An abundance of fresh ingredients – and remarkable scenery – inspire outstanding local dishes in Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper
The Canadian Rockies represent a kind of culinary sweet spot, sandwiched between British Columbia, with its bounty of seafood and celebrated vineyards, and Alberta, home to 40 per cent of Canada's beef production and many of its agricultural crops. The abundance of fresh ingredients in the region has inspired area chefs and local restaurants to create a host of outstanding culinary experiences for their guests.
Jasper
In Jasper, Alberta, reservations at the Tekarra Restaurant are coveted. Founded in 1952, the so-called ‘cabin in the woods’ draws crowds with signature items like local bison and beef, Arctic char and fried chicken. Also in Jasper, Syrahs is another great option for the foodie in your group. Its menu boasts a number of unique and mouth-watering items, from elk carpaccio to white chocolate and goat’s cheese cheesecake, and a long list of gluten-free dishes.
For more Jasper restaurant recommendations visit Tourism Jasper.
Tekarra Restaurant. Photo credit: Celina Frisson.
Lake Louise
In Lake Louise, Alberta, diners flock to restaurants with mountain views, including the Lake Agnes Tea House – accessible by a moderate, half-day hike, or horseback trail ride – with its homemade breads, soups and sweets, or the stylish Fairview located in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to enjoy vibrant dishes featuring seasonal local produce like Alberta bison and Haida Gwaii halibut, all while taking in the stunning views of Lake Louise.
For more Lake Louise restaurant recommendations visit Tourism Banff & Lake Louise.
Fairview Bar & Restaurant, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Banff
The distinctive peaks of Mount Rundle near Banff.
But the beautiful mountain town of Lake Louise doesn’t have exclusivity on dining rooms offering stunning scenery, of course. Take Sky Bistro, for example, perched on the summit of Banff’s Sulphur Mountain in Alberta. While diners must take the Banff Gondola to get there, the culinary fare is well worth the trip. The world-class menu puts Canadian cuisine front and centre with dishes featuring venison, bison, B.C. clams, Arctic char and Alberta pork belly on its menu. The views of Banff at 2,900 feet are extraordinary whether patrons dine while the sun sets or under starry skies.
Back at Banff’s main drag, food pairs nicely with a lesson on spirits. The Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar offers free, behind-the-scenes tours highlighting the craftsmanship that goes into their offerings, made from glacial water and Alberta grain. Patrons can try tasting small-batch vodka, gin or rye alongside “campfire cuisine” of spit-roasted chicken, smoky St. Louis-style ribs (with locally made BBQ sauce) or wood-fire grilled hot dogs.
For more Banff restaurant recommendations visit Tourism Banff & Lake Louise.
Onboard Rocky Mountaineer
For many visiting foodies, dining on a luxury train is near the top of their to-do list. With a five-star reputation for Canadian fare with a Western flair, guests can look forward to their dining experience almost as much as the beautiful scenery passing by their expansive windows.
Rocky Mountaineer's Executive Chef Kaelhub Cudmore.
The challenge of cooking on a train is the responsibility of our Executive Chef Kaelhub Cudmore.
Small miracles are performed daily as Cudmore and his talented culinary team creates beautifully presented dishes in incredibly narrow kitchen galleys. For safety reasons, they're restricted from using deep fryers or open flames.
No matter; for our Culinary team onboard the train, concocting delicious dishes is all in a day's work.
“I'm inspired by the land we travel through and the food memories we create. I want to tell the story behind the food that's on the plate. For me, this is the beauty of the culinary program at Rocky Mountaineer. We're fortunate enough to travel through incredible lands and the scenery on the other side of the windows is a constant inspiration."
Salmon is one of many entrée options on our menus.
At the start of every season, the Culinary team refreshes the menu to ensure they're fresh and innovative. Although, rest assured that our most popular, "guest favourite" dishes will always be on the roster.
Whether you order the Lois Lake Steelhead Salmon with handmade gnocchi or Alberta Striploin Steak with blistered seasonal vegetables, you can look forward to enjoying it with a selection of local wines, and other regional beverages.
Cudmore has only one tip for guests as they prepare to embark on their Rocky Mountaineer journey; "prepare to unwind and reconnect with loved ones as you embark on a truly memorable journey, all while soaking in the scenery and savouring each bite; it really is an experience like no other."
For more information on what to expect onboard Rocky Mountaineer, including sample menus in SilverLeaf Service or GoldLeaf Service, click here.
