These are my three absolute favourite restaurants in Banff.
If you are looking for something casual, but still fun and super tasty, these are the three places I highly recommend!
I've been going to all three of these restaurants for YEARS and I have never left disappointed
⇨ONE: Bear Street Tavern🍕
If this was the only restaurant in town, I wouldn't be sad about it.
↓DRINKS↓
The cocktails are fun and tasty, but I'm quite ritualistic when I go to the Tav.
I usually order the local beer Grizzly Paw Raspberry Ale, ladies, its delish.
But they do have heaps of other beer options as well🍺
In summer, on their patio I will usually splurge with the gals on a sangria bowl and sit on their patio out the back🍹
The back is where it's at, I don't know why, don't at me about this, I don't make the rules, ok?
↓FOOD↓
I am personally a huge fan of pizza, but the Tavern has completely changed the way I eat it.
If you are one of those people who dips their pizza in ranch dipping sauce... your mind is about to be blown🤯...
They bring out house made chili oil and honey for you to dip your pizza in instead🌶🍯
Without fail, except for maybe once or twice at the most, I have always ordered the Big Bird Pizza. Pro tip → ask to add truffle oil.
Another thing I always order without fail is the Garlic Cheese Fingers🧀
Ordering the Big Bird Pizza & Garlic Cheese Fingers is definitely enough for two people, but if its your first time, explore and get another pizza.
Trust me, you won't regret it.
My man and I are the type of people who like pineapple on pizza... how awful, I know🙄... So really the only other one I have tried is the Hawaiian.
Other note worthy things to order would be the Spinach & Artichoke dip and the Mac & Cheese. BOMB dot com, I'm telling you💣
⇨TWO: Magpie & Stump🇲🇽
My second go to place.
If the Tav has a line up out the door, which is usually does, then we chuck our name down on the waiting list and usually head to Magpie for a few appetizers... aka Margs🍹
However, sometimes we just end up staying there because... why not?
Mexican food is L I F E🙌🏼
↓DRINKS↓
Kind of just covered this, but the House Margaritas is obviously what you should get.
They have heaps of flavours, my go too is always wild cherry on the rocks.
Ask for rocks, because I remember back in the day I didn't and it came with chipped ice which is not a vibe for me. But if it is for you, by all means.
If you want to splurge and have a bit more "authentic" Margs, the El Jefe Margarita and the Mezcalarita are what I suggest.
I mean, have you REALLY been to Mexico if you have't had Mezcal? No, no you have not.
In summer these are most definitely more enjoyable on El Patio... Literally is what they call it... Which is upstairs.
Again, upstairs patio is where it's at. Trust me.
↓FOOD↓
If we end up staying there for food or just going there for food what I get usually depends on what time of year it is, and where we're sitting.
If its glorious summer weather, I am 100% always sitting on El Patio.
This year my favourite were the Shrimp Tacos🌮
We also tried the Nachos one time. IMO there's always never enough cheese, not just at Magpie, but everywhere, except on the nachos that come out of my kitchen.
So if you are cheese fiend like myself, ask for more and get a side of Guac.
If its winter and we're sitting inside, which is a total vibe. Especially later at night when the kidlets are in bed.
It's not a "party", but its a sweet space to hang and have a casual drink.
Back to food.
Again, I usually go for the Fish Tacos, the nachos, or if I'm feeling keen I'll get a burrito🌯
Desert... haha ok ok, listen...
CHURROS... That is all.
⇨THREE: Elk&Oarsman🦌
This one is a crowd pleaser.
I've taken my man's Australian Great Aunt out once for Mexican and she definitely Mexi-couldn't get around the hype.
So if you have someone like that in your travel crew, go to the Elk!
A classic pub, ya know?
And in summer, they have probably the second best, if not the best rooftop patio.
↓DRINKS↓
What I order is completely dependant on what time of year it is and where I'm sitting.
This past summer I just went to Europe for the first time and rediscovered the magic of Aperol Spritz.
So like every other girl who comes home from Europe, all summer I ordered Aperols. I just had to.
If its winter and we're cozy inside, I'll get a beer.
I've had soooo many fun times sitting around the bar later at night.
Another fun place to have a casual late night drink.
The only way this place could get any better is if they had pool tables.
↓FOOD↓
Ok listen...
Do you like chicken?
Do you like burgers?
Do you like chicken burgers?
Because Elk literally has the best spicy chicken burger in town.
I *always* get it.
The only time I didn't was when I ordered the Elk tacos and yes, it's Elk meat and yes it's yummy.
Ok maybe I'm lying.
I've also had the fish and chips, which is usually a special they do on Friday's that comes with a pint of Keith's🐟🍟
Here's the thing about fish & seafood in the middle of Alberta in the Mountains...
It's not good, but its not bad either... I mean, maybe someone who is use to FRESH seafood & fish would say it is, which I can't disagree.
But if you keep in mind where you are, it definitely could be worse🤷🏼♀️
In my own experience with the food this place dishes out, I've literally never been disappointed!
So there you have it folks🙋🏼♀️...
These are my *personal* recommendations as to where to have fun casual drinks and yummy food any time of the year during your trip to Banff!
If you have questions, want other recommendations or a personal Banff Itinerary → check out my services page and let me help you book a super fun Banff holiday!
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