Sky Bistro Photos
Sky Bistro Popular Dishes
SKY BISTRO ATMOSPHERE
More like Sky Bistro
Recommended Reviews - Sky Bistro
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Delicious food, breathtaking scenery, friendly service! Enjoyed celebrating my birthday here! We got the beet salad to start- very tasty! For mains- we got duck frites and beef short rib- short rib was so tender and flavorful! For dessert, we got the haskap berry pastry- the crust was fantastic! We enjoyed our mocktails as well!
So the view is a given. And what a view! Then I was pleasantly surprised that the food was quite good. We didn't get past the smaller plates, but had a nice assortment. Favorites were the Bison Carpaccio and the Mushroom Pate. The Roe and Chips were also tasty. The cocktails were creative, but we noticed that the bar got pretty backed up quickly. We appreciated our server's honesty about some dishes and the bar and kitchen issues, so all was good. A relaxing and enjoyable experience!
What could be better than dining atop a beautiful mountain in the heart of Alberta Canada? During our trip to Banff National Park, I surprised my man with a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and a tasty lunch at this bistro that comes with phenomenal views. Reservations are a must and make sure you book way in advance. We were there in late September so the season was shifting. Our day up here weather wise was overcast and a little chilly but we had a great time. Ok, let's talk about the food and drink. We started with a loaded Sky Caesar. This drink was perfect to share and it got our taste buds going. To begin our meal, we ordered the Caesar salad which was so light but really good. Next we enjoyed the Canadian Chowder, the beef burger (with delicious Alberta meat), and the Tagliatelle. We really loved our meal and trying the Canadian Chowder was fun. Service was great and our view was panoramic from every angle. I really love the huge windows that allow you to view the gorgeous Canadian Rockies. It was a perfect way to spend our last day here and I highly recommend should you take the gondola up to the top. A great date place!
Despite the smoke haze from nearby fires, the ceiling to floor windows overlooking Banff atop Sulfur Mountain was still amazing (even with the haze)! Moreover, the food was top notch. Sure, it came with a price, but it was far better than most top of the mountain foods I've crossed paths with in recent history. I ordered the smoked salmon which was served layered atop and in between potato pancakes. Dill cream cheese, roe, and some pickled onions also added bites of creaminess, richness, and acidity that made the dish very very tasty. My friends ordered a variety of other dishes including the bangers and mash, fried chicken, and a very plant forward pasta. Out of all of those, I do think the bangers and mash were my favorite. We also ordered some drinks and there was a Saskatoon cider that was super tasty! All in all, great experience! Get a reservation if you want a seat closer to the window to enjoy the views. You can take the gondola to this restaurant if you don't want to ascend the 2400m on foot, but my friends and I? We exercise to eat!
We got super lucky! No reservation. Just took a chance and walked in. We were willing to go back down the mountain and find something in town but thought what the heck... let's ask. I think we hit the timing 'just right'. Folks were leaving as we walked in. Plus, we were only 2 people. If you had more than 2... that'was more of a challenge and a long wait. The bar seating is first come, first serve. Of course, there are only like 5 seats at the small bar, and we would have sat there as it looked like people were finishing up, but the hostess said she had a table for 2 open up. Service was very good as was the food. The surprise of the night.... Pistachio Pate. I wanted to give it a try because it sounded different but really was not expecting it to be as good as it was. I mean... you don't even miss the 'meat'. It's rich and creamy and the pickled veg really help cut the richness. It's a creative... innovative dish that really is a delight. My duck was quite tasty although I wish the skin was a bit more cooked ... seared more. It was a bit too chewy. The husband ordered the Bison and it was rich and tender. Quite delicious! All in all... a lovely dinner and experience. If this is someplace you really really want to dine at... highly recommend a reservation. If you want to wing it like we did, I hope it works out as well for you as it did for us.
The views and ambiance-8/10 very beautiful, I recommend to get a reservation if you can Food-4/10 overpriced obviously, but if the quality was good I wouldn't mind. My burger came out well done even tho I told them medium rare....it took 100 years to get too. Service was sooooooo slow. Service -2/10. I understand if ur busy, but when people who came AFtER you get their food before you that is just ridiculous. And I'm expecting the food to be top notch if I wait a million years. The chowder soup we got was very good but it was lukewarm! It tasted like it had been sitting out! So disappointed.
The restaurant is located at the top of the gondola ride on the third floor of the building. We made reservations weeks in advanced. When we showed up 10-minutes early there was a couple in front of us that didn't have a reservation and they were given a shaded window seat with a view of Banff National Park. We, with reservations made weeks prior, were given seats with the sun beating on us and a gorgeous view of the their solar panels on their lower roof. This was upsetting to say the least. What was the point of making a reservation then? We ordered the smoked salmon and short rib beef tartine. The short rib beef tartine was solid, but I wasn't impressed by the "smoked" salmon. It was nothing special, the salmon didn't taste smoked at all. Would not recommend that dish to anyone. We also ordered the Apple mule zero-proof cocktail. This was fine. Our server, Makiko, was awesome. She talked through the menu and answered our questions. She heard that we're going down to Canmore tomorrow and recommended their farmers market. She was a rare bright spot in our dining experience.
I've heard that it's worth it to stop by for a meal at this spot but I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical due to it being in a tourist attraction. I'm glad I was wrong! This was one of the best experiences I had in Banff. The food was amazing, and actually reasonably priced for the premium meats/seafood you are getting. The short rib dish was incredible and the seafood chowder was loaded and delicious. And we really appreciated the service here and that they tried to seat my wife and I at the windows. It was a great lunch with absolutely spectacular views!
Our hosts brought us to the top of Sulphur mountain to enjoy some snowy views and planned for a lunch at Sky Bistro. It was completely foggy and snowy outside, which made it feel like we were dining in the clouds. The main dining area feels cozy and inviting, with great service from all the staff. The lunch came with a soup or salad and an entrée, I ended up getting the seafood chowder and the rancher's pie. The seafood chowder was really good, filled with tender clams, snappy shrimp, and smoky bacon without being overly heavy or thick. The topping of tobiko was really unique, it added a nice texture and brightness to the soup. The rancher's pie was a huge portion and came with a little side salad. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful, and I appreciated the time they took to pipe it on top. The braised short rib below was so tender, with bits of delicious thick-cut bacon in the mix too. We got to enjoy conversation after lunch too, we weren't rushed in any regard. Overall, this was such a great meal, from the ambiance to the service to the food. Best meal I had in Alberta by far!
Love, love love this place! Not just for the view, but the food that I ordered was really delicious as well! I had the short rib, beef, tartine, and my mom had the tagliatelle, both delicious. Make reservations right away in advance and also make sure you have reservations for the Banff gondola as it's at the top and you have to have gondola tickets in order to get up there. If you're going to the number one destination in Banff, you might as well make a reservation at sky bistro as well! If you're in a group of two, you can get right by the window, but if you're in a bigger party more than likely, you will not be by the window so if you need to split up, I would do it. The service here is really nice as well.
Sky Bistro was an incredible dining experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was stunning, and having a reservation made everything smooth. The menu was refreshingly unique-- I had the smoked salmon, which was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Our server, Bam, was outstanding--friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great insight into both the menu and the local area. This spot is a must if you're taking the gondola to the top--well worth it for the view and the food!
What a memorable experience!! I took my husband here to celebrate his birthday. It was a surprise, and he had no idea. He was very impressed, especially with the views. We were lucky to be placed at a table right next to the window as it is first come first serve. My personal favorites of that day were pretty much everything we ordered. The pork chops were tender, perfectly complimented by a sweet glaze. The pistachio pate was quite interesting. It is completely vegan. I loved the creamy texture and how buttery it was. It was definitely a very decadent meal. The birthday cake was on the house, although it did not taste great and was dry, but we definitely appreciated the thought. It was also beautifully decorated. The staff were super sweet and accommodating. They really took the time to explain the menu. This experience is a must if you are visiting Banff for the first time and celebrating something special. It can be quite pricey, especially you also have to pay for the gondola ride up to the restaurant.
1 month ago
If you go to Banff, this is a must see/do experience. The gondola ride alone is amazing, but let's talk food and dining experience. Drinks were top notch and well curated! I got a smoked OF, and the wife got a mocktail that was amazing. Food selection was very very good as well, the waiter helped me decide on my steak cut, and I went for the bison as it's more unique to Canada. Next would be the vibes and views. Wow. Cannot say enough about it. We sat one row away from The window and it was breath taking. Highly recommend, highly recommend getting a reservation. read more
We had great hospitality here with our server, Jorge! He provided really good recommendations, and he also took the time to share with us what to do after lunch! I had a dairy lactose intolerant situation and he was very helpful. We ordered the duck wings as our appetizer, and this blew my wife's mind because she never was into duck, but this dish changed the game for her. Very well prepared and it was super crispy and the presentation was everything. It had a chili Asian crisp taste to it. Our next dish was the vegetable Wellington! Surprisingly, this was really good for something that was vegan. Not that I'm a vegan person, but I just want to try something that was non-dairy. It paired really well with the sauce. The squash and mushroom hit it off. We also ordered some white prawns, and that was really fresh as well! And the most important thing was the view! Try to get an opportunity to sit next to the window because you have an awesome view of the mountains. What better way to enjoy lunch or dinner with the view. read more
Delicious food, breathtaking scenery, friendly service! Enjoyed celebrating my birthday here! We got the beet salad to start- very tasty! For mains- we got duck frites and beef short rib- short rib was so tender and flavorful! For dessert, we got the haskap berry pastry- the crust was fantastic! We enjoyed our mocktails as well! read more
So the view is a given. And what a view! Then I was pleasantly surprised that the food was quite good. We didn't get past the smaller plates, but had a nice assortment. Favorites were the Bison Carpaccio and the Mushroom Pate. The Roe and Chips were also tasty. The cocktails were creative, but we noticed that the bar got pretty backed up quickly. We appreciated our server's honesty about some dishes and the bar and kitchen issues, so all was good. A relaxing and enjoyable experience! read more
What could be better than dining atop a beautiful mountain in the heart of Alberta Canada? During our trip to Banff National Park, I surprised my man with a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and a tasty lunch at this bistro that comes with phenomenal views. Reservations are a must and make sure you book way in advance. We were there in late September so the season was shifting. Our day up here weather wise was overcast and a little chilly but we had a great time. Ok, let's talk about the food and drink. We started with a loaded Sky Caesar. This drink was perfect to share and it got our taste buds going. To begin our meal, we ordered the Caesar salad which was so light but really good. Next we enjoyed the Canadian Chowder, the beef burger (with delicious Alberta meat), and the Tagliatelle. We really loved our meal and trying the Canadian Chowder was fun. Service was great and our view was panoramic from every angle. I really love the huge windows that allow you to view the gorgeous Canadian Rockies. It was a perfect way to spend our last day here and I highly recommend should you take the gondola up to the top. A great date place! read more
Despite the smoke haze from nearby fires, the ceiling to floor windows overlooking Banff atop Sulfur Mountain was still amazing (even with the haze)! Moreover, the food was top notch. Sure, it came with a price, but it was far better than most top of the mountain foods I've crossed paths with in recent history. I ordered the smoked salmon which was served layered atop and in between potato pancakes. Dill cream cheese, roe, and some pickled onions also added bites of creaminess, richness, and acidity that made the dish very very tasty. My friends ordered a variety of other dishes including the bangers and mash, fried chicken, and a very plant forward pasta. Out of all of those, I do think the bangers and mash were my favorite. We also ordered some drinks and there was a Saskatoon cider that was super tasty! All in all, great experience! Get a reservation if you want a seat closer to the window to enjoy the views. You can take the gondola to this restaurant if you don't want to ascend the 2400m on foot, but my friends and I? We exercise to eat! read more
We got super lucky! No reservation. Just took a chance and walked in. We were willing to go back down the mountain and find something in town but thought what the heck... let's ask. I think we hit the timing 'just right'. Folks were leaving as we walked in. Plus, we were only 2 people. If you had more than 2... that'was more of a challenge and a long wait. The bar seating is first come, first serve. Of course, there are only like 5 seats at the small bar, and we would have sat there as it looked like people were finishing up, but the hostess said she had a table for 2 open up. Service was very good as was the food. The surprise of the night.... Pistachio Pate. I wanted to give it a try because it sounded different but really was not expecting it to be as good as it was. I mean... you don't even miss the 'meat'. It's rich and creamy and the pickled veg really help cut the richness. It's a creative... innovative dish that really is a delight. My duck was quite tasty although I wish the skin was a bit more cooked ... seared more. It was a bit too chewy. The husband ordered the Bison and it was rich and tender. Quite delicious! All in all... a lovely dinner and experience. If this is someplace you really really want to dine at... highly recommend a reservation. If you want to wing it like we did, I hope it works out as well for you as it did for us. read more
1 year ago
The views and ambiance-8/10 very beautiful, I recommend to get a reservation if you can Food-4/10 overpriced obviously, but if the quality was good I wouldn't mind. My burger came out well done even tho I told them medium rare....it took 100 years to get too. Service was sooooooo slow. Service -2/10. I understand if ur busy, but when people who came AFtER you get their food before you that is just ridiculous. And I'm expecting the food to be top notch if I wait a million years. The chowder soup we got was very good but it was lukewarm! It tasted like it had been sitting out! So disappointed. read more
The restaurant is located at the top of the gondola ride on the third floor of the building. We made reservations weeks in advanced. When we showed up 10-minutes early there was a couple in front of us that didn't have a reservation and they were given a shaded window seat with a view of Banff National Park. We, with reservations made weeks prior, were given seats with the sun beating on us and a gorgeous view of the their solar panels on their lower roof. This was upsetting to say the least. What was the point of making a reservation then? We ordered the smoked salmon and short rib beef tartine. The short rib beef tartine was solid, but I wasn't impressed by the "smoked" salmon. It was nothing special, the salmon didn't taste smoked at all. Would not recommend that dish to anyone. We also ordered the Apple mule zero-proof cocktail. This was fine. Our server, Makiko, was awesome. She talked through the menu and answered our questions. She heard that we're going down to Canmore tomorrow and recommended their farmers market. She was a rare bright spot in our dining experience. read more
I've heard that it's worth it to stop by for a meal at this spot but I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical due to it being in a tourist attraction. I'm glad I was wrong! This was one of the best experiences I had in Banff. The food was amazing, and actually reasonably priced for the premium meats/seafood you are getting. The short rib dish was incredible and the seafood chowder was loaded and delicious. And we really appreciated the service here and that they tried to seat my wife and I at the windows. It was a great lunch with absolutely spectacular views! read more
24 days ago
1 year ago
Our hosts brought us to the top of Sulphur mountain to enjoy some snowy views and planned for a lunch at Sky Bistro. It was completely foggy and snowy outside, which made it feel like we were dining in the clouds. The main dining area feels cozy and inviting, with great service from all the staff. The lunch came with a soup or salad and an entrée, I ended up getting the seafood chowder and the rancher's pie. The seafood chowder was really good, filled with tender clams, snappy shrimp, and smoky bacon without being overly heavy or thick. The topping of tobiko was really unique, it added a nice texture and brightness to the soup. The rancher's pie was a huge portion and came with a little side salad. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful, and I appreciated the time they took to pipe it on top. The braised short rib below was so tender, with bits of delicious thick-cut bacon in the mix too. We got to enjoy conversation after lunch too, we weren't rushed in any regard. Overall, this was such a great meal, from the ambiance to the service to the food. Best meal I had in Alberta by far! read more
Love, love love this place! Not just for the view, but the food that I ordered was really delicious as well! I had the short rib, beef, tartine, and my mom had the tagliatelle, both delicious. Make reservations right away in advance and also make sure you have reservations for the Banff gondola as it's at the top and you have to have gondola tickets in order to get up there. If you're going to the number one destination in Banff, you might as well make a reservation at sky bistro as well! If you're in a group of two, you can get right by the window, but if you're in a bigger party more than likely, you will not be by the window so if you need to split up, I would do it. The service here is really nice as well. read more
2 months ago
1 month ago
18 days ago
Sky Bistro was an incredible dining experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was stunning, and having a reservation made everything smooth. The menu was refreshingly unique-- I had the smoked salmon, which was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Our server, Bam, was outstanding--friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great insight into both the menu and the local area. This spot is a must if you're taking the gondola to the top--well worth it for the view and the food! read more
What a memorable experience!! I took my husband here to celebrate his birthday. It was a surprise, and he had no idea. He was very impressed, especially with the views. We were lucky to be placed at a table right next to the window as it is first come first serve. My personal favorites of that day were pretty much everything we ordered. The pork chops were tender, perfectly complimented by a sweet glaze. The pistachio pate was quite interesting. It is completely vegan. I loved the creamy texture and how buttery it was. It was definitely a very decadent meal. The birthday cake was on the house, although it did not taste great and was dry, but we definitely appreciated the thought. It was also beautifully decorated. The staff were super sweet and accommodating. They really took the time to explain the menu. This experience is a must if you are visiting Banff for the first time and celebrating something special. It can be quite pricey, especially you also have to pay for the gondola ride up to the restaurant. read more
We ate at Sky Bistro after hiking up Sulphur Mountain. We were seated by the windows, overlooking the mountains. We started with a glass of Prosecco, and enjoyed the incredible view. I ordered the duck with Alberta grain, apple butter and endive. The duck had a smokey, yet salty flavour to it and the apple butter complemented it perfectly. The Alberta grain was cooked al dente and was a bit chewy. My friend ordered the short rib, which was very tender and flavourful. The food was very enjoyable, however I wish the portion sizes were larger. The service at the Sky Bistro was great; the hostess took our coats at the entrance and our waitress was friendly and attentive. read more
Wish I can add a few more stars to this place. Nothing but positive feedback. We walked in with no reservation but they were so kind to sit us down right away and we were able to get a window seat as I've heard(everybody's dream) the views are spectacular. Carla our waitress was the sweetest and make our visit even more enjoyable. If we had questions she didn't hesitate and was very well informed. We ordered some drinks, Beet salad & Minestrone to start off. I've been in the look out for Beet's salads everywhere I go and Man oh man.. this one I will remember. The flavors were out of this world and every bite had me going back for more. We ordered their Brisket Burger as well and that was delicious as well she was so kind as well to have them cut in half cause we're sharing. Our drinks were just epic I had the coconut fizz(no alcohol) but was till delicious and we also tried their passionfruit sour and that was mind blowing. Our experience here was fantastic. You have to come with an opened mind, you will pay for the view and drinks and experience for sure but well worth it in my opinion. When we left there were many people waiting outside. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation so can dine way up here it's an experience you will never forget. read more
1 year ago
Excellent food and beverages. Outstanding service Incredible view You take a gondola ride to get here which adds to the experience. Yes, it's pricey but it's worth it read more
2 years ago
As it's not inexpensive to get to the summit, unless it's the dead of winter, I'd strongly advise you to skip the overpriced restaurants at the top of the summit and just take the time to thoroughly explore the summit. If you were reallyyyyyyyyyy inclined to eat at the summit, Northern Lights Alpine Kitchen -- the buffet across the way -- appears to be a better time management option with better views of the valley and better value. Plus, you could always toss any items you don't like and get something else (wasteful, I know, but you've done it too. It's an option we wish was available to us). The ambiance at Sky Bistro was nice. I ordered the bangers and mash, which were slightly underwhelming but edible. The brown gravy could be jazzed up some. My friend's linguine was horribly dry, flavorless, and inedible. It was like they completely forgot the olive oil and lemon! How does a nice restaurant mess up a basic pasta!? I had a bite of the pasta, downed my glass of water, and had difficulty flagging someone down for a refill. I made comments about the extremely disappointing pasta to the server in hopes of redeeming the touristy experience some but she was not at all sympathetic. In hindsight, maybe we should've gotten the brisket burgers. I'd only recommend items that they don't make in-house. Like the highly marked up ice wine. read more
Why 5 stars? Because you'd think the food would be disappointing, but it wasn't! --- --- --- I read about 100 reviews from former colleagues saying that Sky Bistro has 5-star views and 3-star food, so that's exactly where my expectations were. I have to say, the food ended up being quite a pleasant surprise! The one thing we didn't love were the fries, only because they were so thick that some of them weren't really even cooked all the way through. But other than that, we shared a Greek Salad and each ordered some Seafood Chowder. Both of these things were ideal. I kept wondering how much trouble these restaurants must go through to get all of their supplies, but they somehow pull it off quite nicely. I also read reviews about slow service, but didn't really have that experience. The service was totally fine for us. Plus, we wouldn't have wanted to be rushed anyway, when the reason to come to Sky Bistro is just to stare out at the beauty. I'd definitely recommend getting reservations here if you are taking the gondola up! read more
10 months ago
We loved the view, the service and the food. It was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had! Make sure you reserve in advance. Our server, Matt, helped us to decide what to order. The pork chop was amazing! We also loved the heirloom tomato salad and seafood chowder. The short rib was tasty, but the pork was memorable! It was a great way to "launch" our Banff visit! read more
9 months ago
Came here for my sister's wedding rehearsal dinner, we had a large party of 21-23 or so, we had two tables with different servers. One table was told about the specialties and the other was not hence one table ordered the octopus and the other had no idea it was available. She had also called (weeks ahead) and tried to get reservations for 7pm which they told her 8pm would be better for our party. Once ordering apps and dinners about 9pm when we're eating the apps were asked if anyone wanted to order deserts because the kitchen would be closing soon. I thought that was odd why sit 20+ people at 8and close the kitchen at 9? So we put in desert orders right away, 9:15ish comes half are eating other half just started getting food. Shortly after that our server tells us the gondola shuts down at 10 (last call) so we're all worried and we need to hurry and finish. The groom then calls down and ask if we will get left up on the top and have to walk down because they were still eating! They say no of course not. We get desert about 9:30 and try to be mindful of the time, there's still other tables in the restaurant like 2. So once we finish everyone goes to the bathroom and then starts heading down to get on the gondola where one of the staff asks us if we were in the restaurant eating where we say yes and she apologizes to us saying she wanted to get everyone down quick it's been a long day... once we get down to the main lobby we were then kicked out to wait on the porch in the dark for our bus.. my 85 year old grandma was standing on the steps in the dark waiting about 20-30 mins for the bus.. all of us. The food was great, the service from our half of the group was great he was very polite and accommodating. The biggest issues was I felt we were being rushed. Dinner for 20+ people will take more than two hours, it was so disappointing for the gondola staff to radio up and get restaurant staff to get us to hurry up. This was a special evening for my sister and now husband and our two family's to share together, which we all felt was really rushed and then to top it off sitting on the front steps while all the staff came down off the mountain and into cars, some staff even got onto the same bus as us to go back into Banff. read more
8 months ago
9 months ago
The food is eclectic - the green apple kohlrabi salad with a chicken breast was tasty but it is a smaller lunch plate. The fried chicken was seasoned perfectly and the dish was presented beautifully. The potato pancake was like a big moist but odd muffin. We weren't a fan. The prices are a bit high but understandable - you are at the top of a mountain and they have to gondola the food up. The wait staff was charming and attentive. The ambiance is unbelievable. Such a gem on top of sulphur mountain. We had a table next to the window and it was a glorious experience. Highly recommend - yes it is a tourist place - we loved it! read more
1 year ago
Sky Bistro in Banff was truly an unforgettable experience. We had amazing seats right by the large window with a stunning view over the mountains, which was a real highlight of the evening. We both started with an espresso martini and steak tartare for our appetizer. Both were delicious. For mains, we had a beautiful cut of meat and duck, both perfectly prepared. We paired it with a lovely bottle of Tempranillo that really brought everything together. The service was excellent, warm and friendly. The whole experience, including the gondola ride up and the breathtaking location, made it something really special. read more
10 months ago
Got the short rib beef tartine, trout, and tagliatelle pasta. Out of the three I would recommend the short rib beef tartine. The pasta was ok, it could use a little bit more flavor. Probably wouldn't order it again though. Overall paying to eat for the ambiance and nice views if you're lucky to sit next to the window. The service was good and attentive. read more
1 year ago
We had dinner last night at sky bistro. The ambiance was amazing, service attentive and food off the charts. We started with the bison tartare which was so fresh and flavorful. For entrees we had the beef short rib and bison striploin. Both were absolutely perfect. We truly enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend read more
2 years ago
This place is definitely worth the lift ticket and wait for the experience! This gorgeous restaurant sits at the top of Mt Sulphur. You have to purchase a gondola ticket to access it. The views on the way up are stunning and so is this restaurant. We came for appetizers and drinks. We got there right at the opening time and had seats right at the window. Our server Sophia was so professional and kind. She chatted with us about her recommendations and how much she loves Banff! We loved this place! The duck wings and Caesar salad were tasty and great for sharing. read more
Looked at the menu prior to coming and didn't see anything that stood out so came more for the experience than the food. Would recommend making reservations especially if you have a party of 2 and want to request to sit by the windows. Food was ok so probably wouldn't come back but glad I tried it out! read more
Sky Bistro exceeded my expectations as my first meal in Banff. I planned my first day with a ride up Banff Gondola with dinner added to my ticket. I figured 2 hours of walking around and then eating dinner would be sufficient. One thing to note though is that depending on what you order here, the Gondola+Sky Bistro dinner ticket may end up costing you more if you were to do it separately. With the combo ticket, you get one free appetizer and one free entree. I did the math and I made sure to order the almost the expensive thing on both ends, so I saved some money. I will say they didn't, for some reason, have my ticket reservation in the system, so I had to wait a little bit for a table. Make sure you make a reservation in some form, otherwise you'll be waiting a while for a table. For starters, I ordered the Duck Wings. I never actually had duck before and I was interested in trying it, after all American Thanksgiving was a few days away at the time and I needed poultry to simulate Thanksgiving. The Duck Wings were magnificent. Expertly fried to the perfect crispness with a rich, intense flavor. It was tender, and I enjoyed how much fattier it was compared to chicken. The Berry Reduction that was dolloped on my plate was delicious as well and although the 3 dollops were for 3 of my duck wings, there wasn't enough. Still though, I truly enjoyed the duck even by itself. For my main course, I ordered the Beef Short Ribs. It was a hard toss-up between that and the Bison, but I knew I was going to have steak later in the week. The Beef Short Rib sat on top of pile of potato puree, which in the simplest description is "smoother" mashed potatoes. On top of the rib were a good portion of chanterelle mushrooms and an ample covering of red wine demi-glace. Next to it was a side of creamed spinach. The beef short rib was hands down, the BEST short rib I've ever eaten. Between the plump mushrooms, tender beef, savory demi-glace, and luxurious-creamy potatoes, each bite was heavenly. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. It was so good; I was very careful to restrain myself from licking the plate when I was done. The creamed spinach was OK, it seemed more of a puree as well, but I nearly forgot about it because of the short rib itself. For dessert, I selected the apple tart with cinnamon gelato. I've never had cinnamon "ice cream" before and it went perfectly with the apple tart. The tart was crispy with slivers of slightly dried, tart apples layered on top. The tart was a little small and I wish it was bigger. The dessert was amazing nevertheless. Last but not least, the atmosphere was amazing. I didn't sit next to the window, but I sat really close to it. If you can dine here while the Sun is still illuminating the mountains, the view is breathtaking and very romantic. read more
2 years ago
Well, the ambiance? Let's be honest; isn't that the reason to go here? A++ for the view. Somehow the restaurant itself seemed smaller than I expected. I did feel that it was stuffy and overly warm with a slightly off-putting aroma- (maybe from the rosemary sprig smoked cocktails they make(??) in the restaurant) throughout our entire visit. Our service was friendly and too-notch just as one might expect in this sort of establishment. I ordered a mocktail that was light and refreshing. Hubs had a local beer. We shared a Caesar salad and the popcorn seafood chowder as appetizers. Both of these dishes were simply outstanding. Genuinely! The "popcorn" was actually a sort of caviar that pops in your mouth as you eat. It was surprising in the best sense. It also added some additional seasoning to the dish that was welcome. I ordered the scallops starter as my entree. They were well-prepared and tasty but the three seemed more the size of bay scallops- very small- rather than a larger one you might expect. However, the chowder was very hearty and satisfying, so I could not have eaten more, to be honest. My husband ordered the short ribs. Savory, tender, delicious. This would have been a five star visit, but the close air made us uncomfortably clammy and warm. A bit overwhelming with no air moving in the room. read more
Page 1 of 8
More info about Sky Bistro
Sky Bistro Reviews in Other Languages
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
11 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
5 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
1 month ago
2 years ago
5 months ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
