With its snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and charming downtown, it’s no wonder Banff continues to top the list of Canada’s most beloved travel destinations. Located in the picturesque Canadian Rockies in Alberta province, it’s not just the scenery that makes Banff unforgettable. The city offers endless outdoor adventure, outstanding food, and luxurious places to rest your head. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, Banff is a magical place any time of year. Here’s a curated guide to on where to eat, sleep, and play to help you make the most of your visit.
Where to Eat in Banff
Banff’s food scene is impressive for a small town, offering a range of options from fine dining to casual spots. Many restaurants feature stunning mountain views as well as Alberta’s seven signature ingredients: beef, bison, canola, honey, red fife wheat, root vegetables, and Saskatoon berries.
Stephane Prevost, a Montreal native and owner of Block Kitchen and Bar, has watched Banff’s culinary scene evolve steadily during the past two decades. “We’ve seen a real shift,” he says. “There’s more diversity now, and the town is aligning itself with top foodie destinations.” He predicts that trend will continue, with fresh food concepts emerging and chefs placing a stronger emphasis on culinary tourism that showcases the region’s identity through locally sourced ingredients.
Block Kitchen and Bar, which opened in 2014, is a reflection of that evolution. The cozy, casual restaurant serves global cuisine with Asian influences, featuring dishes such as Korean fried chicken and smoked bison flatbread. Prevost also opened a sister restaurant, Shoku, in 2021, reflecting his love for Japan, where he lived for five years.
Local favorite Bluebird is one of the top brunch spots in Banff, and it’s easy to see why. The brunch menu is stacked with decadent options, from a creative lineup of toasts–including French, prime rib, avocado, and smoked salmon–to soufflé pancakes and mimosa flights. Bluebird also has a selection of wood-fired grilled dishes, fondue, shareable plates, and craft cocktails.
Just a short stroll away, Lupo Italian Ristorante puts a modern spin on Italian classics with house-made pastas like rigatoni alla vodka and pesto campanelle, wood-fired pizzas and a curated wine list. The colorful trattoria evokes the spirit of an Italian street market with its chic interiors and mosaic tiles.
Another top spot for Italian cuisine, The Fat Ox serves handmade pastas and enticing dishes like wild boar chop with cippolini onions and osso bucco with Alberta lamb, saffron risotto and Sicilian gremolata. For panoramic mountain views, visit Juniper Hotel Bistro, which features creative fare like wild mushroom risotto and elk hash.
At Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar, the first distillery in a Canadian national park, enjoy rotisserie chicken or bison burgers with house spirits or a tasting flight of their gin or vodka. The distillery also offers guided spirit tastings in its cellar.
For a lighter sip, visit Jolene’s Tea House, tucked inside the historic Old Crag Cabin. The shop sells tea-inspired products and a wide selection of wildcrafted organic teas ranging from Spirit Lake mint to milk oolong.
Owner Jolene Brewster recalls, “Ever since I was five years old, the simple ritual of tea has held a special place in my heart. It fills in all the corners of my life.” Her fondness of tea deepened as she began studying the healing power of plants, and she quickly fell in love with the idea of “turning to nature for answers.” That passion led her to open her own tea shop in 2021.
Things to Do in Banff
When visiting Banff, you’ll likely end up strolling Banff Avenue, the city’s main street. Lined with boutique shops, cozy cafés, art galleries, and outdoor gear stores, it’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee, pick up some local artisan goods, or dive into the area’s history at the Banff Park Museum.
One of the best ways to take in Banff’s beauty is on two wheels. Rent an e-bike or take a guided tour from Radventures and ride along scenic paths like the Legacy Trail or Vermilion Lakes Road. It’s an easy, fun, and eco-friendly way to explore the area at your own pace. For those who want to learn the stories behind the scenery, Discover Banff Tours offers guided experiences ranging from wildlife spotting to exploring hidden waterfalls. Their small-group tours are great for all ages.
No trip to Banff is complete without visiting the stunning Lake Louise. While the lake itself is solely worth the trip, don’t miss the chance to lace up your boots and hike one of the many surrounding trails. The Lake Agnes Tea House hike is a fan favorite, combining a moderate trek with a sweet reward: tea and homemade goodies at a mountainside cabin. It’s worth noting that hiking is only available during warmer months.
Where to Stay in Banff
Banff offers an array of accommodation options, from grand castle-like hotels to boutique properties. Inside the new Otter Hotel, you’ll find a contemporary lodge with minimalist rooms, rooftop hot tubs, and the Good Folk Restaurant, which offers craft beers and mountain-inspired cuisine like Johnny cakes with haskap jam and Alberta bison tartare.
Just outside downtown, the historic Fairmont Banff Springs, or “Castle in the Rockies,” rises above the Bow River with grand architecture and a top spa. Its elegant brasserie, the Vermillion Room, serves French dishes with mountain views and an indulgent brunch featuring DIY mimosas, pastries, and the signature eggs benedict.
If you really want to lean into that fairy-tale vibe, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the place. Perched right on the shores of Lake Louise, the Chateau provides unmatched access to trails, paddling, and views of Victoria Glacier. Don’t miss the afternoon tea at Fairview Restaurant, with a classic spread of scones, clotted cream, delicate sandwiches, premium loose-leaf teas, and panoramic lake views.
This article first appeared on Forbes.com.
