When we travel with our kids, one of the biggest questions is always: Where are we going to eat? Jasper has no shortage of restaurants, but not all of them hit the sweet spot of being family-friendly while still serving meals parents can actually look forward to. On our most recent family trip, we ate at five kid-friendly restaurants in Jasper that truly worked for both our kids and us.
I’m not calling these the “best” family restaurants in Jasper, since we haven’t tried the rest (yet). But I can tell you that each of these family-friendly restaurants delivered a great experience, kept our kids happy, and left us feeling like we’d found something worth sharing. Here’s what we loved about each one.
1. Su Casa Mexican Lounge
When we travel with our kids, we can always count on them eating Mexican food. When the big line-up outside the Jasper Brewing Company had us looking for alternatives, we were thrilled to discover Su Casa Mexican Lounge a few feet away.
We got a seat in their scenic outdoor patio and the kids poured over the kids’ menu. Our son dove into the nachos off the kids’ menu, I ordered a variety of street tacos, while my partner split an adult portion of nachos with our daughter (minus the jalapeños).
We couldn’t resist ordering churros for dessert, which quickly disappeared between all four of us. It was one of those meals where everyone walked away satisfied.
Directions to Su Casa Mexican Lounge
2. Bear’s Paw Bakery
This was less of a sit-down meal and more of a cozy breakfast stop, but it definitely deserves a place on this list of family-friendly Jasper restaurants. On a very rainy morning, we joined the lengthy lineup inside Bear’s Paw Bakery, which thankfully moved quickly, and grabbed sticky buns and coffee.
Most people grab-and-go at the Bear’s Paw Bakery, but given the rain we were in no rush. We were lucky enough to get a table, so we were able to sit and savor the sticky buns, which were huge, gooey, and absolutely worth the wait. For families on the go, the Bear’s Paw Bakery is an easy way to fuel up before a day of exploring Jasper.
Directions to Bear’s Paw Bakery
3. Jasper Pizza Place
Pizza is always a family favorite, but Jasper Pizza Place made it memorable. They’re known for their wood-fired pies, but their extensive menu also offers pan pizzas. We ordered a variety of each.
Their popular rooftop patio was full, so we happily sat at a picnic table in their ground-floor patio. Our daughter chose a carbonara pizza from the wood-fired side, while the rest of us got pan pizzas: a Canadian for our son, an Una Mas pizza for Dan (loaded with chorizo and jalapeños), while I got the BBQ chicken pizza.
Everyone had exactly what they wanted, and as a bonus the kids had leftovers, which we put in our fridge at the Marmot Lodge and gave to the kids for lunch the next day!
Directions to Jasper Pizza Place
4. Evil Dave’s Grill
We had a good laugh at the name “Evil Dave’s Grill” as we pulled into the Marmot Lodge. As it was on our hotel property, we looked into it and discovered it is one of Jasper’s highest rated restaurants. It’s known more for creative, high-quality dishes, but they also treat kids like valued guests rather than an afterthought, so we decided to give it a shot.
I love places where the adults can enjoy excellent food, but the kids’ menu goes beyond the usual chicken fingers etc. Our son went for the hamburger (of course), but our daughter went for one of the more exotic items on the kids’ menu – udon noodles in teriyaki sauce.
The adult food was delicious too – Dan also had udon noodles in chef’s ‘special sauce’, while I couldn’t resist their fish tacos.
If you’re looking for a place where adults don’t have to compromise on quality while still keeping kids happy, Evil Dave’s strikes the right balance.
Directions to Evil Dave’s Grill
5. Jasper Brewing Company
This very popular Jasper restaurant was an easy win for our family. On our second attempt to eat here, we arrived early enough to get one of their sought-after picnic tables outside.
Our kids’ ordered off the kids’ menu: our son got a hamburger (again…) while our daughter went with grilled cheese. Dan and I each ordered their fish and chips, which felt like the right pick at a local brewery (they were a bit overcooked though).
The atmosphere at the Jasper Brewing Company was relaxed and welcoming, noisy enough that we didn’t have to worry about our kids chatting away, but not overwhelming. It’s a casual, friendly place that works really well for families.
Directions to Jasper Brewing Company
Final Thoughts on Family-Friendly Dining in Jasper
Jasper makes family dining easier than you might think. From casual bakeries to sit-down spots with flexible kids’ menus, there are plenty of options that work for both kids and parents. These five restaurants were highlights of our recent trip, and while we know there are more to discover, we’d happily return to any of them.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITY BOOK
As locals and fellow family travelers, we understand the importance of keeping kids entertained in the car. That’s why we created this Banff Activity Book for Kids! Filled with Banff themed activities helping your kids learn about the area!
