Cilantro OTL may seem like a foodie's nightmare (yet a tourist's dream) upon initial assessment, but there is a lot to like about this dining destination other than the amazing views and surroundings. Typically, these sorts of restaurants skate by on mediocre (at best) food and drink at the expense of travelers given their superb surroundings and views. I applaud Cilantro because that was just not seemingly on their minds, as they wanted to provide as close to a food experience as nature provided at Emerald Lake. Let's start with the obvious... the prices are more than the typical offerings in the area. That is just the nature of the restaurant and resort "biz" - but does not grant them a pass at mediocre food. The menu was given careful thought to what they can do well in the region (and geographically) as well as what patrons might want to eat year-round here. The result is a varied (albeit limited) menu that has something for everyone. Will you rave about the overall quality upon leaving the park and location? Unlikely, but that is almost soley because as others have stated the views and surroundings would make almost ANY dining experience a 2nd rate experience. The interior is an upscale lodge feel with rustic notes and plenty of windows floor to ceiling to let in the light/sunshine illuminating off the crystal clear water and contrasting mountains and trees. The setup of the patio and inside are almost ideal for anyone that wants to take in the scenery while they eat or escape the elements while not forgetting why they ventured here in the first place. I was torn between a 3 star (okay) to 4 star (good) rating as we departed and began our journey around the lake. It's above "ok" but really struggles in getting above "good" given the price and overall dishes offered here. These places aren't without their downfalls, as many other reviewers have pointed out. Ultimately, I settled on the 4 star rating because I had little hope for a decent meal at this sort of location, regardless of the price. Once I had finished eating though, I found myself thinking that Cilantro exceeded my expectations rather than letting me down. If you absolutely must eat on site, temper your expections but expect a decent to good meal. Don't believe that you are getting a value at this sort of resort location or you will be sorely disappointed. Would I visit again? Sure - if I didn't have a better option or ability to plan around my visit to Emerald Lake I wouldn't hesitate. However, I would seek alternative plans if I wanted to have a true gourmet experience. That is to not say it is not worth the trip or experience, but it depends on what you are looking for given the location and price. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the experience and food offered at Cilantro. I think I had much more skepticism than the people who expected more than what they received, which is why I have reviewed in a slightly more rosey lens than some of the other Elites. read more

Cilantro on the Lake - Dining room - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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After walking around beautiful Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, I was starting to get a little hungry. Attached to Emerald Lake Lodge is Cilantro on the Lake. This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and a quick-stop window called Window at Cilantro on the Lake. It is a charming little restaurant that has beautiful lakefront views of Emerald Lake from their patio seating area. Cilantro on the Lake offers sandwiches, pizza, soups and salads. We put our name in for a table, but were told it would be an hour wait. It was peak season and lots of people were in line to eat. So I went to the takeout window to get something for the road. They have grab-in-go items like sandwiches, snacks, pastries, coffee and tea. I grabbed a Ham & Brie Sandwich and a Latte for lunch and found a spot near the lake to eat it. Food wasn't bad, but the views were worth it. Cilantro on the Lake is seasonal and opens during the summer months. read more

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The view gets 20 Stars. The cafe is rustic simple with limited seating. Food was well made and organized, with plenty of flavor. No tap but plenty of options for beer and wine. Patio seating is favorable during the warmer months however the large fireplace inside would be a nice treat when chilly. Our server was friendly and had a French accent. She was attentive and considerate. We came for the lake and enjoyed a meal while here. Win-Win! read more

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Food was good, service was good, ambiance on the patio was amazing if you have an umbrella. Price point was a bit excessive. $36 for a pizza, $35 fir a pastrami sandwich. Pay for school experience. read more

Located at the Emerald Lake Lodge, Cilantro on the Lake is a great place to catch lunch if you are already on the property, but is not worth a special trip. With an upscale lodge feel, the dining room offers a fabulous view of the lake through floor to ceiling windows from almost every seat. Be aware that with indoor seating for only about 25, there may be a wait at peak hours. The menu is limited with only about ten options between appetizers and mains, so if you have your heart set on a specific dish, you may be disappointed. As Cilantro on the Lake is located at a resort, prices are steep; just deal with it. The French onion soup (CA$14), was filling and delicious, if not totally traditional. While the portion size is on the small side, the gamekeeper's pie (CA$24), is a rich buffalo and elk "Bourguignonne" (sic) filled with mushrooms and pearl onions in a puff pastry. Warm and filling, it's the perfect remedy to a cold Canada winter day. The off-the-menu French fries are awesome: a welcome salty, savory snack. There is a limited, full bar and only a few beer and wine options, so if you wish a specific wine pairing, bring your own or be prepared to be disappointed. Service is well-meaning and nice, appropriate for a café, but not a fine dining establishment. For a casual resort dining venue, Cilantro on the Lake offers a solid three-star experience. read more

Cilantro on the Lake - Menu - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

The drinks were Okay but the views were absolutely beautiful . Very busy during the day. read more

Cilantro on the Lake - Verry verry mojito and whisky - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

Very very mediorce!! The best words to describe the food here. The ambiance and location tho was top notch! Right on emerald lake with breath taking views. Problem is...there are no other food establishments or choices nearby. So if you are hungry, there is no other choice. The prices are a bit high but its supply And demand. Lol. We ordered bbq chicken pizza, club sandwich, and wings. Sorry forgot the picts for the others. Service was quick but predatory. The server thought we were tourists and told us flat out: "in bc, it is law to tip 18% for groups of 6 or more!" Since we were hungry and didnt want our food messed withC we happily said sure...as we were a group of 6. Ho hum! Food was ok. Sandwich needed more meat. Same with the pizzs. Crust was a bit dry and stiff. The wings were fried nicely. Not too oily and came with a dip and side salad. Cheers! Happy eating! read more

Cilantro on the Lake - Bbq chicken pizza - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

This cute little spot is located on Emerald Lake in Banff National Park and... let's be honest, it's probably the only restaurant for miles. It was a cute little house with a few tables inside and outside, overlooking the lake. It's casual, cafeteria-style and yummy. We were super chilly while we were here, so opted for the soup of the day, a sandwich, chips and a local kombucha. We loaded up our trays, paid and found a table outside. The food was surprisingly quality for being fast casual and in the middle of a park. I loved that they had local options and that we could quickly get food without taking too much time from our daily exploring. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

We just arrived today and ate at cilantro on the lake. I got the bison hotdog. It was not very good way overcooked the best thing about my meal was the fries. My wife had the salad and she said it was good, but that bison hotdog was not good at all. I let them know so maybe they won't overcook it for the next person. read more

Call before you assume that they are open. We thought the lake would be great place to have lunch. This is the only lunch option at the lake. They were closed for a private party(wedding) on a Saturday. 9/23/2023 Sorry for a review that didn't include food quality, service, and ambiance. Not for lack of trying. read more

Worst dining experience ever. Food was dry & service was completely disappointing. Walked in, was told they were going to close early, we said we could just leave so that we don't have to trouble them if they planned on closing early, but still took us in. We asked if it was possible if we could get seatings outside since he took us in, but manager said no while still taking in new parties and would sit them outside when we were told no. The staff were having interpersonal conflict going on while working so it felt way too uncomfortable inside the restaurant. Tension was completely high and it didn't feel good to eat in there. The air was suffocating and there was a lack of professionalism of handling the conflict. Overall, disgusting place, no point in wasting your money and time. You might as well eat before or bring food yourself before even considering eating at that joke of a place. read more

Dont bother with this spot, get some food from somewhere else and eat it while staring at the lake. Cold expensive bison hot dog. Yousef, the manager, is weird, said that the outside was closed when we walked up but then seated a bunch of people outside? Dude made the whole place uncomfortable. The dining room was beautiful, woods and views everywhere but you could cut the tension in that dining room with a knife. I think i was witness to a kitchen nightmares episode. Don't know what was up with this whole joint, amazing location and very scenic but don't bother, spend your money elsewhere. read more

Get Here Early or You Will Wait! This place gets crowded fast as it's the only restaurant in the area. They appear a bit understaffed, and I presume they're having trouble getting help like many other restaurants these days. We had been to the lake several times during our trip, and it was about 11:30 AM when we decided to have lunch at Cilantro Cafe. Had it been later we probably would not have stayed because the place filled up fast. I had a Canadian whisky and I have to say it was a very light pour for the price. However, the food was quite good, and our waiter was excellent. We all had the panini so I can't comment on the rest of the menu. All-in-all it was a pleasant experience and a beautiful spot to eat. read more

Excellent location , right by the Emerald lake ... they checked for COVID vaccine proof which was very relieving.... Food was fresh and great, although we just ordered a bbq chicken pizza ... it was just perfect... but what was more than perfect and couldn't have asked for more is the INCREDIBLE setting ... can't believe it could be that scenic .... If you are at the place and have some time in hand do check out the patio.. read more

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We waited 30 minutes for dry meatloaf that tasted like a boxed microwavable meal found at any supermarket.

Cilantro on the Lake is a Yoho National Park staple. The food is good and the views of Emerald Lake are always astounding. Food and drink are just a tad pricey but nothing outrageous - it's what you expect for a meal right by the lake. The menu seems to change semi-seasonally. When I visited a couple years ago, they had the most amazing strawberry shortcake dessert that I was really looking forward to this time around. Shame it's not on the menu this time around. Additionally, not all of the menu items were available during my visit. Still, the food was good - nothing astounding but still worth recommending (okay the lemon meringue tart was kind of astounding though)! The lake has a great hike around the opposite side of the lake, perfect for a stroll before or after grabbing a bite. The lake even offers boat rentals, so paddling around the lake is an option too! If you're heading east out of Banff or finally making your ward into the larger park, Emerald Lake and Cilantro by the Lake make for a great spot along the way. read more

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Stopped by here yesterday to grab a tea because it was a typical October cold day. Cute little shack with your standard coffee and tea. Drinks weren't too bad, but $4.75 for chocolate bars is a bit pricey, even for the lake front advantage. Glad to have grabbed some tea, but definitely paying a premium. read more

Sweet little restaurant at the entrance to Emerald lake lodge. They don't open until 11 for lunch hours but they have coffee, snacks and drinks they sell before 11 at the side of the building. There is outdoor seating with a beautiful view of the lake. Service was great and good was amazing. Prices are inexpensive. They have a full bar and a wine list. Flavors in every bite! Loved the Trout with quinoa, an explosion in your mouth! read more

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Reasonable prices, good service, good beers, good food. Had the tomato mozzarella salad which was quite tasty but on the pricy side at $16 Canadian. Rest of the family split the ramen noodles which were ok at $18 Canadian. read more

Located right on Emerald Lake as a part of Emerald Lake Lodge, this restaurant offers stunning views and solid food offerings. We walked around the lodge first to capture photos of the area before settling down for a late dinner outside on the patio to enjoy the beauty that surrounded us. The prices definitely reflect that you're paying for the view as well; mains were around $30-35 CAD for not so large portions. For the summer, Cilantro on the Lake was offering a grilled menu for dinner -- with options such as Atlantic salmon, Alberta steak, herb pork chops and spiced chicken breast. All came with a side of salad and potatoes which were served family style. Besides the smaller portions and lack of salt (I found the chicken to be the most flavorful), all of the food was tasty and cooked to the right temp on the grill. Their real strengths lie in their sauces -- the bread basket came with an olive tapenade, mango chutney, and olive oil-vinegar dip, and the meat sauces included a bbq sauce, mango chutney (so good!) and a chimichurri -- all which were delicious. My personal favorite part meal (besides the views of course), was their amazing moist, crumbly cornbread that they provided along with the bread basket. We asked for seconds because we're gluttons. All in all, a solid dinner offering in the Yoho National park area, and worth the price tag for the setting alone. Find this review and more from dining around Banff and Jasper here: http://www.vcinthekitchen.com/exploring-alberta/ read more

We stayed four nights at emerald lake lodge and the restaurant food there had pretty limited choices so we decided to try cilantro and so glad we did-it was so good we came back two days in a row to get the blt panini. View can't be beat either! read more

If you're staying in Lake Louise, you must take the small side journey to Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake Lodge is located 20 minutes West of Lake Louise in Field (or Yoho National Park) 2.5 hours from Calgary. We visited on a day when the clouds were trying to block the sun but couldn't quite do so, resulting in a magical afternoon of light rain falling on the gorgeous turquoise green water of the lake. The first building of the lodge across the wooden bridge turns into a restaurant -- Cilantro on the Lake -- for the summer. Inside the beautiful, high-ceilinged dining area we continued to be impressed by Rocky Mountain cuisine, with amazing salads tossed with berries and balsamic vinaigrette, and yummy mushroom soup. Had the day been dry, the outdoor patio overlooking the lake would have been packed! To add to the magical experience, stop by the Kicking Horse River on your way back to the freeway and enjoy the awesome views from the natural stone bridge carved by Mother Nature herself. read more

was a nice ambience by the lake but around 4-6 hours after having the pita and white bean dip i felt sick. absolutely sweating with nausea.

My friend and I were visiting Banff and we got semi lost. The road we were following ended. Well, it ended at Cilantro on the Lake! The staff was super friendly and the food was delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed an absolutely beautiful view of the lake. Thanks Cilantro on the Lake! read more

Cilantro on the Lake - What a lovely view! - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

We arrived last night about two minutes until closing time, after finishing our hike and desperate for some dinner. The staff welcomed us in graciously even though the kitchen was about to close and kindly let us order dinner. At no point did they ever hurry us along or act impatient. The food was delicious and made to order. Our waitress Alex was patient and kind and when we pointed out that we were jerks for making them work late she immediately said "Don't be silly. It's our job." I would go back there in a heartbeat. Location: stunning Food: delicious and reasonably priced. Staff: impeccable. read more

Cilantro on the Lake - The view from our table - Canadian (New) Near Me - Field, British Columbia

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Excellent view and delicious post hike lunch. Get there before 1pm as larger toured groups tend to show up after then. My burger was top notch. Great vegetarian options as well. read more

The only good thing about this place is the view. The staff that we encountered there during lunch today were terrible. 4 servers were on and just chatting inside doing cutlery and ignoring the guests. It was slow, nothing was bussed, newly arrived guests sat for 15 minutes waiting to be greeted by their server, drinks arrived 20 minutes after being ordered (and arrived after the food), water glasses were empty on tables, the server we had, Amelia, was not knowledgeable about the menu and completely disengaged. Where was the management? Those staff need to be shaped up. read more

After two long hikes, this was a great place to sit on the patio, watch the birds, have a nice cold beer, and enjoy a sandwich for lunch. The setting is nice. The service was good. The food was yummy. read more

Horrible service and horrible food! We waited 45 mins for food asked for the bill 4 times