The Santa Fe burger from Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub is easily one of the best burgers you can eat in Banff. (Supplied photo).
While there are 13 restaurants in Banff with burgers on the menu, we’ve narrowed it down to the top three places.
There is something for everyone here – the cool new kid on the block, the neighbourhood stand-by and the tourist favourite, which feels like a local pub named after a local hero.
How do the three burger Amigos of Banff fare? In first place, Eddie Burger & Bar. In second is Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, and finally Bruno’s Bar & Grill.
Skip Earls, and Chili’s… you can eat there at home!
Eddie Burger + Bar – # 6 137 Banff Ave.
Established in 2008, this restaurant in the mountain village of Banff is best known for mountain-high burger creations. Burger seekers can go traditional with AAA beef or they can branch out to chicken, bison, elk, pork, and veggie.
The menu features 11 burgers, all for $14, with curiously tantalizing names. For the homesick Australian try the “Aussie:” AAA Alberta Beef burger featuring grilled pineapple and a fried egg.
Put some fiesta into the mix with the “Mexican,” a chicken burger with jalapeno jack cheese, homemade salsa and avocado.
Keep your health card handy when trying the “9-1-1” burger, with a combination of AAA Alberta beef, onion rings and banana peppers, and three sauces: smoked ketchup, thousand island dressing and red relish – it’s a unique taste experience. .
Finally, a must try is the “PB&J.” It’s the love child of peanut butter and jam and a bacon cheese burger – and it’s delicious.
For the small upcharge of $3 you can double the size to quench the biggest burger craving after a long day on the slopes. There is also an Organic beef option which will cost you an additional $2.
It’s not just the mile-high burger eats that set Eddie Burger + Bar apart in Banff, it’s the Eddie Cares Program. The restaurant donates 5 per cent of all profits to a variety of local charities and causes.
While this joint has the highest price of the best burgers in Banff, it’s good to know that even if you can’t finish your double Aussie burger, you’ve done something good for those in need.
Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub – 120 Banff Ave.
The opposite of stuffy, Tommy’s Neighbourhood pub has a stuck-in-time basement rec room, pine overload vibe. But the other thing that hasn’t changed is that the burgers are still renowned (it even says that on the menu).
Choose from four burgers all priced at $10.50; Canadian Burger (cheddar, mushroom and bacon with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion garnish), Greek Burger (Feta, tomato, onion, cucumber and black olives), Santa Fe Burger (mozzarella, salsa, guacamole and jalapeno garnish), or the BBQ Burger (Tommy’s own BBQ sauce, Swiss cheese and fried onions).
Then choose your burger type from beef, buffalo, elk, chicken, salmon or veggie.
What’s really fun about this place is the chance that Tommy could pour you Ouzo – a Greek liquor – at any time, so be on the lookout (true story!).
Also, it’s fun to look at the licence plates from all over the world, all over the walls and take a trip to the bathroom – if you are a skier, it’s a walk down plank memory lane.
Tommy’s is a solid choice: a good neighbourhood place at an affordable price.
Bruno’s Bar & Grill –304 Caribou St., Banff
The claim to fame of this restaurant is the all-day breakfast, their 5-shot-ski-shooter, and being named after nature/adventure photographer Bruno Engler.
The place itself has a warm welcome mountain environment, making it a great place to unwind after a day on the hill.
With six burgers on the menu, including one chicken, one elk, and one veggie burger, there is something for everyone.
Ranging in price from $12.99 to $14.49, it’s the mid-range option of our top three burger joints in Banff. All burgers on the menu include cheese at no extra cost and they are all dressed up with unique combinations of toppings.
If you want a traditional burger try “The Bruno Engler” with Swiss cheese and sautéed fresh mushrooms. If you like a little adventure go with the “Tragically Hip,” which is similar to Eddies “PB&J” but without the jam.
Tourist and locals alike agree that Bruno’s is a fun place with a great menu of burgers to boot.