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Such an amazing view. The food was okay. Our server was wonderful. We made reservations in advance. A bit spendy when you add up parking, gondola ride and the meal.
Delicious food, breathtaking scenery, friendly service! Enjoyed celebrating my birthday here! We got the beet salad to start- very tasty! For mains- we got duck frites and beef short rib- short rib was so tender and flavorful! For dessert, we got the haskap berry pastry- the crust was fantastic! We enjoyed our mocktails as well!
If you ever go up the Banff gondolas, then you have probably seen that there a couple places to dine and if you haven't well then let me convince you to go here. Are they a little pricey yes but the portions and the quality are so worth it. Me and my husband ended up ordering the same steak and they were incredible on the side. We ordered some seasonal carrots and they came with this sweet honey mustard sauce on them. Now I am quite a picky eater, and I ate everything. I was so stuffed by the end of this I had to hobble back to the gondola to go down. On top of that we had an amazing waitress named Carla and I don't think that we could've gotten any better service. She cared, she gave advice, she yapped. We let them know that this was our honeymoon and they offered us a little sip of bubbles and a small dessert to share. Now the place is a little small and can get pretty full but for the food and the view, worth it. 10/10
So the view is a given. And what a view! Then I was pleasantly surprised that the food was quite good. We didn't get past the smaller plates, but had a nice assortment. Favorites were the Bison Carpaccio and the Mushroom Pate. The Roe and Chips were also tasty. The cocktails were creative, but we noticed that the bar got pretty backed up quickly. We appreciated our server's honesty about some dishes and the bar and kitchen issues, so all was good. A relaxing and enjoyable experience!
We had great hospitality here with our server, Jorge! He provided really good recommendations, and he also took the time to share with us what to do after lunch! I had a dairy lactose intolerant situation and he was very helpful. We ordered the duck wings as our appetizer, and this blew my wife's mind because she never was into duck, but this dish changed the game for her. Very well prepared and it was super crispy and the presentation was everything. It had a chili Asian crisp taste to it. Our next dish was the vegetable Wellington! Surprisingly, this was really good for something that was vegan. Not that I'm a vegan person, but I just want to try something that was non-dairy. It paired really well with the sauce. The squash and mushroom hit it off. We also ordered some white prawns, and that was really fresh as well! And the most important thing was the view! Try to get an opportunity to sit next to the window because you have an awesome view of the mountains. What better way to enjoy lunch or dinner with the view.
What could be better than dining atop a beautiful mountain in the heart of Alberta Canada? During our trip to Banff National Park, I surprised my man with a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and a tasty lunch at this bistro that comes with phenomenal views. Reservations are a must and make sure you book way in advance. We were there in late September so the season was shifting. Our day up here weather wise was overcast and a little chilly but we had a great time. Ok, let's talk about the food and drink. We started with a loaded Sky Caesar. This drink was perfect to share and it got our taste buds going. To begin our meal, we ordered the Caesar salad which was so light but really good. Next we enjoyed the Canadian Chowder, the beef burger (with delicious Alberta meat), and the Tagliatelle. We really loved our meal and trying the Canadian Chowder was fun. Service was great and our view was panoramic from every angle. I really love the huge windows that allow you to view the gorgeous Canadian Rockies. It was a perfect way to spend our last day here and I highly recommend should you take the gondola up to the top. A great date place!
Despite the smoke haze from nearby fires, the ceiling to floor windows overlooking Banff atop Sulfur Mountain was still amazing (even with the haze)! Moreover, the food was top notch. Sure, it came with a price, but it was far better than most top of the mountain foods I've crossed paths with in recent history. I ordered the smoked salmon which was served layered atop and in between potato pancakes. Dill cream cheese, roe, and some pickled onions also added bites of creaminess, richness, and acidity that made the dish very very tasty. My friends ordered a variety of other dishes including the bangers and mash, fried chicken, and a very plant forward pasta. Out of all of those, I do think the bangers and mash were my favorite. We also ordered some drinks and there was a Saskatoon cider that was super tasty! All in all, great experience! Get a reservation if you want a seat closer to the window to enjoy the views. You can take the gondola to this restaurant if you don't want to ascend the 2400m on foot, but my friends and I? We exercise to eat!
We dined at 7:45 and they were out of so many food and beverage options. I enjoyed the alpine Caesar and the tagliatelle but would not recommend the roe chips as an appetizer since the chips were slightly chewy. Overall, the experience did not match the high prices.
We got super lucky! No reservation. Just took a chance and walked in. We were willing to go back down the mountain and find something in town but thought what the heck... let's ask. I think we hit the timing 'just right'. Folks were leaving as we walked in. Plus, we were only 2 people. If you had more than 2... that'was more of a challenge and a long wait. The bar seating is first come, first serve. Of course, there are only like 5 seats at the small bar, and we would have sat there as it looked like people were finishing up, but the hostess said she had a table for 2 open up. Service was very good as was the food. The surprise of the night.... Pistachio Pate. I wanted to give it a try because it sounded different but really was not expecting it to be as good as it was. I mean... you don't even miss the 'meat'. It's rich and creamy and the pickled veg really help cut the richness. It's a creative... innovative dish that really is a delight. My duck was quite tasty although I wish the skin was a bit more cooked ... seared more. It was a bit too chewy. The husband ordered the Bison and it was rich and tender. Quite delicious! All in all... a lovely dinner and experience. If this is someplace you really really want to dine at... highly recommend a reservation. If you want to wing it like we did, I hope it works out as well for you as it did for us.
The views and ambiance-8/10 very beautiful, I recommend to get a reservation if you can Food-4/10 overpriced obviously, but if the quality was good I wouldn't mind. My burger came out well done even tho I told them medium rare....it took 100 years to get too. Service was sooooooo slow. Service -2/10. I understand if ur busy, but when people who came AFtER you get their food before you that is just ridiculous. And I'm expecting the food to be top notch if I wait a million years. The chowder soup we got was very good but it was lukewarm! It tasted like it had been sitting out! So disappointed.
The restaurant is located at the top of the gondola ride on the third floor of the building. We made reservations weeks in advanced. When we showed up 10-minutes early there was a couple in front of us that didn't have a reservation and they were given a shaded window seat with a view of Banff National Park. We, with reservations made weeks prior, were given seats with the sun beating on us and a gorgeous view of the their solar panels on their lower roof. This was upsetting to say the least. What was the point of making a reservation then? We ordered the smoked salmon and short rib beef tartine. The short rib beef tartine was solid, but I wasn't impressed by the "smoked" salmon. It was nothing special, the salmon didn't taste smoked at all. Would not recommend that dish to anyone. We also ordered the Apple mule zero-proof cocktail. This was fine. Our server, Makiko, was awesome. She talked through the menu and answered our questions. She heard that we're going down to Canmore tomorrow and recommended their farmers market. She was a rare bright spot in our dining experience.
I've heard that it's worth it to stop by for a meal at this spot but I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical due to it being in a tourist attraction. I'm glad I was wrong! This was one of the best experiences I had in Banff. The food was amazing, and actually reasonably priced for the premium meats/seafood you are getting. The short rib dish was incredible and the seafood chowder was loaded and delicious. And we really appreciated the service here and that they tried to seat my wife and I at the windows. It was a great lunch with absolutely spectacular views!
Our hosts brought us to the top of Sulphur mountain to enjoy some snowy views and planned for a lunch at Sky Bistro. It was completely foggy and snowy outside, which made it feel like we were dining in the clouds. The main dining area feels cozy and inviting, with great service from all the staff. The lunch came with a soup or salad and an entrée, I ended up getting the seafood chowder and the rancher's pie. The seafood chowder was really good, filled with tender clams, snappy shrimp, and smoky bacon without being overly heavy or thick. The topping of tobiko was really unique, it added a nice texture and brightness to the soup. The rancher's pie was a huge portion and came with a little side salad. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful, and I appreciated the time they took to pipe it on top. The braised short rib below was so tender, with bits of delicious thick-cut bacon in the mix too. We got to enjoy conversation after lunch too, we weren't rushed in any regard. Overall, this was such a great meal, from the ambiance to the service to the food. Best meal I had in Alberta by far!
3 years ago
Service is good, our server was so nice and attentive. Food is good specially the Bison and the beef, my daughter had the ravioli and she wasn't happy, it was in the main dish but when it came out, the size was like a sampler! We couldn't believe it, lol! The view was gorgeous! read more
3 years ago
Came here on a Thursday for lunch. We got seated in 5 mins without a reservation. The views were great and the food was very tasty. Especially the seafood chowder which not only had a rich seafood flavor but also a variety of texture. Set I d was great too. Very friendly and approachable staff. read more
2 years ago
Beautiful location. Really tasty food. Very special!. We were a family of four going for lunch. Few things I would point out- 1. They only let party of two sit right next to the window. The view from the middle of the restaurant is good, but not as spectacular as the ones right agains the floor to ceiling glass windows. 2. The burger is great. The dessert is truly special. I had the "Eton mess". 3. The prawns were very good, but undercooked (raw in the middle). They obliged and cooked to again, but then it was overcooked. Aside from this, it's a really great experience. Would recommend it to anyone read more
2 years ago
Beautiful views! Food was good, not incredible. Service was a bit slow. All said, its worth it for the unique setting and views. read more
5 years ago
It happened to be a gorgeous sunny day, so on a spur of the moment decision, I hopped on a bus to the Banff gondola and while waiting in line, booked a reservation at sky bistro. Luckily I snagged one of the last reservations, for which I was grateful after I arrived and saw the amount of walk ins. The design of the restaurant is so beautiful, the large windows giving breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. As far as the food and service, I was expecting to be served overpriced and not very tasty dishes, but happily I was wrong! I got the soup, roasted chicken dish and peach dessert. Everything was very well done and flavorful. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful experience! read more
4 years ago
Really enjoyed our dining experience here at Sky Bistro! I found them via an article on the Banff/Lake Louise tourism site. As soon as I saw the pics of these views, I knew my boyfriend and I had to go! I had done enough research and wanted to book on Open Table, but this restaurant only books out 4 weeks in advance. So I set a reminder on my phone to book this exactly 4 weeks prior. I ended up with no issues. But just a heads' up to make sure you get this booked as I'm sure reservations fill up very fast (especially during peak season). One thing I will say is that it takes a lot to actually get to this restaurant. But once you get there, the views and experience make it worth the hassle. For starters, you of course need a gondola ticket ($50 USD/person). And even though we had our gondola tickets, we were notified that the parking at the gondola base is always full. So then they give you instructions on areas in downtown Banff where you can park and get on the bus (luckily it's free to ride the bus if you show them your gondola ticket). This did require us to ensure we were parked and waiting for the bus at 4:30p for a 6pm reservation. So take note, that dining here could require an additional 90 minutes of time that you will need to plan for. As nervous as I was that we wouldn't make it there in time, we ended up getting to the restaurant at 5:40pm and they sat us right away, even though our reservation wasn't until 6pm. The hostess and wait staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. I had even put on the Open Table reservation that we were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday and requested a window seat. I assumed they get that request a lot so I didn't actually expect to get seated there. But we sure did and had an amazing view the entire time! I ordered a glass of the Rocky Mountain Cab. it was delicious. We also ordered the bread as an appetizer. It was very scrumptious, but I was surprised they didn't have any complimentary bread here (that may just be a US thing though). I got the Alberta Braised Short Rib and my boyfriend got the Chop and Fries for our entrees. When they brought out our meal, I felt like it was a small plate of food. I was super hungry after hiking all day. But after I finished my meal, I actually felt like it was the perfect portion size! I am so used to places that have massive portion sizes that this seemed underwhelming at first. But upon being a member of the "Clean Plate Club," I realized that all restaurants should be more mindful of portion sizes. It was very delicious and the short rib just completely melts in your mouth. I also liked the potatoes/French fries that came with it. There were only 4 of them, but again, they were the perfect amount and felt like an upscale twist on a classic side dish. Given we were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday, we also ordered the Apple Pie for dessert. They made it really special with a candle and a happy birthday chocolate. Such a great experience! All told, I highly recommend Sky Bistro if you are in the Banff area. It is definitely a dining experience unlike any other! read more
2 years ago
One off the best experiences in my time at Banff. Granted it took us 3.5 hours to hike up the mountain where the restaurant is located, so we were starving. But the place is magnificent and if you would prefer, there is a beautiful gondola that can take ypu up instead! The food was absolutely top notch, the menu was very thoughtfully made with fresh ingredients and interesting but delicious flavor combinations. Each dish was a work of art and the decor inside honestly didn't matter as you have the veiw of a mountain range to look at instead. read more
5 years ago
Lunch & a view! My husband and I stopped in after hiking up Sulphur mountain and we were rewarded with great food and an even better view. We ordered the chicken (chicken and waffles) and cheese (lux grilled cheese) and both were delicious. We particularly enjoyed the chicken and waffles and raved about it for most of the day afterwards! Service was super friendly and quick, but not rushed. We took our time at the windows edge and really enjoyed our lunch! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
We ate at the Sky Bistro after hiking up Sulfur Mountain. It was a really lovely spot on the top of the hill and we had a chance to watch the sunset as we ate our meals. If you decide you'd like to eat here we recommend the starter bread (it is so good) perhaps our recommendation may be hindered by the fact that we were starved after our hike. Regardless, this place was amazing and it is a key memory of our stay at Banff. read more
2 years ago
The food was really good and the cocktails were amazing! Since we were a party of 2, we were seated next to the window (looked like only 2-person tables were right up to the window but you can enjoy the views from anywhere in the restaurant really). Our server, Holly, was very friendly! read more
5 years ago
While travelling the Western Provinces for our anniversary we took a trip up the Banff Gondola for dinner at the top. We were greeted by the pleasant staff at the front and seated at a window table. The views alone are worth the trip, but the service and food is exceptional. We couldn't have asked for a better server than Robert. He knew the menu inside out and could easily recommend something to our liking. Throughout the meal, he would check in with us without being overbearing, and even offered to take our photo for us. As for the food, we started with the Pan Seared BC scallops served with compressed peach Salsa which was prepared perfectly making me wish there were more than two.. For entrees we ordered the Sable Fish which my wife said was buttery smooth, and I had the Tomahawk Pork Chop with Torched Cauliflower Florets which was delicious and perfectly portioned. Dessert comprised of two Peach Cobblers that did not disappoint, although I did find the ginger a touch heavy with certain bites. Drinks were a simple Coke and a Sangria. While the Sky Bistro certainly ranks up there in terms of price, it is definitely worth it for a special occasion or romantic dinner. read more
Five star views. Three star food. I 100% recommend the experience and would say it's a must during any visit to Banff for a scenic pre-sunset dinner (if you're eating at normal winter dinner hours, you'll be missing out on those stellar views!) There are a few vegetarian items that can be veganized, which is very much appreciated if not executed to their fullest potential. I started with the Chef's Winter Salad, which was my favorite of the two items that I ordered. Featuring baby kale lightly tossed with just the right amount of vinaigrette, the roasted root vegetables added a complimentary texture and sweetness to the slightly bitter kale. The pan-fried polenta cake, my entree, was a little less exciting. Don't get me wrong, it's beautifully arranged on the plate, but I definitely needed to add salt. I rarely say this, but damn, that was a meager portion, especially in comparison to what I saw being brought out to others at my table. Just because one is vegan doesn't mean they demand bird-sized portions (given similar price points)! I was so bedazzled by the experience, I didn't care all that much about the fact that I was not in love with the food. Experience is sometimes more important, y'know? read more
Our family of eight (8) had a really great meal here during our visit to the mountain. We had to book two tables of four (4) for 6:30 pm on our reservation, but they were able to get us in about an hour early and seat all eight (8) of us together once we were in person. Great food and great service. And of course you cannot beat those beautiful views. read more
4 years ago
Delicious and beautiful! The experience riding up to the restaurant had such amazing views and was the perfect start to a delicious dinner. Make sure to make a reservation because it was packed! For a starter I got the seafood chowder and wow was it delicious. Perfectly creamy and had a great variety of different seafood. For a main I got the beef and it was delicious as well! Our waiter (Ian) was so kind and took time to chat with us about our travels and also answer any questions we had. He was so quick and made sure we had a great dining experience! Would definitely recommend eating here! read more
Second time I've been here, and it's pretty much what you expect. The food is slightly above average and the view is spectacular. The service is good, the only complaint I have was that the food took awhile to come out. The seafood soup was pretty good- very seafood -y in taste but filled with lots of seafood bits. I ordered the grilled cheese and it was great, but my sister ordered the chicken and waffles and I was blown away! Overall, I'll be back! read more
4 years ago
The view is astounding in this place. We went in July, and if you could get a view near the window, it's definitely an experience. The service alone was a delight. Sasha was pleasure, she definitely made the experience even better. Very involved, and loved to strike conversation. Had celebrated a bday and she made it special. Their Lamb Chop had flavor and was a decent portion, was satisfied after that alone. I also had their old fashion and presentation alone was amazing. Was a smooth finish and well balanced old fashioned., you don't really get in too many places believe it or not. If you are in this area definitely try and get a reservation and experience it. read more
4 years ago
Such beautiful views while enjoying our delicious dinner! Our waitress, Sasha, made it an even more amazing and fun experience! Definitely worth eating here if you're lucky enough to get a reservation. We went to celebrate my birthday and my whole group got complimentary champagne. Absolutely wonderful experience and would love to go back! read more
Wait was long but expected. The brisket I got was extremely flavorful and tender. Loved the chimichurri sauce. Nice kick to balance out the richness. Amazing view. Great service. Would definitely come back if I ever hike the Sulphur mountain again but I would make a reservation next time. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
9 years ago
Hike up Sulphur Mountain or take a gondola ride up to Sky Bistro for the view alone! Subpar food but excellent views and atmosphere. Service was okay. But it's the views you come here for. The butternut squash soup was super salty and the seafood chowder had the most peculiar flavour - quite brothy and vinegar like. Of the 5 people at my table, only 1 person liked their soup and would order it again. The spicy Asian noodle bowl was yummy but overpriced. You really are paying for the view here so next time I'd probably just order appetizers and wine to share and revel in the gorgeous views. read more
7 years ago
Great location with one of a kind views. Gondola ride to the restaurant adds to the experience. The food was above average and just needed some extra tweaks to take it up a notch. We had the best seat in the corner window with great vistas. Arrive early than booked and request a window seat it's worth the wait. The over all package was excellent with regards to all the components, arrival, views, food and service. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Very pricey and what you're paying for is the view and location. Ordered two appetizers and two entrees: watermelon salad; pea soup with Canadian bacon; lamb chops; and ravioli. The only thing that was good (and by good I mean delicious and the reason this is a 3 stars and not 2) was the Pea Soup. The watermelon salad was literally watermelon tossed into an otherwise middle of the road salad; the lamb chops were the smallest things I've seen (and no mint jelly - what?!?!), and the ravioli? When they say ravioli, they mean one, singular, huge ravioli. The sauce was clear and more brothy than ravioli sauce - very unusual and I didn't finish eating it. I'm sure there were other better dishes (especially a seafood concoction I saw the couple next to me were partaking in) but for me, this place was not worth the money (again, other than the Pea Soup). I'd save the money and eat in Banff instead - so many options. read more
4 years ago
This Indian reception guy is so rude and unprofessional. Had a such terrible experience because of him! read more
7 years ago
Amazing views, amazing service. We started with Bison Tartar and the Halibut and Prawns they were outstanding. Then had the chowder, beet salad and berry salad again phenomenal. For our entrees we had beef and halibut and holy smokes they were just as good. For dessert we had the chocolate pate, it was good but not as good compared to the rest of the meal. Service was incredible. Tips: If you park, it's tough finding parking. But there are shuttles that leave at designated times from a couple different locations, check the Banff Gondola website for times. The gondolas go every 5 seconds and is about an 8 minute ride up to the top. Call if you're running late they were very accommodating. If you buy the dining package (which I recommend) make sure to tip on the full amount not the discounted amount. (We ordered extras and drinks). Lastly, go inside to get your tickets, we waited outside unnecessarily lol. read more
7 years ago
I really wanted to LOVE this place.. It fell short. Let me start by saying we thought we would get a seat with a view. However, we understand the more people that arrive the more people you have to cramp into a small place. It was disappointing. They sat us next to window that oversees what looks like solar panels. Didn't offer to wait for sitting with nicer view or anything.. Finally, sitting at our table hoping the food will make up for it. We sat down ordered wine. Looked over the menu and decided to order the starter/appetizer. It took more than 20 minutes to get that. In their defense the Chowder was very delicious. Moving on.. we ordered out entrees.. My brother and I had the 10oz House Smoked Alberta Angus Striploin, Olive & Cauliflower Tapenade, Grilled Asparagus. It took another 30 minutes to get our meal. Long story short, it was so dry and flavorless. Once again the views are incredible and you already get that from coming up on the gondolas. The restaurant really had nothing special. Would not recommend this restaurant. read more
Made our reservations in advance and it was well worth it. Had a friendly waiter who was helpful when picking our food and drinks. We both had fish that was amazing. I couldn't think of a cooler place to eat at. Be sure to make a reservation or you may not get in. read more
We went to the Sky Bistro after the hike. We enjoyed this experience very much! We got the beet salad, bison and halibut, 10oz house smoke Alberta angus striploin and the cauliflower. The presentation of these dishes were very appetizing. All those dishes were good, except the striploin. That one was just ok. The ambience of this restaurant was very nice and also had a good view of the mountain and the hike. Our server was very nice too, very friendly and polite. If we get to come back to this this hike, we'll definitely come to this restaurant again. read more
8 years ago
Enjoyed the Sky Bistro today for lunch with my husband for his birthday. Overall: Food was OK - views were spectacular, service def. needed help. Getting there: Taking the gondola up was an experience. I'd recommend to go for lunch so you can take in all the views and definitely go on the boardwalk so you can check out the mountain peak! Food: Got the burger which was OK (they didn't ask how I wanted it cooked) and they didn't provide any ketchup. The soup included with it was good but very salty for a vegetable soup. The service was horrible as they rarely checked on us. I had to ask for my water to be filled up after waiting 15 mins for someone to come check on us to even see if our food was right. Overall would def go back again to take in the views and enjoy some dining. read more
4 years ago
A great experience in Banff that I'd highly recommend! Definitely on the pricier side but not bad for what it is. The views and the ambiance inside are breathtaking and the presentation of food was beautiful. Our waiter was super fun and kind as well. I tasted the salmon and short rib and both were quite flavorful. The salmon was cooked really well--tender and not dry on the inside and crispy on the outside. I felt that there could be a bit more depth of flavor for the salmon but overall I enjoyed the dish. The short rib was marinated really well in sauce and the sweet potato purée was so good! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
This place was great. I was expecting it to be nothing special since it's a big tourist spot, but I have to say this was a great restaurant. The view was spectacular and the service was A+. The waiter made sure to always have our water glass full and made sure we got more drinks if we needed them. The restaurant opens at 11am and we got there right when it opened to that way we didn't have to wait in line. My sandwich was fantastic. I ordered the beef brisket sandwich and it was amazing. I ordered fries on the side and they were crispy and golden and super good. Our gondola ride to go up was at 10:30am and we came down at 2:20pm. We had plenty of time to walk around and see the view and have a great meal read more
3 years ago
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