Banff Dining: 7 Ways to Combine a Meal With an Adventure

A family gets ready to eat at a window table, with views of mountains and glaciers outside.

Home > Canadian Rockies > Adventure Dining: 7 Meals to Remember

When you're visiting the Canadian Rockies, every single moment should be celebrated. From morning through evening, this place is spectacular, and as a visitor you'll want to soak it all up. Here are 7 unforgettable and unique meals in Banff and Jasper.

Sky-High Gourmet: There's no denying that Sky Bistro has Banff's most astounding view. The setting, atop Sulphur Mountain, is enough to keep your attention but the food seamlessly matches the spectacular surroundings. The Sky Experience pairs the expansive grandeur of the Rocky Mountains with a distinctly Canadian menu that's been winning awards and rave reviews. Plus, it's great value!

Two women share a cheers at a window table looking out to tree-covered mountains.

Elevated and Historic at Maligne Lake: Step back in time at the historic Maligne Lake Chalet, built in 1927 by pioneer Fred Brewster. Today, a signature lunch experience features regionally-sourced dishes to match the incredible setting on the shores of Maligne Lake.

Pre- or Post-Concert Cuisine: There's no denying the elevated feeling you'll get at Three Ravens Restaurant & Wine Bar. Both from the expansive views from the top of Banff Centre's Sally Borden Building and a live outdoor jazz concert or a ballet troupe performance are hallmarks of a Banff trip. Throughout the year, some of the finest opera singers, choreographers, poets and literary journalists present their latest work at Canada's top centre for arts and innovation. Don't miss a meal at the centre's top restaurant before or after the show!

A large crowd in an outdoor amphitheatre watches a music performance with mountains and forests all around.

Teahouse at Treeline: There are many places to take an afternoon tea, but few in the world can match the setting at the Lake Agnes Teahouse, on a pristine lake shore high above Lake Louise. Since 1905, the Lake Agnes Teahouse has been welcoming summertime hikers and horseback riders with fine loose leaf teas, warm mugs of cocoa and tasty treats. It'll take you an hour or two to get there, all the more to help justify those scones with jam, a giant brownie or the locals' favourite — apple crumble.

A wooden and stone teahouse nestled between trees and a lake.

Lunchime Cookout: Hit the cowboy trail on a horseback ride into the backcountry for a Cowboy Cookout. After riding along the Bow River to 3 Mile Cabin, you'll chow on a classic cowboy meal — we're talking barbecue steaks, baked potatoes and baked beans, Caesar salad, rolls and dessert. That's some fine Rocky Mountain grub!

A coffee can and barbecuing meat sit on a grill over an open campfire.

Dinner at the Ice: Evenings at the Columbia Icefield are quiet, peaceful and spectacular. Altitude Restaurant, inside the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, has a stellar menu to match. Opt for Canadian coldwater Arctic Char with a roasted vegetable salad, a local rack of lamb with fresh herb and panko crust or the classic — a 10 oz Alberta striploin in shallot and red wine jus. Gaze out at the ancient ice and towering peaks as you dine. You'll be drifting down the Icefields Parkway as the day comes to a close with a happy belly and happy spirit.

Wine and Cheese as you Cruise Minnewanka: If you're after something light, outdoors and entirely locally-appropriate, we suggest the delightful Wine and Cheese Cruise at Lake Minnewanka. Departing two times a week during the summer at 7 PM, it's a grown-up affair heavy on spectacular scenery and loaded with inspiration.

Two people stand on a boat deck with wine glasses, looking out towards mountain views.

Many of these places are very popular during the summer — book ahead of time to make sure you get the best table. And be sure to give yourself plenty of time to soak it all in — it's so much more than a meal, after all. Here's to celebrating each and every moment!