12 Best Restaurants in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

There's a large window with lovely mountain views at this intimate Italian restaurant on a quiet side street in the Waterton Townsite. The menu changes regularly, but classic starters like caprese salad and calamari are always popular, and you can't go wrong with pasta for the main course—it's all made from scratch, with sauces that are prepared à la minute. For something truly local, order the bison lasagna. The ricotta gnocci with sundried tomatoes is a good vegetarian choice. Desserts are classic, too, including tiramisu, cannoli, and house-made gelato.

This wine bar has a small but well-chosen wine list, but the real focus is the food. A broad selection of small plates are on the menu including items like goat cheese-stuffed dates, potato latkes, and warm shrimp dip, while entrees range from prime rib and chicken cordon bleu to Moroccan lamb tagine. Save room for chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, or sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Across the parking lot from Lake McDonald Lodge, Jammer Joe's Grill & Pizzeria was named after the historic red jammer buses that have been used for park tours since 1936. The restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, pizzas, soups, burgers, and sandwiches in a casual atmosphere.

Grab a window seat or a spot on the patio to enjoy the spectacular view from Waterton's only lakefront restaurant. This is the place in the park for a steak dinner—locally produced Alberta beef plays a starring role on the globally inspired menu. The petite filet mignon with garlic butter, the bison rib eye with chimichurri sauce, and the peppercorn New York strip are all good bets, but so are the Mumbai butter chicken, teriyaki-glazed salmon, and Asian-style stir-fried vegetables. There are also several vegetarian options, and pasta dishes can be made gluten free for an extra charge. The wild Saskatoon berry pie is a great local choice for dessert.

The all-day bar menu at Lucke's Lounge features bison burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers alongside yet another great lake view. They also serve a nice selection of Montana micro-brews, wines, and craft cocktails.

At the edge of Castle Provincial Park, this place has a funky deli and bakery with hot and cold sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and an impressive coffee and tea menu. The store also sells ice cream and fresh baked goods and you can pick up food, liquor, camping, and fishing supplies in the mercantile. Gas and diesel is also available.

Enjoy continental-Canadian cuisine before a dazzling view of Waterton Lake in the dining room of this century-old, hilltop chalet high above the Waterton Valley, where there's a fine selection of wines to pair with your meal. To sample locally cured meets and artisanal cheeses, start with the charcuterie board, then select from main courses that include grilled bangers and mash, pan-seared trout, and Alberta Angus beef. For something lighter, head to the lobby for British high tea featuring finger sandwiches, chocolate-dipped fruit, scones, and other pastries—all accompanied by live piano music.

This saloon-style pub restaurant is themed around the Prohibition era when rumrunners frequented the Crowsnest Pass. The open kitchen prepares Canadian and European-style pub food like burgers (a half-pound each), pizza, fish-and-chips, appetizers, and salads. There's also a seniors menu and a gluten-free menu. They also serve a wide variety of beverages to accompany a meal and their display of local nostalgia is impressive.

This restaurant serves Japanese classics like sushi, sashimi, noodles, and tempura along with Korean favorites like beef bulgogi and bibimbap. They also have some stir fry options on the menu. Everything is made fresh to order.

Waterton's only gastropub is the place for live music most weekends and casual eats anytime. The nachos here are the best in town, and there's a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, and wraps—all served with salad or fries. Choose from 12 kinds of local craft beer, or peruse the cocktail menu: the Caesar cocktail, a Canadian invention similar to a bloody Mary, is the most popular mixed drink in Canada.

This local hangout sells specialty fizzy drinks; guests choose their favorite soda and add flavored syrups. Hot dogs, cookies, ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, ice cream floats, and seasoned popcorn are also on the menu.

If there is such a thing as a gourmet hot dog, then this is the place to find it. The buns here are baked fresh daily, and the all-beef wieners and smokies are sourced locally with one exception: the genuine Nathan's dogs are shipped from New York City. There's even an anti-dog for the vegetarian set. Made with falafel, it's topped with hummus, tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables. For all the dogs, there are plenty of homemade sauces and tons of interesting toppings to choose from. Sides include sweet potato fries, fried pickles, kettle chips, and classic Canadian poutine (fries served with gravy and cheese curds). Wash things down with a milkshake, raspberry lemonade, or fountain drink.