When at the stunning Lake Louise and in need of some food? Even though it might appear to be a little off-the-beaten-path area in the Rockies, there are surprisingly many restaurants to try in Lake Louise—especially considering that it’s in the middle of the mountains.
We are nearly always in the mood for some delicious Banff cuisine, whether we are freezing our asses off at Lake Louise in February or are just returning from a great hike in the region. These are some of our top picks for eateries in Lake Louise!
The Best Lake Louise Restaurants
Mount Fairview Dining Room
This fine dining room is located in the Deer Lodge, a great cabin hotel near Lake Louise. This is where you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner while overlooking the famous Mount Fairview.
The best of Rocky Mountain cuisine is available here! Savor substantial meals before setting out on one of Lake Louise’s top hikes. Enjoy a Bison and Beef Burger for fuel and Peanut Butter Cheesecake for dessert. You can work it off later on your hike to the Big Beehive, don’t worry!
Make sure to stop by when you’re in the area because there aren’t many restaurants in Banff with views like this one.
Post Hotel Dining Room Lake Louise
In addition to being a great hotel in Lake Louise, The Post Hotel has a great dining room that’s perfect for a classy night out. Their food has even been deemed the “Best Food in the Americas” by Conde Nast. You’ll see why I think it’s best to book a table here!
The large fireplace, flowers, Canadian pine, and crystal accents throughout the dining room create the perfect atmosphere of the Canadian Rockies while also making it feel cozy and welcoming.
This is the place to go if you are an expert on wine. Their cellar holds over 25,500 bottles and 2300 selections!
I would advise getting their fondue sampler if you’re visiting Lake Louise in the winter! You won’t be sorry!
Louiza
Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, the newest eatery in Lake Louise is located at the Fairmont and serves Mediterranean cuisine. It’s a classy eatery that’s best saved for those memorable days spent in the Rockies.
Indulge in a fine dining experience with a menu that changes to reflect the mountain’s seasonal changes and highlights locally sourced ingredients. Savor the flavor and aroma of carefully made cocktails that are made with locally sourced, wild ingredients.
At any time of day, Louiza extends her warmest greetings and offers you unmatched hospitality for your opulent vacation in the jaw-dropping Lake Louise scenery.
Walliser Stube
The Walliser Stube restaurant at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise serves European cuisine. It’s an elegant event that’s ideal for commemorating a noteworthy occasion, such as your honeymoon in Banff.
When you walk in, you’ll see expansive views of Lake Louise, but the food will make you feel as though you’re in Switzerland.
Only during the evening, from 5:30 to 9:30, are they open, and reservations are strongly advised. Particularly during the busiest summer months or around Christmas in Banff. Add as much wine as you like—it’s probably the best you’ll find outside of the Alps!
Lake Louise Railway Station & Restaurant
Visit the Railway station for a distinctive dining experience if you’re looking for one near Lake Louise! Are you wondering why you would eat at a train station? This isn’t just any train station, though. There are several locations for this former train station to serve Canadian food, including an old dining car!
Here, you can savor dishes like the Spinach Herb Lasagna and the Paradise Bowl, a soba noodle dish. You can also get some traditional Canadian staples.
They are often missed due to their somewhat obscure location. To truly enjoy this restaurant in Lake Louise, you have to be aware that it exists at all, but once you’ve eaten in a historic rail cart, you might not want to go anywhere else!
Storm Mountain Lodge
In addition to having one of the most exquisite restaurants in the Lake Louise region, Storm Mountain Lodge also boasts some of the most romantic cabins in Banff.
It is possible for both lodge guests and non-guests to make reservations here. Arrive satiated—Storm Mountain Lodge serves excellent Canadian food. Anticipate meat and fish from Alberta raised organically, along with wild caught ingredients.
Every day, all of the bread and sweets are baked on-site. Every day, you can sample the freshness at their deli, which serves lunchtime gourmet sandwiches. If you are heading to hike Arnica Lake or Taylor Lake and realize you forgot your lunch, this is a great place to stop.
They are only open for dinner on a few nights, so if you want to eat there, be sure to check their hours. I would strongly advise giving the bison or wild boar a try!
Bill Peyto’s Cafe
One of the friendliest restaurants in Lake Louise is this one. Inside the HI Lake Louise Hostel, Bill Peyto’s Cafe serves up delicious breakfasts and even better burgers.
You might naturally be curious about the name. The name of Bill Peyto’s Cafe honors the pioneer, mountain guide, and first park warden of Banff. According to legend, Bill caught a lynx at the turn of the 20th century, strapped it to his pack, carried it to his preferred tavern, and let it go.
Being a natural introvert, Mr. Peyto was happy to see the place empty quickly. After selling the animal to the Banff Park Museum, he went to enjoy his drink by himself. Is the narrative accurate? After hearing a lot of stories about Bill Peyto, I would say most likely, but even if it’s not, we have this fantastic cafe right now where we can tell the story!
Trailhead Cafe
More of a little cafe than a restaurant, perfect for sandwiches and coffee drinks to go. We usually warm up at the Trailhead Cafe following a strenuous day at Lake Louise Ski Resort.
If you just want something quick and sweet before going to Lake Louise or Moraine Lake for your activity, this is a great place to stop. Get here before 5pm if you’re craving a latte, as most coffee shops close at that time. You won’t find any other decent coffee shops until you reach Field or the town of Banff.
Lakeview Lounge
Another excellent Lake Louise restaurant at The Fairmont is the Lakeview Lounge, which is perfect for both visitors and guests who are just there to take in the views of Victoria Glacier.
You can sit on the gorgeous outdoor patio if you’d like to eat outside during the summer.
There are a lot of dishes at the Lakeview Lounge, but my favorite is the Apple Smoked Chicken on Butterfly Pea Sourdough Sandwich. If at all possible, try to secure a seat by the large oval windows. Although this may require more waiting, the view is truly worth it.
Lake Agnes Tea House
A symbol of Lake Louise and, by extension, Banff National Park, is the Lake Agnes Tea House. It’s more of a tea house than a Lake Louise restaurant, really! You’ll need to work hard and hike up to Lake Agnes in order to reach the Lake Agnes Tea House.
You won’t be able to miss the tea house that is situated right in front of this breathtaking Banff Lake once you get there. Pricey English tea and pastries are served at the Lake Agnes Tea House. This place isn’t for the very hungry; rather, it’s for Banff visitors who want to cross this amazing location off their bucket list of things to do in the Canadian Rockies.
Only in the summertime is the Lake Agnes Tea House open for business during the day. It’s usually busy, particularly on weekends and holidays in July and August. You’ll probably have to wait to get in and order a $5 cup of tea unless you go outside of peak hours, but the surroundings are idyllic.
Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse
In relation to teahouses, you should be aware of another one. This is not your typical restaurant, much like Lake Agnes. The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse is located about 5.5 km from Lake Louise’s shore. Before continuing on the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail, you can buy soups, baked goods, tea, and light lunch options here. Since 1959, a single family has owned and operated the teahouse, which was built in 1927 by the Canadian Pacific Railway!
Without electricity, the quaint and rustic teahouse has been maintained in its original form. The staff is responsible for bringing in the supplies, as all food and drinks are cooked on propane stoves. Include this on your hike itinerary if you want to work for your lunch!
The Plain of Six Glaciers Teahouse usually opens in late spring and remains open until early October, when the larch needles fall. It is not open all year round.
Laggan’s
In Lake Louise Village, Laggan’s is a counter-serve cafe and deli. It’s right next door to the Trailhouse Cafe, which has a nicer vibe, in my opinion.
A visit here is imperative if you’re in need of something quick and simple. Before embarking on a major day excursion that included biking and hiking at Moraine Lake or a trip to Lake O Hara, we stopped at Laggan’s.
Whitehorn Bistro
The Whitehorn Bistro is the best restaurant on Lake Louise Ski Resort, and that’s saying a lot considering how few there are! On a bright winter day in Banff with shimmering snow, that’s where you should go.
Here, you can savor a light meal like an Alberta Whitehorn Burger or cauliflower wings with king mushrooms! We’ve only had dinner here on one very special day when we were skiing in Banff, but the views of Mount Temple are always memorable.
During the summer, Whitehorn Bistro is also open for lunch, but getting there requires hiking or taking the Lake Louise Gondola. To save money on the combo, think about getting a Gondola and Gourmet ticket.
