Bucket List Dining in Lake Louise: Historic Train Station Turned Restaurant

Eat Where History Was Made in Banff National Park

Smack dab on Canada's legendary railway route, Lake Louise's The Station Restaurant is a must-stop—where eye popping mountain views, storied pasts, and unforgettable meals simmer into one iconic experience.

Duck into this historic dining spot, which offers cozy dining in both a historic building and a vintage dining car at a heritage railway station in Lake Louise, Canada.

Here, rustic vibes meet mouthwatering mountain cuisine, giving diners not just an amazing meal, but also a taste of Canadian history!

Walking into The Station Restaurant, a beautifully preserved Canadian Pacific Railway station, whisks you right back to the glamorous golden age of rail travel.

You'll savour locally inspired dishes while surrounded by staggering mountain peaks and authentic railway memorabilia, creating the kind of dining memory that becomes a highlight of any Canadian Rockies adventure.

Step Back in Time to Dine at a Living Museum

Dining at The Station Restaurant feels like stepping back into the golden age of rail travel. Over the years, the clickety-clack of train wheels has given way to the clink of glasses, but the spirit of exploration remains.

The building’s been beautifully preserved, and with its 115th anniversary in 2025, its timeless charm feels more special than ever.

"From the red roof to the original hardwood flooring to the leaded glass windows, we kept as much as we could," notes The Station Master, chef and co-owner Jerry Cook.

Step inside the charming log building and you’ll discover the entire station is a restaurant. And that each dining room offers its own distinct personality.

If you’re into history, you’ll love The Station Master Room, which totally feels like dining in a living museum.

The original Station Master's desk stands in its traditional spot, topped with vintage treasures—an old wireless and morse code machine. There’s even the original wooden hoop once used to hand paper messages to engineers on passing trains.

Looking for something truly special and private?

Step aboard the Delamere Dining Car. This meticulously restored heritage train car features wood-paneled walls, a domed ceiling and discreet service buttons beside each table. (Yes, you can totally pretend you’re in Downtown Abbey.)

With space for 26 of your closest friends, it's the kind of unique backdrop that turns ordinary celebrations into "remember that insane dinner party at the historic train car?" stories.

The main restaurant feels like scrolling through Lake Louise's Instagram from the past century. The walls are covered with black and white photographs showing the area's evolution and some seriously cool visitors who passed through.

Spot Hollywood heartthrob John Barrymore (Drew's granddad!) and wildlife artist extraordinaire Carl Rungius looking dapper in another era.

Film buffs will love seeing the train platform. It had its Hollywood moment in the Oscar-winning Dr. Zhivago. While Omar Sharif's scene took seconds to film, you can spend much longer casually dropping this factoid to impress your dinner companion.

Enjoy Local Flavours While Watching Trains Go By

While Lake Louise sports many excellent restaurants, you’d be hard-pressed to find one with as much character—especially if you’re a rail enthusiast.

“There’s no better spot to watch trains go by,” avows Cook.

Savvy travelers know that summer reveals Lake Louise's best-kept secret: a secluded patio that is the spot for you to sip cocktails while drinking in jaw-dropping Slate Mountain views that most visitors to Lake Louise will never discover.

Hugged by a picture-perfect forest of lodgepole pine, fir, and blue spruce, hundreds of gorgeous flowers burst from raised beds, creating a little slice of wilderness paradise that'll have you snapping photos before you even make it to your table. Chive and rhubarb patches also dot the property, finding their way into many signature dishes.

Local Tip: When strawberry rhubarb pie or lemonade appears on the menu, consider it your signal to order both.

Locally inspired fare includes farm-raised Alberta pork schnitzel and bison—a magnificent animal that's been recently reintroduced into Banff National Park and is one of the seven signature foods you’ll find in Banff National Park.

Diners can savour bison in a rich lasagna, as a juicy burger, or as melt-in-your-mouth slow-braised ribs.

With a philosophy centered on value, The Station naturally attracts loyal annual visitors.

"Our goal is to provide a good meal at a reasonable price and for customers to go away happy," shares Cook. 

A Taste of Lake Louise History

Built in 1910, the Lake Louise Railway Station was part of the original railway network in Banff National Park.

This Canadian Pacific Railway gem helped transform Lake Louise into the premier North American destination it remains today.

"Before the Trans-Canada Highway opened in 1962, everyone came in by rail," affirms Cook, who (in case you hadn't noticed) is quite the character. He cut his teeth at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the '70s, before helping rebuild the iconic Lake Agnes Tea House.

Shaping the local food scene longer than most visitors have been alive, if Lake Louise had a king of cuisine, Cook would wear the crown.

When passenger service ended in 1990, the station closed—but Cook and his partners weren't ready to let this piece of history fade away.

"Our goal was to save the building and to pay for a restoration," says Cook.

The cafe Cook and friends started as a simple fundraiser has turned into a Lake Louise legend that's been going strong for over 30 years—pretty wild for an industry where most restaurants barely survive two years.

It's the kind of spot where the chefs pour their hearts onto every plate, which explains why so many visitors make a beeline back here the minute they hit town again.

And fortunately, passenger service has returned to the station thanks to the Rocky Mountaineer. When that luxury train rolls into Lake Louise, you know who is the official Station Master. (Yep, it’s Cook!)

The restaurant has welcomed numerous celebrities over the years, including former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But Cook's favourite A-list memory almost didn't happen.

"Years ago, two tall, well-dressed gentlemen entered the bistro wanting a reservation. I said we didn't take reservations, and they tried to explain who it was for. I didn't recognize the name. "Who's this guy again?" I asked. "The queen's son, sir," they replied."

In that rare exception, a reservation was made for Prince Edward, who was staying nearby.

"I think he had the salmon and bought a sweatshirt," remembers Cook.

With so much history at your fingertips, diners are encouraged to explore and ask questions before tucking into regional favourites.

But if you’re not Prince Edward, you’ll need to add The Station to your itinerary for Banff and Lake Louise to experience this legendary spot.

Local tip: Look for the original ticket window to the left of the bar in the Great Room.

A Dining Experience Where Time Slows Down

Even though the lively restaurant can pack in 120 folks inside (plus extra patio seating in summer), it somehow feels like your own private mountain retreat.

"Down here, no matter if the parking lot is full, it maintains a peaceful, calm essence. You won't find that elsewhere. The busy part of Lake Louise is left behind," insists Cook.

Today, The Station Restaurant remains woven into the community fabric. Offering more than a meal, it serves up a delicious journey through Canada's railway legacy.

For Cook, creating lasting memories sits at the heart of his mission.

“The restaurant provides a link to the past, but once something is gone, it’s gone. We’re celebrating 115 years in 2025, and hopefully, we’ll be here for another 100 years. I just want people to know places like this really do exist.”

Whether you're cozied up watching winter snowflakes drift past windows that have witnessed over a hundred years of travelers' stories or you're basking in summer breezes on the flower-filled patio, something magical happens at The Station.

It’s a feeling that you've somehow returned to a place you've never been before. Where every bite and every moment connect you to generations of explorers who once stood exactly where you're standing—at the very beginning of their Canadian Rockies adventure.

Add The Station to Your Itinerary

The Station is a must-try for any Banff and Lake Louise itinerary. Check out the menu and make sure this iconic restaurant is on your list of places to go and things to do in Banff National Park.