6 Best Restaurants in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

This wine bar has a small but well-chosen wine list, but the real focus is the food. A broad selection of small plates are on the menu including items like goat cheese-stuffed dates, potato latkes, and warm shrimp dip, while entrees range from prime rib and chicken cordon bleu to Moroccan lamb tagine. Save room for chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, or sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Across the parking lot from Lake McDonald Lodge, Jammer Joe's Grill & Pizzeria was named after the historic red jammer buses that have been used for park tours since 1936. The restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, pizzas, soups, burgers, and sandwiches in a casual atmosphere.

The all-day bar menu at Lucke's Lounge features bison burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers alongside yet another great lake view. They also serve a nice selection of Montana micro-brews, wines, and craft cocktails.

This saloon-style pub restaurant is themed around the Prohibition era when rumrunners frequented the Crowsnest Pass. The open kitchen prepares Canadian and European-style pub food like burgers (a half-pound each), pizza, fish-and-chips, appetizers, and salads. There's also a seniors menu and a gluten-free menu. They also serve a wide variety of beverages to accompany a meal and their display of local nostalgia is impressive.

Waterton's only gastropub is the place for live music most weekends and casual eats anytime. The nachos here are the best in town, and there's a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, and wraps—all served with salad or fries. Choose from 12 kinds of local craft beer, or peruse the cocktail menu: the Caesar cocktail, a Canadian invention similar to a bloody Mary, is the most popular mixed drink in Canada.

Next door to Weiners, this spot specializes in Belgium Liège waffles, made with yeast dough and pearl sugar that caramelizes on the surface; it also has some of the best coffee in town. These indulgent treats are served with whipped cream and juicy berries or smothered in Nutella and sliced bananas. There are also some savory buttermilk waffles on the menu like ham and Swiss cheese, caprese, and even grilled cheese. Waffles are made from scratch daily and they're great with coffee, espresso, or hot cocoa. The restaurant also serves soft ice cream and frozen yogurt. There are no tables inside, but there are picnic tables right outside the front door.