Downtown Restaurants in Banff

Downtown Banff is a small area of just a few blocks. You could walk down every street in the whole area in under an hour. Most of the traffic stays on Banff Avenue, though, but many great restaurants require their customers to venture off the main street a few strides. It's worth it, if only to get away from the crowds.

Bear Street is sort of the #2 street in Banff. It is pretty busy, too, but nothing compared to Banff Avenue. Many of Banff's best restaurants are on Bear Street. The Saltlik is Banff's premiere steakhouse. It's famous throughout Alberta (also has a location in Calgary). Although they are known for steak, the calamari is the best I've ever had. The Bison specializes in local, Western Canadian food, such as bison and wild game. But, my favorite along Bear Street is the Wild Flour Bakery, which is a gluten-free, organic bakery. You can't go to Banff and not go to Wild Flour. It's not allowed.

Caribou Street has two Spanish tapas restaurants, Cafe Soleil and Magpie & Stump. Together with Caramba!, these make up the Spanish offerings in Banff. I'm not sure why they are right beside each other. Caribou also has a local favorite, Aardvark Pizza & Sub. Aardvark is one of the most popular pizza places in Banff, and it's been around for a long, long time.

On the outer edge of "downtown" is the Banff Centre. This is the home of the arts in the Rocky Mountains. The commitment to excellence extends to the two restaurants on the premises, the Vistas and the Three Ravens. These are great places to eat before going to a live show.

The Bison Restaurant & Lounge

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expert pick

211 Bear Street
Box 3959

Elegant Rustic Dining...
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Saltlik

221 Bear Street

A famous Albertan steakhouse...
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Cafe Soleil

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208 Caribou St.

Mediterranean Tapas & Wine Bar...
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Terrace Dining Room

222 Lynx Street
Banff Park Lodge

Contemporary & Canadian...
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St. James Gate Olde Irish Pub

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207 Wolf Street

Huge selection of draft beer...
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Aardvark Pizza and Sub

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304A Caribou Street

Late night pizza shop...
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Barpa Bill's Souvlaki

223 Bear St.

Greek food to go...
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Vistas Dining Hall

107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
The Banff Centre

Dine in Style at the Banff Centre...
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Magpie & Stump Restaurant & Cantina

203 Caribou Street

Tex-Mex Restaurant & Saloon...
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Bruno's Cafe and Grill

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304 Caribou Street

Great coffee in the mountains...
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