Note about Island Park Restaurants: Island Park is a small community. Because of the lack of available/affordable housing and the amount of people visiting Yellowstone National Park, local establishments suffer from lack of service providers. Please be patient if you are at one of these local establishments, everyone tries so hard to provide what you need, but it doesn’t always happen. The best advice is to plan as far ahead as possible and make reservations (if they take them). If you are spontaneous, try to arrive early (before 5:00 pm) and beat the rush or have the patience to wait for a table. Above all, practice kindness! We are all vested in you and your family having a great time in our small community.

Trout Hunter, 3327 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-9900

 Trout Hunter is a restaurant, a fly shop, and handles guided fly-fishing trips. Because of this, the restaurant is often busy with their clients and a lot of tables are pre-reserved. If you want a fancier meal than other places, this is a good option. They have great food, steaks, fish, soups, salads, and the like and are on the banks of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. In the summer they have seating on the deck. Check our blog about our dinner here but we love the caprice brochette, bison rib eye and a dinner salad. Oh and those mashed potatoes are the best bites ever too.

Café Sabor, 4298 US Highway 20, Island Park
(208) 558-9300

Café Sabor is the only Mexican restaurant in the area. They recently remodeled and are on the Big Springs section of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake. The food can be good at times, but at others, not so good. It is nice to sit on the deck and enjoy a margarita though, but don’t let them give you the PREMIX… you really want the margarita made from scratch. Give it a try if you are craving some Mexican food and don’t want to cook your own. I usually get the chimichanga.

Lakeside Lodge, 3857 Lakeside Lodge, Island Park
(208) 558-9770

Lakeside Lodge is the closest restaurant to the cabin in Rancho McCrea but still close to all of Island Park really, and if you have a boat, it’s fun to cruise down the reservoir, dock, and have some lunch or dinner on their deck. They serve burgers, steaks, salads, and have prime rib on occasion. It is great to have a late dinner then cruise the shores of Island Park Reservoir’s many homes as you watch the sun set. If you don’t have a boat, you can drive there by car in about 15 minutes from Rancho McCrea area. It is directly across the reservoir on the other side of the river. If you really want a great Idaho staple, try the FINGER STEAKS. They are a Boise Idaho thing and so so dang good. Tell them Teara sent you!

 Connie’s Restaurant, 4130 Quakie Ln., Island Park
(208) 558-6987

Connie’s is known for its home cooking. Soups, salads, burgers, ribs that fall of the bone, prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights, and home-made pies. Call ahead for reservations with as much notice as possible or show up before 5:00 pm to beat the dinner crowd. Note: They will not take to-go orders if the dining room is busy. They do take reservations for parties larger than 6 at the time of this writing. And really my favorite thing there is the fall off the bone ribs. Never gone wrong with them!

Henry’s Fork Lodge and Restaurant, 2794 S. Pinehaven Dr., Island Park

(208) 558-7953

This is the local special occasion dinner location. The restaurant is renowned throughout the region for gourmet, locally sourced, and seasonal dining. Call for reservations as the dining room is small and they accommodate their lodging and guiding guests first. It is a nice relaxing place on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.


Parlor at Mack’s Inn, 4292 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-2450

The Parlor is across the water from Café Sabor and right next to the new Marriott hotel. The Parlor serves ice cream, coffee, specialty drinks, pizza, and desserts. It would be a great spot to stop after floating Big Springs to get a cold drink or some ice cream. It’s a popular area and can be quite congested. Watch for pedestrians.

Pond’s Lodge, 3757 US-20, Island Park
(208) 558-7221

Pond’s Lodge is not too far from the cabins in Island Park. It is the closest restaurant with decent pizza if you are craving some. They have the only poutine (dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy) around. They do not take reservations but can usually accommodate a fair amount of people. Try their tap root beer served in a frosty mug, it’s great on a hot day. Their burgers, French dips, and other food is alright. Though some of the service is not my favorite, the pizza is pretty okay.