Wondering where to eat in Pincher Creek or how you are going to feed yourself while visiting the area? We have you covered from local eats to hidden gems to grocery stores.
Pincher Creek is an adventure hub for Waterton Lakes National Park, Castle Provincial Parks, and Crowsnest Pass. A short drive and you have endless adventure – trust us, we haven’t stopped adventuring yet! For a small town, it has a lot of fast-food chains. However, for us, we really love the small-town vibe of Pincher Creek and the people who own small businesses to make this community thrive. We have curated this list to help you plan your time in Pincher Creek. Keep in mind that it is a small town, so hours of operation are limited and you might want to have a backup plan as opening hours sometimes fluctuate.
In this article, you will find some hidden gems, so let’s get to it! If you’ve been to any of these restaurants, tell us in the comments what you loved about it!
Where Flavour Meets Adventure: Pincher Creek Restaurants
1. Pincher Creek Legion – for local vibes and a unique steak-eating experience
Definitely a really cool experience in Pincher Creek, but you will want to plan ahead. Call to book your grill time at 403-627-4024 and order your 10oz. New York steak, baked potato, Caesar salad, and garlic toast. You grill your own to your own liking, while meeting some genuine locals.
2. Soo Sushi Pincher – for delicious sushi and vegetarian options
The website claims they have the best sushi in Pincher Creek. There aren’t many places that offer sushi in Pincher Creek, but if you are a sushi fan, then you won’t be disappointed. It is good! Located in the heart of beef ranching country, there aren’t many options for good vegetarian food in Pincher, but you can find some excellent tofu options here.
3. Seasons Café & Eatery (Heritage Inn) – for breakfast, lunch and dinner
You will find a little bit of everything at this café, located in the Heritage Inn. It appears they have been stepping up their game for a buffet breakfast, but you can also pickup a lunch to-go or stop in for dinner and a drink.
4. Antonio’s Pizza – for pizza and hot wings
The locals claim Antonio’s as the “Best Pizza in Southern Alberta”. This New York Style pizza has won over even the pickiest of eaters. Gluten-free options available.
5. Best of Stone Baked Pizzeria – for pizza, donairs, and burgers
A wide variety of pizza and donairs are found here. Pair your eating adventure and stay next door at the Stardust Inn and Chalets.
6. Bright Pearl Restaurant – for Chinese food
A lunch smorgasbord is a favourite by many locals from Tuesday to Friday. They have good options for gluten-free and allergies, amongst some delicious Chinese food.
7. Green Bamboo Peking House – for Chinese food
If you like Chinese food, then this might be the food choice for you.
7. Excuses Tavern – for playing pool, bingo, or singing karoake with some pub food
Weekly specials and events include: Monday night pool starting at 7pm, Tuesday is extended happy hour and bingo night, thirsty Thursday is game night where you can bring your favourite indoor game and enjoy happy hour drinks from 4pm-2am, weekends rotate live music and karaoke, and Sunday is “All Day Caesar Sunday”.
Lunch And Breakfast Spots In Pincher Creek
1. The Hut Café – for good vibes and tasty food
The Hut Café is a local favourite for both breakfast and lunch. You can easily grab a lunch to go for your adventures, or dine in to embrace the cozy coffee shop vibes. Browse the walls for local art while you wait for your speciality coffee and energy-fueled food. Get to know the local staff, they are excellent and adventurers themselves! Our favourite is the quinoa salad with strawberry vinaigrette, but we can’t wait to try the salsa plantain.
2. SGB Smoothies – for the adventurer on the go for protein strength and good energy
If you are looking for a healthy option that will help fuel your adventure, this is it. The Hulk and Everything Is Awesome are customer favourites. The smoothie ingredients consist of real, clean, whole foods and each smoothie contains 30 g of protein.
3. Bear Grass Bistro – for mid-week lunch specials and take-out dinners
Find this bistro in the mall and you will likely catch up on the local community news. Known for their freshly prepared food and burgers, as well as take-out dinners.
4. The Garden Café – for a summer while visiting the museum
Find this café in the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, but it is only open during the summer months. If you are visiting the Village, then plan to take a break to fuel those hunger pains.
Pincher Creek Fast Food And Chain Restaurant Options
- Uncle Al’s Pizza – great lobster mac and cheese, wings, and pizza
- Subway – maybe some of the friendliest staff!
- Boston Pizza
- Pizza Hut
- A&W
- McDonald’s
- Dairy Queen
- Tim Hortons
Make-It-Yourself Options, Including Grocery Stores
Do you want to pick up some treats for the road or buy some groceries to make your own food? There are two grocery stores in Pincher Creek, and some small butcher shops that provide excellent options (note that one butcher shop is a short distance from Pincher Creek).
1. Co-op Food
If you have a speciality diet, your best bet will be to go to the Co-Op. You will find lots of variety and good quality food. Be careful if plugging this location into your GPS as there is also a Co-op Home, which is on the opposite side of town.
2. Walmart
If you don’t know what Walmart is, then you are likely not from North America. Walmart is a big store / box store with lots of options, but maybe not speciality items.
3. Pincher Creek Meats
You are in the heart of Alberta’s ranchlands! If you eat meat, you must stop at the local butcher shops. Sometimes they do hot lunches and we’ve had our eye on the brisket on a bun! Click on the link and see if they are doing a daily special for lunch time. Or check out the butcher shop and create your own charcuterie board!
4. Back Country Butchering (Cowley)
If you are driving between Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass, add this to your stop. We love their pickled pepperoni sticks so much that it is our go-to gift. You will be in heaven with locally-sourced cheeses, beef, pork, and more. If you stop in around lunch time, they usually have ribs slow-cooking for an easy and delicious take-out option.
Food Options A Short Distance From Pincher Creek
1. Twin Butte General Store (Twin Butte) – for Mexican food in southern Alberta
This is a gem. Located between Waterton and Pincher Creek, you will find this quaint hamlet with this incredible restaurant. You will be pleasantly surprised by the funky interior and incredible Mexican food. It is worth the drive or a stop in if you just finished an adventure in Waterton. Check out their website as they often have live music.
2. Oldman River Brewing (Lundbreck) – for food trucks and beer
Located between Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass, and a short stop from the highway. A modern brewery with award-winning beer. You will want to find a designated driver and some room to take some beer home with you. In the summer, they will often have a food truck, and sometimes have live music.
3. The Ranch House (Hillspring) – for locally sourced beef burgers
We haven’t tried this spot yet, but we want to! Pincher Creek locals rave about the burgers and the truffle fries. It sounds like it is worth the drive!
4. The Cactus Pit Cafe (Glenwood) – food really good chicken
5. Tina’s Café (Glenwood) – for pizza and baked goods
6. Centex – Piikani Travel Centre (Brocket) – for fast and good burgers
In The Towns Nearby
You can also find options in Waterton Lakes National Park or Crowsnest Pass.
Do you need more help planning your trip to Pincher Creek, including accommodations and things to do? Go back to our Visitor Guide to help you. Did we miss mentioning something to do in Pincher Creek? Let us know in the comments! If this blog helped you, leave us a comment or tag @UpliftAdventures (Facebook) or @uplift_adventures (Instagram) on your next visit to Pincher Creek. We love hearing from you and seeing how you explore.
Comments 4
I would add Miners mercantile in Beaver Mines for food and baking.
Author
Hi Angie – Yes, we love Beaver Mines Merchantile. They are going on the list when we compile Castle Provincial Parks. They are a Team Favourite and we definitely won’t forget about them.
Amazing information on all of these hidden gems.
Thank you Heather!!
Happy 2024 Hope to see you soon.
Author
My pleasure, Rhonda. Pincher is awesome and people should know it 😉