Stories From the Trails: Five Ways Dining Enriches the Visitor Experience
Food is a key part of any journey – it can turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary one. As gracious hosts and grateful guests, the people of Banff and Lake Louise understand that sharing a meal can be a powerful way to connect. Great food offers a taste of local culture, a sense of adventure, and helps create memories that linger longer after the plates have been cleared.
Providing world-class experiences is our collective superpower here. In the world of tourism, food can be an invitation to unforgettable experiences and connections while supporting sustainability and the local economy.
Featuring comments from Banff & Lake Louise Tourism restaurant members, here are five ways that food enriches the visitor experience.
Cultural immersion
Dining can be a soulful experience. When it goes beyond simply satisfying hunger after a day of skiing or hiking, it can connect visitors deeply with the essence of a place through regional specialties and ingredients that are unique to the area.
Restaurants like The Prow at Buffalo Mountain Lodge showcase Rocky Mountain cuisine and describe what they offer as “an artful assemblage of high quality, locally procured ingredients.” This includes wild game like bison, elk, and venison, Pacific halibut, Alberta lamb, Indigenous berries, and prairie-grown grain.
All of these come together to offer a true “taste of place”, making the experience more immersive.
Memorable spaces
Food has a unique ability to elevate a trip, becoming one of the memorable parts of the visitor experience. It brings people together to connect, celebrate, and share stories.
But it’s not just about the meal – it's also about the setting.
Stephane Prevost, Chef and Managing Owner at Shoku Izakaya and Block Kitchen + Bar shared, “Restaurants are social hubs where people meet, greet and eat. In the case of Shoku and Block, the spaces were intended to be inspiring, convivial, and vibrant, setting the tone for the overall enjoyment of sharing a good meal with friends or family.”
Emotional connection
Good hospitality can evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia. Emotional bonds made over a shared plate can transform a visitor’s experience. Whether it’s a smile from a server or a dish with the power to be remembered and talked about for years, the emotional connection formed through dining adds a meaningful and lasting layer to a visitor’s experience.
Sustainability
Many restaurants in Banff and Lake Louise embrace the farm-to-table philosophy, using local and regional ingredients that tell the story of this unique place. These establishments are dedicated to sustainable sourcing, supporting local farmers, and minimizing their environmental impact through eco-friendly practices.
This not only elevates the dining experience but also contributes to a sustainable tourism model that honors the natural landscape. Examples include the Fairmont Banff Springs' new tech system for tracking and reducing food waste, Nourish Bistro’s use of sustainable and local products like loose-leaf tea from Banff Tea Co., and Juniper Bistro’s commitment to sourcing from regenerative farms.
Discovery and adventure
In Banff and Lake Louise, adventure is not only found on lake shores and mountain tops, but also on the streets and in restaurants. Through unique dining experiences, visitors are encouraged to embark on a culinary adventure – to try something new.
Stephane’s shared a top tip, “A good approach is to utilize products that people are mostly familiar with and integrate them with flavours and techniques that they may have not experienced before.”
Dining in Banff and Lake Louise not only satisfies appetites but also enriches the journey. Food offers visitors a way to connect more deeply with this place. Through each meal, they experience more of the destinations awe, leaving with lasting memories that go beyond the dinner table.
How is your restaurant creating a memorable and positive experience for guests? We want to hear your story!
Stories from the Trails is a series sharing learning, success, and insights, from our members and partners as we journey together towards the 10-Year Vision for Tourism. This story embodies the Visitor Experience trail.
Lead Tourism for Good
Share your story! What initiatives are happening in your business or organization that support our shared vision for tourism? Email us! memberservices@banfflakelouise.com