Vegetarian Restaurants in Banff

There are not many vegetarian restaurants in the Canadian rockies! In fact, we only found one strictly vegetarian one in the whole area, and we didn't wind up eating there because of their limited hours. But we did find some fine vegetarian food in a couple of places and so here's the info for you.

Thanks for email tips to:

• Laura and Chris (Honolulu), 25 Jan 2003

Vegetarian Restaurant

• Sunfood Café, second floor of the Sundance Mall (215 Banff Avenue), 11am-9pm
  This Christmas, my husband and I stumbled into the Sunfood Cafe in downtown Banff after an exhausting overnight plane ride. This is a cozy, upstairs cafe in a mall with a similar name (Sundance Mall?) across the street from the Tourist Information Centre. We were warmed up immediately by the friendly, personal service of the owner, who comes from Switzerland and speaks several languages fluently. He took the time to sit down with us and explain the selections, and to get to know us as people. There are many vegan as well as lacto-ovo vegetarian dishes on the menu, all of which looked mouth-watering. I chose the smoked tofu zuchinni fettucine, and my husband chose the currried vegetables with basmati rice and Indian yellow dhal. Also on the menu were cozy soups, luscious desserts, and unusual salads. The decor is bright and the music is relaxing. We were given a hefty portion of whole-grain bread to hold us, but we didn't have to wait long for our wonderful meals to arrive. The dishes have a European gourmet taste with interesting spices, and of course are all healthy, some with organic ingredients. The prices are reasonable, and with the US dollar, are an amazing bargain. We went back to this cafe several times during the week. This cafe is open for lunch and dinner, and the owner stayed open late on Christmas eve, and brought in live musical entertainment. This is a also a nice place to just relax and sip herbal tea or chai, read the newspaper (provided) and mingle with friendly locals who eat there often during their lunch hours. (L&C)

Restaurants with Vegetarian Entrees

• Wild Bill's Saloon, Banff Ave near Cariboo.
  Several good vegetarian choices on this menu (which you can view online!) and excellent cooking and service made this our favorite Banff restaurant.
  
• Cafe Spillimacheen, Spillimacheen, B.C., on Rt. 95 between Golden and Radium Hot Springs.
  Not in Banff at all, but we stopped here on a loop from Banff through Kootenay National Park. What a find! This is a little hole in the wall place - we were uncertain if there could even be a restaurant in the building. But it is very nice inside and the cook does great Tex-Mex food. She's from Texas, which helps, and very friendly to vegetarians. Cooks her own beans and so forth. Definitely recommended - Shelly loved the tostada and I loved the huevos rancheros.
  

Additions welcomed - send email.