The Wildcat Cafe

The Wildcat Cafe is a log cabin restaurant from the 1930s that stands in its original condition today. Inside, visitors find rustic wooden walls, simple furniture, and traditional fixtures from the mining era.

Willie Wylie and Smokey Stout opened the cafe in 1937 as the first restaurant in the newly founded settlement. It became a symbol of the early days when prospectors arrived seeking gold.

The name comes from a local legend rooted in the mining camp era. The walls display photographs showing how people lived and worked during Yellowknife's early days.

The cafe operates mainly during the warmer months and serves traditional Canadian food in its intimate setting. Visitors should know that it is a small original site with limited seating capacity.

The building fell into disrepair and was in danger of collapsing after standing for decades. In 2011, a local master builder performed a careful reconstruction while preserving its rustic appearance.

Location: Yellowknife

Address: 3509 Wiley Road

GPS coordinates: 62.46650,-114.34900

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40