Yellowstone National Park is one of the best national parks and is a famous tourist attraction that allows travelers from all around the world to experience scenic landscapes and wildlife.
Boasting one of the largest high-elevation lakes centered on the Yellowstone Caldera, this national park is a volcano paradise with half of the world's geysers.
Yellowstone National Park has 5 entrances with Gateway towns that have unique attractions and activities.
The first thing to do before exploring the first national park in the U.S., is to take time and stop by one of the many general stores, snack shops, and dining places, home to delicious smoked meats and other food.
You can eat at a picnic area or one of the many picnic tables around the park and fully take in your meal or snack!
Throughout the park, there are plenty of restaurants in different price ranges, serving a variety of choices of hot entrees, appetizers, and services. Many of these places by Xanterra Parks do require dinner reservations at the front desk while some are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Tip: Always find a parking lot as you will be fined if you park on vegetation or in a non-parking zone.
From Chinese cuisine to American, there is a restaurant in Yellowstone National Park for everyone. Just make sure to check which restaurants are open year-round or in late June and ones that are closed for fall and winter in late September and late October.
Here's the scoop on the best places to eat in Yellowstone National Park!
Best Restaurants in Yellowstone
1. Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
Enjoy an extensive menu at this American restaurant inside a rustic log lodge. The Old Faithful Inn Dining Room is not as extravagant compared to other dining options at the national park, but the food is delicious especially the prime rib and signature buffet.
The warm and cozy historic inn has exceptional staff with an expected wait time. Depending on if you dine at lunch or dinner, the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room has sandwiches, salads, and steaks on its dinner and lunch menu.
2. Canyon Eatery
Located in Canyon Lodge and Cabins, the Canyon Eatery is a hotel family style restaurant offering a variety of dishes and the best food including steak, seafood, and pasta.
The dining option is a great place to eat at the Canyon Village for a family vacation for breakfast, dinner, and lunch with plenty of organic and vegetarian options.
3. Outpost Restaurant
Step into a Western style restaurant offering homestyle fare and a salad bar. Some of the most popular dishes are the Bison Burger, Fish and Chips, Old Fashion Chicken Fried Steak, and Beef Stew.
A great place for kids, the Outpost offers a kids' menu and options for a quick bite. The restaurant is an ideal place to have a sit-down dinner and refuel before exploring the park.
4. Old Faithful General Store Grill
Besides the hot food, the general store grill has a variety of products for travelers including camp gear, and clothing. This casual option for dining is great for lunch and dinner.
However, their dessert seems to take the cake with the ice cream. The grill can be a little pricey but there is plenty of food options for everyone.
5. The Branch Restaurant and Bar
Inspired by the natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park, The Branch Restaurant and Bar delights guests by providing cuisine with local flavor and vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Some of the most popular dishes include Stroganoff, Quesadilla, and Mushroom Swiss Burger. This bar & grill offers more of a fine dining experience with beautiful architecture and an elegant ambiance.
6. Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room
The Snow Lodge Obsidian is a spacious dining room filled with a contemporary ambiance and wilderness-inspired decor. Some of their most popular menu items are Bison Short Ribs, Fresh Fish, and Wild Game Bolognese.
The upscale and cozy restaurant includes a bar with beer, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages. This casual lodge also has vegetarian and organic options.
7. Old Town Cafe
Old Town Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Yellowstone with a full bar and a casual cabin-like setting.
Most people prefer to eat at this hearty American restaurant during breakfast as the place has great coffee and fast service. The best items on the menu include French Toast, French Dip, Chicken Fried Steak, Eggs, and Roast Beef.
8. Bullwinkles
Take your family to this Western-themed restaurant for a special occasion. Bullwinkles is a classic American fare dining option near West Yellowstone Gate that offers a great experience when dining.
Offering a variety of good food, Bullwinkles is one of the most popular places to eat for families at Yellowstone. Some of their popular food dishes include Elk Ravioli, Bison Burgers, Prime Rib, and Bison Meatloaf.
9. Red Lotus Restaurant
A Chinese restaurant nestled in West Yellowstone, Red Lotus is an elegant yet comfortable place for some of the best Chinese food in the area. While the Chinese restaurant has popular dishes like Orange Chicken, Fried Rice, and Mongolian Beef, there are plenty of vegetarian options and tea selections.
10. Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
An upscale American restaurant on Grand Loop Road in Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Mammoth is open every season except for winter. When visiting this restaurant in Yellowstone’s North Entrance, try the Ravioli, Salmon Club Sandwich, and Chocolate Cake with Huckleberry Ice Cream.
11. Wylie's Canteen at Lake Lodge
Prepare for your scenic adventure at Yellowstone National Park. Dine at Wylie's Canteen and snack on salads, a veggie wrap, or a Mediterranean plate. This dining option is unique and offers a rustic, campfire lodge experience with rocking chairs and fireplaces. This restaurant also has a beautiful view of the shores of Yellowstone Lake and the Fishing Bridge, which is a main attraction.
12. Old Faithful Inn Bear Paw Deli
Grab and go at this beautiful lodge-inspired eatery. The warm and cozy ambiance is great for families looking to stop by for a quick bite on their adventures.
The restaurant provides food for great value like house-made deli sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for being one of the most popular places for tourists.
13. Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill
Stop by this bustling American-style restaurant featuring hot dogs, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. The Geyser Grill is family-friendly and offers gluten-free bread for burgers and other sandwiches. Visitors can either sit back in a rocking chair and enjoy their food in the spacious seating areas or take it on the go.
14. Running Bear Pancake House
Stop by for classic breakfast cuisine to fuel you on your journey. Known for its Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, Veggie Omelette, and Hash Brown Toasts, Running Bear Pancake House is a delicious place to fill your appetite with a great variety. It is recommended to visit this popular restaurant in the early morning to avoid long wait times.
15. Canyon Fountain and Grill
Even though Canyon Fountain and Grill serve classic American cuisine, expect the burgers to be a little pricey. However, the delectable taste of the burgers and fries makes the price well worth it. Grab a root beer float and a cheeseburger while enjoying the retro-inspired restaurant.
16. Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Located in Lake Lodge Cabins, Lake Yellowstone Dining Room is only open between May and October, usually during the peak season. Even though the interior design is more elegant than other restaurants in the area, they only require casual wear.
Make sure to try the Bison Burger, Southwestern Elk Ravioli, and the Sticky Toffee Pudding while soaking in the natural beauty just outside the windows.
17. Wild West Pizzeria and Saloon
Take a bite of your favorite pizza, chicken wings, or pasta in this casual American-style restaurant. The Wild West is a laid-back saloon with live music and happy-hour drinks.
Even though this pizzeria offers late-night food and a plethora of alcoholic drinks, it still provides a family-friendly atmosphere with a kids' menu.
18. Slippery Otter Pub
Relax after a long day of adventures at the Slippery Otter Pub. Home to Jalapeno Wontons, Steak Salad, French Onion Soup, and Pulled Pork Sandwiches, this pub offers a comfortable dining experience for the whole family.
19. Madison Crossing Lounge
Centered in an old schoolhouse, this restaurant in West Yellowstone provides guests with comfort and delicious food. Some of their most popular dishes on the menu include Bison Meatloaf, Huckleberry Burgers, and Bison Nachos.
20. Three Bear Restaurant
Snuggle in for a long winter at the Three Bear Restaurant with decorated logs and lamps and a plethora of food options at their Western buffet like steak, burgers, and pasta.
Similar to the interior, the exterior design of the restaurant makes visitors feel like they're in a cozy cabin nestled in the wilderness with the bear statues and signs.
21. The Falafel Spot
Inside Eagle's Store in West Yellowstone, The Falafel Spot is a quick-bite dining option with dine-in and takeout available. This casual restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Yellowstone National Park, featuring Lentil Soup, Falafel Wrap, and a few other fresh healthy options.
If you want your soup or wrap to include specific spices, the chef is able to adapt it to fit your tastes.
22. Serenity Bistro
Spend some time trying out regional dishes at this fine dining location at Yellowstone National Park. Serenity Bistro is a cozy eatery with an outdoor patio and wine pairings.
With plenty of seating and organic food options, this bistro is one of the best places to eat in Yellowstone. Serenity Bistro is also great for romantic couples.
23. Hanks Chop Shop
This modern hang-out spot features outdoor seating and curbside pick-up. What makes this casual restaurant an ideal place to dine in is because of the catering, high chairs, and kid-friendly, and even pet-friendly atmosphere. Visitors can also work while indulging in a Chocolate Brownie with their free wifi.
24. Mountain Mama's Coffee House and Bakery
Get up early and start the day refreshed by visiting this laid-back and friendly coffee house. This cozy, women-owned bakery offers top-notch coffee, tea, and dessert. When stopping by the coffee house, order the Breakfast Burritos, Cinnamon Rolls, and a Huckleberry Turnover.
25. Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza
Located in Dancing Moose Gifts, this pizza restaurant is a comfy place to indulge in Italian cuisine with red-sauce dishes, sodas, and pies. Some guests can even take advantage of the outdoor seating while enjoying a Chicken Parmesan, a Chicken Alfredo Fettucine, or Pete's Pizza.
26. Gusher Pizza and Sandwich Shoppe
A family-owned pizza and burger joint, Gusher Pizza and Sandwich Shoppe not only offers classic American cuisine and the best pizza but also provides casino games and a pub.
Visitors can enjoy Wild Game Sausage, Old Faithful Pizza, or the Gusher Special Pizza before embarking on their adventure to Yellowstone. The restaurant also serves the best potato salad and is located at the West Entrance.
27. Book Peddler and Coffee Cafe
One of the best places to eat in Yellowstone National Park, Book Peddler, and Coffee Cafe is a casual dining spot surrounded by wilderness-inspired gifts.
Some of the key aspects of this cafe are the great tea selections, coffee, and desserts. This cafe offers space for digital nomads or remote workers to focus on their projects with lightweight meals.
28. Las Palmitas
A Mexican restaurant in West Yellowstone, Las Palmitas is one of the few dining places closed for the winter. Offering lunch and dinner, this cozy food spot is famous for its Super Macho Burrito and Tacos Shredded Beef Spicy Pork Chicken.
Yellowstone Restaurant Travel Guide
During the peak season, most of these places to eat in Yellowstone National Park will be busy, so it may be ideal to have advance reservations to have a great time.
More Yellowstone restaurants to visit are the Grant Village Dining Room (vegetarian fare), Roosevelt Old West Dinner Cookout (Roosevelt Lodge), Lake Hotel Dining Room, The Lake Lodge Cafeteria (rotating menu of daily specials), The Buffalo Bar (a personal favorite), and the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria & Bake Shop.
If you decide not to take advantage of the restaurants, you can always bring your own food. Bringing your own food is a great idea, especially during the winter season when dining options are limited.
Yellowstone National Park is open all year round, offering a plethora of restaurants and activities for visitors who decide to travel to the first national park in the United States. You can also visit Jackson Hole only 57 miles from the South Entrance.
From sit-down restaurants with a dining room host to fast food, there is a dining place a short drive away that will fulfill your taste buds. Most places in the Yellowstone area don't require a dress code out of casual knowing that most visitors will be exploring the park in casual clothes.
That's the scoop on the best places to eat in Yellowstone National Park!
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