17 Best Restaurants in Canada

With an eclectic assortment of knick-knacks, most with a "pig" theme, this cute, bright bistro grabs your attention as soon as you walk through the door. Fiercely local, the wine/beer menu is totally BC-centric and dishes use fresh, local ingredients with menu selections ranging from burgers or crispy duck to ethnic fusion dishes like a Moroccan lamb shank. A kids' menu is also available, as well as lunch kits for hikers. Reservations are available only through the winter months. Summertime is first-come-first-serve, and note that people will drive from as far away as Calgary just to eat here, so there can be line-ups during the busy dinner hours.

This cozy downtown bakery is a great stop for a breakfast of tasty muffins and other confections or a lunch of sandwiches and wraps. Freshly baked cookies, cakes, and artisanal breads are also available, along with a wide variety of coffees and teas. Popular with locals and visitors, this place with just a few tables for dining inside can be packed during peak times. The owners also run the Other Paw, two blocks away.

Home to ridiculous milkshakes topped with cotton candy and slices of birthday cake or cheesecake, as well as stacked cones and a massive selection of international candy, Flynn's is a delight. There's also a branch in the Hydrostone neighborhood. 

Trained baristas brew up a great cup of coffee from house-roasted beans, along with a wide selection of espresso-based drinks and chemical-free decaf. They also have a good variety of locally blended organic loose-leaf teas and a menu of locally sourced food, including sandwiches, fresh pastries, and desserts.

Decadent pastries and excellent coffee are to be had at this authentic French bakery in the heart of downtown. 

Alexandra and Axel Leonhard have gone from humble beginnings selling homemade bread at a local farmers' market to running a full-fledged café where food is made from scratch without additives, preservatives, or artificial flavorings. The room is bright and cheerful, and the devoted clientele keeps coming back for breakfast, casseroles, hearty gluten-free soups, sandwiches, and delicious desserts. Organic teas and freshly roasted coffee are served as well. Wait times for a seat are not usually an issue—but you can always grab something to go. In any case, come early: Leonhard's closes at 5.

This bustling little bakery is popular with tourists and locals alike. They serve delicious coffee, as well as plenty of sweet and savory goodies, from three-cheese sandwiches and vegan blackberry coconut scones to gourmet banana and chocolate brownies and more. The perfect spot for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. There's a second location on Millar Creek Road.

Inspired by the natural surroundings of Prince's Island Park, on Bow River, this restaurant has the look of a fishing lodge. The exquisite regional Canadian cuisine includes Northwest Territories caribou, British Columbia oysters and Pacific salmon, Alberta Black Angus beef, and Alberta lamb. The wine list has earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence since 1997. With 24-hours advance notice, the restaurant can prepare you a picnic basket to enjoy in the park.

You can't beat the panoramic mountain views from this restaurant on the third floor of the Banff Gondola at 2281 meters (7,486 feet) above sea level. There are floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides and the cuisine is just as elevated as the scenery with a regularly changing menu that features local ingredients like Alberta beef, British Columbia salmon, and prairie-grown vegetables complimented by local craft beers, craft spirits, and Canadian wines. There are vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian menu choices as well as a children's menu. You can also purchase packages that include the Banff Gondola ride and dinner. Reservations are recommended; request a window seat if you can!

Choose from fresh-baked breads and pastries, homemade soups and sandwiches, and salads and quiches at this charming café and deli. Locals love the chocolate cake, a moist, rich delight.

In the 19th-century Roger's Hardware building, this restaurant has both fine dining and casual fare. A pub menu features upscale sandwiches, fish-and-chips, and more, while quality PEI-raised beef and fresh seafood dominate the dinner menu. Old wooden beams, brick columns, and a unique bar top made of black granite inlaid with bird's-eye maple make the place cozy.

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.

A trip to Wild Blue is a real treat. The fine-dining restaurant's speciality is sustainable seafood dishes, alongside an extensive wine and cocktail list. Appetizer options include oysters, caviar and chilled seafood towers. As for the entree menu, look for the sablefish with turnip, radish, sesame crisp and roasted fish bone sauce or the halibut T-bone with porcini spice, morel mushrooms, and onion brodo.

At breakfast, enjoy a regular coffee or espresso, hot chocolate, or tea from the local Banff Tea Company with your breakfast panini, toast, or house-made granola. Lunchtime soups, sandwiches and salads are often innovative; consider trying the buddha bowls with fresh veggies, falafel, quinoa and tangy tahini lemon dressing. Kale salad with fresh apples and toasted nuts is a typical vegan offering.