Trips always fade faster than I expect, but somehow I can still remember exactly where we had our favorite meals. In Canmore and Banff, beyond the postcard views, it was the hidden alley restaurant with creative cocktails, the unexpectedly outstanding Indian food, the peaceful creek trail, and the whimsical riverside walk that kept coming back to mind long after we returned home.
I spent much of the trip on my knee scooter while recovering from my ankle fracture, so I experienced these two towns at a slower pace than I normally would have. In a way, that slower pace made me notice the little things even more.
Canmore
Breakfast & Snacks
- Rocky Mountain Bagel Company: several locations across the town, it’s a solid stop for breakfast (but I am not a bagel person so cannot judge its bagel quality). There may be line during busy hours.
- Communitea Cafรฉ: Specialty teas, great coffee, and a wide selection of breakfast and lunch options.
- BeaverTails: “must-have” in Canada, quote Charles. Get your BeaverTail and ring the bell inside the store if that’s your first time trying it!
- Lovely Ice Cream & Treats: recommended by a friend but I have not tried
Lunch & Casual Eats
- Mumbai Local Indian Cuisine: I didn’t get a chance to try it, but it was packed every time I walked by
- Marupork Kitchen: Filipino food truck with outdoor seating, a small playground, and an ICE CREAM truck right next to it!! Now you see the appeal? ๐
Dinner
- 4296: May be my and Charles’ favorite meal in Canmore. Creative dishes from appetizers through dessert (popcorn lobster, peach burrata, chick’n fried maitake, prawn tempura), decent cocktails (shiso fine, open sesame, popcorn old fashioned). I donโt think it is as $$ as Google Map indicates. it tucks away in a cute little alley and has 4-5 outdoor tables that can fit ~15 ppl outside, if the weather is nice, def recommend sitting outside to enjoy the breeze and sun
- Sauvage: this is pitched to me as the only (?) fine dining / Michelin recommended restaurant and focuses on using local, seasonal ingredients. Tbh the foods didn’t leave a lasting impression for me personally (as much as its cute, whimsical indoor decor had; there were LOTS OF MUSHROOM DECOR), but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for a more upscale experience.
Walk Around
- 8th Street: The heart of downtown. During summer, the street is pedestrian-only and lined with shops, public art, cafรฉs, and restaurants. Perfect for wandering with a snack (read: ice cream) in hand.
- Policeman’s Creek Trail: Easy trail even with my knee scooter, perfect to walk after meal and get a bit playful with water and closer to the “nature” if you want a change of scenery from the Canmore town
Banff
Eat
- Zyka Elevated Indian Restaurant: hands down my favorite meal in Banff + Canmore + Calgary! Would definitely revisit.
- Delicious food: Honestly on par with some of my favorite Indian restaurants in the Bay Area (eg. Chaat Corner or Pakwan). It did not position to be high(er) scale, fusion or fine dining like Ettan or Copra. Solid food quality at a very reasonable price? A steal. I even asked the owner if they’d consider expanding to the Bay Area.
- Breathtaking view: An unexpected bonus. The restaurant sits on the second floor of a building that housed a few other Asian restaurants. It has a balcony overlooking the Rocky Mountains, taking your attention away from your phones, from work, from anything honestly, BUT NOT FROM THE DELICIOUS FOODS!
- Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea: Normal afternoon tea but that view is hard to beat
- The Maple Leaf: Didn’t get to try it, but it’s on my list for next time.
Walk Around
- Fairmont Banff Springs: Even if you’re not staying there, walk through the hotel, it has some artifact collection, a terrace with lookout areas for beautiful mountain views, playground, ice cream trucks (now you see the theme of this post?) and horse farm.
- Art in Nature Trail: We walked this trail from downtown Banff to the Fairmont. Running alongside the Bow River, it features whimsical outdoor art installations tucked among the trees and riverbanks. A tranquil walk that I wish Snickers is here.
- Cascade of Time Garden: you will not miss this garden as you pass it on the way to the Banff Gondola. Its castle is standing up like the guardian angel for the Banff downtown. In August, a variety of colorful flowers and lush greenery spread through every corner in the garden, alongside the creek, surrounding the pavilion pillars. It is whimsical, fairy-like, esp. as our friends were practicing their wedding dance on the lawn, surrounded by blooms.
