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

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

At Zion, dining inside the park comes down to two spots at Zion Lodge, both in Zion Canyon: a sit-down dinner restaurant and a lunch snack bar. Everywhere else, Springdale, the gateway town right outside the south entrance, has about 20 restaurants within half a mile, all accessible by the park's free shuttle.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

Zion Canyon: The Park's Only Two Dining Options

Zion Lodge sits in the heart of Zion Canyon, about halfway along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. It's the park's only dining option. You have two choices.

Red Rock Grill: A full-service restaurant open for breakfast and dinner. The polished dining room looks out toward the red sandstone cliffs, and the seasonal American menu includes poultry, fish, and vegetarian options. Reservations are strongly recommended from April through October. The dining room is small and fills up as soon as the busy season gets underway. Entrées cost $20 to $35. If you're staying at the lodge, see the Zion Lodge rooms and rates in the Zion lodging guide.

Castle Dome Café: A snack bar next to the lodge, designed for lunch and snacks between hikes. You'll find sandwiches, wraps, salads, ice cream, and drinks. There's a shaded patio and quick service, with a lighter bill of $8 to $15.

Outside Zion Canyon, you won't find any restaurants in the park. The Kolob Canyons area at the northwest entrance has no food service.

Groceries and Picnics in the Park

The park has no supermarket. Zion Lodge sells a few basic supplies, including drinks, snacks, and packaged sandwiches, but that's it. Pick up groceries in Springdale before entering if you're camping for several days.

Picnic areas are spread throughout the park. South Campground, near the Visitor Center, Grotto Picnic Area at the foot of the trail to Angels Landing, and the Kolob Canyons area all have covered tables. It's the most affordable option, especially for families.

One practical precaution matters here. Zion's mule deer are so used to people that they'll readily inspect food left unattended. Store your food in a closed vehicle or a properly sealed bag whenever you're away from the table.

Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns

Springdale: About 20 Restaurants at the South Entrance

Springdale, with about 500 permanent residents, borders the park's south entrance. The town's entire dining scene is concentrated along Zion Park Boulevard within a half-mile stretch, and the park's free shuttle makes several stops in town, so parking isn't a problem.

Oscar's Cafe: A go-to breakfast spot. Expect generous burritos, huevos rancheros, strong coffee, and a patio with a direct view of the canyon. It opens early, making it a good stop before a morning hike. Expect a line in July and August.

Whiptail Grill: Creative Mexican food in a relaxed setting. The tacos are solid, and the prickly pear margaritas are worth trying. Tables turn over quickly even during peak hours.

Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon: A local institution since the 1980s. It serves Southwestern food in a saloon-style setting, with a good selection of regional wines and beers. This is the place for a polished dinner that stays within a vacation budget.

Zion Pizza & Noodle Co.: Housed in a former church, this restaurant has become a Springdale classic. Wood-fired pizzas, house-made pasta, and craft beer on tap make it a good choice for families and groups.

Zion Canyon Brew Pub: Springdale's only craft brewery. Beers brewed on-site include an IPA, stout, or saison depending on the month. The pub food is straightforward, and the large patio faces the cliffs.

King's Landing Bistro: The town's most ambitious restaurant. The concise menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients in a contemporary American bistro setting. Reservations are recommended during the busy season.

For morning coffee before catching the shuttle, Canyon Coffee and River Rock Roasting Company are the local standouts. Both serve serious espresso and house-made pastries.

Hurricane and St. George: Larger-Scale Alternatives

Thirty kilometers west on UT-9, Hurricane, pronounced "Hurr-i-kin" by locals, has supermarkets and fast-food chains. This is where you'll stock up for several days of camping. St. George, 31 miles away, has the region's widest selection, including Asian, Mexican, and Italian restaurants and major chains.

Our Picks by Craving

A quick bite before a hike: Castle Dome Café for a sandwich to go, or Oscar's Cafe for a burrito to take on the road.

With the family: Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. has generous portions and welcomes kids. You can also use the picnic area at Grotto, two minutes from a shuttle stop.

With a view: Have dinner at Red Rock Grill, when the low light washes the cliffs in ocher and pink. Oscar's Cafe's patio also offers a striking view in the morning.

A historic table: Bit & Spur has been open for more than 40 years in a late-19th-century building.

Zion's Specialty to Try: Southwestern Food and Prickly Pear

Zion sits where Utah, Nevada, and Arizona meet, in a region strongly influenced by Navajo cuisine and the Mexican food of New Mexico. Two specialties deserve your attention.

The Navajo taco is a piece of fry bread, a thick fried bread, topped with simmered beans, meat, either bison or mutton depending on the recipe, cheddar, and chopped green chiles. It's hearty and filling, and you can find it at local markets and Springdale festivals.

Prickly pear is the signature ingredient throughout the region. Its vivid pink juice flavors lemonades, margaritas, and some sauces. Whiptail Grill and Zion Canyon Brew Pub use it regularly. Order a prickly pear margarita at least once. It's the taste of Utah that visitors take home every time.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Hours: Zion National Park is open 365 days a year, but the Zion Lodge restaurants adjust their schedules in the off-season. During the busy season, from April through October, Red Rock Grill is open roughly from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. In the off-season, hours narrow and some days may be dropped. Check the lodge's official website for current hours before you leave.

Reservations: Red Rock Grill accepts online reservations at zionlodge.com. In Springdale, Bit & Spur and King's Landing are worth booking on weeknights in July and August. The other restaurants don't take reservations, but waits of 20 to 30 minutes are possible during peak hours.

Budget: Plan on $10 to $20 for a quick meal, or $25 to $45 per person for a sit-down dinner with a drink. Springdale is on the expensive side for a town its size. For the overall cost of a Zion trip, the editorial page Fees & Passes has the key figures for entrance fees and passes.

Season: In July and August, temperatures on the canyon floor regularly climb above 100°F. Stay hydrated between hikes before sitting down to eat. In winter, several Springdale restaurants reduce their hours or close for a few weeks. The Zion seasons guide covers conditions month by month.

In Brief: Where to Eat in Each Area

If you're visiting Kolob Canyons for the day, pack a full picnic prepared in Springdale. The area is isolated, with no food service nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions