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How to Eat Vegan in the Rockies

  • Writer: Kayla Caissie
    Kayla Caissie
  • 2 days ago
  • 8 min read

While Banff may be known for it's outdoor activities, it actually has quite the food scene. Despite being a small town, there are definitely some great vegan options. In this guide, I'm going to help you navigate all things vegan in Banff & Canmore.


Qualifiers: We love to travel. We LOVE food. We are vegan. We have tried most restauarnts in Banff and Canmore.


All of this information is up to date as of summer 2026. As always, double check menus before you visit!


Best Restaurant for Vegans in Banff and Canmore - Nourish Bistro, Banff


If you're going to eat at one place while you're in Banff, let it be Nourish Bistro. Nourish is a fully vegetarian restaurant with vegan options for all of their dishes. We have tried literally everything on the menu at this point! Our favourites include the Mac & Squeeze, Mushroom Ravioli, Broccoli Tempura and Beetroot Bruschetta. They also offer brunch on the weekends!

Vegan Tour Companies in Banff and Canmore

Surprise, we're a vegan tour company!


On our tours, we offer vegan banana bread, hot chocolate, granola bars & oat milk for our coffees. We know how it feels to go on a tour with "inclusions" and not be able to have any, so we're changing that!


We're also happy to accommodate gluten and nut allergies.

Vegan Breakfast in Banff

Mountain Folk Cafe: a fully vegetarian cafe with smootie bowls, avocado toast and vegan treats. Bonus: they don't upcharge for alternative milks!


Farm and Fire: located in the Elk + Avenue Hotel, they are one of the only places to offer a sit down vegan brunch option. Their "Lean Mean Vegan Machine" is a breakfast bowl featuring vegan egg, vegan cheese, avocado, potatoes and pico de gallo.


Juniper Bistro: A more upscale brunch offering, their menu features a mushroom and thyme vegan eggs benny (very rare for us!). They also allow all vegetarian options with eggs to be swapped for tofu scramble & vegan bechamel.

Vegan Breakfast in Canmore

Most restaurants will offer some kind of oatmeal or smoothie bowl for breakfast. While it's nice to have options, I always look for places with something a little more hearty and unique!


Communitea: This place is a gem for vegans in Canmore! I highly recommend the vegan breakfast burrito or the vegan breakfast bowl. They serve both with a chili dip that is seriously addictive!


Sterling Lounge: An upscale brunch spot located in the Malcolm Hotel. They offer a roasted vegetable quiche with vegan egg and overnight oats with vegan lemon curd.


Chez Francois: offers a "tofu scramble" that is cubed tofu, not actually scramble. With black beans, veggies and side potatoes, this is a good option for someone with omni friends and family.


Harvest Cafe: It's been a while since I've been back here after having a wrap that I didn't really enjoy. They currently offer two vegan wraps and a chili, which is a step back from how many options they used to have. If you try it, let me know what you think!


A skip for me: Summit Cafe. While I try to be grateful when there is a vegan option, the Vegan Huevos here leaves much to be desired. After removing the regular egg and cheese from the regular dish, the vegan version is only potatoes, beans, salsa and guac, for the same price as the original. Personally, I'd love to see some add flavour or a slightly cheaper price when you remove the expensive ingredients!

Vegan Lunch Options in Banff

The best lunch options are during happy hour! For a fully happy hour list, look at https://www.taximike.com/specials.html


Three Bears: They offer a happy hour pizza with vegan cheese. Full price, it's not super worth it but I love getting it with happy hour! We normally share one and get a side of regular waffle fries.


Elk and Oarsman: This one makes the list because of it's incredible rooftop patio! It's absolutely worth it. They offer vegan wings, a veggie burger (only GF bun is vegan and it was super dry) and some kind of vegan bowl (burrito or curry are recent ones I've seen). Bonus - they have the best deals for Shafts, a famous Banff coffee drinks. Make sure to ask for oat or almond milk!


Jugamu Banff: Offering rice bowls from $13, they have a delicious Vegan Tofu Rice bowl. I always ask for extra sauce!


Banff Social: Their happy hour features vegetable fritters and amazing cocktails. They have vegan soup, sandwiches and even a chocolate mousse!

Vegan Lunch in Canmore

I consider lunch options to be a lower cost or quicker to eat. I love a grab and go lunch to eat during a hike or by the riverside. I would grab a Vegan Poke Bowl from Save on Foods in the fresh section or stop by Nutters for some unique Canadian-made vegan cheeses.


Rusticana: a deli located downtown Canmore with a vegan soup, chickpea curry sandwich and no up charge for oat milk! They also sell locally made products like vegan cheeses, tofu, cookies, kombucha and sometimes ready-made vegan dishes.


Chopstix: A casual spot located down-town, they have an entire vegetarian menu. Some dishes include salt and pepper tofu, edamame, spring rolls, tofu banh mi (no mayo), veggie Bimimbap. Korean fried tofu, Thai curry and ramen.


Communitea: Featured above, I also recommend having lunch here! I love their Kale Caesar Salad the most, but every lunch option is delicious and clearly labelled.


Canary Cafe: they always have a vegan soup and a tofu sandwich that is only $12.95. Make sure to say no cheese!

Vegan Dinner in Banff

Block: a small restaurant that has an amazing menu. They have bao buns, tofu lettuce wraps and a few other bites. Great for sharing!


Park Distillery: Their veggie burger is unreal! The last time I had it, it had vegan cheese but I see their menu just says "cheddar" so it might be best to ask. Their tomato soup is also amazing.


Old Spaghetti Factory: a cheap but satisfying Western Canadian classic. They offer an all inclusive pasta of spaghetti and Impossible meatballs. This comes with a soup or salad, unlimited bread with garlic butter (IT'S VEGAN!!!), coffee or tea and dessert (you can request shaved ice instead of regular ice cream). All of this for $23CAD/$16USD.

Vegan Dinner in Canmore

Blake: This is our go-to sit down restaurant. They offer many vegan dishes like tofu lettuce wraps, dumplings, street fries, a burger & a cauli steak. They have the best vegan ice cream in town!


4296: Pretty fancy, but absolutely incredible. The owner is very thoughtful and highlights plants in a unique way. I recommend going with a group and sharing everything! The menu changes often but currently, the szechuan spring rolls are amazing.

Ramen Arashi: If I could only eat at one place in town every again,

it would be here. The veggie tan tan with kale noodles holds a special place in my heart and you should absolutely eat here! It's small so be prepared to wait in summer.

Vegan Indian Food in Banff/Canmore

I thought this needed it's own category since there are so many awesome Indian restaurants here.


Zyka, Banff: This is our favourite Indian restaurant in town. The staff are so mindful about what contains dairy and bringing you alternative sauces and dishes, and the menu clearly states what's vegan. Our ultimate favourite dish is the Palak Tofu. We also love the daal tadka and channa masala.


Indian Curry House, Banff: A close second for me! They have more unique offerings featuring an Indian meat alternative called soy chaap. They offer a vegan tikka masala and a vegan mango chicken among many other veg dishes!


Roaring Rolls, Canmore: a little bit fancier with a smaller menu, but good vibes and great food. Their vegan appetizer is incredibly spicy but delicious!

Vegan Take Out Pizza in Banff/Canmore

Pizza Pizza, Banff: Nothing fancy, but they offer vegan cheese, pepperoni and vegan chicken sandwiches.


Red Rock, Canmore: They have vegan cheese available even though it's not on their menu. They have the best crust and it's locally owned!


Rocket Pie, Canmore: Italian style, wood-fired pizza. I normally don't recommend places that don't offer vegan cheese, but after going to Italy I am fully converted to a plain, marinara pizza. Their chili oil really completes the pizza!


Panago, Canmore: Not my favourite pizza out there, but they offer the most vegan toppings and even dipping sauces. It's great for a family or a late-night dinner.

Vegan Sweet Treats

I love a sweet treat. We don't have the most vegan options, but there's always something to be found.

Already listed places: Communitea (cookies, cake), Mountain Folk, Blake (ice cream)


Eclipse, Canmore: serves raw vegan cheese cake squares made by Middle Sisters Kitchen


Rooted Canmore: offers custom made vegan cakes & sometimes can be found at the Canmore Market.


Lovely Ice cream, Canmore: They always have at least one plant-based ice cream, often with a coconut base.

Best Vegan Coffee/Cafes

We love an oat latte, and we love when cafe's use good oat milk, like Oatly. Bonus when they have vegan snacks!


Eclipse, Canmore: our favourite oat latte. They only charge 50 cents for oat milk and you save 50 cents by bringing your own cup or having your coffee to stay!


Whitebark, Banff: our favourite flat white in Banff. Their vegan sausage rolls are amazing!


WildFlour, Banff: a busy downtown cafe offering vegan snacks and treats.


Pulse Coffee, Canmore: While it's a bit pricy, this is probably the best latte in Canmore. They offer macadamia nut milk which is a fun change!


Skip for me: the vegan wrap at Beamer's Cafe. It is just microwaved so it's a bit soggy and lacking in flavour!

Best Quick Bite/Fast Food

Blondies, Canmore: They offer a vegan tofu scramble wrap, vegan brownie and a bunch of smoothies & smoothie bowls.


A&W Canmore: They have a plant-based burger if you order no mayo. I always get onion rings and bbq sauce to add on top!


Canmore Shawarma: Their falafel and hummus wrap is huge and so delicious!


Hankki, Banff: A Korean street food restaurant with a fried dumpking & edamame rice bowl.


Nourish, Banff: They now have a hot case at the front where they sell vegan sausage rolls, pies and crossiants. While supplies last!

Vegan in Calgary

If you're a foodie, it's definitely worth a day in Calgary to check out their amazing vegan food offerings. I'd even recommend stopping on your way to Banff. I could write so much about these restaurants, it's hard to pick a favourite!


Best Bakery - Canela: A 100% vegan cafe with incredible croissants, treats, breads and lunch items.


Best Comfort Food - Vegan Street: We can't get enough of the food here! The portions are huge and so full of flavour.


Best sit down Asian Restaurant - Padmanadi: Incredible Indonesian food with famous dishes from all over Asia


Best Quick Bite - Nan's Noodle House: Their banh mi and noodle dishes are our go-to when we're driving through the city.


Best of Everything - Heart's Choices: We visit this one the most often as it's market location is closest to Canmore. They have the best Thai dishes, especially their massaman curry. We also love their rueben and ginger chickun wrap! All of their meat alternatives are homemade.


Best Pizza - Friends Pizza & Pasta: They have a vegan version of their whole menu, and it's a huge menu!


I could go on and on about the vegan food scene in Calgary! There is so much more than listed here.


This list is definitely not everything available and I will continue to update it as I find other vegan gems in town! If you've had a dish you've loved, let me know and I'll add it here.


I highly recommend using Happy Cow when you travel as it's a user inputed vegan restaurant map! It's helped us find vegan restaurants in countries all across the world.


I hope this helps you navigate eating vegan in Banff and Canmore with confidence! Happy eating!

 
 
 

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