Banffshire Club
405 Spray Ave, Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, AB T1L 1J4
Refined and elegant, this distinguished restaurant pampers diners with fantastic regional cuisine and the soothing strains of a harp. The menu takes Canada's best ingredients and produces such dishes as roasted young partridge with truffles, pecan crusted caribou, and cedar-roasted Alaskan sable fish.
Bison Mountain Bistro
211 Bear St, Bison Courtyard, Banff, AB T1L 1E4
Attractive, contemporary-rustic décor is the ideal counterpart to Bison Mountain Bistro's fabulous Canadian cuisine. The bison burger, topped with Saskatoon berry chutney, comté and house-made smoked tomato ketchup, is scrumptious. Interesting wood-fired pizzas are a worthy choice – try one with local Valbella bacon, tomatoes, arugula and gouda.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Tunnel Mtn Rd, Banff, AB T1L 1B3
Lauded for its spectacular cuisine and carefully-chosen wine list, the BML makes terrific food and great service look easy. It's no mean task, however, to remain at the top, and the restaurant works feverishly to surmount expectations. The interior mixes rustic architecture with refined details; the cuisine adds to the excellence.
Chez Francois
1602 Bow Valley Tr, Canmore Mountain Lodge, Canmore, AB T1W
Since 1990, Chez Francois, located adjacent to the Canmore Mountain Lodge, has served some of the finest French cuisine in the region. Chef/owner Jean-Francois Gouin prepares classic dishes such as Feuillette d'Escargots, Coquille Saint-Jacques, duck a l'orange, and Filet de Veau Forestiere (veal with mushroom sauce).
Eden
100 Mountain Ave, Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, AB T0L 0C0
Multiple awards, including Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence and the AAA/CAA Five Diamond award, bespeak Eden's high standards. Service and décor are flawless – even the views are magnificent. The restaurant's refined French cuisine is perhaps best appreciated through a multi-course meal.
Evergreen
459 Banff Ave, Royal Canadian Lodge, Banff, AB T1L 1B4
Cozy and refined, this lovely restaurant transforms local ingredients into fabulous entrees that highlight the freshness and flavor of the Rockies. The open kitchen allows guests glimpses of the capable staff creating such entrees as wild mushroom crusted rack of Alberta lamb, oven roasted guinea hen, and grilled Arctic char.
Fuze
110 Banff Ave, Clock Tower Village Mall, Banff, AB T1L 1C9
"Finer dining" is the goal here, and Fuze has certainly mastered it. The award-winning establishment serves a fabulously eclectic, internationally inspired menu. You might start with the signature roasted tomato soup garnished with bacon, pesto cream and olive oil, or with a "trio of tartare" with scallops, tuna and salmon.
Le Beaujolais
Corner of Buffalo St and Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B5
Consistently awarded for its ambience and fine cuisine, this long-established gem is one of the area's best. The elegant, second-story restaurant envelops diners in luxury and attentive service, adding to the already-strong appeal of the food. Diners may choose from prix fixe or a la carte menus, both of which are incredible.
Maple Leaf Grille
137 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C8
Full of local character, this wonderful restaurant is a fashionable study in wood, stone, leather, copper and wrought iron. Dining areas and bars upstairs and down accommodate a multitude of guests, who come for the great food, beer and spirits. Representative dishes include flat bread pizzas and lamb burgers.
