Eating on a Budget in Banff – The Balkan Greek Restaurant
Banff National Park, Alberta
Don’t listen to everything you hear about Banff…except from me…! Though expensive, it is nowhere near as bad as people like to make out. Absolutely, if you are staying in a five star hotel and eating in the fanciest restaurants, you are going to spend money but if the wallet seems anorexic, you can still stay in some great hotels and eat some very good and very affordable meals. Many of the best restaurants in town offer very cheap alternatives at lunchtime so you can sample the food and atmosphere without paying the full price. The Balkan is a good example of this.
At dinner time, a full meal may set you back $30 or $40 but at lunchtime you can grab a steak sandwich or falafel for less than $10 and sit in the right windows watching the world go by on Banff Avenue outside. There is something very relaxing about the Balkan. The staff are a bit different to other servers in town. They really seem like they want to have a chat rather than sweetening you up for the precious 20% tip! It is really tastefully decorated and beautifully lit. Even if you are going to eat a quick meal alone, you can sit at the bar and watch a game on the plasma screen.
The portions are very generous and you will definitely not leave hungry or unsatisfied. There are usually day time drink specials as well so you can enjoy a margarita with lunch. It is vacation after all! Of all the cheaper places around Banff to have a lunch, the Balkan must have the best value. Located right in the heart of Banff, you can’t go wrong with a meal in here!