We are going to be spending a week in the Banff area and would like to get some restaurant recommendations. We love to eat and try new things, our favorite places at home range from hole-in-the-wall joints to white tablecloth fine dining. We like value when we go out to eat: nice ambiance, adequate service, a good bottle of wine at a decent price and, most importantly, a well-cooked meal.

We also enjoy having pre-dinner (well, sometimes after-dinner too) drinks, any recommended places? Not loud, sports bar-types as DH has hearing issues and does not enjoy loud places. We prefer sidewalks caffes (if the weather permits) with great people watching, terraces with nice views...you get my drift.

Fellow Fodorites have never steered me wrong in the past, so I'm counting on you guys!

Anyone?

For starters, you shouldn't miss Melissa's, a Banff tradition for over 70 years. Try their breakfast.

You should also have at least one meal at one of the restaurants in the Banff Springs Hotel--perhaps the Bow Valley Grill.

Bumpers is another Banff institution ("If you haven't been to Bumpers, you haven't been to Banff") for great Alberta beef.

The Rimrock is a very upscale hotel with a couple of quite good restaurants--the Eden is a 5 diamond AAA.

There are many many more places to eat and I'm sure others will suggest their favourites.

Check out the Waldhouse, there in the woods at the Banff Springs Hotel's golf course. http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings...Restaurant.htm

Also, the Grizzly House in downtown Banff. Interesting place, and lots of fondues. http://www.banffgrizzlyhouse.com/

Thanks! Melissa's and the Grizzly House were already in my list, so thanks for the confirmation.

I'll definitely check out the Banff Springs restaurants.

I don't know - Melissa's is OK but not great for breakfast (very ordinary, I find). Banff Springs Hotel has quite good Sunday brunches that are much better than Melissa's.

Take a look at these to add to other suggestions: Le Beaujolais for fine dining, the Bison bistro for interesting combinations of food, and Coyotes Deli and Grill for tasty lunches:

http://www.lebeaujolaisbanff.com/mai...ing%20room.htm

http://www.thebison.ca/

http://www.coyotesbanff.com/

Bon appetit!!!

mari, when do you go? Please be sure and post some reviews. Our trip is in August and I will be very interested in seeing your opinions. Have fun!

Don't forget you'll have some great options by including Canmore in your dining itinerary. We enjoy the old Drake pub, the patio at The Wood, also The Trough and the Quarry Dining Lounge. Great choices to consider, check out their websites.

Hi C! We go next monday (June 28) and stay for 9 days. I'm ridiculously excited. You can count on a trip report when we come back.

Again, thanks to all for the reccommendations.

Thanks, I will be looking forward to it. We don't go for another month yet! It is a spectacular area. Have fun!

marigross, just another vote for a trip report - I leave July 30 for my trip, and remember really enjoying your Italy report! Can't wait to read this one.

The number one rated restaurant on TA is Nourish Vegetarian and Tea House. The menu looks very interesting, but no one here has mentioned it. Is the TA rating a fluke or for real?