With a variety of cozy eats and dishes suitable for all dietary concerns, Harvest Cafe is the perfect place for a stop off enroute to or from a day in the local mountains.
On a Sunday in May around noon, we tried out the Harvest Cafe based in Downtown Canmore on 10th Street. Tucked away beside the gear consignment store Switching Gear, the cafe is easy to miss but definitely worth the visit. The cafe opens from 8:30 am to 4 pm, seven days a week.
Dining Experience
The service at Harvest Cafe follows a simple counter-order system. You place your order at the front counter and then take a number to your table if you plan to dine in. We ordered our food and sat at a booth that had old, weathered cushions adding to the cafe’s rustic vibe.
Although the outdoor patio was open, the temperature was still somewhat cold so everyone was seated indoors taking up about half of the available seating.
Water is self-serve at the end of the front counter, with colorful plastic cups reminiscent of those used in elementary schools. The furniture was eclectic, with each table and chair different from the next, adding to the cafe’s unique charm.
The pricing is reasonable for the Bow Valley, and the food, despite the cafe’s unassuming aesthetic, was delicious. We only waited between 5-10 minutes for our meal.
The cafe is a good spot for a casual meal or coffee break offering a variety of homestyle breakfast & lunch dishes with a rustic interior.
Menu
The menu has a variety of breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and paninis, with a list of loose-leaf teas sourced from Jolene’s Tea House in Banff. They have gluten-free, freshly made soup daily.
Our choices were chipotle black bean, cream of tomato, and veggie chili. They also offer daily frittatas with both veg and meat options. All wraps and paninis have gluten-free options, and they cater to egg and dairy allergies with vegan substitutes available for an additional charge.
The display case at the counter had a good selection of baked goods including homemade carrot cake with icing. Their cinnamon buns are also popular options too.
We ordered a Caramel Latte, a Breakfast Panini, and a Cowboy Grilled Wrap. The Caramel Latte was rich and tasty.
Breakfast Panini
The Breakfast Panini was a hit, featuring scrambled eggs, tomato, cheddar, and a choice of bacon or ham. The lady at the counter mentioned it’s one of their more popular sandwiches, and it lived up to expectations. The panini was flavorful, filling, and had a lovely crunch from the perfectly toasted bread.
Cowboy Grilled Wrap
The Cowboy Grilled Wrap, with bacon, potato, mozzarella, house-made salsa, and scrambled eggs, was another fan favorite. The wrap had a good ratio of ingredients, with the salsa adding a nice kick. We drizzled hot sauce on top, available at each table along with ketchup and dill hot sauce, which made the wrap even better. While it would have been nice to have a side with the wrap or sandwich, the $15 price tag offered great value for the quality and portion size.
Conclusion
Locally owned and operated, Harvest Cafe is a hidden gem in Canmore that I’ll certainly visit again. With a small and close team, they have a commitment to local and community sustainability. This was my first time at Harvest Cafe, and I will be returning.
