The Bankhead Restaurant And Lounge — Restaurant in Alberta

I must admit that the service at this restaurant was disappointing. Do not come here if you are planning to start the day off early with a hike. We arrived at 9 in the morning when the restaurant was relatively empty. Yes, there were a few people here and there, but we arrived pleasantly surprised that we did not happen to arrive at a busy hour. Despite this, we waited for over an hour for our food, which never arrived. When we asked the waiter for an update, she told us with assured confidence to wait just 10 more minutes. Well, guess what? After approximately 15 minutes, she came back and asked us to give the cook another 10 minutes. By this point, we had already been waiting for over an hour, and we finally decided to leave at around half past 10. Our order was just eggs and waffles, which shouldn't take that long to prepare. Additionally, the waiter was very slow in serving us, claiming an influx of customers. To make matters worse, a family who arrived after us (we were sat right next to the entrance) was served before our food was even made. We had planned to arrive early to stick to our schedule, but now we had to find another place for breakfast, and ended up going to Tim Hortons at 11.

EDIT: I want to take a moment to ADDRESS the owner's response to my review. Typically, I don’t spend my time leaving negative ratings, as there are far more productive ways for me to use my time. However, your restaurant not only wasted my time but also attempted to REFUTE my honest experience. I appreciate the apology, but it is overshadowed by the way you tried to justify the situation as mere "facts" rather than fully acknowledging the issue.

As I already mentioned, we arrived at 9 AM to find the restaurant relatively empty, with only a few other customers present. Despite this, we waited over an hour for a simple order of eggs and waffles—food that should not take excessive time to prepare.

Additionally, a family who arrived after us received their food before our order was even made. And to be clear, we weren’t being unreasonable or overly critical. After waiting so long and being seated right next to the entrance, we were attentively watching for any sign that our food was finally on its way. Instead, we saw the opposite—other customers being served before us, while our order remained nowhere in sight.

Your response attempts to soften the issue by stating, "this is not an excuse, just the facts," YET the facts presented DO NOT ALIGN with our experience. The problem was not just a busy restaurant; it was poor service & mismanagement. A more appropriate response would acknowledge these shortcomings instead of trying to...

Restaurant Review: A Culinary Gem with Unmatched Hospitality

From the moment you step into The Bankhead, you're greeted with an ambiance that perfectly blends warmth and sophistication. The atmosphere sets the stage for what can only be described as a truly extraordinary dining experience.

Cuisine that Delights Every Sense

The food at The Bankhead is nothing short of spectacular. Each dish is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted with the freshest ingredients and an eye for both flavor and presentation. Whether you're indulging in the perfectly cooked steaks, the fresh seafood, or the innovative vegetarian options, every bite is a testament to the culinary team's expertise. The flavors are bold yet balanced, with a menu that offers something for every palate.

One of the standout dishes has to be the eggs Benedict. There are so many different variations. It is a must try and one of our favorites that we order every single time we are in Canmore. And don't even get me started on the special fries. Trust me.

Service that Goes Above and Beyond

As impressive as the food is, what truly sets The Bankhead apart is its exceptional customer service. The staff here are not just servers; they are true hospitality professionals who anticipate your every need. From the moment you're seated, you're made to feel like the most important guest in the room. The team is knowledgeable about the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations without being overbearing. They strike the perfect balance between attentiveness and discretion, ensuring that your meal progresses at a comfortable pace.

Moreover, the staff's genuine enthusiasm for their work shines through in every interaction. They seem to take pride in delivering a dining experience that is not just good, but truly memorable. Whether it's a special occasion or just a casual brunch, the team at The Bankhead makes sure that every detail is taken care of, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the evening.

A Dining Experience Not to Be Missed

In a city filled with great restaurants, The Bankhead stands out as a true gem. It's the kind of place where every detail—from the food to the service—has been thoughtfully considered to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, do yourself a favor and check out The Bankhead. It's a culinary experience that you’ll be talking about long after the meal is over. Our favorite place in Canmore...

Located right off the Bow Valley Trail near 17th Street in Canmore, this is an easy restaurant to get to by car or foot. From outward impressions and upon initial entry, this place has a bit of an upscale feel to it. Tables are spaced out appropriately for COVID protocols but there are no mask requirements at the time of the visit (AB gov't had already lifted pandemic protocols).

What sets this establishment apart though is the food. This was our first visit and it was for breakfast as we were preparing to head back home. We had the pancakes, eggs benedict w/ back bacon and kale salad and eggs benedict w/ short rib and mushrooms and smashed potatoes. All of it (I tested all plates :) ) were fantastic. Portion sizes were good and served on classy plating.

You can tell a lot about an establishment not on how things are in perfect conditions but on how they handle things when something goes wrong. There was an order error on one of the orders and the wait staff and management came out right away to address and correct it. My order was submitted incorrectly to the kitchen and the wrong plate was made however they gave me both the incorrect order and the corrected order came out within minutes. While eating two breakfasts is never a bad thing, the fact that the correction was addressed immediately and the correct plate came out within minutes was impressive. The staff/mgt also followed up multiple times after to ensure I was satisfied and upon billing, they billed the lower incorrect plate which was a nice added touch.

Overall, if you're looking for really good food but at a reasonable price, definitely come to The Bankhead Restaurant and Lounge. We'll definitely come back to try lunch and dinner.

Highly Recommend.

FYI - best kale salad I've...