Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar: Inside Banff's hottest new restaurant

Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar is Banff Hospitality Collective’s newest restaurant, and it’s one of the best in town.

Offering a wood-fired steakhouse experience with a mid-century love for cocktails, this is dinner with a very exciting atmosphere. It’s a great addition to Banff’s already vibrant dining scene. There’s even a super fun fondue happy hour!

The building is gorgeous, upstairs, downstairs, and outside. It was built in the 1800s as Homestead Hotel, before becoming Melissa Missteak. All of the original framing and exterior have been preserved, and it shows.

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The menu at Bluebird Restaurant focuses on steakhouse classics with modern twists and delicious comfort foods to pair perfectly with the “keys-in-the-bowl dinner party” vibes.

Inspired by charming mid-century chalets, the concept explores rich Alpine culture and the primal instinct to seek shelter, fire and socialize.

The roaring fire cook and cackles in the middle of the space here, fire-roasting meats, fish and vegetables all night. For drinks, in the lobby bar, an emphasis on classic cocktails and tiki-styler drinks will complement the fiery food dishes. Outside, the patio boasts a fun atmosphere with fireplace tables and surrounding mountain views.

Appetizers include spicy pineapple baby back ribs and raw oysters, while entrees include pasta, mains, and steak, like the bone-in ribeye from Alberta. There’s even an all-day roasted prime rib and beef menu, with four different cuts and plenty of tasty sides, like cheesy mashed potatoes and creamed greens.

Dished recently visited the spot and ordered many of the staple dishes, like the cheesy potato donuts (whipped cheese, herbs, crispy onions), tableside tartare (classic garnishes, parmesan), charred shishito peppers (honey mushroom xo sauce, hung sour cream), and fire-roasted beets (tarragon dressing, aged goat feta, and shallots).

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We also ordered a few decadent mains, like the lobster bucatini made with fresh herbs and Reggiano brota, and served with a huge Atlantic lobster tail.

The cocktails are fun, like the popular Bluebird Colada made with Park Chili Vodka, pineapple, guava, lime, and coconut foam, but we suggest getting the tangy Meadow Mint (Park Alpine Dry Gin, Seedlip Garden, citrus, and Jolene’s Meadow Mint Tea).

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The next time you visit Banff, stop by Bluebird Restaurant and see what the excitement is about. Make sure to get the signature key lime pie dessert before it sells out.

Sparks will be flying!

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Bluebird Restaurant & Lobby Bar

Address: 218 Lynx Street, Banff

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