The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into Crave Mountain Grill in the morning is the beautiful light. With wall to ceiling windows, the restaurant is bright and airy; the perfect spot for breakfast before a day spent playing in the mountains.
Crave, which sits in the heart of the Banff Park Lodge, provides ample fuel for the early morning ski bunnies as well as those who like to operate at a more leisurely pace. Diners can choose between a hearty breakfast buffet or a sizable dish on the a la carte menu (although there is nothing to stop those engaging in gastronomic “Beast Mode” from opting for both!).
The Crave buffet is a revered and, I'll say it, iconic offering in the town of Banff, and one of the few spots where hungry humans can really fill their boots! Stations of scrambled eggs, bacon, waffles, beans and homefries are well stocked, with an additional dedicated section for cereals, yogurts, fresh fruit, salad and continental breakfast platters. Enhanced buffet offerings include pastries and melt-in-the-mouth cinnamon rolls swimming in icing and custard (you really do need these in your life, trust me).
For a more curated breakfast experience, entrees are beautifully presented and sizeable. Sweet-toothed revellers will adore the Nutella Stuffed French Toast with freshly whipped cream and seasonal fresh berries such as strawberries, blackberries and goldenberries, which also deliver an instagrammable colour pop to the plate. Douse your dish in a jar of accompanying Quebec maple syrup at your own leisure! Honestly, if I am a strong proponent of anything, it is ordering a french toast “for the table”, plus it makes you a pretty popular dining companion.
If hollandaise is one of your favourite food groups then you’ll be pleased to know there are two solid benny options, one with thick-cut Canadian back bacon and another with smoked salmon and cream cheese. The Hass Avocado Bagel with a sundried tomato aioli and free range eggs is also a filling menu item that can be veganized to order, with Crave catering to most common dietary restrictions and allergies. You may also be pleased to know that savory dishes come replete with smashed potatoes or wedges as well as a side of fresh fruit.
Like in all good breakfast joints, brewed coffee is refillable, but if you’re feeling celebratory, mimosas are a great way to turn the morning into a toastable occasion. There is a good selection of juices available to mimosa-ify, but if you’re more of a caesar human, you’ll be taken care of too.
Crave is not just pancake stacks and gooey egg yolks; outside of the small hours, the mountain grill re-opens at 5pm for the dinner crowd and offers relaxed, unfussy Canadiana comfort food such as burgers, wings, ribs, butter chicken and, of course Alberta AAA striplion. Desserts are tried and true, with an excellent dark chocolate brownie served aside a tart raspberry coulis and vanilla ice cream, a Madagascan vanilla bean crème brûlée and a crème chantilly topped berry tart. I for one love the nostalgia of a restaurant offering ice cream by the scoop, which Crave will present beautifully for those in the business of ordering some, as well as a selection of refreshing sorbets. Pure Banff Bellissimo!
Breakfast is served from 7am -11am on weekdays and until midday at weekends.
Dinner is served from 5 - 9pm.
