7 Iconic Ingredients in Banff National Park: From Nature to Top Chef Plates

You already know Banff National Park is famous for its jaw-dropping views. But did you know it’s also a world-class culinary destination?

While you’re exploring mountain trails and iconic viewpoints, be sure to take some time to taste the fine mountain cuisine created by our top chefs.

They’ve incorporated ingredients that link you to the animals, plants, and Indigenous roots of this region.

Discover seven iconic ingredients in Banff National Park and the restaurants where you can taste them.

Add them to your itinerary for a full sensory experience!

1. Bison

Imagine millions of bison roaming across the land, their heavy hooves pressing the earth and their massive noses nuzzling mountain meadows.

These animals are a part of the very spirit of this place.

Nearly wiped out in the 1800s, Bison are making a comeback thanks to a reintroduction initiative from Parks Canada within the protection of Banff National Park.

The first Indigenous bison hunt in 150 years took place here in 2024, and though only the ceremonial Indigenous hunt is allowed, farms outside Banff and Lake Louise now provide sustainable sourcing so people can thrive off this truly local meat.

Where to Try Bison

Good Folk is a new upscale Banff restaurant in the Otter Hotel.

Chef Dwayne Ennest prepares an Alberta Bison Tartare starter fresh to order, seasoning it with capers, Dijon, and house-cured egg yolk, and the main dish is an eight-ounce bison burger served with local boar bacon.

"Bison are the true ‘native to the prairies’ protein with a rich history, and are a big part of our Indigenous culture,” says Ennest.

If you’re lucky, you can get a table at the intimate and niche Block, a favourite downtown Banff restaurant. Choose from several artistic bison dishes.

“Bison is unquestionably at the core of Alberta’s seven signature ingredients,” says Block Chef Stephane Prevost. “It reflects the deep roots to Indigenous culture and a ‘taste of place.’”

Try the Smoked Bison Flatbread, Alberta Bison Steak, and new Alberta Bison Tartare. Prevost chooses the highest quality hormone and antibiotic-free Canadian bison.

2. Elk

When you visit Banff National Park, you’re likely to see elk. Lots of elk!

These iconic Canadian Rocky Mountain mammals – part of the deer family – are truly majestic.

Elk was a traditional food for Indigenous populations. Banff and Lake Louise restaurants honour this heritage by serving sustainably farmed elk.

Fun Fact: Male antlers are covered in velvet and grow up to 1.2 metres!

Where to Try Elk

Head to Grizzly House, a must-try Banff restaurant where all the rumours are true (yes, it was a swingers club and yes, it has photo-worthy 70s décor).

Beyond its fun vibes, the menu has wild game and exotic meat and their Elk Tenderloin is served up with style.

“This cut is pan-seared to a medium rare and served with Rosti potato and our saskatoon berry chutney,” says Operator Francis Hopkins.

Elk is hard to find and quite exclusive. You’ll love the mild, almost sweet flavour.

3. Saskatoon Berries

Native to this area, saskatoons are purple berries with a mild, earthy flavour.

Indigenous Peoples use them in pemmican, mixing them with dried meat and tallow (rendered animal fat).

Brenda Holder, a Cree/Iroquois Knowledge Keeper, highlights saskatoon berries’ antioxidant and calming properties. “Saskatoon stems and leaves were made into a tea to help with the effects of diabetes,” she says.

To learn more about local plants from Brenda, book a Banff Medicine Walk.

Peter Duck, President of Bow Valley Naturalists, has a deep knowledge of local ecology. Duck says you can spot saskatoons in sunny, dry valley bottom habitats such as slopes and lake shores that face the midday sun.

Just remember, no berry picking in the Park. Leave the berries for the bears!

Where to Try Saskatoons

Juniper Bistro’s plant-forward menu highlights saskatoons in its French toast with berry compote, and saskatoon dust atop potato pavé crisps in their seasonal five-course tasting menu — served up with stunning views of Mount Rundle.

4. Beef

Alberta’s ranching roots run deep, dating back to the 1800s, and its beef is internationally celebrated.

Picture cowboy hats, cattle roundups, and the spirit of the Wild West brought to your plate.

Where to Try Alberta Beef

For an elevated take, Eden, inside the Rimrock Resort Hotel, offers one of the most exquisite settings to savour Alberta beef.

This award-winning gem (AAA Five Diamond awarded!) is a place to linger over mountain views and their seven-course Fauna dining experience, where the fifth course, Beef Tenderloin, is the star.

“Sourced from the Black Apron Beef Company in Lacombe, Alberta, this small family-run ranch raises heritage-breed Angus cattle,” says Bree Todd, Marketing Manager for Rimrock.

“Their dedication to dry aging and hand-cutting every order results in a tender, deeply flavoured cut that captures the essence of Alberta ranching.”

For a luxe ranch-house experience, head to Chuck’s Steakhouse.

Chef Hayden personally selects cuts for marbling, tenderness, and grade, then dry ages them for a minimum of 45 days.

The beef hails from Benchmark Farms, a fourth-generation Alberta ranch where cattle roam native grasslands.

“Every steak at Chuck’s hits our wood-fire Mesquite Grill, then finishes under an 1,800-degree Montague Broiler, giving it a beautiful sear while preserving that juicy bite,” says Chef Hayden.

5. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a distinctive part of the local ecosystem.

When you’re walking in the woods, look for these lovely fungi. They’ll be peeking up from the forest floor and adorning fallen logs.

Though Banff’s top chefs don’t forage here, they source mushrooms to add forest flavour to their dishes. Here are some places to eat that serve up creative mushroom dishes.

Where to Try Mushrooms

Eden’s 7-course plant-based Flora menu has a leek dish with two species of mushrooms: Shimeji and Black Trumpets.

“The Black Trumpets are wildly foraged, then dried,” explains Chef Miroslav Halamicek. “They belong to the Cantharellaceae family (related to Chanterelles) and the flavour is rich, earthy, smoky, and truffle-like.”

Juniper Bistro has a fantastic vegetarian Grilled Leek Medallion in their seasonal 5-Course Experience that rests on stuffed mushroom pâté, with grilled king oyster mushrooms on the side. Plus, morel mushrooms are coming to their summer menu (hint hint, book a table now!).

For a sumptuous Lake Louise experience, try the Lion’s Mane Local Mushroom at Fairview Restaurant.

Executive Sous Chef Chiranjeet Nath explains that Lion’s Mane is “primarily known for its brain-boosting and brain-protective properties, but it's also a delicious mushroom to eat when it comes to texture.” He likens their texture to crab or lobster meat.

6. Trout

Several species of trout swim in the cold, clean waters of Banff National Park.

There are restrictions in place to protect fish populations, so top chefs source trout from sustainable fish farms.

Where to Try Trout

Reserve a table at Good Folk to experience two nourishing trout dishes. Share the Warm Gold Beets and Wild Trout Gravlax to start. The texture is soft, yet stable, and is contrasted by crispy wild rice grains.

For your main, order the pan-seared Local Rainbow Trout.

“This is a sweet tasting fish, lean, and has a great texture,” says Executive Chef Dwayne Ennest. “We pan roast it skin-on in cold pressed Alberta canola oil.

The fish, sourced from Allen’s Trout Farm, is served 24-36 hours out-of-the water, so it’s beautifully fresh.”

7. Evergreen Needles

Did you know that evergreens are trees that keep their needle-style leaves year-round? They blanket the mountain slopes in Banff and Lake Louise.

When you’re out for a hike, take a deep breath and smell their crisp, forest scent.

And you can taste that landscape for yourself in several local drinks.

Where to Try Evergreen Needles

Douglas Fir tea is part of a cleansing course served during Juniper Bistro’s winter/spring tasting menu, described as 'pure forest in a cup.' Chef Sergio Garcia draws on Indigenous traditions and his Mexican roots, sweetening the vitamin C-rich tea with agave nectar.

Forest flavour also shows up in your glass in the Wolf in the Woods cocktail at Good Folk. Order this fir needle-infused sparkling apple cider. It has a clean, citrusy flavour.

Explore and Re-Fuel

After a day exploring mountain trails and local sites, it’s time to refill with signature foods and special stories.

Add these recommended Banff and Lake Louise restaurants to your itinerary.

When you enjoy these seven iconic ingredients, you’re connecting your story with the stories of those who came before you, and the stories of the land.

Take a big bite, and let this place become part of you.