Eating and Drinking
Banff's 100-plus restaurants - more per head of population than anywhere else in Canada - run the gamut from Japanese and other ethnic cuisines to nouvelle-frontier grub. If your funds are limited, the Banff International Youth Hostel and the YWCA cafeterias, plus any number of fast-food and take-out options, are probably the best value, while Banff Avenue is lined with good little spots for coffee and snacks, many with pleasant outdoor tables. As for bars and nightlife, given Banff's huge number of summer travellers and large seasonal workforce, there are plenty of people around in summer looking for night-time action. To stock up if you're camping, use either the big Safeway supermarket at 318 Marten St and Elk (daily 9am-10pm), just off Banff Avenue a block down from Wolf Street, or the less frenetic Kellers (daily 7am-midnight), opposite the Whyte Museum at 122 Bear St on the corner of Lynx. Aurora , 110 Banff Ave (tel 762-3343). Very popular bar and nightclub (cheap drinks) attracting a young crowd in the Clock Tower Village Mall; dancing nightly until 2am and live music, usually Friday and Saturday evenings. Baker Creek Bistro , Baker Creek Chalets , Bow Valley Parkway (tel 522-2182). As a break from town it's definitely worth driving out here for a meal of innovative and well-cooked staples, like steaks and pastas, in a restaurant frequented by locals as well as tourists. The snug lounge bar is also nice for a drink, especially later in the year when the fire's lit. Moderate. Balkan Village , 120 Banff Ave (tel 762-3454). Greek outlet, known for big portions of reasonable food and belly dancing on Tuesday in the winter to whip things up; in summer the place turns raucous on its own, with frequent impromptu navel displays from well-oiled customers. Service can be a trifle surly. Moderate. Barbary Coast , upstairs at 119 Banff Ave (tel 762-4616). Excellent, if obvious, food - pizza, steaks, burgers and salads - at good prices: the restaurant is full of sporting memorabilia, and the separate popular bar at the front, open till 2am, also does food (with occasional live music). Bistro , corner of Wolf and Bear next to the Lux Cinema (tel 762-8900). A cheaper sister restaurant of Le Beaujolais , this is a pleasantly calm place a block or so off Banff Ave where you can enjoy first-rate food in intimate surroundings. Bumper's , 603 Banff Ave (tel 762-2622). A little out of the centre, but this excellent-value steakhouse - one of the town's busiest - still draws in Banff residents and visitors alike. There's a good lounge upstairs, a locals' favourite, for a drink before or after dinner. Cilantro Mountain Cafe , Buffalo Mountain Lodge , Tunnel Mountain Rd (tel 762-2400). A good cafe-restaurant, with the usual North American fare, that's ideal if you're staying at the hostel or campsite and want a modest treat; has a nice outside terrace for the summer. Inexpensive. Earl's , upstairs at the corner of Banff Ave and Wolf St (tel 762-4414). You can rarely go wrong at restaurants in this mid-priced Canada-wide chain. Lively, friendly service, plenty of room and consistently good food that is extraordinarily eclectic - everything from Thai to Italian influences. Evelyn's , 201 Banff Ave, corner of Caribou (tel 762-0352). One of the best inexpensive places on the strip for breakfast; excellent range of coffees. A second, less busy outlet, Evelyn's Too , can be found next to the Lux Cinema at 229 Bear Ave. Joe Btfspk's [sic] Diner , 221 Banff Ave (tel 762-5529). Tries too hard to evoke a period feel - red vinyl chairs and black-and-white floors - but does good, if slightly overpriced, food; often busy at peak times. Le Beaujolais , 212 Banff Ave at Buffalo St (tel 762-2712). Known for almost twenty years as one of western Canada's better, smarter and more expensive restaurants. A choice of set-price menus between $40 and $66 help keep tabs on spending. Reservations recommended. Melissa's , 218 Lynx St (tel 762-5511). Probably Banff's most popular daytime destination, set in an old log cabin: big breakfasts, superb mignon steaks, salads and burgers, plus a good upstairs bar, Mel's , for a leisurely drink, and a summer patio for food and beer in the sun. Recommended, particularly for lunch. Moderate. Outa Bounds , 137 Banff Ave (tel 762-8434). Though Banff's other major bar and nightclub - along with Aurora - is a rather soulless basement bar, with food, pool, dancing and occasional music, it still manages, somehow, to draw in the crowds. Rose and Crown , upstairs at 202 Banff Ave (tel 762-2121). Part of a chain, combining a moderately successful pub atmosphere (darts, mock-Victorian interior) with a family-oriented restaurant. Food is of the pub-lunch variety and later on you can shake a leg in the adjoining nightclub and disco - occasional live music. St Jame's Gate , 205 Wolf St (tel 762-9355). It was only a matter of time before Banff got an Irish pub; hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon , upstairs at 203 Banff Ave (tel 762-0333). Serves good Tex-Mex and vegetarian food (family-oriented until 8pm); doubles as a lively bar with live bands (usually country) Wednesday to Sunday; pool hall and games room. Moderate.
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