I love breakfast. A good one will put me in a great mood for the whole day. At home, I’m pretty boring when it comes to the first meal of the day. I never skip it, but it’s often simple - some banana loaf (I make a really good one with nut flours and a lot of eggs, so it’s pretty hearty fare) or, if I’m in a hurry, all-natural crunchy peanut butter thickly spread on rice cakes. Whatever the food selection might be, I wash it all down with a couple of cups of tea.

When I travel, though - the breakfast possibilities open way up. 

Sometimes I default to two eggs, over easy with hash browns and toast (these days, I often look for gluten-free toast), but when I have a little time and the menu options look good, well, the sky’s the limit. 

Steak and eggs? Sure - add a little grilled tomato and I’m a happy camper. Sometimes, granola, fresh fruit, and Greek yogurt are exactly what I’m craving.

Even though I don’t drink coffee at home, it’s a real treat when I’m on the road. On the Camino in Spain a couple of years ago, every morning began with a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice, a latte, and frittata. Oh, those were some fine meals to start off each day of walking!

Though it’s only 20 minutes down the road from where I live, going to Banff can seem like I’m on a road trip. I sure enjoyed my bowl of fruit, granola and yogurt at Wild Flour Bakery when I was there a couple of weeks ago. 

Perhaps my all-time favourite breakfast/brunch treat is a good breakfast buffet. Then I can indulge myself and enjoy a little salmon, or sausages and eggs, perhaps a waffle with strawberries and freshly whipped cream or maybe a little of everything! 

In Banff, there are more breakfast options than you can shake a can of bear spray at - not that I’d recommend you try taking a can of bear spray to breakfast - but you know what I mean. Here are just a few to get you started…

Coyotes Southwestern Grill
206 Caribou St

Coyotes in Banff features an interesting (in a good way) blend of Canadian and southwestern decor. Friendly, laid back, and casual, the prices are reasonable and the breakfasts delicious.

Try the Huevos Rancheros or, if you’re starving hungry, the Mountain Man breakfast. With a couple of eggs, wild berry pancakes, oven-roasted potatoes and your choice of Canadian bag bacon, strip bacon or spicy chorizo sausage, by the time you wash down the last mouthful with Coyote’s house roast dark coffee blend, you’ll be ready to take on whatever your day in the mountains has in store.

With lots of good gluten-free options (can you say GF French toast??), this is a great option for those in search of gluten-free alternatives. 

Wild Flour - Banff’s Artisan Bakery Café
211 Bear St

Whether you’re looking for a danish pastry or something more substantial (a panini on fresh-baked bread, for example), you’ll be happy you stopped in at this favourite brekkie hangout for Banff locals.  Wild Flour proudly uses free-range eggs, fresh vegetables and herbs, and bakery-fresh bread for their signature breakfast frittata sandwich. They have a variety of house-made granolas to choose from, which can be topped with berry compote and yogurt or milk. 

Crave Mountain Grill
222 Lynx Street

Looking for a great Sunday brunch? Crave Mountain Grill is hard to beat - and that’s even before you take the glorious mountain views into consideration.

The brunch features a wide selection of hot and cold entrées, salads, seafood, full breakfast selection including an omelet station, carving station and a wide variety of desserts, fruit and cheeses. Don’t miss the chocolate fountain!

Kids five and under get a free pass at the Sunday brunch as long as each child brings along a paying adult. Ordering á là carte? Try the Florentine Eggs Benedict with caramelized onions, spinach and smashed potatoes. 

Nourish Bistro
211 Bear Street

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, bacon has no place at the breakfast table. Fortunately, Nourish Bistro specializes in delicious vegan breakfasts like their Aloo Paratha which they describe as being ‘kinda like a potato pancake - unleavened dough mixed with potato and spices, served with olive oil-lemon arugula, roasted roma tomatoes and finished with tamarind chutney and vegan mint-cilantro yogurt. Also available with paneer cheese and mixed veggies (peas, carrot, bell pepper, corn and more).

Yep - this is real, good, wholesome food that will make your body, mind and spirit very happy. 

El Toro 
429 Banff Avenue

Known for their locals breakfast specials, El Toro offers consistently tasty meals with generous portions and reasonable prices.

Try the raspberry crepes with vanilla yogurt, a breakfast burrito or maybe a Spanish omelette.

Bring the whole family and start your day off right!  

Wildfire Grill
600 Banff Avenue

Stop on your way into the Wildfire Grill for a selfie with the big wooden bear and then continue on to your table where you’ll be able to satisfy all your breakfast desires at this restaurant located at the Inns of Banff.

The kids breakfast menu includes French Toast, Pancakes, Grilled Cheese or a Kids Mountain Breakfast with a scrambled egg with cheese, sausage, bacon, hash browns and toast. 

Lots here to pick from for all members of the family.

Juniper Bistro
1 Juniper Way

Offering one of the best brunches in Banff, the Juniper Bistro can certainly provide you with eggs cooked as you please (served with Valbella farmhouse sausage and bacon), but why stick to the tried and true when you can branch out and try something a little more exotic?

How about getting adventurous with the grilled avocado served with poached egg, charred corn, crumbled Crystal Springs feta, oven-dried tomatoes and sourdough bread? Or a Juniper Benny with bannock, braised rabbit, buffalo mozzarella, juniper berry glaze, 2 poached eggs, hollandaise, and brown butter hash?

Go on. Live a little! The Juniper Bistro offers various gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options for those with special dietary requirements. 

Do tell! Where do you love to go for breakfast? Leave us a comment below and let us know!