Banff is for foodies
I expect to be able to eat my way around the world in cities like New York, London and Chicago. But I don’t expect it in mountain resort towns with populations under 10,000.
Banff, a laid-back ski and summer resort destination in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, surprised me. There’s a two-block stretch of downtown that’s home to four different Indian restaurants. There’s sushi, poutine, Chinese, Korean, Mexican, Italian and an endlessly creative vegetarian spot with an equally creative cocktail list.
It didn’t take me long to find the newest Indian spot in town, to meet its Kerala-born owner or to find a perfect paper dosa a few doors down. I even found a dessert that sums up my experience eating my way across Banff—miso maple crème brûlée. It’s a perfect smash-up of cultures and flavors, which is exactly how I’d describe the Banff food scene.
My favorite Banff restaurants to save for your trip 🗂️
@nourishbistro: This fun vegetarian spot is one of my new favorite restaurants. The seitan chicken and waffles were so good I came back and had it again. The cocktail list, decor and vibe are on point.
@zykabanff: Banff’s newest Indian restaurant brings the spice, and takes Indian buffet up a notch with freshly baked naan served to your table.
@banffcurry: This spot has a broad menu of South and North Indian dishes and mountain views from some tables.
@anejorestaurant: Having grown up in Texas, I take Mexican food seriously. I was skeptical but blown away by the vegetarian options, the flavor and the tequila selection. There’s even table-side guacamole service.
@shokubanff: This izakaya is a whole vibe. Go for the skewers, stay for the miso maple crème brûlée.
@threebearsbanff: This place cold ferments its pizza dough, which makes for a light, airy crust that goes perfectly with a local beer.
@bluebirdbanff: This place looks and feels like a European ski chalet but serves up cozy North American favorites around an epic fireplace.
@parkdistillery: I didn’t eat here, but I did do a spirit tasting. I liked the espresso vodka, vanilla vodka and the gin. Visit in the late afternoon for drink specials.
🚢 I love European train travel, but in Norway, here’s why I’ll hop on a passing ship instead.
💸 My review of the glamorous Kulm St. Moritz in Switzerland
🍽️ For TripAdvisor, I wrote about 7 Chicago restaurants to try when the top tables are booked.
Travel With Meena favorites
Three must-see Amsterdam museums 🏛️
Experience Liechtenstein in 48 hours 🏰
What to wear (and not to wear) in Egypt 🐪
🚢 If you’ve been wanting to take your young adult child on a bucket list adventure, this cruise sale is for you. Lindblad Expeditions is allowing passengers under 22 to cruise free on select sailings it has planned in partnership with National Geographic. You’ll have to book by June 30.
✈️ Fly from Sacramento to Kona, Hawaii, for under $250 roundtrip on Hawaiian Airlines. You’ll have to pay slightly more to fly from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco and San Jose.
✈️ Fly from New York, Boston, Chicago or Miami or San Francisco to Lisbon in business class on TAP Portugal for $1,649 roundtrip. Or fly between the U.S. and London, Paris, Amsterdam or Berlin with prices starting between $1,849 and $2,100 roundtrip in business class.
