Where to Eat at the Grand Canyon: Restaurants in the Park and Nearby

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Grand Canyon

In a nutshell, you can eat in the park (El Tovar for the experience, Maswik Food Court when you're in a hurry, or Phantom Ranch if you're heading to the canyon floor), in Tusayan just outside South Entrance, or more leisurely in Flagstaff, 81 miles away. Most visitors combine an in-park cafeteria for lunch with a Tusayan restaurant for dinner.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

The National Park Service (NPS) concentrates most of its dining options on the South Rim, which is open year-round. The North Rim, accessible from mid-May to mid-October, has a smaller selection.

South Rim: From Historic Dining to the Food Court

El Tovar Dining Room. The signature dining room in Grand Canyon Village, with dark wood interiors in a 1905 building, polished American cooking featuring bison or salmon, and full table service. Expect to pay $25 to $45 per person at dinner. Reservations are essential from March through October. They open six months ahead through Xanterra, the lodge operator.

Arizona Room. Just steps from Bright Angel Lodge, this steakhouse has a canyon-view patio. Expect grilled meats and prices from $15 to $30. Reservations aren't available, so walk in, wait your turn, and enjoy the view.

Bright Angel Restaurant. The all-around option, with breakfast at dawn, sandwiches for lunch, and family-style dishes in the evening. It's ideal after a hike on Bright Angel Trail. Prices are moderate, from $10 to $20.

Maswik Food Court. Pizza, salads, and daily specials to go. It's a favorite with hikers in a hurry and families. Open all day during the busy season.

Yavapai Tavern. A bar with a small food menu, including burgers and tapas, in a casual setting. Handy at the end of the day, with Arizona craft beers on the menu.

Hermit's Rest Snack Bar. At the western end of Hermit Road, accessible by free shuttle, this simple snack bar is a good place to refuel during your walk.

Desert View Trading Post Snack Bar. At the park's east entrance on Route 64, on the Cameron side, you'll find a few snacks and sandwiches that come in handy if you're entering from this direction.

North Rim: The Essentials

Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room. The park's most impressive dining room, with picture windows facing the canyon. Polished American cooking includes trout and bison. Reservations are strongly recommended in July and August.

Deli in the Pines. A counter next to the lodge serving sandwiches and breakfast to go. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.

Rough Rider Saloon. Coffee in the morning, cocktails and snacks in the afternoon, and a friendly Western-style decor.

At the Canyon Floor: Phantom Ranch

If you're heading down to the Colorado River for an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch, the Canteen serves hot meals by reservation, including beef stew, pancakes, and well-earned iced lemonade. Access to Phantom Ranch is awarded through a lottery more than a year in advance. It's an experience in its own right. See our Hiking page for trail details.

Groceries and Picnics in the Park

Canyon Village Market & Deli (South Rim, Market Plaza) is the park's main grocery store. It carries fruit, prepared sandwiches, snacks, and water. It's perfect for putting together a picnic before a hike.

North Rim General Store has a more limited selection, but enough of the essentials for the North Rim.

For a picnic, the areas at Mather Point or Desert View are well located. One important reminder: always store food in an airtight bag or in your vehicle's trunk. Steller's jays and the canyon squirrels won't miss an opportunity.

Where to Eat Nearby: The Gateway Towns

Tusayan (1.2 miles from South Entrance)

The first town after South Entrance has pizzerias, fast-food restaurants, buffets, and a few decent restaurants. It's not Arizona cuisine, but it's convenient when the park's restaurants close. Our Hotels & Lodges guide also lists Tusayan properties with restaurants.

Williams (56 miles south)

A small town on Route 66 and the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway. You'll find steakhouses, American diners, and good tacos. It's a charming stop if you're not sleeping in the park. For routes around the canyon, our Region and Road Trip guides cover these broader topics.

Flagstaff (81 miles southeast)

The university town of northern Arizona offers Mexican, Asian, and vegetarian food, craft breweries, and options for every budget. You'll eat better and spend less here than in Tusayan. Allow 1.5 hours to drive from the South Rim.

Page (90 miles east)

Useful if you're entering through Desert View from Utah or combining your trip with Antelope Canyon. There are a few decent restaurants and a practical, no-frills atmosphere.

Our Picks for Every Occasion

For a quick bite. Maswik Food Court on the South Rim or Deli in the Pines on the North Rim. Service is quick and affordable, so you can be on your way in ten minutes.

For families. Bright Angel Restaurant has a broad menu, generous portions, and a welcome mat for kids. The breakfast burritos are a crowd-pleaser.

For the view. Choose the patio at Arizona Room or Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room on the North Rim. You get the canyon as a backdrop without booking months ahead, except on the North Rim in summer.

For historic dining. El Tovar Dining Room, built in 1905. Theodore Roosevelt stopped here between safaris. Book early.

A Grand Canyon Specialty to Try

Bison appears on the menus at El Tovar and Arizona Room. This isn't a tourist gimmick. Arizona-raised bison is lean, flavorful meat with deep roots in Southwestern American tradition. The bison burger is the easiest way to try it.

Another regional staple is Navajo frybread, fried bread served with beans, cheese, or honey. You can find it at a few stands around the park and in nearby reservations. It's simple and filling, and closely connected to the history of the Indigenous nations of the Colorado Plateau.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Hours. Most South Rim restaurants are open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with seasonal adjustments. North Rim dining rooms close at the end of October along with the lodge. Always check nps.gov before you leave.

Reservations. They're required for El Tovar and Grand Canyon Lodge Dining Room from May through September. For the others, arriving before 11:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m. helps you avoid the line.

Budget. Plan on $10 to $15 for a food court, $15 to $25 at a casual restaurant, and $30 to $50 at El Tovar. Bottled water is expensive in the park, so bring a filtered water bottle. For entrance fees and annual passes, our Fees & Passes page provides useful guidelines.

Season. June through August brings heavy crowds, and reservations are essential. December through February is quieter, with reduced hours at some establishments. Spring and fall offer a good balance of full dining options and manageable crowds.

In Brief: Where to Eat Based on Your Area of the Park

To plan your entire trip, our complete Grand Canyon guide brings together all the key sections.

Frequently Asked Questions