Blackswift Bistro @ Johnston Canyon
Bow Valley Pkwy, Banff AB T0L0C0
$$
American
The Bow Valley Parkway has reopened. To access the Johnston Canyon, head WEST on Highway 1 from Banff and take exit 50, at the Castle Junction turn right and right again to head south on the Bow Valley Parkway. The Canyon will be on your left after 6km.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
Please call our office to reserve a table for 6 or more guests. We are happy to serve smaller tables without a reservation.
Business Info
- Address: Bow Valley Pkwy, Banff AB T0L0C0
- Cross Street: HWY 93
- Cuisine: American | Hamburger | Steak | Vegetarian |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Upscale Casual
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Available
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Public Lot | Private Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | UnionPay | Cash | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: 25.00 | per bottle
- Website: johnstoncanyon.com
- Phone: 4037622971
- Features: Full Bar, Hotel Dining, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Working Fireplace, River View,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Vegetarian, Date Night,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.65 out of 5 stars based on 597 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 07, 2022
Greg M.
Excellent service. Food was excellent for cost/offering. Great value.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 08, 2021
Glenn A.
WOW!! The food was amazing! 5 Star!! The server was very attentive. They are closing soon for the season but when they reopen, do not miss this wonderful spot in the beautiful mountains of Alberta!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 29, 2021
tanya d.
little expensive but otherwise great
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 05, 2021
Arlene B.
The staff accommodated my daughter's wedding dinner. The service was excellent as was the food.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 05, 2021
Thomas C.
Good overall experience, lovely!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 12, 2021
Dave V.
We always stop at the bistro for lunch before going to the canyon. Sometimes we also go for a hike to eat at the bistro! You guys are amazing! Keep going!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 01, 2020
Irene W.
Food was great
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 29, 2020
Christine H.
Great service! Very friendly and attentive! Would recommend for lunch before or after walking Johnston Canyon.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 24, 2020
Anil B.
great location. very convenient and happy to have a place to relax/eat after hike.
Should promote this fact more so more people know about it.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2020
Crystal C.
I love the French toast and pancake, they were so fluffy and exceptionally delicious. Thank you for the great experience. Originally made the reservation to get in to hike but we still need food anyway so it was perfect. The food being so delicious is a bonus!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 23, 2020
karen l.
Great food great view and staff was friendly.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2020
Mary-Kate B.
Great staff
Beautiful scenery
Yummy food
We will be back!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 16, 2020
Joe M.
I made a reservation at Blackswift primarily to utilize their parking lot for a hike around Johnston Canyon. However, I was so pleasantly surprised with our lunch. There was a fantastic selection of food and drink. I went for the Ahi Tuna sandwich, which was absolutely delicious. The side salads that come with their meals are exceptional. My partner opted for the steak sandwich which also looked great. It was the nicest meal we had during our trip around the Rockies. Highly recommend.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2020
Joshua D.
The food was fantastic and the staff is very kind and helpful.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 10, 2020
Janet K.
Amazing food...great atmosphere!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2020
Josh N.
Awesome experience and great food. Personable staff
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2020
Kaya D.
Awesome service, amazing food!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 06, 2020
Danguole S.
Thanks guys, keep up your good job! Cheers!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 06, 2020
Candice G.
The total experience was excellent. The staff accommodated my group that had been split in to 2 different reservations. Service was good. They were prompt and efficient. My only complaint would be about the salad wrap. It was very average and had very little flavour. This did not change our excellent day. Thank you for adding to our summer of adventuring in our own backyard.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 06, 2020
Bill K.
Very accommodating
Terrific staff
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 03, 2020
Julie L.
My breakfast was delicious and the view on the mountain was splendid! The service was fast and all staff members were really nice ☺️
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 31, 2020
Daniela A.
Our breakfast was delicious, the service was nice.
We book a table to get there and visit the Johnston Canyon.
The experience was pretty good, I would recommend the Bistro!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 31, 2020
Maran H.
Good food, amazing location, great service!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 28, 2020
JIENY KUNG S.
FOOD AND SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT AND SO NICE TO BE IN OUR OWN BACK YARD WITH AMAZING PEOPLE AND WONDERFUL FOOD. COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF AND KITCHEN. AMAZING SALAD DRESSING AND GRAVY!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 27, 2020
Dakota T.
Such a good burger and dessert
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 27, 2020
Keri M.
We had a fantastic lunch and went for the burger deal which was great. Enjoyed sunshine on the patio. I was visiting from out of province and had planned on going to Johnston’s Canyon and was disappointed to find the 1A closed. I hooked up with a local friend and she let us know about making a reservation and getting access so we did and she joined us. Was a fabulous day -thanks! Our waitress even went and got us ice cream cones after we had finished lunch
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 26, 2020
Margaret N.
Perfect in every way!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 25, 2020
Asad K.
It was great service and the place took all the appropriate safety measures against Covid 19
Was great experience in these tough days
Thanks to the team blackswift
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2020
Kris P.
Chef accommodated us with the lunch menu when it was breakfast. They checked on us often and the food was delicious 10/10 will go again!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2020
Shari W.
Very friendly staff, the food was excellent! An overall great experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 24, 2020
Tracey K.
After hiking to the ink pots, we had very enjoyable lunch on the patio. Two thumbs up!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 21, 2020
Vanille S.
Super service! La serveuse et le chef sont adorables! Et c’était très bon! Je recommande lors d’un passage sur la 1A ou lors de la visite du Canyon Johnston!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 20, 2020
Victor N.
Excellent food, amazing kids meals with large portions.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 16, 2020
Josephine O.
Great restaurant!! Lovely place to stop and fuel up for the hike all the way to the ink pots. Food was portioned well and was very delicious!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 22, 2022
KAREN A.
The server was on her own and she did a great job. The food was very good.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Jul 06, 2021
Mitchell K.
Great spot!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 03, 2021
Coreen B.
Was pretty good. A bit too salty for our taste
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 23, 2020
DARCEY-LYNN M.
A great spot, with great food, nice staff and a beautiful wilderness setting. If you are looking for a getaway in the mountains this is the place to be.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 22, 2020
Katrina L.
Great service and beautiful views! Slightly higher priced than average but it does make sense considering the area and venue. Loved the ambiance, and a great value for the experience. Perfect for post-hike relaxing.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 20, 2020
John M.
It was a very enjoyable experience all around. We'd recommend it to others
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 10, 2020
Tom M.
Great location; excellent service (despite the obvious shortage of staff); food was not too shabby; a bit pricey for the beers, but paid up anyways after a hike in the heat, hehehe : )
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 09, 2020
Moria R.
Very good!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 02, 2020
Bridgitte H.
Got lost trying to find it and they were awesome at giving directions! Food was very good and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend, especially if you want to hike Johnston Canyon
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 05, 2020
Ruhama B.
Location is perfect. Service excellent.
Fish and chips with very thick greasy batter. Hamburger delicious.Food selection standard, a bit overpriced, pint of beer was 10$ and glasses were smaller than a pint.
The location is so magical it makes up for everything but the bistro could have been a more magical place with the right kind of vision.
It’s a perfectly decent standard little restaurant with no extra imagination.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 01, 2020
Tiffany A.
Was great to have a lunch before hiking the Johnston Canyon trail!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 21, 2020
Kelly S.
The food was good and the service was quick and courteous. We were happy with our experience.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
May 21, 2022
Jenn C.
Server was attentive and friendly . Burgers and pasta were very delicious. Pork tenderloin was a bit over cooked — probably the weakest dish . Overall good experience .
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 25, 2020
Barry N.
Food and service was OK. There was nothing extraordinary about our lunch.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
Sep 16, 2020
Nilavanh L.
The bistro is located in a picturesque setting, at the base of Johnston Canyon. We ordered the Bison burger and field salad. The burger was overdone and a bit on the dry side, the fries were good and the salad consisted mainly of iceberg lettuce. The servers were prompt and courteous.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 4/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 5/10
- Value: 3/10
Sep 16, 2020
Jean b.
Extremely disappointed. We looked forward to celebrating our 25th anniversary at this restuarant. We were staying at Castle Montain cabins bottom of hill. We picked it cause location and thought romantic too from what we read. I mentioned on reservation it was our Anniversary. Nothing they didn't even check to see if we had reservation! We were seated and ignored completely for 15 mins! I finally asked then 10 min had our drinks. Then while all others were being served we waited like to bottom feeders we felt like before our dinner order was taken and she (Charlotte) was clearly annoyed at us. We would of left but were would go at 6
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 5/10
Sep 15, 2020
Jackie K.
Part of our meal didn’t arrive. Server was forgetful.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 7/10
Sep 06, 2020
Ojy S.
Bathroom not clean
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 6/10
Sep 01, 2020
Katherine B.
It was a nice experience, especially after hiking with hungry tired kids...nice to eat a good meal
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 28, 2020
Sean C.
Marvellous starting/finishing spot for the quietest walk you’ll ever do through Johnston Canyon. Fantastic burger, awesome scenery and so-so service, but who cares about the service?