Canmore is a popular mountain destination for visitors from around the world for a number of reasons. It sits on the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains, just outside the gates of Banff National Park, which was Canada’s first national park and is the flagship of the nation’s park system. Over four million visitors a year visit the park to take in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. There, visitors participate in activities including hiking, biking, skiing, horseback riding and camping.

Canmore is also less than an hour west of Calgary and the Calgary International Airport, making it easily accessible to visitors.

Just south of Canmore is the large multi-use recreation region called Kananaskis Country, one of the jewels of the province and much-beloved by locals and visitors a-like.

It all means that Canmore has developed a dining scene that belies its modest population. You’ll discover menus featuring Brazilian Gaucho-style skewers, the flavours of Spain, Canadian craft beers and chicken and waffles eggs benedict, to name but a few options.

The scene has recently been bolstered by the arrival of a transplant from Calgary, Bridgette Bar. It features an expansive dinner menu that runs from bar snacks to fulsome vegetarian options and larger plates like maple barbecue rainbow trout. It is owned by the Concorde Entertainment Group, the team that is also responsible for the Air Canada-Top 10-Best-New-Restaurant-winning Major Tom.

For an experience that exudes warmth and delicious flavours, stop over at Tavern 1883, a restauarant and bar located in a charming home. There, you’ll find a family-friendly neighbourhood restaurant that hosts a variety of events throughout the year and will leave you pleasantly surprised, very full and satisfied.