PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar

Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar in Banff offers campfire-inspired cuisine and house-distilled spirits in a backcountry lodge setting

After a full day weaving through the scenic backroads of Mount Norquay and soaking in the alpine beauty of Banff, the dinner hour called for something hearty, warm, and distinctly local. A short shuttle ride from the Fairmont Banff Springs led me straight to the doors of PARK Distillery Restaurant + Bar.

The scent of woods and spice greeted me as I stepped inside. With the bustling murmur of conversations surrounding me,  I knew I had found the perfect restaurant for dinner. There’s something inherently comforting about slipping into a seat at a local distillery. It just felt like I was about to sip the spirit of the Canadian Rockies.

Naturally, I began with a spirit tasting – a curated flight showcasing PARK’s house-made lineup:

The VANILLA VODKA (As warm and comforting as an alpine hut after a cold day in the back country. Only with much less gear.)

GLACIER RYE (The remarkable nature of this spirit demanded we bottle some unaged. The way a glacier ted lake demands you dive right in)

ESPRESSO VODKA (Just like a rich cup of coffee brewed over an early morning campfire. But with Vodka. So even better.)

CHILI VODKA (Just enough heat and spice to warm your mouth, but not enough to drive off a bear. Especially not a grizzly)

ALPINE DRY GIN (Hand picked Canadian spruce tips define our crisp Alpine Dry Gin. We took care of foraging tor the perfect botanicals.)

and the CLASSIC VODKA (Crisp and clean, as the air on a sunny morning). Overall, I absolutely loved the Vanilla, Chili and Espresso Vodkas. It was the best way to taste what the distillery had to offer.

To complement the spirits, I started with the SMOKED TOMATO CHILI VODKA SOUP (with focaccia).

It was comfort in a bowl—smoky, rich, and soul-warming, the kind of dish that brings color back to your cheeks after a day in the wind.

For my main course, I wanted some Alberta beef. The CAMPFIRE BEEF TENDERLOIN (6oz Alberta Angus, loaded baked potato, campfire veggies, crispy onions, garlic butter)

A true mountain feast, rustic yet refined, and every bit as satisfying as it sounds.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed my dinner at PARK. Each bite and sip felt like a delicious continuation of the day’s journey.

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