The Best Places To Go In Canmore If You Want To Avoid Main Street

Whether you’re a Canmore local or you’ve visited town in the past, you may have noticed that the downtown core tends to be pretty busy. While things are quiet during shoulder seasons, it’s rare to find yourself walking down Main Street without people surrounding you. We love the hustle and bustle of this little town and that people travel from around the world to witness it for themselves. But we also understand that occasionally, you might be looking for a less chaotic experience in the Rocky Mountains. Luckily, tons of incredible local businesses are tucked away off Main Street and ready to welcome you with open arms. 

We’re proud to exist among so many inspiring local businesses, and there’s nothing we love more than throwing the spotlight on them from time to time. Here are some outstanding places in Canmore to visit that you wouldn’t stumble upon during a stroll down Main Street. Add these to your Canmore bucket list and escape the noise while indulging in some of the best food and beverage experiences our little town has to offer. 

ÉpiCanmore

This lovely hotspot is absolutely worth a visit, but it’s location in the industrial area makes it easy to miss if you don’t know it exists. It can be found at 102 Boulder Crescent, and we think it’s safe to say that you’ll be going back for more. A newer business in town, ÉpiCanmore is a bakery and cafe that offers amazing crepes, organic sourdough bread, specialty coffee, sandwiches, parties, and more. It’s the perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch, catchup with friends, or enjoy a solo date in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Everything here is cooked and baked on-site, so you better believe it’s as fresh as it gets. 

Wild Life Distillery 

If you’re a fan of amazing cocktails, you will be doing yourself a favour by popping into the Wild Life Distillery tasting room. Wild Life is an awesome local distillery that produces unbeatable gin, vodka, whisky, and more. They’ve got canned cocktails that you can grab on the go and fresh, creative drinks if you have some time to pull up a stool. They have two locations in Canmore, one production facility and then their tasting room. You can book a distillery tour at the production facility or visit the tasting room for a drink at 105 Bow Meadows Crescent. This place has an immaculate vibe. It’s welcoming and cozy and perfect for winding down after your next Rocky Mountain adventure. 

Brigette Bar 

Brigette Bar is a new addition to the Canmore food and beverage scene. It’s located at 1030 Spring Creek Drive, and you might recognize the name from its super-popular Calgary location. The restaurant itself is beautifully designed and extremely chic. The menu is filled with amazing share plates and dishes of various sizes, and their cocktails are to die for. We suggest ordering as many dishes as possible to share, because you’re going to want to sample as much of that menu as possible. They’ve got a great happy hour deal from 2-5pm daily and a lovely patio that you should try and enjoy before winter. 

Sheep Dog Brewing 

Sheep Dog is one of the most comfortable and inviting hangout spots in town. The local brewery has a huge roster of creative beers for you to sample along with some delicious snacks. The downstairs portion of the brewery is open during the summer months, with big garage doors that open to the patio. You’re welcome to bring your pup with you while the main floor is open. In the winter, the upstairs is the main event. It’s cozy and homey and a great place to hangout with friends. We suggest getting a flight so you can sample as many of their creations as possible. Also located at 105 Bow Meadows Crescent, Sheepdog is just on the opposite side of the building from Wild Life. 

Take a Hike Market 

This awesome destination is a cafe and market located in Solara Resort and Spa in Canmore. You’ll find a market with amazing culinary products, a cafe with delicious plates and beverages, and an array of eats to grab on the go. It’s the perfect place to stop for a bite, no matter if you’re looking to sit down, grab and go, or elevate something you’re already cooking for yourself. The food at the cafe includes breakfast options, lunch, and tons of coffee drinks and other warm and cold beverages. The food feels wildly fancy but without that fine-dining pricetag or long wait times. The atmosphere is super trendy and inviting, and it’s the perfect place to wind down or wind up before or after your next adventure. 

Rocket Pie Pizza

If you’re craving pizza, you are going to love Rocket Pie. Located in the Shops of Canmore, this casual Italian restaurant serves up some of the best pizzas, calzones, meatballs, and lasagna that this town has to offer. Grab a beer or glass of wine to go with your meal and you simply can’t go wrong. Their take-out is a perfect option for you next night in, but the vibe of the restaurant is worth experiencing for yourself. 

Finchy’s Bar + Grill @ CanGOLF 

We couldn’t resist. If you’re looking for something that’s away from the chaos but easily accessible from the downtown core, Finchy’s is the place for you. Finchy’s Bar + Grill @ CanGOLF is the perfect place for great food, drinks, patio views, and entertainment. From golf simulators downstairs to arcade-style games upstairs, it’s the perfect place to have fun without having to worry about the Bow Valley’s ever-changing weather forecast. Sports are always on the TVs, the food is always delicious, and the vibes are truly unbeatable. We hope to see you soon!