The Elk & Oarsman Pub & Grill

This is one of the few five stars I’ve ever given. Everything about this place was deserving of 5 stars. From the environment that offers a great bar inside to watch a game, a circa 2003 rap playlist, to the rooftop patio that overlooks the mountains of banff. The food was a great value and cooked to perfection. I had the elk burger with a caeser salad and sweet potato fries for around $ 15. The mango chutney on the burger was a nice touch and paired well with the elk.

Just finished a late lunch here. Steak sandwich was on special but someone at another table ordered it and it looked underwhelming so I opted for the bbq chicken burger. It was okay but not super fresh and I could have made it at home with a store bought chicken puck and some bulls eye. The soup on the side had great flavour but it was luke warm and the server seemed a bit like our presence was an inconvenience to the socializing going on with all the staff so I just ate the small side portion given as is. Great service can make up for mediocre food, or vice versa. In this case, neither was thrilling of memorable, but I ate it so I’ll give it three.

Not the greatest. Wife and mother shared the steak sandwich and it was a slab of steak on a piece of toast, not the type of sandwich to share. I had the bbq chicken sandwich and it was good but not fantastic. Son had a elk steak pizza and he really liked it. Rooftop patio was really nice. Go for the scenery not the food.

A good mix of both locals and tourists patronize this place. I know because I spoke to a few of them.
I like the the openness of its interior. Because it is located on a second floor and has cathedral ceilings it has a sense of being very large. You might says there’s lots of elbow room.
There’s a large wrap around bar surrounded by lots of tables and chairs and booths. It’s decorated in your typical comfy pub style with certain nick nacks and signs hanging on the walls. The décor sort of reminds me of a hunting lodge in the woods. Again it’s very comfy.
I don’t know if the food wins any awards but I can say that it all seems reasonably priced. My food was filling and didn’t bust my wallet.
Service was OK. I could tell my bartender was chumsy with some of the locals but he never made feel unwelcomed as a: gasp: tourist.
So yea don’t let the three stars fool ya. This place is OK. I did have a nice experience would probably return again if ever presented with the opportunity.

Spacious, well-​decorated restaurant with good food options. Our waitress was helpful and accommodating. Flavorful food for a decent price.

Great atmosphere and food. I would however (understanding that this might just be a one off) suggest that the staff be oriented in recognizing a bad dish and how to deal with it and how to address the concerned client: one dish was unacceptable compared to the same thing served at our very table.

Stopped in for a few beers and possibly a bite to eat for a late lunch. Decided on the Tailgater Chili. When the bartender brought it back, he said, «Prepare to have your mind blown». Now, I’m from Arizona where we have some great chili (most of which is spicey). While the Tailgater Chili had good flavor and consistency, there was virtually no heat to it. That’s the only downside to this dish, in my book. Either way, glad I tried it! This fun pub would be fun for watching a game or out for drinks in the evening with friends.

Good hearty food with medium sized portions. Price is reasonable for Banff. Service was fantastic. Cozy and warm atmosphere.

Food was good but the worst service ever. We tried Elk Poutine, which came out hot & tasty. But Bartenders and waitresses were all busy and grumpy serving to tourists. Asked to put hockey on tv but they were not helpful. Not friendliest place at all.

When we first went in to the Elk and Oarsman, it appeared small and mostly pub-​like. However, don’t let first impressions fool you. Once upstairs and inside, the restaurant was surprisingly large! We were quickly seated and started off with an appetizer of pulled pork Poutine; something we had never tried before. The rest of our food was excellent as well.
I would like to also recognize and thank our server, Ashley. She was friendly, attentive, and helpful (and rather cute!). She anticipated our needs and made sure we were helped quickly, despite the large crowd in the restaurant (obviously a testament to the good food). So, to the management: Please be sure to recognize Ashely for outstanding service. If we’re in Banff again, we’ll be back!

Nice open, casual atmosphere. Real wood fireplace, good food and beer are icing on the cake.

Service was slow but friendly. Food is better than most places in town. I’d come back.
We tried the sirloin (overdone) and the wild salmon… The salmon was very good.
Elk poutine was ok. I’d order all of it again. The burgers looked great from afar:)

Das Elke & Oarsman bietet jede Menge Burger und Yumfries, lokale Burger und auf der Terrasse einen tollen Rundblick auf die Berglandschaft um Banff, der Service ist so lola

We, a family of four, had dinner here. They gave us a great table at the window overlooking Banff Avenue. Service was quick and friendly, kids’ menus were provided. They have 2 appetizers for the price of 1 between 4 and 6 pm. Bruschettas were fab. Kids drinks are free, dinners are a good size and tasteful. Adults had an elk burger and bison burger with a side salad. Salad wasn’t that much, burger was great. Perfect for a family dinner after a full day in Banff NP!

C’était super bon!
Bel ambiance et bel endroit!
Nous avons adoré! Pas trop cher!
Les frites de patates douces sont délicieuses et la soupe brocoli et cheddar aussi très bonne! J’ai prit le Burger de PulledPork! Je né regrette pas mon choix!
Mon chum a choisi les pâtes Mamamia avec Pesto, parmesan, etc! Super bonne aussi!

Great room with top notch entertainment and a laid back feel perfect for out of towners to meet new people and mingle. One down fall is that the room is not acoustically treated and a conversation is not possible when the band is Going.

On the one night where, as good tourists, we said we couldn’t come to Banff and Alberta without having something that they’re known for gastronomically. Elk, for Banff, just because it’s in the great Canadian ‘wilderness’ and beef for Alberta, because it’s Alberta!
Here, our desires were answered. Elk burger and braised beef ribs. Mmmm… The elk burger was a tad dry, but good never the less. I had a creamy Caesar salad and a slightly, hearty salty roasted garlic and tomato soup as sides. The sticky BBQ sauce braised beef ribs were great! You could really get in there with your hands gnawing on what fall-​off-​the-​bone tender meat didn’t fall off the bone. The surprise was the broccolini and roasted corn ‘seasonal veg’ that came with. So healthy, fresh and they complemented the meat so well. The hubs couldn’t get enough of the small roasted potatoes either. Yum!

My Ribs were delicious. You have to try them. Service was very attentive. We have been her with a group of 32. Allmost voted good or better.

Had the Elk and it was excellent! Not too hamey of a taste at all! Great service with a good suggested wine!

My first time in this pub /​restaurant. Very cozy feeling with nice 2^nd floor view of Banff Ave. Service was quick and friendly. The two appies ordered came oit quickly. Elk sliders were nice as were the dry ribs even though a tad salty. The only disappointment was the rib dipping sauce which I could not eat. It had no real flavour except a vinegar overtone. Anyway, minor. I would recommend this spot!

I wouldn’t have known this spot existed if it weren’t for the rooftop patio that I noticed from another venue. It’s a bit of a roundabout to get to that patio as you need to go around the bar to get to said patio, but I took on the challenge. Hey, walking can be a challenge!
The patio itself is terrific. It had many tables without feeling cramped, and the 360 degree view of the mountains and other scenery was terrific. The server was very friendly and quick, and I don’t think that smile left her face the entire time I was there. I’ll go out on a limb and say it was because I was there.
I decided on a quick appetizer of elk sliders. Your typical slider-​style, but with shredded elk meat instead. They were decent, though I would have liked a bit less barbecue sauce so I was able to taste the elk a bit more.
The bathroom was oddly my biggest problem with this pub. It’s tiny and not well maintained, and for such a large pub, I would have expected something bigger that I wouldn’t have had to wait outside the door to use. Is there a second bathroom that I just didn’t see?

I think those were probably just water stains on the water glasses. However, I’ve been in cleaner restaurants. One of the two sinks in the men’s room didn’t work, and the hand sanitizer in the hall area was empty.
Wife and I each had the deluxe burger. It’s a thick patty, with a thick bun, and it was a little on the dry side. The grilled onions and mushrooms imparted a nice flavor though, and complemented the noticeable char on the meat. The fries were average, but the caesar and/​or greens were fresh and flavorful.
Service was fine except for when the waitress touched the pitcher to the water glasses. Trust Unilocal,we should have.