Sudden Sally — Restaurant in Banff

Staying at the Canoe and decided to stop here to grab quick food to take back to our room.

Firstly the staff we dealt with were pleasant so our concern is purely with the kitchen staff and the quality of food.

We ordered simple wings and fries, but upon opening them back in our room we realized they were both badly burnt and basically inedible. After a long day of hiking we decided to cut our losses, shower and sleep.

The next day, we had been out again all morning and wanted some protein to tie us over before a late dinner in town. We decided to give this place a second shot as it was in our hotel, we were exhausted and thought surely they can't burn the food two days in a row. We ordered a chicken salad and pork with brussels and mash.

We're beyond frustrated that we gave this establishment more money as they clearly don't care for their patrons. The chicken on our chicken salad was blackened from being overcooked, the sprouts were also fried beyond recognition... More severely burnt food. Rendering both dishes mostly inedible as the burnt flavor got into other foods.

I am not sure why this place has such good reviews as we tried it two different days as we're given food too burnt to be eaten. The food that was not burnt (mash, lettuce etc) was bland and unseasoned.

Upsetting considering it's not cheap! The kitchen staff need to be retrained on how to output quality food that is safe to eat...burnt foods are disgusting and bad for...

While there were a few redeeming qualities, the overall experience was mediocre.

The interior was a highlight—clean, with a cozy cabin-lodge vibe that fit perfectly with the Banff setting. It created a warm and inviting atmosphere, which I appreciated.

Unfortunately, the menu was quite simplistic, and several items were either sold out or unavailable. This was frustrating, especially since no replacement options or suggestions were offered. To make matters worse, the hummus I ordered didn’t taste great—it was incredibly dry and lacked the smooth texture or flavor you’d expect.

Service was another area where Sudden Sally fell short. The staff were a little rough around the edges, lacking the attentiveness and personality that can make or break a dining experience. While they did the basics, the overall vibe from the waitstaff felt distant and unengaged, which left me feeling more like a transaction than a guest.

In summary, Sudden Sally has potential but struggles with some key areas, including service, menu flexibility, and food quality. It might be worth a visit for the atmosphere, but I wouldn’t go back expecting anything more...

Back with another solo traveler review!

Sudden Sally was my second dining experience in Banff, and it was nearly perfect — with just a couple of minor tweaks.

The location is fantastic for anyone looking for a more relaxed setting away from the busy downtown. The hosting staff was polite and friendly, though they did seat four parties together in the same back area, which made it feel loud and cramped. (I noticed other rooms had open space that could have spread diners out a bit more.)

I ordered a mocktail, side salad, and entrée. The drink — a canned rosé — had great flavor and tasted authentic. The Iceberg Wedge salad was a creative fusion with Caesar notes, but the tomato fennel vinaigrette was a little overpowering. The Beef Tenderloin Stroganoff, however, was absolutely outstanding — I only wish the portion had been bigger!

My server was fun, polite, and had great recommendations. That said, as a solo diner, I felt slightly deprioritized compared to larger tables — even the clear “napkin on the plate” signal didn’t bring quicker attention.

All that aside, Sudden Sally is still a 5-star experience, and I’d go back in...