beautiful space, extremely attentive staff!” - Margaret
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: It is a perfect place to celebrate birthdays, milestones, or anniversaries. The extra attention to service will make for a memorable experience. Voted 6th in Canada’s top 100 best new restaurants in 2023, the menu utilizes handmade traditions to give you an authentic Italian experience in the heart of the Rockies.
8. Summit Cafe
Why it made the list: A self-proclaimed ‘locals secret,’ we see another spot famous for their great breakfast, this time in Canmore. Located in a more residential part of town, this is the perfect place to nestle away and eat delicious food whilst avoiding the hustle and bustle of the out-of-town traffic in the downtown core.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Great longtime staff, best coffee shop on the sunny side of town, best breaky-brunchy food ever.” - Marilyn
“Best breakfast food in the valley and decent prices. Cozy, local vibe.” - Sarah
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: Summit Cafe is rooted in the community and is a great place to connect with friends and family over great food and drink. The menu is a no-nonsense, quality-over-quantity one, made all the better when enjoyed on their patio in the long, hot days of summer.
7. Sauvage
Why it made the list: It’s no surprise this is a local's favorite. Sauvage’s dedication to showing off what’s available right on our doorstep resonates with the proud community of Canmore. Ingredients are foraged and hunted close to home, eventually finding their way to a flawless menu that changes with the seasons.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Truly inspired, truly locally sourced offerings. Intimate setting” - Torben
“Truly a gem in the Bow Valley. Innovative cuisine.” - Pam
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: Being a chef myself, Sauvage is a restaurant I can truly respect. Their approach to food is unmatched, showcasing everything wild and local. If you want to experience the most honest representation of dining in the Bow Valley, then Sauvage is the spot.
6. Iron Goat
Why it made the list: Amazing views are a plenty in the Rockies, so you know the Iron Goats patio view must be outrageous if it’s all people can talk about. With an incredible pub-style menu and plenty of local beers showcased across 16 taps, this is a local favorite for just about any occasion.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Great pub with a fabulous menu and local drinks selection. In the summer the views from the patio are stunning.” - Jennifer
“Solid food. Best patio views in the valley.” - David
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: This is Canadian pub food done right, with a cultural twist here and there to keep things exciting. The selection of small plates is perfect for sharing on the patio during summer days, the backdrop of the mountains adding to the magic. Head indoors during the winter months to a cozy space adorned with natural wood.
5. Ankor
Why it made the list: Ankor is another Canmore restaurant pushing the boundaries with its innovative approach to food. Their excitement for what they do seeps into what they create, an elevated dining experience with some of the best food in the Valley. The attentive staff makes for an all-round enjoyable experience in the world of fine dining.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“An elevated and innovative dining experience with incredible flavours.” - Melodie
“Food mastery” - Jocelyn
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: Simply put, this is contemporary Canadian cuisine at its finest. With ever-changing menus, Ankor is a place you can keep coming back to and experience what the Canadian terroir has to offer. Their 6-course tasting menu is a story told through food, a story you need to experience.
4. Fergus & Bix
Why it made the list: Fergus & Bix is not only reasonably priced, but you get your money's worth with generous portions of delicious food. Their happy hour sees even cheaper prices, and when paired with great service in a warm atmosphere, you’re leaving not only with a full belly but a smile on your face as well.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Really good food, huge servings, fun atmosphere.” - Margaret
“Fun atmosphere, great happy hour options.” - Kim
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: Located in the heart of downtown, this is a convenient meeting place for anyone in Canmore. A modern approach to pub food sees that local products are used on a menu full of handmade dishes. Make use of the happy hour specials to save yourself some money without compromising flavour. Our Publisher, Ben, also said this is his favourite spot for burgers in Canmore.
3. Where The Buffalo Roam
Why it made the list: Where the Buffalo Roam is, first and foremost, is a cocktail bar. It was Canmore’s first cocktail bar, as a matter of fact. Their knowledge and passion shine through in a menu of drinks that perfectly breaks away from the tradition and sits alongside a menu full of elevated comfort food.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“Delicious, well-prepared food. Friendly, efficient service and amazing cocktails.” - Greg
“Creative cocktails and a unique and delicious menu.” - Erin
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: Where the Buffalo Roam is the perfect place to start the night. Their fresh take on cocktails and food sets them apart in the culinary scene of Canmore, and locals are all for it. Equally suited to being the spot for a first date, one-hundredth date, or a simple catch-up with friends.
2. Crazy Weed
Why it made the list: Crazyweed is cooking up modern, unpretentious plates of food that tick all the boxes. They pull inspiration from all over the world, not letting one particular cuisine or idea restrict their vision, and rotate through menus seasonally, making it a spot locals can’t stop and won’t stop, coming back to.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“The menu never disappoints.” - Christine
“Had one of the most incredible meals ever there a year ago, the chipotle crusted bavette.” - Jan
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: This ‘fancy, not so fancy’ restaurant is a multi-generational cornerstone of Bow Valley dining. They cut straight to the chase, using familiar ingredients in a familiar way, whilst taking the liberty of their artistic license to add a certain Crazyweed twist to everything they do.
1. Bridgette Bar
Why it made the list: Although they are the new kids on the block, Bridgette Bar took Canmore by storm when they opened their doors in 2023. This restaurant was a standout favorite, consistently ranking in the top spots amongst our readers. Their daily happy hour is the resounding reason why, with half off all pizzas and drinks between 2 PM and 5 PM. The restaurant itself oozes modernity, and the ambiance of the place is another reason why it finds itself atop our list.
What Bow Valley Insiders said:
“The happy hour is unbeatable!” - Erica
“Everything is a vibe.” - Bonnee
Average Spend: $ $ $ $ $
Why you should go: The pizzas are second to none. Hand-stretched dough and the freshest of ingredients, baked on the stones of a fire oven. The rest of the menu is a chef-driven masterclass, the maple BBQ trout being a personal favorite. The cocktail and wine lists are great, which is another reason people voted so eagerly for this place.
Parting Words
All these incredible restaurants were chosen by the people who know best, the locals of the Bow Valley.
Whether you’re after comfort food, an elevated dining experience, or something in between, this list has you covered.
Excited to try one? Tried one already? Let us know what you think!
About The Author
 Phil Tomlinson | I’m Phil, a UK-born chef now living in Banff. Cooking is my craft, but writing is my passion. Whether it's in the kitchen or through the words I write, I love finding the connections between communities and cultures that tell great stories. |