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When traveling in Yellowstone it's always a good idea to bring along a cooler—that way you can carry some snacks and lunch items for a picnic or break and not have to worry about making it to one of the more developed areas of the park, where all restaurants and cafeterias are managed by two competing companies (Xanterra and Delaware North). Generally you'll find burgers and sandwiches at cafeterias and full meals at restaurants. The entrée selection includes beef and chicken, game meats such as elk and bison, fish like salmon and trout, and there are kids-oriented offerings. At the several delis and general stores you can purchase picnic items, snacks, sandwiches, and desserts like fudge and ice cream. Considering the park's remoteness, the selection and quality are above average, but expect to pay more as well. Reservations are needed for dinner at the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Grant Village dining rooms; during the summer reservations are recommended for all dining rooms.
You can grab a quick bite and not miss a geyser eruption at this snack shop in the Old Faithful Inn. Salmon, black-bean, and beef burgers as well as several sandwiches are available throughout the day, as is hand-dipped ice cream. There's a small seating area.
Diners pack this mid-century-modern–inspired restaurant for casual breakfasts, as well as lunches and dinners that deviate from your standard national park fare. Design your own wok meal with veggies, meat, and toppings, or choose a protein and sauce on a three-item combo plate. It's nothing special, but it is the best of the dining options in Canyon Village.
Although the exterior looks rather elegant, this is actually the casual option at Mammoth Hot Springs, a good bet for simple fare like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders. Continental breakfast is offered all day. Take a break and wander the volcanic-rock terraces outside.
The menu at this atmospheric log cabin in a pine forest includes appropriately rustic options like skirt steak, mesquite-smoked chicken, and blackened ruby red trout, but you'll also find simpler comfort fare, like carnitas nachos and fried green tomatoes. For a real adventure, make a reservation for the Roosevelt Old West Dinner Cookout, which includes a horseback trail ride or a stagecoach ride.
The former Lake Lodge Cafeteria was upgraded and rebranded as Wylie's Canteen in 2019 and still offers quick and casual bites with awe-inspiring Yellowstone Lake views, but the quality of food has improved. Try the breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches in the morning, or build-your-own burgers (bison, beef, chicken, Beyond Meat, or salmon), fried chicken, and salads later in the day.
