Banff Brunch Guide: 20 Places For Best Breakfast in Banff!

For a small mountain town, there’s a fair few options for getting good breakfast in Banff and has definitely adopted a brunch-culture in the mountains for socialising, dining and experiencing Banff life with views of the Rockies!

Whether you’re curing the altitude hangover, filling up before a day at the hill, hiking a mountain or sunbathing at the lake, enjoy this year-round Banff brunch guide; tried and tested by yours truly while living here!

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Things You Should Know About Ordering Breakfast in Banff

If you order a drip coffee, it’ll be bottomless and you can choose between milk, cream, half and half. Non-dairy options are occasionally an additional charge

If you order a Latte, Cappuccino or the like it is pay-per-coffee and is not going to compare to coffee-cultured places like Melbo urne or London

Alcohol can only be served from 9am so hold off for your mimosas and Caesars (some places may be later)

Sausages are not always pork. They will sometimes be beef, sometimes be chicken and can even be elk so always check the menu

Hash browns are not always the hash browns we get in the UK. They can be shredded, small cubes or patties (like McDonalds ones)

Brunch usually stops by 1pm or 2pm so check opening hours

You will be asked how you want your eggs and ensure you know what to say. Read on for an egg mini-guide:

Mini-Guide to Ordering Eggs in Canada

Ordering eggs in Canada is very specific to the area so if you’re coming to Banff for brunch, this guide will help you get the eggs cooked the way you like and you’ll be like a local!

Poached: you must specify if you want your poached eggs soft (runny yolk), medium (half runny/half hard) or hard (hard yolk).

Sunny Side Up: this is the classic fried egg cooked on one side with a perfect, runny, yellow yolk waiting to be poked.

Over: this is your eggs fried on both sides but you need to specify if you want them over easy (a quick flash so still a runny yolk), medium (somewhere in the middle of runny and hard yolk) or hard (non-runny yolk).

Basted: this is when your egg is fried on the bottom like sunny side up and steamed on the top using hot water and a pan lid. The eggs then come out between sunny side up and poached.

Scrambled: I think this is the same everywhere but it’s basically the egg white and yolk beaten with milk and then stirred together while cooking.

How’d you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with a kiss!

Okay now for WHERE to eat breakfast in Banff…

20 Best Banff Brunch Spots

This is the complete Banff brunch list as lots of articles have places that are closed or no longer serve breakfast so save this breakfast restaurants in Banff post for your trip or the next time you want to go out for Banff breakfast.

1) Farm & Fire: Best Breakfast Place in Banff

bird eye view of Bison Benny in Farm & Fire Best Breakfast in Banff

For somewhere that lives by its namesake, Farm & Fire provides fresh and local produce straight from farm-to-table and showcases this niche as a local-favourite best breakfast in Banff Canada located in Elk & Avenue hotel.

That’s right, I’m claiming this as the best Banff brunch! I’ve asked many friends and locals around Banff and this is one that always comes out on top. The food is amazing, it’s quick service, great drinks and reasonably priced. It opens at 7am in the summer and 8am in the winter so is perfect for an early breakfast Banff.

You can get classic breakfast or French Toast but the Canadian Eggs Benny has a tasty, smoked ham with delicious house-made hollandaise sauce and a pulled Bison Benny option too.

A big plus on the Farm menu is the Brunch Bowls they offer which has a base of house potatoes or waffles, a protein like salmon, steak, chicken, pork or chorizo, sided with variations of salsa, hollandaise, cream cheese and topped with two poached eggs. YUM!

Insider Tip: Don’t come here without trying the hash brown patties; they are unreal!

Address: 333 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1B1, Canada

2) Bluebird

Caesar from Bluebird at Banff Brunch Bluebird

Bluebird plate of French Omelette and hash browns for Banff Brunch Guide

It was early on in my Banff life that I was meeting friends at, Bluebird, a few streets back from Banff Ave for brunch. It was here where I discovered what would go on to be an often visit and one of my favourite places for best brunch in Banff.

You walk through these grand, green doors and are welcomed at the host stand/bar with the chic and homely-decor’d seating behind and a large fireplace that takes centre stage. You sit in comfortable chairs or booths with pink menu boards to look through and steaming coffee poured into your mug.

There’s nothing more to do than pick what to eat from the delicious breakfast menu on the left (honestly, ignore the right-hand side). For the sweet-tooths, get the soufflé pancakes; the shroom-lovers, get the French Omelette.

My order is, always, the Croque Madam because what is better than a huge, toasted, sourdough sarnie packed with ham and cheese, topped with a sunny-side-up egg, covered in hollandaise sauce with a tastily-dressed salad on the side. Mmmm.

Insider Tip: Everyone must get a side of either hash browns, sausage patty or both! VOILA, the perfect brunch Banff is served ma’am.

Address: 214 Lynx St, Banff, AB T1L, Canada

3) Brazen: Breakfast Spots Banff Ave

Brazen, the sister restaurant of Farm & Fire, has options for classic breakfast, brunch and lunch like sandwiches and salads and is located in Mount Royal hotel.

The Banff breakfast menu at Brazen has an Asian-infused feel to it with items like a Bison Naan and Turkish Eggs (both I can highly recommend). But it’s the grilled cheese that takes the winner for me because it’s the perfect-sized portion, oozes lots of strong cheese with a delicious sauce and topped with crispy, fried eggs!

Insider Tip: Ask for a side of Lamb sausage!

Address: 138 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, Canada

4) Maple Leaf: Banff Brunch Restaurants

Maple Leaf is the go-to in Banff for seafood especially for their annual Lobster Fest held every April with huge lobsters flown in and a sirloin steak chucked in for a special one-day-only event.

For everyday brunch between 10am and 3pm, however, they have the classics and are known for their ‘Farmer’s Breakfast’ deal which is one of a cheap breakfast in Banff. The deal includes two eggs, tomato, bacon, sourdough bread and fries for around $23.

Address: 137 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C8, Canada

5) Juniper: One of the Best Breakfast Spots in Banff

Juniper is a little out of town and with no public transportation to get Juniper brunch, you’ll need your own rental car or catch a taxi. It’s not far away it’s at the base of Norquay mountain just 5 minutes drive from the edge of banff town.

The view of the mountains and Vermillion Lake is excellent from this restaurant especially if you get a patio seat. This is the best place in Banff for a chance to see wildlife at breakfast in Banff Alberta because bears, elk, deer and even moose are known to frequent the area!

Prefer to stay a little out of the town centre? You can stay at Juniper hotel.

Address: 1 Juniper Way Unit 2, Banff, AB T1L 1E1, Canada

Also Read: Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Ban ff

6) Melissa’s Misteak: Banff Brunch Restaurants

Fondly known as ‘Mels’, this is an iconic Banff brunch spot located in the heart of downtown Banff on the second floor with window seats and a few balcony tables. Mels is the best place for Brunch if you want to pair it with a few games of pool or darts afterwards.

The brunch at Mels offers the usual staples like eggs benedict and shredded hash browns but their lunch menu has tasty food that is often overlooked but I think it’s well worth a visit. They do a mean steak sandwich, a breakfast brisket medley and yorkshire puddings stuffed with beef and horseradish that I just love on a Sunday!

Address: 201 Banff Ave #2, Banff, AB T1L 1A9, Canada

7) Nourish Bistro: Vegetarian Breakfast in Banff AB

Egg Sandwich and mimosa at Nourish Bistro Banff Brunch Guide

Nourish just started daily brunch offering a menu that is completely vegetarian, and modified to become the best vegan breakfast Banff has! Nourish is also one of the only gluten free places for breakfast in Banff.

I like going to Nourish when I want something plant-based and delicious and they know what they’re doing. Brunch is no exception with Caleb’s Breakfast Sandwich Thing taking first spot for a hearty vegetarian breakfast in Banff; you get a big egg and cheese burger with hash browns, rocket and their yummy house salsa. Of course, I get a Bellini with mine but that’s optional 😉

Address: 211 Bear St #110, Banff, AB T1L 1A8, Canada

8) Coyotes: Original Breakfast Place in Banff

Coyotes is one of the best breakfast places in Banff for comfort food. Hearty meals in a south-western style and an iconic breakfast restaurant Banff. Try the huevos rancheros, 3-egg frittatas or breakfast burritos.

Address: 206 Caribou St, Banff, AB T1L 1A2, Canada

9) Tooloulous: Iconic Banff Breakfast Restaurant

For the only cajun restaurant, head to Tooloulous (located next door to Coyotes) for a Louisiana, diner-style breakfast in the Rocky Mountains!

Go for the crab and asparagus omelette, New Orleans Breakfast Skillet or the duck duck benny.

Address: 204 Caribou St, Banff, AB T1L 1A2, Canada

10) Peak Cafe: Cheap Breakfast Banff

Fancy a sweet breakfast in Banff Canada? For crepes, waffles, milk tea and smoothies head to Peak Cafe for a quick, cheap and tasty breakfast in Banff centre. They have lots of seating inside but on a summers day, grab something to takeout and head to the park to enjoy Banff breakfast by the river.

You cannot go to Peak Cafe without trying the Iced Vietnamese Coffee. Oh. My. Mountain Days.

Address: 109 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1C9, Canada

11) The Fat Ox

The oldest restaurant in Banff was Ticino located on Banff Ave within The High Country Inn hotel. It was recently taken over and newly-opened as The Fat Ox.

The Fat Ox interior is the BEST looking restaurant in Banff from the green, marble bar to the gold wine buckets; it is a beautiful place to dine.

The concept is Northern Italian cuisine and while they have Canadian staples on the breakfast menu, you can also try Crepes with Mortadella, Pesto Avocado Bruschetta and Bison Hash for an Italian feel.

Banff Hotels with Breakfast

12) The Vermillion Room: Brunch at Banff Springs Hotel

The Fairmont is known as the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ and is part of a luxury hotel chain in Canada. The Banff Springs is definitely elegant and the exterior is spectacular to look at both winter and summer! Inside this huge hotel you’ll find fine-dining breakfast at Vermillion Room daily from 6am to 11am.

For something special, head here every Sunday for their build-your-own brunch, one of the best breakfast Banff has between 11.30am and 2pm.

Address: 405 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J4, Canada

Insider Tip: For the best views of the Fairmont, head to Surprise Corner before hitting the best places for breakfast in Banff.

13) Primrose at Rimrock Resort: Fancy Banff Breakfast Spots

Looking for a boujie brunch in Banff? Primrose is located at the Rimrock Hotel (Emblem) on Mountain Avenue and has a fancy flair, beautiful art and delicious breakfast.

Primrose is close to Banff G ondola and the Hot Springs so once you’re up that way, you can spend the day doing the nearby activities after breakfast.

This is the most instagrammable, good breakfast in Banff with a customisable brunch menu so you can get exactly what you want for breakfast or probably the only place to get Lobster & Caviar Benedict in the Rockies!

Address: 300 Mountain Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1J2, Canada

More Places For Breakfast Banff Canada:

Canadian Brewhouse – Brunch Banff at Canadian Brewhouse is only available on Saturday and Sunday and offers a cheap and easy breakfast. This is perfect if you want to head to a sports bar and have a casual breakfast in Banff. Located in Cascade Mall.

Elk & Oarsman – For the perfect combination of watching sports and eating breakfast, head to Elk & Oarsman located on Banff Ave.

Crave – Banff Park Lodge brunch is found at Crave Grill with floor-to-ceiling windows for scenic views of Bow River. Head here for a Banff brunch buffet located at Banff Park Lodge hotel.

El Toro – Like fairmont banff springs brunch, this is breakfast found in the restaurant of a hotel (Irwin’s Mountain Inn)

Vistas Bistro – This is a large breakfast buffet in Banff so if you want a hearty meal before a day of hiking, head here to fill up for a reasonable price. Located within Banff Centre.

Cougar Pete’s – If you want a Canadian breakfast in an authentic lodge, head to Hi Hostel on Tunnel Mountain where you’ll find Cougar Pete’s between 7am – 12pm.

Moxy – To be served in a bar with an upside-down bear wearing headphones, Moxy is the latest place to open for Banff brunch located close to the entrance of Banff Ave.

And there we have it. 20 Banff breakfast places for you to choose from. But if you only pick one, go for Farm & Fire!

Banff Essentials

Sort accommodation in advance – You can base yourself at a Banff Hostel
Make Sure You Get Travel Insurance – I always use Coverwise when travelling unless on a working holiday visa where specific insurance is required. Coverwise is reliable, cheap, has straightforward policies that are emailed and kept on file and the website is easy to navigate. Find quotes for your travel insurance with Coverwise here.
Getting Around Banff – Either book airport transfers, rent your own vehicle, get to know the local Roam Bus routes and note the Banff taxi number (+1 403-762-0000)
Grab a Lonely Planet Guide
Read all my Banff posts here
Find your tours via Viator
Safety comes first! Tell someone your route and how long you’ll be, consider a bear bell for your bag, pack bear spray, prepare for changes in weather and leave no trace.

Canada Blog Posts by Province

Do you have a favourite Banff breakfast place? Let me know in the comments!

Banff Brunch Places: Save Me!