This Banff & Calgary Plant Based Dining Guide is full of great restaurants to hit when traveling Canada ! All spots have vegan and gluten-free options, and many serve a variety of food to satisfy all eaters.
Banff was a place that had been calling my name for some time! Snow capped mountains, crystal clear lakes, hiking trails galore, and city amenities within reach. Pitch me a tent, I am moving in! When the chance for a quick impromptu trip with one of my best gal pals was posed, I jumped on that band wagon.
Our time in Banff was snowy and 75. Lots of sun and mountains that look UNreal in person. We bopped around Banff and Canmore, and then drove to the Calgary for a day. We also ate lots of food, out of blog duties only, of course! The food was impressive, the scenery was grand. Hope you love these eats and get a chance to taste them all yourself someday soon!
Eats In Banff:
Nourish Bistro
Finding a vegetarian restaurant that specialized in gluten-free food in Banff was an unexpected treat! Our first visit to this restaurant included a post dinner ice cream sundae. Their ice cream was silky smooth and perfectly sweet. The next day after a long hike, we stopped in for a filling lunch. I had their burger, which is always changing in flavor with the chefs whim, and a side of cauliflower chowder. I also snuck a few bites of mac and cheese which featured local-made quinoa noodles!
Block Kitchen + Bar
This trendy downtown Banff spot was our first proper meal of the trip. Though our car snacks were on point, the Zen Salad I had for dinner remains one of the most memorable bites of our stay. Though this restaurant is not solely vegan, there were quite a few vegan and gluten-free options on their menu. They had a trendy atmosphere and a great drink list!
Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar
If you are looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, this is your spot. This restaurant is brewing its own booze and has a killer cocktail list to match. They did not have a vegan option on their menu, but I highly recommend their patio seating and an iced cold cocktail.
Wild Flour Bakery
This adorable bakery was our last spot before skipping town and heading home, and how I wish we had found it sooner! This local spot has a menu full of vegan and gluten-free pastries. They also make a great matcha latte, with, wait for it… REAL matcha tea and not a super sweet imposter powder like most spots are serving up. If you are not gluten-free, promise me you will buy one of their sourdough loaf and eat it for me???
Banff Avenue Brewing Company
Two words: Carrot Jam. I do not even know how this works in actual good tasting food life, but it does. And it does it so well. This delightful spread was slathered all over the vegetarian sandwich I ordered, hold the cheese please, which they were happy to serve on a great tasting gluten-free bun. This was our last dinner spot of the trip, and it did not disappoint. The pub atmosphere was made perfect by the fact that the Stanly Cup was playing on the tube and loyal Canadian hockey fans were cheering throughout the restaurant.
Eats In Canmore:
Jacek Chocolate Couture
Where there is chocolate, that is where you will find me. This Canadian-made chocolate shop had a case full of gorgeous truffles, many of which were vegan! After much heart wrenching debate, I went with their single origin Dominican Republic 90% chocolate bar. It is one of the silkiest bars I have ever eaten. Lots of deep chocolate flavor, little to no bitter taste.
Toniq Juice Bar
In between burgers, chocolate, and ice cream, this juice spot was a nice relief! I popped in for a charcoal lemonade, but their case pre-made food options, was filled with goodies!
Eats in Calgary:
Wild & Raw
This juice bar was NEXT LEVEL! They are serving smoothies, juice, bone broth, and warm elixirs, all full of adaptogens and superfoods. The staff was really knowledgable and helped us choose from their large and impressive menu. I had the Chagachino and a raw snickers bar. If there was a Wild & Raw anywhere within a 20 minute drive of my house, I would be there daily!
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters
This trendy trendy trendy spot was filled with hipsters and business suites alike when we strolled in on Wednesday morning. I had their matcha latte – the best of the trip – which was handed over sans lid with some cool latte art to boot. The place is filled with hanging plants, trendy wood tables, and local artisan goods. The shop also had a case of baked goods of which I spotted a few gluten-free options worth ordering. Bonus points for selling extra trendy coffee goods like whole cascara!
Wise & Right
We found this gem of a lunch spot while exploring downtown Calgary. This fast casual joint was serving up warm lunch bowls, flatbread, salads, and smoothies. Most of the bowls can be made gluten-free and vegan. I had the Vegetable Superbowl and substituted the farro for rice to keep it gluten free.
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