Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Banff / Canmore

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Banff / Canmore? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Bridgette Bar Canmore

4.8

4.8 (1053)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

American

Canmore

About the restaurant

A chef-driven bar in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in Canmore, Alberta.

Top review

Martijn

Dined 3 days ago

Great spot in Canmore, great food, service and ambiance.

Discover more

Experience

Club 25

Magpie & Stump Mexican Restaurant + Bar

4.7

4.7 (429)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Banff

About the restaurant

Magpie & Stump guarantees a classic Banff experience complete with tacos, tequila and debauchery. This little piece of Mexico in the mountains serves up tacos, burritos, enchiladas and over 60 tequilas.
.
️
In the summer months join us on 'El Patio' - our sun-drenched rooftop taco bar. Open-air starlight fiestas are also our area of expertise, serving up margaritas and cervezas under the Banff sky.
.
Please note, your reservation is for the dining room. Patios are first come, first serve.

Top review

NicholeVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic food! The GOAT nachos and L.A. Tacos are incredible! Great service too! Will definitely be back!

Discover more

Experience

🌮🍻 Taco Happy Hour🌮🍻

Experience

🌮 TACO TUESDAY @ THE MAGPIE & STUMP 🌮

Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1282)

CAN$30 and under

Brewery

Banff

About the restaurant

OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants in Canada.
A craft brewery in a National Park, in a restaurant, in a forest. Complete with a stargazing retractable roof, beer garden, 25-foot pine tree and forest critters, our restaurant will make you feel like you're dining outdoors all year round. Our menu features tasty chef-inspired food meant to be enjoyed with beer made here. From the chicken wing to the kale salad, from the hand-stretched pizza to the Alberta striploin, beer has a wonderful way of bringing out the best in everything. Three Bears is the spot for happy hour featuring live music and beer specials.
.
Don't forget about Happy Hour daily from 3pm-5pm
.
Three Bears offers group & private dining options accommodating 8-250 guests.
Mountain-view private rooms / Private fireplace + patio spaces / Total venue Brewery experience
.
Learn more/connect about group dining:
https://www.banffcollective.com/three-bears-events
.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 1 day ago

Greeted immediately and our table was ready for our larger party. It took the server a bit to make it to us, as he was waiting for my husband to arrive (locating a parking spot!) - which we would’ve ordered drinks and appetizers in the meantime, if given the opportunity. Otherwise, we were well taken care of, quality of food was appreciated and portion sizes left us satisfied beyond belief.

Discover more

Hello Sunshine Japanese Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1098)

CAN$30 and under

Japanese

Banff

About the restaurant

You are reserving for the dining room. To reserve a Private karaoke room use Open Table Experiences
.
𝐿𝑢𝑛𝑐ℎ • 𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟 • 𝐷𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 • 𝐾𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑜𝑘𝑒 • 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
.
OpenTable Top 100 Restaurants in Canada. A Banff sushi restaurant with private karaoke rooms! Our retro space features eye-catching fire tables, a sushi bar, groovy décor and all the good vibes. Menu highlights include shareable bar bites, sushi, maki rolls, ramen, and crispy fried dishes paired with handcrafted cocktails, sake and Japanese whiskey. Check out our karaoke rooms featuring a personal Karaoke system where you can eat, drink and sing sing sing sing.

To reserve a FREE private room featuring a personal Karaoke system, please book through Open Table experiences.

Hello Sunshine offers group & private dining options accommodating 8-120 guests.

Learn more/connect about group dining: www.banffcollective.com/hello-sunshine-events

Top review

Anna

Dined on Jan 6, 2025

Incredible food and service! Was absolutely delicious, we already want to go back!

Discover more

PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar

4.6

4.6 (1068)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Banff

About the restaurant

Park is a backcountry lodge-inspired craft distillery in the heart of Downtown Banff. Gather 'round for campfire-inspired cuisine and wood-fired rotisserie specialties paired with our award-winning small-batch spirits distilled in-house. We are the only distillery located in a Canadian National Park so don't miss our free daily distillery tours for an exclusive look into our boutique distillery, where we hand-mill, hand-mash and hand-distill to preserve the purity of our ingredients. Our spirits are like no other in the world, because there is no other place in the world like Banff.

Top review

Alejandra

Dined 2 days ago

We were celebrating our birthdays and it was amazing. Thank you

Discover more

Banff Ave Brewing Co.

4.6

4.6 (65)

CAN$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Banff

About the restaurant

We’re Banff’s living room. We share Banff’s real mountain lifestyle – active living by day, living actively by night. Banff Ave Brewing is a place where locals come to share the stories of their mountain experience and plan the next one, and where out-of-town visitors come to feel comfortable and soak in the real Banff. We're stoked to offer three different spaces, two of which you can reserve tables for:

The Pub
Get comfy and hunker down for après-whatever in Banff’s almost-secret hideaway. Enjoy great craft brews and all your pub favourites in a casual venue that’ll make you feel like a local, no matter where you’re from.

The Lodge
Climb on up to our newest casual dining spot with an easy-going approach. Anchor in for Banff’s legit take on Detroit-style deep-dish pizza (if you know, you know), along with pasta and small plates – perfect for sharing with the crew.

Top review

Vanessa

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

This place is ok to stop in for a drink but I do not recommend you eat here.

Sudden Sally

4.5

4.5 (30)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Canadian

Banff

About the restaurant

At Sudden Sally, you can sip on curated cocktails, local beers, and hand-selected wines while savouring the taste of home through familiar yet elevated comfort foods. Whether you're in the mood for a classic dish or something with a twist, Sudden Sally promises to satisfy all your cravings in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

I recommend this restaurant. Great food and service

Discover more

Experience

50% Off All Drinks, Small Plates & Flatbreads

The Wood Restaurant & Lounge

4.4

4.4 (357)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Canmore

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Canmore, Alberta The Wood Restaurant and Lounge offers casual dining with attentive and friendly service. Our menu features Alberta beef steaks, homemade burgers, and a wide selection of sandwiches and amazing salads, gluten free and vegan options, and a kids menu featuring pigs in pretzel buns and kids chicken fingers.

The Wood Restaurant and Lounge is located in the log building at the corner of Main Street and 8th Avenue in Canmore and offers breathtaking views from the best patio in town. The lounge offers 24 draft beers on tap, a wine list with 30 wines from 30 vines, our signature and seasonal cocktail list including our famous peach bellini. Eight big screen televisions offer up all the big sporting events. Free wireless internet is available throughout, including the 130 seat patio......which offers great views of the local mountains.

....fun, food, and friends....

Top review

Tom

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Booked for Christmas Eve , really lovely and efficient waitress. Food was good , wine lovely. Its a like expensive for what it is but overall a solid 7.5

Discover more

Experience

🐶 Dog Friendly Patio

Anejo Restaurant - Banff

4.4

4.4 (320)

CAN$30 and under

Mexican

Banff

About the restaurant

Nestled in the heart of Banff's breathtaking mountains, Añejo brings bold Mexican energy and an unrivaled tequila experience to this iconic destination. Housed in a historic building from the early 1900s, Añejo offers Canada's largest selection of over 200 tequilas, mouthwatering tacos and vibrant, hand-crafted margaritas. Join us for a lively happy hour or stay late to enjoy our late-night drink specials in a cozy, chic setting. Whether you're here to enjoy bold flavours or explore our extensive tequila bar, Añejo Restaurant offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of Banff.

Top review

Jeff

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

The fundido and churros were amazing! Nice atmosphere.

Banff Social

3.8

3.8 (20)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Banff

About the restaurant

Welcome to Banff Social! Where flavors spark conversations, while bold and unique dishes come together with genuine hospitality.
Our well traveled Chef's creations are inspired by local ingredients, seasonality and Canadian and global flavors.
Our menu ranges from classic comforts to elegant and creative delicacies.
Guest's favorites include Linguine al Limone with seared salmon, Alberta Bison meatballs, Italian burrata, AAA Alberta steaks and Chickpea Panisse.
The beverage menu features local and acclaimed global wines, local draft beers and spirits, as well as our amazing hand-crafted cocktails.
Located in the heart of Banff, our space ranges from lively casual lounge to spacious elegant dining room. With two floors of patio views to get some of the best angles of Banff’s scenic mountains.

Top review

Rosa

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

I had the pleasure of dining at Banff Social and was thoroughly impressed! The food was absolutely delicious—each dish was beautifully presented .The menu offers a wonderful variety. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. The staff was friendly, attentive, and added to the overall great experience. If you’re in Banff and looking for a place that serves exceptional food with a relaxed vibe, Banff Social is a must-visit. Highly recommend

Explore Diners' Choice best of Banff / Canmore

Explore more Diners' Choice lists

Canadian