The Juniper Bistro

Really good food in downtown Banff! Passionfruit virgin mojito sounds great but you can't taste the…read morepassion fruit. The spinach & four cheese dip with pita was excellent though, although I wish chips were served instead of soft pita. Cornbread with that maple butter was TO DIE FOR. Highly recommend that. Bison burger was juicy, massive, and the fries were nice and crispy. What's not to like?

Unfortunately, our experience here was extremely disappointing. We had walked by a few times and…read morereally liked the atmosphere, so we were excited to make a reservation. We were seated upstairs on the balcony, which was a nice spot and had a great vibe. The service started off fine, but things quickly went downhill. It took over 20 minutes to receive our drinks after ordering. While bringing them out, our server accidentally spilled an iced tea all over the table and onto my white pants. Mistakes happen, but we were surprised that there was no apology, and the response felt very dismissive. Shortly after, while we were cleaning up, she came back and sprayed cleaner on the table but accidentally sprayed it onto me instead. Again, there was no acknowledgment or apology. A few minutes later, she brought out a replacement drink, but it was the wrong one. When we pointed it out, there was some confusion and we were initially told it was correct before another staff member came over and brought the right drink. Unfortunately, the food was also a letdown. The bison burgers were extremely dry, and the ribs were so tough and chewy that they were difficult to eat. We were really hoping the meal would make up for the service issues, but it left us disappointed. Given the issues, we expected the spilled drink would at least be removed from the bill. Instead, we noticed additional drink refills on our tab that we didn't order. Overall, it was a frustrating experience, especially because we had been looking forward to trying this place. Hopefully this was just an off night, but based on our visit, we wouldn't recommend it.

Distillation towers

Salmon salad

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Cocktails (orange one was a Blueberry Margarita)

Block Kitchen + Bar

4.5(698 reviews)

This was my favorite food joint in Banff! They have the most amazing cocktails. We ordered the food…read moreand it's family style - we felt like we were being hosted by a friend - each cocktail more unique than the other and each dish had its own twist. The place is small inside and there is outdoor seating also available. The servers so friendly and gave us great suggestions! The owners also own Shoku and we landed up going there to try their cocktails and food. This place will not disappoint you!

This food was delicious! There were multiple vegan options that were bursting in flavor and…read morefilling! We got the mushroom risotto (so unique), the vegetarian bao bun, and the vegetarian lettuce wraps (make sure to ask for vegan so they can sub the non-vegan sauce). The only con was that the restaurant itself was small and can only take a few parties at a time. We got lucky and took the 6 remaining seats at the bar, but be prepared to wait if you're a bigger party. That said, the staff and bartender were very nice and service time was fairly normal. Would recommend!

Cool display of wine bottles

Bison and chips

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Outside of restaurant with tables

Tooloulous

3.9(545 reviews)

Really enjoyed this. I don't eat of lot of burgers. Hadn't eaten all day. This place hit the…read morespot for a very large delicious burger with a cup of cowboy Cajun soup (kind of like Chili). Waitress was great.

If you're craving authentic Louisiana cuisine in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Tooloulou's…read moreabsolutely delivers! As a native New Orleanian, I know true Cajun and Creole flavors, and I was genuinely impressed. The food was rich, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, capturing the soul of Louisiana cooking in every bite. Beyond the incredible dishes, the atmosphere was warm, lively, and inviting. The hospitality from the wait staff truly stood out; they were attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home. I highly recommend Tooloulou's to anyone looking for an unforgettable meal in Banff. Five stars all the way!

Restaurant main area

Poutine

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Lou's crushed Margarita

Bear Street Tavern

4.2(557 reviews)

I visited Bear Street Tavern based off of a recommendation by a coworker. Beer and pizza is usually…read morea winning combination and Bear Street Tavern is a great example of this. Admittedly, I'm not much of a drinker but I'll have some once in a while and Bear Street seems to have a pretty good selection. I tried a Vietnamese Coffee Stout which I enjoyed. I'm definitely more of an eater than I am a drinker and the eats at Bear Street Tavern are excellent. My party got 2 pizzas and a salad and we enjoyed it all. To start we got the Tavern Bowl. It's a bunch of different vegetables with a Tahini Miso Dressing and kimchi on top. All the different textures and flavors worked really well together and the salad served as a nice break between bites of pizza. The Wheeler Hut pizza has mushrooms, ricotta, truffle oil, pesto, and mozzarella. If you're a fan of truffle flavor you'll enjoy this pizza. As soon as it was brought out I could already smell the truffle. The Mediterranean has olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, red onions, chili flakes, spinach, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. A little busier than the Wheeler Hut, but it was equally delicious. I'm not sure which pizza I liked more. Both pizzas had a fantastic crust with some char. Substantial enough to stand up to the toppings but still a little doughy for a nice chew. The char gives a nice crunch as well. Service is quick and friendly and the prices are fair, especially in a tourist area. I definitely recommend Bear Street Tavern.

One of the worst Pizza's I've ever had. The truffle oil is clearly fake. Waters were not refilled…read morethroughout dinner. Crust was dry and yet the pizza sagged. I was excited to go back to my hotel and brush my teeth and use mouth wash to get rid of the disgusting pungent flavor of the pizzas the waitress recommended. PS the bathrooms were DISGUSTING. Would not recommend.

The Mediterranean

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Caesar salad

The Maple Leaf

3.9(441 reviews)

May 12, 2026. Everything about the Maple leaf was…read moreoutstanding! My wife enjoyed a nice sparkling Prosecco to kick off the evening with our nice-sized Prince Edward Island oysters. We then shared a Waldorf salad, which was refreshing and nice. Then we both selected red wine varietals grown in Canada. I had a Cabernet/Merlot blend which was super great. Would've never guessed it was from Canada. Next, My wife enjoyed a Pinot Noir that was light and complimented our entrée perfectly. Our entrée was the fillet and prawns served over a garlic mashed potato. This is an absolutely extraordinary dish. We shared it and it was just enough for two people. It is a full meal for one person. The filet temperature preparation was perfect. The prawns were extraordinary, and the garlic mashed potato made you curl your toes! Then we closed the evening with the melted chocolate soufflé, which was divine. Here's the one thing that they missed and to me it's an important miss. They use an automated system for taking reservations. And it kept asking for my name to which I said "Chris" and the automated system kept asking me what's your name!? So it asked hey fourth time and in my frustration I got playful and I said "Big Daddy." And it happily received my name and took my reservation. And then asked if there was any special occasion and I said yes my wife and I are celebrating our anniversary. I get that it may not seem normal to say "Big Daddy party for two". So I'll kind of let that pass because neither front door or upstairs Host was willing to ask. But what I don't like that was missed was our anniversary wasn't acknowledged. I was a server for years, and every host gave the server some type of chit or note to let them know if there is a special occasion. We specifically selected a higher end restaurant for anniversary. So somewhere in there, even if you weren't brave enough to say "Big Daddy for two." Someone still should've checked if you were celebrating any special occasion to which we were. Our anniversary. Our server was fabulous. She was super kind helpful and shared about her experience being in Banff. She made us feel great. My overall experience, the Mapleleaf is a great restaurant. But I'm scoring you an A- because you missed our anniversary. and that's why we chose you. So if you're going to use AI, you can't miss special occasions. Chris & Trisha from Long Beach, CA

the maple leaf has a cozy ambiance and attentive service that made for a pleasant dining…read moreexperience. unfortunately, the food was a bit hit or miss the standout was definitely the slow braised bison short rib. it was incredibly tender, fell right off the bone, and was beautifully plated. the bison burger came in second and the patty had a wonderful smoky char the bison bolognese, however, left much to be desired. both the pasta and meat were on the drier side, and the flavors fell flat. the biggest disappointment was the maple glazed salmon and prawns. the glaze was more like a thick overly sweet syrup and the salmon and shrimp themselves were fairly bland with a slightly fishy flavor my experience is inconsistent with the other reviews, but personally id just recommend the bison short rib and skip the others

Second floor seating

Indigenous menu: corn meal crusted trout.

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Interior

Wild Flour - Banff's Artisan Bakery Cafe

4.1(462 reviews)

Soup Sandwiches to the rescue!!…read more After a day of hiking and exploring in the Mountains, we were tired, sore, and hangry. Noshing throughout the day we were set on a good soup and sandwich combo. We checked multiple locations and either it was high-end foo foo or just more than we want or just worse. It was pub grub and they had one soup and they weren't sure what it was. We found Wild Flour. They offer multiple soups and sandwiches and a few treats. Kathy selected a carrot fennel bowl (massive) and served with fresh bread and butter, I had a meat and cheese grilled cheese on a focaccia bread, Of course we "shar-zies" and the comfort was enjoyed. The team at 630pm was helpful and prompt guided us as we had not eaten at Wild Flour. Good food, reasonably priced for Banff is a find. Go to Wild Flour and enjoy... we did.

Your standard overpriced coffee spot in popular tourist destination. Inside was busy and thus…read moredifficult to keep clean, so understandably tables needed to be picked up after and bathroom could use a once over. Iced chai was very tasty and flavor was on point! Iced mocha however tasted like iced DARK hot chocolate, at least 80% cacao type. Staff were helpful!

Interior

Wild Flour - Banff's Artisan Bakery Cafe - Inside of Saskatoon Berry White Chocolate Scone ($4.50) - not good. Dry, chalky texture; unpleasant bitter taste (too much baking powder?)

Inside of Saskatoon Berry White Chocolate Scone ($4.50) - not good. Dry, chalky texture; unpleasant bitter taste (too much baking powder?)

Wild Flour - Banff's Artisan Bakery Cafe - Saskatoon Berry White Chocolate Scone ($4.50 - not good) and Banana Chocolate Muffin (GF + DF) ($4.50 - better than scone but way too sweet)

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Saskatoon Berry White Chocolate Scone ($4.50 - not good) and Banana Chocolate Muffin (GF + DF) ($4.50 - better than scone but way too sweet)

The Bison Restaurant

4.2(404 reviews)

Food: different types of dishes that I can't normally get coming from California. Everything was…read moredelicious with a combo of fun flavors/sauce combinations and different food textures. We tried the scallops 4/5, fire roasted cauliflower 4.5/5, bisogames. 5/5, and sugar cream pie 4/5 and finished almost everything. I loved the tenderloin in the bison trio and the polenta had a nice cheese crust on the bottom, it was very rich and creamy. Probably the best polenta I've ever had. The bison did not taste gamey. Service: very good service, a little bit of wait time between ordering and food, but that's to be expected at a fine dining restaurant. Ambiance: we went on a Thursday in the early evening, and they had a live musician playing acoustic pop songs. It was very enjoyable. The restaurant is very open and you can see the kitchen area.

appy with the meal. Bison restaurant takes it a notch higher…read morewith extremely good food. The chef makes a point to have every dish prepared and presented in a fashion that makes it irresistible. I took a salmon, she took short ribs and both were absolutely flavorful and delicious. The chef did not stop there but added a succession of flavor. I have a bad memory so I can't always account for my culinary experience but this salmon was one of the best I ever had. I would be one sided if I did not mention the excellent cocktail as well as the very warm and efficient waiters. Thank you for the experience.

Inside

Escargot

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Wine with a view

Grizzly House

3.4(423 reviews)

The game meat here is outstanding. You get thee kinds of meat on the fondue meal - buffalo/bison,…read morewild boar and venison. They were all cooked beautifully with none of that gamey taste you might expect. Honestly, I could eat this meal over and over again. Fair warning - Service takes about 3 hours, but the staff are attentive and friendly throughout the experience. The ambience is dark and moody, but in the best way. This space used to be a swing bar, and they have kept that original character alive rather than stripping it out for something generic. Reservations are a must because the place fills up and for good reason. A true gem in Banff!

It was my first time trying cheese fondue. It was definitely a unique and fun experience but…read morehonestly, the taste wasn't quite my favorite. Being able to dip bread and vegetables however you like made it interactive and enjoyable. The sausage platter was flavorful and paired well with the fondue. The steaks were also surprisingly good and cooked nicely. Overall, I'm glad I tried it at least once. The highlight of the visit was the service--our server was incredibly friendly, explained everything clearly and made the whole experience even better.

Interior - So cozy

Steak and lobster combo

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Chocolate fondu dessert

Nourish Bistro

4.1(352 reviews)

We ate here every night we were in Banff! Sure, there's lots…read moreof options, but this was where I felt the most comfortable eating, vegan options and knowing that my food would not be crossed contaminated. Service was excellent! Staff were so friendly impatient with us even when they were so busy most nights. We were creative and got something different to try each night and we liked everything. Something else we like more than others and would get over and over again and that includes the mushroom ravioli, cheesy gnocchi, the purple haze smoothie and kimchi burger. And I believe my husband really enjoyed his legume burger and I enjoyed my falafel salad however I substituted my falafel's for tofu. Ambience is great not too loud indoor and outdoor seating. Good for individuals or large groups.

Pure veggie place - they always ask you if you want things vegan as well. Very unique menu - they…read morehave taken an asian twist and have unique dishes like cucumber with peanuts and kimchi burger and the world famous nacho with 27 items (including orange, strawberry and mango plus lentils etc). The outdoor seating during summer while looking at the Rocky Mountains was spectacular- bring some mosquitoes spray / they will enjoy biting you, while you enjoy the food :) The service was great - we asked for extra ice and they got it - we hung out late and the staff was so accommodating. 5/5 for service! The food for me was 3/5 and the ambiance was 5/5.

Inside

Gyoza, kimchi burger, nourishment bowl, fruit bowl

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Black Currant Elderberry Soda

Indian Curry House

4.2(338 reviews)

My wife and I really enjoyed our late dinner at Curry House after a day of hiking, canoeing, and…read morechair-lifting the Banff area. With all of the meal options in the area, my wife made this suggestion- and as those who rarely dabble in Indian food, this was a bold move- and an excellent choice. Our meals of Mango Chicken and Chicken Satay were excellent, as was the roti and the vegetable samosas. Service was friendly and excellent, and the bill for everything was in the $50 (US) range- which was a bangin' bargin, for the amount of food. Only critique was the bathroom, which had a leaking urinal/urine pool, which was unavoidable when using said urinal, and made the soles of your feet sticky when walking away. My wife reported the women's room wasn't very clean either, but it was the end of the night. For us, it was a bold maneuver that had an excellent outcome!

A great spot for Indian food in downtown Banff. Portion sizes were great and the food tasted good!…read moreIt was a great way to warm up after hiking in the cold/rain.

Veg Korma and Mutter Malai Paneer

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Garlic naan, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and basmati rice

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6 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Incia H.

23 days ago

My family and I booked a reservation here because we had heard about the stunning views. However, we had a poor experience and would not come back here because of both the subpar food and service. We ordered two pasta verdes, one vegetable platter, and one bread and butter. The pasta verde was very bland and under-salted, to the point that we had to ask for salt, pepper, and cheese which our female server kindly gave us. The other dishes were fine, but some of the dips in the vegetable platter were either under or overly salty. We told our waitress about the pasta and she kindly said she would let the team know. Shortly after, a waiter/server came up to us (Asian, male) asking about the pasta. We told him it was flavorless and bland, and since we are an ethnically South Asian looking family, he said something along the lines of "this food is not typically spicy". We felt taken aback, as we love all types of cuisines, including pasta, and don't just prefer food with South Asian spices. We felt disrespected by this waiter, as if our viewpoint on the food was not valid. In fact, another review on Google from just a few days ago also presumably mentioned the same server (Asian, male) who invalidated their opinions on the food. He then went on to ask if we liked the spiciness of the Szechuan butter with the bread (?) and offered us sorbet, but we refused. They ended up taking 10% off of our bill due to our complete dissatisfaction with the pasta dishes. Ultimately, disappointed in the assumptions, disrespectful invalidation of our opinions on the food, and lack of flavor. Would ultimately not recommend eating here. read more

Rita C.

185

2 years ago

I had a wonderful dining experience at the Juniper Bistro! The service was excellent, and Clarence, our server, went above and beyond. He was attentive, made fantastic recommendations, and ensured we had a delightful time. The atmosphere was breathtaking, with picturesque views of mountains, trees, and snow. It added a serene and magical touch to the dining experience. I ordered the Juniper Bennies Trio, featuring short rib, mushroom, and smoked salmon. Each option was perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. The green salad, fresh fruit, house-made pickles, and sausage on the side were the perfect complements to an already amazing dish. The combination of excellent service, stunning views, and delicious food makes the Juniper Bistro a must-visit. I can't wait to return! read more

Elaine H.

2 years ago

My family took me here for my 25th birthday, and it was truly such a treat. It was my family's first time here, and our waiter, Bhaaneesh, went out of his way to accommodate my family's preferences, including suggesting that we take group photos outside with the mountain view. His recommendations were absolutely spot on for dinner in terms of balance, portion size, and palate--I've never enjoyed glazed carrots with smoked honey, paired with the bison and salmon more. Ambiance was perfect for a sweet birthday dinner. 100% would come back here again. read more

Aaron R.

9 years ago

We stayed at Juniper Hotel during our first trip to Banff and the Bistro is fantastic!! The Juniper and Salmon poached eggs are the best...perfectly cooked, great portion and so tasty! The breakfast plus the spectacular view cannot be beat! We will be back. read more

Jo V.

4 months ago

My partner and I stayed in the hotel and had dinner at the bistro. The food was delicious and the service was friendly and welcoming. A higher price point for a fine dining experience - well worth it. read more

Rachel W.

3 years ago

Everything was perfect. Delicious dinner, cozy by the fireplace, and our server Amy was delightful!

The Juniper Bistro - newcanadian - Updated September 2026

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