Taking the wife to Banff/Lake Louise for our 27th wedding anniversary. We haven’t been to Banff since the 1980 honeymoon (good god its been that long?) and I suspect the cuisine scene has evolved a bit since then. I’m looking for recommendations for good restaurants and brew pubs to eat and hang out in. I’m willing to drop a bit of coin once or twice but we’re more interested in the quality of food and a good vibe then over the top elegance.
Thanks
Ronco
I’m there a few times a year, and I’m not one for elegance…I also prefer good food and a good vibe.
In Banff, I love going to Earl’s, on the 2nd floor downtown. Always agreat feel, and great scenery, and good beer - Albino Rhino Pale Ale.
If you want a good steak meal, try a Keg…it’s always very good.
If you’re in Canmore, there’s a great little brew pub in it’s small downtown…Bear Brewing or something like that…you’ll know it when you see it.
Oh yeah, and if you’re flying into Calgary airport, there’s this awesome taco stand upstairs in the food court…Taco Time. It kick’s ass, and unlike Taco Bell it’s all fresh and (relatively) healthy. I always try to get to the airport early to I can it up the Mexican food there.
There used to be one in Banff but it closed, but since this is a Banff thread, and since I always get taco’s on the way to Banff, I thought I’d throw it in there…mmmm, taco’s…
It’s been a few years since we’ve been there, but my husband and I always stay at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. They have a great restaurant – it is elegant (in that Rocky Mountain not-over-the-top sort of way) and the food is delicious. Pricey, as I recall, but delicious.
It’s been a few years since we’ve been there, but my husband and I always stay at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. They have a great restaurant – it is elegant (in that Rocky Mountain not-over-the-top sort of way) and the food is delicious. Pricey, as I recall, but delicious.
Thanks!
As it turns out I just made reservations to stay at Buffalo Mt Lodge so we’ll try the restaurant too.
We’ll be driving up from Coeur d Alene via highway 95/93 so if anyone knows of any good places along the way (Cranbrook, Radium, Golden etc) that would be helpful.
Thanks!
Ronco
OK, this is my specialty…
Banff…
Buffalo Mountain Lodge, up on Tunnel mountain. Fantastic food, great ambiance. A bit of coin.
SaltLik, near the Lux Cinema in DT banff. Good steakhouse.
Coyotes Grill (tex mexish). On Caribou street, just a bit off Banff Ave.
Cilantro Mountain Cafe (also up on the hill near Tunnel Mountain)
Midway between Banff and LL. On the 1A about 20km east of Lake Louise (which is a great road to ride on by the way).
Baker Creek Chalet - good restaurant, germanic influences
Lake Louise:
Post Hotel, Fancy
The railway station (renovated as a great little pub).
There’ a great pub in Banff called St James Gate… obviously Irish and over 50 beers on tap, food’s great, prices are decent for Banff. Another good pub with food/beer quality is the Waldhaus behind the Banff Springs Hotel. It’s part of the hotel, can be pricey, but definitely one of the nicest Bavarian influenced places in town.
Here’s an insider’s tip: save your money on the hot springs and go get a massage or other treatment at the Spa in the Banff Springs Hotel. That place is amazing, I used to work there and you don’t have to be a guest to go. Book ahead, they are usually sold out, and give yourself at least a few hours to enjoy the place. The mineral pool/waterfalls are crazy nice.
The restaurants in the Chateau Lake Louise are fantastic too.
My wife and I were in Lake Louise at the end of April. We had a great dinner at the Post Hotel.
Saltlik and Coyotes are great.
Don’t go to the Keg or Earl’s - nothing against them other than you can go to one anywhere in Canada.
Heard Buffalo MTN Lodge is fantastic - but never been there.
Me and the MS RV will be in Banff end of July and Coyotes is top of the list and Saltlik number 2.
Enjoy!
Rick.
Thanks everyone for the info! We’re off this morning and I’m looking forward to some great meals.
ronco