Where to Eat
Saltlik — Alberta's ranching heritage earns its finest tribute at this Bear Street steakhouse, where prime provincial beef is the organizing principle of every plate. The California Cut with blue cheese and the scalloped potatoes are among the most-recommended combinations on the menu; book upstairs for the quieter room and the better sightlines.
The Grizzly House — Since 1967, this A-frame landmark on Banff Avenue has been the town's most recognizable dining address, and the fondue still earns its reputation. Order the Rocky Mountain pot — venison, buffalo, and, if you're curious, a few of the more adventurous proteins — and make a reservation; it fills every evening of the season.
Sky Bistro — Accessed via the Banff Gondola's eight-minute ascent to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, this is among the more logistically involved dinner reservations in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the most rewarding. At 7,486 feet, the dining room looks across six mountain ranges; the Canadian-sourced tasting menu is the appropriate choice.
The Bison Restaurant & Lounge — The name is the mission statement. Chefs here build menus around regional bounty — BC salmon, Alberta bison, maritime lobster — in a setting that manages genuine warmth without veering into rustic kitsch. The bison carpaccio and Sunday brunch are perennial favourites among returning guests.
Block Kitchen + Bar — Off the main drag on Caribou Street, Block is the address for anyone who finds Banff Avenue's dining scene a touch one-note. The cocktail program is serious — the Gin Beetroot Sour and the Coffee & Artichoke Negroni are signatures — and the kitchen keeps pace. A well-edited menu in an intimate room that rewards the short detour.
After Dark
Banff Ave Brewing Co. — The town's most reliably atmospheric brewery tap, with a range of craft beers brewed on the premises. The happy-hour pricing after 9 p.m. draws a lively crowd on weekends, so arrive by seven if your preference runs toward conversation over decibels. The local lagers and seasonal ales are unavailable anywhere outside the national park boundary — reason enough to linger.
High Rollers — A craft beer bar with bowling lanes underneath a vaulted ceiling, which sounds like a concept but plays as a genuinely good evening. The pizza is among the more consistently praised in town, the beer list changes with the season, and the Friday happy hour has built a loyal following. More fun than it has any right to be at this altitude.
Elk + Oarsman — The pick for anyone who wants a proper cocktail bar rather than a brewery tap. The room is nicer than most of Banff's after-dark options, the bartenders know their way around a spirit list, and the vibe — lively without tipping into rowdy — suits the 35-plus traveller looking to end a long day on the mountain with something worth drinking.
Out of Town
Discover Banff Tours — Johnston Canyon Night Walk & Stargazing — The canyon looks entirely different after dark: the waterfall mist catches whatever light remains, and guides routinely call the experience transformative in reviews stretching back years. Small-group departures keep the experience personal; guides are knowledgeable on the park's ecology, geology, and night sky. Book well ahead — summer dates sell out.
CMH Summer Adventures — Heli-Hiking — Canadian Mountain Holidays uses its helicopter access to deposit guests in terrain that would otherwise require days of backcountry travel. Amble amongst the giants of glaciers and soaring peaks, free from crowds, trails, and limitations, as the operator puts it — an accurate description of what sets this apart from any guided walk in the valley. Departures are weather-dependent; the investment is considerable and the experience is commensurate.
Chinook Rafting — Kananaskis River — For white-water in reasonable proximity to town, Chinook Rafting on the Kananaskis is the consistently recommended operator. Half-day trips suit those who want the adrenaline without a full day's commitment; guides adapt the experience to conditions, and June's snowmelt makes the river notably spirited. Mild and wild options available.
On the Calendar
Banff Gondola Sunset Festival — Running from June 19 through September 7, 2026, the gondola's seasonal evening programme layers live music and small bites onto the ridgetop experience at Sulphur Mountain's summit. Included with your gondola ticket, the golden-hour views across six ranges give the whole thing a scale that no festival stage design could replicate. Go on a clear weeknight; the weekend crowds arrive early.
Rocky Mountaineer: Passage to the Peaks — Operating June and July 2026 only, this new Banff-to-Jasper route is the rare travel experience that lives up to the promotional language around it. Rocky Mountaineer's glass-domed GoldLeaf coaches trace rivers, waterfalls, and alpine terrain along a stretch of track that sees almost no regular passenger traffic. It is, as AFAR noted this spring, deliberately timed to offer a quieter alternative while Vancouver hosts the FIFA World Cup — meaning fewer crowds at both ends of the journey.