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Generally, when people visit Yosemite National Park, their goal is to experience the spectacular scenery and see at least some of the Park's world-famous sights. Lots of people take tours; many come in cars for the day; and others, camp and backpack for several days. The focus here is truly more on adventure and exploration than on food. However, after a few hours or days in the mountain air, you are sure to get hungry. You have lots of choices.

In the Valley

Most of the restaurants within Yosemite National Park are located in Yosemite Village, which is more or less the heart of the Yosemite Valley. With the possible exception of the Ahwahnee, do not expect gourmet dining. Instead, you will find an abundance of mostly American food, usually served in fairly large quantities. You will not find inexpensive eats; the restaurants here in the Village have, for the most part, a captive audience and the prices tend to reflect that.

Luxury

The most interesting, elegant, and perhaps the best of all choice is the old Ahwahnee Dining Room. This huge, vaulted and elegant room is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. The menus vary with the seasons and in the evening you must dress in something more elegant than shorts and T-shirts, but you will experience a taste of the original park both in dishes and decor.

Casual

Of course, the Village has a good selection of other eating establishments as well, including pizza at Loft (The); the good, but expensive Pavilion Buffet, and the Yosemite Lodge Food Court Visitors will not have to wander very far in the Village to find some sort of restaurant or snack bar. With the exception of the Ahwahnee's dress code in the evening, whatever you are wearing to explore the park is acceptable in the restaurants in the Village.

Another approach is to bring a picnic with you, or stop at one of the stores and create your meal on the fly. There are lots of picnic tables scattered around, and eating outside picnic-style can enhance your whole Yosemite experience.

In the Park; Outside the Valley

Three restaurants are in the park, but outside of the Valley. On the east side, you can have breakfast and dinner at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Restaurant (make reservations for evening meals); its prime rib and New York steak dinners are highly praised and sought after by hungry hikers.

Fresh Forth Season

Off Highway 41 is the Wawona Hotel Dining Room. Like the hotel, the room is full of light and airy ambience. The food has a good reputation for both quality and quantity. Breakfast is bacon or sausage and eggs, or French toast; lunch is a buffet that changes with the seasons and often includes local fresh vegetables and herbs. At dinner, you will find some amazing delicacies including Indian Tom's South Fork Trout or crackling roast duckling.

On the west side of the park, along Highway 120, is the White Wolf Lodge Restaurant. Open for breakfast and dinner, its casual dining room serves the usual bacon and eggs for breakfast and has a dinner menu that changes with the season-most days offer dinner specials that can include fish, chicken, beef, pasta or vegetarian dishes. The portions are large; the quality is excellent; and, the staff is happy to share "secret vantage points" within the park.

Outside the Park

Variety abounds as you travel to and from the Park. If you are coming from Lee Vining, you will find several casual and fun places there, like Niceley's Restaurant, Bodie Mike's Barbeque --or a top-drawer Tioga Lodge Restaurant on Mono Lake. Keep in mind that the eastern side of the Sierra often gets heavy snow in winter, so your selection during those months may be limited due to road closures.

Mariposa

Mariposa is an interesting little historical city on the southwest side of the park. You can enter the park on either the south or west side from here. Here you will find Gold Rush charm and the upscale Charles Street Dinner House where you will want to wear something a bit more formal than shorts and T-shirts. Midpines is in between Mariposa and the west entrance of the park and Recovery Bistro & Cafe.

Oakhurst

Oakhurst is another area that is south of the park that offers a variety of dining choices. It also has some gold rush influence. Castillo's Mexican Food which has the look and feel of a real Mexican cantina. You can have great scones, coffee, and ice cream, as well as regular meals at the casual Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company. For formal dining with a French provincial feel and menu, try Erna's Elderberry House.

The towns south and west of the park either do not get snow, or get very little, so the restaurants are usually open in winter, but the weather during these months can range from bracingly cool to freezing cold. During summer months everything-restaurants and the park itself--is crowded (particularly on weekends); be prepared to wait in long lines for tables unless you make reservations in advance.

Often your best bet is to simply poke around a bit. Get off the highways and explore the side streets. With a little patience--and some willingness to experiment--you are likely to find exactly what you want to eat, when you want it, and you will thoroughly enjoy both the meal and the process. After all, the delights of dining are fleeting-the memories of visiting Yosemite National Park, however, will last a lifetime.







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Ahwahnee Dining Room


Elegant atmosphere and food
 Yosemite Valley Village
Ahwahnee Hotel
Yosemite, CA 95379
United States
+1 209 372 1489
http://www.yosemitepark.com/co... 		A Yosemite tradition this huge and elegant dining room somehow feels intimate, despite its 34-foot ceilings. For breakfast, you can choose from frittatas or omelets, or enjoy a variety of salads or sandwiches for lunch. The dinner menu features entrees such as Salmon Ahwahnee served with Dungeness crab with bearnaise sauce and wild rice. The restaurant has an extensive and award-winning wine list. Reservations are essential for dinner, and the evening dress code calls for jackets or sweaters for men older than 12 and dresses or pantsuits for women.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Cleve Cheng
Photo: Cleve Cheng
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Mark Urbin
Photo: Mark Urbin
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Mark Urbin
Photo: Mark Urbin
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by William Bauer
Photo: William Bauer
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Paul Miller
Photo: Paul Miller
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by William Khoe
Photo: William Khoe
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Sean Denny
Photo: Sean Denny
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Judi Berdis
Photo: Judi Berdis
Ahwahnee Dining Room photo by Dayna C. Mauer
Photo: Dayna C. Mauer
 

 
Cafe at the Bug


A great place to relax in Midpines
 6979 Highway 140
Yosemite Bug Lodge
Yosemite, CA 95345
United States
+1 209 966 6666
http://www.yosemitebug.com/caf... 		A place to read, eat, drink coffee or beer, meet people from all over the world and generally enjoy life, this cafe has a lot to offer. When it is cold, you can sit by the fireplace or wander out to the glass-enclosed deck to view the spectacular countryside. When it is warm, sit out on the open-air decks. You can get breakfast, lunch and dinner here. It is a wonderful spot to relax after a day on the trail. Only 25 miles from Yosemite, the bistro is open all year.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Cafe at the Bug photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Castillo's Mexican Food


A taste of old California
 49271 Golden Oak Loop
Yosemite, CA 93644
United States
+1 559 683 8000 		This classic cantina has been around since 1955. The food is excellent, if you like the taste of Mexico. The specialty of the house is the Tostada Comusesta, which makes a big meal for either lunch or dinner. The restaurant also has a children's menu, and there are plenty of a la carte items. The atmosphere is casual with brightly colored Mexican decorations and pottery. The patio is an excellent place to view the Sierra Mountains. This dining spot specializes in Margaritas and other delightful drinks.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Charles Street Dinner House


Californian and American cuisine
 Hwy 140 and 7th St
Yosemite, CA 95338
United States
+1 209 966 2366
http://www.charlesstreetdinner... 		A Mariposa tradition for more than 20 years, this dinner house specializes in the best of Californian and American cuisine. Located close to Mariposa's historic district, this is a perfect place for dinner after shopping, hiking or exploring Yosemite Park. For lunch try a Fresh Salad Bowl. Lighter dinners include a Shrimp and Pasta Stir-Fry and a vegetarian plate. Full dinner options include Filet Mignon, fresh-caught fish at market price, and Honey-Glazed Chicken. Full dinners come with soup, salad, vegetable and bread.The menu varies by season and includes many local specialties. There is also a good selection of domestic beers, microbrews and imports.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Grill


Good for adults and children
 Tuolumne Meadows
Hwy 120
Yosemite, CA 95389
United States
+1 209 372 0200
http://www.yosemitepark.com/co... 		This lodge high on the east side of the park is rustic and comfortable. This dining spot caters to hikers and backpackers; however, if you are driving up from Lee Vining, this can be a good place to stop if you time it right. The restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, fruit, pancakes or granola. At dinner, you will always find beef, chicken, fish and pasta dishes, plus a daily vegetarian plate. The Prime Rib and New York Steak are highly praised.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Wawona Hotel Dining Room


Fine food and 19th-century decor
 Wawona Hotel
Yosemite, CA 95379
United States
+1 559 253 5635
http://www.yosemitepark.com/co... 		Enjoy breakfast, a buffet lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch in this delightful restaurant with quaint 19th century decor. Breakfast consists of bacon or sausage, and eggs, as well as a large selection of omelets. Lunch is buffet-style and changes with the seasons. Dinner includes delicacies such as roast duck and fresh trout. Come at the end of the day to watch the spectacular Yosemite sunset from the outdoor dining patio. A full service bar is available.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Wawona Hotel Dining Room photo by Dede Seward
Photo: Dede Seward
 

 
White Wolf Lodge Restaurant


Large, enticing portions
 White Wolf Lodge
Yosemite, CA 95379
United States
+1 209 372 8416
http://www.yosemitepark.com/co... 		The casual dining room has large windows and ceilings with exposed beams. Only open during the summer, this restaurant at White Wolf Lodge serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast offerings include bacon, eggs, omelets and good, hot coffee. The dinner menu varies throughout the season, but you can count on a New York Steak, fresh catch of the day, and at least one vegetarian dish nightly. The restaurant serves beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Review © 2007, Wcities
 

 
Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company


Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company
 40879 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644
United States
1 559 683 8815
www.yosemitecoffee.com 		This coffeehouse serves great scones and coffee as well as appetizers. You will find egg dishes, great pancakes, waffles, scones and muffins. Lunch includes sandwiches of all sorts, homemade soup and chili, as well as salads. The coffee is excellent, and if you like espresso, cappuccino, mocha or latte, this is the place.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company
Photo:
Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Yosemite Lodge Food Court


Convenience and selection
 Yosemite Lodge
Yosemite, CA 95389
United States
+1 559 252 4848
http://www.yosemitepark.com/co... 		Like a cafeteria, this food court serves meals and snacks all day. Breakfast consists of bacon, eggs, sausage and omelets. Lunch offerings include soups, sandwiches and salads. For dinner you can choose from meats, fish and casseroles. The food court always serves hot and cold beverages and snacks. It can get very crowded in mid-summer.

Review © 2007, Wcities
Yosemite Lodge Food Court photo by wcities
Photo: wcities
 

 
Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Yosemite - Dining & Drinking"
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Yosemite - Where to Stay
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