18 Best Places to Eat in Cochrane, Alberta

Here, a small town welcome means we hope you brought your appetite! We’ve got Canadian cuisine featuring fresh, local ingredients, plus globally inspired dishes and plenty of sweet treats for you to enjoy. Here’s our roundup of the best places to eat in Cochrane.

Canadian Cuisine

1. Fence & Post

Head to Historic Downtown for Canadian cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients. Fence & Post’s garlic balloon appetizer or Elk Osso Bucco are must-try dishes. The restaurant also offers products to enjoy at home, like charcuterie.

2. Flores & Pine

This upscale restaurant in Bearspaw, just west of Cochrane, is an ideal spot for a special occasion. The chef-crafted menu features local ingredients and changes seasonally. Choose from casual burgers, pizza, and pasta, or classics like steak, lamb, and rotisserie chicken.

3. Half Hitch Brewing Company
   
   

This family-owned restaurant and brewery exudes Western charm. The wood interior offers a cozy welcome, and the two patios are perfect for warmer days. Try the award-winning beer made on-site, like Farmer’s Daughter or Papa Bear.

4. Rocky View Brewing Company
   
   

This pub-style restaurant is a hotspot on our town’s main street. Pair one of their delicious craft brews like the lemon radler with a meal like the fish tacos and you’ve got everything a foodie needs. PS: they’ve also got a doggie menu! 

5. Texas Gate Bar & Grill
   
   

Located in one of Alberta’s oldest operating hotels, the historic Texas Gate Bar & Grill has a main street patio with great pub fare. Try their all-day breakfast, deep fried pub favourites, or a hearty sandwich. You can even take a line dancing lesson on Tuesday nights!

6. Cochrane Golf Club
   
   

The WOW Store at the Cochrane Golf Club not only has a lovely, large patio, but it also serves up an incredible breakfast. Go for the eggs Benedict or the chicken and waffles. And, if you love desserts and gelato, you’ll be in heaven here.

Global Flavours

7. Aama Nepalese Cuisine
   
   

Authentic Nepali flavours are the star of the show at this family-owned restaurant. Aama’s dishes celebrate the culture and history of Nepal. We recommend their Momos — authentic Nepali dumplings steamed or deep fried.

8. Mehtab East Indian Cuisine
   
   

Fine spices and fresh ingredients are the gold standard at Mehtab. Try this family-owned restaurant’s clay oven specialties or another classic dish like chicken tikka masala. They’ve got lots of vegetarian options, like delicious veggie pakora.

9. The Boot Authentic Italian
   
   

Feel like you’ve been transported to an Italian trattoria. The recipes at this family-owned restaurant have been passed down from Nonna’s Mamma to the present day. Try the veal saltimbocca, or one of the many pasta dishes or pizzas.

Coffee, Tea, and Ice Cream

10.  Cochrane Coffee Traders
    
    

This log cabin-esque café is a favourite spot for coffee lovers and cyclists alike. Try one of their giant muffins or a latte made with house-roasted espresso. The patio is right in front of the roastery, so you’ll be treated to the smell of fresh coffee while you relax here.

11. MacKay’s Ice Cream
    
    

With a line that regularly winds around the block, MacKay’s Ice Cream is a Cochrane legend. Since 1948, MacKay’s has served its locally made, premium ice cream to customers from around the world. Try unique flavours like haskap berry and barn floor, or classics like cookie dough and strawberry.

12.  Still Water Tea
    
    

Discover this charming tea shop with a wide selection of luxury loose-leaf teas. Favourites include the Inspire herbal tea, the decadent Hazelnut Vanilla black tea, and the traditional Cream Earl Grey black tea.

13.  Vine Coffee Co.
    
    

Specialty coffee is the focus of this shop. Beverage options range from light and fruity to classic yet complex dark roasts. Small batch roasts ensure maximum control, as well as maximum freshness for each bag of beans you take home.

Food and Beverage Retailers

14.  Cochrane Farmers’ Market
    
    

Every Saturday from June to October, visit family producer Dalziel Ranches Bison for bison steaks, sausages, or jerky. Or, stop by Uncle Bernie’s All Natural Meats’ booth for pasture-finished elk, beef, pork, and chicken. For quality fresh fruit and veggies, visit Souto Farms.

15.  Fallentimber Meadery 
    
    

On this beautiful property located north of Cochrane in Water Valley, enjoy a glass of mead made from honey produced in hives with easy access to wildflowers and clover. Even better, take home some honey when you leave.

16.  Super Donkey Acres
    
    

Located at the Farmers’ Leaf Market, Super Donkey grows its microgreens on-site there. Sample the goodies, watch their production process (like freeze drying) live, and take home freeze dried products or microgreens. You can also visit the new homestyle Farmers Leaf Cafe!

17.  The Butchery Block
    
    

Find quality meats with no fillers or additives here. Try hand-crafted, housemade breakfast meats, fresh sausage, and smoked sausage, or chicken, beef, and pork sourced from local producers.

18.  Vinestone Wine Co.
    
    

This boutique shop offers a rotating selection of fine wines, spirits, craft beer, and related gift items. Vinestone also offers in-store tastings and event nights. You can even join their wine and beer clubs to stay up to date on the latest trends.

Download the Explore Cochrane app to plan your next visit to our charming Western town. We can’t wait to welcome you!