The Summit Café is a trendy, local’s favourite café in Canmore and located at 102 – 1001 Cougar Creek Drive, T1W 1E1, it’s the perfect location to grab a quick breakfast or lunch before setting off for a day of exploring the nearby mountains.
We visited the café at 11:45 on a Saturday morning and it had a queue out the door of people waiting for a table. Thanks to their quick and friendly service, we weren’t waiting long for a table.
With 5 two-top tables and limited booths indoors, the café is on the smaller side but has a cozy atmosphere. They also have a patio area for outdoor seating with wooden-style picnic tables and views of the Three Sisters Mountains.
Summit Café Opening Hours & Parking
The café is open from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm daily making it a perfect spot for breakfast and brunch. They operate a walk-in-only dining option and they also offer takeaway lunch boxes for those on the go.
There is a small parking lot in the plaza next to the cafe however, street parking is also available nearby if this is full.
Menu Highlights: Something for Everyone
The Summit Café has a menu with something for everyone, including those with any dietary restrictions. Water is self-serve, and each table is stocked with ketchup, Cholula hot sauce, and packets of peanut butter and strawberry jam.
Breakfast options can be served with hashbrowns on the side and be “loaded” with chipotle mayo, green onion, tomato, and jalapeño.
The menu has sandwiches, wraps, omelets, and bowls, and a kids’ menu featuring waffles, grilled cheese, and quesadillas. All sandwiches can be made gluten-free for an additional $1.65.
For groups of up to 25, they offer to-go Box Lunches perfect for groups heading to the mountains. There are two boxed lunch options:
- The Cookie Monster ($20.25): Includes your choice of sandwich (traditional ham, garden of eatin, summit club), fresh fruit, bottled juice or water, and a chocolate chip cookie.
- Be There or Be Square ($21.45): Includes your choice of sandwich (traditional ham, garden of eatin, summit club), fresh fruit, bottled juice or water, and a house-made signature square (energy bar, lemon, banana granola, magic, or zebra).
For groups over ten people, a 48-hour notice is required.
For groups of up to 30 people, they can provide catering services with advanced notice with a menu consisting of sandwiches, squares, and coffee.
The Summit Sandwiches
We decided to try two of the café’s favorites: the Summit Club and the Breakfast Sandwich which took 15-20 minutes to arrive.
The Summit Club: Roasted chicken breast, bacon, cheddar, mixed greens, tomatoes, and their famous chipotle mayo, served with a side of chips and salsa and an order of guac. The Summit Club sandwich is known as the best club sandwich in the Bow Valley. The chipotle mayo adds a slight kick, complementing the crispy and flavorful bacon perfectly.
The Breakfast Sandwich: Bacon and cheddar with an over-hard egg on whole wheat toast with chipotle mayo, lettuce, and tomatoes. It can be served with or without hashbrowns.
We also ordered a caramel latte which was reasonably priced for its size.
A Must-Visit Café
With a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a menu that caters to everyone, it’s easy to see why the Summit Café is a local favourite in Canmore even though it’s off the main track. Although it’s small in size, it’s definitely worth the visit for its extensive menu and views of the mountains.
