Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Banff / Canmore

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Banff / Canmore? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Fat Ox of Banff

4.9

4.9 (43)

CAN$51 and over

Italian

Banff

About the restaurant

Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Northern Italy, The Fat Ox brings a taste of the Italian Alps to our guests. Our name, "Fat Ox," pays homage to the robust flavors and hearty dishes found in Northern Italian cuisine. Symbolizing strength, endurance, and the bounty of the land, it reflects our commitment to serving exceptional meals crafted from the finest ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible and prepared with care & expertise. Our view for our guests is: We just want to have fun!

Top review

Cathyvip

Dined 2 days ago

So glad we had dinner here! Service great, food amazing! Sat outside and weather was beautiful!

PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar

4.7

4.7 (995)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Banff

About the restaurant

Park is a backcountry lodge-inspired craft distillery in the heart of Downtown Banff. Gather 'round for campfire-inspired cuisine and wood-fired rotisserie specialties paired with our award-winning small-batch spirits distilled in-house. We are the only distillery located in a Canadian National Park so don't miss our free daily distillery tours for an exclusive look into our boutique distillery, where we hand-mill, hand-mash and hand-distill to preserve the purity of our ingredients. Our spirits are like no other in the world, because there is no other place in the world like Banff.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Third time going this summer and each time was fantastic!

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Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1175)

CAN$30 and under

Brewery

Banff

About the restaurant

OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants in Canada.
A craft brewery in a National Park, in a restaurant, in a forest. Complete with a stargazing retractable roof, beer garden, 25-foot pine tree and forest critters, our restaurant will make you feel like you're dining outdoors all year round. Our menu features tasty chef-inspired food meant to be enjoyed with beer made here. From the chicken wing to the kale salad, from the hand-stretched pizza to the Alberta striploin, beer has a wonderful way of bringing out the best in everything. Three Bears is the spot for happy hour featuring live music and beer specials.
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Don't forget about Happy Hour daily from 3pm-5pm
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Three Bears offers group & private dining options accommodating 8-250 guests.
Mountain-view private rooms / Private fireplace + patio spaces / Total venue Brewery experience
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Learn more/connect about group dining:
https://www.banffcollective.com/three-bears-events
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Top review

Mackenzie

Dined 5 days ago

It’s a very popular place! Great patio area, great food and my waiter was really good and attended to my every need. Highly recommend one of their beers when you go!

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Bridgette Bar Canmore

4.7

4.7 (852)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

American

Canmore

About the restaurant

A chef-driven bar in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Canmore, Alberta.

Top review

Cheri

Dined 2 days ago

Beautiful setting great service and really enjoyed the food. Def highly recommend

Farm & Fire

4.6

4.6 (1575)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Banff

About the restaurant

At Farm and Fire we believe that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Our menu features only the freshest ingredients from local Canadian farmers. Because it’s slow roasted and wood-fired, we bring out the natural flavours Mother Nature intended. Come enjoy our warm and open modern dining space. Toast with friends by the warmth of the fire and stay for a while. Or, order your food to go and dine wherever you like, at your own pace.

*PLEASE NOTE, WE HAVE LOTS OF SPACE FOR WALK-INS*

Top review

Salvador

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service was great! Restaurant is located in a hotel and our table was located adjacent to the lobby. I would prefer a restaurant with table seating away from the lobby.

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Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Loaf Signature Dish

Experience

Après Hour

The Prow

4.5

4.5 (227)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Banff

About the restaurant

At The Prow, we infuse the essence of adventure into every facet of your experience. As the vanguard of Rocky Mountain Cuisine, we are more than a restaurant; we are purveyors of an authentic and elevated Rocky Mountain experience. Whether introducing you to the nuanced flavours of Bison or enticing you with novel and exciting menu offerings, created with you in mind, The Prow is a haven for those seeking an authentic taste of the Rockies.

Indulge in traditional Rocky Mountain ingredients that have been elevated to new heights or unwind après adventure in the Canadian Rockies with tantalizing shareables.

Top review

Susanvip

Dined 5 days ago

Nice job on food, pretty busy for dinner and not over staffed to work it. Breakfast meals were better as far as very efficient service and prompt food service. Nice job, we understand it can be super busy !

El Patio Rooftop Taco Bar

4.5

4.5 (11)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Banff

About the restaurant

Open air sun-drenched rooftop taco bar located on the roof of Magpie & Stump in the heart of downtown Banff. A local favourite for fresh Mexican eats, tikki cocktails and casual drinks. Menu hits include loaded nachos, huge burritos, fresh salads, and of course tacos.

Open-air fiestas are our area of expertise, serving up margaritas and cervezas under the Banff sky to the sounds of local DJs.

*In case of inclement weather, your reservation will be moved downstairs to the Magpie & Stump where the same menu is available.

Top review

Gary

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food served by lovely people. Also the music was fantastic.

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Experience

🌮🍻 Taco Happy Hour🌮🍻

Experience

🌅 Sunset Sessions with DJ Corn 🌅

Experience

🎶 Acoustic Jams on El Patio 🎶

Magpie & Stump Mexican Restaurant + Bar

4.4

4.4 (398)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Banff

About the restaurant

Magpie & Stump guarantees a classic Banff experience complete with tacos, tequila and debauchery. This little piece of Mexico in the mountains serves up tacos, burritos, enchiladas and over 60 tequilas.
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In the summer months join us on 'El Patio' - our sun-drenched rooftop taco bar. Open-air starlight fiestas are also our area of expertise, serving up margaritas and cervezas under the Banff sky.
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Please note, your reservation is for the dining room. Patios are first come, first serve.

Top review

Jaime

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Restaurant ambiance was fun and maximalist. Lots of fun decor. Very full and the tables were close together. The service felt rushed. The server was friendly and efficient, but it seemed like they were trying to turn over the table, even though our reservation said we had more than an hour, we were finished in 45 minutes. The food was great. Lots of good choices on the menu. Kids meal felt a bit small.

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🌮 TACO TUESDAY @ THE MAGPIE & STUMP 🌮

Banff Ave Brewing Co.

4.4

4.4 (54)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Banff

About the restaurant

We’re Banff’s living room. We share Banff’s real mountain lifestyle – active living by day, living actively by night. Banff Ave Brewing is a place where locals come to share the stories of their mountain experience and plan the next one, and where out-of-town visitors come to feel comfortable and soak in the real Banff. We're stoked to offer three different spaces, two of which you can reserve tables for:

The Pub
Get comfy and hunker down for après-whatever in Banff’s almost-secret hideaway. Enjoy great craft brews and all your pub favourites in a casual venue that’ll make you feel like a local, no matter where you’re from.

The Lodge
Climb on up to our newest casual dining spot with an easy-going approach. Anchor in for Banff’s legit take on Detroit-style deep-dish pizza (if you know, you know), along with pasta and small plates – perfect for sharing with the crew.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Wonderful spot for a quick bite. The waiter was excellent and extremely helpful for first time travelers to this region. Food was very tasty.

Anejo Restaurant - Banff

4.4

4.4 (285)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Banff

About the restaurant

Welcome to Añejo, your go-to tequila experience. Our location is set in beautiful Banff, within a historic building built in the early 1900s. We are surrounded by mountains and an exuberance that stems from fresh air and unreal scenery. Our Añejo team is your tequila guide, serving as your connection to Mexican cuisine and spirits. The food that we offer is as vibrant as our décor and pairs perfectly with our selection of over 200 tequilas (the largest collection in Canada). Raise a glass with us to bright Mexican flavours and hand-crafted margaritas that can make anybody's day. ¡Salud!

Top review

Amy

Dined 2 days ago

Would recommend - the food was great and the Guacamole was AMAZING!

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