Going out to eat in Banff can be surprisingly entertaining. Some complain that prices are high, waiting times long, service indifferent, and entrees smallish. But if you stick to the places listed here, you'll find charm, variety, and refreshingly good food for a little mountain town of only 8,000 people. Banff Avenue has all types of restaurants, and the crowd has spilled over to neighboring Bear Street, 1 block to the north.

Inexpensive -- Banff isn't really the place for the frugal traveler, unless you want to resort to the grocery stores. Thankfully, they're readily available; a full-sized Safeway can be found at Martin and Elk streets, and if you're in a hostel, there will almost surely be a common kitchen.

The Cascade Plaza Mall, on Banff Avenue, has a food court, and if you get really desperate, there's always McDonald's, at 116 Banff Ave. But don't do that -- for just a bit more, you can go to one of the locations of the local coffee shop Evelyn's (201 Banff Ave. or in the Town Centre Mall). They're crowded by folks needing a coffee fix. There's home baking, though you're not likely to make a meal of their muffins. Your best bet to stay out of the tourist-food trap is to prepare meals yourself.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.