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As the crisp mountain air descends and you take your first exhilarating breaths in Canmore, can you smell what else is there?
That’s right; it’s the smell of fresh-brewed coffee surrounding the whole area, thanks to many wonderful coffee shops and cafes in Canmore. This may sound like an exaggeration, but as a local to the area, I know all too well how good the coffee shops in Canmore really are.
Of course, no one comes to Canmore purely for coffee. The Canmore area is filled with fantastic things to do and sites to see – many of which are bucket list experiences. However, we all need to start our day right and enjoy some downtime. So, I consider visiting at least one Canmore coffee shop a must.
With that said, choosing the best cafes to visit can be tricky. The good news is we are about to help narrow things down a little for you with our top 5 list of the absolute best cafes in Canmore.
Coffee shops in Canmore have some of the best beans around, so let’s dive right into our list of the top 5 to help you choose your favorite for that energizing first-morning cup!
Cafes and Coffee Shops in Canmore
1. Communitea Cafe
- Location: On the corner of 6th Ave and 10 St in downtown Canmore
- Type of food: Pastries and cooked meals.
- Average cost per meal: $5 for pastries and $14 for cooked meals
- Why we love it: Communitea cafe offers a wide variety of healthy, always fresh food!
- Dog-friendly: Only in their outdoor seating area.
- Hours: They’re open from 9 am to 7 pm every day.
Starting off our list of the five best cafes in Canmore is none other than Communitea Cafe. These folks have put a heavy emphasis on fresh, healthy, and even hip food options.
Whether you are following a special diet, have special diet needs to attend to, or simply eat a healthier way, this place is your first and last stop.
Communitea Cafe offers a small array of coffee options, but each one is sure to perk you up for the day. They follow up their drink menu with plenty of options. Particularly their loose leaf tea, which is available to order steeped and to buy by the bag! If you find yourself going on a “tea adventure,” you’re sure to find a favorite among their dozens of options!
Now, if you’re there for more than just a drink, this cafe also has you covered. Communitea has delicious breakfast bowls, wraps, and sandwiches to choose from. They also have more substantial meals, such as sauteed bowls that are particularly tasty, but their pad thai is my personal favorite!
When you first bite into the pad thai, it’s like being carried away by an explosion of flavors and textures. No other cafe can drizzle rice noodles with peanut sauce that coats every strand perfectly while still managing to be light as a feather. The flavor, ingredients, and portion size make this one of my favorite meals in Canmore.
Also, rest assured that not only are you getting a great meal or coffee at Communitea, but you’re also helping the environment. Communitea guarantees all operations are eco-friendly! In fact, every time you order from Communitea, they plant a tree with TreeEra. Since 2018, this cute cafe in Canmore has planted over 130,000 trees!
Communitea is a coffee shop with one more surprise – live music. You can enjoy some tunes while sipping your favorite drink or chowing down on the glorious pad thai. To check if live music is on during your visit, check out their Facebook page.
2. Eclipse Coffee Roasters
- Location: On Bow Valley Trail behind Elevation Place and on 8th street in downtown Canmore
- Type of food: Mainly known for their coffee options and fluffy pastries.
- Average cost per meal: $7.50 CAD
- Why we love it: It’s coffee with a view along with delicious pastries and hearty breakfast wraps.
- Dog-friendly: Not dog friendly.
- Hours: Open every single day, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Basic coffee shops in Canmore are great, but probably one of the best is Eclipse Coffee Roasters. Not only can you try their luxurious coffee while you’re in Canmore, but if you love it enough, you can sign up for a subscription and have it delivered right to your door – this cafe is for true coffee lovers!
Also, if you love enjoying a cup of coffee that’s grown not only environmentally responsibly but also socially responsible, then you’re in luck. Eclipse offers just such an experience, and all their suppliers go through an independent screening process, and you can read about each supplier on their website.
On top of all of this, Eclipse doesn’t just want to be sustainable. They are committed to reducing their environmental footprint within the cafe and offer discounts for reusable cups as one of many ways that commitments come true at this coffee shop!
As for the location itself in Canmore, they have one shopfront (they also have another location behind Elevation Place) situated with a beauty of a view of the mountains on 8th Street. From here, you can people watch on Canmore’s most vibrant street.
Eclipse Coffee Roasters also offers plenty of flavorful treats to go with your coffee. One worth noting is their coconut Pandan Croissant – it’s beyond delicious! They also have other baked treats, but their selection is limited. They may not have an extremely robust menu to enjoy, but they more than makeup for it with their delicious coffee.
My favorite caffeinated beverage at Eclipse is a classic cappuccino which I dare say is the best in Canmore – especially if you love a good kick in the morning. But rest assured, all their brews are good. Eclipse even has numerous awards under its belt, as well as being crowned champions in many competitions. This cafe knows what’s up when it comes down to taking care of your morning coffee.
Eclipse takes exceptional pride in their coffee, so it is no surprise that they are one of the cafes in Canmore to get your caffeine fix!
Related Read: After a coffee at Eclipse head over to Grizzly Paw Brewing – one of the best breweries in Canmore!
3. Le Fournil Bakery
- Location: Along Bow Valley Trail across from Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.
- Type of food: French-style bakery offering baked goods, fresh bread, and desserts that look too good to eat.
- Average cost per meal: $9 CAD
- Why we love it: Quality, Instagram-worthy desserts and amazing coffee
- Dog-friendly: Not dog friendly.
- Hours: Thursday through Monday 8 am to 4 pm.
Le Fournil Bakery is devoted to creating little pleasures through edible creations, particularly their crunchy genuine French bread and delicious pastries. They only utilize the highest quality all-natural components, taking into account seasonal availability when sourcing locally whenever they can!
This Canmore coffee shop has a small offering but with a fresh French style. They bring a wide variety of delectable goodies to the table. If you’re craving some nice bread or even a French-style sandwich, this is the cafe to visit!
Although I love the savory options that include authentic croissants, the sweet treats steal the show at this elegant Canmore cafe. They almost look too good to eat and are rich in flavor, unlike anything else I have seen (or tasted) before. This cafe prides itself on its exquisite food, so much so that you can expect to receive a fresh and delightful pastry each time, no matter what!
Don’t worry if I haven’t said much about the coffee. It really needs no introduction, and like Eclipse Coffee Roasters, these guys brew rich cups of coffee every time.
As you may have guessed, Fournil is a French word and was first seen in the 12th century and essentially means “bakehouse,” which would be where the community bread oven was located. So, don’t just grab a coffee and snack. Bring some bread home, as I often did when I lived in Canmore.
Just be sure to get there early because they sell out fast!
Everything Fournil offers will surely satisfy your hunger and will pair well with any of their available coffees. With a diverse menu and an even more diverse assortment of baked goods, you’ll be coming back time after time in your quest to try every pastry! This bakery and cafe will leave you energized and ready to enjoy activities such as hikes in Canmore.
Le Fournil isn’t just a cafe – it’s a grand experience.
4. Good Earth Coffeehouse
- Location: One on 8th ST in the heart of Canmore and one in Elevation Place.
- Type of food: Breakfast bowls, flatbreads, and paninis. They offer both sit-down and to-go options.
- Average cost per meal: $8
- Why we love it: Vibrant cafe located in the heart of town with a gorgeous outdoor seating area on 8th Street.
- Dog friendly: Yes, on their outside deck.
- Hours: Open every day! Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Friday to Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Good Earth Coffeehouse is a popular coffee shop and cafe throughout the Rocky Mountains, offering multiple locations, so everyone has a chance to enjoy their great food and drinks. In fact, they are also one of the best cafes in Banff with their location in Banff town. So naturally, our best cafes in Canmore list simply would not be complete without them!
This cafe is the best place for affordable, delicious food. They serve sandwiches, paninis, and more. Good Earth also provides high-quality drinks such as espresso and cappuccino. Their coffee is all fair trade and has great tastes to match their outstanding food.
They believe that the most important part of the espresso is integrity, simplicity, and authenticity. They have a respect for quality coffee beans, which lead them to use only freshly roasted beans from tiny farms in Italy’s high mountain nations – places like Trentino or Veneto.
The baristas at Good Earth take pride not just in creating great drinks but also in knowing each customer by name. They love getting to know their regulars and spending time chatting with them. It feels like a home away from home when you walk into this cafe.
Good Earth has terrific specials that you simply will not find anywhere else! In addition, their catering service makes them different from all other restaurants in this area. They cater top-quality food for all types of events at prices that are sure to please everyone attending.
This cafe has a very simple menu that focuses on high-quality ingredients for every dish. Good Earth provides both breakfast and lunch options for the day with a wide variety of satisfying dishes.
Why not get your day started with a healthy, delicious breakfast? First, try one of their wholesome and hot breakfasts, like breakfast bowls filled with hash browns, scrambled eggs, ham (or bacon), and vegetables. For those who prefer something lighter, try the Fiesta Burrito – perfect for on-the-go mornings or even just as an afternoon snack!
The Ham & Cheddar Bake is delicious and topped off by fresh spinach leaves and pesto mayonnaise baked inside each generously filled muffin cup. It’s almost impossible for me to walk by without getting one.
Being a cafe that puts the earth first, they ensure that their ingredients are as local and environmentally-friendly as possible. This means you can feel good about what you’re eating here.
Between their breakfast bowls, coffee, and other delicious options, Good Earth is a solid choice to dine in or order to go so you can explore everything else Canmore has in store for your special visit!
Related Read: This is a great spot to stop before you head out on one of the tours in Canmore!
5. The Summit Cafe
- Location: On the outskirts of Canmore on Benchlands Drive
- Type of food: Everything from breakfast to dine-in dinners along with great drink and to-go lunch box options.
- Average cost per meal: $10
- Why we love it: Great java, lots of food options (like a restaurant), and a deck with mountain views that are simply stunning.
- Dog friendly: Yes, on the patio.
- Hours: They’re open 7:30 am to 1:30 pm every day!
Rounding out our list of coffee shops in Canmore is the charming Summit Cafe. Coined as “Canmore’s best-kept secret” (until now), this is one of the “go-to” places for breakfast or lunch. One of the reasons for this is their outdoor patio with great views of the scenic mountain terrain.
However, that isn’t the only thing The Summit Cafe has going for it. This cafe has one of the most extensive menus of all the cafes and coffee shops in Canmore.
The Summit offers a wide variety of foods, anything from oatmeal to a bagel, all the way up to breakfast staples with eggs, meat, and more. As lunch sets in, they come back around to offer paninis, fantastic salads, or a delicious sandwich served on ciabatta buns. They also have gluten-free pancakes if you’re searching for something more conventional.
Last but not least, they offer a boxed lunch as well. If you’re heading out all day, these boxes will keep you going on any adventure. It’s quite convenient if you want to hit those trails and put those fresh calories to work.
No matter what brings you here, take time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery while dining at the Summit Cafe. We guarantee it will be a unique experience you’ll be glad you didn’t miss out on!
Related Read: Spending more time in Canmore? Check out our guide about the best hotels in Canmore!
Other Things to do While You’re in Canmore
If you’re still putting together your trip, check out our blog on how to spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Canmore and some of my personal favorite activities below that I would recommend to anyone!
- Explore the Canmore Caves – one of the best and most popular adventure tours on the outskirts of Canmore is this Canmore Caving adventure tour. You’ll rappel down into the Rat’s Nest Cave system and explore underground through narrow spaces before reaching a clear pool of water with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. This tour lasts 6 hours, costs $179 CAD, and includes all climbing gear and your own guide so you don’t get lost.
- Go ice skating on a frozen lake – if visiting Canmore in the winter one of the most epic and non-touristy experiences to have is to go skating on one of the area’s frozen lakes (usually frozen solid by mid-December). A few of my favorites are Gap Lake, Lake Louise, and Vermilion Lakes. If you don’t have your own skates you can easily rent a pair from Gear Up in town.
- Whitewater Rafting – an iconic Canadian activity that is sure to provide lots of scenic views, thrills, and laughs! After a safety briefing, this whitewater rafting tour will have you splashing through rapids for around 2 hours. It costs $130 CAD and is available in the summer from mid-May until mid-September.
- Wildlife Safari – Canmore is home to an abundance of wildlife, including black bears, grizzlies, moose, bighorn sheep, foxes, cougars, elk, coyotes, lynx, mountain goats, wolves, and more. Spotting wildlife on your own is often a coinflip so I recommend going on a wildlife tour with an expert who knows where and what to look for along with how to do so in a safe manner. This private half-day wildlife safari tour is a fantastic option that spends 2 hours on a drive through the Rocky Mountains and a 1.5-hour nature walk to track wildlife. It is pricey at $325 per person but it’s worth it if you’ve been dying to see the native animals!
- Hike to Grassi Lake – this hike to a naturally emerald-colored lake is one of Canmore’s main attractions. The color is so bright it’s hard to believe it’s real! This 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) long trail only gains 125 meters (410 ft) in elevation and takes most people about 2 hours to complete. It’s totally doable for most ages and experience levels so you really have no reason to miss out on the incredible views of Grassi Lake! Just get here early before the parking fills up.
Where to Stay in Canmore
The truth is that there are so many hotels in Canmore that it is hard to know which one to choose for your stay. Well luckily for you, Dan and I have stayed in a lot of different hotels in Canmore and have been able to narrow it down to our absolute favorites!
These are our faves including our personal top choice, a budget option, and one for those looking for absolute luxury!
Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre – Our Top Choice
Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is our absolute favorite place to stay in Canmore. It’s affordable without sacrificing any of the comforts you’ll need for a relaxing and enjoyable stay. They have an onsite pool, hot tub, and fitness center along with a delicious bar and restaurant (Table Food + Drink).
Coast Canmore Hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Canmore walking distance from 8th Street (Main Street), and just across the road from restaurants, cafes, and takeout places. Oh, and did I mention the views from the hotel windows are breathtaking!
On top of all of that, they have a variety of rooms to choose from including ones that are pet-friendly (super handy if we are traveling with a pup!).
You can book this hotel on Booking.com. Be sure to book as far in advance as possible because these guys are often fully booked!
The Malcolm Hotel – $$$
If money isn’t an issue, then The Malcolm Hotel may be the luxurious option you’re looking for. It’s an easy walk to the main part of town or there are shops and restaurants on the same street, although you may never want to leave the property! There’s a rooftop swimming pool and hot tub that are especially amazing at sunset. I also like the games room with giant scrabble and a pool table and the views from the rooms are picture-perfect.
However, rooms here don’t come cheap and are often up to twice the price of most hotels in Canmore. But if luxury is calling your name, check availability and book a room at The Malcolm here.
Canmore Downtown Hostel – $
If you’re a budget backpacker and looking for a hostel then Canmore Downtown Hostel is your best choice! These guys offer clean and comfortable facilities, dorm beds as well as private rooms, and a social atmosphere perfect for meeting other backpackers.
You can book Canmore Downtown Hostel on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com.
Thanks for reading!
We’re ecstatic you stopped by to check out our list of “5 Best Canmore coffee shops”. This place is both charming and beautiful and has something to offer any cafe or coffee lover (particularly if you’re a baked good lover as well!).
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee shops and cafes in Canmore. If you did, check out more of our Canmore and Rocky Mountain blogs, such as:
How to Get from Canmore to Lake Louise +BEST Road Trip Stops