Three Bears Brewery & Restaurant — Restaurant in Banff

Happy Hour? An hour of happiness!

Desires for a dining atmosphere that emits a tender and welcoming spirit while also maintains an elevated eloquence?

Perhaps it’s an event to celebrate, perhaps it’s just a night out with your people, perhaps you’re just hungry and/or thirsty and need somewhere to quench that.

3 Bears is your surefire bet for an awe-inspired meal. And NO, there are no bears present so if that was a worry there isn’t a single one!

Went with the fam to 3 Bears for a “snack” lunch. Brought our two puppies and we were given the wonderful seating on the ground floor patio. It was a lovely space with very comfortable seating. I can’t speak for the interior - but the patio was quite busy yet still it was easy to have and to hear the conversations at our table. Having only entered to use the washroom facilities I can speak for the tantalizing interior design. It’s a genuinely beautiful space. The waste spaces aka the shit shacks were also really good, I don’t think good quality washrooms go as noticed and appreciated as they should, but worse for wear is always noticed. I have to make an effort to genuinely commend the effort and quality of the well maintained washrooms. They also smell great cause they use Rocky Mountain soap Co. products. (shout out)

The staff were very kind and welcoming. It was really quick to get a seat even despite it being 3:30pm (happy hour) on a Friday. I don’t know if this is the quality of Banff itself, if 3 Bears can be credited with this, or if luck and love was in the air. But even the fellow patrons around us were kind and generous humans and shared some great conversation with our group. I have to give a special shoutout to a certain food-runner; Stephen T. I am not at all his older brother or anything, totally not related by blood, never met this guy before and have not known him for like 15 years of my life. Had to get that out of the way to avoid suspicion. He’s the best food runner ever though. Put the run in runner - he was sprinting everywhere and I’m pretty sure he was juggling plates past obstacles to deliver the food to tables. Incredible, I’m so unbelievably proud of him and for this to be his first job I’m so excited to see where he goes. Hope he gets a promotion.

Anyways, after his shift as a food runner my younger brother joined us for our food, which was delectable. We had the shrimp bao buns and Bison ribs. Both of which were scrumptious culinary creations. My wife also got the mac and cheese which was a hoot and a half of creamy delight.

I will say - clutching my pearls - it is a pretty penny to eat here. Whilst the quality certainly matches the price in my mind, I can’t guarantee it will for everyone, and I especially don’t have the money to be eating here more than once a month, and that’s more than fine, this place is a fine good and it’s more sinful than saintly to indulge here beyond necessity.

I heard their pizzas are phenomenal. Did not try it cause I heard about it after I ate there. Highly recommend this...

Three Bears is my go to spot for pizza and pints in Banff. All the draft beers are brewed in house, where the large stainless tanks and copper kettles are on proud display in the main dining room. There is a steady roster of day in day out brews, peppered with a rotating seasonal beer and a regularly changing infused concoction. If you can’t decide, ask for a taster or better yet, go for a flight and try the whole list.

As aforementioned, the pizza is where it’s at on the menu. The Margherita is my go to meatless option (conveniently offered on the happy hour menu, just sayin). The wood fired thin crust is crisp and flavourfully singed in spots, but slices still have a forgiving flex. The sauce is zingy without being too acidic. Fresh mozzarella is melted but holds its shape, and whole leaf basil delivers its an herbal highlight in each bite. Spring for the house chili crisp on the side and you won’t regret it. The Pepperoni comes studded with the deli meats, properly bubbled with its own hot, rendered fat. I’ll take a moment to mention the Three Bears Salad - a great veggie option, made all the more a meal with the generous Gouda cubes and candied pecans throughout.

I am won over by their daily happy hour and friendly staff who are eager to share tips about town or tell you about their favourite run at Sunshine or Louise. Best bet is to perch oneself at one end of the bar, either up or down stairs, and take it all in! In Winter, it’s a great spot to Après with the subtly, but crucially, heated bar top ready to aid in the reanimation of your digits. In Summer, cool breezes float through the open floor to ceiling doors downstairs, or through the retractable, cantilevered roof upstairs - delivering the best of inside and outside worlds. A rail side seat on the upper patio will give you a bird’s eye view of the steadily streaming pedestrian traffic on...

I’ve tried a lot of great Banff restaurants. Some were too busy, some were too small but Three Bears Brewery was just right.

This was our second time visiting. I couldn’t stop dreaming about the crab doughnut. I had to come back with visiting family joining this time. The road is no longer under construction making it easy to navigate to the restaurant which is located off the main drag. We made a reservation with Open Table a couple days in advance, although the place is massive and can accommodate many parties. Staff are friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable. The food is delicious with familiar and unique options on the menu. There is outdoor and indoor seating. The restaurant is kid friendly with a few menu items for kids.

I had the infuser beer with peach and mango, the elk and kale pizza, and I managed to share the crab doughnut. The other adults had the big kahuna pizza, margherita pizza, roasted cauliflower and million dollar onion. The 8 year olds had the kids cheese pizza and mac n cheese. All were winners. The food was delivered by other staff than our server. Our server immediately noticed that one of the kid’s dishes hadn’t come out and quickly went back to the kitchen to get it. He was very friendly with the kids, interacting with them and confirmed with the parents before offering a beverage refill.

The crab doughnut is topped with plenty of crab meat and is like nothing I’ve ever had before. The elk and kale pizza had lots of toppings and is definitely enough for two people. The infuser beer flavour was subtle of peach and mango but very crushable on a hot summer day.

This is a must visit for lunch, dinner or just drinks.

I’ve also included pictures from our first visit of the tuna tostada, Nashville hot chicken sandwich, million dollar onion and the red velvet...