PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar — Restaurant in Banff

I really really wanted to like this place. We had three different friends recommend coming here on our only day in Banff during this Alberta trip and this was just straight up horrendous. I will never be back, and I don't think any of the three people that recommended it to me will be either after our experience today.

Drinks took awhile to come out, but in all fairness to this place, are a highlight. They're good cocktails, but that is really it.

I ordered steak frites and my server walked away before even asking how I would like my steak cooked. She came back though, and I ordered medium. She then handed off our table as her shift had ended and the service at that point may as well have been a self serve kiosk at a McDonalds. Food came out and my steak was temperature wise, luke warm, which is actually being nice about it. The cook initially looked under medium, but I order medium so that if it is a little under I'm not having to send it back. The further I got into the steak, the closer it was to raw. I let our server know in her only check in with us about my concern with the temperature and for a $47 dish she could "get them to throw it back on the grill". Not like that might end up in it now being overcooked now would it? Also, what's with restaurants having steak on a menu, but no one in the kitchen rendering the fat? Is the consistent expectation with non steakhouses to cut the fat off or eat rubber? Regardless, our server must have not cared because we didn't see her after that brief conversation and she didn't ask how the meal was when getting the plates. Just got them quick and got out of there. (And my addition to this would be the crispy onions, if you're going to serve cold and rubbery crispy onions, go to a grocery store and buy the premade French's ones, they're much better).

So if you've stuck along so far here's my recommendation. For the same price you can go to the Keg and if they get it wrong they refire a new steak and make sure you're fed well. Or you want to stay local, earlier in the day we were at Three Bears Brewery and it was superb. Same view and atmosphere you'd get at park, but the wait staff seem to care about you and the food doesn't come out after sitting for an unknown amount of time at the pass (also it tastes good!).

My only regret is that I am out of practice with these reviews and didn't take any photos of my meal. But for the sake of any of you wanting to try this place it's probably for the best...

Super disappointed in this restaurant because of the food, price and service. All the options were overpriced and underwhelming. For main, I had the Boar Porchetta with a side of baked beans which I was super excited about.. it arrived and it looked amazing. However the flavor was severely lacking with the beans - they were hard and only slightly warmer than room temperature. The boar was made up of a giant strip of unrendered fat, with a little bit of well seasoned meat in the center - but the majority of the plate was an inedible fat cap. The only saving grace of the entire meal was the Smoked Smores dessert which arrived with the fire theatrics and tasted great. However, while it was delicious, it was also incredibly rich and a good size portion, it was impossible for one person to finish (great to share). The service was no better - our server consistently forgot our requests. My friend requested no horseradish with her main and no jalapeños... and yet both arrived with the meals. No a huge deal breaker but it definitely shows a lack of attention to detail. We also didn't receive steak knives for our meal til we were halfway through. We had to ask several times for a drink refill. But possibly the most worrisome was that when our server asked us how we were enjoying/enjoyed our meals and we replied with "umm, it's ok" and "we didn't really enjoy it too much", he didn't take the matter any further than that - we would have appreciated the opportunity to voice our concerns to him or to a manager OR to give the restaurant a chance to rectify our experience . The last infuriating incident occurred when he was clearing our entree plates, a giant chunk of fat that I had spit out into my napkin which I had folded over and placed on top of my plate, fell out onto the floor - and no one on staff noticed it, or did anything to clear it- and it was just left there in the middle of the floor for the remaining half hour that we there. It was very off putting. Long story short - I'm not sure why this place is so hyped up. My entire meal (Drink, Main, Side, Dessert) cost $75 including tip & was definitely not worth it. I would not recommend this restaurant and I...

Nestled in the heart of downtown Banff, Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar seamlessly blends rugged charm with culinary finesse, offering an unforgettable dining experience.

Let's Go........the food – a tantalizing fusion of locally sourced ingredients crafted into mouthwatering dishes that elevate traditional mountain fare. From hearty bison burgers to delicate Bang Bang Shrimp, each bite is a celebration of the region's flavors.

But it's the cocktails and gin that steal the show. Park Distillery takes pride in their hand-milling, hand-mashing, and hand-distilling techniques, ensuring each sip is imbued with unparalleled purity and depth of flavor. Their daily distillery tours provide a fascinating glimpse into this meticulous process, perfect for enthusiasts and novices alike.

The staff, embodying warmth and expertise, elevate the dining experience with their genuine hospitality and knowledge. Whether recommending the perfect cocktail or sharing insights into the distillation process, they do so with infectious enthusiasm. Viro served us, and I hope I spelled her name right, but she was super awesome, responding with all the headaches and questions I asked with warmth and hospitality. She gets 5 stars... any day of the week.

As for the ambiance, the cozy backcountry-inspired décor sets the stage for a relaxed yet refined dining atmosphere. The patio, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, is the ideal spot to savor a cocktail or enjoy a leisurely meal.

So there it is, Park Distillery Restaurant and Bar is a gem in Banff, where exceptional food, handcrafted spirits, and genuine hospitality converge to create an unforgettable dining experience. They also pride themselves as the only distillery thus far in a national park in Canada. Ain't...