Outside the Box - Fresh Starts and Fine Breakfasts in Canmore

Pull up a seat and let’s talk breakfast… (Image: Table Food and Drink - Coast Hotel in Canmore)

Is salad for breakfast a thing? According to the number and variety of very green options on local menus first thing in the morning, I’d have to say yes. Until recently, I might have headed out for breakfast fully expecting I’d wind up with bacon and eggs, or some such fare. I didn’t think I was into veggies for breakfast.

Communitea
1001 6th Avenue

That was before I discovered the amazing breakfast bowls on offer at Communitea. I’ve had lots of chances to sample the offerings over the past months as the Bow Valley Women Entrepreneurs networking group meets at Communitiea every Tuesday morning. The parade of deliciousness that arrives at the table each week goes way beyond what one might expect at a coffee shop (muffins and other baked goods) and moves into the realm of the sublime. 

The Big Breakfast Bowl involves farm scrambled eggs, avocado, quinoa, spiced black ben mix, sweet potato, tomato, chipotle and tomato chili sauces on spinach… and, there’s a vegan option (substituting tofu scramble for the eggs). Smoothies garnished with fresh fruit, berry compote with house-made granola, breakfast burritos or paninis with bacon and eggs - it’s all good, healthy, fresh, and delicious. 

Bonus for a tea lover like me, you can’t beat the selection of loose-leaf teas lined up in those pleasingly symmetrical canisters.  

Green Eggs and Kale at Freshii in Canmore

Freshii
300 Old Canmore Road

Walk into Freshii and you are surrounded by fresh, healthy, nutritious meal options starting with green smoothies (your salad in liquid form). It’s no wonder these guys are fond of their slogan, Eat! Energize! Just looking at the food here makes me feel healthier! 

The breakfast menu is reasonably priced and oh, so, tasty - Ranchero Burritos, Steak Egg and Cheese Burritos, Spinach Mushroom and Cheese Pockets - there’s a bit of a Mexican-inspired theme to be sure.

Green Eggs and Kale is a bowl full of power foods and the Cali Smoothie Bowl is just plain yummy! What’s not to love about fresh fruit, yogurt, and shredded coconut?

Looking for a hit of protein? Go straight for the hard-boiled eggs. Or, try the Metaboost plate of spinach, kale and field greens, goat cheese, mango, almonds, carrots, edamame, all drizzled with a hit of balsamic vinaigrette. 

For something light and playful, you also have the option of frozen yogurt, various nutrient-loaded smoothies, or Freshii juices. Interested in a juice cleanse? Well, Freshii can you help you out there, too. Pick up a 5-day supply of juices in several varieties and super-charge your body’s nutrient intake. 

Table Food and Drink
511 Bow Valley Trail

Table Food and Drink at the Coast Hotel has plenty to offer diners at any time of day, but start things off on a good foot by stopping in for breakfast. 

When I was a kid, one of my all-time favourite breakfasts involved silver dollar pancakes. Diminutive hotcakes seem to be enjoying a new incarnation at Table Food and Drink as Loonie Pancakes. Served with syrup and fruit, you’ll find these on the kids’ breakfast menu. 

For grown-up appetites, Smoked Salmon Benedict or Steak and Eggs will take care of even the hungriest members of the family. Looking for gluten-free options? Just ask and your server will be happy to let you know what variations are available.  

Sage Bistro
1712 Bow Valley Trail

Another great option if you are looking for a delectable weekend brunch in Canmore is Sage Bistro. With its charming log interior, big windows with mountain views and a superb menu, Sage Bistro is all about ambiance, good food and excellent service. 

For nearly thirty years, this family-run restaurant has been tickling tastebuds in both the main floor restaurant and upstairs in the wine bar. Quality ingredients from local sources mean you really do get to enjoy a taste of the mountains - both on your plate and by soaking up those mountain views. 

Weekend brunch is popular with locals. Sure, you can always go for the tried and true eggy favourites (omelettes,  sausages and eggs, and so on), but don’t be afraid of cool alternatives like a Hippie Bowl (warm quinoa, arugula, tomato, corn, organic wild mushrooms, citrus tahini and 2 sunny-side-up eggs) or the Wild Pig Bowl that combines wild boar bacon with potato wedges, Sylvan Star gouda, tomatoes, and red peppers). There are plenty of other options, too - ricotta pancakes, croissants, quiche, banana bread French toast… the list is long!  

Come prepared to stay awhile, linger over coffee, and make plans for the rest of your day exploring the Bow Valley.

Weekend Brunch for Late Starters

Aroma Mexican Restaurant
837 Main Street

During the week (Tuesday - Friday), Aroma Mexican Restaurant is only open for dinner (from 5 pm), but Friday, Saturday and Sunday, head on over to Aroma for a late brunch starting at 11:30. This is slow-style, authentic Mexican cooking at its best. Everything is prepared fresh from scratch, so plan to sit, relax, and enjoy some good conversation with your companions.

You’ll find all your favourites here - burritos, enchiladas, and tacos plus salads and treats like garlic prawns, calamari, and ceviche Matzatlan (raw basa fish marinated with fresh lime juice mixed with pico de gallo—tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers— served with house-made corn tortilla chips). Wonderful family-cooking and service - you’ll soon feel like you’re part of the family yourself!

Don’t forget to put on one of the sombreros and snap a photo! 

For that matter, no matter where you wind up for breakfast, don’t forget to tag us (@tastecanmore or #tastecanmore) in your posts. Yep - we’re paying attention to who is out an about enjoying all the great food and drink this valley has to offer. By joining the conversation, you become one of our Menu Hunters and are eligible for some fun foodie prizes!

Best Breakfasts in Banff

Bennies for Breakfast at the Bison! The Bison offers Sunday brunch every week from 10 a - 2 pm at 211 Bear Street in Banff.

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. 

The menu at the Juniper never fails to surprise and delight!

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