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What a wonderful location for a big celebration. My 50th. Great eats. Excellent service. I was hoping for a candle in my dessert.
I'd say this is probably one of the must-try restaurant in downtown Banff! The hamachi crisp, bison short rib and cucumber salad are all 10/10!! The warm vibe with snowing sightseeing were very welcoming!
What a great experience! Today was our first day in Banff and we are so happy we picked The Bison to be our first meal here. The restaurant is a modern vibe with gorgeous Mountain View's. The food here was elevated - beautiful presentation but also tasted as good as it looked! We had the roasted duck and the pistachio crusted bison short rib. The Ricotta toast - oh my goodness so good. Service was so friendly and attentive, we never had to wait for anything we needed. The drinks were also incredible. Highly recommend the Wild Rose Sour! We're here all week, there's a high chance we come back again!
The dishes were good, but it wasn't mind blowing amazing. We had the beet salad, bison, duck and beef tartare.
The Bison was, far and away, the best meal we had in the Banff area. Every dish we ordered was superb, but the bison tartare was for sure the standout. The grapefruit cocktail also was one of the better cocktails we've had in a really long time. The tomato tarts were perfect, and so was the burrata. The staff were super friendly and charming, and made the whole experience wonderful. Couldn't recommend enough!
I have had bison before but when in Alberta, why not? Reservations were not too hard as we made one right after we finished hiking one of the trails of Lake Louise, for a reservation 2 hrs later, for Saturday dinner. It is interesting they close at 9 but they have reservations at 9, so maybe the last seating is at 9. In any case, we snagged a spot at the counter for the ambience and space to take pictures, while some of the standard table seating offers some views of Banff town, depending on availability. We got the bison tomahawk for 2 which was MP but they said it was 210 CAD which is fairly pricy. We also got a large glass of wine to share (which they willingly split the large glass into 2 smaller ones) to pair with the tomahawk. The bison tomahawk was huge, with a good amount of fat in some parts and there were some tendons in other parts. We got the tomahawk medium rare but it was too rare so they went back to recook it a bit more, making it less chewy. The chimichurri is delicious and the fixings (potatoes and broccolini) make this a complete meal. We were stuffed from just that so that is all we got. Service is okay - water refills were present and they check up on us, though it is not stellar for the caliber of the restaurant.
Hands down the BEST dinner we had in banff. We ended up starting with the scallops and getting the wood fired duck and venison tenderloin for our main courses. We were so impressed we also got the butternut squash gnocchi so we could try more dishes haha. Our waiter was laughing with us at how much we were ordering, but it was so good! Honestly, for the quality, it's definitely worth the price. Would come back 10/10. I would recommend getting a reservation as it was pretty packed when we got there
Top 10 Canadian fine dining. Wow. I came in with so much expectation. Unfortunately, every dish I order was mid. - The tartare was surprisingly oily for such a lean meat like bison. - The beet salad was strangely salty, as if the salt sprinkle was only for half of the plate. - The duck confit was a lesson on a bad combination of textures. The shredded duck was again so salty and oily. The duck breast was tough. The worst of all, the bed of crispy rice hurts my gum. The beautiful presentation and the fine dining look cannot explain why no dish makes sense. The drinks were great, I will give them that. Maybe I didn't like the food at all because I am not from the region. But the flavors here were, at best, a premium American restaurant, not top 10 in my opinion.
Made a reservation here after we e biked from Canmore to Banff. Great overall experience and we're very satisfied with what we ordered. Pricier cocktails, but all very good. We were in between the tomahawk for two meal and getting a few things and settled on this.... Venison tenderloin (5/5) -- perfectly cooked, not gamey, 4 pieces, we loved the carrot puree and farro it came with. Bison Tartare (5/5)- I will always and forever order a tartare and this was delicious. It comes with bread pieces. Bison Caesar (5/5)-- lovvvvvved this. Not too anchovy despite this chunks on top. One of the better Caesar salads I've had in a while. I will say the tomahawk meal is pricier (210 at this time) but it comes with a good amount of food and large portion. I have read nothing but good things. I wish we had an additional night to go back and get this bc "When in Banff..." They have a somewhat covered patio but not covered enough if it rains so keep in mind when making a reservation. Great atmosphere upstairs with the bar and had a friendly and informative waitress.
The service is impeccable! We decided to share appetizers such as the Bison Tartare, Hamachi Crudo, and more! All were fantastic! The Alberta Bison Tomahawk stole the show with a whopping 30oz steak meant to feed two! Cooked to a perfect medium rare as ordered- we all couldn't resist a bite.
4.5/5 stars. We made a reservation here for dinner. For appetizers, we got the bison tartare ($31) and the tomato tartlet ($11.50). The bison tartare came with four pieces of bread and a good amount of tartare. The tartare was soft and flavorful. The tomato tartlets were so cute and yummy - crispy and lightly cheesy. For entrees, we got the venison tenderloin ($64) and bison short rib ($72). The venison was so tender and wasn't too gamey. The short ribs were flavorful and mostly tender, although some parts were drier. The pasta that came with the short ribs were tasty. Overall, a nice ambiance for dinner with enjoyable food, although on the pricey side
Loved the energy and open kitchen, but I felt the food and some aspect of the service was lacking since the restaurant says they're fine dining and proud to be farm to table. Out of the three dishes we ordered, I liked the escargot the best. The shell was already removed and was cooked nicely with the rest of the ingredients. At first I did like the fried garlic on top of the dish, but the gnocci also had fried garlic on top which I felt made the dishes lazy. You can't go wrong with fried garlic and it makes me wonder how many other dishes are topped the same. The gnocci had inconsistent texture, some being chewy and others pillowy soft. The duck dish was delicious. It had duck breast and some shredded crispy duck leg. With a bit of everything, the eggplant, duck, crispy rice, and broth, it made for the perfect bite. Our waitress was friendly and was well versed on the menu and specials. The staff was attentive, stopping by to ask how we are and filling up our cups, but when food was delivered to our table I was expecting them to describe the dishes and where the ingredients come from. For the escargot, the staff did a bit by saying what's in the dish but nothing for the mains. I understand they have a map on the first page of the menu that says where they get their ingredients but it would be nice to connect it with the orders in front of us.
3 years ago
I enjoyed the food and service. A bit expensive but delicious grass fed bison! Will definitely return when in the area. read more
5 years ago
This restaurant should not be missed if in Banff. The duck was outstanding but the bison ribeye was absolutely wonderful. The waiter was knowledgeable and introduced me to an excellent Syrah from Okanagan Valley that fit perfectly with the bison. A true farm to table experience. read more
8 years ago
We stop by in Banff once in a while. There were a few refusals that evening- but we kept walking. But this place took us in- over a long wknd. We were seated at the bar- I didn't like that, but my guy was so cold, I didnt care, I just wanted him to warm up. We love Banff, and now this place is top on our list. Great food, atmosphere & staff bar staff are great. We loved our time here. read more
11 years ago
A mid-upscale restaurant in Banff that is a great place for a date or peaceful, delicious dinner with a lovely ambiance and view by the window. While road tripping through Canada with my boyfriend, we stayed a night in the cute and bustling Banff. We looked for a nice place to eat and settled on The Bison. It shares a space with The Tavern downstairs, so it's easy to get confused between the two. The Tavern is a more casual pub type venue downstairs, so if that's your scene, check it out. The Bison staff recommend you make a reservation, as it does get packed. I called in for a same day reservation and there was only 5:15pm and 9:45pm left, so 5:15pm it was! My boyfriend and I ordered a gnocchi poutine to share, bison ribeye for him, and venison strip loin for me. The gnocchi is extremely pillowy and soft, the cheese is gloriously melted with gravy, and there is a good amount of elk in the dish, all of which comes in a mini cast iron skillet. The bison ribeye, medium rare, was perfectly seasoned and juicy, without any gamey flavor. I didn't care for the potatoes it came with though. The venison, also medium rare, was lean yet so tender and flavorful. On the plate also were three potato croquettes, various veggies, berries, and two sauces that did not taste like very much. Not a very cohesive dish in my opinion, but the venison was still very tasty. The Bison is upstairs with a lovely view by the window, is warmly decorated with a great ambiance and friendly, attentive service. I would recommend it to visitors to Banff looking for a bit of local flavor and hospitality. read more
The chef pays close attention to detail! Everything was wonderful. I had the Alberta Bison Striploin cooked medium, and it was incredible. Perfect Dijon & herb crusting on top of the steak. Potatoes & broccoli were superb as well. Definitely will be returning next time I visit Banff! Drink: forgot the name, but it was a delicious sour whiskey cocktail. Desert drink: whiskey, espresso, and cream. Perfect way to cap the experience! read more
5 years ago
2 years ago
~Oh, give me a home where the Bison roam~ Alberta Bison Tataki, Braised Bison Tongue with Horseradish Slaw(2017), Alberta Raised Bison Ribeye, and a glass of red. Regional cliche in a positive manner which is part of the experience one comes to Banff to live and breath. Bison is not cheap, that was my first impression. Next, I told myself I would not be getting any Bison of this fresh quality back in Toronto. The Bison dishes came and we were absolutely ecstatic. The Bison Restaurant serves as an elegant dinner after a long day of parks exploration and souvenir shopping. I would suggest to dress more towards smart casual than sweaty lumberjack. Full house in a rustic second-story floor with gentle sunlight coming through overlooking stunning mountainscape. The service aspect has that mix of high heels or hiking boot balance perfect for the visiting travelling diners. I feel so much more Canadian now. read more
7 years ago
Who knew Bison could be so delicious? Both the service and the food were perfect. For starters we got the Broccolini - the dressing on that is something that I am going to be trying to replicate at home for the rest of time - it had so much flavor. For mains we had the Bison Ribeye and Bison Striploin. Personally I thought that the striploin was the better of the two. Would 100% recommend for anyone who visits the area! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
We rolled out of here deliriously full, but with no complaints. Elegant, candlelit ambience on the upper floor. *Be sure to reserve, it does fill quickly. Our waiter, if a little comical, was a fun local to chat up (we'd met mostly Aussie and British waitresses thus far) with personal stories and anecdotes, plus trail tips for our upcoming journey to Jasper. Without disclosing how few of us took on this beast, here's the big breakdown. Our feast: - Elk poutine: We swore off poutine or anything fried for the rest of the trip, but had to make an exception here. Insist you do the same. In hindsight, I'd order only that and a glass of their Cabernet Sauvignon. Their clever twist replaces fries with gnocchi, nestled between braised elk ragu and crispy onions. - Bison Trio: unlisted on their online menu, a heavy ambush once there. Bison sausage, ribeye and short rib with potatoes glistening in duck fat. Brace yourselves. More or less blacked out by dessert, but do recall enjoying the whiskey coffee drink that pulled us through it. read more
3 years ago
This was the first restaurant we tried and it was so good and basically put every restaurant we tried after to shame. We arrived around 4pm on a Tuesday and they seated us quickly upstairs outside. The food and drinks were amazing, but the service wasn't super attentive (we had to ask for water a couple times and it wasn't really that busy). Their bison rib-eye is a must-have, would 100% recommend. We also tried the bison short rib and scallops, all very good. Portion sizes were perfect; everybody at the table finished their plates and were full. read more
7 years ago
Top notch food and the service was awesome. We did not have a reservation and it is recommended since this place can be busy but sat down quickly and enjoyed the scenery while we ate. I had the Chicken and veggies and it was awesome, it is a bit pricey a Bison steak can run up to 66.00 so be prepared. My chicken meal came to about 36.00 CAD without tip, not to bad to the quality of food! read more
3 years ago
Best restaurant I went to while visiting Banff. We started with the octopus which was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. For mains we shared the bison short ribs and duck. The bison short ribs fell off the bone and were delicious. The duck was my favorite dish as it was cooked perfectly and the crispy duck fat rice was amazing. The portions were quite large and very satisfying. The service was impeccable with our server being just the right amount of attentive and the food came out quickly. If you are in Banff, I highly recommend coming here. read more
8 years ago
We came here on our first day in Banff. I had read many good reviews and was excited to try! The weather was great and the restaurant wasn't busy at all on Tuesday evening, so we got a table on their rooftop patio (any place with rooftop patio in Banff is going to have a great view). For starters, we got their meat and cheese board. It was good starter (and introduction to produce of Alberta) with cured meats of local game, and several cheeses, however, we felt it was a tad pricey for the amount and variety offered. For entrees, we got the Bow River trout and the Bison Short ribs. The Bow River trout was perfectly cooked, but to be honest we felt it was overpriced. The Bison short ribs were tender and fall off the bone, accompanied with sunchokes. The black garlic and maple glaze imparted a rich, almost coffee-like depth to the meat. The bison was satisfying and filling. Overall, we were pleased with our first meal in Banff, albeit a bit pricey for the food, but then again, we're in Banff. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
I had came to this restaurant as a lone traveler. At first I was hesitant about sitting here alone, because it looked kind of upscale. But I was really surprised by the warm hospitality and the food that I received. The restaurant has a very warm, modern vibe to it with the interiors to match. It felt upscale yet hygge. I was seated by the window, which I thought was very considerate. Before ordering, a group of other customers invited me over to their table so that I wouldn't have to eat alone, which I thought was very sweet. :) I had ordered the elk poutine, and half a salad. This was definitely more than enough for one person!! - pink peppercorn salad (half) $9.5 - not a big fan of peppercorn I realized... hahaha! But the salad was very fresh, with a light amount of sauce. It was just right! - gnocchi poutine with elk ($19) - yum!!! I really enjoyed this dish, although, I honestly can't tell how elk meat is different... :/ - bread soaked in maple butter (complimentary)- oh my gosh, soaked in butter!!! This was so delicious!! The customer service was great! My waitress was very attentive and checked in with me often and was such a delight to talk to. I would definitely dine here again with or without friends!! Also, random fact I learnt here was that this restaurant often donated their leftovers to the local food shelter which distributes food for free. Food can also be dropped off at the local IGA supermarket as well! Definitely good to know if you've been hiking all over and have a bunch of hiking bars leftover! read more
7 years ago
We had the best time. We celebrated our one year anniversary here - we Sat at the bar and enjoyed the food and our bartender Ryan! We ordered the bison trio - ridiculously good. We also had the shisito peppers yum!!! I ordered the espresso martini for dessert. It was perfect. Best time. read more
3 years ago
delicious steaks, great drinks, and service that will keep you coming back. kitchen seems very well organized and well priced. must visit for your stay read more
9 years ago
Bow River Trout was really really good, Other dishes were pretty good, but they ran out of Bison strip loins, and no Bison tongue too bad. Ambient: 4.5 Service: 4 Foods: 4 Cleanliness: 4.5 Uniqueness: 4.5 read more
The pizza tavern is downstairs and this elegant restaurant sits above offering exquisite drinks and meals. Finding a spot at the bar with Willow working, she was quick to greet me and offer a super delicious cocktail with local Park Distillery gin, rosemary, lemon and a tonic from France which helped make the drink. True to their name, the menu offers a selection of dreamy bison dishes which I had to try and it's all sourced locally to western Canada. Bison short ribs came out in a hot skillet with potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and a touch of arugula over the top. Each bite of bison had a million ounces of tender juicy flavors which you want to slowly eat to make it last forever. The sauce it's prepared in is a total bread dipper after to clean up the skillet. I didn't as I soaked it all up with the brisket. Not often do I order a dessert but with a name like "funky banana split", you've got to go for it. This little jam packed dish was perfect to eat alone or share. The banana is carmalized like a creme brûlée, has salted vanilla bean ice cream, a type of whipped cream, chocolate shavings and fresh strawberries. Mmmm delicious!! For the curious type, the kitchen is open right I the middle of the dining room as is the bar. The decor has a farm to table theme with lots of woods, white colors and a large high ceiling. Plus being just a block off Banff Ave you are able to get away from some of the hustle to enjoy dinner and almost feel like a local. read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
So first of all, I made reservations for the wrong day by accident! Didn't realize that until my husband and I showed up for dinner and were told the reservation was for a different night. My bad, but the restaurant was able to accommodate us since it was right when they opened at 5pm. Not sure we would have been so lucky any other time on a Friday night. Seems like a pretty popular spot. I had made note in the Open Table reservation we were on honeymoon. They must have received that note because right as we sat down, our waiter offered up two glasses of bubbly on the house. It was so sweet and made us feel very special! Every single dish we ordered was outstanding. My personal favorite and quite possibly my husband's favorite was the cauliflower dish... it's that good. So much flavor and like no cauliflower dish I've had before. I munched on a yummy salad while my husband got the burger and potatoes. I don't eat meat but the little potatoes were so good! Crunchy on the outside. On top of that, the drinks were great and our waiter was really helpful and knowledgeable in helping us order our drinks. We really loved ending our day in downtown Banff here. Can't wait to come back to Canada to visit again! read more
7 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Based on all the reviews I had really high expectations coming here. Sad to say the food was nothing too special. Giving it a solid 3.5. The pasta and Cesar salad were extremely salty to the point that I probably should have complained. We had the mushroom pappardelle, gnocchi, Cesar salad, and burrata. Favorite dish was probably the burrata. If you are looking for really good food, head to UNA instead. Out of the restaurants we chose in Banff, UNA was definitely number 1. Make sure you specify if you want your appetizers first and then your entrees. Made the mistake of telling them to bring the food out whenever it was ready and they brought it all out at once. read more
4 years ago
My wife and I recently got married in Canmore and spent a short honeymoon at the Banff Springs. We had been to Banff several times before and always make it a point to eat here. I mean, let's get serious, the Bison and Maple Leaf are THE foodie spots to eat if you want fine dining. This trip didn't disappoint. We started with the gnocchi poutine and escargot bone marrow. As seasoned veterans, we've had these before and as soon as they came to the table we quickly remembered why! Rich and decadent, these two apps are in my top ten globally. Yes, globally. For dinner, we shared the bison short rib. Think pot roast on steroids. So delicious! I knew they are always on short supply, so I made sure the waitress put one on hold for us as soon as we arrived. We had a nice Okanagan Pinot with dinner which is a nice touch. It always baffles me when Canadian restaurants do t support their local wine country. BC has some legit wines and they should be proud! I deduct one star because of the hostess out front on the street. We came early to try to catch some of the NFL season premier. I approached her to let her know we were early but wanted to see if they were showing the game. As soon as I said, "we have a reso at 8.." she quickly cut me off and declared "we are full and can't seat you"....I kept my cool and followed by saying we didn't want to eat early but wanted to watch the game. She explained they don't have TVs in the bar but their sister pub the Bear St Tavern did so we watched in there before dinner. Was that so hard? There's no reason to cut people off when they are approaching you in a very nice and unassuming manner. If you hate your job, fly back to Australia...if you hate tourists, leave Banff. We will be back, and hopefully she won't. read more
This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. Nice view and spacious. Great service. Servers know what their restaurant is selling! The menu changes everyday for the veggie and they remembers every ingredient. We tried the rib eye, medium rare is absolutely delicious and juicy. Love It! They presented it on a piece of wood with veggie and scallop potato on the side. Super tasty! The dish of the day veggie is a must try item too! They get it from the farm everyday fresh! Nicely seasoned with good cuts. Brings up all your appetite. Braised short rib is very tender and it comes with veggies underneath. Super soft and juicy and not greesy at all. read more
Best restaurant in Banff! My wife and I went here for a bite to eat. We wanted something good, did some research and found The Bison. We were looking for a good place to eat with great food and found this place. It is very fresh and local. All food is also organic. Some of the dishes rotate out as different food comes into season. We had this butternut squash dish that was killer. We also had a lot of other dishes. The food was fantastic. There were a lot of other great things about this place. The wine recommendation was great. We described the wine that we like to the server and he was able to offer a wine that was top notch and met our needs. He was also very friendly and recommended a lot of dishes that were amazing. We also were able to sit outside and it was a great night. read more
Enjoyed a delicious meal, but the service left something to be wanted. We ordered the carpaccio, scallops, escargot, lamb ribs, and bison burgers. All of the food is farm to table and fairly local, with all of the sources clearly identified. It is always a pleasure to support a business that shares your same values and standards. If you are a beer drinker, try the Gypsy Tears. Now the server, Tommy, was another story. He was very awkward and came to the table way too many times. As in, he would come to the table when nothing had changed and ask how things are going. Just weird. Then we decide to entertain his conversation starters and at least get some more information about the town or whatever. He explains that he's lived in banff for fours years now, blah blah blah... So we ask about the Banff Film Festival, an enormous annual international event (the largest film festival, i believe). This was an event that he had apparently never heard of before. It's still unclear to me how you work in hospitality for four years and are unaware of what has to be one of the busiest seasons in the industry. Very odd. Anyway, go for the food not the educational experience and you'll enjoy. read more
7 years ago
In an otherwise touristy corner of downtown Banff, The Bison made us feel right at home. We liked it so much, we dined there - and met the same waitress - twice. We have no shame. Dinner starts with warm multi-grain bread with organic butter, served in a tree-bark bowl. It's so good I could fill up from this alone. Seriously. Order their red wine onion soup and red curry mussels and you're all set. I dare you to dip the bread in the mussel curry. What follows - the moaning and possibly involuntary gastronomical orgasm - may invite excessive staring from diners nearby. But you'll be too busy enjoying the moment to care. Should you still be hungry - you overweight bastards, er, foodies - go for their roasted leg of lamb, crisp roast chicken, or salmon. Whether it's the bed of mashed potato or toasted hazelnut, no ingredient is superfluous. Everything meshes in perfect harmony. When you're all good and satiated, wipe the remaining drool off your mouth and go sit on the sofa in the lounge area. Sip their brown-sugar mojito. Moan again. You'll be back. read more
6 years ago
7 years ago
Very cute, modern, open concept layout restaurant. Great place to try out in Banff, high quality ingredients and excellent service. The Elk poutine a must get! read more
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