A good café can be so many things: a place to start your day off right with a dose of caffeine, or to grab a quick pick-me-up later in the day; somewhere to socialize with friends, or to get a little work done; a cozy spot to grab a small bite to eat, or a quick but filling meal. They’re kind of the ultimate catch-all. So whether you need a boost because you’re heading out on an early morning hike, or you’ve just finished hitting the slopes, or you shopped until you (metaphorically-speaking) dropped, this post is for you. I’ve curated this list of Banff’s coffee shops, tea houses, and bakeries based on my personal experiences over the years, and I’m sure that you’ll find something to enjoy here. Plus you can feel good knowing that every single one of these businesses are 100% local & independent!
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Sit & Stay Awhile
Banff National Perk
Banff National Perk is easy to overlook, tucked away in the Bear Street Mall; but if you’re searching for something a little quieter it’s just the ticket. Having been quietly serving the locals since 1988, they have a small, but loyal, following (I once overheard a construction worker telling the barista that he had driven all the way from Lake Louise to get a cup of their brew). My personal favourite part of their menu is their huge selection of “tea fogs”, which combine different teas, syrups, and steamed milks in a variety of flavourful combinations.
Evelyn’s Coffee World
Evelyn’s Coffee World is the very first café that my husband & I ever visited in Banff, and it’s still one of my favourite places to sit & relax with a hot beverage. Their baked goods are made in-house, and they’re the only place to offer chocolate whipped cream (delicious on a mocha), or thirst-quenching Italian Sodas (super refreshing on a hot summer’s day). Particularly if you’re spending the day shopping, you really can’t beat their location—smack-dab in the middle of downtown Banff & right on the main street to boot—for convenience or people-watching.
Trailhead Café
Trailhead Café is family-operated, permanently busy, and a true Lake Louise staple. A favourite of adventurers year-round, their fair-trade coffee and made-to-order wraps are particularly popular, as they’re perfect for taking along for a day of hiking, skiing, or otherwise exploring. But there are some lesser-known menu items, like their buttermilk pancakes, which are best enjoyed while sitting at one of their tiny tables and listening to the bustling of patrons & staff.
Whitebark Café
Whitebark Café is consistently voted as being the best coffee shop in the Bow Valley. They use organic fair trade beans, premium loose-leaf tea, and their hot chocolate is made in the European style (using real chocolate shavings rather than a sugar-laden powdered mix or syrupy concentrate). The majority of their pastries & other foodstuffs are made in-house, and they have a rotating selection of vegan/gluten-free options. They’re also the only licensed café in Banff, so if you fancy a shot of Bailey’s or Kahlua in your coffee, then make sure to stop in!
Wild Flour
Wild Flour is, hands down, the best place to buy baked goods in the town of Banff. Every single one of their artisanal breads and pastries are made in-house, from scratch, daily. Wherever possible they use local, organic, and fair-trade ingredients to showcase the bounty of the mountains, and they offer both gluten-friendly & vegan menu items. They’re passionate about incorporating the warmth of baking into everything, from the menu to the staff, and it shows. For a grab & go option, visit their subsidiary location Little Wild.
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Grab & Go
Banff Tea Co
Banff Tea Co is a true haven for tea lovers. This little shop has been going strong for over a fifteen years, and supplies several restaurants, spas, and hotels throughout the Canadian Rockies with their loose leaf teas. Of course they have tried & true infusions like English Breakfast and Jasmine Green Tea, but they also sell inventive blends such as Banff Trail Mix, Juniper Sage, and—one of my personal favourites—Turtle Tea. Get a cuppa to go, or purchase a bag of your favourite tea to take home with you as a souvenir!
Javalanche Café
Javalanche Café is an unsuspecting little number, tucked in next to the Shell gas station in Lake Louise, but don’t underestimate the quality of their offerings based on the location. This tiny coffee joint makes an absolutely killer pound cake (of which they sell about a dozen different varieties, including my favourite chocolate-orange marble loaf), and if you’re searching for something more savoury they also serve up delicious sandwiches & wraps.
JK Bakery & Café
JK Bakery & Café is another local favourite in the Bow Valley, having been baking European-inspired breads & pastries using locally-sourced ingredients for three decades. They make traditional items such as rye bread, apple strudel, and berry scones, as well as new creations such as a delicious “best of both worlds” pretzel baguette. They even sell homemade dog biscuits, so your furry friend can have a treat too!
Jolene’s Tea House
Jolene’s Tea House is the original purveyor of loose leaf tea in Banff National Park, having been in business on Bear Street since 2005. Try a steaming mug of their super-popular classic Creamy Earl Grey, or opt for something a little more unusual, such as Spirit Lake Tea (named for Banff’s own Lake Minnewanka), Alberta Rose Sencha, or their collection of maple-infused blends. You can even buy several of their bestsellers in cute log cabin gift boxes, miniaturized replicas of the store itself.
Laggan’s Mountain Bakery & Delicatessen
Laggan’s Mountain Bakery & Delicatessen is another Lake Louise staple. The name is a bit of a mouthful, but for good reason. They seem to sell everything under the sun, and all made fresh in-house. Craving an ooey gooey slice of cheesy pizza heaven or a piping hot bowl of soup on a cold day? Have a hankering for a pillowy soft doughnut, a flaky croissant, or a chewy cookie? Looking for a sandwich to take with you on a hike, or a muffin for the drive home? Pretty much whatever you’re in the market for (including gluten-free & vegan items), they’ve got you covered.
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What’s your favourite place to grab a cup of coffee or tea in Banff?
Leave a comment down below to share your opinions & experiences!
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy travels,
