With the sun streaming through sash windows illuminating rough stone walls and vaulted ceilings, it’s easy to forget it’s 2022. The Waldhaus Pub and Biergarten at the Fairmont Banff Springs transports you to old Bavaria with a charming and utterly unique space that makes dinner here a must-do experience in Banff.
The pub is nestled beneath the main Waldhaus Restaurant and is flanked by a charming stone patio with spectacular views of the course.
We began our meal with a golden soft pretzel served with mustard butter, beer mustard and a berry compote. Take it to the next level by ordering the obatzda cheese, which is tangy, gooey and altogether delicious. We paired our appetizer with cocktails from the talented mixology team here. The carmelized pineapple margarita was not only gorgeous (check out that salted plum hi ling rim!) but so delicious with tequila, cointreau, lime juice and carmelized pineapple puree. The maple old fashioned was smokey, sweet and smooth with the unique addition of maple-roasted pecan bitters.
It was hard to choose where to go next. Waldhaus is well known for its Alpine cheese fondue experience with Emmental and Gruyere cheese, white wine, garlic kirsch cream, nutmeg, apple gherkin and baguette. We decided, though, to branch out to some German classics including the wurst plate and the pork schnitzel. The stout little beef and pork sausages of the wurst plate burst with flavour and were a highlight of the meal. The complex and juicy elk and bison bratwurst was absolutely delicious and well paired with the mustard and sauerkraut that accompany it.
The schnitzel was crispy, perfectly done and bubbling with browned cheese. You can also order it with a mushroom-onion cream sauce or have it on its own with your choice of fries or warm potato salad. The accompanying braised cabbage was a special treat in and of itself bringing warm and spicy flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon and other winter spices to create a sweet and tangy counter to the rich schnitzel.
We also indulged in dessert with the Waldhaus’ cool take on the black forest cake. With a gluten-free chocolate sponge cake encased in a rich and silky vanilla kirsch-cream souffle topped with sour cherries and chocolate shavings, this was a delightful and photogenic end to the meal.
Visit the Waldhaus Pub Thursday through Monday from 4-10 p.m. at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
