Alberta’s Rocky Mountain communities are brimming with great restaurants. But, with multi-level heritage buildings, boisterous tourist-filled spaces and an emphasis on Alberta beef, not all mountain restaurants are prime for guests with physical disabilities, neurodiversity considerations or dietary restrictions. The following locales pay special attention to their design, atmosphere and menus to ensure anyone can find a great place to eat out while visiting the mountains.
Spots with Great Wheelchair Access
These three restaurants take extra care to ensure those using mobility aids can easily get around.
Farm & Fire
Located in the Elk + Avenue Hotel, Farm & Fire guests can be dropped off at the stair-free path at the hotel’s front door where there is unobstructed access to the ground-floor restaurant. The spacious dining room allows for tables to be moved around as needed, and washrooms are off the lobby on the same floor.
333 Banff Ave., Banff, 403-760-3298, banffjaspercollection.com/dining/farm-fire, @farmandfirebanff
Evil Dave’s Grill
This casual restaurant has something on the menu for everyone — plus significant accommodations for diners who use wheelchairs. There’s plenty of room between tables for wheelchair users to move throughout the restaurant, and a designated accessible parking stall adjacent to an entrance ramp for quick access into the space.
86 Connaught Dr., Jasper, 780-852-3323, evildavesgrill.com, @evildavesgrill
Hello Sunshine
Hello Sunshine is a convenient, single-level restaurant for diners with physical disabilities to access. Its location on quieter-than-Banff-Avenue Wolf Street means it’s easy to pull over, unload a wheelchair and assist someone with mobility challenges into the restaurant. Once inside, guests of all ability levels can move around the cavernous room to check out the whimsical Japanese creations coming out of the open kitchen, or to get to the private karaoke rooms and barrier-free washrooms.
208 Wolf St., Banff, 403-985-7225, hellosunshinebanff.com, @hellosunshinebanff
Serene Choices for Neurodiverse Diners
Modern restaurants can be loud, busy and uncomfortably overwhelming for diners with sensory sensitivities. These businesses specialize in providing a more laid-back, lower-key environment.
Signature cabins at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The private standalone “luxury signature” cabins at Jasper Park Lodge give small parties the opportunity to enjoy high-end food far away from the bustle of the main lodge. In-cabin dining experiences include curated DIY or chef-prepared barbecue kits, breakfasts or canapé platters, with plenty of options available to suit dietary preferences.
1 Old Lodge Rd., Jasper, fairmont.com/jasper, @fairmontjp
Grapes Wine Cellar
The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is a formidable and often very busy venue, but this almost-secret hideaway within the castle brings the sensory level down with its low-lighting and tucked-away feel. A simple tapas- and charcuterie-centric menu allows for customization for guests with differing needs. The wine list is lengthy, and staff can help pinpoint the perfect pairing.
405 Spray Ave., Banff, 403-762-2211, fairmont.com/banff-springs, @fairmontbanff
Bluebird Wood-Fired Steakhouse
Bluebird may be one of the most buzzed-about restaurants in Banff, but it’s also one of the coziest, with a number of dark and quiet nooks in which to enjoy a meal. Located on the relatively quiet Lynx Street, Bluebird is close to the action, but not right in the middle of it. For a quieter evening, sit in the dimly lit, wood-panelled lounge and sink into a prime rib dinner finished with a slice of key lime pie.
214 Lynx St., Banff, 403-985-9163, bluebirdbanff.com, @bluebirdbanff
Destinations Catering to Dietary Restrictions
It’s no fun to look at a menu and realize that most of the food is off-limits. These restaurants do their best to make sure everyone at the table is able to dig in.
Juniper Bistro
This comfy hotel restaurant on the outskirts of Banff boldly bills itself as offering “plant-rich flavours.” This does not make the Juniper strictly vegan or vegetarian, but the kitchen is vegan-conscious and there is plenty on the menu for all diners. Gluten-free options are also available, along with thoughtful non-alcoholic drinks.
1 Juniper Way, Banff, 403-762-2281, thejuniper.com, @juniperbanff
PARK Distillery
A distillery tasting room might not seem like a logical place to get an alcohol-free drink, but Park excels in the realm of zero-proof beverages, with ample choice of spirit-free cocktails and non-alcoholic beers (gluten-free beer is also available). Inclusionary policies also extend to the food, with items clearly marked as vegetarian or gluten-friendly.
219 Banff Ave., Banff, 403-762-5114, parkdistillery.com, @parkdistillery
Sauvage
Tasting menu-only restaurants often operate on a “no-substitutions” basis, but Sauvage strives to offer a taste of the bounty of the mountains through two menus: the carnivore friendly “The Hunter” and the all-vegan “The Gatherer.” Diners can also opt for pairings of premium juices or a zero-proof cocktail.
633 10 St., Canmore, 403-609-0583, sauvagerestaurant.ca, @sauvagecanmore