Where to Eat in Yellowstone: Restaurants in the Park and Nearby

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Yellowstone

Yellowstone covers nearly 3,500 square miles and offers about a dozen permanent dining spots, from self-service cafeterias to the historic dining rooms in the park's grand lodges. Here's the short version: go to Old Faithful Inn for the experience, any lodge cafeteria for a quick and affordable meal, or West Yellowstone or Gardiner if you want more variety outside the park. Beyond that, it comes down to which area you're visiting and what you're in the mood for.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

Xanterra operates most of the food service inside the park. There are two main formats: lodge dining rooms with table service, where reservations are essential during the busy season, and cafeterias with self-service, no reservations, and an easy setup for families. Here's a look at the areas, starting with the busiest and ending with the quieter ones.

Old Faithful

The Old Faithful Inn Dining Room wins for atmosphere. The grand 1904 lodge, built entirely from spruce logs, is worth making a reservation for on its own. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here. Book several weeks ahead for dinner in July and August. Just steps away, the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria is the easygoing choice, with decent trays, manageable lines, and a patio overlooking the geyser. The Snow Lodge rounds out the area with the Obsidian Dining Room and the Geyser Grill, a quick-service counter that's also open in winter.

Lake Village

The Lake Hotel Dining Room has been operating since 1891, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the entire national park system. Its quiet atmosphere and view of Yellowstone Lake make it the park's most elegant dining room. For a straightforward lunch, the Lake Lodge Cafeteria gets the job done.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth is the only area open year-round. It offers the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room, with table service and recommended reservations, and the Mammoth Terrace Grill, an outdoor counter that's perfect for taking a breather between trays of travertine. In the off-season, this is your only option for a hot meal in the park.

Canyon Village

The M66 Grill at Canyon Lodge takes a contemporary brasserie approach, with a menu that changes each season. The adjoining cafeteria is the area's fastest option and is especially popular with families between visits to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Grant Village

The Lake House Restaurant offers a direct view of the lake through its glass-walled dining room. It's more casual than the Lake Hotel, and reservations aren't required outside the busiest periods.

Tower-Roosevelt

The Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room keeps the Old West spirit alive with unapologetically cowboy decor. The area's real standout, though, is the Old West Cookout, a barbecue dinner served after a wagon or horseback ride through the Lamar Valley Foothills. Seating is very limited, reservations are essential several months ahead, and it's one of the park's most memorable experiences.

Grocery Stores and Picnics in the Park

Seven Xanterra general stores are spread throughout the park, at Canyon, Grant, Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay, Mammoth, Old Faithful, and Tower Fall. They sell packaged sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and, at some locations, deli items or ice cream. For a stay of several days, stocking a cooler in West Yellowstone before entering the park is still the most economical strategy. Prices inside the park reflect the realities of its supply logistics. Picnic tables are plentiful at scenic pullouts. Always store your food in airtight bags because bears visit parking areas.

Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns

West Yellowstone (West Entrance)

The greatest concentration of restaurants is here. The main street is built almost entirely around travelers, with pizzerias, bison burgers, tacos, and local craft beer. Ernie's Bakery & Deli opens early for hikers heading out at dawn, while Madison Crossing Lounge offers a more elaborate menu in the evening. Allow 10 to 20 minutes to drive from the park's West Entrance.

Gardiner (North Entrance)

Gardiner is the year-round entrance for wheeled vehicles and the only practical option near the park in the off-season. A handful of solid spots line the main street, serving burgers, steaks, and straightforward mountain food. There are fewer choices than in West Yellowstone, but prices are slightly lower and the atmosphere is more local.

Cody and Jackson

Cody, about 50 miles east, and Jackson, about 62 miles south near Grand Teton, offer a much broader dining scene, with quality restaurants and genuine nightlife. Consider them if you're combining Yellowstone with Grand Teton or spending a night outside the park.

Our Picks by What You're Craving

• Quick bite: Tower Fall General Store for ice cream after seeing the waterfall, or the Geyser Grill at Old Faithful for a meal in five minutes.
• For families: lodge cafeterias, with no reservations or dress code and enough variety on the trays to keep everyone happy.
• With a view: Lake Hotel Dining Room overlooking Yellowstone Lake, or Grant Village Lake House for a more casual setting.
• Historic dining: Old Faithful Inn Dining Room. If the dining room is full, the inn's bar is worth a look even without a reservation.
• One-of-a-kind experience: Old West Cookout at Tower-Roosevelt. Reserve as soon as bookings open, often in March for July and August.

The Specialty to Try in Yellowstone

The bison burger is the one thing you shouldn't miss. The meat is leaner than beef and often sourced from regional ranches. It appears on nearly every menu in the park and gateway towns. The texture is firmer, with a slightly sweet, more pronounced flavor. If you've never tried one, this is the place to do it. When we visited, Roosevelt Lodge prepared it best, serving it simply with sweet potato fries and a smoky barbecue sauce.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Hours. Nearly all park restaurants open from late May through early October. In the off-season, only the Mammoth Hot Springs area guarantees continuous service. Check hours on nps.gov before building a day around lunch in the park. June openings roll out gradually and can bring surprises.

Reservations. They're essential for lodge dining rooms, including Old Faithful Inn, Lake Hotel, Mammoth Hotel, and Canyon M66 Grill. For July and August stays, book as early as March. Cafeterias and general stores don't require reservations.

Budget. Plan on about $12 to $18 for a cafeteria meal and $30 to $50 per person in a dining room, excluding drinks. The most affordable option is still putting together a picnic from a general store or a cooler prepared outside the park. For complete price ranges by type of trip, the Yellowstone guide breaks down the overall budget.

Season. In July and August, expect lines at cafeterias and dining-room reservations to have been gone for months. In September, crowds thin out and the light is better. The guide to the best times to visit Yellowstone compares the months in detail.

In Brief: Where to Eat in Each Area

To plan your day around meals and sights, the Yellowstone itinerary guide offers routes by area. The lodges with the main dining rooms are covered in detail in the Yellowstone hotels and lodges guide.

Frequently Asked Questions