Dining in Yellowstone

Yellowstone may resemble a wilderness wonderland, but appearances can be deceiving. Despite its breathtaking natural wonders, Yellowstone is also commercialized just enough to meet visitors’ basic needs. In addition to offering an array of lodging options, Yellowstone’s primary concessionaire, Xanterra Parks and Resorts, provides unique in-park dining options sure to satisfy every palate. From casual fine dining in Yellowstone’s legendary hotel dining rooms to delis and old western cookouts, every corner of Yellowstone is outfitted with an eatery to satiate your appetite. Box lunches, ideal for packing along on adventurous outings, are also available upon request from some of Yellowstone’s delis. Reservations are accepted at some hotel dining rooms and are occasionally required for dinner dining. Visitors should expect higher prices in park dining rooms than the more economical cafeterias and snack shops. For additional information about park dining or reservations, call Xanterra Parks and Resorts at (307) 344-7901.

Canyon Village Area Dining
Yellowstone’s Canyon Village visitors are treated to three different dining options, all of which are child friendly. The Canyon Lodge Dining Room offers the most upscale option, serving a phenomenal salad bar along with steak, fish, chicken, and pasta in a relaxed dinner atmosphere. The dining room also serves breakfast and lunch on a first-come, first-served basis. For those in a hurry or on a budget, the Canyon Lodge Cafeteria serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner quickly and casually. Also onsite, the Canyon Lodge Deli provides fresh deli sandwiches and other goodies ideal for picnic outings and meals on the run. 

Canyon Village’s dining areas are open from early June through mid-September. Reservations are not accepted, and the dress code is casual for all Canyon Village eateries. All major credit cards are accepted.

Grant Village Dining Room
Overlooking Yellowstone Lake, the Grant Village Dining Room specializes in delivering quality, ambience, and delicious food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An extensive breakfast buffet, specialty lunch sandwiches, and dinner items ranging from Huckleberry Chicken to regional cuisine are crowd favorites.

The Grant Village Dining Room is open from late May through early October with a casual dress code. Breakfast and lunch are served on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations are required for dinner. All major credit cards are accepted.

Lake Lodge Cabins Cafeteria
Situated on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the Lake Lodge Cabins Cafeteria is an ideal family dining option in a casual setting. Traditional American fare is served daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Lake Lodge Cabins Cafeteria is open from mid-June through late September with a casual dress code. Reservations are not accepted, as all meals are first-come, first-served. All major credit cards are accepted.

Lake Hotel Dining Room and Deli
Combining scenery with exquisite food, Yellowstone’s Lake Hotel Dining Room and Deli is recognized as the park’s most upscale dining facility. Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with views of glimmering Yellowstone Lake, the dining room treats guests to such specialties as Wild Alaskan Salmon, Certified Angus Beef Steaks, Scallops, and much more. Although breakfast and lunch are served on a first-come, first-served basis, reservations are required for dinner. On the lower end of the price range, the onsite Lake Hotel Deli serves soup, made-to-order sandwiches, snacks, desserts, and a variety of beverages.

The Lake Hotel Dining Room and Deli are open from mid-May through mid-October with a casual dress code. Reservations are required for dinner in the dining room, but all other meals require no advance arrangements. All major credit cards are accepted at both facilities.

Mammoth Hotel Dining Room and Terrace Grille
Overlooking Old Fort Yellowstone’s parade grounds and former officers’ quarters, the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room serves a wide array of cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An extensive breakfast buffet combines with creative lunch sandwiches and fine dinner cuisine that includes fresh fish and house-smoked specialties. For typical restaurant fare with more economical prices, the Terrace Grille serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with menu items including breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, fast food, and ice cream.

Both the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room and Terrace Grille are open year-round with a summer season operating from mid-May through mid-October. All meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis during summer, and reservations are not accepted at either establishment. However, reservations are recommended during winter. The dress code is casual, and all major credit cards are accepted.  

Old Faithful Inn Dining Room and Bear Paw Snack Shop
The majesty of Yellowstone’s most famous inn is carried through to its dining room. The Old Faithful Inn Dining Room’s famous stone fireplace is accented with an impressive painting depicting Yellowstone’s most recognized geyser basin. Amid this ambience, diners are treated to hearty ala carte breakfast items, a large breakfast buffet, a western lunch buffet, salads, sandwiches, and a dinner menu featuring prime rib, pasta, fish, chicken, and more. For those in a hurry, the Bear Paw Snack Shop is ideal, serving sandwiches, salads, and ice cream.

The Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, as well as the Bear Paw Snack Shop, are open mid-May through mid-October with a casual dress code. Although the dining room’s breakfast and lunch are served on a first-come, first-served basis, dinner reservations are required. All major credits cards are accepted. Visitors should note that all Old Faithful Inn facilities offer limited summer service in 2005 and 2006 due to extensive remodeling.

Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria and Bake Shop
Offering amazing views of the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser, the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria provides affordable, casual dining. A variety of hot entrees, sandwiches, salads, and pastas are served. For those craving something sweet, the Bake Shop specializes in freshly baked cinnamon rolls, muffins, cookies, and pretzels.

Both the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria and Bake Shop are open from early May through early October with a casual dress code. Reservations are not accepted, as all meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge – Obsidian Dining Room and Geyser Grill
Opened in 1999, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge showcases a western ambiance in both the Obsidian Dining Room and the Geyser Grill. Maintaining a quieter atmosphere than other park dining rooms, the Obsidian Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with such specialties as Seafood Cioppino and Braised Lamb Shanks. The Geyser Grill is a less formal option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with menu selections including breakfast sandwiches, deli items, and burgers.

The Obsidian Dining Room is open mid-May through mid-October for the summer season. Reservations are not accepted for any meal during the summer season but are recommended for dinner during winter season. The Geyser Grill is open mid-April through early November for the summer season. All meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis. Both establishments feature a casual dress code, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room and Western Cookouts
In an effort to maintain its reputable cowboy atmosphere, the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room offers a more laid-back ambience and menu in comparison to the park’s other dining options. Family-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served with menu items including such traditional western fare as baby-back ribs, fried chicken, and the famous Roosevelt Baked Beans.

For a unique western experience, make reservations at Roosevelt’s Old West Dinner Cookouts. Guests enjoy a horseback or chuckwagon ride to the dinner site where everyone is treated to steak, potato salad, cornbread, coleslaw, Roosevelt Baked Beans, apple crisp, and cowboy coffee. Western entertainment accompanies the memorable dinner.