Canmore's Restaurants
Once a small mountain village of only a few hundred miners and their families, Canmore is now a vibrant alpine town bustling with sports enthusiasts and tourists. Situated between Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, Canmore sees millions of international visitors pass through each year and this once sleepy mining town has responded with a unique and cosmopolitan culinary scene, one that rivals the quality and diversity of major cities.
It's easy to find a good eatery while wandering down Main Street. Casual dining is fun and convenient at the many fast food restaurants, pizza parlours, pubs, cafes and juice bars, traditional fare can be found in a variety of family restaurants and steakhouses, and upscale restaurants offer modern Canadian cuisine as well as all types of international fare.
HOME-GROWN COOKING FROM CANMORE’S MINING ROOTS
Canmore was founded in 1884 by an employee of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Shortly after, Queen Victoria granted a coal mining charter to the town and Canmore quickly became a prosperous town of a couple of thousand miners and their families, mostly of European descent. Each morning miners would pack a hearty breakfast to last them a day of hard labour. The Canmore Hotel, located conveniently on Main Street, is over a hundred years old and still serves a traditional miners' breakfast.
The Iron Goat restaurant is named after the goats that used to pull Canmore's coal carts. When the goats were replaced by locomotives, the miners called the engines iron goats. The rustic decor of this eatery reflects Canmore's historical origins. Diners can take in the stunning view of Three Sisters mountain range while perusing the menu, drawn strongly from local ingredients, featuring bison tenderloin, goat cheese and smoked salmon.
Another nod to Canmore's heritage is the Miner's Lamp Dining Room and Pub, located in Canmore's historic Georgetown Inn. This establishment showcases plenty of local memorabilia and offers a wide range of traditional pub fare made from scratch in a snug, cozy atmosphere.
CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN CUISINE
Contemporary Canadian cuisine is based on the fusion of modern culinary techniques and uniquely Canadian ingredients. Restaurants cultivate relationships with local ranchers, farmers and producers to secure seasonal, fresh ingredients for their menus.
Alberta is famous for its beef, but elk and bison meat are the specialties in the Rockies. In addition to red meats, other wild game like pheasants and salmon are primary ingredients in Canmore's cuisine. These deep flavours are strengthened by wild rice and hearty root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, beets, and potatoes. Glazes and sauces of sweet berries and maple syrup are often used to complement the strong flavour of wild game. An enticing experience awaits at the Trough Dining Company, a consistent, award-winning restaurant with an intimate atmosphere.
Wine country is just on the other side of the Rockies; the temperate climate of southern British Columbia is ideal for growing grapes and fruits. Albertan restaurateurs often stock BC wines to complement the complex flavours of their menus. The contemporary Sage Bistro takes pride in its Canadian wine selection, which is paired beautifully with its unique after-dinner cheese selection, also drawn from Canadian sources.
EUROPEAN FLAVOURS
A multicultural heritage has shaped the restaurant scene in Canmore. Many of the original settlers were of European descent and today English, French, Swiss, German and Ukrainian restaurants can all be found on Canmore's diverse restaurant scene.
Chez François offers regionally-influenced French cuisine in an elegant restaurant setting. The beautiful menu tempts palates with four- and six-course fixed-price options featuring the chef's specialties. An authentic European experience can also be enjoyed at Gasthaus Alphorn, where Swiss, German and Canadian cuisine is served in a cozy alpine setting complete with cuckoo clocks. Those with more exotic tastes will appreciate an enticing experience at Canmore's Tapas Restaurant, which has a fun, exciting atmosphere best enjoyed on the deck.
ASIAN FUSION
As more immigrant populations came to the prairies and Rockies, each brought a taste to add to the growing diversity of Alberta's regional fare. Today the influences of Alberta's multicultural heritage and the influx of international visitors have expanded into a rich restaurant scene in Canmore. Authentic Asian cooking styles are often fused with influences from Canada’s own dynamic Asian population.
All three Japanese restaurants in Canmore feature sushi and even this exotic fare has a Canadian twist. Maki rolls are often made with Alberta beef, salmon and other local ingredients to create unique variants. Canadian-influenced Chinese fare can be found at the Famous Chinese restaurant, now housed in a Swiss-style alpine cabin. Among the hundred or so dishes served at this local favourite is ginger beef, a popular dish that originated in Western Canada. The restaurant is in fact famous; it's well known for the clipped service but also for the best Schezuan cuisine in the Rockies.
A more traditional experience can be found at Indochine, where the menu features classic items such as stir-fry, satays, curries and stews, while the tastefully decorated Wild Orchid Asian Bistro offers guests a relaxing setting in which to enjoy more contemporary fare.
TOP IT OFF WITH DESSERT
A good meal is always better when finished with a sweet treat. Baked goods are plentiful at cafes, ice cream can be found at several spots along Main Street and delicate desserts can be found at upscale restaurants. Local ingredients are also well featured in desserts. Fruits are not easily grown in the province, with the exception of berries; mountain strawberries, sweet raspberries, plump blueberries, tangy saskatoon berries and the unique kalyna berry are Alberta's specialties. These delicate berries are often combined with brown sugar and cinnamon to make buns, crumbles, cakes and bars, which are featured at Canmore's cafes and bakeries, including the Bagel Company, Harvest and Beamers.
An unrivalled dessert experience is found at Divine Cravings, a bright and cheery patisserie offering a variety of treats, crepes, cookies, cakes, milkshakes and coffee. Enjoy one of the 20 flavours of ice cream, including non-dairy options. A home-grown Alberta treat, MacKay's Ice Cream can be tasted at the Railway Café. The Trough Dining Company complements several of its desserts with Bernard Callebaut chocolate, a locally made and highly prized confection.
It's easy to find a good eatery while wandering down Main Street. Casual dining is fun and convenient at the many fast food restaurants, pizza parlours, pubs, cafes and juice bars, traditional fare can be found in a variety of family restaurants and steakhouses, and upscale restaurants offer modern Canadian cuisine as well as all types of international fare.
HOME-GROWN COOKING FROM CANMORE’S MINING ROOTS
Canmore was founded in 1884 by an employee of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Shortly after, Queen Victoria granted a coal mining charter to the town and Canmore quickly became a prosperous town of a couple of thousand miners and their families, mostly of European descent. Each morning miners would pack a hearty breakfast to last them a day of hard labour. The Canmore Hotel, located conveniently on Main Street, is over a hundred years old and still serves a traditional miners' breakfast.
The Iron Goat restaurant is named after the goats that used to pull Canmore's coal carts. When the goats were replaced by locomotives, the miners called the engines iron goats. The rustic decor of this eatery reflects Canmore's historical origins. Diners can take in the stunning view of Three Sisters mountain range while perusing the menu, drawn strongly from local ingredients, featuring bison tenderloin, goat cheese and smoked salmon.
Another nod to Canmore's heritage is the Miner's Lamp Dining Room and Pub, located in Canmore's historic Georgetown Inn. This establishment showcases plenty of local memorabilia and offers a wide range of traditional pub fare made from scratch in a snug, cozy atmosphere.
CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN CUISINE
Contemporary Canadian cuisine is based on the fusion of modern culinary techniques and uniquely Canadian ingredients. Restaurants cultivate relationships with local ranchers, farmers and producers to secure seasonal, fresh ingredients for their menus.
Alberta is famous for its beef, but elk and bison meat are the specialties in the Rockies. In addition to red meats, other wild game like pheasants and salmon are primary ingredients in Canmore's cuisine. These deep flavours are strengthened by wild rice and hearty root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, beets, and potatoes. Glazes and sauces of sweet berries and maple syrup are often used to complement the strong flavour of wild game. An enticing experience awaits at the Trough Dining Company, a consistent, award-winning restaurant with an intimate atmosphere.
Wine country is just on the other side of the Rockies; the temperate climate of southern British Columbia is ideal for growing grapes and fruits. Albertan restaurateurs often stock BC wines to complement the complex flavours of their menus. The contemporary Sage Bistro takes pride in its Canadian wine selection, which is paired beautifully with its unique after-dinner cheese selection, also drawn from Canadian sources.
EUROPEAN FLAVOURS
A multicultural heritage has shaped the restaurant scene in Canmore. Many of the original settlers were of European descent and today English, French, Swiss, German and Ukrainian restaurants can all be found on Canmore's diverse restaurant scene.
Chez François offers regionally-influenced French cuisine in an elegant restaurant setting. The beautiful menu tempts palates with four- and six-course fixed-price options featuring the chef's specialties. An authentic European experience can also be enjoyed at Gasthaus Alphorn, where Swiss, German and Canadian cuisine is served in a cozy alpine setting complete with cuckoo clocks. Those with more exotic tastes will appreciate an enticing experience at Canmore's Tapas Restaurant, which has a fun, exciting atmosphere best enjoyed on the deck.
ASIAN FUSION
As more immigrant populations came to the prairies and Rockies, each brought a taste to add to the growing diversity of Alberta's regional fare. Today the influences of Alberta's multicultural heritage and the influx of international visitors have expanded into a rich restaurant scene in Canmore. Authentic Asian cooking styles are often fused with influences from Canada’s own dynamic Asian population.
All three Japanese restaurants in Canmore feature sushi and even this exotic fare has a Canadian twist. Maki rolls are often made with Alberta beef, salmon and other local ingredients to create unique variants. Canadian-influenced Chinese fare can be found at the Famous Chinese restaurant, now housed in a Swiss-style alpine cabin. Among the hundred or so dishes served at this local favourite is ginger beef, a popular dish that originated in Western Canada. The restaurant is in fact famous; it's well known for the clipped service but also for the best Schezuan cuisine in the Rockies.
A more traditional experience can be found at Indochine, where the menu features classic items such as stir-fry, satays, curries and stews, while the tastefully decorated Wild Orchid Asian Bistro offers guests a relaxing setting in which to enjoy more contemporary fare.
TOP IT OFF WITH DESSERT
A good meal is always better when finished with a sweet treat. Baked goods are plentiful at cafes, ice cream can be found at several spots along Main Street and delicate desserts can be found at upscale restaurants. Local ingredients are also well featured in desserts. Fruits are not easily grown in the province, with the exception of berries; mountain strawberries, sweet raspberries, plump blueberries, tangy saskatoon berries and the unique kalyna berry are Alberta's specialties. These delicate berries are often combined with brown sugar and cinnamon to make buns, crumbles, cakes and bars, which are featured at Canmore's cafes and bakeries, including the Bagel Company, Harvest and Beamers.
An unrivalled dessert experience is found at Divine Cravings, a bright and cheery patisserie offering a variety of treats, crepes, cookies, cakes, milkshakes and coffee. Enjoy one of the 20 flavours of ice cream, including non-dairy options. A home-grown Alberta treat, MacKay's Ice Cream can be tasted at the Railway Café. The Trough Dining Company complements several of its desserts with Bernard Callebaut chocolate, a locally made and highly prized confection.
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