Dining and sky-high views go hand-in-hand with the Canadian Rockies. Both Banff and Lake Louise boast restaurants with spectacular outlooks over lakes, mountains and valleys. The views are jaw-dropping in their own right, but when combined with a mouthwatering meal, they become part of an experience you'll never forget. This post will give you insider tips on the best restaurants with a view in Banff National Park.
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Sky Bistro
Visit websiteSky Bistro is a unique dining experience in Banff National Park that incorporates an adventure at the Banff Gondola. Starting at the base of Sulphur Mountain, you ride the gondola up to the peak, where you are greeted with a multi-level interpretive experience that features a theatre, Parks Canada ecology exhibit, gift shops, and a rooftop viewing platform and the boardwalk experience to Sanson Peak. Spend your time exploring before having lunch or dinner at Sky Bistro while overlooking the surrounding mountain peaks.
Local tip: go for dinner in the colder months when the sun sets early, and witness a Rocky Mountain sunset from the top of Sulphur Mountain through the floor to ceiling windows in the restaurant.
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Juniper Bistro
Visit websiteAnother one of three Banff restaurants on OpenTable Top 100 is the Juniper Bistro at the Juniper Hotel. Perched at the beginning of Mount Norquay Road and overlooking Banff town, Mount Rundle, Vermillion Lakes, and the Bow Valley, the Juniper Bistro is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventures. In winter, it offers a unique après menu to compliment a day of skiing, and in summer, the patio offers breathtaking views over the valley.
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Eden at the Rimrock Hotel
Visit websiteThe last of the three Banff restaurants to be featured in OpenTable Top 100 and the only five-diamond restaurant west of Ottawa, Eden, is a fine dining experience like no other. The butler-like service at Eden remarks a past-time era of elegance and class. Located on Sulphur Mountain overlooking Mount Rundle, the Fairmont Banff Springs, and the Bow Valley, Eden has a new chef who has brought a unique flair from his years of international experience at top restaurants worldwide.
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04
Cliffhouse Bistro
Visit websiteMt. Norquay's Cliffhouse Bistro is especially popular with the locals of the Bow Valley and is open spring to fall and with limited hours in the winter. This former tea house was renovated and reopened in recent years. During the winter, Mt. Norquay hosts moonlight dining experiences under the full moon at Cliffhouse Bistro that complement three-course dining with wine pairings at the top of the mountain with the full moon over Banff and Mount Rundle.
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05
Lakeview Lounge
Visit websiteLocated at the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the Lakeview Lounge gives you a million-dollar view of none other than Lake Louise itself. Perfect for winter dining before or after a skate or sleigh ride on Lake Louise, the Lakeview Lounge is where you can capture the perfect dining experience at one of the world's most famous lakes.
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Whitehorn Bistro
Visit websiteLocated at Lake Louise Ski Resort and Summer Gondola, Whitehorn Bistro is open from spring to fall, and again when the ski season starts in November at Lake Louise Ski Resort. Enjoy elevated views of Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise, and the valley bottom below across into British Columbia. Whitehorn Bistro also features local beers and a menu to suit any adventurer.
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07
La Terrazza
Visit websiteNestled inside the Banff Park Lodge in the heart of downtown Banff you will find La Terrazza. The Italian menu features an Albertan twist that is sure to leave your tastebuds wanting more. The panoramic windows and glass ceilings offer views that span from Sulphur Mountain to Mount Norquay. Enjoy a glass of fine wine and savour dinner with a view.
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To learn more about the incredible dining options in Banff and Lake Louise, visit their Eat & Drink page.
This story has been adapted from an original article available at: https://www.banfflakelouise.com/blog/7-most-scenic-restaurants-banff-and-lake-louise.
